HCPS Superintendent Shares Graduation, Survey, Report Card Update

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — Superintendent Sean Bulson updated families on graduation, report cards and a survey coming this week, in a recent YouTube video. The video came as the school system enters week six of the statewide public school closures ordered to stop the spread of the new coronavirus.

Harford County Public Schools' graduation task force, which includes students from each high school, met last week to discuss the best way to celebrate seniors.

"We should be bringing more information about that to you soon," Bulson said.

This week the school system is planning to release a survey for families on digital learning.

"We need you to take some time with that survey and answer as best you possibly can," Bulson said, as Harford County Public Schools evaluates "how we can ramp up our digital learning capacity going into the next school year."

Third-quarter report cards were posted to the Home Access Center at 5 p.m. Friday, April 24.

The school system released its Continuity of Learning Plan, which states learning will occur in an "asynchronous" manner, meaning students will not report for classes in real time. Rather than live instruction, pupils will engage in learning at their own pace.

Fourth-quarter grades will be in the form of pass, fail or incomplete, according to the plan.

• To pass, students must show evidence of work completed from either the online learning activities or the packets for those who cannot access online activities.
• A fail will be given if "teachers have been successful in getting through to the student/parents and there is no evidence of work and no extraordinary circumstances communicated on behalf of the family," according to the plan.
• An incomplete will be issued "if we have not been able to communicate with the student/parent or if they communicate extraordinary circumstances that would preclude them from completing work," the plan states.

"The goal has been to get a little better every week," Bulson said. "I really feel that's taking place, so thank you as usual for your time and patience. Stay healthy, and take care of each other."

To help families and guardians, Harford County Public Schools released the "Parents Guide To At-Home Learning."