Calendar Reminder! Early Dismissal Friday, January 27, 2023
The following information will be sent directly to all contacts in our mass communication system Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. via phone, email, and text message:
On Friday, January 27, 2023, all HCPS schools will dismiss 3 hours early. Please note, half-day PreK will NOT meet on early dismissal dates.
Calendar information for the entire 2022-2023 school year can be found on hcps.org.
1/25/2023 3:00 PM
REMINDER! Device Protection Plan available through January 31, 2023
The following information is being sent to all families Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. via phone, email, and text message:
Good evening. This is an important reminder from Harford County Public Schools. All students are assigned an iPad, Chromebook, or Dell laptop to use for the 2022-2023 school year. In accordance with Board of Education policy entitled, “Use of Equipment/Materials by Students,” parents and guardians will be responsible for all damage or loss to an HCPS owned device, whether in or out of school. HCPS has offered an option to purchase a device protection plan. This option will close at midnight on January 31, 2023. You can purchase a device protection plan for $50.00 until midnight on January 31, 2023. Look for the “Device Protection Plan” button on the homepage of HCPS.org for details. Again, purchase the HCPS device protection plan for $50 before the option closes at midnight on January 31. Questions can be directed to StudentDevices@hcps.org. Thank you.
1/18/2023 5:00 PM
FEV Tutoring Available
The following information will be sent directly to families with students in grades 3-12 via phone, email, and text message on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.:
We have great news to share! Harford County Public Schools has partnered with FEV Tutor to provide free academic support and tutoring in all mathematics, reading, science and social studies courses. This resource is available to all students in grades 3-12. FEV Tutor provides drop-in homework help, as well as scheduled sessions, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The resource will be available beginning on Tuesday, January 17, 2023. Click
here to watch the latest Parent Academy video on FEV Tutor and see below for the breakdown of each of the options.
Option 1: Drop-In Homework Help- this option is best used when students are having difficulty with an assignment.
- Step 1: Log into HCPS student device.
- Step 2: Access FEV Tutor through Clever.
*To access Clever, students must go into Canvas, select the “help” icon displayed as a question mark, and sign into their HCPS account. Search “FEV Tutor” on the Clever Platform and select the FEV Tutor icon.
- Step 3: Select “Request an On-Demand Session!”
- Step 4: Select subject area.
Option 2: Scheduled Weekly Sessions-This option is best for consistent support, in a single subject area.
- Step 1: Log into HCPS student device.
- Step 2: Access FEV Tutor through Clever.
*To access Clever, students must go into Canvas, select the “help” icon displayed as a question mark, and sign into their HCPS account. Search “FEV Tutor” on the Clever Platform and select the FEV Tutor icon.
- Step 3: Schedule a tutoring session Learn How Here
- Step 4: Select red flashing button “Your session has started, Join Now!” at your scheduled time.
Getting Started Resources:
Intro Video
Frequently Asked Questions
Learning Style and Communication Options
How to Use Whiteboard Tools and Share Content with Tutors
If you have any questions about this free virtual tutoring program, please contact FEV Tutor directly via email at md@fevtutor.com or call 855-763-2607. FEV's Support Team is happy to answer any questions and work with you to create a personalized tutoring experience that best suits your student learner.
You may also contact Rebecca Pensero, Coordinator of Supplemental Instruction and Tutoring, via email at Rebecca.Pensero@hcps.org.
1/17/2023 4:00 PM
HCPS Announces JROTC for 2023-2024 School Year!
A version of the following message will be sent to all contacts Thursday, January 12, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. via phone, email, and text message:
Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) is pleased to announce Joppatowne High School has been approved by the Department of the Army to establish a U.S. Army Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) program, effective February 1, 2023. Students currently in eighth grade throughout the county will be able to apply to join JROTC at Joppatowne High. Applications will be available Tuesday, January 17, 2023, through Friday, February 10, 2023, on hcps.org and in all middle school counseling offices.
Click here to watch a Parent Academy Real Talk about JROTC in HCPS!
In May 2016, the Board of Education of Harford County approved the submission of the JROTC application and the establishment of the program at Joppatowne High School. Strong support was provided from the Military Officers Association of America; Susquehanna Chapter; and numerous local, state, and federal leaders for instituting a program at Joppatowne High. Joppatowne High was the first school in the nation to offer a high school curriculum program for Homeland Security. The Homeland Security Emergency Preparedness Program is a signature curriculum that is affiliated with internships and instruction from area colleges and civil defense agencies. JROTC is an excellent addition to the program.
Harford County is the proud home of Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG). APG is the largest employer in the county and is a critical US Army research, development, test, and evaluation installation. In 2017, APG and the surrounding community celebrated the 100th anniversary of APG as a national military garrison. This year, Harford County celebrates a 250-year anniversary. Launching the JROTC program in Harford County is a great addition and way to continue to celebrate Harford County’s legacy.
1/12/2023 12:33 PM
Swan Creek School Applications Open January 10, 2023
The following message will be sent to students currently in grades 1-11 at all schools excluding Swan Creek School (as currently enrolled students, they have recieved information) via phone, email, and text message on Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.:
Applications will open next week, on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, for the blended virtual learning programs at Swan Creek School for the 2023-2024 school year. If you are interested in applying for grades 2-12 e-learning or grades 6-12 for in-person, blended learning, please visit the Swan Creek School website for additional information about the school.
Applications will be due February 15, 2023. Students will be informed of their enrollment status by March 31, 2023. If the number of eligible applicants exceeds the number of seats per classroom, a lottery system will be implemented.
If after reviewing the program information on the website you have questions about the program or application process, please contact Swan Creek School at 410-273-5594.
1/3/2023 2:33 PM
2023 HCPS Graduation Schedule
The following message will be sent December 22, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. to all families of 12th grade students via phone, email, and text message:
This is an important message for all parents and guardians with a student in twelfth grade.
Graduation dates, times, and locations have been finalized. Visit the calendar page on hcps.org for the full schedule and visit our YouTube channel or click here to watch the latest Parent Academy Real Talk discussing graduation ceremonies this year.
Your school will provide additional details about your schools specific graduation ceremony.
12/22/2022 5:00 PM
Board Approves 2023-2024 HCPS Calendar
The following message will be sent to all contacts December 21, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. via phone, email, and text message:
The 2023-2024 HCPS Calendar was presented to the Board of Education at the December 19, 2022 Board Business meeting for final approval. Thank you to the Calendar Committee for their time and consideration, and to those who provided feedback to the proposed calendar online and in person. You can view the calendar presentation and discussion from the Board of Education meeting on December 19, 2022 in its entirety here.
Visit the calendar page on hcps.org to review the Board approved HCPS 2023-24 Color-Coded Calendar. As soon as other traditionally posted versions of the calendar are ready, the calendar page will be updated on the website.
12/21/2022 12:09 PM
MSDE Approves Application for Virtual Instruction on 3 Inclement Weather Days
The following message is being sent to all contacts in our mass notification system via phone, email, and text message at 5:00 p.m., Thursday, December 8, 2022:
The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) approved the HCPS application to conduct asynchronous virtual instruction on up to 3 inclement weather days. HCPS staff are diligently working to prepare a “practice” of what this will look like. That practice is scheduled for the evening of Monday, January 9, 2023. Prekindergarten students will receive a bag of supplies when the bags are delivered. Students in kindergarten through grade 12 will bring their device home January 9, 2023; as part of their homework, they must log into their inclement weather tile, which will appear on Canvas, and send a confirmation message to the teacher. The HCPS curriculum offices is creating the assignment that every single student will do that will be a quick confirmation that they were able to get in.
If your school needs to adjust the systemwide asynchronous virtual instruction plan, they will reach out to your directly with additional information.
Please note, if there is a need to close HCPS for inclement weather PRIOR to January 9, we will NOT utilize virtual instruction. Following the practice on the evening of January 9, HCPS plans to conduct asynchronous virtual instruction on the first 3 closures for inclement weather.
Families can expect additional details to be available on hcps.org, including information about where to access asynchronous virtual instruction, what time it will be available, as well as a Parent Academy video with additional details. This will be available prior to the January 9, 2022 scheduled "practice."
Again, MSDE approved the HCPS application for asynchronous virtual instruction on inclement weather days and we look forward to having a very brief systemwide “practice” after school on Monday, January 9, 2023. Additional details will be made available as soon as possible.
12/8/2022 5:00 PM
Edgewood Middle Pencil Pouch from 21-22 School Year RECALL
The following communication is being sent to all families of students in grades 7 and 8 at Edgewood Middle and students in grade 9 at Edgewood High Schools on November 17, 2022 at 5:00 p.m.:
Amazon recently contacted Edgewood Middle School regarding the pencil pouches that were purchased and distributed to students at Edgewood Middle School who were in 6, 7, and 8 grade last year, the 2021-2022 school year. The following communication was received from Amazon:
We have learned of a potential safety issue that may impact your Amazon purchase. A U.S. Regulatory Agency and/or our Product Safety Team has provided us information that indicates that the product may exceed the federal limits for lead and/or cadmium or contains a defect that presents a substantial product hazard under CPSA Section 15(a)(1) or (2).
If you still have this product, we urge you to stop using it immediately and dispose of the item.
If you purchased this item for someone else, please notify the recipient immediately and let them know they should dispose of the item. There is no need for you to return the product.
Harford County Public Schools is requesting any student that may still be using the pencil pouches distributed last year, dispose of the pencil pouch immediately. Please note, students in 6, 7, and 8 grade this year received a new pencil pouch that has not been affected by this recall.
If you have any further questions, please contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission at 800-638-2772.
11/17/2022 12:59 PM
2022-2023 Federal Impact Aid Survey
The following message will be sent via phone, email, and text message to all parents and guardians at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 1, 2022:
If you are active military personnel, a civilian or federal employee working and/or living on federal property, your child has received or will receive a form to be completed and returned to school. If your child is not attending school in person, please find a blank form attached to this email. It is very important that we receive the completed form from you, as this is a means of funding that will impact your child’s school system. Persons working on federal property, please be sure to complete the box indicating the specific location of your employment. The forms should be returned to school with your child no later than Friday, November 11, 2022. Blank forms are also available on www.hcps.org on the Resources for Parents page under ‘Forms and Documents.’ Please contact your school if you have any questions.
11/1/2022 8:00 AM
Device Protection Plan Option
The following information is being sent to all parents/guardians via our mass notification phone, email, and text message TONIGHT at 5:00 p.m.:
All Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) students are assigned an iPad, Chromebook, or Dell laptop to use for the 2022-2023 school year. Your student’s device came with a copy of the Student Device Agreement. As noted in this agreement, in accordance with Board of Education policy, Use of Equipment/Materials by Students, the parent/guardian will be responsible for all damage or loss to an HCPS owned device, whether in or out of school.
- HCPS is offering the option to purchase a device protection plan. This option is available to purchase for $20 through October 31, 2022 or for $50.00 if purchased November 1, 2022 through January 31, 2023.
*Cost without the device protection plan: Repair - $150 An invoice will be sent to the email on file from StudentDevices@hcps.org.
Harford County Public Schools reserves the right to hold a student and family fully accountable for 100% of the damages should there be repeated, willful and/or malicious damage.
If you apply and are approved for free and reduced meals, you will automatically receive the device protection plan. The application can be found at https://www.myschoolapps.com/Home/PickDistrict
The fee for the protection plan is per student for the entire school year and is non-refundable. This plan will cover the cost of accidental damage to the device, if submitted for repair with the service tag visible.
Replacement costs for a device beyond repair, lost, or stolen are:
- Charger - $36
- Chromebook/laptop - $300
- Dell Precision laptop - $1,400
- Apple iPad - $399
Please note: Lost or stolen items ARE NOT covered by the device protection plan.
We encourage you to review and consider the optional device protection plan by the due dates.
Click here to view a short video about OPTIONAL PURCHASES FOR FAMILIES.
Any questions can be directed to studentdevices@hcps.org
The Business Services Office
10/4/2022 8:35 AM
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