Parent Handbook - Harford County Public Schools

curriculum. The alignment of IEP goals and benchmarks with the general education content
standards supports the students’ participation in the Maryland State Assessment program. The
IEP guides the implementation of modifications and accommodations utilized to enable the
students to access the general education curriculum. The IEPs for students with more intensive
needs support participation in the Alternative Maryland State Assessment program.
Services are available for all students ages birth through 21, as appropriate. There is a full
continuum of services to meet the needs of students with educational disabilities in the least
restrictive environment. These services are provided in all the community schools. The needs
of students with significant medical and educational needs may be met at John Archer School
or in other educational placements. Infants and toddlers ages birth to three can access a
variety of services to meet their individual needs through the Harford County Infants and
Toddlers Program in conjunction with the Early Childhood Programming options.
HCPS operates regional programs for children with special needs. The children attend
programs with instruction provided by special educators to address communication and/or
other areas identified on the IEP. HCPS provides itinerant services including but not limited to:
speech/language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, hearing and vision services,
community-based instruction, work experience, and assistive technology. All services are
provided in accordance with the students’ IEPs to assist the student to benefit from specially
designed instructional programs.
Student Accident Insurance Program
Harford County Public Schools insurance does not cover student injuries due to accidents
at school or during school-sponsored activities such as physical education, after school
sports, and field trips. At the beginning of each school year, HCPS provides parents with
information on a voluntary accident insurance program. For students who are not covered by
a family health or accident insurance plan or for families who wish to supplement their existing
coverage, parents should consider this student accident insurance which:
• is available to parents or guardians of all HCPS students;
• provides low-cost accident insurance for students; and
• is available either on a full year 24-hour basis, school time only, for football coverage and
extended dental coverage.
Information regarding Student Accident Insurance is distributed at the beginning of the school
year through your child’s school. You may also obtain information and enroll online at www.
studentinsurance-kk.com. If you have any questions, contact the Risk Management Office at
410-588-5286.
Student-Parent Survey To Identify Federally-Connected Students
Each year, Harford County Public Schools seeks information from parents which is important
to the system in its long-range planning and its application for federal financial assistance. This
information is requested on a form known as the student-parent survey form.
What kind of information is needed?
The survey form, which your child brings home in October of each year, includes questions
about the location of your residence, the number of children of school age in your home, your
place of employment, the name of your employer, and your work location.
Why is this information needed?
This information enables the school system to predict student yields from the various types of
residences in the county. These data are important for planning future school building needs. Also, the place
of your employment and work location are needed to determine how many persons are connected with the
federal government. Each year the school system is entitled to an appropriation of funds based on the number
of federally-connected children in the school system. These funds are made available through Public Law 874,
“Impact Aid.”
What is Impact Aid?
The presence of federal installations in Harford County brings additional children to the community for which
the public schools must provide educational programs. Since federal properties are exempt from local property
taxation, the federal government provides funds which partially pay for the education of these additional
students. The amount of funds received is based on the results of the survey and the attendance of those
students identified as “federally connected.”
Student Services
There are a variety of services available to provide help for children with special needs. At the school level, the
teacher, counselor, school nurse, and school administrator assist students with everyday problems. Specialized
personnel such as pupil personnel workers and psychologists are called into the school to help with more
complex student problems. Parents who feel that their child may have need of special services should contact
the child’s school or the office of Student Services at 410-588-5334.
Student Transportation
School bus transportation is provided for Harford County public elementary school students who live more than
one mile from their school and for public secondary school students who live more than one and one half miles
from their school.
Exceptions to this distance requirement may be made for students with disabilities and where exceptional
or hazardous walking conditions exist. Inquiries concerning these exceptions should be directed to the
Transportation Office at 410-638-4092.
School bus transportation will be withdrawn from a student who is excluded from the classroom as a result
of a condition that presents a clear and direct health risk to others. (Examples: head lice, measles, fever and
vomiting in school, etc.) Transportation privileges will resume when the student has recovered, or the condition
is effectively under treatment.
Transportation Rules For Students
The following transportation rules apply to all students riding school buses to and from Harford County Public
Schools. In addition, all other policies adopted by the Board of Education regarding student behavior on school
property will be enforced on Harford County Public Schools’ buses.
1. Students must follow directions from the driver the first time they are given. The driver shall be in full
charge of the school bus and the students, except in the presence of a teacher/administrator, who shall
then be in charge of the students.
2. Insubordination or disrespect to the driver or attendant will not be tolerated.
3. Students will sit in the seats, which have been assigned to them by the driver and the principal or their
designee. Students must remain in their seats at all times when the bus is in motion. Changing seats
any time during the run is prohibited.
4. Students may converse in a normal manner; but loud, profane, or obscene language or gestures will not
be permitted
5. With the exception of their books, bookbags, and school equipment, such as musical instruments or gym
bags, students may not transport other items on the bus without the permission of the driver. Books,
bookbags, and other school equipment should be held by the student. No books or other objects are to
be placed in the bus aisle. Books and other school equipment must be of a size that can be controlled in
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