Important Dates
October
10 - PTO Duck Dash Spirit Day ~ School Spirit Day
13 - PTO Sponsored Duck Dash
17 - Schools Closed For Students (Professional Work Day)
22 - Picture Retake Day
20 - Diwali ~ Schools & Offices Closed
31 - Schools Close 3 Hours Early (Professional Work Day), Dismissal Time: 12:15pm
November
12 - Schools Close 3 Hours Early (Professional Learning/Work & Wellness Day)
17-21 - American Education Week
24 - Schools Close 3 Hours Early (Parent Teacher Conferences), Dismissal Time: 12:15pm
25 - Schools Close 3 Hours Early (Parent Teacher Conferences), Dismissal Time: 12:15pm
26 - Schools Closed For Students (Parent Teacher Conferences)
27-28 - Schools & Offices Closed for Thanksgiving
HCPSS 2025-26 School Calendar
There will be no printed 2025-2026 calendars. Staff, students, and families may add our online calendar to their own mobile/online calendar by:
- Going to School System Calendar - HCPSS
- Scrolling down to Subscribing to a calendar.
- Right-clicking on the calendar you wish to subscribe to.
- Selecting Copy Link Location/Address/Shortcut
- Adding to your calendar of choice (See your calendar for specifics on adding a new calendar)
In addition families can access the 2025-2026 HCPSS academic calendar on line and/or print if desired by clicking on the link below.
2025-2026 Academic Calendar, Monthly Format
- English Calendar (updated 07/15/2025)
- Calendario del año escolar 2025-2026
- 2025–26学年行事历
- 2025–26학년 학사력
2025-2026 Academic Calendar, Dates-Only List
- English Calendar (Dates Only) (updated 07/15/2025)
- 2025-2026 学年行事历–纯日期
- 2025–2026 학년도 달력 – 행사 날짜
- Calendario Año Escolar 2025-2026 – Solo Fechas
RELATED ARTS ~ COLOR CALENDAR SCHEDULE
MWES NEWS
EMPOWERED ONLINE - TOOLS & TIPS FOR RAISING RESPONSIBLE DIGITAL CITIZENS
Join the Office of Instructional Technology & Library Media for an informative session where you will discover the HCPSS Digital Citizenship Curriculum and explore effective ways to support your student(s) as they navigate and thrive in an increasingly digital world.
Click here for the flyer. This virtual event is designed for families with elementary-aged students and will be held on Wednesday, October 8, from 6:30-7:30 pm, via Google Meet. Click here to register. Direct questions to Julie Wray.
Picture Retake
Information Worth Repeating
Importance Of Attendance
Research is clear that showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s academic and social success, starting from kindergarten and continuing through high school. Absences can be a sign that a student is losing interest in school, struggling with school, or even facing social challenges.
- Missing 10% (or about 18 days of a school year) can drastically affect a student’s academic success.
- By the 6th grade, absenteeism is one of three signs that can indicate if a student is at risk for dropping out of high school.
- In the 9th grade, regular and high attendance predicts graduation rates better than 8th grade test scores.
Student attendance is a major point of focus for the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). Starting in the 2023-2024 school year, MSDE lowered the chronic absenteeism rate from 20% to 10%, meaning that at 10%, a student should receive support and interventions to improve their absenteeism.
Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) believes that attendance is key to student success. Maryland's attendance rate represents the average daily attendance rate of students in grades 1-12, including special education students. The state's proficient standard for attendance rate is 94%, and the advanced standard is 96%.
In support of achieving Exemplary Attendance for all students, we are sharing with you a comprehensive approach to attendance supports and interventions.
With the collaborative effort of HCPSS parents/guardians, staff, and students, we are confident that all students can have successful attendance. This will improve student success in school and future life.
The Young Authors’ Contest
The Howard County Literacy Association invites students in grades 1-5 to submit their original poems and/or short stories to the annual writing contest called The Young Authors' Contest. Please see the attached Young Authors Contest Guidelines for information about the rules and guidelines. Stories and poems must be typed and saved as a Word Doc or Googledoc. All entries must have a completed YAC Cover Sheet sent as a PDF. Submissions may be emailed to natalie_miskimins@hcpss.org by December 15, 2025. Contact Mrs. Miskimins with any questions. All Young Authors’ Contest information can be found on the HCLA website.
Howard County Literacy Association welcomes parents as members. Visit the HCLA Welcome Page for information about joining.
A Message From The School Nurse
Flu Vaccination Location and DateClick Here To View The Flu Clinic Flyer
PTO NEWS
Duck Dash Student Registration
Movie Night Registration (Oct 3)
Trunk Or Treat Volunteer Sign Up (Oct 30)
Community News
Free Weather Gear
HCPSS Student Code of Conduct
The Howard County Public School System is committed to providing a safe, engaging and supportive learning environment where all policies are enforced fairly and consistently. HCPSS policies and regulations emphasize instruction and rehabilitation rather than punishment and are designed to foster and reward appropriate behavior and keep students connected to school so they can graduate college and career ready. Please read and review the HCPSS student code of conduct with your child(ren) before the school year begins: HCPSS Student Code Of Conduct
HCPSS Student & Parent Handbook
The Student & Parent Handbook can be found online and outlines districtwide practices and policies related to parents and students, including the Student Code of Conduct, school procedures, student responsibilities and more.
Family Guides: What your Child Will Learn this Year
Do you want to get a head start on the school year? We encourage all parents/guardians to visit the link below to learn what your child will learn this year in grades PreK-5! Once you click on your child’s grade level, use the yellow “course navigation” box in the top right corner to navigate standards, free games, and family activities for each subject area. Happy learning!
What Your Child Will Learn Guides
HCPSS / Community News and Programs
https://community-programs.hcpss.org/
HCPSS NEWS