School Safety, Public Hearings and More: HCPSS Newsletter

Get information from the school system on important dates, meetings and ways to stay involved in your child's education.

(Update) All After-School Events Canceled Tuesday

Due to a tornado watch, all HCPSS-sponsored activities are canceled.

Update: 2:30 p.m. All Howard County Public School System-sponsored events for Tuesday evening have been canceled due to the forecast, which includes a tornado watch, according to HCPSS. Programs sponsored by the Columbia Association and the Department of Recreation and Parks at schools in Howard County Public Schools are still scheduled as usual, according to HCPSS. -- Original article: With strong storms and possibly tornadoes on the horizon, the Howard County Public School System has cancelled outdoor athletic activities for Tuesday, Sept. 18, according to spokeswoman Anna Gable. "That’s as far as athletic activities," said Gable, who noted indoor practices were still taking place as scheduled. Other departments aside from athletics will…

• Photos (1)

Comment: 'Soon You Can Pretend That It's 1914'

Should Howard County students be given more freedom to use mobile devices at school? Patch readers answer.

Over the next year, Howard County school officials are revising the system's policy on how digital learning fits into the classroom. 

• Photos (1)

Student Access to Internet, Devices Under Debate

Should students have more access to technology at school? Tell us in the comments.

One school board member is proposing increased access to the Internet and mobile devices for students in Howard County schools. During a discussion about technology at a recent Board of Education meeting, school board member Brian Meshkin proposed changing what is known as the school system's "Acceptable Use Policy" to one focused on "Responsible Use." According to the "Acceptable Use Policy," only high school students may use Internet independently in the Howard County Public School System. They must also have signed permission slips to do so. Students in grades kindergarten through eight may not use the Internet independently, according to the policy. Should students have more Internet access during the school day? Tell us in comments. …

•  9 Comments
• Photos (1)
• Documents (1)

School Staff Now Allowed To Probe Social Media for Online Threats

The security coordinator for the Howard County Public School System said each school will have the capacity to look into Facebook, Twitter situations.

As school starts in Howard County, so does a new program to investigate online threats to students. Kevin Burnett, coordinator of security for the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS), said that a staff member at each school has been authorized to look into potential situations arising out of social media. Previously, all staff at HCPSS institutions were firewalled from using social media sites, said Burnett. “If there’s a rumor that something is on Facebook or Twitter, that security officer is going to have bypass access to pull that information up and conduct an investigation,” said Burnett in a phone interview with Patch. “That’s relatively new based on a meeting last year at Howard [High]," said Burnett. He was referencing an …

•  5 Comments
• Photos (1)

Mark Your Calendar: Guilford Elementary Fundraiser

Parents and students of Guilford Elementary School are adjusting to redistricting, and need the help of their community.

  My name is Becky McKirahan and our daughter attends Guilford Elementary School. We were severely effected by the redistricting this year and have lost a large portion of our PTA. I am very proud to say that parents and staff have worked hard to rebuild our PTA and we are looking forward to a great new year. I have taken on fundraising, along with my neighbors, and we are working hard this year to not send our kids door to door selling passive fundraisers, but do it the old fashion way... car washes, yard sales, bake sales., etc. We would love to have your support of our events! Please mark your calendars for Saturday, September 22, 2012 and plan to attend our Car Wash and Yard Sale! You can read more about us www.GuilfordPTA.com. Becky …

•  4 Comments
• Photos (1)

HCPSS Assistant Principal Pleads Guilty to Stealing Credit Cards

Patricia Kelly Murray is on administrative leave after, prosecutors say, she stole and used credit cards from colleagues.

A Howard County Public High School assistant principal has pleaded guilty to charges that she stole colleagues’ credit cards to go on shopping sprees.  Patricia Kelly Murray, 40, of Severna Park, admitted in March to stealing the cards from colleagues and using one of them to buy Christmas gifts for her family. She is currently on adminstrative leave, according to  T. Wayne Kirwan, director of Community Justice and Public information at the Howard County State’s Attorney’s office. According to Kirwan, during Monday’s plea hearing, Assistant State’s Attorney Devora Pontell said the victims of Murray’s actions were a vice principal at Long Reach High School and a principal at Laurel Woods Elementary School. In the first instance, according …

• Photos (1)

Redistricting, Turf Fields and More: HCPSS Newsletter

Find out about potential school redistricting and how you can have a say.

HCPSS Newsletter: Artificial Turf and Cyberbullying

Speak up about the artificial turf joint use agreement and learn about cyberbullying, sexting and more.

Coffee, Conversation and More: HCPSS Newsletter

Meet with the school board, learn about career academies and more.