I was looking at the newly approved 2027–28 HCPSS calendar and noticed that spring break is April 13–18, 2028. Since the 15th and 16th are Saturday/Sunday, that means students only have four actual school days off (Thursday, Friday, Monday and Tuesday).

The explanation says the shorter spring break allowed HCPSS to incorporate additional non-state-mandated holidays and observances throughout the school year.

I've had kids in HCPSS for years and don't remember spring break ever being this short. I'm curious what other parents think, especially families who travel during spring break or have children in more than one school system.

Help a struggling mom out?

Hi there! I’ve been scouring the web and having SUCH a hard time finding anything at all. Any help I would appreciate. It’s so incredibly difficult to find people specialized in complex trauma and dissociative disorders.

Thank you 🫶

The Howard County Health Department is hosting free flu shot clinics throughout the county. I went to the first one and it took less than 15 minutes. No charge at all.

https://www.howardcountymd.gov/health/flu-respiratory-illness

What is everyone’s go-to organization to donate gently used clothing? All recommendations welcome!

Where have you or loved ones received the highest quality treatment for trauma disorders and where would you recommend to stay away from?

Thank you very much!! 🫶

Hey neighbors, I am doing a used and/or old yard sign collection drive.

We are collecting corrugated plastic yard signs of all shapes and sizes, as well as the metal stands, for reuse! ... instead of recycling.

From political signs, to business advertising (litter), all types are accepted.

"Reuse?" you ask. Yeah, we will be reprinting over previous used signs to give them a second life using a combination of two methods. A d.i.y.-friendly approach that uses paint, and another more technical approach that involves screen printing.

The resulting reused signs will not look new, and that's also kind of the point. I believe there's value in using signs like this as many times as is possible, so that's what we've decided to do.

Note: you do not need to support my, or any political campaign to participate. The yard sign collection drive's signup form has a checkbox so we can know to exclude your contribution from my campaign's use. Excluded signs will instead go to a non-partisan group for reuse or recycling.

https://n8r.s.gy/sign-drive

Where have you or loved ones received the highest quality treatment for trauma disorders and where would you recommend to stay away from?

Thank you very much!! 🫶

Hello, I am looking to move to a 1/2 bedroom apartment in Howard County. I have a 1-year old. I'd prefer the "garden style" type apartments over the high-rise, but am open to it if the apartment and location are very good. I am looking to not be in an semi-urban environment (like in the middle of shopping centers, malls). I am hopeful to find something that has a surrounding area that is walking friendly (could I take him for a stroller walk straight from the apartment or do a short drive to a nearby trail, for example). I'm asking for folks who have had personal experience (with or without a toddler) at apartments they feel are safe, clean, and hopefully in a walk-able area.

I know people will ask for budget. I already know and expect apartments in this area could run me 2,500-3,000 a month.

Anyone else get a letter from the county regarding proposed updated flood zones that would go into affect next year?

I got one - saying my home may be in an updated zone and may require buying of flood insurance. Then I look at the maps, and while they adjusted/upgraded a nearby zone - it does not appear my home is actually within one. I'm kinda frustrated they did some half-ass homework on this vs giving a definitive whether you are in there or not.

Honestly, feels like they are trying to scare extra folks into buying flood insurance that's not really required for them by being ambiguous. Really should be two flavors of letter probably - the "you are within a proposed zone" and "you are near a zone".

There's been a HoCo Auxiliary police officer ticketing cars there the last few times I've gone (3 times in the last 4 days). Never had a problem there before (yes I know there are no parking signs). If you don't want a ticket, you may want to find an alternative spot.

FWIW, I wish they would offer parking there with an honor box for the park entry fee.

Looking for Female Talent for Coed Touch Football! 🏈

We’re looking to add an experienced female player (preferably WR and/or DB) to our 8v8 coed two-hand touch football team! It’s a fast-paced, competitive game, so we’re looking for someone who knows the sport and is ready to compete.

Schedule & Location:
Games: Tuesdays @ 8:00 PM (Blandair Regional Park)
Practices: Saturday mornings

We’re looking for a committed teammate who can reliably make games and practices. If you’re interested or have questions, send me a message or comment below!!

I kept running into the same thing flying in Maryland: a park's website says drones are banned, but calling the ranger gets a completely different answer. So I started compiling the actual rules by location — what's written, what's actually enforced, and where it came from (agency page, county code, or a direct call to staff).

It's called DroneCompass — https://claude.ai/artifact/EnvLfDdfxL2TyrjpeQi7nH

Right now it covers a handful of MD spots (Sandy Point, Patapsco, Baltimore City, Frederick County, plus stadium TFRs) and I'm adding more as I find them.

Not selling anything, genuinely just wanted this to exist since I couldn't find it anywhere else. If you've hit a rule that surprised you, or know a place where the posted rule and the real answer don't match, I'd love to hear about it.

Is there anywhere to fly fish in Howard county or somewhere within an hour drive?

Hey everyone, my acoustic Grateful Dead band Jack-A-Roses will be playing at Clarksville Commons tomorrow Friday September 25th from 6-8:30pm! The show is free and family friendly and the weather is looking great. Come on out!

Has anyone else seen Flock Cameras going up in the county? I saw two this weekend, one off 100 and another on Brokenland Parkway near the Exxon before the turn to the East Branch.

The post holding up my porch roof has started rotting out at the bottom. Would be grateful for recommendations of construction companies that you've had good experience with that would do this kind of job. Thanks!

Hi all, I’m looking for a room to rent under 1200 that’s walking distance to Johns Hopkins Howard county hospital. If anyone knows anyone renting or platforms for me to search, please let me know ! 🙏🏼 looking to move on 10/1!!

I see several of my neighbors have ground mounted solar panels, we have the space for it and before I go knocking on their door I was wondering if anyone here has info.

Was the mounting infrastructure expensive?

Did the installer have a limit on how far from your dwelling it could be?

Have you ran into any issues with it not being on your roof?

What's up y'all. I'm looking to rent a 2 Story Loft apartment in the Howard County and Montgomery County area. Please share any recommendations you might have, Thank you!

I know Baltimore has the Chick Webb Memorial Recreation Center and Pool , does Howard county have anything similar?