HCPSSNews Stories
Applications Now Open for Two HCPSS Leadership Positions
May 13th, 2026
The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) is searching for two innovative leaders to serve in leadership roles of Chief Human Resources Officer, and Chief Equity and Innovation Officer. The initial review of applications will begin on June 1 with first consideration being given to applications submitted by May 31. Applications submitted after this date […]
Adjusted 2026-2027 Start Times for Bushy Park, Clarksville, Dayton Oaks Elementary Schools
May 12th, 2026
For the 2026-2027 school year, three schools will have adjusted start times to ensure that all of our buses have sufficient time to complete their routes to school on-time in the mornings and arrive at school on-time for dismissal. There is no impact/change for the current 2025-2026 school year. Effective Aug. 24, 2026, school hours […]
May 2026 Instructure/Canvas Security Breach Updates
May 8th, 2026
Messaging below was shared on the corresponding dates with HCPSS staff and families regarding a security breach with Instructure, the vendor for the Canvas Learning Management System. Canvas Breach Update, May 12, 2026 Last night (May 11), Instructure notified the HCPSS Information Technology (IT) team that it had “reached an agreement with the unauthorized actor […]
SECAC Gladiator Awards Nominations Open Through May 15, 2026
April 29th, 2026
Nominations are now open for the Howard County Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee (SECAC) 3rd Annual Gladiator Awards.
Three HCPSS Schools Recognized as 2026-2028 Purple Star Schools
April 28th, 2026
Bellows Springs (BSES), Thunder Hill (THES) and Veterans (VES) elementary schools have been named Purple Star Schools by the Maryland State Department of Education in recognition of their strong services and support for students from military-connected families. BSES, THES and VES are three of 27 schools across the state to achieve this distinction, which they will hold […]
HCPSS Names 2026 Principal and Teachers of the Year
April 20th, 2026
Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) Superintendent William J. Barnes on April 20 announced the recipients of the school system’s annual principal and teachers of the year award: Principal of the Year: Dan Notari, Cradlerock Elementary Teacher of the Year: Samantha Mathis, West Friendship Elementary School Teacher of the Year: Kacy Valentine, Lake Elkhorn Middle […]
Spring College Fair, April 29, 2026
April 10th, 2026
The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) and Potomac & Chesapeake Association for College Admission Counseling (PCACAC) will host a college fair, Wednesday, April 29 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. The event will be held at the Howard Community College (HCC) Galleria of the Academic Commons Building, 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia. Attendees will have the opportunity […]
HCPSS Students Named 2026 Carson Scholars
March 18th, 2026
Thirty-one Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) students have been recognized as 2026 Carson Scholars for demonstrating outstanding commitment to academics, leadership and serving others. The HCPSS honorees include 12 first-time Carson Scholars and 19 Recognized (returning) Scholars.
HCPSS Seeks Resident Members for Ethics Panel by April 8, 2026
March 12th, 2026
The Howard County Board of Education is seeking to fill multiple openings on the Howard County Public School System’s Ethics Panel. The Ethics Panel oversees the school system’s Ethics Regulations, advises the Board on matters related to conflict of interest and financial disclosure, and provides advisory opinions to employees on the applicability of the Ethics […]
Class of 2026 Graduation Dates Forthcoming
March 10th, 2026
Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) high school graduation ceremonies have long been held at Merriweather Post Pavilion (MPP). HCPSS is fortunate to have a local venue like Merriweather that allows graduation ceremonies to be held under cover providing protection from rain, and shade in sunny and high temperature days, etc. Ceremonies at MPP also […]