HCPS Blueprint

The five Blueprint Committees and many work groups have been busy this last school year navigating the Blueprint legislation, meeting deadlines, innovating, and building the path forward. View the 2023-2024 Blueprint Milestone Report here.

With five committees and over 160 members, we have much to be thankful for and celebrate within our teams and community partners. Your dedication and hard work have been instrumental in our success. A special thank you to the Harford County Education Foundation for fostering our camaraderie and providing invaluable support. Together, we are making a significant impact in our district.

Over the past twelve months, three state education plans have been released. The Maryland State Board of Education (MSBE) and Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) released their Strategic Plan in June 2023, the Accountability and Implementation Board (AIB) issued their Blueprint Comprehensive Implementation Plan in August 2023, and the Office of Governor Wes Moore released the Moore-Miller Administration State Plan in February 2024. Each plan includes a list of education metrics to track. The following presentation represents proposed joint metrics for education.

At the end of Spring, Katie Ridgway presented at the Maryland Association of School Business Officers (ASBO) Conference. Her session addressed the tension districts are experiencing navigating their day-to-day demands alongside setting the groundwork for change. Offering practical considerations, state and local perspectives, and a forum for discussion, this session provided participants with insights and information for their local engagement with Blueprint planning, decision-making, and implementation. View the presentation material HERE.

This article provides a statewide perspective on Blueprint Implementation plans. "School officials in the latest reports cited progress, but they also said they still face challenges that range from funding, to meeting diversity goals and implementing full-day prekindergarten, among others." View the article here.

The Blueprint requires the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) to establish, administer, and supervise an Expert Review Team program to monitor schools. For the 2023-2024 school year, MSDE piloted a process where teams spent two full days at a school conducting focus group and classroom observations. In Harford County, one amazing school was visited and were excellent hosts to the team, Darlington Elementary School. Check out their experience in the video below.

As we look back at last year, we are reflecting on the remarkable work of our career coaches and making exciting plans for the upcoming year. Despite the challenges of launching a new program, we achieved numerous milestones with our partners Susquehanna Workforce Network and Harford Community College. By February, twelve career coaches had been onboarded and integrated into classrooms. Over the next four months, they delivered lessons in 18 buildings to 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th graders, reaching well over 11,000 students. The topics covered included college and career readiness, communication, career exploration, self-discovery, and growth mindset. Our coaches have collaborated with many stakeholders and continue to enhance their skills to best serve our scholars. We are excited about the possibilities that lie ahead in the coming year! Check out our students using Virtual Reality for Career Exploration!

The Summer Trades EXPLORATION Academy (STeA) is a collaborative partnership between Harford County Public Schools’ Department of Special Education Office of Transition, Harford Community College (HCC) Career & Workforce Development Programs, and the Susquehanna Workforce Network. Designed to support students with disabilities who have an IEP or 504 Plan, STeA academies take place at either Harford Technical High School or Harford Community College. The program is offered for two weeks following the close of the academic year, with lunch and transportation provided, and a nurse on site. It is available to high school students entering the 10th, 11th, or 12th grade. STeA instructors are hired through HCC, many of whom are also HCPS teachers. Participation is limited to approximately 70 students, each of whom receives an HCC Certificate of Completion. The academy offers trade programs designed as exploratory opportunities to examine a career field of interest or participate in life-skill learning through interactive, hands-on experiences.

This past Spring, the Harford Business Roundtable for Education hosted a Youth Apprenticeship Summit, inviting local leaders and businesses to learn about what great apprenticeship opportunities are offered to HCPS students. Thank you to all of our business partners for their ongoing support of HCPS students, staff, and programs!

Harford County Public Schools is proud to announce ten students from the first cohort of the Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) program at Joppatowne High School reached a major milestone as they approached their high school graduation. These ten students graduated with associate degrees in Computer Information Systems and Information Assurance and Cybersecurity from Harford Community College (HCC) in addition to earning their high school diplomas. Read Full Press Release Here.

Parent Academy and the HCPS Counseling Office partnered to share exciting information with parents/guardians about career exploration, apprenticeship opportunities, and the dual enrollment program. Learn more in the recording below.

We are proud to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our students, who have earned various credentials through their hard work and dedication. While each accomplishment is noteworthy, we would like to highlight a particularly impressive achievement: Harford Technical High School seniors achieved a 100% success rate on the Cosmetology Licensure Exam, earning industry-recognized credentials. This remarkable accomplishment reflects the high standards of our programs and the exceptional commitment of our students and educators. Congratulations to all our students for their dedication and achievements!

MSDE selected HCPS as the one LEA for a spotlight video for National Youth Apprenticeship Week. Check it out here:

We are thrilled to share the exciting things middle school students experience inside Harford County Public Schools! Success after high school starts in our elementary and middle schools. Take a moment to watch the video below to learn more.

Talent Pathways is a unique project with a goal of bringing more teachers into Harford County Public Schools (HCPS). One way we are working to achieve this goal is through model schools. This is the first time this has been done in HCPS! In our first model school, Roye-Williams Elementary, student interns are working directly in classrooms, receiving guidance, mentorship, and hands-on experience from HCPS teachers. This collaboration of new and veteran educators creates a unique environment with an ultimate goal of making sure students have a successful, well-rounded learning experience. It is our hope that, upon graduation, these student interns will choose to begin a teaching career with HCPS. The Talent Pathways project intends to establish a high school pilot next year, and a middle school pilot the following year, as this program continues to enrich the experience of prospective educators. Find more information on the Talent Pathways project here.

The Teacher Academy of Maryland (TAM) is a career and technical education program designed to prepare high school students for a career in education. It provides students with an opportunity to explore teaching as a profession and gain practical experience in the field. The program typically includes coursework in child development, educational psychology, teaching methods, and instructional technology, along with hands-on experiences through internships or practicums in local schools.

Harford County Education Foundation is accepting applications for its prestigious Excellence in Education Award. The Excellence in Education Award will be presented to individuals during the Excellence in Education breakfast on Friday, October 11, 2024. Now is the time to honor an amazing Principal, an impactful business partner, and dedicated volunteers who have given their time and talent to the education of Harford County Public Schools students. Applications are accepted online until August 9, 2024, at www.harfordeducation.org/educationaward. Questions can be submitted to connect@harfordeducation.org.

Congrats to our Early Childhood team for expanding Pre-K at Abingdon Elementary, Bel Air Elementary, Edgewood Elementary, and North Harford Elementary.

On May 17th, we had our Infants and Toddlers Family summer kick-off. The children engaged in water play to ‘fish’, ball play in our inflatable pool; sensory table and parachute fun; and bubble play. Sky from Paw Patrol joined the celebration as well as service dog, Honor, representing the Arc! We had 45 children, and 44 adults join the festivities!

A huge shout-out to Chris Yancone, Principal of North Harford Elementary School (NHES), for turning his dream into reality. As a dedicated advocate for early intervention, Chris has envisioned and created the "My School" program, designed to prepare children for Prekindergarten and Kindergarten. This innovative program involves parents, equipping them with strategies to support their children's development. Through various learning and play experiences, children in the NHES "My School" program gain essential social skills and learner readiness skills.

We are excited to announce the addition of the Classroom Support Program (CSP) at BAHS, the STRIVE program at SOMS, and the Early Learners/Learning Together classroom at EMES. Furthermore, we are expanding our STRIVE program with new classrooms at both DFES and FAMS. This strategic expansion is a key component of our ongoing commitment to the effective allocation of resources to address the diverse needs of students with disabilities. Through these initiatives, we aim to provide targeted support and inclusive learning environments that foster the academic and personal growth of all our students.

The HCPS/LASOS EL Summer Camp is an enriching 4-week program designed for children from Pre-K through 12th grade. The camp runs Monday through Friday, from June 24 to July 19, from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM, with breakfast and lunch provided each day. Throughout the camp, participants engage in a variety of activities aimed at exploring their community. This includes presentations, lessons, special guest speakers, and potential field trips. Each day, campers work with a curriculum that enhances their reading skills and makes learning math more enjoyable. Additionally, the camp provides ample opportunities for campers to forge new friendships and participate in specially organized games. It's a wonderful blend of education and fun, ensuring that each child has a memorable and impactful summer experience.

On the evening of Friday, May 31, Harford County Public Schools, in partnership with the Harford County Local Behavioral Health Authority and the Klein Family Center, participated in the third annual "Your Mind Matters: A Family Wellness Night” at Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium. More than 5,000 HCPS families enjoyed various activities, including crafts, bounce houses, a petting zoo, field games organized by HCPS Physical Education staff, a rock-climbing wall, and a fireworks display. The night concluded with a powerful musical performance by Alex Boye, titled "You Are a 10!", which celebrated positive self-image, resilience, and mental health. The event aimed to promote mental health and wellness in Harford County and provided a fun-filled evening for all families and community members.

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

• Director of Strategic Initiatives: Katie.Ridgway@hcps.org
• Elevating Educators Sub-committee HCPS Co-chair: rebecca703@msn.com
• Student Supports Sub-committee HCPS Co-chair: Bernard.Hennigan@hcps.org
• North Star Sub-committee HCPS Co-chair: Mike.OBrien@hcps.org
• Early Childhood Sub-committee HCPS Co-chair: Heather.Kutcher@hcps.org

AskHCPS@hcps.org

July 11, 2024