News

The HCPSS Rethink Professional Learning Strategy Team is reimagining professional learning (PL) for staff. The core goal is to create a robust PL environment that elevates student achievement through ongoing, job-embedded learning that supports the actualization of the HCPSS Strategic Plan. 

The Rethink Team is seeking input from educator participants in this year's school-based systemic PL sessions (PIPs/Faculty Meetings) aligned with the districtwide professional learning plan. If you are interested in participation, please use this form to register for a virtual feedback session. 

HCPSS Superintendent William J. Barnes today announced the recipients of the school system’s annual principal and teachers of the year award:

• Principal of the Year: Dan Notari, Cradlerock Elementary
• Teacher of the Year: Samantha Mathis, West Friendship Elementary School
• Teacher of the Year: Kacy Valentine, Lake Elkhorn Middle School

Each recipient was named during surprise visits at their respective schools, and will be recognized at an upcoming Howard County Board of Education meeting. The three also serve as the HCPSS nominees for Washington Post Principal of the Year, Washington Post Teacher of the Year (Mathis) and Maryland State Department of Education Teacher of the Year (Valentine).

Congratulations to these outstanding employees, and all those nominated!

HCPSS educators interested in pursuing National Board Certification (NBC) are invited to attend an upcoming virtual information session, scheduled to be held: 

• April 21, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
• May 6, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
• May 18, 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Registration is required for each session. 

Attendees will gain: 

• A basic understanding of the National Board Certification (NBC) process and benefits;
• Knowledge of HCPSS candidate supports including a Towson University post-baccalaureate certificate program aligned with the work of NBC; and
• Information to access and complete the scholarship application. 

Additional information, including details on NBC eligibility and how to log into the sessions, is available online and in the NBC Canvas community. 

Contact Jennifer Hlavka, coordinator of National Board Certification and Teacher Career Pathways, with questions.

The Howard County Parents for School Music is accepting nominations for the 2026 Music Educator of the Year through Friday, May 1.

Any HCPSS full-time music teacher with three years of full-time experience in Howard County by the time of nomination is eligible. Teachers who have received the award may be considered again after five years. Teachers who have been finalists may be nominated again the following year.

Nominations may be made by anyone familiar with the teacher's work - parents, students, other teachers, site-based or central office administrators, and Board of Education members.

Complete details are available online.

This is a reminder that staff IDs must be worn and visible at all times while inside all HCPSS buildings. The intent is for all staff to be easily identified by students, visitors, and other staff throughout the day. 

Please note: 

• IDs should be worn on a lanyard or clipped to clothing so it can be easily seen. 
• IDs should not be covered, turned around, or placed in a pocket, bag, or desk. 

These expectations support safety, accountability, and the ability to quickly identify authorized individuals in our buildings. 

Additional information on obtaining a staff ID can be found online. 

Thank you for helping ensure our school and office environments remain safe and secure. 

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) Class of 2026 graduation ceremony schedule is now available and listed below.

All ceremonies are scheduled to take place at Merriweather Post Pavilion, with the exception of Cedar Lane School, which will be held at that school. Graduations will be available for viewing live online and on-demand following each ceremony, and will be rebroadcast on the HCPSS local cable channel in Howard County (Comcast 95, Verizon 42).

Senior activities and exams will be Monday, May 18-Friday, May 22. Tuesday, May 26 will be the last day for all seniors.

High schools will share specifics with their staff and families, as details become available. Additional graduation details and information are available online.

The schedule of graduation ceremonies is as follows:

Tuesday, May 26

• 10 a.m., Cedar Lane School (at Cedar Lane)

Thursday, May 28

• 11 a.m., Mt. Hebron High School
• 3 p.m., Oakland Mills High School
• 7 p.m., River Hill High School

Friday, May 29

• 11 a.m., Reservoir High School
• 3 p.m., Wilde Lake High School

Monday, June 1

• 11 a.m., Atholton High School
• 3 p.m., Guilford Park High School
• 7 p.m., Centennial High School

Tuesday, June 2

• 11 a.m., Marriotts Ridge High School
• 3 p.m., Hammond High School
• 7 p.m., Glenelg High School

Wednesday, June 3

• 11 a.m., Long Reach High School
• 3 p.m., Howard High School

Staff are advised that the HCPSS Instructional Resource Center (IRC) will be closed the week of Spring Break. Please plan ahead for any IRC needs. Following break, the IRC will be open Wednesday, April 8 through Thursday, June 4 during its regular dates/times.

The IRC is open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4-6:30 p.m. and is located in the HCPSS Logistics Center, 9645 Gerwig Lane, Columbia. The IRC is accessible via the entrance on the right side of the building where staff can be buzzed in. Directional signage is posted.

Please note the following:

• The IRC is accessible to staff only during the designated operating hours. For safety and liability reasons, staff may not enter the IRC at any other time.
• If schools are closed districtwide due to inclement weather or any other unscheduled emergency, the IRC also will be closed.
• When bringing materials to the center to laminate, staff may make materials for one class set.
• IRC resources are to be used by school staff creating instructional resources for students. Central offices staff should work with Print Services for their materials needs.

Additional information on use of the IRC is available onsite.

HCPSS staff have access to systemic well-being programming, made possible through the HCPSS Employee Well-Being Program. AETNA provides funding to support this program. These opportunities include:

Weekly Livestreaming Yoga Class

HCPSS staff can join the livestreaming “Yoga Flow & Restore" class every Wednesday from 6:30-7:30 p.m., using this Zoom link (Meeting ID: 865 9872 9492 and Passcode: 590493). Classes will be recorded and accessible online using case-sensitive password – BlueBirdforHCPSS – so staff can access them any time – whether individually or in a group setting.

Nervous System Regulation Videos

These monthly on-demand videos provide staff with self-regulation practices to use during the workday and evening wind-down practices. The March videos are available now:

• In the Moment Nervous System Reset: Try one of these quick grounding strategies if you are feeling stressed in the middle of your workday? Each strategy will help guide you to return to the present moment, providing a tool to help move from stress to self-regulation.
• Evening Wind Down: After a stressful, active day, it can be difficult to fall asleep. The body can feel charged and tense, and the mind might be filled with racing thoughts. Taking a few minutes to intentionally wind down—both physically and mentally—can help release built-up tension, calm the nervous system, and quiet the mind, making it easier to drift into deep, restorative sleep.

The Bright Minds Foundation invites HCPSS educators to submit a proposal for their 2026 classroom grants program. This opportunity is open to all HCPSS teachers and school-based staff interested in delivering educational projects focused on improving student achievement, engagement, and wellbeing during the 2026-2027 school year. Approximately 20 proposals will be awarded grant funds (up to $2,000 per award). Educators interested in applying should click here for additional information, resources, and application instructions. Applications are due by March 22, 2026, 11:59 p.m. (extended from original deadline of March 15).

At the Feb. 26 Board of Education meeting, HCPSS staff shared updates to the Implementation Procedures (IP) of Policy 8080 Responsible Use of Technology, Digital Tools, and Social Media. HCPSS began implementing these changes effective immediately.

Among the changes, the implementation procedures were updated to include Section B. HCPSS Employee Responsibilities related to personal social media use. The new section clarifies that an employee’s use of personal social media “may not disrupt the work/school environment, impair the employee's ability to effectively perform the duties of their role, impair the school system’s ability to function, impact student’s ability to gain benefit from HCPSS programs, services and/or supports, and/or compromise working relationships within HCPSS schools and offices.”

More information about this policy change is available on Boarddocs. Policy 8080 and its updated IPs are available online.