As the inclement weather season approaches, Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) is sharing important information for all families, including those new to the district, regarding possible changes to school operating schedules during severe weather conditions.
HCPS monitors weather forecasts and road conditions daily. When HCPS schools are open and operating on a normal schedule, approximately 5,000 staff members and 40,000 students are traveling throughout Harford County roads. Travel may include personal vehicles, school buses, or walking routes.
Delay Options
For the 2024–2025 school year, HCPS may implement the following delays as needed:
1-hour delay
2-hour delay
3-hour delay (New this year)
Delays of any length do not need to be made up. Any delayed school day where instruction occurs counts toward the state-mandated 180-day school year.
Closures
School closures may be announced the evening prior or determined the morning of. HCPS may issue closure decisions as early as:
5:15 A.M. when no delay is implemented first
5:45 A.M. if a 1-hour delay was previously issued
6:45 A.M. if a 2-hour delay was previously issued
7:45 A.M. if a 3-hour delay was previously issued
When schools are closed due to inclement weather, those days must be made up. HCPS will utilize built-in inclement weather makeup days located at the end of the school year, which are noted in blue on the color-coded academic calendar.
Preschool Programs
The HCPS preschool programs, including Early Learner and Learning Together, do not meet on days when a weather-related delay is in effect for 1, 2, or 3 hours.
Early Dismissal Decisions
Decisions regarding early dismissals due to weather conditions will be made and communicated as close to 9:30 A.M. as possible. Early dismissal schedules may vary and include 1-hour early, 2-hour early, or 3-hour early adjusted school day schedules.
Adjusting Family Schedules During Delays
When a delay is implemented, families should adjust their normal morning schedules by adding the delay duration to each regularly scheduled time. Examples for bus stop arrival adjustments when the normal time is 6:30 A.M.:
7:30 A.M. on a 1-hour delay
8:30 A.M. on a 2-hour delay
9:30 A.M. on a 3-hour delay
Communication Channels
Once HCPS confirms an operational change due to weather, notifications are shared in the following order:
School and district website updates
HCPS App push alerts
Phone calls, emails, and text messages
Social media updates
Local media outlets
Families are encouraged to monitor HCPS communication channels throughout the inclement weather season for official schedule updates and additional information.