Update: April 27, 2021

HCPSS school facilities will be available for the remaining Saturday administrations of the SAT/ACT. The schools registered for upcoming dates are as follows:

SAT:

• May 8: Centennial, Hammond, Howard, Oakland Mills, Reservoir, River Hill and Wilde Lake high schools
• June 5: Glenelg, Hammond, Howard, Oakland Mills, Reservoir, River Hill and Wilde Lake high schools

ACT:

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) received approval to waive federal 2019-2020 Assessment and Accountability Requirements. Consequently, HCPSS will not administer the MCAP English language, mathematics, science and social studies assessments, the American Government high school assessment or the Maryland School Survey for this school year.

Fourth quarter began April 27. The Board of Education on April 16 unanimously approved recommendations for fourth-quarter grading for the 2019-2020 school year.

Students will earn a grade of Pass or Incomplete for each graded subject or course.

Middle and high school students were able to, at the direction of their teacher, complete work assigned between April 14-24 to improve their third-quarter grade. Middle and high school teachers provided direction in Canvas for additional assignments. The April 14-24 assignment submissions counted toward third-quarter grades and were not used to lower a grade.

Third-quarter grading was originally scheduled to end on April 3, 2020. For all students, HCPSS based third-quarter grades on work assigned on and prior to March 13, 2020, the last day schools were in session, as the majority of the quarter had already taken place when schools were closed. Additional details are available online.

HCPSS is providing free breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks and weekend meals, weekdays from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., at locations throughout Howard County. HCPSS will continue to provide free Grab-N-Go meals to anyone age 18 and under and/or any HCPSS student, throughout state-mandated school closures, extended through the end of the school year. There is no application, enrollment, or fees to participate in this program.

We have compiled a number of tips and suggestions to help you and your family transition to a home-based learning environment. On this web page, you can find guidance on how to create a daily schedule, maintain a healthy learning environment at home, and engage in online learning.

The HCPSS distance learning model for secondary students consists of two components:

• 90 minutes to two hours of learning activities per course, per week, for students to complete independently; and
• Weekly virtual class check-ins via Google Meet.

Middle school students will alternate A- and B-weeks throughout the duration of the state-mandated closures.

The HCPSS distance learning model for elementary students will consist of two components

HCPSS staff designed a Continuity of Learning model that will engage students in teacher-supported and teacher-directed distance learning. The plan involves three phases:

Students who have IEPs and are currently receiving Home and Hospital Instruction will receive their instruction from their home school teachers through the HCPSS Continuity of Learning Plan. Additionally, they will continue to receive 1 hour of virtual support each week from their Home and Hospital Teacher.