Thank you to everyone who attended and participated in the inaugural Mastering IEP Community Event last night at Joppatowne High School. It was a great event that highlighted the strengths of our students and community members, and we look forward to our continued partnership with families in the future.
The show is almost here!
Get your tickets:
https://jhsmariners.seatyourself.biz/
Our students have been working incredibly hard, and we can’t wait to share the show with you!
Show Dates:
March 19 & 20 at 7:00 PM
March 21 at 2:00 PM
HCPS Educators Honored at NMTC Visionary Awards
Three Harford County Public Schools educators were recently recognized at the 2026 Northeastern Maryland Technology Council Visionary Awards. Melissa Dethlefson, Career Coaching Coordinator; Shomari Zachary, P-TECH Coordinator; and Tim Pistel, Career Navigator, were all honored in the Mentor category for going above and beyond to inspire students and create meaningful STEM career experiences. Congratulations to all three on this well-deserved recognition!
Joppatowne High School teacher and HCPS Teacher of the Year, Erica Richardson, was honored as Maryland's recipient of the 2026 NEA Foundation Travelers Award for Teaching Excellence at the Salute to Excellence in Education Gala in Washington, D.C. on February 13, 2026. Well deserved, Ms. Richardson!
Are you a junior? Run for Student Member of the Board!
The SMOB represents HCPS students at Board of Education meetings and helps shape the future of education in Harford County. Applications are due March 10, 2026.
Congratulations to our wonderful HOSA students!
Incoming 9th graders from 6-7
For next years 10th, 11th and 12th graders, the meeting will begin at 7pm.
Attached to this post is the contract as well as bus transportation information for Saturday School. If interested, please return forms to your counselor or administrator.
Reminder: Celebration of Excellence in Education Nominations Due Soon!
There’s still time to nominate an outstanding Harford County Public Schools employee for the 2026 Celebration of Excellence in Education!
Each year, HCPS honors employees who make a difference in the lives of our students. In addition to naming the 2026 Teacher of the Year, we will recognize exceptional staff in the following categories:
Assistant Principal, Custodian, Facilities, Food Services, Nurse, Psychologist, Pupil Personnel Worker, Safety and Security, School Counselor, Social Worker, Support Professional, and Office of Technology.
To nominate someone, visit www.hcps.org and click the Celebration of Excellence in Education banner on the homepage. You can also click here for the nomination form.
Nominations are due by January 6, 2026, so don’t delay—submit your nomination today!
Thank you for helping us recognize the incredible HCPS employees who go above and beyond every day.
Local businesses or community members interested in supporting this year’s program can contact joyce.jablecki@hcps.org for more information.
The Joppatowne High School JROTC Color Guard presented the colors during the opening ceremony of the Veterans Family Resource Fair, hosted by the Harford County Veterans Commission and sponsored by Mission BBQ.
Color Guard:
C/SSG Haileigh Miller (Color Guard Commander)
C/CPT Connor Klass
C/CPT Chad Walker
C/CPT Allyson Gardner
Support Staff:
C/SGT Neriah Wright
Cadet Gryffen Atkinson
The team met CSM Bradford Smith (ATEC Command Sergeant Major) and the County Executive, Mr. Bob Cassilly, who awarded them coins of excellence.
The Board of Education of Harford County invites the HCPS community to one of the remaining Engage for Education listening sessions during the 2025-2026 school year. These sessions are your opportunity to ask questions and share feedback directly with Board members about the future of education in Harford County. No pre-registration is required to attend or speak.
Upcoming Sessions (All 5:30-7:30 p.m.):
Wednesday, December 3, 2025 - Joppatowne High School
Wednesday, February 4, 2026 - Fallston High School
Wednesday, February 25, 2026 - A.A. Roberty Building (student-only session)
Wednesday, April 22, 2026 - Aberdeen High School
Our Community Service Club, Joppatowne Acts, volunteered at Riverside Elementary’s Pop-Up Field Day! 🎉 Students at Riverside earned this special event by demonstrating excellence in academics and behavior. We’re so proud of our Mariners for giving back and celebrating the success of younger students in our community! 💜🖤
Order the Joppatowne High School yearbook today! Click here to order: http://jostensyearbooks.com?ref=A03359600
Also consider buying an advertisement for the yearbook. You can do that at this link: https://www.jostens.com/apps/jcom/router.mvc?code=YB_RA&cn=1066760
Schools closed to students on Thursday, November 6, 2025, for Elementary School Parent/Teacher conferences.
Schools will be closed to students and visitors on Friday, November 7, 2025, to allow ALL building staff to participate in professional development opportunities.
Schools and offices OPEN on Monday, November 10, 2025.
Schools and Offices CLOSED on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, in observance of Veterans Day.
Click here to see calendar information for the 2025-2026 school year.
Federal Impact Aid Forms Due November 7, 2025
If you are active military personnel, a civilian, or a federal employee working and/or living on federal property, your student has received or will soon receive a Federal Impact Aid form.
Please complete and return the Federal Impact Aid form to your child’s school by Friday, November 7, 2025. This funding directly supports Harford County Public Schools.
If your student is not attending school in person, a blank form was emailed to all HCPS families, is available on the Resources for Parents page under “Forms and Documents” at www.hcps.org, and available by clicking here.
Please contact your student’s school if you have any questions.
To register: https://vimeo.com/showcase/8752027?video=588516229
