Howard County Schools: Resources

As a long-time resident of Howard County, I have a wealth of experience with the Howard County Public School System. As a mom, I like to have all my resources in one place. 

Calendar, Boundaries, and General Information

Visit www.HCPSS.org.

Maryland High School Assessments

The Maryland Board of Education voted that beginning with the Class of 2009, all Maryland students must pass the high school assessments. The HSA -- high school assessments -- are four tests -- algebra/data analysis, biology, government, English. Your child will take each test as he completes each course.

Visit www.HSAexam.org or call 1-800-HSA-EXAM. Or ask your child's high school principal for information on the high school assessment.

State, School System, and School Scores

Go to www.MDReportCard.org.

Grandparents, Retirees, and Senior Citizens

Senior Pass -- Have a grandparent who lives close by to you or visits often? HCPSS offers free general admission to athletic contests, student plays, and musical performances at county schools to senior citizens. To obtain a Senior Pass, send your name or the name of the senior citizen, address, city, state, zip, phone number, and email address to:

Howard County Public School System

c/o Public Information Office

10910 Route 108

Ellicott City, MD 21042

Senior Pass Program -- Receive convenient information about the school system happenings via email. Register for Senior Pass Program.

Advisory Committees -- Senior citizens can provide input on school system policies and programs in their field of expertise through Ad Hoc, Curriculum Advisory Committees, and the Community Advisory Council.

Volunteering -- Help students with academic skills or enrichment activities for a few hours each week after school, on Saturdays, or over the summer. Contact program offices for specific information.

Health Alert: Meningococcal Disease

Do you know what disease tweens and teens are most at risk? Meningococcal disease and meningitis. Menigococcal disease is a rare, but potentially fatal illness that can strike at any time. Each year some 3,000 Americans contract the disease. Of this number, 300 or almost 10% die from the disease. This disease can potentially kill a healthy person in less than 48 hours.

The side effects of the disease are devastating:

• hearing loss
• brain damage
• loss of limbs
• severe scarring
• emotional problems,
• psychological problems, anxiety, depression, difficulty working

The 411 on Meninigitis

Meningitis is the name for infections in the meninges, membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. Meningococcal meningitis is the most severe form of the infection.

Who Is at Risk?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stat that their data shows that the risk of contracting meningitis increases in children 11-18. Most at risk students who live in dorms or who spend time in close quarters with each other, like school children. College freshman are 5 times greater at risk than other students. 

How Do You Catch Meningitis?

A person can catch meningitis by having close contact with someone who is sick with the disease. Others carry the bacteria in their nose and throat. If a child, tween, or teen comes in contact with a "carrier," he could become infected with meningitis.

Behaviors that may increase risk of infection:

• Living in close quarters, like a college dorm.
• Being in crowded situations for prolonged periods of time.
• Sharing eating utensils and water bottles.
• Kissing
• Smoking or being exposed to smoke.
• Activities that weaken the immune system, like staying out late or having irregular sleep patterns.

What Are the Symptoms to Look for?

• Severe headache -- the worst the person has ever experinced
• High fever -- 103 degrees F which does not get lower with a tepid bath or fever reducing medication
• Stiff neck -- the membranes around the spinal cord and brain stiffen making moving the neck painful
• Nausea and vomiting
• Numbness or loss of feeling in hands, feet, limbs -- Sepsis, also known as blood poisoning, can reduce the amount of blood that gets to the person's hands or feet causing numbness, coldness, or loss of feeling
• Light sensitivity
• Confusion
• Rash
• Seizures

If you or your child, tween, and teen experience any or all of thse symptoms, you need to be seen by a health care professional immediately. If the person's symptoms are sever, go to the emergency room STAT!

Meningococcal Vaccinations

The risk decreases when adolescents and young adults get vaccinated for this disease. The vaccination for meningococcal meningitis is recommended by the CDC, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American College Health Association.

If in doubt about whether you or your child have been vaccinated, ask your health care provider in Baltimore or whatever city or town you live near. Ask when your last vaccine was.

To learn more:

• Go to National Meningitis Association
• Go to Fight Meningitis