1. First and Last name / if speaker is a Group Representative, then please state the name of the Group
2. Local Address             
3. Email Address
4. Phone Number
5. Agenda item or subject your Public Comment pertains to
6. Will you provide in-person or virtual Public Comment
7. Registration forms are limited to one (1) per person

• Registered virtual speakers will receive an email from HCPS with a Call-in Phone # and a Conference ID #.
• Registered speakers are required to call-in and enter the conference ID# at 6:00 PM on Monday, September 22, 2025. 
• Important: If you are unable to take your phone off mute, you may need to dial *6.
• If you are admitted from the virtual lobby to the meeting, you will be greeted by an HCPS staff member when it is time to begin your public comment.  Expected hold time in the virtual lobby may vary based on number of registered speakers.  The maximum wait time in the lobby is 30 minutes; should you be disconnected please call back.
• "Request to Appear Before the Board" cards will be available for in-person attendees prior to the Board Meeting for sign-up and must be submitted prior to the opening of the meeting. 

• Each speaker shall be limited to no more than three (3) minutes for individuals and five (5) minutes for individuals representing groups.  Speakers must state his or her name, and, if representing a group, must identify the group he or she represents.  If a speaker identifies themselves as a representative of a group, then only one (1) representative from the group may provide comment for the identified group.
• The Board presiding officer may reduce the amount of time allocated to each speaker if allocating 3 minutes to each speaker will impede the Board’s ability to complete scheduled business.
• The Board will receive in-person public comment first and virtual public comment second. The Board expects that all comments will be submitted with the decorum and respect appropriate to the conduct of public business.
• Topics such as personnel matters, pending appeals, specific student disciplinary matters or which constitute commercial solicitations are not permitted.
• Disparaging comments, personal attacks, and inflammatory remarks about specific schools, personnel, any person, or group are not permitted. Speakers who engage in these comments will be reminded of the rules and the Board reserves the right to remove the speaker.  In addition, public comment is an opportunity for members of the community to address the Board of Education.  Please direct your comments to the Board and not to other members of the public in the audience.
• All public comments submitted will be part of the records maintained by the Board office.

1. Global Studies Program/International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, at Edgewood High School 
2. Career Programs at Harford Technical High School 
3. Information Technology Oracle Academy, at Havre de Grace High School 
4. Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC), at Joppatowne High School 
5. Natural Resources and Agricultural Science (NRAS), at North Harford High School 
6. Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH), at Joppatowne High School 
7. Science and Mathematics Academy (SMA), at Aberdeen High School 
8. Teacher Academy of Maryland (TAM), at Edgewood High and North Harford High schools 

• Deadline to Apply: Friday, September 26, 2025. 
• Students selected to advance will be invited to in-person interviews on Monday, October 13, 2025. Interviews will be held at C. Milton Wright High School. Only students available that day will be considered. 
• Pages serve two nonconsecutive weeks during the January–April legislative session. 
• Duties include supporting the daily schedule of the chamber. 
• Each Page receives a $55 per day stipend. Housing is available upon request for students who live outside Anne Arundel County. 

The following (full letter attached) is being shared with families who have Kindergarten students in HCPS, on behalf of the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE):

KRA Parent Notification Letter_English_updated HCPS.pdf

KRA Parent Notification Letter Spanish updated HCPS.pdf

This fall your student will take the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA). The KRA is an assessment that measures a student's knowledge, skills, and abilities in literacy, mathematics, and social and emotional development. It is given to all kindergarten students enrolled in public schools in Maryland by October 10th each year. The purpose of the KRA is to provide teachers and caregivers with information about what students know and can do, as well as to identify areas where they might need additional support. The assessment has three components:

• Star Early Literacy - 10-minute computer adaptive assessment of early literacy skills
• Star Math – 15-minute computer adaptive assessment of math skills
• SAEBRS (Social Academic Emotional Behavior Risk Screen) – 19-question survey completed based on
teacher observation

Most students will take the literacy and mathematics components of the KRA on a computer or tablet. The test will be read out loud to students who will use a mouse or touchscreen to select answers. Paper tests, ASL interpretation, and other accommodations are available for students who need them. Teachers will complete the social and emotional component of the assessment after spending the first few weeks of school getting to know students and completing observations.

Caregivers will receive information about how their student performed after the assessment has been administered. The results provide information about a student's mastery of the content and skills that will support their success in kindergarten. Performance on the KRA does not prevent a child from entering or remaining in kindergarten. The KRA results are only one piece of data, and scores should be understood in the context of other information, including feedback from a student’s teacher.

If you have questions about the KRA please speak with your student’s teacher.

Sincerely,
Erika McCrea
Executive Director of State Assessments

The registration period for the PSAT opens on August 27, 2025, and runs through September 17, 2025.  

The PSAT is an optional test administered by the College Board and is designed to give students opportunities to prepare for the SAT, a college admissions test. It also provides schools with valuable information about your student’s potential for success in Advanced Placement (AP) coursework. 

During the 2025-2026 school year, the PSAT will be administered during the school day in October. 

There is a $20.00 registration fee. Students who are eligible for free or reduced meals may select a waiver during registration to take the PSAT at no cost.   

Your school will provide information about specific dates the test will be offered and how to register for this exam.  After receiving that information, please reach out to the school test coordinator or counseling office if you have any questions. 

The following message is being sent via email to all families and staff on Thursday, July 31, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.:

We want to share important updates to two Board of Education of Harford County policies—Portable Communication Devices and Student Backpack Use—approved by the Board of Education on June 9, 2025. These changes go into effect for the upcoming school year and are designed to support a safe and focused learning environment. 

Portable Communication Devices  

Students may bring cell phones, smartwatches, headphones, and other portable communication devices to school; however, their use is limited during the school day:  

• Elementary School: Devices must be deactivated and stored in student bookbags upon arrival.  

• Middle School: Devices must be deactivated and secured in lockers for the duration of the school day.   

• High School: Devices must be kept in the student’s locker and deactivated during class time.  

• Smartwatches and similar wearables may be worn but must remain deactivated at all grade levels.  

For more details and exceptions, please review the policy in its entirety via the attached document or on our website.   

Student Backpack and Bag Policy  

The updated backpack and bag policy outlines expectations for storage to ensure clear pathways, student safety, and emergency preparedness:  

• Bookbags do not need to be clear, but they must be stored appropriately. 

• Elementary School: Bookbags must be placed in designated classrooms or cubby areas upon arrival.  

• Middle and High School: Bookbags must be stored in lockers during the school day.  

• Students may carry a nontransparent bag no larger than 4.5x8.5-inch with them for personal hygiene purposes.  

• Athletic bags and musical instrument cases at all grade levels must be taken directly to the appropriate storage areas upon arrival and not carried throughout the school day.   

For more details and exceptions, please review the policy in its entirety via the attached document or on our website.    

What Families Should Do  

• Review these updated policies with your student before the first day of school.  

• Make sure your child knows where and how to store their devices and bags.    

Both policies will be actively enforced at the start of the school year. 

Thank you for your partnership in helping maintain safe, organized, and distraction-free schools. 

Sincerely, 
Dr. Aaron Poynton 
President, Board of Education of Harford County 

• English Version
• Spanish Version