CTE Family Night - February 26
Harford County Public Schools invites students in grades 4-7 and their families to CTE Family Night on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at Patterson Mill Middle/High School. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the event will run from 6:00-8:00 p.m. In the event of inclement weather, the event will be rescheduled for Thursday, March 5, 2026.
This fair-style event will provide students and families with opportunities to explore the comprehensive, Magnet, and Signature programs of study offered in HCPS high schools. Students and families will circulate through the event to speak with representatives from each MSDE-recognized Career Cluster, including Maryland Youth Apprenticeship and Harford Youth Workforce Investment.
Current students and teachers will be available to engage students in demonstrations, showcasing how Career and Technology Education (CTE) innovatively prepares students for opportunities beyond high school. Students from various CTE Student Organizations will be highlighting additional opportunities to participate in experiential learning through co-curriculars such as Future Business Leaders of America, SkillsUSA, FFA, and Engineering and Robotics clubs.
For more information about the event and the programs offered within Harford County Public Schools, visit the CTE webpage on hcps.org.
1/14/2026 3:30 PM
A Message from Board of Education of Harford County President Dr. Poynton
The following message is being shared on behalf of Board of Education of Harford County President, Dr. Aaron Poynton.
HCPS Community,
As many of you are aware, it has been reported by various media outlets that our superintendent may have been involved in a reported robbery while on a work-related trip in 2024. This has understandably raised questions regarding the nature of the incident and whether any Harford County Public Schools property or student information may have been compromised.
An internal review confirms no student data was compromised. The Board has now ordered an independent investigation into the entire matter.
The attention and distraction surrounding this reported incident has created challenges for the school system at a time when our focus must remain squarely on students, staff, and the uninterrupted operation of our schools. After careful consideration and a majority vote, the Board has determined that the best course of action at this time is for our superintendent to be placed on administrative leave during the investigation.
In the meantime, Dr. Dyann Mack, our current Deputy Superintendent, will serve as Acting Superintendent to ensure continuity, stability, and effective leadership across the district.
The Board has full confidence in our leadership team and remains committed to transparency, professionalism, and the highest standards of governance. We will continue to focus on what matters most: supporting our students, empowering our educators, and serving the families and community of Harford County.
Thank you for your continued trust and partnership.
Dr. Aaron Poynton
President, Board of Education of Harford County
1/7/2026 7:36 PM
HCPS Inclement Weather Information for the 2025-2026 School Year
The following information was sent to parents, guardians, and staff on Wednesday, December 3, 2025 via phone, email, and text message
As we enter inclement weather season, a few reminders for returning families, and important info for new families.
HCPS staff evaluate weather conditions daily. When HCPS operates, approximately 5,000 staff members and approximately 40,000 students are on Harford County roads. This can be via a personal vehicle, riding a bus, or walking to school. To ensure the safety of staff and students, HCPS has several options to adjust operating schedules in the case of inclement weather.
DELAYS:
CLOSURES can be determined:
Please note: Closures need to be made up, and HCPS will utilize inclement weather days that are built into the end of the school year (blue outline on the color-coded version of the calendar).
1-, 2- and 3-hour delays do not need to be made up; when schools are open, it counts towards the state mandated 180-day school year.
With a delay, take your students' normal schedule, and add the delay time to adjust your schedule. For example, if you normally arrive at the bus stop at 6:30 a.m., with a 1-hour delay, arrive at 7:30 a.m. On a 2-hour delay, arrive at the bus stop at 8:30 a.m. and on a 3-hour delay, arrive at the bus stop at 9:30 a.m.
Early Learner and Learning Together Programs:
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1-hour delay - Early Learners and Learning Together will also delay one hour
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2-hour delay - NO AM Early Learners and Learning Together; PM WILL meet.
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3-hour delay - NO Early Learners and Learning Together.
When schools are delayed, every effort will be made to make a reassessment by 5:45 a.m. for a 1 Hour Delay, by 6:45 a.m. for a 2 Hour Delay, and by 7:45 a.m. for a 3 Hour Delay. Communication will ONLY be sent if there is another change to the operating schedule.
The decision to dismiss early for inclement weather will be made as close to 9:30 a.m. as possible for any variation of time for an early dismissal, whether 1-, 2-, or 3-hours early.
Where will this information be posted?
As soon as the Communications Office is made aware of operational changes due to inclement weather, written messages will be posted, followed by direct messages. Please note: if you download the HCPS app, you will get the push notification FASTER than the phone call! Also, closures and delays that are provided the night before, or morning of, are not sent to emergency contacts. We WILL utilize emergency contacts, if students are at school and sent home early to ensure someone is aware that they will arrive home before their normal dismissal time.
Want to download the HCPS app?
Click here if you have an Android device
Click here if you have an Apple device
12/3/2025 12:18 PM
Student Planners- Policy Updates!
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.
9/2/2025 11:34 AM
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
7/31/2025 5:00 PM
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