Will parents/guardians be notified prior to a walkout?
Advance notice will be provided by the applicable school(s) to parents/guardians prior to a scheduled walkout.
Will a student be disciplined for participating in a walkout?
Howard County Board of Education Policy 9020 Students’ Rights and Responsibilities affords students the right to assemble.
There will not be disciplinary or academic consequences for student participation, so long as student participation remains peaceful and adheres to all Board of Education and HCPSS policies, and the timeline and parameters of the event.
How do school staff ensure student safety during a walkout?
School administrators identify a safe location on the school campus for students to gather (e.g., gym, auditorium, cafeteria, stadium, front of building, parking lot). School staff supervise the walkout and ensure students safely return to their classroom/assigned area following the walkout.
Are students permitted to engage in a walkout during the school day?
As stated in Howard County Board of Education Policy 9020 Students’ Rights and Responsibilities, “Students have the right to assemble. Students have the right to freely choose the subject and form of a peaceful demonstration. Schools may set reasonable limits as to the time, place, and way students and student groups may assemble, if those restrictions advance legitimate educational goals.”
How can I sign up for HCPSS Connect Synergy Aggregate or Total Grade Notification?
The Synergy grade notification allows parents/guardians to sign-up to receive an email once a week that provides an aggregate or total grades for their middle and high school students' classes.
HCPSS Help for Students & Families
Students and families can find answers to frequently asked questions in the categories below. Additional questions may be directed to your school or emailed to publicinfo@hcpss.org.
The HCPSS Staff Help site can be accessed at https://staff-help.hcpss.org/.
Is the Virtual Program curriculum different from other HCPSS curriculum?
No. Innovative Pathways courses meet the same standards as outlined in HCPSS curriculum. Although many courses including related arts and electives will be available, some courses will not be available. The primary difference between traditional, in-person courses and the full-time virtual program is the delivery of instruction, which is a synchronous (live) virtual teaching model.
How is attendance determined for the Innovative Pathways Full-Time Virtual Program? What is the attendance policy?
Virtual program students are subject to the same Attendance requirements as all HCPSS students. Students who are not attending virtual classes or not making adequate academic progress in their course(s) may be subject to withdrawal from the program and expected to return to their assigned high school.