HCPS Board of Education Public Comment Request Form

HARFORD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEES SEEK NEW MEMBERSHIP

The Board of Education of Harford County Public Schools is seeking applicants for membership on its Citizen Advisory Committees. Membership is open to all Harford County residents, including those without children in the school system. As an advisory, each committee makes recommendations to the staff coordinator who serves as designee to the Superintendent of Schools.

Each committee will meet on a regular basis, or as necessary to accomplish its charge. New members are confirmed at a summer Board of Education business meeting; members are assigned to one-, two-, or three-year terms. Regular attendance is vital to maintain the continuity, sustainability, and effectiveness of the committee. Any member who is absent from fifty percent or more of the scheduled meetings during a twelve-month period shall be eligible for removal from a committee upon the recommendation of the staff coordinator to the Board of Education.

Residents of Harford County interested in serving as a member of any one of these committees should complete an application, available on the Board of Education page on www.hcps.org. Information requested will include the name of the committee, complete contact information (name, address, telephone number) and background information containing: membership(s) in the community, social and civic groups; occupation; level of schooling; availability to attend evening meetings; and reasons for wanting to serve on the committee.

The deadline for application is April 19, 2023. The Citizen Advisory Committee coordinators will notify all applicants of membership following the Board appointments in Summer 2023.

The Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee is open to any parent or community member who has an interest in special education and no formal application is needed. Meeting dates will be posted on the HCPS website for all parents and citizens interested in serving on the Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee.

A brief description of each Citizen Advisory Committee is listed below. Please contact the staff coordinator if you have questions concerning a specific committee.

Career and Technical Education (CTE)

Coordinator: Mr. Rob Limpert - 410-588-5244

Members of the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Advisory Council serve as advisors, advocates, and reviewers for CTE Programs, which prepare students for further education and workforce needs in current and emerging professions. The Council solicits participation from individuals representing businesses in the eleven Maryland Career Clusters. Council meetings are held at Harford Technical High School from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m.

Family Life Education

Coordinator: Mr. Kilo Mack - 410-588-5274

This committee discusses and reviews the Family Life Education curriculum and alignment to the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) comprehensive health education framework.

Gifted Education

Coordinator: Dr. Martha Barwick - 410-809-6127

The Gifted Education Committee discusses and reviews the impact of the Gifted Education Program on higher student achievement.

Special Education

Coordinator: Colleen Sasdelli - 410-588-5246

The Special Education Committee works in conjunction with the requirements of IDEA in supporting an advisory council for parents of students with disabilities. All members of our community who have an interest in supporting the needs of children with disabilities are encouraged to join this group. The committee studies the impact of special education services, programs of instruction, and service models. No application process is needed to serve on this committee.

Parent Advisory, Advocacy, and Action Council (PAAAC):

Coordinator: Mary Beth Stapleton, Family and Community Partnerships - 410-588-5263

The Parent Advisory, Advocacy, and Action Council is made up of HCPS parents representing all areas of the county who provide feedback to HCPS leaders on parent engagement efforts related to research-based National PTA Standard for family-school partnerships and is proactive in identifying ways to enhance the school system’s communication and parent engagement efforts, including parent advocacy training. Interested parents can contact the HCPS Family and Community Partnerships Office with any questions, or for a copy of the application.

BOARD OF EDUCATION OF HARFORD COUNTY
NOTICE OF PUBLIC COMMENT PARTICIPATION
MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2023

OPEN SESSION: 5:00 PM – 5:05 PM
This meeting will be conducted virtually with no public attendance due to the brief nature of this meeting
and the logistical issues regarding allowing public attendance in advance of the 6:30 PM meeting.
*The only item the Board will consider during this open meeting is consideration of meeting in a closed session.

CLOSED SESSION: 5:05 PM – 6:15 PM

BUSINESS MEETING: 6:30 PM – ADJOURNMENT
This meeting will be conducted in a hybrid fashion and public attendance will be permitted as explained below:

DOORS WILL OPEN AT 6:20 PM AND THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 6:30 PM

The Board of Education of Harford County will hold a hybrid Business Meeting on Monday, March 27, 2023, at 6:30 PM in the Board Room of the A.A. Roberty Building with Board Members, staff, and presenters in attendance both virtually and in-person. Seats will be available on a first come-first served basis. The meeting will be streamed live and archived for later viewing on the HCPS Website.

Public Comment Participation Call-In and In-Person Process
Individuals or groups recognized by Harford County Public Schools (i.e. – PTAs, unions, and other school system stakeholders) wishing to speak on an agenda item or to comment on an education-related matter not on the agenda may request to do so by sending an email to publiccomment@hcps.org or calling 410-588-5347.

Call-In Registrations must be received by 12:00 PM on Monday, March 27, 2023. All fields on the registration form must be completed.

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

*Failure to provide complete information as required above will void the request to provide Public Comment.

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 6:30 PM on Monday, March 27, 2023.
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.

The Board has authorized public comment in accord with its policy Public Participation at Board Open Meetings or Public Hearings and as summarized below:

Each speaker shall be limited to no more than three (3) minutes 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.

Speakers are reminded that public comments are considered public information and,
as such, are subject to the Maryland Public Information Act.

We are pleased to announce that another session of the SAT Prep course is now available in partnership with FEV Tutor. If your student in grade 11 or grade 12 is interested in participating in an SAT Prep course through FEV Tutor, they can register by completing this FORM no later than Wednesday March 29, 2023, at 10pm.

Please note:

Sessions will begin the week of April 17, 2023, and will end on June 2, 2023. The course will follow the days and times you submit on the Form linked above.
You can change or update your schedule anytime by emailing md@fevtutor.com.
The course is 7 weeks long. You will complete 1 session per week per subject area.
Each session is completed in the FEV Tutor platform. You can access the platform through your Clever dashboard.
Sessions are 1:1 with an FEV tutor.

To learn more about FEV Tutor please visit our HCPS tutoring web page at https://hcps.org/students/Tutoring.aspx.

For questions, please contact Rebecca Pensero, Coordinator of Supplemental Instruction and Tutoring via email at Rebecca.Pensero@hcps.org.

As shared earlier this year, the Food and Nutrition office will notify parents and guardians of low and zero balance meal accounts. These communications will be sent via our automated communication system phone calls.

Visit MySchoolBucks.com to set up an account, or download the app to set your own preference for balance reminders to avoid receiving daily reminders.

Want to give your school cafeteria staff specific directions on what your student can and cannot purchase in the school cafeteria? Complete the form available on hcpsmenus.com. Questions or issues? You can email schoolmeals@hcps.org with your question.

The following information was sent in a communication to families of High School Juniors:

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As students complete registration for classes next year, we want to make you aware of an opportunity available to rising seniors that is expanding in the fall.

The Harford Youth Workforce Investment Program is a chance for students entering grade 12 for the 2023-2024 school year to take non-credit workforce development classes through Harford Community College. Participation will provide students the opportunity to graduate with an industry-recognized certificate in their course of study.

To be eligible for the program, students must be eligible for part-time enrollment in HCPS during their senior year. Students who enroll in a specific Workforce Investment Program will be provided transportation between their home high school and their course location two days a week to attend the class.

Classes will be offered in the following areas: Construction, Logistics, Microsoft Office, Communications, Computer Support Technician, Helpdesk, Certified Nursing Assistant (two days a week, plus Saturdays), and Online Insurance Assistance.

Interested students should indicate their interest during course enrollment. Staff members with CTE/Career Workforce will walk each student through the application process.

A version of the following message will be sent via phone, email, and text message to parents and guardians with students in grades 4-11 on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.:

This is an important message about the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program, or MCAP, tests and scores. You are receiving this communication because your child/children may have participated in the MCAP assessments in the Fall of 2021 and/or Spring of 2022 in Harford County Public Schools. Your child will receive their individual score report(s) by April 14, 2023.

Please note that score reports were delayed by MSDE as new English/Language Arts and mathematics assessments were administered last year.

Score reports will be sent home by your child’s school. If you have questions, please contact your child's school.

Employment applications are now being accepted for Summer Programs. For immediate consideration, interested candidates should submit an online application by March 15, 2023. Please note that current employees should use the designated internal application. We anticipate initial offers to occur after April 1, 2023 and additional offers will be made until all vacant positions are filled.

To access an employment application, please visit the “Employment Opportunities” section of the HCPS website at www.hcps.org, or click here. Summer Program Employment Information can also be accessed on the HCPS website under the About Us banner. Select Current Vacancies/Summer Program.

Positions:

Audiologist
Braille Transcriber
Inclusion Helper
Interpreter for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired
Paraeducator
School Counselor
School Nurse
Speech Language Pathologist
Summer Swim Instructor
Teacher

Programs:

Special Education Infants & Toddlers
Special Education ESY Elementary & Early Interventions Programs
Special Education ESY Secondary
Special Education ESY Harford Academy
Special Education Child Find Test Center
Elementary Summer School Learning Program for Mathematics and Reading – Pre-K through Grade 5
Middle School Summer Learning Program for Mathematics and Language Arts
High School Summer Learning Program for Mathematics, English, Science, and Social Studies
High School Physical Education Summer Learning Program
Summer Swim Program

The following communication will be shared with all families and staff with an email in our mass communications system on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at 2 p.m.:

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Harford County Public Schools Counseling Services have compiled a list of scholarship opportunities for students who may choose to pursue educational opportunities beyond high school. Click here to view the scholarships listed on our website.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your school counseling office for assistance.

The following message will be sent to all contacts Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. via phone, email, and text message:

Today, February 15, 2023, one hundred (100) school buses were on Harford County roads equipped with AngelTrax Stop Arm Cameras. These cameras will issue citations for traffic violations around school buses. These cameras were placed on buses that were selected after a long vetting process to identify routes with the most stop arm violators.

The Harford County Sheriff’s Office will begin issuing citations immediately. Fines for each violation are $125 and can be paid online at www.childsafetyprogram.us. If you wish to contest the citation, you can do so by following the directions provided on the citation.

Thank you for helping keep our students safe!

Do you know about our Learning Together program? HCPS is looking for typically developing 3- and 4-year-old children to participate in a free, 2- or 3-half-day preschool program for the 2023-2024 school year. The purpose of the Learning Together Program is to have typically developing children learning alongside preschool children with disabilities. The program promotes social, communication, literacy, and numeracy skill development for all children.

The program is located at the following schools: Meadowvale Elementary, Havre de Grace Elementary, Edgewood Elementary, Homestead/Wakefield Elementary, Youths Benefit Elementary, and North Bend Elementary.

Children must be at least 3-years old as of September 1, 2023 and be toilet trained.

For more information and to access the application, visit https://www.hcps.org/departments/instructionalsupport/specialeducation/learningtogether/

Please contact robyn.graham@hcps.org with any questions.

The following information will be sent directly to families with students in grades 3-12 via phone, email, and text message on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.:

We have great news to share! Harford County Public Schools has partnered with FEV Tutor to provide free academic support and tutoring in all mathematics, reading, science and social studies courses. This resource is available to all students in grades 3-12. FEV Tutor provides drop-in homework help, as well as scheduled sessions, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The resource will be available beginning on Tuesday, January 17, 2023. Click here to watch the latest Parent Academy video on FEV Tutor and see below for the breakdown of each of the options.

Option 1: Drop-In Homework Help- this option is best used when students are having difficulty with an assignment.

Step 1: Log into HCPS student device.
Step 2: Access FEV Tutor through Clever.

*To access Clever, students must go into Canvas, select the “help” icon displayed as a question mark, and sign into their HCPS account. Search “FEV Tutor” on the Clever Platform and select the FEV Tutor icon.

Step 3: Select “Request an On-Demand Session!”
Step 4: Select subject area.

Option 2: Scheduled Weekly Sessions-This option is best for consistent support, in a single subject area.

Step 1: Log into HCPS student device.
Step 2: Access FEV Tutor through Clever.

*To access Clever, students must go into Canvas, select the “help” icon displayed as a question mark, and sign into their HCPS account. Search “FEV Tutor” on the Clever Platform and select the FEV Tutor icon.

Step 3: Schedule a tutoring session Learn How Here
Step 4: Select red flashing button “Your session has started, Join Now!” at your scheduled time.

Getting Started Resources:
Intro Video
Frequently Asked Questions
Learning Style and Communication Options
How to Use Whiteboard Tools and Share Content with Tutors
If you have any questions about this free virtual tutoring program, please contact FEV Tutor directly via email at md@fevtutor.com or call 855-763-2607. FEV's Support Team is happy to answer any questions and work with you to create a personalized tutoring experience that best suits your student learner.
You may also contact Rebecca Pensero, Coordinator of Supplemental Instruction and Tutoring, via email at Rebecca.Pensero@hcps.org.

A version of the following message will be sent to all contacts Thursday, January 12, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. via phone, email, and text message:

Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) is pleased to announce Joppatowne High School has been approved by the Department of the Army to establish a U.S. Army Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) program, effective February 1, 2023. Students currently in eighth grade throughout the county will be able to apply to join JROTC at Joppatowne High. Applications will be available Tuesday, January 17, 2023, through Friday, February 10, 2023, on hcps.org and in all middle school counseling offices.

Click here to watch a Parent Academy Real Talk about JROTC in HCPS!

In May 2016, the Board of Education of Harford County approved the submission of the JROTC application and the establishment of the program at Joppatowne High School. Strong support was provided from the Military Officers Association of America; Susquehanna Chapter; and numerous local, state, and federal leaders for instituting a program at Joppatowne High. Joppatowne High was the first school in the nation to offer a high school curriculum program for Homeland Security. The Homeland Security Emergency Preparedness Program is a signature curriculum that is affiliated with internships and instruction from area colleges and civil defense agencies. JROTC is an excellent addition to the program.

Harford County is the proud home of Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG). APG is the largest employer in the county and is a critical US Army research, development, test, and evaluation installation. In 2017, APG and the surrounding community celebrated the 100^th anniversary of APG as a national military garrison. This year, Harford County celebrates a 250-year anniversary. Launching the JROTC program in Harford County is a great addition and way to continue to celebrate Harford County’s legacy.

The following message will be sent December 22, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. to all families of 12th grade students via phone, email, and text message:

This is an important message for all parents and guardians with a student in twelfth grade.

Graduation dates, times, and locations have been finalized. Visit the calendar page on hcps.org for the full schedule and visit our YouTube channel or click here to watch the latest Parent Academy Real Talk discussing graduation ceremonies this year.

Your school will provide additional details about your schools specific graduation ceremony.

The following message will be sent to all contacts December 21, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. via phone, email, and text message:

The 2023-2024 HCPS Calendar was presented to the Board of Education at the December 19, 2022 Board Business meeting for final approval. Thank you to the Calendar Committee for their time and consideration, and to those who provided feedback to the proposed calendar online and in person. You can view the calendar presentation and discussion from the Board of Education meeting on December 19, 2022 in its entirety here.

Visit the calendar page on hcps.org to review the Board approved HCPS 2023-24 Color-Coded Calendar. As soon as other traditionally posted versions of the calendar are ready, the calendar page will be updated on the website.

The following communication is being sent to all families of students in grades 7 and 8 at Edgewood Middle and students in grade 9 at Edgewood High Schools on November 17, 2022 at 5:00 p.m.:

Amazon recently contacted Edgewood Middle School regarding the pencil pouches that were purchased and distributed to students at Edgewood Middle School who were in 6, 7, and 8 grade last year, the 2021-2022 school year. The following communication was received from Amazon:

We have learned of a potential safety issue that may impact your Amazon purchase. A U.S. Regulatory Agency and/or our Product Safety Team has provided us information that indicates that the product may exceed the federal limits for lead and/or cadmium or contains a defect that presents a substantial product hazard under CPSA Section 15(a)(1) or (2).

If you still have this product, we urge you to stop using it immediately and dispose of the item.
If you purchased this item for someone else, please notify the recipient immediately and let them know they should dispose of the item. There is no need for you to return the product.

Harford County Public Schools is requesting any student that may still be using the pencil pouches distributed last year, dispose of the pencil pouch immediately. Please note, students in 6, 7, and 8 grade this year received a new pencil pouch that has not been affected by this recall.

If you have any further questions, please contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission at 800-638-2772.