Harford County Public Schools

The following message was sent on Tuesday, May 30, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. to all parents and guardians of 4th grade students via email and text message:

Next school year, your student will have the opportunity to experience the Fifth Grade Residential Outdoor Education Program at Harford Glen Environmental Education Center.

In just a few weeks, on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, we are hosting an Open House at Harford Glen Environmental Education Center to allow parents to visit and explore our facility, prior to their student’s visit. This event allows parents and guardians to learn about the program and the property.

Details
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Harford Glen Environmental Education Center
502 W. Wheel Road, Bel Air, MD, 21014

We look forward to seeing you there!

The following message has been sent to all parents and guardians via email. A phone call and reminder email will be sent May 20 and May 27, 2025, respectively. Please note, participants MUST submit verification that they have a current student enrolled in HCPS to participate in the survey.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

On behalf of the Board of Education of Harford County, we want to remind you that your participation is requested in the first 360 Superintendent Annual Evaluation Survey, led by Dr. Aaron Poynton, President of the Board of Education (on behalf of the Board) in collaboration with Superintendent Dr. Sean Bulson.

Your voice is vital in helping us assess and strengthen leadership effectiveness across the school system. This short survey—designed to take five (5) minutes or less—will provide valuable insights into how HCPS is progressing in key areas aligned to the Board’s top three priorities:

Academic Achievement (focus on math, reading, and language arts)
Improving School Environment (emphasis on attendance and safety)
Increasing Community and Parental Trust (through partnerships and transparency)

To learn more about the strategic goals and data informing this evaluation, the following resources are available to review:

Important Information About the Survey:
The survey will remain open through Friday, May 30, 2025, at 11:45 p.m.

To ensure the accuracy and reliability of the results, all parents and guardians completing the survey will be required to enter the 6-digit Student ID of one currently enrolled child. This is the same 6-digit number used for Food & Nutrition services and can be found on report cards or progress reports. You may also look it up at Registration.hcps.org.

While responses will include identifying details to prevent duplicates or fraudulent responses, individual identities will remain confidential and will not be linked to specific survey responses.

This evaluation survey is one of several tools the Board uses to assess the superintendent. It will not be used in isolation, but rather to support continuous improvement and informed decision-making.

Follow the instructions below to participate in the survey:

To complete this survey, log in to Online Registration/Online Forms by entering your email and password at https://registration.hcps.org/
- If you do not remember your password, click the “Forgot your Password?” link and follow the prompts to reset it.
Once logged in, the survey can be accessed from the dashboard.
- Click on the 360 Superintendent Annual Evaluation Survey! In the blue box (See screenshot below for details).
  - To complete the survey, parents and guardians will be required to enter a 6-digit Student ID at the end of the survey, before clicking the Submit button.
  - The 6-digit Student ID is displayed to the right of the student name on your dashboard.
If you do not see your student(s), please verify and/or change the email address on file for that student by logging into your HAC account and clicking the registration tile.

Screenshot showing forgot your password link

Screenshot of blue box to click on for Superintendent Survey

If you do not yet have an online registration account with HCPS, please enroll using the “Create an account here” button at the bottom of the page.

You must create the account using the email address on file at the school.
To verify and/or change the email address on file, log into your HAC account and click the registration tile.

Screenshot of Online Forms page with links

Thank you for your time and continued partnership in supporting student success at HCPS.

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

The following communication was sent to all contacts on Friday, May 2, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. via email, text message and push alert:

The Board of Education of Harford County is seeking applicants for membership on several Citizen Advisory Committees. Membership is open to all Harford County residents, including those who do not have a student in the school system.
Each committee meets regularly or as needed and makes recommendations to a staff coordinator who serves as a designee to the Superintendent of Schools. New members are confirmed to the respective committee during a summer Board of Education business meeting and will serve a one-, two-, or three-year term. Regular attendance is important to maintain the effectiveness of each committee. Any member who misses fifty percent or more of scheduled meetings in a twelve-month period may be considered for removal.
The committees include Career and Technical Education (CTE), Family Life Education, and Gifted Education. The Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee is open to any parent or community member interested in supporting the needs of students with disabilities—no formal application is required. The Parent Advisory, Advocacy, and Action Council (PAAAC) does not have current openings and is not accepting applications at this time.
Interested parties should complete an application available on the Board of Education webpage at www.hcps.org. Information requested includes the name of the committee you are applying for, your contact information, and background details such as community involvement, occupation, education, and your reasons for wanting to serve.
The deadline to apply is May 23, 2025.

Per the 2024-2025 HCPS School Calendar, the last day of school was originally scheduled for June 12, 2025. With 5 inclement weather day closures this year, HCPS was scheduled to make up those days on June 13, 16, 17, 18 and 20, making June 20, 2025, the last day of school for students. Given the scheduled closure June 19, HCPS submitted a one-day waiver request of the 180-day calendar requirement to the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) to allow HCPS to end school on Wednesday, June 18.

At the April 29 MSDE Board meeting, with the state superintendent’s endorsement, the state board approved our waiver request.

HCPS last day of school for students will be Wednesday, June 18, 2025. The last professional development day for staff is Friday, June 20, 2025.
*Joppatowne High School’s last day for students will be an early dismissal on Friday, June 20, due to an additional closure earlier this school year.

More calendar information for this and next school year, is available here. PLEASE NOTE: if any additional closures are required prior to the last day of school, additional adjustments will be made to the calendar.

The following message was sent to all contacts on Thursday, April 24, 2025, via phone call, email, text message and app push alert

Thank you to all who have attended recent Harford County Public Schools events and cooperated with our updated safety procedures. As we continue working to enhance the safety of students, staff, and visitors, we are sharing important reminders about two key safety measures in place at HCPS events:

- Bag Policy at Middle and High School Events
Since September 17, 2024, all spectators attending athletic or other large events on middle and high school campuses have been required to follow the HCPS clear bag policy.
Approved bags include:

One clear tote bag (no larger than 12” x 12” x 6”, with a logo not exceeding 4.5” tall by 3.4” wide)

Resealable clear plastic bags (up to one gallon)

Small clutch bags (non-clear, no larger than 4.5” x 8.5”)

Medically necessary and diaper bags (subject to search; infant must be present)

Seat cushions and blankets (must be carried, not placed in a bag)

All other bags will be denied at entry. For full details and visual examples, visit the HCPS Athletics page or see the attached PDF.

- Weapons Detection System Use at Events
This school year, Harford County Public Schools began using OpenGate weapons detection systems at select events. These systems are used during HCPS-sponsored events and are not currently part of everyday school entry procedures.

All event attendees, students, staff, and visitors of all ages must go through the detection system when it is in use. Please follow staff instructions as we work together to ensure a safe experience for everyone.

Click here to view a video to learn more about the OpenGate system.

We appreciate your continued partnership in keeping HCPS events safe and welcoming for our entire community.

The following communication was sent to all contacts Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. via email and phone call:

Harford County Public Schools will begin utilizing Open Gate weapons detection systems in our schools over the next several weeks. They will primarily be seen and used at high schools and can also be moved to middle and elementary schools, as needed.

Click here to watch a video explaining the Open Gate Weapons Detection System.

Please note that when the system is set up and in use, visitors of any age, staff, and students, will need to go through the system. Please be prepared to follow staff instructions as we all work to ensure the safety of our schools.

The following communication was sent to all contacts on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. via email, phone call and text message:

As we work to develop a sustainable and responsible budget for the upcoming fiscal year, adjustments are being made to align resources with available funding. As such, Harford County Public Schools can NOT offer summer school sessions for 2025. This cancelation includes Elementary and Middle summer school sessions, as well as the High School credit recovery summer program.

This does NOT impact Extended School Year (ESY) for students receiving special education services per their Individualized Education Plan (IEP). This program is federally mandated and will continue as planned.

For more information about the FY26 budget, click here.

The following communication was sent to all contacts on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. via email:

In March 2024, the Board of Education of Harford County updated the Cell Phone Policy for Harford County Public Schools, in order to better support student success by minimizing distraction. You can view this policy here.

The policy is in place and being enforced at all schools.

We appreciate the support of our entire Harford County Public Schools community in reinforcing these expectations. Please take a moment to watch this short video explaining why this policy is so important.

Thank you for helping us create and foster a focused and productive learning environment!

The following message is being sent via email and phone to all Joppatowne High School community members on Friday, February 28, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.:

This is an important calendar update for students, families, and staff at Joppatowne High School.

On December 19, 2024, Joppatowne High School was closed to allow students and staff to attend services for Ms. Niesha Jones, our beloved Community Schools Specialist. HCPS is required to submit a waiver request to MSDE for any unscheduled closure of a single school. The State Superintendent then determines whether to waive the 180-day student instruction requirement. Their decision dictates whether HCPS must make up the missed instructional time.

The request to waive the day from the 180-day requirement was denied. To comply with Maryland law, Joppatowne High School will now be open for instruction one day after the last scheduled day of school for students attending other HCPS schools. Please note that this additional instructional day, for JOHS students ONLY, will follow a three-hour early dismissal schedule.

Key Dates (as of Friday, February 28, 2025):
• Last day of school for all HCPS students: Friday, June 20, 2025
• Additional instructional day for JOHS students: Monday, June 23, 2025 (three-hour early dismissal)
• JOHS staff: Will remain for the remainder of the previously scheduled professional development day

Please note: If additional systemwide closures occur due to inclement weather, these dates will be adjusted accordingly.

We appreciate your support and understanding as we ensure Joppatowne High School meets the state calendar requirements.

The following communication was sent Thursday, February 20, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. to select parents and guardians via phone call, email, and text message:

Parents and guardians of students receiving special education and related services are asked to complete the Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey from the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services. Surveys were mailed by MSDE no later than February 14, 2025, and should be in your mailbox soon if you have not already received it. Please return your completed survey in the provided envelope by May 30, 2025. If you did not receive a copy of the survey in the mail from MSDE, you can complete the survey online at https://www.mdparentsurvey.com. Additional information is in your survey packet and on the website.

Your feedback will help guide efforts to improve special education and related services in Harford County Public Schools. Your voice can make a real difference for your child and many other students across the State of Maryland.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

The following communication was sent to all contacts on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. via email, phone call, text message, and push alert.

Harford County Public Schools kindergarten registration, and applications for kindergarten early entrance, and advanced placement to first grade for the 2025-2026 school year, will be available Friday, March 7, 2025.

Kindergarten registration can be completed online on March 7, 2025.

Applications for early entrance to kindergarten will be available to print online and submit a hard copy. To submit your application, follow the directions on the cover sheet of the printed application.

Applications for advanced placement to first grade will be available to print online and submit a hard copy. To submit your application, follow the directions on the cover sheet of the printed application.

*Printed applications will be available at each elementary school on March 7, 2025.*

Note: Prekindergarten applications will be available later this spring. Details will be released as soon as possible.

Due to state law, prekindergarten and kindergarten instruction are not permitted to be virtual. This means prekindergarten and kindergarten registration is not available at Swan Creek School.

Please share this information in your community as we try to ensure families who may not be connected to HCPS are aware that these important applications and registrations will be available March 7, 2025.

Additional registration information is available here.

The following message was sent to all contacts on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. via phone call, email, text message and push alert.

Harford County Public Schools kindergarten registration, and applications for kindergarten early entrance, and advanced placement to first grade for the 2025-2026 school year, will be available Friday, March 7, 2025.

Kindergarten registration can be completed online on March 7, 2025.

Applications for early entrance to kindergarten will be available to print online and submit a hard copy. To submit your application, follow the directions on the cover sheet of the printed application.

Applications for advanced placement to first grade will be available to print online and submit a hard copy. To submit your application, follow the directions on the cover sheet of the printed application.

*Printed applications will be available at each elementary school on March 7, 2025.*
Note: Prekindergarten applications will be available later this spring. Details will be released as soon as possible.
Due to state law, prekindergarten and kindergarten instruction are not permitted to be virtual. This means prekindergarten and kindergarten registration is not available at Swan Creek School.
Please share this information in your community as we try to ensure families who may not be connected to HCPS are aware that these important applications and registrations will be available March 7, 2025.
Additional registration information is available here.

The 2025-2026 Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) Color-Coded Calendar is available online.

You can view all available calendar information here.

News Alert for 5/13/2025

HCPS Parents and Guardians: Please Complete BOE 360 Superintendent Annual Evaluation Survey