Harford County Public Schools families, students, and staff gathered at IBEW Local 24 Union Field at Ripken Stadium on Monday, August 24, 2026, for the annual Back-to-School Bash, an evening that combined the excitement of Minor League Baseball with a celebration of the start of the 2026-2027 school year.

The event, presented in partnership with HCPS community partners and the Parent Academy, gave families the chance to enjoy free back to school giveaways, play catch on the outfield grass, and meet with community organizations before the IronBirds took on the Williamsport Crosscutters.

Before first pitch, three familiar faces from the HCPS community took the mound. Superintendent Dr. Dyann R. Mack, Student Member of the Board of Education Vibha Nanduri, and 2026 Teacher of the Year Michal James each threw out a ceremonial first pitch, marking the new superintendent's introduction to the community in a distinctly Harford County way.

Throughout the evening, Dr. Mack spent time greeting families along the concourse and in the stands, talking with students about their upcoming school year and thanking staff and community partners for their continued support of HCPS.

Harford County Public Schools thanks all of the families, students, staff, and community partners who came out to the ballpark to kick off the new school year. The district looks forward to a successful 2026-2027 school year and encourages families to stay connected through HCPS social media and hcps.org for updates throughout the year.