A proposed calendar is developed by a Calendar Committee, which includes representatives of the Howard County Education Association, support staff, principals, central office staff, students, parents, and representatives from community organizations. Input from stakeholder groups is solicited throughout the committee’s deliberations.
HCPSS operating status may include normal operations, schools open two hours late, schools closed and offices are open, schools and offices are closed, schools dismiss early, afternoon/evening activities canceled, and Saturday activities canceled.
The current HCPSS districtwide operating status is available online at https://status.hcpss.org.
The HCPSS calendar is available for viewing online at www.hcpss.org/calendar.
With the 2021-2022 school year, HCPSS will return to pre-COVID weather protocols. These include school closings, delays and early dismissals when necessary due to severe weather, and apply to all schools and students, including those participating in the Digital Education Center.
State law currently requires that school systems be open for 180 days of in-person instruction, meaning that any days of fully virtual instruction would not count toward the 180 day requirement. For this reason, at this time HCPSS will not transition to virtual learning during weather emergencies.
As part of continued COVID-19 recovery efforts, the Maryland State Department of Education is conducting an early fall student assessment.
The Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) is the overarching term used for all state assessments. MSDE will administer assessments in the Early Fall for English Language Arts/Literacy (ELA/L), Mathematics, and Science (Maryland Integrated Science Assessment- MISA), as well as the Alternate Assessments in ELA, Mathematics and Science, and the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA).
(Updated: Jan. 19, 2022)
These individuals are required to show proof of full vaccination, with no testing option, at least five school days in advance by using the PinPoint VaccineCheck platform to submit proof of full vaccination:
Details on school safety and security can be found online at www.hcpss.org/safety.
The HCPSS Safety & Security Office can be reached at 410-313-6840 or via email at safety@hcpss.org.
