Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together

From September 15 to October 15, Harford County Public Schools is proud to honor the rich history, culture, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans during Hispanic Heritage Month. Throughout the month, our schools will be working with students to explore and celebrate the influence of Hispanic and Latino culture in art, music, literature, science, and more.

Join us as we celebrate diversity and foster an environment of learning and inclusion in our classrooms and communities!

Last night, September 18, The Daily Record celebrated 55 honorees for the 2024 Influential Marylanders awards, including our very own Superintendent Sean Bulson!

The Influential Marylanders honorees were chosen for their contributions to their respective fields and for their leadership in Maryland in the following areas: civic leadership, communications, education, finance, freestyle, general business, health care, law, philanthropy, real estate and technology.

The 2024 honorees are featured in individual profiles offering details on their professional and personal backgrounds. Read Dr. Bulson's below.

Congratulations to Dr. Bulson for having earned this honor!

Attending the event to support Dr. Bulson were (pictured below left to right) Katie Ridway, Director of Strategic Initiatives; Eric Davis, Chief of Administration; Teri Schmid, Assistant to Dr. Bulson; Wade Sewell, Board of Education Member; Carol Mueller, Board of Education Member; Denise Perry, Board of Education Member; and Kimberly Neal, General Counsel.

To enhance safety and security, moving forward, all fans attending any HCPS spectator event on high school and middle school campuses must adhere to specific bag requirements. All bags and purses that do not meet the requirements will not be permitted. Individuals will be denied entry for non-compliance.

The Board of Education of Harford County will hold Engage for Education listening sessions throughout the 2024-2025 school year. Like last year, these listening sessions are an opportunity to ask questions and share your thoughts on the future of education in Harford County with members of the Board of Education.

The first session is scheduled for Wednesday, October 2, 2024, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at C. Milton Wright High School. No pre-registration is required to attend or speak.

For more information, or to provide feedback directly to the Board if you are unable to attend one of the sessions, please visit the Engage for Education page on hcps.org.

The Maryland Association of Student Councils (MASC) has announced that nominations for the 2025-2026 State Student Member on the Board of Education (SMOB) are now open. This important public official position requires a nomination by the student’s school principal. The student must be regularly enrolled in a public high school, in good standing, and a junior or senior as of July 1, 2025 (meaning they are current sophomores or juniors). The school does not have to be a member of MASC. The school nomination is due by 5:00 p.m., Monday, November 18, 2024.

Education Article §2-202 of the Maryland General Assembly Statute authorizes the appointment by the Governor of a student member of the Maryland State Board of Education. The responsibilities of this position are extensive, therefore, MASC highly encourages students to read, research, and talk to the current and former state SMOBs before applying.

Each public high school may nominate one student. There are no exceptions to the 5:00 p.m., Monday, November 18th deadline as this is the appointment of a public official. The packet can also be accessed HERE.

In addition, this year the MASC is again hosting a virtual SMOB Informational Webinar from 7:00-8:00 p.m., on Thursday, October 10, 2024. This webinar is being facilitated by Abhiram Gaddam (current state SMOB), Abisola Ayoola (immediate past SMOB), Shradha Bista (MASC president), and special guest Dr. Joshua Michael (state SMOB 2005-2006 and current President of the State Board of Education).

MASC highly recommends interested students attend this webinar so they fully understand the scope and time commitments of this position. If unable to attend, students may reach out to Ms. Karen Crawford for a link to the recording. Interested students register themselves for the webinar from the SMOB application information page.

Questions regarding this information should be directed to Karen Crawford, Acting Executive Director of Student Councils, at Karen.Crawford@mdstudentcouncils.org.

SHINE University is designed for all our first-year teachers -- new to teaching or new to HCPS. Join us on Wednesday, September 25, at Patterson Mill High School (Secondary: 4:00-6:00 p.m.; Elementary: 5:00-7:00 p.m.).

CLICK HERE for more information OR CLICK HERE to register today!

Questions? Email HCPSInductionProgram@hcps.org.

The Harford County Education Foundation proudly established the Excellence in Education Awards to honor and celebrate individuals and businesses whose outstanding efforts positively impact Harford County Public Schools. These awards celebrate those who have worked to enhance student achievement, foster educational partnerships, and improve the overall educational experience for the Harford County community.

We are proud to share that Rose Martino of Roye-Williams Elementary School has been named the recipient of the Principal Achievement Award! Congratulations to Ms. Martino!

She, along with the other award winners from our community, will be honored at the Excellence in Education Showcase & Awards Breakfast, on October 11, 2024, from 8:30 to 11:00 a.m. at the Water's Edge Event Center.

Laboratory Safety Practices for Career and Technology Education

This course is primarily for CTE Teachers to fulfill lab safety requirements.

Link to register: https://www.hcps.org/registration/workshops/workshops.aspx?filter=1223

Questions should be directed to hcpsprofessionallearning@hcps.org.

The HCPS Human Resources Talent Management Team enjoyed a busy summer. Since July 1, 2024, they hired and onboarded 253 certificated staff and 132 support staff! Congratulations to this hard-working group on a great job!

The work of our Talent Management Team is never done as they continue to fill support staff vacancies; hire short and long-term substitute employees; and provide assistance to employees, schools, and departments. They are also busy preparing for many recruitment events as they look forward to the 2025-2026 school year!

The HCPS Talent Management Team supports HCPS employees through their entire employment cycle with HCPS from application for employment through separation of employment. Employment related questions can be directed to TalentManagement@hcps.org or by calling 410-588-5238.

The chart below provides a listing of just some of the services provided by Talent Management.

HCPS Human Resources consists of five teams prepared to assist you with various employment-related needs, as described in the Human Resources Contact List. Please don’t hesitate to contact them with your questions. They will be happy to assist you or connect you with someone best able to provide assistance. A complete list of HR Team members can be found at HR Staff Directory.

Nominations for the Support Services Superstar Award are being accepted from September 11, 2024, until October 11, 2024. APG Federal Credit Union (APGFCU) is the proud sponsor of HCPS Support Services Superstar Awards. All Harford County Public Schools regular support staff employees are eligible for the award. Program information and nomination forms may be downloaded at 2024 Support Services Superstar Award.

Questions regarding this information should be directed to Ben Richardson, in Human Resources, at Benjamin.Richardson2@hcps.org or 410-588-5226.

Win grant money for your classroom! For more information, please visit www.mrspa.org. The grant application is on the homepage.

The nomination window for the first quarter award is open now through 11:59 p.m. tomorrow, Friday, September 20. Then, the community can vote for a nominated school between Monday, September 23, and Friday, September 27.

Be sure to follow the HCPS Parent Academy page on Facebook, where nomination and voting windows are announced each quarter.

Help your school earn the award for first quarter! Nominate here now!

Harford County Public Schools, in partnership with Coppin State University, has been awarded a federal grant to cover the costs of current HCPS employees to complete a bachelor's degree in special education through Coppin. Project SEQUEL(Special Educators Qualified to Uplift Exceptional Learners) is open to current HCPS employees with an associate's degree or at least sixty(60) college credits and a 3.0 GPA. Admitted scholars will receive paid tuition & fees, a laptop, transportation assistance, and a stipend.

The application window for Project SEQUEL is currently open and closes on Tuesday, October 15, 2024. Interested in learning more? Click here to schedule an on-site information session or visit the Project SEQUEL homepage https://www.coppin.edu/sequel.

To learn more about this and other district retention efforts, please contact Sherron Foster-Moore, Diversity Retention & Recruitment Specialist, at Sherron.FosterMoore@hcps.org.

These programs are designed for families to learn more about programs their students may be interested in. Each open house is specific to that program and allows families to hear from staff and current students.

Dates and locations:

• October 16, 2024 (6:30-8:30 p.m.) - Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC), Joppatowne High School
• October 16, 2024 (6:30-8:30 p.m.) - Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH), Joppatowne High School
• October 23, 2024 (6:30-8:30 p.m.) - Teacher Academy of Maryland (TAM), at the TUNE Center at Harford Community College
• October 24, 2024 (6:30-8:30 p.m.) - Science and Mathematics Academy (SMA), Aberdeen High School
• October 28, 2024 (6:30-8:30 p.m.) - Information Technology – Oracle Academy, Havre de Grace High School
• October 30, 2024 (6:30-8:30 p.m.) - Global Studies Program/International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, Edgewood High School
• November 2, 2024 (8:00 – 10:00 a.m.) - Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences (NRAS), North Harford High School
• November 7, 2024 (6:30 – 8:30 p.m.) - Trade and Industrial Programs, Harford Technical High School

The window to apply for a Magnet or Technical Program is October 14, 2024, until December 5, 2024.

For more information on the Harford County Public Schools Magnet and Technical Programs, click here.

The latest episode of Cool Harford Schools is available now on Harford TV!

• Meet our 2024 Teacher of the Year, Erica Richardson of Joppatowne High School.
• Meet the Saxon family: a mom, dad, and son who all teach in HCPS.
• Learn about how students are learning to be good stewards of the environment at Fountain Green Elementary School.

Did you know the Board of Education of Harford County asks for public feedback when new policies or revisions to existing policies are presented and discussed at Board business meetings? Provide your feedback to the Board on a specific policy by the deadline listed on the webpage: https://hcps.org/boe/hottopics/default.aspx.

Harford County Public Schools announces a pre-retirement webinar for HCPS employees and their spouses through the Maryland State Retirement Agency and the Community College of Baltimore College. This webinar provides vital retirement information to all members and is recommended for those within eight (8) years of retirement, whether normal service or early retirement. Discussion topics include:

• HCPS Retiree Benefits
• State Retirement Pension Benefits
• Legal Consideration
• Social Security Benefits
• Financial Planning

This year's pre-retirement session will be held virtually on Saturday, November 2, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Watch future HCPS 411 Updates for more information on registering and obtaining a day of event link.

September is National Healthy Aging Month

Each September raises awareness of older adults' physical and mental health and reminds us that our minds and bodies change as we age. A healthy lifestyle can help us deal with these changes and may even prevent some age-related health problems. Take charge of your wellbeing by aging healthy with your body and mind. Click here to learn more.

September CareFirst Wellbeing Challenge – Relationships Wellness Challenge

Healthy relationships with your family and friends can boost your health and longevity by lowering stress and motivating you to prioritize wellness. But, unhealthy relationships can increase stress, weaken immunity, and worsen anxiety and depression. This month, make it a priority to strengthen your relationships. Ready to try it? Click here to learn more about the CareFirst Wellbeing challenge and how to join.

One-on-One Personal Health Coaching: Easy as 1, 2, 3

You can participate in personal health coaching as part of your CareFirst Wellbeing program. Your health coach will work with you and provide the support, guidance, and encouragement you need to see real results. Your coaching program is personalized, approachable, and delivered through one-on-one calls and an easy-to-use portal where you can find additional resources, schedule calls with your coach, and more. Click here to learn more about the Personal Health Coach Program available through your CareFirst coverage.

Visit the Staff Wellness page on the HCPS website by clicking the calendar below to learn about other exciting events and opportunities available to all employees.

Prioritize self-care, manage stress, and conquer burnout through empowering routines and techniques.

Join Burnalong for a month dedicated to nurturing yourself, featuring personalized self-care routines, strategies for conquering stress, and achieving harmony between work and life. Take the first step towards a balanced and fulfilling lifestyle with their expert-guided sessions. To help get started, BurnAlong is hosting live events throughout September:

• September 26 at 12:00 p.m.: Health Screenings to Feel Great at Every Age

Have You Taken a Mental Health Break Today?

All you need is a few minutes. Burnalong has created a playlist of 15 classes, all focused on mental health. Take time for your mind, and scan the QR code to view the classes on the playlist, or click here to view the playlist online. Recommended classes on the playlist include:

• 3 min: Getting Grounded Under 30 Seconds – Powerful tips to ground yourself during the workday.
• 8 min: Self Acceptance Meditation – Strengthen your feelings of acceptance within yourself.
• 12 min: Body Scan Medication – Close your eyes and listen to this guided body scan medication.

Looking for More Class Recommendations? Click on the calendar below to access suggested classes for September:

Did you know BurnAlong is free for you and your friends? You have access to four (4) free family subaccounts, so you can start sharing today! It takes just a minute to send one, and they'll get free, unlimited access to BurnAlong all year. Click here to invite a subaccount.

Take BurnAlong with You! Join thousands of others on their health and wellness journey by downloading the Mobile App. Available in iOS and Android, take BurnAlong with you by downloading the app today!

What is BurnAlong? As a reminder, BurnAlong is our health and wellness partner that provides you and your family with more than 23,000 live and on-demand online classes from 5,000+ credentialed instructors at no cost to you.

To activate your complimentary account, get started by visiting https://fit.burnalong.com/hcps. If you have any trouble accessing your account, contact customercare@burnalong.com. Find out more about BurnAlong in this brief video.

Employees who wish to provide feedback on their experience(s) obtaining medications through CVS retail pharmacies are advised to complete the CVS/Caremark Service Reporting Tool, available on SharePoint. This report is monitored bi-weekly by a member of the Benefits Office for further assistance and tracking of member service feedback. To access this form, visit the Harford County Public Schools – SharePoint Home Page.

As always, if there is an immediate need or concern when obtaining medication, please email benefits@hcps.org so that a member of the Benefits Office can assist you more quickly.

Presented by Acentra Health Employee Assistance Program

In this session, discover the art of trying new things, from exploring uncharted territories to diving into fresh hobbies that ignite your passion. In this session, find inspiration to break free from routine. Click here to learn more.

Date: Available on demand beginning September 17, 2024

Broadcast Length: 60 minutes
How to Access: Go to your EAP website: www.EAPHelpLink.com. Enter your code: HCPS and look for Online Seminars in the lower left-hand corner of this homepage, or you can search for them by title.

The Employee Assistance Program is available to employees and their families anytime, any day, and is a free, confidential program to help you balance your work, family, and personal life.

Employees and their family members can call Acentra Health 24 hours per day, seven days per week, toll-free at (866) 795-5701 to visit their website online at www.EAPhelplink.com.

Shout out to four HCPS teachers and sisters who have more than 100 years combined service to HCPS! Kelly Marecki is a kindergarten teacher at Norrisville Elementary School, Erin Hulbert is a 5th grade teacher at Forest Lakes Elementary School, Kerry Heimerl is a Kindergarten teacher at Hall's Cross Roads Elementary School, and Meghan Montague is an ELL teacher at Red Pump Elementary School. Thank you to these sisters for their service to HCPS! We celebrate them and are thankful this family is part of the HCPS family!

"I would like to send a Shout Out to Geoffrey Sudzina. Geoffrey has been a huge help on multiple occasions and particularly in a current instance that was a "rush." He has been very patient, helpful, and kind each and every time. Thank you, Geoffrey, for your calm demeanor and support."

--Terri Strupp, Administrative Support Specialist, Student Support Services

Email: HCPS.411@hcps.org