Harford Glen Pier Closed Until Further Notice
Updated HCPS Policies: Portable Devices and Backpacks
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:
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:
For more details and exceptions, please review the policy in its entirety via the attached document or on our website.
What Families Should Do
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
HCPS Moving to New Communications Platform
The following message was sent to all contacts via email, phone call, text and app push alert on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.
Summer Break is upon us! Before students leave for the summer, we want to share that HCPS will use a new communications system, effective July 1, 2025, for:
Here’s what you can do now to be ready!
Click here to download the new app on your Android or Apple device. You’ll see it’s still a work in progress but will be fully live July 1.
Also on July 1, you will see your school’s new website. Bookmark the new site for easy access to important school information. You will find the links available on our website, hcps.org, on July 1.
Phone calls and emails will come from the same phone number and email address. Text messages will come from “98900” starting July 1. The first text you receive through this new system will include legal wording that may appear as spam. A screen shot of what this message will look like is attached to this email so you can rest assured it is a message from HCPS and not spam.
You will receive a phone call, email, and text message with our first communication in the new system. You will have the opportunity to opt out of any form of communication you do not wish to receive moving forward. Don’t forget- if you opt out, you won’t receive those “snow day” messages!
HCPS 2025-2026 Color-Coded Calendar Available Online