Reminders and important info to start the 2025-2026 school year:

  • The Back to School Checklist includes links to all the required and optional documents to start your school year!

  • The Student Handbook is a great resource for students, parents, and guardians.

  • The new webpage, Stay Connected with Your Student’s Learning, was made to help parents and guardians connect directly to their student’s curriculum and understand options to support their child’s learning. This includes the process to follow for opting out of specific elements of the curriculum.

3 months ago, Harford County Public Schools
Harford County Public Schools 3 leaf logo

HCPS parents are their child’s first and best teachers! The HCPS Parent Academy is here to support you with resources, tools, and newsletters designed to keep families informed and engaged.

Check out the Parent Connection newsletter archive here: https://www.hcps.org/parents/parentacademy/parentconnectionarchive.aspx

Click here to visit the Parent Academy webpage for even more parent resources.

3 months ago, Harford County Public Schools
HCPS Parent Academy flyer with the message “HCPS parents are students’ first and best teachers.” Includes the Parent Academy logo, website link to www.hcps.org/parents/parentacademy , and QR code linking to the Parent Connection newsletter archive at www.hcps.org/parents/parentacademy/parentconnectionarchive.aspx .
Our “lunch ladies” (and gentlemen!) are back and ready to serve! This week, HCPS Food and Nutrition managers, production center assistants, and satellite kitchen assistants gathered for their opening meeting and training. They’ll now prepare for the rest of the food service staff to return next week. We can’t wait to see them fueling students with healthy meals all year long!
3 months ago, Harford County Public Schools
Group of Lunch ladies and gentlemen together holding a maryland eats sign

GAME ON!

3 months ago, Hickory Elementary School
Grade Level Teams!

The first day of school is September 2, 2025, for most students and September 4, 2025, for Prekindergarten. Be sure to review the HCPS Back to School Checklist, complete required forms, and get important updates before the first day. Click here to view the full checklist and resources.

3 months ago, Harford County Public Schools
Back to school checklist graphic
Hickory is looking for dedicated individuals to work with some of THE BEST students in the county! Apply TODAY to be a Paraeducator in our STRIVE program!
3 months ago, Hickory Elementary School
STRIVE Positions available!  Apply today!

August 28th, 2025

3:30-5:30 P.M.

Welcome Back, Hickory Families! To help with parking, please follow the schedule and guidelines below.

Open House & Back to School Night Meet the teacher, visit the classroom, and drop off supplies. Students stay with parents. EPI Kits will be located in cafeteria for pick up!

  • 3:30-4:15 PM- Open House

  • 4:20–4:50 PM- BTSN Session 1

  • 5:00–5:30 PM- BTSN Session 2

Attend either session — same info presented twice.

Parking by Grade Please park in your assigned lot: Lot A (Front Lot) – K & 1st Grade Lot B (Johnson Mill Side) – 2nd & 3rd Grade Lot C (Bus Loop by Ady Road) – 4th & 5th Grade Park based on your oldest child’s grade level.

Kona Ice will be sold at the event, 20% of proceeds will be donated to the PTA. See you there!

3 months ago, SHERRY THIER
HIES BTSN
Thank you for your donations!
3 months ago, Hickory Elementary School
Donation Requests- Clorox wipes, tissues, sanitizer, clear soap

Harford County Public Schools is partnering again with the Aberdeen IronBirds for End of Summer Fest on Wednesday, August 20 at Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. and the game begins at 7:05 p.m. The evening will feature back-to-school giveaways, local resources, and HCPS staff, plus a special opportunity for students to play catch in the outfield from 6:00 to 6:25 p.m. We look forward to seeing our families at the ballpark! Click here to purchase discounted tickets. After you click the link, enter hcps25 where it asks for a password.

4 months ago, Harford County Public Schools
Graphic that says End of Summer Fest and has the logos of HCPS and the Aberdeen Iron Birds

Harford County Public Schools is requesting families share their input on the possible use of virtual instruction during inclement weather for the 2025–2026 school year. The survey takes only a few minutes to complete and is open through Monday, August 11, 2025, at 11:45 p.m. Parents and guardians will need their child’s Student ID number, which can be found on report cards or progress reports. Click here to complete the survey.

4 months ago, Harford County Public Schools
Graphic of three different color text bubbles, one says "give us" the second says "your" and the third says "feedback" in the bottom left corner is the HCPS logo, bottom right has a small man next to a giant computer monitor looking at a survey.

  

The updated backpack and bag policy outlines expectations for storage to ensure clear pathways, student safety, and emergency preparedness:  

  • Bookbags do not need to be clear, but they must be stored appropriately. 

  • Elementary School: Bookbags must be placed in designated classrooms or cubby areas upon arrival. 

4 months ago, SHERRY THIER
Backpack Policy
Students may bring cell phones, smartwatches, headphones, and other portable communication devices to school; however, their use is limited during the school day:

Elementary School: Devices must be deactivated and stored in student bookbags upon arrival.
4 months ago, SHERRY THIER
Portable Communication Device Policy
Join us for a fun-filled Kindergarten Play Date on Friday, August 29th from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM! This is a great opportunity for incoming kindergarteners to meet new friends, explore the playground, and get excited for the school year ahead.

Don't miss a special chance to check out a real HCPS school bus, which will be parked on the front bus loop during the event!

We can’t wait to welcome our newest Hickory Squirrels! 🐿️🎒🚌
4 months ago, SHERRY THIER
K Playdate
This summer, HCPS families can take advantage of free Parent Coaching through our partnership with Parent Guidance. The program offers regular sessions with a dedicated coach and expert content created by licensed therapists. Interested parents can get started going to https://cookcenter.info/coaching.
5 months ago, Harford County Public Schools
Promotional graphic for ParentGuidance.org featuring the message "Coaching for Parents – Coaching support is available all summer!" It includes an image of a smiling family, flip-flop graphics, a QR code, and a call to action: "Get started! Scan code or visit cookcenter.info/coaching."