Reminder: Celebration of Excellence in Education Nominations Due Soon!
There’s still time to nominate an outstanding Harford County Public Schools employee for the 2026 Celebration of Excellence in Education!
Each year, HCPS honors employees who make a difference in the lives of our students. In addition to naming the 2026 Teacher of the Year, we will recognize exceptional staff in the following categories:
Assistant Principal, Custodian, Facilities, Food Services, Nurse, Psychologist, Pupil Personnel Worker, Safety and Security, School Counselor, Social Worker, Support Professional, and Office of Technology.
To nominate someone, visit www.hcps.org and click the Celebration of Excellence in Education banner on the homepage. You can also click here for the nomination form.
Nominations are due by January 6, 2026, so don’t delay—submit your nomination today!
Thank you for helping us recognize the incredible HCPS employees who go above and beyond every day.
Local businesses or community members interested in supporting this year’s program can contact joyce.jablecki@hcps.org for more information.
The Board of Education of Harford County invites the HCPS community to one of the remaining Engage for Education listening sessions during the 2025-2026 school year. These sessions are your opportunity to ask questions and share feedback directly with Board members about the future of education in Harford County. No pre-registration is required to attend or speak.
Upcoming Sessions (All 5:30-7:30 p.m.):
Wednesday, December 3, 2025 - Joppatowne High School
Wednesday, February 4, 2026 - Fallston High School
Wednesday, February 25, 2026 - A.A. Roberty Building (student-only session)
Wednesday, April 22, 2026 - Aberdeen High School
Here is the HDMS Newsletter!
Schools closed to students on Thursday, November 6, 2025, for Elementary School Parent/Teacher conferences.
Schools will be closed to students and visitors on Friday, November 7, 2025, to allow ALL building staff to participate in professional development opportunities.
Schools and offices OPEN on Monday, November 10, 2025.
Schools and Offices CLOSED on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, in observance of Veterans Day.
Click here to see calendar information for the 2025-2026 school year.
Federal Impact Aid Forms Due November 7, 2025
If you are active military personnel, a civilian, or a federal employee working and/or living on federal property, your student has received or will soon receive a Federal Impact Aid form.
Please complete and return the Federal Impact Aid form to your child’s school by Friday, November 7, 2025. This funding directly supports Harford County Public Schools.
If your student is not attending school in person, a blank form was emailed to all HCPS families, is available on the Resources for Parents page under “Forms and Documents” at www.hcps.org, and available by clicking here.
Please contact your student’s school if you have any questions.
“Academic Achievement, Upstanding Character, Athletic Excellence”
Requirements for Participation
· Sports Physical (found on Athletics page of HCPS.org) Attached to this email
Must be dated after June 1st, 2025
Due Prior to Try-outs
· Registration– https://registration.hcps.org
Winter Season: open 10/13/25- 11/14/25
No Late registrations accepted
· Tryouts: (3 days to be determined by the Athletic Director and Coach)
Winter Season (Basketball): week of December 1st
· Academic Eligibility:
Winter Season: based on First Quarter report card
Eligibility · Eligibility Policy: No “E’s” on the quarterly report card
· Students who receive an “E” on their quarterly report card are ineligible to participate in MS athletics.
· If ineligible, students can appeal to the Eligibility Committee.
1. Submit an appeal letter explaining the failing grade
2. Eligibility committee makes decision- reinstate eligibility, deny eligibility
3. Principal Probation-students denied by the eligibility committee may appeal to the principal
Program Structure · 8- Game Seasons:
Winter Season 12/1/25 - 2/11/25
Games begin 1/7/26
· One girls’ team and one boys’ team per season
· Practices: 90 minutes or less, days determined by the AD and Coach
· Max. of three days a week
Transportation · Provided to and from games
· Game days will require students to leave early from school day
· Students will be responsible for getting make-up work from teachers.
· Transportation after practices is the responsibility of the parent.
Attending Games · Parents are welcomed, “ticket” required
· Minors must be accompanied by an adult
· Spectators are expected to support the educational intent of the program by displaying sportsmanship through positive cheering of athletes, coaches, and officials.
Harford County Public Schools invites community members to provide feedback on the Superintendent’s Proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Budget.
Two Superintendent’s Community Budget Public Input Sessions will be held:
Thursday, November 13, 2025 | 5:30–7:30 p.m. | Edgewood High School
Wednesday, November 19, 2025 | 5:30–7:30 p.m. | Bel Air High School
Before attending, you are encouraged to complete a brief, two-minute survey to share your priorities and questions for the FY27 Budget. The survey is open now through November 9, 2025, at 11:45 p.m.
- 6th Grade Monday, 10/20 by Science class
- 7th Grade Tuesday, 10/21 by Social Studies class
- 8th Grade will be split between days by Social Studies class
o Monday: Periods 5 (Garvine),6, and 7
o Tuesday: Periods 1, 2, 5 (Wondoloski)
We want everyone to get their picture taken so we have it for the yearbook, even if you will not be purchasing pictures!
To order pictures, click on this link: mylifetouch.com and use code EVT8SJJJM.
It’s National School Lunch Week! Harford County Public Schools is proud to celebrate our Food and Nutrition employees, whose dedication and hard work ensure students have healthy, balanced meals every day. These meals provide the fuel students need to learn, grow, and succeed, and our staff do it with care and commitment in every school. Join us this week in recognizing their incredible contributions and showing your appreciation for the team that keeps our students nourished and ready to learn.
8th Grade Families: Explore Your Student’s Future!
This fall, Harford County Public Schools is hosting Magnet and Technical Program Open Houses! Join us to learn more about specialized programs that match your student’s interests and career goals.
Open House Dates and Locations
(All 6:00–8:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
Wednesday, October 15 – Joppatowne High School, JROTC and P-TECH
Thursday, October 16 – TUNE Center at Harford Community College, Teacher Academy of Maryland
Tuesday, October 21 – Edgewood High School, Global Studies/IB
Wednesday, October 22 – Aberdeen High School, Science and Mathematics Academy
Saturday, October 25, 8:30–10:00 a.m. – North Harford High School, Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences
Monday, October 27 – Havre de Grace High School, Information Technology Oracle Academy
Wednesday, November 5 – Harford Technical High School, Various Career Programs
The application window for Magnet and Technical Programs opens soon!
Learn more and start planning for next year: hcps.org/schools/magnetprograms
Students in grades 3–12 will have the opportunity to take the optional Wellness Needs Assessment between October 20 and November 17, 2025. The assessment helps HCPS learn how to better support students. Families who do not want their child to participate should contact their child’s school counselor by October 13, 2025. Click here to see a copy of the Wellness Needs Assessment.
Students who participated in the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) assessments in the Spring of 2025 will receive their individual score reports the week of October 6, 2025. Reports will be sent home by each student’s school and provide information about student performance. Families with questions about their student’s scores should contact their school directly.
Students who participated in the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) assessments in the Spring of 2025 will receive their individual score reports the week of October 6, 2025. Reports will be sent home by each student’s school and provide information about student performance. Families with questions about their student’s scores should contact their school directly.
Meal benefit applications may be filed at any time during the year - if your family has been impacted by the Federal Government shutdown and furloughs, please utilize the Free and Reduced-Priced meal application to apply for meal support due to the sudden loss of income. Click here to apply online.
October is National Principals Month! This is a time to recognize and celebrate the dedicated leaders who guide our schools each day. Principals play a vital role in supporting students, staff, and families while shaping positive school communities. Join us in thanking our principals for their leadership and commitment to student success.
https://secure.smore.com/n/0w62e
HCRASC commUNITY in Motion 5K & Family Fun Run – Saturday, October 18
The Harford County Regional Association of Student Councils (HCRASC) invites families and community members to participate in the commUNITY in Motion 5K and 1 Mile Family Fun Run. This student-run event will take place on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Harford Technical High School in Bel Air. Gates open at 9:00 AM and the race starts at 10:00 AM.
Join HCRASC for a morning of fitness, fun, and community while supporting HCPS student leaders. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Upper Chesapeake Health for Breast Cancer Care.
Registration fees are $25 for adults and $15 for students. Children under 5-years-old are free. Click here to register.
The Board of Education of Harford County will hold Engage for Education listening sessions throughout the 2025–2026 school year. The first session is Tuesday, September 30, 2025, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. in the C. Milton Wright High School auditorium.
These sessions are an opportunity to ask questions and share your thoughts on the future of education in Harford County directly with Board members. No pre-registration is required to attend or speak.
More information, including how to provide feedback if you cannot attend, is available on the Engage for Education page at hcps.org.
