Harford County Public Schools

June 19 marks Juneteenth, a day of profound historical significance and a federal holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. Harford County Public Schools honors this day and remains committed to fostering learning environments where all students feel seen, valued, and celebrated. Wishing our students, staff, and families a meaningful Juneteenth.

Happy summer break HCPS!

We hope you have a fun, relaxing, and educational, Summer Break!

We will see you on August 31, 2026 (grades 1-12), for the first day of the 26-27 school year!

Summer Break is here!

Once again our Food and Nutrition staff will be working hard to ensure students in need have access to a free lunch!

Meals will be available most weekdays at six locations in Aberdeen, Havre de Grace, Joppa and Edgewood starting on Monday. Due to federal rules surrounding the program, these meals must be eaten on site.

Beginning July 1, families who have pre-registered can pick up meal-kits each Wednesday at Dublin Elementary.

For information summer meals, click here: https://schoolmeals.hcpsschools.org/o/schoolmeals/page/summermeals

For information on meal-kits, click here: https://schoolmeals.hcpsschools.org/o/schoolmeals/page/sun-meals-to-go

Students in Mrs. Michelle Rathfon’s AP U.S. Government and Politics course at Havre de Grace High School recently demonstrated their civic knowledge and policy expertise during the school’s Annual Policy Breakfast. As part of this capstone experience, students selected public policy issues they were passionate about, researched the historical context of those issues, examined perspectives from across the ideological spectrum, and evaluated how government can address the challenges they identified. Drawing on their research, each student developed and advocated for an evidence-based policy solution.

Students showcased their work through professional tri-fold presentations and engaged in meaningful discussions with a diverse audience of stakeholders, including local and state policymakers, educators, and community members. The event provided an authentic opportunity for students to defend their positions, respond to questions, and apply their learning to real-world issues. The Annual Policy Breakfast highlights the power of civic education by preparing students to thoughtfully analyze complex challenges, consider multiple viewpoints, and participate as informed and engaged citizens.

BOARD OF EDUCATION OF HARFORD COUNTY
NOTICE OF PUBLIC COMMENT PARTICIPATION
MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2026

OPEN SESSION: 5:00 PM – 5:05 PM
This meeting will be conducted virtually with no public attendance due to the brief nature of this meeting
and the logistical issues regarding allowing public attendance in advance of the 6:00 PM meeting.
*The only item the Board will consider during this open meeting is consideration of meeting in a closed session.

CLOSED SESSION: 5:05 PM – 5:55 PM

BUSINESS MEETING: 6:00 PM – ADJOURNMENT
This meeting will be conducted in a hybrid fashion and public attendance will be permitted as explained below:

DOORS WILL OPEN AT 5:55 PM AND THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 6:00 PM

The Board of Education of Harford County will hold a hybrid Business Meeting on Monday, June 22, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Board Room of the A.A. Roberty Building with Board Members, staff, and presenters in attendance both virtually and in-person. Seats will be available on a first-come-first served basis. The meeting will be streamed live and archived for later viewing on the HCPS Website.

Public Comment Participation Call-In and In-Person Process
Individuals or groups recognized by Harford County Public Schools (i.e. – PTAs, unions, and other school system stakeholders) wishing to speak on an agenda item or to comment on an education-related matter not on the agenda may request to do so by sending an email to [email protected] or calling 410-588-5347.

Call-In Registrations must be received by 12:00 PM on Monday, June 22, 2026. All fields on the registration form must be completed.
1. First and Last name / if speaker is a Group Representative, then please state the name of the Group
2. Local Address
3. Email Address
4. Phone Number
5. Agenda item or subject your Public Comment pertains to
6. Will you provide in-person or virtual Public Comment
7. Registration forms are limited to one (1) per person
*Failure to provide complete information as required above will void the request to provide Public Comment.

 Registered virtual speakers will receive an email from HCPS with a Call-in Phone # and a Conference ID #.
 Registered speakers are required to call-in and enter the conference ID # at 6:00 PM on Monday, June 22, 2026.
 Important: If you are unable to take your phone off mute, you may need to dial *6.
 If you are admitted from the virtual lobby to the meeting, you will be greeted by an HCPS staff member when it is time to begin your public comment. Expected hold time in the virtual lobby may vary based on number of registered speakers. The maximum wait time in the lobby is 30 minutes; should you be disconnected please call back.
 "Request to Appear Before the Board" cards will be available for in-person attendees prior to the Board Meeting for sign-up and must be submitted prior to the opening of the meeting.

The Board has authorized public comment in accord with its policy Public Participation at Board Open Meetings or Public Hearings and as summarized below:
 Each speaker shall be limited to no more than three (3) minutes for individuals and five (5) minutes for individuals representing groups. Speakers must state his or her name, and, if representing a group, must identify the group he or she represents. If a speaker identifies themselves as a representative of a group, then only one (1) representative from the group may provide comment for the identified group.

 The Board presiding officer may reduce the amount of time allocated to each speaker if allocating 3 minutes to each speaker will impede the Board’s ability to complete scheduled business.

 The Board will receive in-person public comment first and virtual public comment second. The Board expects that all comments will be submitted with the decorum and respect appropriate to the conduct of public business.

 Topics such as personnel matters, pending appeals, specific student disciplinary matters or which constitute commercial solicitations are not permitted.

 Disparaging comments, personal attacks, and inflammatory remarks about specific schools, personnel, any person, or group are not permitted. Speakers who engage in these comments will be reminded of the rules and the Board reserves the right to remove the speaker. In addition, public comment is an opportunity for members of the community to address the Board of Education. Please direct your comments to the Board and not to other members of the public in the audience.

 All public comments submitted will be part of the records maintained by the Board office.

Send a message to learn more

North Harford Middle School and North Harford High School teamed up on June 9, to host the first annual HAWKAPALOOZA, a 9th grade orientation experience that brought together 300 incoming freshmen for a day designed to build excitement and connection before the school year even begins.

Students toured the high school, heard from upperclassmen on a student panel, and met with their counselors and administrators. An Activities Fair featuring 29 NHHS sports, clubs, and organizations gave eighth graders the chance to explore all the ways they can get involved this fall.

"It's all about students helping and teaching other students," said Mrs. Kristina Marzullo, Assistant Principal at North Harford High School. "We really want our incoming freshmen to get excited about coming through the doors this fall, so it was important for them to hear from current upperclassmen and understand all of the ways they can be involved, have fun, and participate in high school."

Thank you to Mrs. Marzullo for sharing this awesome activity with us!

Harford Academy's Girls Club recently enjoyed a Spa Day at Cheveux Salon and Day Spa experience focused on communication, social interaction, and life skills development. The mission of the Girls Club is to engage students in socially appropriate, peer-aged conversations while using their Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices. Experiences like this provide meaningful opportunities for students to practice communication skills in real-world settings, support IEP goals and objectives, and build confidence, independence, and friendships.

Harford Academy extends its sincere gratitude to Cheveux Salon and Day Spa for their generosity and warm hospitality. From manicures to meaningful conversations, the salon staff created an inclusive and welcoming environment where our students felt valued and celebrated. Community partnerships like this help provide enriching experiences that support student growth both in and out of the classroom.