HCPSSImportant Transportation Reminders & Updates, Aug. 14, 2023
August 14th, 2023
As we approach the start of the 2023-2024 school year on Monday, August 28, the Howard County Public School System is providing updates for families on several transportation-related items.
School Start and End Times
School start times for the 2023-2024 school year are now final. Families can locate their school’s start time online.
Changes in Drop-off and Pickup Procedures
Drop-off and pickup procedures have been updated for many of our schools and have been shared with families. Please be sure to read these communications from your school and familiarize yourself with any changes in procedures to help make arrivals and departures on the first day of school as safe and efficient as possible. Principals will continue to evaluate processes for improvement at each school as students return at the start of the school year.
Updates to Walk Area Maps
Walk area maps for some schools have been updated over the summer. Please consult your school’s map to determine if any changes affect your address. Families can find 2023-2024 student walk area maps for each school under View School Details. It’s possible additional changes will be made to maps in the coming weeks and schools should be sharing those changes with their communities.
Review Walk Routes with Your Student
Families in non-transportation areas are encouraged to map out and walk the route between home and school to ensure all roads, sidewalks and pathways are familiar to students prior to the start of the school year. Locate all crosswalks and intersections that are safe for crossing the road if that is required and go over these pedestrian tips with your child. If you encounter issues of safety, please contact the HCPSS Office of Student Transportation to make HCPSS staff aware.
Bus Stop Information
For families who receive bus transportation, bus stop information will be available the week of August 14 through both the Bus Locator on the HCPSS Transportation Webpage and through HCPSS Connect. Families will be notified via email and the HCPSS website when the information is updated. Please note that the bus stop information will be unavailable until bus routes for 2023-2024 are complete.
Updated FAQs
HCPSS has updated Transportation FAQs to address additional questions raised by community members.
More information
Additional information surrounding school start times and transportation updates can be found in two recent memos shared with the Board of Education from the July 13 Board of Education Meeting and on August 10.
2023-2024 School Year Resources
As a reminder, all information related to the 2023-2024 school year can be found online. The webpage will be continually updated as the school year approaches.