HCPSSNews Stories
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.
Board of Education Approves New Equity Policy
October 23rd, 2020
The HCPSS Board of Education recently approved the school system’s first equity policy. The purpose of Policy 1080 Educational Equity is to achieve educational equity by establishing expectations related to the identification and elimination of disparities in education outcomes.
Intent to Participate in Hybrid In-Person Instruction, Survey Open Through Oct. 23, 2020
October 12th, 2020
The Howard County Public School System and Board of Education are evaluating possibilities for a hybrid instructional model for the second semester, which could include opportunities for hybrid virtual/in-person instruction. HCPSS is seeking to understand families’ intentions regarding sending their students back to school, if that option becomes available.
Fourteen HCPSS School Nurses Earn National Board Certification
October 9th, 2020
14 HCPSS school nurses recently earned their National Board Certification for School Nurses.
SROs in Schools Community Stakeholder Virtual Focus Group, October 15; Apply by October 13, 2020
October 7th, 2020
Howard County Government and the Howard County Public School System are sponsoring a series of virtual feedback sessions, designed to hear from as many stakeholders as possible on the School Resource Officer (SRO) program in HCPSS. The third of these sessions is a virtual focus group for community stakeholders, which will be held on Thursday, October 15.
HCPSS Marks 2020 National School Lunch Week with Meal Additions and Distribution Revisions
October 7th, 2020
Beginning Monday, October 12, HCPSS Food and Nutrition Services will enhance meal offerings with the addition of snacks, dinner and weekend meals, to provide additional nutritional meals to all children. Additionally, HCPSS will adjust the pre-order process to enable multi-day pickup on Mondays and Thursdays only, which will allow HCPSS to improve the efficiency of meal services.
Updates on Early Dismissal Day Schedules and High School Athletics
October 2nd, 2020
The HCPSS 2020-2021 calendar includes four scheduled 3-hour early dismissal days. The virtual schedules have been adjusted for these scheduled early dismissal days to provide students with synchronous learning for each class. Additionally, both full- and half-day PreK classes will meet on these days using a modified schedule.