Harford County Public Schools

The following communication was sent to all contacts, Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. via email, text message, and push alert

The Harford County Regional Association of Student Councils (HCRASC) invites you to the commUNITY in Motion 5K and 1 Mile Family Fun Run on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Harford Technical High School in Bel Air. Gates open at 9:00 AM and the race starts at 10:00 AM.
This student-run event is a way for families to enjoy fitness, have fun, and support HCPS student leaders. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Upper Chesapeake Health for Breast Cancer Care.
Registration fees are $25 for adults and $15 for students. Children under 5-years-old are free. Click here to register.

The following communication was sent to all contacts, Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. via phone call, email and text message:

The Board of Education of Harford County will hold Engage for Education listening sessions throughout the 2025-2026 school year. Like previous years, these listening sessions are an opportunity to ask questions and share your thoughts on the future of education in Harford County with members of the Board of Education.
The first session is scheduled for Tuesday, September 30, 2025, from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. in the C. Milton Wright High School auditorium. No pre-registration is required to attend or speak.
Additional dates will be announced as they become available.
For more information, or to provide feedback directly to the Board if you are unable to attend one of the sessions, please visit the Engage for Education page on hcps.org.

The following communication was sent to all elementary school families on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. via email and text message:

As we begin the 2025–2026 school year, we are excited to share that the HCPS Patriot Program will be part of the instructional day in all elementary schools across Harford County Public Schools.
The Patriot Program seeks to foster civic-minded students with knowledge of the rich history of the United States, an appreciation for the democratic values that are the foundation of our society, and an understanding of the ways they can responsibly participate in and contribute to their communities. Through engaging lessons and activities, students in Pre-K through Grade 5 will explore important values such as pride, responsibility, and respect.
Program Highlights:

Official Launch: The program begins on Constitution Day, September 17, with a day of special lessons and activities.
Ongoing Learning: Throughout the year, students will explore nine areas of study, including civics, geography, history, art, music, physical education, media literacy, economics, and service learning.
Home to School Connection: Families will receive a Patriot Pathways newsletter at the end of each unit, offering ways to continue the conversation and learning at home.

Additional Opportunities:

While the Patriot Program will be taught during the school day for all students, PTAs may also offer “Beyond the Bell” Patriot activities as an optional, after-school program. They may also choose to sponsor activities or competitions alongside the Patriot Program to encourage students wanting to go above-and-beyond.
Schools will have flexibility to create their own celebrations and activities to make the Patriot Program special for their community.

We are proud to expand this program to every elementary school. Thank you for your support as we launch this exciting new opportunity for our youngest learners!

The following message was sent to all 7^th and 8^th grade families at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, via email, phone call, and text message.

Dear Parents and Guardians of 7th and 8th Grade students,
Harford County Public Schools invites you to attend one of our Magnet and Technical Programs Information Nights. These events begin at 6:00 p.m. Each presentation is identical, so you do not need to attend multiple events.
Dates and locations of presentations:
- Wednesday, September 24, 2025: Magnolia Middle School and Patterson Mill Middle School
- Thursday, September 25, 2025: Havre de Grace Middle School and Southampton Middle School
- Tuesday, September 30, 2025: Aberdeen Middle School and North Harford Middle School
Programs to be discussed include:

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

For more information on the Harford County Public Schools Magnet and Technical Programs, click here.

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

Parents and guardians: The Portable Communication Device Policy was updated in June 2025. If your school provides a student planner, it may have gone to print as early as April- before the policy was updated. This means your student planner may have an outdated version of the Portable Communication Device Policy. We apologize for any inconvenience and ask that you utilize the most up to date policy that is available here. This is the policy we will adhere to this school year.

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