UPDATE: MAY 4, 2021
BOARD OF EDUCATION OF HARFORD COUNTY
NOTICE OF PUBLIC COMMENT PARTICIPATION
BUSINESS MEETING – MAY 10, 2021 – 6:30PM
The Board of Education of Harford County Business Meeting will be held on May 10, 2021 at 6:30PM with only Board Members, staff, and presenters in attendance virtually. The meeting will be streamed live and archived for later viewing on the HCPS Website.
Public Comment Participation Call-In Process
Community members who wish to provide comments during the Public Comments segment of the Business meeting are required to register by completing this form Public Comment Registration Form, https://www.hcps.org/boe/publiccommentrequest.aspx
Registrations must be received by 9:00AM on Monday, May 10, 2021. All fields on the registration form must be completed.
First and Last name
Mailing Address
Email Address
Phone Number
1. Registered speakers will receive an email from HCPS with a Call-in Phone # and a Conference ID #.
2. Registered speakers are required to call-in and enter the conference ID# at 6:30PM on Monday, May 10, 2021.
3. Important: If you are unable to take your phone off mute, you may need to dial *6.
4. All speakers, regardless of affiliation, will receive 3-minutes per speaker. Speakers may be interrupted and be given notice when they have 30 seconds left. When speakers have reached their 3-minute mark, callers will be removed from the meeting.
5. The Board has allotted two-hours for the Public Comments segment of the Business meeting.
6. If you are admitted from the virtual lobby to the meeting within the two-hour time constraint, you will be placed on hold and greeted by an HCPS staff member when it is time to begin your public comment. Expected hold time 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.
7. Registration forms are limited to one (1) per person.
8. In accordance with Board policy, if the number of speakers impede the ability of the Board to complete scheduled business, the Board reserves the right to reduce the amount of time allotted per speaker, or overall time allotted for public comment.
9. The Board expects that all comments will be submitted with the decorum and respect appropriate to the conduct of public business.
10. Topics such as personnel matters, pending appeals, specific student disciplinary matters or which constitute commercial solicitations are not permitted.
11. Disparaging comments, personal attacks, and inflammatory remarks about specific schools or personnel 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 from the call.
12. 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.
UPDATE: MAY 3, 2021
The following message will be sent at 5:00 p.m. tonight via phone, email, and text in our mass communication system to those families with students currently in kindergarten through grade 8.
Students who are currently in Kindergarten through grade 8, are eligible to participate in this years, Stars of Summer, virtual learning program. A brochure of exciting and engaging workshop options is now available on hcps.org.
On Monday, May 10, 2021 at 8:00 a.m., registration for all summer programs will open and be available on hcps.org. You are encouraged to register for selected Stars of Summer workshops and dates as soon as possible, as space is limited. This year, we’re excited to share that students may register for up to three workshops!
Registration for all summer programs will remain open until midnight on Monday, May 24, 2021.
UPDATE: APRIL 29, 2021
The following message will be sent at 5:00 p.m. tonight via phone, email, and text in our mass communication system to those families with student(s) who will be 16+ as of May 10, 2021.
The University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health will host vaccination clinics at your student’s high school beginning the week of May 10, 2021. The clinics are optional and will be available for students ages 16 and older. The schedule of vaccination clinics, the parent/guardian consent, and vaccine information forms are available at hcps.org in the Health Center.
The parent/guardian consent form, for the vaccine clinic must be completed and returned to the school nurse by May 7. The vaccination clinic will provide the Pfizer vaccine to students who wish to participate. Second doses will be available at school clinics beginning on June 1.
Students who are attending school virtually, may participate as well. Parents and guardians must also complete and return a parent acknowledgment form, before the clinic date, for entry into the school. For virtual students, upon arrival, only the student should enter the building. Anyone accompanying the student to the school should remain in the vehicle while the student is in the school building receiving vaccine.
Questions about the vaccination clinics may be directed to Healthlink at 1-800-515-0044.
UPDATE: APRIL 22, 2021
The following message will be sent at 5:00 p.m. tonight via phone, email, and text in our mass communication system.
On Tuesday, April 27, from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m., the Maryland Department of Health will bring a mobile testing pop-up site to Harford County. The testing site will be located in the parking lot at Patterson Mill Middle/High School. The site is open to any Harford County resident NOT experiencing COVID-19 like symptoms who would like to be tested to see if they are asymptomatic with COVID-19. Testing is available for all ages. Anyone under the age of 18 will require parent/guardian permission. Attendees may walk up, scan a QR code, complete the registration, and will receive information at the time of testing on how to access results.
In case of inclement weather, the pop-up testing site will be moved indoors.
Additional information about COVID-19 is available from the Maryland Department of Health at covidlink.maryland.gov. Questions may be emailed to mdh.rapidpoctest@maryland.gov.
UPDATE: APRIL 20, 2021
BOARD OF EDUCATION OF HARFORD COUNTY
NOTICE OF PUBLIC COMMENT PARTICIPATION
BUSINESS MEETING – APRIL 26, 2021 – 6:30PM
The Board of Education of Harford County Business Meeting will be held on April 26, 2021 at 6:30PM with only Board Members, staff, and presenters in attendance virtually. The meeting will be streamed live and archived for later viewing on the HCPS Website.
Public Comment Participation Call-In Process
Community members who wish to provide comments during the Public Comments segment of the Business meeting are required to register by completing this form Public Comment Registration Form, https://www.hcps.org/boe/publiccommentrequest.aspx
Registrations must be received by 9:00AM on Monday, April 26, 2021. All fields on the registration form must be completed.
First and Last name
Mailing Address
Email Address
Phone Number
1. Registered speakers will receive an email from HCPS with a Call-in Phone # and a Conference ID #.
2. Registered speakers are required to call-in and enter the conference ID# at 6:30PM on Monday, April 26, 2021.
3. Important: If you are unable to take your phone off mute, you may need to dial *6.
4. All speakers, regardless of affiliation, will receive 3-minutes per speaker. Speakers may be interrupted and be given notice when they have 30 seconds left. When speakers have reached their 3-minute mark, callers will be removed from the meeting.
5. The Board has allotted two-hours for the Public Comments segment of the Business meeting.
6. If you are admitted from the virtual lobby to the meeting within the two-hour time constraint, you will be placed on hold and greeted by an HCPS staff member when it is time to begin your public comment. Expected hold time 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.
7. Registration forms are limited to one (1) per person.
8. In accordance with Board policy, if the number of speakers impede the ability of the Board to complete scheduled business, the Board reserves the right to reduce the amount of time allotted per speaker, or overall time allotted for public comment.
9. The Board expects that all comments will be submitted with the decorum and respect appropriate to the conduct of public business.
10. Topics such as personnel matters, pending appeals, specific student disciplinary matters or which constitute commercial solicitations are not permitted.
11. Disparaging comments, personal attacks, and inflammatory remarks about specific schools or personnel 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 from the call.
12. 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.
UPDATE: APRIL 20, 2021
The following message will be sent at 5:00 p.m. tonight via phone, email, and text in our mass communication system.
Prekindergarten applications, kindergarten registration, kindergarten early entrance applications, and advanced placement to first grade applications will be available May 7. Kindergarten registration will be available to complete online on May 7. Prekindergarten applications, kindergarten early entrance applications and advanced placement to first grade applications will be available online to view and print. A printed copy, returned to the school office, is required for consideration. Printed copies will be available at each elementary school on May 7. Please share this information in your community as we try to ensure families who may not be connected to HCPS are aware that applications and registrations will be available May 7, 2021. Additional information will be available on hcps.org under the “Parent” tab, followed by “Register for School” by May 7, 2021.
UPDATE: APRIL 13, 2021
The following message will be sent at 5:00 p.m. tonight to students and staff utilizing Verizon hotspots issued by HCPS. The message will be sent via phone, email, and text in our mass communication system.
Verizon has issued a recall in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission for the Verizon Ellipsis Jetpack mobile hotspot device that you have been using for virtual learning. Over the last several weeks, Verizon was made aware that the lithium-ion battery in the hotspots can overheat, posing a fire and burn hazard.
We will be working with Verizon as quickly and efficiently as possible to exchange all Ellipsis Jetpack devices that were issued. The replacement device will be an Orbic Speed mobile hotspot and will be replaced free of charge.
If your device is currently turned off, please turn it on so that the Ellipsis Jetpack can receive two (2) over-the-air, automatic software updates that will (a) enable the device’s identifying number to be viewed on its scrolling screen to help facilitate its exchange and (b) prevent the device from charging while the device is plugged in and powered on. You will know the software update has occurred when you see the device’s identifying number scrolling across its screen. When not in use, the device should be turned off, unplugged from its power source, and securely stored until you receive your replacement device and packaging to return the Ellipsis Jetpack safely.
At this time, HCPS has been informed that the replacement devices will not arrive for at least 4 weeks. You will receive a notification for the replacement process. Please be sure to collect all materials, including chargers, etc. from your original device and return them to the building when you return your laptop at the end of the school year.
As a reminder, and to help promote the safe operation of all devices, please follow these updated best practices:
- When not in use, turn the device off and unplug it.
- Place your device on a flat, solid and sturdy surface such as a floor or table.
- For proper ventilation, do not use the device in a bed, sofa, chair or other soft surface, and ensure your device is not covered by a pillow, blanket or other item.
- Keep devices near room temperature when in use.
- Use only approved charging cables, including the cable provided.
- Do not expose the units to extreme temperatures for extended periods of time. Do not expose the unit or its battery to water or other liquids.
- Do not drop the units and do not insert foreign objects into the battery or unit.
If you have any questions or concerns about the technology issued to you, please contact hotspots@hcps.org.
UPDATE: APRIL 8, 2021
The following message will be sent at 5:00 p.m. tonight to all contacts via phone, email, and text in our mass communication system.
As we continue with the school boundary review process, the Advisory Team for balancing enrollment in Harford County schools is inviting you to a Community Education Forum on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 from 5:00pm – 8:00pm. During this meeting, the team will present potential elementary school boundary adjustments. This is an initial look at the most recent scenarios being reviewed by the Advisory Team. During the live event, participants will be able to ask questions in the chat and encouraged to take part in live polls to capture public opinion. For one week following the meeting, an exit survey will be also available on our website to contribute feedback on the boundary adjustments being discussed. The Advisory Team will use the information gathered during this event and from the survey to continue to revise and refine the proposed boundary adjustments. Use the link at the time of the event to join the meeting.
Join the Live Event Here - April 14, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Please visit the HCPS Balancing Enrollment website for more information including maps of the initial draft boundary adjustment scenarios, an interactive web map, the meeting access link, and a detailed agenda by region. You can also listen in on the latest Parent Academy Real Talk for more information about the process.
If you are unable to attend the live event, a recording of the presentation will also be available on our website.
We look forward to going through this process with you.
UPDATE: APRIL 7, 2021
The following message was sent at 12:00 p.m. to all contacts via phone, email and text in our mass communication system.
Enrollment in the HCPS Blended Virtual Learning program for the 2021-2022 school year has officially begun. Applications are now being accepted and can be found on www.hcps.org. Also available on www.hcps.org are a recording of the parent/guardian informational session and a parent/guardian question and answer document.
If you or your family have seen benefits in virtual learning and would like to continue next year, please be sure to register!
Virtual Program from Home (eLearning) Elementary School Application
Virtual Program from Home (eLearning) Middle School Application
Virtual Program from Home (eLearning) High School Application