Back to School Bash! Meet Superintendent Dr. Dyann Mack
Harford County Public Schools invites families to the Back to School Bash on Monday, August 24, 2026, at IBEW Local 24 Union Field at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen. This community celebration is a great opportunity to meet Superintendent Dr. Dyann Mack as HCPS kicks off the new school year alongside community partners and free back to school giveaways.
Gates open at 6:00 p.m., with Catch on the Field from 6:00 to 6:25 p.m. Bring a ball and glove to play catch in the outfield just like the IronBirds. First pitch for the Aberdeen IronBirds vs. Williamsport Crosscutters game is at 7:00 p.m.
Tickets are $10 (a per ticket processing fee applies) and can be purchased by clicking here. For more information, call (410) 297-9292.
BAHS New Student Orientation is scheduled for Friday, August 21, 2026 from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM. Meet at the Stadium Bleachers at 10:00 AM for the Class of 2030 Photo! New BAHS students will have the opportunity to follow their schedules at their own pace while exploring the building and finding their lockers. BAHS student clubs & organizations will be there to share information about the activities they participate in and how to join. We hope to see you there!
Harford County Public Schools will be live streaming all 2026 graduation ceremonies held at APGFCU Arena at Harford Community College. Thanks to our partners at Harford Community College and the APGFCU Arena, families and friends can watch every moment live at youtube.com/@HCPSchools. Congratulations to the Class of 2026!
Wednesday, May 6 is National School Nurse Day. Harford County Public Schools is proud to recognize our school nurses for their dedication, expertise, and compassionate care for our students each and every day. Thank you!
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.
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!
U.S. Service Academy Virtual Information Event -- April 21
Families of students interested in attending a United States Service Academy are invited to a free virtual information event hosted by U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m.
Representatives from the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and U.S. Army ROTC will be on hand to discuss what each academy offers, their admissions processes, and how the Congressional nomination process works.
Click here to register. If you have any questions, contact Senator Van Hollen's office at academynominations@vanhollen.senate.gov or (301) 545-1500.
HCPS Educators Honored at NMTC Visionary Awards
Three Harford County Public Schools educators were recently recognized at the 2026 Northeastern Maryland Technology Council Visionary Awards. Melissa Dethlefson, Career Coaching Coordinator; Shomari Zachary, P-TECH Coordinator; and Tim Pistel, Career Navigator, were all honored in the Mentor category for going above and beyond to inspire students and create meaningful STEM career experiences. Congratulations to all three on this well-deserved recognition!
Are you a junior? Run for Student Member of the Board!
The SMOB represents HCPS students at Board of Education meetings and helps shape the future of education in Harford County. Applications are due March 10, 2026.
School photos are ready to order online, and digital downloads are 25% off for the holiday season!
Order by 12/31/2025 and use code DIGITAL25 at checkout.
*Find your photo gallery at www.legacyfindmycode.com
Order by 12/31/2025 and use code DIGITAL25 at checkout.
*Find your photo gallery at www.legacyfindmycode.com
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.
