Student & Parent Handbook 2020-21 - hcpss

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Student &
Parent
Handbook
2020–21
Frequently Called Phone Numbers
                                                   Main Switchboard.............................410-313-6600
                                                   Board of Education (elected body)............. 410-313-7194
                                                   Superintendent........................................... 410-313-6677
                                                   Food and Nutrition Services....................... 410-313-7134
                                                   Hotlines: (recorded messages)
                                                       School Closing/Delay Alerts................. 410-313-6666
                                                       Status of School Fields/Facilities......... 410-313-6827
                                                   International Student and Family Services.410-313-1293
                                                   Ombudsman............................................... 410-313-6850
                                                   Public Information...................................... 410-313-6682
                                                   Pupil Personnel.......................................... 410-313-6822
Welcome to the                                     Safety, Environment and Risk Mgmt.......... 410-313-6824
                                                   School Security.......................................... 410-313-6840
2020–21 School Year                                Special Education Parent Liaison............... 410-313-8873
                                                   Student Reassignment............................... 410-313-6997
Dear Parents and Students,                         Transportation............................................ 410-313-6821
                                                   Use of School Facilities.............................. 410-313-7477
Welcome to the start of a new school year!         The central office directory is available at www.hcpss.org.
The Howard County Public School System is
committed to giving every student full access      Maryland Youth Crisis Hotline................. 1-800-422-0009
to robust instruction, enrichment opportunities,   To report suspected child abuse or neglect, call Howard
and a safe and nurturing learning environment.     County’s Child Protective Services: 410-872-4203
                                                   After Hours Reports (after 4:30 pm., weekends, holidays),
                                                   call Police Communications: 410-313-2929.
This handbook is provided as a helpful resource
                                                   Fax Reports: 410-313-2633
for navigating the school year. It contains a
wealth of information about school system
practices, policies and services available to
support and enrich learning.                         Where to Get Information
                                                     Public Information Office:
Family involvement is a leading factor
                                                     410-313-6682 / publicinfo@hcpss.org
in academic success, and we value
                                                     www.hcpss.org
your collaboration in support of
                                                     HCPSS status website: http://status.hcpss.org/
your child’s learning. Your
                                                     HCPSS News email and text message alerts —
participation, feedback and
                                                     Visit www.hcpss.org/hcpss-news/ for details.
suggestions are always welcome.
                                                     Twitter – @hcpss

Have a great year!                                   Facebook – HoCoSchools
                                                     School Emergency Closing Sources – See page 30.

                                                   PARENTS: If you do NOT want to receive community
Michael J. Martirano, Ed.D.                        notices and flyers from non-profit organizations through
                                                   backpack mail or Friday folders, simply send a note with
Superintendent of Schools                          your request to school. Please include the name and
                                                   grade of your child(ren). Children at separate schools need
                                                   to bring in separate notes.
                                                   If you decide to not receive community information, you
                                                   will still receive communications from the school system,
                                                   your local school, the PTA and important information from
     For information related to instruction        local, state and federal government agencies.
     during the COVID-19 pandemic, please
     visit: www.hcpss.org/2020-2021/
Student & Parent Handbook Table of Contents
School Eligibility Requirements................................................... 2                        Student Responsibilities and Behavior/Policies
                                                                                                            Alcohol, Other Drugs, Prescription Medication and Over the
School Procedures
                                                                                                             Counter Products (Policy 9230)............................................ 20–21
Attendance...................................................................................... 2
                                                                                                            Attendance (Policy 9010).............................................................. 21
Before and After School Care......................................................... 2
                                                                                                            Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment, or Intimidation
Bus Transportation.......................................................................... 2
                                                                                                             (Policy 1060)................................................................................ 21
School Meals............................................................................... 2–3
                                                                                                            Electronic Harassment Violation................................................... 21
Homework Guidelines................................................................. 3–4
                                                                                                            Civility (Policy 1000)...................................................................... 21
Students’ Personal Property........................................................... 4
                                                                                                            Discrimination (Policy 1010).................................................... 21–22
Photographing, Videotaping or Audiotaping in Schools................. 4
                                                                                                            Gangs, Gang Activity and Similar Destructive or Delinquent
Religious Observance, Accommodations for.................................. 4
                                                                                                             Group Behavior (Policy 9290)...................................................... 22
Resolving School Concerns and Disagreements........................ 4–5
                                                                                                            Grading and Reporting (Policies 8010 and 8020)........................ 22
Ombudsman.................................................................................... 5
                                                                                                            Responsible Use of Technology, Digital Tools and Social Media
Elementary School (Pre-K–Grade 5)............................................. 5                             (Policy 8080).............................................................................. 22–23
                                                                                                            Student Access to Digital Tools.................................................... 23
Middle School (Grades 6–8)....................................................... 5–6                       Safe and Supportive Schools (Policy 1040).................................. 23
                                                                                                            Sexual Discrimination, Harassment, Misconduct (Policy 1020)... 23–24
High School (Grades 9–12)............................................................ 6
                                                                                                            Student Assault and/or Battery on Staff (Policy 9270).................. 24
High School Credit Requirements................................................... 6
                                                                                                            Student Discipline (Policy 9200).............................................. 24–25
Graduation Requirements............................................................... 6
                                                                                                            Student Dress Code (Policy 9210).......................................... 25–26
Career Preparation Requirement..................................................... 6                       Student Representation (Policy 2010)........................................... 26
Student Service Learning Requirement.......................................... 6                            Students’ Rights and Responsibilities (Policy 9020)..................... 26
State Assessment Requirements.................................................... 6                         Student Search and Seizure (Policy 9260).................................... 26
Career and Technical Education.................................................. 6–7                        Students Charged with Community Offenses (Policy 9280)......... 26
                                                                                                            Tobacco-Free Environment (Policy 1050)................................ 26–28
Special Schools
                                                                                                            Trespassing or Willful Disturbance (Policy 3020)........................... 28
Cedar Lane School.......................................................................... 7
                                                                                                            Weapons (Policy 9250).................................................................. 28
Homewood Center.......................................................................... 7
                                                                                                            Safety and Security
Support Services for Students                                                                               Safe Schools........................................................................... 28–29
Black Student Achievement Program (BSAP)................................. 7                                 Emergency Contact Information................................................... 29
Hispanic Achievement Program...................................................... 7                        Emergency Preparedness....................................................... 29–30
Mathematics, Engineering, and Science Achievement (MESA)...... 7                                            Emergency School Closings......................................................... 30
Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports............................. 7                               Protections, Supports for Foreign-Born Students, Families
Psychological Services............................................................... 7–8                     (Policy 1070)............................................................................... 30
Instructional Intervention Teams..................................................... 8
Pupil Personnel Services................................................................. 8                 Health
School Counseling Services............................................................ 8                    School Health Services................................................................. 30
Title I................................................................................................ 8   Immunizations......................................................................... 30–31
                                                                                                            Accident Insurance........................................................................ 31
Special Education and Related Services................................ 8–9                                  Medical Insurance......................................................................... 31
Child Find.................................................................................... 8–9          Medication..................................................................................... 31
Local School Special Education...................................................... 9                      Home and Hospital Program......................................................... 31
Early Intervention Services.............................................................. 9                 Wellness Policy........................................................................ 31–32
Family Support and Resource Center............................................. 9                           Weather Guidelines/Recess.......................................................... 32
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 for Students............ 9                                    Physical Education........................................................................ 32
Special Education Resources for Parents....................................... 9                            Asbestos Management................................................................. 32
                                                                                                            Integrated Pest Management.................................................. 32–33
Gifted and Talented Programs..................................................... 9
                                                                                                            Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect (Policy 1030)........................... 33
Alternative Education.............................................................. 9–10
                                                                                                            Student Privacy
English for Speakers of Other Languages................................ 10                                  Confidentiality of Student Records (Policy 9050).......................... 34
                                                                                                            Directory Information..................................................................... 34
International Student and Family Services............................... 10
                                                                                                            Photographing, Videotaping or Audiotaping in Schools................. 4
Summer Programs...................................................................... 10                    Research Involving Employees and Students............................... 34

Assessments – Standardized Tests Given in the HCPSS............ 11                                          Family Involvement
                                                                                                            School Visitation...................................................................... 34–35
Student Code of Conduct..................................................... 12–17                          School Improvement Teams.......................................................... 35
High School Student Activities                                                                              Parent Teacher Association .......................................................... 35
Academic Eligibility for HS Extracurricular Activities.................... 18                               Community Advisory Council to the BOE..................................... 35
Interscholastic Athletic Program................................................... 18                      Advisory Committees.................................................................... 35
High School Clubs......................................................................... 18               Use of School Facilities.............................................................. 36
Interscholastic Athletics - Student Eligibility................................. 19
Honor Roll..................................................................................... 19          Board of Education..................................................................... 36
National Honor Society................................................................. 19
                                                                                                            Index..................................................................... inside back cover
Student Driving and Parking on School Grounds......................... 19
Guidelines for High School Dances........................................ 19–20
School Eligibility/School System Procedures

                                                                                                 program, at several middle schools. For
                                                                                                 more information, visit www.hcpss.org/
                                                                                                 schools/bacare.shtml.

                                                                                                 Bus Transportation
                                                                                                 HCPSS provides bus transportation for all
                                                                                                 elementary and middle school students
                                                                                                 who live more than one mile from their
                                                                                                 assigned school, and for high school
                                                                                                 students who live more than one and
                                                                                                 one-half miles from their assigned school.
                                                                                                 Transportation services are provided for
                                                                                                 certain students with disabilities depending
                                                                                                 upon their special needs and school
School Eligibility                               care provider for your child, the health
                                                 services staff can assist you with referral.
                                                                                                 assignment as determined by the IEP team.

Requirements                                     If your child has a temporary or chronic        Students are expected to be at their
                                                 health problem, please notify the school        bus stop at least five minutes before the
Age of Entrance                                  health assistant or nurse.                      scheduled pickup time, to exercise safe
Age for admission to public schools has                                                          behavior on school buses and to adhere
been established by the state. A child
must be:
                                                 School Procedures                               to the following rules, which are posted on
                                                                                                 each bus:
• Four years old by September 1 to               Attendance                                      1. Follow directions from the driver the
  attend prekindergarten.                        By state law, children must attend school          first time they are given.
• Five years old by September 1 to attend        from ages 5 to 18. The Maryland State           2. Stay seated in your seat at all times
  kindergarten.                                  Department of Education has defined full           while the bus is in motion.
• Six years old by September 1 to attend         and partial day attendance as follows:          3. Keep all parts of your body inside the
  first grade.                                   • A student is counted present for a full          bus.
Application for exception to the age                day if the student is in attendance four     4. Keep hands, feet, legs, arms, personal
requirement may be made through                     hours or more of the school day.                property and your voice to yourself.
the waiver (www.hcpss.org/f/schools/             • A student is counted present for half         5. No eating, smoking, drinking or vulgar
kindergarten/kinder-waiver.pdf) or early            day if the student is in attendance for at      language at any time on the bus.
admission (www.hcpss.org/enroll/early-              least two hours of the school day, but       Parents are encouraged to provide
admission/) processes.                              less than four hours.                        supervision at the bus stop. Unsafe
                                                 • A student scheduled for less than a full      behavior on the bus may result in temporary
Residency                                           day is to be counted present based on        or permanent loss of riding privileges.
A child is eligible to attend a Howard              the amount of time he/she is scheduled.
County public school if his/her parents          A note from the parent must be submitted        Cameras are used on school buses. Video
or guardians are residents of Howard             to the school after the student’s return,       and audio recordings are used to assist in
County. A child must attend the school in        indicating the date and reason for              the investigation of complaints on school
the attendance area in which he/she lives.       tardiness or absence from a regular school      buses. For more information, please call
If a student does not currently qualify for      session. A doctor’s certificate is required     410-313-6732 or visit www.hcpss.org/
enrollment under Policy 9000, the student        in cases of long-term absence due to            schools/transportation/.
will be withdrawn. Tuition will be charged       illness. A note should also be submitted
retroactively if, upon investigation, it is      to request early dismissal or exclusion         School Meals
determined that a student was enrolled as        from activities (e.g., physical education).     Lunch and breakfast are available daily to
a resident student, but lacked bona fide         Chronic absences are referred to the            all students at all schools. All meals served
residency. For more information, please          Department of Program Innovation and            are nutritionally balanced and adhere to
contact the Public Information Office at         Student Well-Being. See page 21 for more        the USDA regulations and the Institute
410-313-6682 or use the School Locator           information.                                    of Medicine (IOM) standards. School
at www.hcpss.org.                                                                                lunch menus and nutrition information are
                                                 Before and After School Care                    available on www.hcpss.nutrislice.com.
Physical Examination                             Before and After Care is offered at all
                                                                                                 Parents may open a prepaid account
Requirement                                      elementary schools and some middle
                                                                                                 for their child at www.myschoolbucks.
Maryland law requires a physical                 schools. Care is provided by the Columbia
                                                                                                 com. Students each have a Personal
examination for all students entering a          Association (410-715-3164) or the Howard
                                                                                                 Identification Number (PIN) and account
public school for the first time. The required   County Department of Recreation and
                                                                                                 that they will use throughout their school
physical examination form is available at        Parks (410‑313-7275). The Department of
                                                                                                 years. Please help your student learn his/
each school and on the HCPSS website. If         Recreation and Parks also offers Can-
                                                                                                 her number. Please do not share your
you do not have a pediatrician or primary        TEEN Club, an after-school enrichment
                                                                                                 number with other students.
                                                                       2
School System Procedures

Meal charging is not encouraged.                Homework amounts for each grade:                 complete classwork or homework when
However, there may be times when                Grades Pre-K–2                                   accommodations are not provided.
a student’s meal account may not                No more than 20 minutes of homework              Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
have available funds to cover the meal          per night will be assigned. In Pre-K and         best practices should be used when
cost. New policy guidelines have been           Kindergarten there will be no assignments        assigning homework.
established regarding meal charges and          that must be submitted to the teacher.       •   All homework assignments that are
outstanding balances. Please make every                                                          graded will be returned no later than
effort to maintain a positive balance in        Grades 3–5                                       three weeks from their due date with
your account. Please refer to Policy 4200       Approximately one to four hours of               the understanding that feedback to
for further meal charging information.          homework per week is suggested for each          students is more meaningful for learning
                                                student in Grades 3–5, with no more than         the sooner it is provided. Each school’s
Students from households that meet              30 minutes required per night in Grade 3,        administrators will support teachers in
Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines are       40 minutes in Grade 4, and 50 minutes in         the development of clear guidelines for
eligible for free or reduced-price meals.                                                        late or missing homework, as well as
                                                Grade 5.
One application may be used for all                                                              determine the percentage of students’
children in a household. Applications are       Grades 6–8                                       grades that can be derived from
available online at www.myschoolapps.           Approximately five to eight hours of             homework assignments. Homework
com at the beginning of the school year.        homework a week are suggested for                may be reviewed or evaluated as part
Families are encouraged to use the online       each middle school student across their          of class activities, briefly, but class time
application for faster processing. A limited    class schedule. Each instructor assigns          should not be used for the completion
number of paper applications will be            an average of, at most, one hour of              of homework.
available at each school. Applications for      homework per week. There may be weeks        •   Teams of teachers will discuss
free or reduced-price meal benefits are         where less homework is assigned.                 homework activities and projects in
accepted anytime during the school year.
                                                                                                 order to follow grade level homework
All information is strictly confidential.       Grades 9–12
                                                                                                 duration guidelines. Canvas tools will
                                                An upper limit of seven to 14 hours of
For more information about the Food and                                                          be made available as one option to help
                                                homework a week is suggested for each
Nutrition Service program, visit www.hcpss.                                                      teachers coordinate major projects and
                                                high school student. Some classes might
org/foodservice or call 410‑313‑6738.                                                            exams. Teachers will be understanding
                                                require students to spend more or less
                                                                                                 of student circumstances and should
                                                time on homework than is typical.
                                                                                                 tailor homework assignments with
Homework Guidelines                                                                              flexible due dates when possible so that
The Howard County Public School System          All Grades
                                                • Schools will provide information to            students can complete homework tasks
supports students in maintaining and
extending their learning. The appropriate          parents on the school’s homework              throughout the week.
design, use, and evaluation of homework            procedures, the purpose(s) of             •   All students may not have access to
assignments, used to inform progress               homework, and how parents can help            electronic communications outside
and provide opportunities for independent          monitor, assist, and discuss homework.        their school building. Therefore, no
practice, are part of achieving that goal.         Each school will communicate this             mandatory assignments are to be
Homework will be purposeful, appropriate,          information to parents at the beginning       given to students electronically when
informative and flexible.                          of every school year and make this            schools are not in session and no
• Purposeful: Students understand                  information available throughout the          assignments are to be submitted when
   why they are completing homework.               school year.                                  school is not in session. All homework
   Homework is grounded in and expands          • Students, parents, and teachers should         assignments are to be given during the
   upon skills and knowledge students              communicate about scheduled and               class period and no assignments are to
   have learned in the classroom.                  actual homework completion times to           be due before the next time the class
• Appropriate: Homework should be                  ensure realistic expectations for the         meets. Technology may be available
   designed so that all students can               completion of assignments.                    to increase efficiency and flexibility in
   experience success in independent            • Homework will be planned so students           submitting assignments, but will not be
   completion of assignments.                      see the relationship of their homework        required for successful completion. All
   Accommodations will be provided as              to intended learning targets, see             efforts will be made to give students
   outlined in students’ IEPs and Section          meaning in their assignments, have a          access to school computers for the
   504 Plans.                                      clear understanding of the procedures         completion of assignments.
• Informative: Homework enables                    and due dates, understand how their       •   County- and state-mandated testing
   parents to be included in their child’s         homework is evaluated, and understand         is a legitimate reason for reducing
   day-to-day school experiences.                  how they can use feedback on                  homework assignments.
• Flexible: Assignments can be                     homework to improve learning.             •   There will be no mandatory homework
   successfully completed within                • Teachers are required to ensure that           given over the summer nor religious
   timeframes that have flexible deadlines         homework is accommodated as                   holidays for all grade levels, nor winter
   when possible.                                  necessary in accordance with students’        or spring breaks for students in grades
                                                   IEPs and Section 504 Plans. Students          Pre-K–8. Any work assigned over
                                                   should not be penalized for failure to        breaks will be voluntary and non-
                                                                                                 graded enrichment activities.

                                                                    3
School System Procedures/ Resolving School Concerns

• Reading lists and additional resources         for school-related activities and             Students are excused from attendance at, or
  will be available during breaks, as            assignments through their course              participation in, any extracurricular activity
  well as throughout the school year,            homepage on Canvas. Parents/                  when their attendance or participation
  as a service to students who want an           guardians should contact their child’s        conflicts with their religious observance.
  opportunity to improve reading and             teacher with questions about specific         Athletic practices and events are optional
  mathematics skills. Families will be           uses of videotaping, audiotaping, or          for students on any religious holiday.
  provided with access to resources to           photographing.
  supplement reading and mathematics           • Parents/guardians may request that            School Holidays
  instruction for students.                      their child not be included in media          Maryland State School Law requires that
                                                 intended for public audiences by filling      public schools be closed on the following:
For more information, visit www.hcpss.           out the Media Release section on the          • Thanksgiving Day and the day after
org/academics/homework-guidelines/.              Family File.                                  • Christmas Eve through January 1
                                                 - Please note: this request does not          • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Students’ Personal Property                          include yearbooks or memory books.        • Presidents’ Day
HCPSS discourages students from bringing             Parents may request their child not       • The Friday before Easter through the
personal property to school. Students are            be included in the memory book or           Monday after Easter
responsible for their personal property              yearbook by contacting their child’s      • Memorial Day
at all times. This includes items that are           school administrator.                     • Primary and General Election Days
relevant to instructional programs or          • All parents and visitors must have the        For more information, see Policies
extracurricular activities, such as personal     building administrator’s expressed            9010 Attendance, and 3000 Religious
electronic devices, musical instruments, or      approval in order to photograph,              Observances.
expensive clothing items. If students bring      videotape or audiotape students in
such items to school, they are responsible       school or on school grounds during the        Resolving School Concerns and
for storing them in a secure location. The       regular instructional day.
school system will not be responsible for      This statement does not apply to
                                                                                               Disagreements
damaged, lost, or stolen items.                                                                When concerns arise, parents and guardians
                                               photographing, videotaping or audiotaping
                                                                                               are encouraged to direct their concerns
School staff have the right to confiscate      during extracurricular activities, such as
                                                                                               to the persons most closely involved.
any electronic device seen during the          public concerts and athletic events.
                                                                                               However, when an informal process fails
school day if used in unauthorized areas                                                       to provide resolution, a parent may file a
or at unauthorized times. They may
also confiscate personal property if its       Accommodations for Religious                    formal complaint to seek review at a higher
                                                                                               administrative level. In both processes, the
possession or use on school grounds or         Observance                                      intent is to protect the confidentiality and
at school events violates system policies      The Board is committed to promoting             preserve the dignity of everyone involved.
or school rules. Staff take reasonable         respect and appreciation for religions,
precautions to ensure property is secure       beliefs and customs of its diverse school       Level 1: Informal Process – School Level
until it is returned. Any confiscated          population. The Board is committed to           1. The first step is to address the concern
property is returned to a student’s parent     providing reasonable accommodations for            or issue with the school staff member
after a parent conference is conducted.        religious obligations.                             who is most directly involved to reach a
Substances or items that are illegal to                                                           mutually agreed-upon resolution. If the
possess, will be given to law enforcement      If a religious observance requires a student       concern directly involves the principal,
officials or retained for disciplinary         to miss all or part of a school day, parents       the parent may contact the Community
proceedings. Parents who have questions        should complete the Religious Obligation:          Superintendent.
or a claim regarding lost or damaged           Request for Absence form and submit             2. If the initial attempt to resolve the issue is
student property should contact the Risk       the request to the principal/designee              not satisfactory, the next step is to contact
Management Department of the Office of         documenting the need for the absence.              the principal or assistant principal.
Safety and Security at 410‑313-6739.           Requests should be submitted, whenever
                                                                                                  a. The school administrator will confirm
                                               possible, at the beginning of the school
                                                                                                     that the parent has attempted to
Photographing, Videotaping or                  year. Absences for religious holidays will be
                                                                                                     resolve the issue with the teacher or
                                               considered a lawful absence either for the
Audiotaping in Schools                         day or any portion of the day.
                                                                                                     other staff member, as appropriate,
As part of school-related activities and                                                             and will contact the parent within
assignments, HCPSS students may be             A student may make up work and receive                two school days with a decision or
videotaped, audiotaped, photographed,          a recorded grade when an absence for                  to identify additional time needed to
or asked to submit videos, recordings, or      religious observance is approved. This                investigate.
photographs of themselves. In order to         includes opportunities to make up any              b. If the concern requires the
safeguard children’s privacy and ensure        missed tests or assignments.                          involvement of Central Office
parents’ rights, HCPSS takes the following                                                           departments, the administrator will
proactive measures regarding students’         Board policies related to religious                   assist the parent in accessing the
images and recordings:                         observance apply to student participation             appropriate office. Central Office
• Teachers will notify parents/guardians       in athletic practices and games, as well as           personnel will respond to the parent
   of their intended use of videotaping,       other extracurricular activities.                     within ten school days and inform
   audiotaping, or photographing                                                                     the principal of the response.
                                                                     4
Resolving Concerns/Elementary School/Middle School

Level 2: Formal Process – School Level              a. The Community Superintendent/                       treat all parties fairly (See Policy 2030:
Meeting and Documentation                               designee will obtain all applicable                Ombudsman). The Ombudsman does not
1. Parents who are not satisfied with a                 documentation from the principal.                  have the authority to change policy or force
   resolution proposed by an assistant                  Parents may also submit applicable                 schools to take specific action.
   principal during the Level 1 Informal                documentation.                                     The Ombudsman may be reached:
   Process may address the complaint                b. After reviewing the documentation,                  • At the Department of Education, 10910
   through the Level 2 Formal Process:                  the Community Superintendent/                        Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City.
   a. Complete Part I of the Formal                     designee will confer with the parent,              • By telephone at 410-313-6850.
       Concern Form, accessible at www.                 principal, and other appropriate
                                                        individuals, and will document                     If you do not speak English, an interpreter
       hcpss.org/formal-concern/, outlining
                                                        any decisions or agreements and                    may be requested.
       specific concerns, and submit it to
       the principal. The principal’s office
       will schedule a meeting with the
                                                        respond in writing to the parent
                                                        within 10 school days.                             • • • • • • • • • •
       parent within 3 days.                     2. If the parent is not satisfied with
   b. The principal will complete Part              the decision of the Community                          Elementary School
                                                    Superintendent/designee, the parent
       II of the Formal Concern Form
       to document areas of agreement               may request in writing that the matter                 Pre-K–Grade 5
       and identify steps to address any            be reviewed by the Chief School
       unresolved issues, and will send the         Management and Instructional                           Pre-K
                                                    Leadership Officer. The Chief School                   The Pre-K program is a high-quality, early
       response to the parent within 10                                                                    childhood instructional program. Students
       school days.                                 Management and Instructional
                                                    Leadership Officer will review the                     must be four years old by September 1
   c. If a concern cannot be resolved
                                                    documentation and provide a written                    to be considered for enrollment. The
       reasonably within 10 days, the
                                                    response within 15 school days.                        curriculum supports early learning and
       principal may extend the time for up
                                                                                                           school readiness and provides experiences
       to 10 additional days, and will notify       a. The Chief School Management and                     that foster children’s academic, social,
       the parent in writing.                           Instructional Leadership Officer                   emotional and physical development. The
   d. If the parent’s request from the                  serves as the Superintendent’s                     Maryland State Department of Education
       formal concern form is denied, the               designee for the formal concern                    requires that the Pre-K program be made
       principal must also forward a copy               process, and is the last step in the               available to students who meet eligibility
       of the formal concern form to the                formal concern process. In some                    criteria, which include disadvantaged
       Community Superintendent.                        matters, Board policy may include a                economic status, homelessness and
2. If the parent already met with the                   right of appeal to the Board.                      foster care. For more information, visit
   principal during Level 1 Informal
                                                 *Note: Contact the Public Information Office for          www.hcpss.org/school/pre-k-programs/
   Process, then Part 1 of the Formal            information regarding the process for addressing
                                                                                                           or call 410‑313‑5693.
   Concern Form can be submitted to              issues specifically governed by regulation or Board of
   the Community Superintendent along            Education policy, including requests for reasonable
                                                 accommodations or modifications under the Americans for
   with documentation of the principal’s         Disabilities Act, special education appeals, appeals of   Kindergarten–Grade 5
   decision or denial of the request.            student suspensions/expulsions or other administrative    In Kindergarten through Grade 5, students
                                                 actions, equity assurance concerns or discrimination
   a. The Community Superintendent/              complaints, and requests for information under the
                                                                                                           receive instruction in language arts,
       designee will contact the parent within   Maryland Public Information Act.                          mathematics, science, social studies
       3 school days to schedule a meeting.                                                                and health. Students are taught in whole
                                                 For more information regarding the formal                 and small groups designed to meet their
3. If the parent chooses not to meet with        concern process, visit: www.hcpss.org/
   the principal prior to completing the                                                                   specific instructional needs.
                                                 formal-concern/.
   Level 2 Formal Process concern form,
                                                                                                           Elementary students also receive
   the parent should provide an explanation
   to the Community Superintendent.              Ombudsman                                                 instruction in physical education, music,
                                                 The Ombudsman serves as a neutral                         art, library/media and technology.
   a. The Community Superintendent/
                                                                                                           • • • • • • • • • •
                                                 party to collaborate with Howard County
      designee will gather information from      Department of Education staff and
      the principal, which may delay a           the community. The Ombudsman may
      timely resolution.                         advocate for a fair process and fair                      Middle School – Grades 6-8
Level 3: Formal Process – Central                administration only.                                      The Board of Education approved a seven-
Office Review                                                                                              period schedule across all middle schools.
                                                 Services of the Ombudsman include:
1. If the issue is not resolved to the                                                                     The Maryland College and Career-Ready
                                                 • Confidential discussion of your concern
   parent’s satisfaction, or if it directly                                                                Standards establish a set of shared goals
                                                    to the extent possible.
   involves the principal, the parent                                                                      and high expectations for what students
                                                 • Referral to individuals who can help
   may contact the appropriate area                                                                        should understand and be able to do in
                                                    solve the problem.
   Community Superintendent to review                                                                      Grades Pre-K–12. The goal is to ensure all
                                                 • Referral to appropriate school system
   the concern. Contact information for                                                                    students will be well prepared for success
                                                    and community resources.
   the Community Superintendents may                                                                       in college and the workplace.
                                                 The Ombudsman is required to follow Board
   be found at www.hcpss.org/contact-us/
                                                 of Education policies and procedures, and
   community-superintendents/.
                                                                           5
Middle School/High School

Middle school students take English                                                             • A locally designed program in student
language arts, social studies, mathematics,                                                       service learning that has been approved
                                                  High School Credit Requirements                 by the State Superintendent of Schools
and science, as well as related arts classes,
which include physical education and fine         4 credits – English                             and is usually completed in middle school.
arts. Students may also choose to take                                                          • 75 hours of student service learning
                                                  3 credits* – Mathematics
band, orchestra, chorus, and/or a world                                                           which may begin during the middle
                                                  • one in Algebra/Data Analysis
language (Grades 7 and 8). Students may                                                           school years.
                                                  • one in Geometry
take additional classes such as technology
education, family and consumer science            3 credits – Science, where each credit:
(FACS), G/T research and/or seminars,             • Aligns to the Maryland Next                 State Assessment Requirements
innovation and inquiry reading modules or             Generation Science Standards.             The Maryland State Department of
mathematics/reading intervention seminars.        • Includes learning experiences in            Education requires four assessments for
                                                      the disciplines of earth and space        graduation. Students enrolled in Algebra I
Students who successfully complete the                science, life science, and physical       and English 10 are required to take the
World Language Program in middle school               science, and                              Maryland Comprehensive Assessment
will receive Spanish I or French I recorded       • Engages students in laboratory              Program (MCAP) for those subject areas.
on their high school transcript. World                experiences integral to the course.       Students enrolled in American Government
Language study in middle school enables                                                         take the Maryland High School Assessment
                                                  3 credits – Social Studies                    (HSA) for Government. Students take the
students to pursue world language study
                                                  • One in U.S. History                         Maryland Integrated Science Assessment
through the Advanced Placement level
                                                  • One in Modern World History                 (MISA) after successfully completing high
in high school. French and Spanish are
                                                  • One in American Government                  school coursework in all three main science
available in all middle schools.
                                                  1 credit – Fine Arts                          disciplines: earth/space science, life science
The selection of world language study is                                                        (biology), and physical science (chemistry
a multiyear commitment in middle school.          1/2 credit – Physical Education               and physics). Most students will take the
When considering the world language                                                             MISA in Grade 11.
                                                  1/2 credit – Health Education
option in middle school, students and
parents should carefully weigh the workload       1 credit – Technology Education               Individual requirements can be checked
of this additional class and the reduced                                                        by doing the following:
                                                  (a number of designated courses will
participation in Related Arts courses.            fulfill this requirement)                     1. Log in to HCPSS Connect Synergy:
                                                                                                  https://www.hcpss.org/connect/
Middle school students who take high              2–4 credits – Program Choice:
                                                                                                2. Select Academic Information from the
school level courses such as algebra and/or       • Two credits in World Language or              left panel.
geometry, must take and pass the appropriate        American Sign Language or
high school assessment; passing scores            • Two credits in an approved                  3. Select Graduation Requirements from
count toward graduation requirements.               Advanced Technology Program or                the middle panel.
                                                  • Four credits in a Career Academy            Due to COVID-19 school closures and
                                                    (state-approved Career and                  testing window disruptions, passing
• • • • • • • • • •                                 Technology Education Completer
                                                    program).
                                                                                                requirements may vary by graduating
                                                                                                class.

High School – Grades 9–12                         1–3 credits – Electives
                                                                                                Career and Technical Education
Graduation Requirements                           Total 21
                                                                                                The school system offers a broad range
(See Policy 8030 for entire policy.)              *Students must be enrolled in a mathematics   of Career Academies that prepare high
                                                  course in each year of high school (up to a
A Maryland High School Diploma is                                                               school students for college and careers.
                                                  maximum of four years unless a mathematics
awarded to students who fulfill minimum           course is needed to meet graduation           Career Academies are available in the
enrollment, credit and competency                 requirements in additional years).            following industry areas (called clusters):
requirements, including four years of                                                           • Arts, Media and Communication
approved study beyond Grade 8. Four-year                                                        • Business, Management and Finance
enrollment may be waived if a student is        Career Preparation Requirement                  • Construction and Development
admitted to a college or another approved       Students are given the opportunity to develop   • Consumer Services, Hospitality and
post-secondary program and has received         and update a four-year plan, participate in        Tourism
prior approval from the principal.              a mock interview and complete a resume          • Environmental, Agriculture and Natural
                                                acceptable for seeking employment.                 Resources
Students must earn a minimum of 21 credits.
                                                                                                • Health and Biosciences
The specified core of credits must be earned
                                                                                                • Human Resources Services
as part of the 21-credit requirement.
                                                Student Service Learning                        • Information Technology
                                                Requirement                                     • Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology
                                                                                                • Transportation Technologies
Students must also satisfy:
• The Career Preparation requirement
                                                                                                • Work-Based Learning (Apprenticeship
                                                Students shall complete one of the following
• The Student Service requirement               programs, which include preparation, action
• The high school assessments requirement                                                          Maryland and Career Research and
                                                and reflection components:
                                                                                                   Development)
                                                                        6
Special Schools/Support Services for Students

The programs allow students to explore a      Homewood Center                               Mathematics, Engineering,
wide range of career options and to apply     Homewood Center encompasses both
academic and technical skills in a specific   the county’s middle and high school
                                                                                            Science Achievement (MESA)
industry.                                                                                   MESA is a structured, Grade 3–12 pre-
                                              alternative and special education
                                                                                            college program that prepares students
                                              programs. Homewood provides a highly
Academy students may participate in                                                         for academic and professional careers in
                                              structured, restorative, and trauma-
special activities and events that provide                                                  mathematics, engineering, science and
                                              sensitive environment with small
greater awareness of the specific career                                                    technology. The goals are to increase
                                              class sizes and access to school and
area and opportunities within that area.                                                    the number of engineers, scientists,
                                              community resources.
Participating students become part of a                                                     mathematicians, and related professionals
group of students with similar interests
completing courses together.                  • • • • • • • • • •                           at technical and management levels,
                                                                                            and encourage and assist minorities and
                                                                                            females to achieve success in these fields.
Any student may be part of a Career
Academy. He/she should discuss options
                                              Support Services for Students                 For more information, call 410-313-5673.

with the school counselor.
                                              Black Student Achievement                     Positive Behavioral Interventions
Some academies are located in each            Program                                       and Supports
local high school, while others are located   The HCPSS Black Student Achievement           PBIS is a research-based behavior system
at the Applications and Research Lab          Program (BSAP) works to close                 that uses incentives and acknowledgments
(ARL). If the Career Academy is located       opportunity and achievement gaps              to motivate students to make positive
at the high school, all coursework will       evident in the patterns of data between       choices. Each PBIS school identifies
be taught at the school. Students who         Black/African-American students and           three to five, easy to remember behavioral
participate in an academy located at the      the student population at large. Over         expectations for students, which are
ARL will complete the academy courses         the years, BSAP has been a valuable           communicated frequently and reinforced
at the ARL; all other academic coursework     resource within the school system, and        with student acknowledgements. Staff
will take place at their high school. Bus     to Black/African-American students, their     members make it a point to call attention
transportation is provided to and from ARL.   parents and the community. Through a          to moments when a student demonstrates
                                              coordinated system of services, BSAP          desired behaviors. This positive
For more information, students should
                                              guides Black/African-American students        reinforcement is for all students and also
contact their school counselor. Parents
                                              to develop education, career, personal,       provides an excellent model for students
may call the Office of Career and Technical
                                              social competencies through the               who need extra encouragement in making
Education at 410-313-6629.
                                              foundation of The Six Ps to Excellence:       appropriate choices.
                                              Proud, Prompt, Persistent, Productive,
• • • • • • • • • •                           Polite and Prepared. Programs that are an
                                              integral part of the BSAP Program are:
                                                                                            PBIS programs are currently in place
                                                                                            in most HCPSS schools, and in many
Special Schools                               • BSAP Achievement Liaisons                   other schools throughout the nation. The
                                              • BSAP Saturday Math Academy                  framework has been proven effective in
Cedar Lane School                             • BSAP Community Based Learning               fostering student engagement, academic
Cedar Lane School is a unique
                                                 Centers                                    achievement and a supportive, positive
educational environment that caters
                                              • BSAP Summer Institute                       school climate.
learning to students who have special
education needs of varying levels             For more information, visit www.hcpss.org/
of impact from the ages of 3-21.                                                            Psychological Services
                                              bsap or call 410‑313-1598.                    HCPSS school psychologists promote
Education is specifically designed
and delivered to students based on                                                          educationally- and psychologically-
individual needs in order to create an        Hispanic Achievement Program                  healthy environments for all children and
environment of success, both in school        The Hispanic Achievement Program works        adolescents by implementing research-
and in the community. Cedar Lane is           collaboratively with central programs and     based, effective programs that prevent
located on a campus that also houses          schools to achieve the school system’s        academic, behavior, or social-emotional
a comprehensive elementary, middle,           goals as they pertain to Hispanic students,   problems, enhance independence and
and high school, and this advantageous        and ensure students are college and           promote optimal learning. Working directly
location allows for inclusion and             career ready at the time of graduation.       with students, school psychologists
interaction with peers from those schools.    The program also provides professional        provide mental health counseling,
                                              development for staff, facilitates the        crisis intervention, behavioral support,
Connections with families are essential       engagement of Hispanic families, develops     assessment and other services. School
and valued at Cedar Lane. Family              leadership skills among Hispanic youth,       psychologists also work with school
involvement, along with an exceptional        and partners with community agencies. For     staff, families and community members
PTA, is an integral part of the success       more information, contact Elisa Montalvo,     to provide advocacy, consultation and
Cedar Lane experiences daily.                 Hispanic Achievement Specialist, at           professional development. Your school
                                              elisa_montalvo@hcpss.org or 410‑313-6667.     psychologist contributes to prevention
                                                                                            and intervention plans, such as academic
                                                                                            support plans and/or behavioral
                                                                  7
Support Services for Students/Special Education

intervention plans for students. They also              Pupil Personnel Services                       available for teachers at Title I schools. For
participate in problem-solving teams,                   Pupil personnel workers (PPWs) work            more information, please contact the Title I
such as the Instructional Intervention                  collaboratively with school staff, students,   Office at 410‑313-7099.
Team described below, and schoolwide                    parents and community agencies to
improvement teams. School psychologists
work collaboratively with school teams
                                                        determine and address the factors that         • • • • • • • • • •
                                                        interfere with students’ adjustment to
and families to promote students’
academic, behavioral and social-emotional
                                                        school and academic performance. PPWs          Special Education and
                                                        recognize that certain risk factors in the
well-being success.                                     home and/or the community may adversely        Related Services
                                                        affect students and prevent them from
Instructional Intervention Teams                        achieving at their maximum potential.          Each child with an educational disability
Instructional Intervention Teams (IITs)                                                                is entitled to a “free appropriate public
throughout Howard County work with                      PPWs provide direct intervention and           education” under the federal mandates
teachers to improve student outcomes                    case management services to students           for special education. Special education
using a structured problem-solving model.               and families who are experiencing              provides specially designed instruction
IITs provide a process for supporting                   academic and/or socio-economic                 and related services to meet the individual
teachers in addressing students’ academic               difficulties. PPWs provide intervention        needs of a child with a disability at no
and/or behavioral skill needs. IITs work in             and support for students with chronic          cost to parents. Students who may need
conjunction with Student Support Teams*                 attendance problems; assist families and       special education services should be
(SSTs) and data discussions and promote                 schools with enrollment, residency and         discussed with school staff and/or referred
collaboration, professional learning and                placement issues; facilitate the enrollment    in writing to a school-based Individualized
increased efficacy among staff.                         of students who are homeless; and serve        Educational Program (IEP) team to
                                                        as advocates for families as needed. For       determine the need for evaluation. Those
When a teacher would like support in                                                                   children whose evaluation results meet
                                                        the PPW assigned to your child’s school,
addressing the academic or behavioral                                                                  the federal and state guidelines for the
                                                        contact the school’s front office.
needs of an individual student or small                                                                identification of an educational disability
group, that teacher may request assistance
from the school’s IIT. A member of the                  School Counseling Services                     are entitled to receive special education
                                                        School counselors implement the                and related services through an IEP.
team, trained in systematic problem
solving, then collaborates with the teacher             Howard County Core Curriculum for              The IEP Team, which includes the parent,
to address the concern while ensuring                   School Counseling, which includes              is responsible for developing an IEP for
that the parent is made aware of the                    goals and activities for all grade levels      the child. The IEP is a written description
process. The focus is on identifying and                in the areas of academic and social/           of the educational program, including
targeting the student’s specific skill need             emotional development and college/career       specific goals and objectives, and
while facilitating instructional match. Once            preparation. School counselors work with       accommodations, to be provided to the
the gap between the student’s current                   school staff, parents and other agencies       student. In order for a child to benefit from
performance and expectations is identified,             in support of student achievement.             specially designed instruction, additional or
goals are set and an intervention is                    School counselors also help students           related support services may be required.
developed, implemented and evaluated.                   and their families cope with crisis events     These services include, but are not limited
                                                        in their lives as they relate to academic      to: physical therapy, assistive technology,
*Student Support Teams at each school work to connect   achievement. Parents are encouraged to         audiology, counseling, occupational
students and families with resources addressing their   contact their child’s school counselor for
social-emotional, academic and behavioral needs.                                                       therapy, orientation and mobility services,
                                                        assistance if their child is experiencing      counseling, psychological services,
                                                        difficulty coping with school, family or       school health services, speech/language
Special Services
                                                        community issues.                              therapy, and/or transportation. For more
There are cases when a student may need
services or support beyond IIT to succeed.                                                             information, please contact your school
Information gathered during the IIT process             Title I                                        or the Department of Special Education at
may indicate a need for additional support              Title I, Part A, is a federal program that     410‑313-5351. Parents can also visit www.
and services. If at any point a student is              provides financial support for identified      hcpss.org/special.
suspected of having an educational disability           schools to provide additional academic
that may require special education services             and social-emotional support to help
or a Section 504 plan, the parents are                  children master challenging curricula          Child Find
                                                        and meet state standards. Title I funds        The Howard County Public School System
notified so they may participate fully in the                                                          seeks to identify students ages 3 to 21
process to determine the student’s eligibility.         support schoolwide programs, which
                                                        may include additional language arts and       who are suspected of having a disability
                                                        mathematics instruction/tutoring, materials    and may be in need of special education
For more information about IIT, contact
                                                        of instruction, social-emotional learning      and related services. Parents, medical
your child’s teacher or the school
                                                        supports, and additional classroom or          personnel and other concerned individuals
psychologist at your child’s school. For the
                                                        intervention teachers. Title I also provides   may call the Child Find Program at the
name of your child’s school psychologist
                                                        programs for families at Title I schools.      County Diagnostic Center, 410-313-7046
please contact your school’s front office
                                                        Professional learning opportunities are        or email childfind@hcpss.org, to begin
or view the staff directory on your school’s
                                                                                                       the referral process for pre-school age
website.
                                                                             8
Special Education and Related Services/GT/Alternative Ed

children and students who attend private/
parochial schools. Referrals for infants            Special Education Resources                    • • • • • • • • • •
and toddlers, birth to three years old, who
may be developmentally delayed or at risk,          for Parents                                    Gifted and Talented
should be made to the Howard County                 Family Support and Resource Center
Infants and Toddlers Program, 410-313-              410-313-7161                                   The HCPSS Gifted and Talented (G/T)
7017 or online at https://referral.mditp.org.                                                      Education Program provides accelerated
                                                    Maryland State Dept. of Education              and enriched services and talent
                                                    Division of Special Education/                 development opportunities for students
Local School Special Education                      Early Intervention Services                    at the elementary, middle and high school
Every elementary, middle and high school            410-767-0264                                   levels. The program’s talent development
provides special education for students
                                                    Parents Place of Maryland                      focus enables students to launch their
who are identified as eligible for service
                                                    410-768-9100                                   own talent trajectories as they discover
through the IEP team process. Special
                                                                                                   and build upon their individual strengths
Education and related and support
                                                                                                   and interests.
services are determined through the
development of an IEP and are offered             Section 504 of the Rehabilitation                The G/T Education Program’s in-school
in the student’s home school or another
Howard County school when it is
                                                  Act of 1973 for Students                         academic offerings extend and enrich the
                                                  Howard County public schools recognizes          regular school program in kindergarten
determined the student requires more                                                               through Grade 12. After-school programs
                                                  and supports the right of all students
intensive services. These services would                                                           in advanced mathematics and performing
                                                  to enjoy access to opportunities in
be provided in a school closest to the                                                             arts are available to students. G/T
                                                  education. Our student population is
child’s home school. If eligible, Extended                                                         Resource Teachers at each school instruct
                                                  strengthened by our commitment to
School Year services may also be provided                                                          students in various program offerings and
                                                  embrace all learners, including those
to meet the individual needs of each                                                               provide additional program information to
                                                  with disabilities. Section 504 of the
student with disability. Eligibility for these                                                     students and their families.
                                                  Rehabilitation Act of 1973 guarantees that
services is determined every year by the
                                                  students with disabilities have the ability to   For more information about the G/T
IEP team using specific criteria outlined by
                                                  access a free appropriate public education       program, contact the Gifted and Talented
the state of Maryland.
                                                  and are protected against discrimination.        Education Program at 410-313‑6800, or
                                                                                                   visit www.hcpss.org/academics/gifted-
Early Intervention Services                       Students who meet the Section 504 plan
                                                                                                   and-talented.
Early Intervention provides special               eligibility guidelines will have a Section
education and related services to children        504 Plan developed for use in school. The
from birth to 5 and their families. The
Infants and Toddlers Program delivers
                                                  plan specifies the nature of the impairment,
                                                  the major life activity affected by the
                                                                                                   • • • • • • • • • •
services to children ages birth to 36
months who are developmentally delayed
                                                  impairment, accommodations necessary
                                                  to provide access based on the student’s
                                                                                                   Alternative Education
or who show atypical development.                 needs, and the person(s) responsible for         Alternative education programs are
Regional Early Childhood Centers (RECC)           implementing the accommodations.                 available to students in a variety of
provide special education and related                                                              settings. All of these programs support
services to children ages three to five, not      Any student who may need a Section 504           students beyond the comprehensive
including kindergarten.                           accommodation plan should be referred to         school, and are designed to accommodate
                                                  their school’s Section 504 Administrative        students who have demonstrated the need
                                                  Building coordinator to set up an eligibility    for significant academic or behavioral
Family Support and Resource                       meeting. Those students whose 504 Team           support. Through these programs,
Center                                            evaluation meets the federal guidelines          students receive academic support and
The Family Support and Resource Center            regarding Section 504 are eligible for a         instruction, behavioral support strategies
is designed to help families of children with     Section 504 accommodation plan.                  and interventions, counseling, and
special needs, ages birth to 21. Services                                                          intensive case management services.
                                                  If a parent or student is dissatisfied with      There are school-based Alternative
include workshops, IEP assistance,
                                                  decisions regarding their/their child’s          Education programs at 14 elementary, 9
newsletters, a lending library, facilitation of   identification, evaluation and/or educational
parent support groups, and service referrals.                                                      middle and 8 high schools.
                                                  placement/program, they may request a:
The center is open during the school year,
                                                  • Section 504 review                             The Gateway Program is an alternative
Monday through Friday during regular              • Section 504 impartial hearing
school hours, and over the summer by                                                               education program within the Homewood
                                                  • Office of Civil Rights review                  Center, established for middle and high
appointment. The center is located at Old         For more information, please contact             school students with significant behavioral
Cedar Lane Building, 5451 Beaverkill Rd.,         your school’s Section 504 Administrative         and academic difficulties whose needs
Columbia, MD 21044.                               Building Coordinator or the HCPSS 504            have not been met in their home school.
                                                  Coordinator at 410-313-1252. Parents and         Students are referred to Homewood
                                                  students can also visit www.hcpss.org/           Center by their home schools; it is not a
                                                  academics/section-504.                           permanent placement.
                                                                        9
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