Parent Connection

How to Motivate Your Child

If your methods for motivating your child are not working, join us to learn more! This session will cover:

• Positive and negative reinforcement
• Results of negative reinforcement
• Tips to keep a child's motivation going
• Developing intrinsic values within your child

When: Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Where: Online (ZOOM)

Register here: https://cookcenter.info/Apr23Harford

Join the Harford County Health Department Minority Health Program for its 4th annual I YOU WE MATTER Youth Symposium for middle and high school young men.

This year, they are proud to partner with The Ward Y in Abingdon, bringing impactful discussions, mentorship, and resources to our youth. Participants can expect:

• Food
• Games & prizes
• A "three-on-three" basketball tournament
• An all-start panel of community leaders and mentors to discuss future goals and mental health

See the flier for more information and the QR code to register.

Harford County Public Schools will begin accepting prekindergarten applications on Friday, May 2, 2025. Please help us share this information with your community so families who may not be connected to HCPS are aware.

All prekindergarten applications for the 2025-2026 school year MUST be submitted electronically, as required by the Blueprint for Maryland’s Education. To assist families in completing the application, a step-by-step video tutorial (below) and guide are available on hcps.org. Technical support is also available to families by calling 410-809-6333 to speak with a Harford County Public Schools early childhood staff member.

Income verification is required when applying, please be prepared to share the pertinent details.

Please note, due to state law, prekindergarten and kindergarten instruction cannot be virtual, meaning registration is not available for prekindergarten at Swan Creek School.

Additional registration information may be found here.

Thank you for helping us spread the word! If you have any questions, please contact your local elementary school, or our Office of Early Childhood at 410-588-5252 or 410-809-6333.

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) is seeking valuable feedback from families of students receiving special education and related services through the annual Maryland Parent Survey. This survey provides an opportunity for families to share input about their experiences throughout the Special Education process.

If this survey applies to your family, please participate by visiting www.mdparentsurvey.com. Families have until May 30, 2025 to complete the survey.

Additional resources may be found here.

The voting window to name the finalists for the Fourth Quarter Family Friendly School Award is NOW OPEN! This is the last Family Friendly School Award for this school year!!!

Cast your vote now for one of the nominated schools: https://www.hcps.org/parents/parentacademy/familyfriendlyschools.aspx.

The voting window closes at midnight Wednesday, April 16, 2025.

We look forward to announcing the fourth quarter winner in late May!

Harford Glen will host its Spring Celebration this Sunday, April 13, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Guided hikes, bird banding demonstrations, and tours of the historical buildings will be offered. Community partners, including the Anita C. Leight Estuary Center, Master Gardeners, and Harford Bird Club, will have displays and activities for all ages. There will also be a plant sale during the event. All proceeds go to the Harford Glen Foundation. There will be a variety of herbs, indoors plants, and even some sunflowers!

This event is sponsored by the Harford Glen Foundation. Please check the Harford Glen Foundation Facebook page for more information including inclement weather updates.

The Harford County Department of Parks and Recreation is excited to host an upcoming Fishing Rodeo Event, providing our community with an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, share time with family, and connect with nature.

This event aims to bring families and individuals together for a day of recreation and community engagement. This event is going to take place at Lake Serene at Edgewater Dr., Edgewood, on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, between 12:00 and 4:00 p.m.

The Department of Parks and Recreation is working with the Department of Natural Resources, which is restocking the lake with fish for youth to catch along with their parents or guardians.

Harford County Parks & Recreation is hosting the Pitch, Hit & Run Major League Baseball event again this year, in order to provide boys and girls in our community the opportunity to showcase their baseball and softball skills in a safe and fun environment.

This free event encourages kids to stay active, develop discipline, and enjoy the sport while, we aim to inspire young athletes, support their athletic journey, support their growth, fostering a love for the game, a sense of achievement and strengthen the community through healthy competition and sportsmanship making this event one that aligns with our goals.

This event is going to be held on June 18, between 3:00 and 7:00 p.m. at the Edgewood High School baseball field (front ones).

Harford County Public Schools Counseling Services has gathered a variety of scholarship opportunities for students planning to continue their education after high school. You can explore the available scholarships by clicking here.

For any questions or assistance, please contact your student’s school counseling office.

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

Harford County Public Schools students, staff, and families looking for help with mental health or substance use are reminded they can call Care Solace at 888-515-0595 for 24/7/365 personalized and confidential help finding a therapist. Or, they can search on their own at www.caresolace.com/harford.

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!

• Harford County Public Library
• Harford County Parks and Recreation
• Boys and Girls Clubs of Harford & Cecil Counties

Additional resources may be found in the Harford County Community Services Resource Guide.

Be sure you are following the Parent Academy page on Facebook for announcements, updates, resources, and more shared regularly throughout the school year.

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

Looking for an earlier issue of Parent Connection? Visit the newsletter archive on hcps.org by clicking here.

HCPS parents are students’ first and best teachers.

Editors: Mary Beth Stapleton, Manager of Family and Community Partnerships & Lindsay Bilodeau, Innovation Specialist

Email: ParentAcademy@hcps.org
Website: https://www.hcps.org/parents/ParentAcademy/Default.aspx
Location: 102 South Hickory Avenue, Bel Air, MD, USA
Phone: 410-588-5263
Facebook: facebook.com/HCPSParentAcademy