New Website Launching For Howard County Public School System

From Howard County Public School System: Effective December 1, HCPSS is launching a color-coding notification system for emergency and other non-scheduled school closings, including for inclement weather. The new system standardizes the school system’s operational status to five possibilities to enhance consistency, while promoting the safety of HCPSS students and staff, and adhering to negotiated agreements on staff availability.

The HCPSS operating status will be identified on a new website: https://status.hcpss.org/. The HCPSS operational color code options are:

• Code Green – Normal Operations (in accordance with the HCPSS calendar)
• Code Red – Schools and Offices Closed
• Code Orange – Schools Closed; Offices Open with Liberal Leave in Effect
• Code Blue – Schools Open Two Hours Late
• Code Yellow – Schools Dismiss Early

All notifications regarding emergency closings will include both the code and operating status.
The emergency notification sources are:

• HCPSS status website
• HCPSS homepage
• Email/text alerts
• HCPSS Information Hotline (410-313-6666)
• Twitter
• Facebook

Please note: HCPSS cable TV is no longer a source for inclement weather closings.

This press release was produced by Howard County Public School System. The views expressed here are the author's own.