New Rules, Schedule For Howard Co. Students Heading Back To School

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — The countdown is on until the first day of school for Howard County public school students. School officials have some guidance on important matters for parents and students.

The first day of class for kindergartners through 12th grade Howard County Public School System students will be Aug. 24. Pre-kindergartners and RECC students start school on Aug. 27.

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Backpacks, detectors, Gmail

Students attending Howard County Public Schools do not need clear backpacks, HCPSS Director of Communications and Engagement Brian Bassett told Patch, and the district currently doesn't have metal detectors installed at building entrances.

The school district also announced Thursday that starting Monday, high school students will no longer be able to add or access their personal Google/Gmail accounts on Chrome on their school Chromebooks. This restriction already is in place for elementary and middle school students.

"This restriction will help prevent students from bypassing the Chromebook content filter. Students will continue to have access to their HCPSS email account. While personal accounts are not required by HCPSS, some students prefer to use them in some instances that may be school-related but continued access is required after they are no longer enrolled. For example, College Board accounts are used beyond graduation to access SAT and AP scores, and many students create these accounts using their personal email accounts," Bassett shared.

This new setting will restrict students' ability to read or send emails, retrieve password reset emails and access personal Google Drive files using their personal Google/Gmail accounts on their school-issued device. They can continue to create and access other personal email accounts on their Chromebooks, such those provided by Microsoft, Yahoo, Apple and others, and can continue to access their personal Google/Gmail accounts on personal technology devices.

Cell phones, smart watches

Regarding personal devices, in January 2025, the Howard County Board of Education approved the following rules for the use of personal technology devices, including cell phones, by HCPSS students during the school day:

• Students will keep personal technology devices away and silenced and ensure they are not a distraction during the student day.
• Smart watches may be worn during the student day but may not distract instruction or be used for reasons other than checking the time.
• A staff member on a school-sponsored field trip may allow the use of a personal technology device by a student in limited situations where capturing a picture or video may be appropriate or contacting a parent/guardian is necessary.
• School administrators and school administrators' designees may authorize use of a personal device in rare instances such as an emergency for communication purposes, and when allowed as described in a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP), Section 504 Plan, or Health Plan.
• Personal laptops can be used for instructional activities in high school.

Using AI

One controversial issue in some schools is the use of AI for projects and papers. Bassett referenced the district's student AI guide, which explained that HCPSS uses content filters to block student access to most AI sites. This includes filters installed on all student Chromebooks, regardless of the network they are connected to, as well as filtering access to internet content on personal devices when they are connected to the HCPSS network.

High school students have access to Gemini AI, an HCPSS-approved digital tool that can help students explore ideas, solve problems and engage in creative and critical thinking.

"These tools can support your learning, creativity and collaboration, but only when used with your teacher's permission and in ways that reflect your thinking. AI can be a great helper for learning, but it must be used responsibly, fairly and with your teacher's permission," the school district's policy reads.

There are two types of assignments for HCPSS students - AI-free and AI-permitted. All assignments are AI-free unless a teacher says otherwise, Bassett explained.

What students cannot do with AI:

• Use AI to cheat or copy work.
• Pretend AI work is your own without saying so.
• Share personal information (such as your name or address) with AI tools.
• Use AI to create or spread harmful, fake or inappropriate content.

Inclement weather days

On June 25, the Howard County Board of Education approved adjustments to the school calendar that align possible makeup inclement weather days with Maryland State Department of Education requirements and account for the removal of mid-term exams for middle and high school students.

The adjustments are:

• Jan. 14-15, 2027: Two scheduled early dismissals marked for mid-terms are now full days for all students.
• Feb. 11-12: Both days are now early dismissals for elementary schools, for parent-teacher conferences (previously scheduled for the January early dismissals above).
• June 14-16: Three additional inclement weather days have been added for a total of six inclement weather days (June 9-11 and June 14-16) to align with MSDE requirements.

Related:

Key Dates For 2026-2027 School Year At Howard Co. Public Schools