HCPS Teacher of the Year BAMS Representative
We are pleased to announce Laura Cassilly as our representative for HCPS Teacher of the Year! Please join us in celebrating her.
Ms. Cassilly exemplifies excellence in education through her deep love for 6th grade science and her passion for helping students discover the joy in learning. She builds meaningful, trusting relationships with students and creates a classroom environment where curiosity thrives. As a dedicated professional and leader of her 6th grade team, Laura consistently models best practices and inspires her colleagues. Her peers respect her, her students adore her, and she truly makes science come alive for everyone she teaches.
Celebrations of Belonging
Bel Air Middle School
This month, the Bel Air Middle School lobby honors the diverse traditions that make the school community special. Their "We Belong" Holiday Tree invites every student and staff member to share an ornament representing their unique identity. Their Hanukkah display features the menorah and Star of David, celebrating the Festival of Lights. Their Kwanzaa display showcases the Kinara with seven candles—three red, three green, and one black—representing the Nguzo Saba (seven principles), displayed on the Mkeka (mat). Their Holiday Poster highlights the rich variety of winter celebrations observed by our community, from Christmas and Hanukkah to Ramadan and Winter Solstice. Together, these celebrations remind the school community that every tradition, every person, and every story belongs at Bel Air Middle.
Reminder: Celebration of Excellence in Education Nominations Due Soon!
There’s still time to nominate an outstanding Harford County Public Schools employee for the 2026 Celebration of Excellence in Education!
Each year, HCPS honors employees who make a difference in the lives of our students. In addition to naming the 2026 Teacher of the Year, we will recognize exceptional staff in the following categories:
Assistant Principal, Custodian, Facilities, Food Services, Nurse, Psychologist, Pupil Personnel Worker, Safety and Security, School Counselor, Social Worker, Support Professional, and Office of Technology.
To nominate someone, visit www.hcps.org and click the Celebration of Excellence in Education banner on the homepage. You can also click here for the nomination form.
Nominations are due by January 6, 2026, so don’t delay—submit your nomination today!
Thank you for helping us recognize the incredible HCPS employees who go above and beyond every day.
Local businesses or community members interested in supporting this year’s program can contact joyce.jablecki@hcps.org for more information.
Striking a Chord: High School Jazz Ensemble Inspires Sixth Grade Musicians
The Bel Air High School Jazz Band visited Bel Air Middle School this week to perform for sixth grade band students. The high schoolers shared their talent and spread holiday cheer through music, inspiring the next generation of musicians and creating a memorable connection between our two schools.
Visit this link to view a video of their performance.
Bel Air Middle School's National Junior Honor Society Food Drive
The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) recently led a successful food drive to support St. Margaret’s Church. Students worked collaboratively to count, collect, and organize canned goods, ensuring everything was ready for delivery to St. Margaret’s Parish, collecting over 1100 items for the needy. Their teamwork and dedication made a meaningful impact on the local community.
Bottom Row (left to right): Ryan McKee; Vivian Starbuck; Rachel Karastamatis; Alexis Pirczhalski; Georgia Lentis
Top Row (left to right): Haden Blakely; Finn Drankiewicz; Wade Winaker; Yuli Sanchez-Gonzalez; Meadow Knott; Riley Quinn; Emery Walker
Back Row: Mrs. Wollenweber, NJHS Advisor
The Board of Education of Harford County invites the HCPS community to one of the remaining Engage for Education listening sessions during the 2025-2026 school year. These sessions are your opportunity to ask questions and share feedback directly with Board members about the future of education in Harford County. No pre-registration is required to attend or speak.
Upcoming Sessions (All 5:30-7:30 p.m.):
Wednesday, December 3, 2025 - Joppatowne High School
Wednesday, February 4, 2026 - Fallston High School
Wednesday, February 25, 2026 - A.A. Roberty Building (student-only session)
Wednesday, April 22, 2026 - Aberdeen High School
Schools closed to students on Thursday, November 6, 2025, for Elementary School Parent/Teacher conferences.
Schools will be closed to students and visitors on Friday, November 7, 2025, to allow ALL building staff to participate in professional development opportunities.
Schools and offices OPEN on Monday, November 10, 2025.
Schools and Offices CLOSED on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, in observance of Veterans Day.
Click here to see calendar information for the 2025-2026 school year.
Federal Impact Aid Forms Due November 7, 2025
If you are active military personnel, a civilian, or a federal employee working and/or living on federal property, your student has received or will soon receive a Federal Impact Aid form.
Please complete and return the Federal Impact Aid form to your child’s school by Friday, November 7, 2025. This funding directly supports Harford County Public Schools.
If your student is not attending school in person, a blank form was emailed to all HCPS families, is available on the Resources for Parents page under “Forms and Documents” at www.hcps.org, and available by clicking here.
Please contact your student’s school if you have any questions.
Standout Student Award - Elijah Jack
Elijah Jack is an outstanding individual who consistently excels both academically and personally. With a strong record of top grades across all subjects, he demonstrates exceptional intelligence, dedication, and a passion for learning. Beyond the classroom, Elijah is a compassionate humanitarian, actively involved in community service, volunteer work, and initiatives that promote social justice and inclusion. Known for his integrity, leadership, and empathy, he is deeply respected and loved by peers, teachers, and mentors alike. Elijah embodies the qualities of a well-rounded, high-achieving student and a genuinely kind and responsible global citizen.
Principal for the day, Elliott Leach presented Elijah with his award.
Harford County Public Schools invites community members to provide feedback on the Superintendent’s Proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Budget.
Two Superintendent’s Community Budget Public Input Sessions will be held:
Thursday, November 13, 2025 | 5:30–7:30 p.m. | Edgewood High School
Wednesday, November 19, 2025 | 5:30–7:30 p.m. | Bel Air High School
Before attending, you are encouraged to complete a brief, two-minute survey to share your priorities and questions for the FY27 Budget. The survey is open now through November 9, 2025, at 11:45 p.m.
Thanks to the generosity of our families and community this year, BAMS PTA raised $25,846 in our 2025 Panther Prowl fundraiser. From the funds raised, the BAMS PTA will be able to help fund field trips, student experiences, a planner for each student, and more. This incredible achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the energy and support of our students, parents, teachers, staff, PTA, and generous sponsors!!
Together, we’ve shown what it means to have PANTHER PRIDE!
We are strong, united, and unstoppable!
It’s National School Lunch Week! Harford County Public Schools is proud to celebrate our Food and Nutrition employees, whose dedication and hard work ensure students have healthy, balanced meals every day. These meals provide the fuel students need to learn, grow, and succeed, and our staff do it with care and commitment in every school. Join us this week in recognizing their incredible contributions and showing your appreciation for the team that keeps our students nourished and ready to learn.
8th Grade Families: Explore Your Student’s Future!
This fall, Harford County Public Schools is hosting Magnet and Technical Program Open Houses! Join us to learn more about specialized programs that match your student’s interests and career goals.
Open House Dates and Locations
(All 6:00–8:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
Wednesday, October 15 – Joppatowne High School, JROTC and P-TECH
Thursday, October 16 – TUNE Center at Harford Community College, Teacher Academy of Maryland
Tuesday, October 21 – Edgewood High School, Global Studies/IB
Wednesday, October 22 – Aberdeen High School, Science and Mathematics Academy
Saturday, October 25, 8:30–10:00 a.m. – North Harford High School, Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences
Monday, October 27 – Havre de Grace High School, Information Technology Oracle Academy
Wednesday, November 5 – Harford Technical High School, Various Career Programs
The application window for Magnet and Technical Programs opens soon!
Learn more and start planning for next year: hcps.org/schools/magnetprograms
Students in grades 3–12 will have the opportunity to take the optional Wellness Needs Assessment between October 20 and November 17, 2025. The assessment helps HCPS learn how to better support students. Families who do not want their child to participate should contact their child’s school counselor by October 13, 2025. Click here to see a copy of the Wellness Needs Assessment.
Students who participated in the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) assessments in the Spring of 2025 will receive their individual score reports the week of October 6, 2025. Reports will be sent home by each student’s school and provide information about student performance. Families with questions about their student’s scores should contact their school directly.
Meal benefit applications may be filed at any time during the year - if your family has been impacted by the Federal Government shutdown and furloughs, please utilize the Free and Reduced-Priced meal application to apply for meal support due to the sudden loss of income. Click here to apply online.
6th Grade Students Showcase Amazing Project Based Learning Artwork
We are proud to announce that our 6th grade students completed their Project Based Learning artwork this past week, and the results are truly impressive! Below are some of the amazing projects students created during this unit.
Mrs. Byrne expertly incorporated our school's PBIS theme throughout the learning experience, reinforcing the values that define us: We Are BAMS. We BELONG. We are Accountable. We are Motivated. We are Supportive.
These student projects beautifully demonstrate how creative expression can reinforce our core values while allowing students to showcase their artistic talents and collaborative skills. We're excited to share their outstanding work with our school community!
HCRASC commUNITY in Motion 5K & Family Fun Run – Saturday, October 18
The Harford County Regional Association of Student Councils (HCRASC) invites families and community members to participate in the commUNITY in Motion 5K and 1 Mile Family Fun Run. This student-run event will take place on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Harford Technical High School in Bel Air. Gates open at 9:00 AM and the race starts at 10:00 AM.
Join HCRASC for a morning of fitness, fun, and community while supporting HCPS student leaders. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Upper Chesapeake Health for Breast Cancer Care.
Registration fees are $25 for adults and $15 for students. Children under 5-years-old are free. Click here to register.
The Board of Education of Harford County will hold Engage for Education listening sessions throughout the 2025–2026 school year. The first session is Tuesday, September 30, 2025, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. in the C. Milton Wright High School auditorium.
These sessions are an opportunity to ask questions and share your thoughts on the future of education in Harford County directly with Board members. No pre-registration is required to attend or speak.
More information, including how to provide feedback if you cannot attend, is available on the Engage for Education page at hcps.org.
HCPS schools will dismiss three hours early for students on Tuesday, September 23, 2025. Please note: half-day Pre-K will not meet on early dismissal days. The full 2025–2026 school year calendar is available by clicking here.
