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.
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!
Harford County Public Schools is partnering with the Office on Mental Health, Cook Center for Human Connection, and University of Maryland Medical System to host Your Mind Matters: A Family Wellness Night on Friday, May 8, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen.
This free community event will feature a variety of family-friendly activities including crafts, a bounce house, rock climbing, a mechanical bull, and more. The event is rain or shine.
Registration is required and spots fill up quickly. Visit harfordmentalhealth.org to register today.
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.
What does your child need to be ready for Kindergarten? Find out what kind of academic, emotional, and social readiness makes fora successful Kindergarten experience. Prepare both yourself and your child for this exciting transition intoelementary school. We will have special raffles to give away and socialemotional resources for families!Join us for this informative evening of what to expect, tips and resources, with an opportunity to chat with K teachers, Administrators, the School nurse, the School Counselors, and much more! Please invite friends and neighbors with incoming Kindergarten children. Incoming Kindergarten children are welcome, there will be activities on site for them!
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
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.
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.
You can place your order on mylifetouch.com using your Picture Day ID: EVTMK2F8T.
Order before midnight on Picture Day to get FREE shipping!
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.
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.
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.
