HCPSSNews Stories
Board Considers the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 School Calendar Proposals
October 6th, 2021
The Howard County Board of Education is considering the proposed academic calendars for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years. Under the proposed 2022-2023 calendar, the first day of school for students would be August 29, 2022, and the last day of school for students would be June 13, 2023. Under the proposed 2023-2024 calendar, the first day of school for students would be August 28, 2023, and the last day of school for students would be June 6, 2024.
Bus Driver Hiring Fair, October 15, 2021
October 5th, 2021
HCPSS is hosting a bus driver hiring fair to help address its current bus driver shortage. Event attendees will have the opportunity to interview with HCPSS bus contractors and potentially be hired on the spot. No registration is required to attend the event.
Mt. Hebron HS Teacher Wins National Economic Educator Award
October 5th, 2021
Mt. Hebron High School economics teacher Vann Prime has won the Council for Economic Education’s (CCE’s) 2021 John Morton Excellence in the Teaching of Economics Award. This is the most prestigious national award given to economics educators.
HCPSS Seeks Members for LGBTQIA+ Advisory Committee by Oct. 11, 2021
October 1st, 2021
Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) is currently seeking members to participate on its LGBTQIA+ Advisory Committee. Community members of all sexual orientations and gender identities who have an interest in supporting LGBTQIA+ HCPSS students are encouraged to apply for participation.
Updates to COVID-19 Vaccine and Testing Requirements for Staff, Visitors and Student-Athletes
October 1st, 2021
HCPSS is implementing changes to the vaccine and weekly testing requirements for community stakeholders that were announced at the start of the school year, in a continuing effort to maintain learning environments that are healthy and fully able to provide instruction and supports for all students, while balancing multiple layers of staffing challenges and workloads.
HCPSS Partners with Howard County Government and RTA to Provide Free Bus Passes to Students
September 29th, 2021
HCPSS has partnered with Howard County Government and the Regional Transit Authority of Central Maryland (RTA) to provide free RTA bus passes to students throughout the school year and summer. The passes will support students who use public transportation to get to jobs and other services and destinations throughout the county.
Wilde Lake HS Student Organization Receives Human Rights Commission Award
September 27th, 2021
The Wilde Lake High School Students for Social Justice organization (S4SJ) has been selected to receive the 2021 Howard County Human Rights Commission’s Colette Roberts Organization Award. The student group, which was nominated for the award by the school administration, staff, and community members, will be recognized at the Commission’s awards program on October 19, 2021.
HCPSS STARTALK Chinese Language After-School Virtual Program
September 27th, 2021
The HCPSS STARTALK Pilot Chinese Language After-School Program offers a free, 15-week immersion program for current 7th and 8th grade students interested in learning the language and culture of China. Enrollment will be handled through a lottery system because space in the program is limited. To enter a child/children in the enrollment lottery process, parents/guardians must submit an enrollment request via HCPSS Connect
Instructional Supports During Quarantine and Health/Safety Updates, Sept. 24, 2021
September 24th, 2021
Beginning the week of September 27, the HCPSS Evening School program will offer virtual grade-level academic support sessions for eligible elementary and middle school students who must quarantine or who are struggling academically. Schools will contact the families of students designated as eligible to participate. Parents also may request that their child participate by contacting the school principal.
FARMs Participation Supports Title I Schools
September 23rd, 2021
Many HCPSS families are eligible to participate in the Free and Reduced Price Meals (FARMs) program, which provides children with a wide range of benefits including free or discounted college tuition, testing and application fees, academic and athletic program fees and many others in addition to free or discounted meals. Moreover, FARMs participation rates directly impact schools’ eligibility to receive valuable federal Title I funding, which provides resources that play a key role in student success.