HCPSSNews Stories
Hybrid Model Proposal, Athletics and SRO Town Hall Updates, November 6, 2020
November 6th, 2020
A message from Superintendent Michael Martirano looks at a proposed hybrid model for the spring semester, and gives updates on high school athletics and a town hall on School Resource Officers.
Winter Athletics Registration Opens; Season Scheduled to Run Dec. 7, 2020-Feb. 13, 2021
November 6th, 2020
Online registration for winter athletics is now open. The winter athletics competition season is scheduled to run Monday, December 7, 2020-Saturday, February 13, 2021.
Apprenticeship Maryland Student Works on Hammond HS Construction
November 6th, 2020
Long Reach High School senior Christopher Borja is enjoying his electrical apprenticeship with Altimate Electric through the Apprenticeship Maryland program, which is in its second year at HCPSS. The Career and Technical Education academy enables students to “earn and learn” through on-the-job training and related instruction, and can lead to certification, licensing, and in some cases, the completion of year one of registered apprenticeship.
SROs in Schools Virtual Town Hall, November 12, 2020
November 5th, 2020
As part of conversations about the roles, purpose and outcomes of School Resource Officers (SROs) in Howard County schools, the public is invited to take part in a virtual town hall, Thursday, November 12, from 6:30-8 p.m.
Centennial Teacher Honored with German Teaching Award
November 5th, 2020
The American Association of Teachers of German (AATG) recently recognized Daniel Desmond, Centennial High School German teacher and World Language instructional team leader, with a Goethe‐Institut/AATG Certificate of Merit. He is one of seven educators who has received this national award, which honors achievement in furthering German teaching in the United States.
Environmental Forum: Virtual Discussion Series for Middle and High School Students , December 2020-January 2021
November 2nd, 2020
HCPSS middle and high school students are invited to participate in a free weekly discussion series on environmental topics, offered in partnership with the Howard County Conservancy. Each week, participants will hear from an expert on an environmental topic, then join in a discussion on how the topic relates to our everyday life, both at home and in our community.
HCPSS Receives Unmodified Opinion in FY20 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report; Reports Reduction of Health Fund Deficit from $39.2 million to $18.7 million
October 30th, 2020
HCPSS has received an unmodified opinion from CohnReznick, LLP, included in the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for fiscal year 2020, certifying that the auditor found all audited financial statements, in all material respects, to be in accordance with the applicable financial reporting framework.
2020-2021 1st Semester Early Dismissal Schedules
October 27th, 2020
The HCPSS 2020-2021 calendar includes a number of 3-hour early dismissal days. Virtual instruction schedules have been adjusted for these days to provide students with synchronous learning for each class.
New Playground Signs Help Students Communicate and Play Freely, and Build Inclusive Community
October 27th, 2020
HCPSS and the Howard County Autism Society (HCAS) recently hosted a groundbreaking event at Waverly Elementary School for the installation of playground signs that assist students who are nonverbal and use communication devices. The signs, donated by HCAS to eight HCPSS schools, are believed to be the first of their kind at a public elementary school playground in Maryland.
Updates on Spring Semester Planning, Athletics and Grading, October 23, 2020
October 23rd, 2020
Operational preparations are underway to ensure the school system will be well-prepared for a potential transition to a hybrid instructional model for the spring semester. The Board on October 22 took action on the metrics that would allow students and staff to safely return to school buildings and criteria that would be used to signal the need to revert to a virtual model. Those and other updates are available online.