May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Harford County Public Schools is committed to supporting the mental health and well-being of our students, staff, and families. Throughout May, we will be sharing resources and information to help our community thrive inside and outside the classroom.
The Harford County Board of Education has approved an adjustment to the 2026-2027 calendar involving built-in inclement weather days. Schools and offices will now be closed on March 1, June 1, and April 12, 2027, and those days will be used as makeup days, in the order listed, only if needed due to inclement weather cancellations.
The adjustment reflects guidance from the Maryland State Board of Education, which has expressed a preference for makeup days to be distributed throughout the school year, and the use of virtual instruction, rather than adding days to the end of the school year.
The full, updated 2026–2027 school calendar is available here. En Español.
Check out the weekly update!
Join Harford County Public Schools, the Office on Mental Health, UM Upper Chesapeake Health, and the Cook Center for Human Connection on May 8, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at Ripken Stadium for Your Mind Matters. This free family wellness event will include activities for the entire family including crafts, a bounce house, rock climbing, football, and a light race.
The event is free to attend, but registration is required. Visit harfordmentalhealth.org for more information and to register.
Congratulations to Vibha Nanduri from Bel Air High School for being named the 2026-2027 Student Member of the Board!
Vibha was elected during the HCRASC General Assembly meeting on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Her term will run from July 1, 2026 and run through June 30, 2027.
She is currently a junior in the Biomedical Sciences program at Bel Air High School. She serves as 1st Vice President of HCRASC and the Environmental Affairs Coordinator for the Maryland Association of Student Councils.
Congratulations Vibha!
Sergeant Alfred B. Hilton Memorial Fund Elementary School Art Contest
Students in grades K-5 are invited to enter the Sergeant Alfred B. Hilton Memorial Fund, Inc. Elementary School Art Contest. Students should create a colorful drawing inspired by the story of Sergeant Alfred B. Hilton, Harford County's only native Medal of Honor recipient.
Cash prizes are awarded for first place ($300), second place ($200), and third place ($100), plus 10 Honorable Mentions. All winners also receive a framed certificate.
Completed drawings must be submitted to your school's art teacher by April 17, 2026. For full contest guidelines and more information about Sergeant Hilton, visit sgtalfredbhiltonfoundation.com.
Check out the weekly update from Mr. Cook!
Bel Air Middle School is hosting a Math Information Night on Monday, May 11, 2026, and incoming 5th grade parents are warmly invited to attend.
Here's what the evening looks like:
5:30–6:00 PM | Math Supervisor Laura Potter will present the new math sequence and curriculum changes coming next year.
6:00–6:30 PM | Meet & Greet with Principal Silk — a wonderful chance for incoming families to connect with BAMS leadership before the school year begins.
6:30 PM | BAMS PTA Meeting — open to all families.
This is a great opportunity for your 5th grade families to learn about the math program, ask questions, and get a head start on the transition to middle school.
Here's what the evening looks like:
5:30–6:00 PM | Math Supervisor Laura Potter will present the new math sequence and curriculum changes coming next year.
6:00–6:30 PM | Meet & Greet with Principal Silk — a wonderful chance for incoming families to connect with BAMS leadership before the school year begins.
6:30 PM | BAMS PTA Meeting — open to all families.
This is a great opportunity for your 5th grade families to learn about the math program, ask questions, and get a head start on the transition to middle school.
Weekly Update from Mr. Cook!
Make sure you share your photos to be included in the yearbook!
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Use invite code: HOMESTEADWAKEFIELD-26
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Use invite code: HOMESTEADWAKEFIELD-26
This week's update from Mr. Cook!
HWES held it's first Multicultural Night on February 20th. We celebrated many different heritages from our school community.
Check out the view of our snow covered playground!
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
🌟 Our very own Mrs. Criswell was honored as the Everyday Hero from Harford County Education Foundation! 🏆 She's been quietly working magic at Homestead Wakefield, making extraordinary differences in ordinary moments. Not all heroes wear capes - some just show up every day with passion and dedication! Way to go, Mrs. Criswell! We're so lucky to have you shining your light in our school community. ✨
Help us help fellow Wildcat families! This year we are collecting enough food to make 30 traditional Thanksgiving Dinners. Please sign up on the sign up genius linked below. Student can bring their items in to school with them. Our community is one of the best and we appreciate all of your help during this time!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4BAEAE2FA0FFC34-52537937-hwes
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4BAEAE2FA0FFC34-52537937-hwes
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.
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.
