HCPSSSummer 2022 – Free Meals, Summer Learning, Staying Connected and More!
June 7th, 2022
We hope all our students, families and staff have a relaxing and fun summer. Here are some ways to stay connected throughout the summer months.
Jump to: Summer Meals | Technology Devices | Summer Learning | HCPSS Communication | 2022-2023 School Year
Summer Meals
Meals will be provided at no cost to HCPSS students, and any children aged 18 and under at the identified meal sites. There are no applications, enrollment or fees to participate in this program. Meals will be served weekdays, June 27-Aug. 12, on days schools are open. There will be no meal service Monday, July 4 or Tuesday, July 19.
In addition to the summer meal service for the public, free meals will be provided to all students participating in HCPSS summer programs at 23 locations. Full details on summer meals can be found online.
Technology Devices
All students not returning to an HCPSS school for the 2022-2023 school year should return their Chromebook to their home school on or before the last day of school for students. Grade 12 students attending HCPSS Summer Programs may keep the Chromebook for summer use and return the device to the media specialists at their summer school site by July 29.
Students participating in an HCPSS Summer Program, including Extended School Year ESY and ESY-RECC special education, may keep their Chromebooks with them for the summer so that they can be used during their program. At the conclusion of HCPSS Summer Programs, students will keep their Chromebooks for the remainder of the summer and bring them to their assigned school at the start of the 2022-2023 school year. Students who are ineligible to be assigned a device will be loaned one for use during their summer program.
For all other students, HCPSS will implement the following:
| 2021-2022 Grade Level | HCPSS Device Storage and Use |
|---|---|
| Infants and Toddlers | Students and families will keep their Chromebook over the summer to continue to access their year-round services. |
| Preschool and pre-K | Students and families will keep their Chromebooks over the summer in order for students who attend HCPSS Summer Programs, including Extended School Year RECC, and continue to access Family Connections. |
| Grades K-4 | Student Chromebooks will be stored at school over the summer. Each student’s assigned Chromebook will be returned to them for use during the 2022-2023 school year. |
| Grade 5 | Students will keep their Chromebooks over the summer and take them to their assigned middle school at the start of the 2022-2023 school year. |
| Digital Education Center | Students will keep their Chromebooks over the summer and take them to their assigned school at the start of the 2022-2023 school year. |
| Grades 6-11 | Students will keep their Chromebooks over the summer and take them to their assigned school at the start of the 2022-2023 school year. |
Parents/guardians may wish to review the HCPSS Chromebook Responsibilities and Care information.
Summer Learning
Enrichment Activities
Links to enrichment activities for students at all grade levels are provided online for any families who wish to use them. Also online is information regarding volunteer and activism opportunities, and family and community resources. More information is available online.
Reading Lists and Programs
Recommended summer reading lists for students in all grade levels, developed by HCPSS library media specialists and Howard County Library System staff, are available online. Students are encouraged to read other books by the authors included, as well as explore additional book topics.
Children, teens, and adults are invited to participate in the HCLS summer reading program. All HCPSS students receive an A+ Student Card account number at the beginning of the school year. With it, they have access to all HCLS eContent by using their account number to login via hcpss.me. Using their A+ Student Card, students can take advantage of all the library’s digital and physical resources.
HCPSS Digital Tools
All students will have access to their school’s digital MackinVIA eBook and audiobook collection all summer long by logging in through www.hcpss.me.
Elementary students will have access to Dreambox through June 30 and Lexia Core5 through July 31 by logging in via Clever in hcpss.me. Students are not required to work with either learning platform and their progress will not be monitored by teachers. If you choose to have your child work with these tools over the summer, we encourage you to limit use to the recommended amount of 15-20 minutes per day.
Communication
Emails/Text Messaging
All parents/guardians are in our system to receive HCPSS and school emails/text messages. Our systems will update in early August, at which point parents will automatically receive communication from your child’s 2022-2023 school. Prior to that rollover, you will continue to receive communication from your child’s 2021-2022 school. Please do not attempt to create a new account with your child’s 2022-2023 school. Additionally, unsubscribing from any HCPSS or school messages will block you from receiving all messages from the district and your child’s school. Please do not unsubscribe!
Parents/guardians with a child new to HCPSS in the fall will automatically receive HCPSS and school communication beginning in early August.
Social Media
HCPSS has active accounts on Twitter and Instagram. Families are encouraged to follow the school system for updates and information throughout the summer.
2022-2023 School Year
Academic Calendar
The 2022-2023 school year is scheduled to begin for most students Monday, Aug. 29. Half-day pre-K/RECC students will begin Thursday, Sept. 1. View, subscribe to, or download the academic calendar online.
School Start Times
School start times for the 2022-2023 school year are scheduled to remain the same, with the exception of Mount View Middle School. Mount View will have a new time of 8 a.m.-2:45 p.m. to help ease traffic congestion.
School Locator
Use our online map application to locate your address and view assigned schools for the 2022-2023 school year.
School year 2022-2023 student walk zone maps and the bus stop locator will be available no later than mid-August.
Have a wonderful summer break!