Parent Connection

HCPS Parent Academy is excited to bring you another year of informative and engaging mental health sessions in partnership with ParentGuidance.org! See the full calendar of sessions here.

Grab your lunch and join us online each month to hear from licensed therapists on a variety of topics designed to support your parenting journey and promote your student’s well-being. Be sure to register today and save the dates to your calendar so you don’t miss these valuable opportunities!

Registration, attendance, and participation are completely anonymous. Can’t attend a session live? No problem! Register anyway, and a recording will be sent directly to your inbox so you can watch at a time that works for you.

Why Our Children Self-Harm

Register: https://cookcenter.info/Nov18Harford

The recording of “Milestones to Progress: Supporting Growth and Gaps in Early Childhood” is now available! Catch up on this month’s session whenever it’s convenient for you.

All Lunch & Learn recordings are archived on the Parent Academy page on hcps.org HERE.

In addition to the live sessions, take advantage of free resources and on-demand e-courses available through ParentGuidance. You can also get answers to your parenting questions through the Ask a Therapist feature and sign up for Parent Coaching.

Visit ParentGuidance.org today to explore these resources and find support for your parenting journey!

Every parent wants to show up fully for their child, but constant caregiving can take a toll. Learn the signs of compassion fatigue and how self-care makes you a better, more present parent.

• November Mental Health Newsletter

You can read and share the newsletter online in multiple languages or download the PDF in English or Spanish.

HCPS has a partnership with Care Solace to bring students and their families mental health, substance use, and social service support. Search on your own or connect with a 24/7/365 Care Companion who will help you every step of the way. Services are 100% free and confidential.

Click here to learn more.

A new federal law adds new rules for up to 320,000 Maryland Medicaid members beginning in January 2027. The Maryland Department of Health, Maryland Health Connection, and local partners are here to help you stay covered.

Learn more here: https://www.marylandhealthconnection.gov/checkin/

Learn about the FAFSA®, types of financial aid and how to apply, key deadlines, updates from last year, financial aid terms, tips on maintaining your aid, and more. Sessions are open to all, whether you plan to attend Harford or any other college or university. You’ll have a chance to ask important questions and lay the groundwork for your academic future.

Reserve your spot today at one of the high schools below and let Harford help you realize your educational dreams! Select an Information Night at the location (and date) that works best for you.

Do you have a high school senior or a returning college student? Do they need a little extra funding to reach your educational goals?

The Harford County Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation scholarship application will on November 2, 2026! Applicants could receive $1,000 towards their college or trade program by applying for one of the following categories:

• Arts, Media and Communication
• Business, Finance and Information Technology
• Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
• Health and Human Services
• William B. Seccurro Teacher Education Scholarship
• Technology/Trade
• Continuing Education - Adult

Visit https://harfordchamber.org/resources/scholarships/ for more information and the link to apply when it opens.

It's never too early to start thinking about scholarships! Deadlines are throughout the year, but start as early as the end of September. Keep an eye on the HCPS School Counseling Services page to stay up-to-date on available scholarships.

Please access this link or click the image below for helpful resources for upcoming Parent-Teacher conferences, including a conference checklist, a note tracker, and more.

Looking for ways to support your child’s learning at home? Visit the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) website to explore the Family Guides for Student Success for grades PreK–8! These helpful guides outline the key literacy and math skills students are expected to learn by the end of each grade, helping families understand Maryland’s learning expectations and support their child’s academic growth.

Choose and download the guide that best meets your family’s needs, and use it as a resource to spark conversations with your child’s teacher, ask questions, and discover activities to reinforce learning at home. Your partnership with your child’s teacher makes a difference!

Visit the MSDE website to explore the available resources and find the guide that’s right for your child.

A big thank-you to Ms. Selke, an Emmorton Elementary School teacher, for creating this informative video about Student Reading Improvement Plans! This helpful resource provides valuable information for families of students in kindergarten through Grade 3 across all Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) elementary schools. We’re excited to share it with all families to help build understanding and support student reading success.

Parents and guardians with questions or who would like information specific to their child are encouraged to reach out directly to their child’s teacher or school.

Congratulations to Patterson Mill Middle High School and the Patterson Mill Middle High School PTSA, named a 2025-2027 National PTA School of Excellence!

The national honor recognizes schools and PTAs that work together to build strong family-school partnerships. Patterson Mill is one of 321 recipients nationwide and one of just five Maryland public middle and high schools.

Over the past two years, the school and PTSA used family feedback to create free wellness, resiliency, enrichment, and community programs that bring students and families together.

Congratulations, Huskies!

PTA members are people who have a vested interest in the education, health, and wellbeing of all children. Click here to support your child's PTA and see how to stay informed.

The Parents' Place of Maryland (PPMD) supports thousands of Maryland families each year that are caring for children and youth with disabilities and special needs. More recently, their services have expanded to support families with a child, youth, or loved one of any age impacted by behavioral health, mental health, substance use, and problem gambling. Their services are free, statewide, and available in multiple languages.

Visit ppmd.org to explore their website to learn more about the staff members, programs, services, and resources.

Independent Communication: Empowering Students to Share Their Voice

Presented by: Patricia Canepa MACCC-SLP, Jennifer Loper MSCCC-SLP, and Catherine Barba MSCCC-SLP

For children who are nonspeaking or minimally speaking, communication is a beautiful mix of AAC devices, pictures, gestures, signs, and spoken language. You don't need a classroom to build these skills! You can unlock your child's communication potential right at home by modeling and encouraging these tools naturally throughout the day.

Join Partners for Success for this free virtual workshop to get practical, stress-free ideas to support your child, strengthen your connection with their school, and help them become independent communicators.

Join November 18, at 6:00 p.m. Learn about:

• Communication Functions: Discover how your child communicates in "big ways and bigger ways."
• AAC Demystified: Explore the various forms of Augmentative & Alternative Communication.
• Everyday Integration: Simple, practical ways to blend assisted communication into your normal home routine.
• IEP Terms Explained: Requesting and using Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) Parent Support and Consult Services.

Register here.

To receive the Partners for Success Monthly Update, join their mailing list by clicking here.

Whether your child is an infant, in school, or transitioning to adult services, start saving now to help build them a more secure future with a Maryland ABLE account. A Maryland ABLE account is a low-cost, tax-advantaged way for eligible people with disabilities and their families to save and invest money to pay for expenses related to the health, independence, or quality of life for your child.

Community Conversations are underway! Dr. Dyann R. Mack is hosting sessions across the county to talk strategic planning, the budget, and partnering with parents. Families, staff, students, and community members are all welcome to join, ask questions, and help shape the future of HCPS.

Register ahead of time by visiting www.hcps.org/superintendent/engagement.aspx.

Join the Unplug to Connect communitywide campaign by setting aside devices during mealtimes and making room for what matters most—meaningful conversations, laughter, and quality time together.

Every meal is an opportunity to listen, share, and create lasting family memories. Need a little inspiration? Scan the QR code on the flyer for fun conversation starters the whole family will enjoy!

https://hcps.org/parents/ParentAcademy/UnplugToConnect.aspx

Middle and high school young ladies from throughout Maryland are invited to the 5th Annual Girls I-YOU-WE Matter Youth Symposium! This year’s theme is “Vision Activated: You Were Created for So Much More!”

• Friday, November 20, 2026, from 4:30–10:30 p.m.
• The Ward Y in Abingdon, 101 Walter Ward Blvd., Abingdon, MD 21009.

Registration is $25 per participant and includes dinner, workshop materials and supplies, and a signature swag bag. You may pay in person or purchase your ticket online through the symposium link below.

Register here!

High school students in Grades 9–12 are invited to explore careers in digital engineering at this FREE, half-day workshop hosted by the U.S. Army’s Digital Engineering Advancement Program (DEAP).

Students will participate in hands-on STEM activities, turn a physical build into a digital model, and try an electronics or coding challenge. They’ll also learn about career pathways, paid apprenticeships, internships, and college scholarships in digital engineering.

Choose from two sessions: Wednesday, November 11, 2026, or Saturday, December 12, 2026, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. both days.

No engineering experience is needed! Students are encouraged to bring a parent or guardian.

• When: Thursday, November 5, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. (free parking, refreshments, activities, and more will be provided!)
• Where: Towson University (TU) Literacy Clinic- First floor of the Psychology building on TU campus
• How: Register using the QR code on the flyers
• Who: Students and community members from ages 5 to adult who are interested in clinic services

Did you know the Board of Education of Harford County asks for public feedback when new policies or revisions to existing policies are presented and discussed at Board Business Meetings? Provide your feedback on the policy by the deadline listed on the webpage! https://hcps.org/boe/hottopics/default.aspx

The Harford County Public Library offers so many educational, fun, and FREE events at each of its branches year-round. Be sure to visit the events page of their website to see what's happening this month!

Also, bookmark the Parent Academy webpage on hcps.org where all workshops are archived and where you can find information on other Parent Academy sponsored programs.

HCPS parents are students’ first and best teachers.

Lindsay Bilodeau, Outreach Specialist

Office of Family and Community Partnerships