HCPS 411 Update

The Office of Student Services is pleased to announce that this semester’s S.T.A.R. (Student Services Standout Award) is Ms. Angela Gottesfeld. Ms. Gottesfeld has been the school nurse at Hickory Elementary School for six years and is an excellent role model for professional school nursing. A graduate of Stevenson University, Ms. Gottesfeld was previously employed for 13 years in critical care settings and worked at University of Maryland at St. Joseph's Hospital as the Stroke Coordinator.

Ms. Gottesfeld, affectionately known as “Nurse G,” was nominated by her principal, Ms. Stacy McCord, in an entry titled, “Where Would We Be without Nurse G?” Ms. McCord shared that Ms. Gottesfeld “positively impacts the entire school community” and participates in the PBIS team, SPA, and Attendance committees. She recently participated in re-writing the school’s mission and vision statements and is described as a leader who “understands the holistic needs of students and staff alike." Ms. McCord went on to say that Ms. Gottesfeld’s “creativity is shown in the warm and welcoming health suite that includes interactive displays for students and calming visuals to help them navigate when they are feeling sick or injured.” Ms. McCord concluded her nomination by saying that Ms. Gottesfeld “embodies the essence of dedication, innovation, and compassion, making her not just Hickory Elementary’s nominee but a true S.T.A.R. in the realm of student services.”

Ms. Gottesfeld's supervisor, Ms. Mary Nasuta, describes Ms. Gottesfeld as an innovative and creative health care professional who utilizes data to prioritize the needs of her school community. She implements the nursing process to plan care that is individualized and supports students’ academic achievement. Ms. Gottesfeld is a strong advocate for student health and wellness and is an excellent health educator. She is able to manage this very busy health suite with a high degree of efficiency and a desire for continuous improvement. Ms. Nasuta added that Ms. Gottesfeld is an asset not only to her school, but also to our health services team.

Congratulations, Nurse G!

The Office of Equity & Cultural Proficiency recently hosted the Show Up & Shine Networking Social. This event offered a valuable opportunity for new staff members in our school system to connect with colleagues and district leaders. The event welcomed both instructional and operational staff for an evening dedicated to networking and resource sharing. Topics such as The Importance of Building Your Professional Network, Obtaining National Board Certification, Leadership Development with Future U and Connecting with the District's Career Counseling Specialist were offered. Open to all teachers and staff, the event emphasized increasing supports for teachers and staff traditionally underrepresented in the district.

Special thanks to Dr. Eric Davis, Chief of Administration; Dr. Paula Stanton, Supervisor of Equity and Cultural Proficiency; Dr. Dyann Mack, Executive Director of Elementary School Instruction and Performance; Dr. Peter Carpenter, Director of Organizational Development; and countless other district leaders for their unwavering support of this much needed and well received retention effort.

The Career and Technology Education Office will be hosting professional development throughout the summer for middle school CTE teachers, high school Technology Education teachers, and high school Accounting teachers.

Click below for respective details for each of these offerings. Please contact Katie.Eckstein@hcps.org with any questions or concerns.

Once again, the Office of Family and Community Partnerships, together with Research and Program Evaluation, will administer the Annual Parent Engagement Survey. Please see below for the email message to parents/guardians. The plan is to send this out the week of June 3, 2024. As a reminder, here is a link to last year’s report.

Dear HCPS Parents and Guardians:

Your response to the 2023-2024 Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) Parent Engagement Survey is kindly requested. The purpose of this annual survey is to help the HCPS Office of Family and Community Partnerships understand how well the school system partners with you to help your child succeed. The responses to this survey allow us to review data and continuously find ways to improve the school and home connection.

To the greatest extent allowed under law, your answers are private and will not be shared with the public. Please be as open and honest as possible. The survey should take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete. Your response is requested by Friday, June 14, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.

The Office of Family and Community Partnerships is partnering with the HCPS Manager of Research and Program Evaluation to administer and analyze the results of the survey. When this process is finished, a final report with key findings and recommendations will be posted on the Research and Program Evaluation page on the HCPS website.

To take the survey, please click here.

To access the Spanish version of the survey, please change the default setting from English (United States) to Español (Espana, alfabetizacion internacional) in the upper right-hand corner on the start page of the survey. We appreciate your participation and value your feedback.

Thank you in advance for your time.

It was our privilege and joy to recognize and honor the hard work of the staff at our nine Family Friendly Schools of the 2023-24 school year. We believe that meaningful relationships between administrators, teachers, families, and communities is essential to student achievement. The staff at our Family Friendly Schools work tirelessly to engage and come alongside their families to ensure a welcoming environment in their building. We thank them for consistently demonstrating best practices related to the National PTA Standards for Family-School Partnerships!

And a very heartfelt thank you to each of the Harford County Chick-fil-A locations for supporting and sponsoring this program for us each year. We are incredibly grateful for their partnership and the love they show our educators and school support staff!

June is time to celebrate Juneteenth, National Caribbean American Heritage, and Pride Month.

Juneteenth

Juneteenth is Wednesday, June 19, 2024. Juneteenth is the oldest-known celebration marking the end of slavery in the United States, first recognized by the state of Texas. It is also known as “Freedom Day,” “Juneteenth National Independence Day,” or “Emancipation Day.” On June 17, 2021, U.S. President Joseph R. Biden signed into law the Juneteenth National Independence Act, which established June 19th as a federal holiday.

National Caribbean American Heritage

During Caribbean-American Heritage Month, we celebrate the achievements and dreams of the millions of people of Caribbean origin now living in the United States while honoring the shared history of joy and perseverance that has united and enriched life across our region for centuries. There is no single Caribbean American identity. The mix of cultures, languages, and religions alive across the United States and the islands reflects the diversity of spirit that defines the American story.

Pride Month

Pride Month commemorates the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York City. This historical event served as a major catalyst to ensure the protection of human rights for all Americans. Communities around the nation celebrate with special events, marches, parades, festivities, and remembrances held throughout the month, typically culminating on June 28, the anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising.

How are YOU celebrating?

Click HERE to share how you’re celebrating this month.

Bravo to Bel Air High School's counselors for highlighting Mental Health Awareness this month! Resources were available for all! Tables displayed with mandalas, crossword puzzles, counseling information, stress balls, encouragement stickers, and lemonade! A drawing was also held for a special Mental Health prize!

Special thanks to Ms. Lori Hackett for sharing how BAHS shines the light on Mental Health Awareness!!

The Red Pump Elementary School library team, Laura Coyne, Megan Klein, and Denise Gross, worked to curate books to celebrate Asian American + Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The books are displayed in the school's work room where teachers can easily access them, check them out, and read them to their students.

Special thanks to Ms. Megan Klein for sharing how the Dalmatians are celebrating the contributions we all make.

Fountain Green Elementary School's artists learned about Polynesia and were inspired by Tikis. They also created a paper quilt inspired by the Tivaevae quilts made in Cook Island. First graders created paintings inspired by the landscape of Ha Long Bay in Vietnam. They also read books about Polynesia in their classrooms. Kindergarten students learned about Koalas and Australia. Third-grade artists made paintings inspired by the landscape of Rapa Nui.

The Certification Staff at HCPS will begin hosting a 1-hour certification drop-in sessions to support the transition to COMAR 13A.12, Educator Licensure, and to address general certification inquiries. Please use the link below to join the session.

June 5, 2024, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_ZDQ2NzI4Y2EtMmExYi00NWVkLWFlOGYtNjliNmZmZjMzNjZm%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22c1f6ac53-6b77-4db5-9472-4f104eeac96a%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%2267e15449-d6c0-43d1-a00a-c6287971188b%22%7d

This is not a mandatory session but serves as office hours if you have general questions related to the new regulations, TEACH, or the certification process/procedures. Our certification team will be present at the session to answer your questions or take them back to MSDE for further research.

If you have a specific need that requires 1:1 support, please reach out via email to set up a meeting: Aretha Young, Coordinator of Certification, aretha.young@hcps.org.

All HCPS staff are encouraged to take part in the AI Perceptions Survey (see link below) designed to shape our Generative AI implementation strategy, ensuring it reflects the needs and perspectives of our community. The insights gathered from the responses to the AI Perceptions Survey will guide our development of policies and procedures, enabling us to make informed decisions regarding new and emerging technologies in the future.

Your answers will be private and kept confidential, and the report will only show overall results. Please be candid in your responses. The survey will take approximately eight (8) minutes to complete and will remain open until Friday, May 31, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.

Note: Secondary students (grades 6-12) received the link to the AI Perceptions Survey via their HCPS email account. This survey is NOT intended for elementary students (grades Pre-K through 5). Please do not share the survey link with elementary students, rather elementary students are advised to share their thoughts and opinions regarding Generative AI with their teachers, school counselors, principals, school administrators, or other trusted adults who can relay the information provided by students in the comments sections of the survey.

Click the following link to access the AI Perceptions Survey: https://forms.office.com/r/AXm6mCZFKK

Provide your expert input! The 2024 Blueprint Implementation Plan has been posted on hcps.org. Insights from last year's survey significantly influenced our 2024 plan, and your thoughts and feedback will similarly enhance future plans and revisions. The survey will be open until June 5th. Thank you for your participation and don’t forget to check out the latest Blueprint Newsletter!

2024 Blueprint Implementation Survey – LIVE now: Open through June 5, 2024

2023 Survey Analysis

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.

What do I need to Do now that Open Enrollment is over?

• Changes elected during Open Enrollment will take effect on July 1, 2024.
• If you added new dependents to your coverage, you must submit the Dependent Verification Documentation to the Benefits Office by June 15, 2024. To view the acceptable documents for dependent verification, please click here.
• Effective immediately, changes to your coverage options can only be made within 30 days of a qualifying life event. For more information, please review the 2024-2025 Employee Benefits Reference Guide available on the HCPS website and SharePoint.
• Keep an eye on your mail for new ID cards if you elected to enroll in a new healthcare plan. All ID cards will be mailed in a blank, unidentified envelope for member security and privacy.

REMINDER BEGINNING JULY 1, 2024! All employees will experience a change to their benefit deduction cycle, moving from a 20 or 24 deduction cycle to a 22 pay deduction cycle for all 10-, 11-, and 12-month employees. All employees, regardless of whether in a 10-, 11-, or 12-month position, will transition to a singular deduction cycle that will occur over 22 consecutive pays throughout the fiscal year beginning with the first pay of the annual school year. During this period, the healthcare deduction includes the cost of your coverage in July and August; you do not need to make additional payments during these months. Employees will see their first 2024-2025 school year deduction as part of the August 30, 2024, pay date. More information about this change can be found on the Benefits Deduction Change Resource SharePoint site.

• Changes For 10-month Employees: You will now have your healthcare premiums for medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and flexible spending spread out over 22 consecutive pays rather than 20 pays. This change will not impact pension and other deductions that are not listed.

• Changes For 11- and 12-month Employees: You will now have your healthcare premiums for medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and flexible spending condensed to 22 consecutive pays rather than 24 pays. You will no longer have a deduction for your above-listed healthcare contributions for pay received in July and at least the first two pays of August. This change will not impact pension and other deductions that are not listed.
  
  If you contribute to the dependent care flexible spending account: As funds are available in your account as contributions are made, your first dependent care deposit will not occur until August 30. If you utilize dependent care flexible spending to offset the cost of summer camps or daycare in the summer, as an example, you may have a delay in when you can access a reimbursement from your dependent care funds until your account balance continues to grow over the fall months.

2024-2025 INSURANCE PREMIUMS: The rate sheet for the 2024-2025 premiums and additional information regarding the benefit plans available to you can be found on the Benefits Open Enrollment SharePoint site.

Congratulations, Melissa Van Ruiten of Red Pump Elementary School!

Tuition reimbursement requests, including the Partial Reimbursement Request form corresponding to your union and an itemized receipt showing payment method(s) and amount(s), and an official transcript, sent separately and electronically from your university, must be submitted to transcripts@hcps.org within 90 days of the course completion date. Please visit the Tuition Reimbursement SharePoint Page for additional tuition reimbursement information, including reimbursement request forms, sample receipts, eligibility, and more details about the reimbursement submission process.

Important Information for Spring 2024 Semester Reimbursement Requests

Spring 2024 semester reimbursement requests received on and after May 1, 2024, will be reimbursed after July 15, 2024, leading up to and including the 2024-2025 school year's first and second pay dates. Employees will receive an email confirming the reimbursement date of their request once it is processed over the summer. This processing timeline will apply to all staff, including those not scheduled to work during the summer break. Employees taking coursework through a direct bill partner will have their coursework billed directly to HCPS. Therefore, no paperwork is needed from the employee for the reimbursement as the partner University/College will provide the required official transcript/grade report.

Courses completed before July 1, 2024, will count towards the July 1, 2023-June 30, 2024 fiscal year, while courses completed on or after July 1, 2024, will count towards the July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025 fiscal year. Questions concerning reimbursement should be directed to the benefits office at benefits@hcps.org. Questions concerning certification should be directed to certification@hcps

June is National Men's Health Month

Each June serves as a time to increase awareness about the preventable health problems males of all ages can face and encourage men to take charge of their health by setting goals and creating a roadmap to achieve them. Check out some healthy habits men can adopt to improve their overall health! Click here to learn more.

June CareFirst Wellbeing Challenge – Destination Movement Wellness Challenge

Adding more movement to your day just got more exciting! In June's Destination Challenge, prepare for a picture-perfect adventure along the Italian Amalfi Coast. This fun challenge will be sure to get you moving more as you log your steps to travel across different destinations along the Amalfi Coast. You can track your progress on the virtual map and unlock content like images, videos, and interesting facts about each stop along the way. Ready to try it? Click here to learn more about the CareFirst Wellbeing challenge and how to join.

Wellness Wednesday Webinars

Join the CareFirst Wellness & Disease Management team once a month on Wednesdays to learn more about the monthly health observance topic. Register or watch previous webinars by clicking on the links below:

• June 5, Tools for Men's Health: A comprehensive webinar that delves into men's unique health challenges and provides valuable insights, strategies, and resources for achieving and maintaining optimal health.

Register for an upcoming webinar.

Watch a past wellness webinar.

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.

Gas stations and fast-food joints may not always present us with the healthiest choices, but that doesn't mean we have to throw health out the window when traveling. There are plenty of ways to plan ahead and make wise choices, no matter how you travel! This webinar will provide tips and tricks for fitting in healthy habits while away from home. Through the HCPS Wellness Committee, join the CareFirst Health Coach, Erin Hendrickson, to learn more. Those who attend the session will be entered to win a yoga mat courtesy of CareFirst*.

To join a live virtual webinar on Wednesday, June 5, from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m., save the following link to your calendar: https://lcah.webex.com/weblink/register/rdf005b9198587554f23971d0e8af9118

*The yoga mat will be mailed directly to the member's home by CareFirst due to the webinar's date and the end of the school year. The HCPS Benefits Office will work with CareFirst to notify the winner and ensure that CareFirst has the winner's accurate mailing address.

Seize the summer with versatile fitness activities for everyone – stay active and energized, even on vacation!

Fuel your journey to better physical health with June's inclusive events tailored for all fitness levels. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned enthusiast, join us to stay active and unlock your full potential, fostering a resilient body and a vibrant, energized lifestyle. To help those beginning this process, BurnAlong is hosting live events throughout June:

• June 6 at 12:00 p.m.: Wellness for Every Body
• June 12 at 12:00 p.m.: Movement Your Way
• June 27 at 12:00 p.m.: All Gain (Without the Pain) – Finding Delight in Your Wellness Journey

Summer Activities On the Go: This June, enjoy this playlist full of fitness activities, on-the-go workouts for vacations, nutrition tips, fun new hobbies, and more. Click here to view the playlist.

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

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 who 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.

CareFirst Virtual Care Offering Update

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) members can now access a full suite of services through CloseKnit. CareFirst Video Visit is no longer available. This change does not impact your ability to use telemedicine offerings from other providers in the CareFirst network.

CloseKnit is a full-service virtual health offering designed around you. Services include:

• Primary care (ages 18+)
• Urgent adult/pediatric care (ages 2+)
• Behavioral and mental health therapy
• Psychiatry
• Lactation consulting
• Nutritional counseling
• and more!

Download the CloseKnit app from the Apple App Store or Google Play, or visit closeknithealth.com. Ensure your member ID card is handy when setting up your account.

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.

The Maryland State Retirement and Pension System and the Community College of Baltimore County are providing State Pension members the opportunity to participate in pre-retirement webinars. These sessions provide vital retirement information to pension system members, including the Maryland State Pension, Legal Issues, Social Security Benefits, and Financial Planning.

• June 7 (CRN 77205)
  

• June 26 (CRN 77209)

Seminars:

• June 25 - Harford Community College (CRN 77203)
  

To register, please visit https://www.ccbcmd.edu/ceed-preretirement-county. You will receive an email with site-specific information for those participating in person. Those participating in the online events will receive a separate link to join the date-specific event.

Please Note: These sessions are not affiliated with HCPS and will not include HCPS-specific information, such as retiree healthcare.

Presented by Acentra Health Employee Assistance Program

It is vital to maintain a healthy and strong mind for overall well-being. In this session, participants will explore effective strategies to improve their mental health. Click here to learn more.

Date: Available on demand beginning May 21, 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, 7 days per week, toll-free at (866) 795-5701 to visit their website online at www.EAPhelplink.com.

Presented by Acentra Health Employee Assistance Program

It is vital to maintain a healthy and strong mind for overall well-being. In this session, participants will explore effective strategies to improve their mental health. Click here to learn more.

Date: Available on demand beginning June 18, 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, 7 days per week, toll-free at (866) 795-5701 to visit their website online at www.EAPhelplink.com.

A day of FREE family fun!! Visit DiscoveryCenterMd.org/magicofscience/ for more information!

Join us in welcoming the following new employee to our HCPS family:

• Edgar Montufar, Custodian I - Shift 2, Bel Air Middle School

Email: HCPS.411@hcps.org