HCPS 411 Update

Instructional educational support professionals (paraeducators, inclusion helpers, techs, etc.) are invited to participate in choice professional learning activities tomorrow, Friday, November 3. If you did not receive the email with the chart of offerings, please click here.

Thank you to those who preregistered for sessions. If you did not receive a confirmation email with login information or did not receive an initial invitation to register, login access information is included on the chart so you will be able to join us in the learning!

Questions? Reach out to HCPSProfessionallearning@hcps.org.

The HCPS Benefits Office, in partnership with Alight Solutions, will conduct a mandatory Dependent Eligibility Verification Audit. Employees who cover a spouse and/or child(ren) on their medical and/or dental plans through HCPS will be required to verify continued eligibility for those dependents on their healthcare plan. This audit is designed to help HCPS ensure the accuracy and integrity of its employee benefits programs.

The audit will begin on November 15, 2023. Employees will receive mailings to their homes from Alight Solutions outlining the dependents for which you need to verify continued eligibility. If you cover a dependent on your healthcare plan, a response to the documentation request is required by the January 15, 2024, deadline to avoid any disruption in your dependent’s eligibility for benefit coverage. Until then, here are a few steps you can take to prepare for the upcoming audit:

1. Review and Gather Documents: Take the time to gather all necessary documents well before the submission deadline. To find out more about the required documentation, click here.
2. Understand Eligibility Criteria: Familiarize yourself with the dependent eligibility criteria outlined in the full announcement and the Employee Benefits Reference Guide.
3. Seek Assistance: If you have any immediate or preliminary questions, contact the Benefits Office at benefits@hcps.org. Beginning November 15, questions regarding documentation and submissions may be directed to the Alight Solutions’ Dependent Verification Center at 1-8000-725-5810.

Click here to read the full announcement about the upcoming dependent eligibility verification audit.

Although HCPS offices are closed Friday, November 24, 2023, banks will be open. Therefore, the actual pay date remains November 24, 2023.

Checks (for employees who are not on direct deposit) will be mailed to the employee’s home address (per LAWSON Employee Self Service, ESS) on Wednesday, November 22, 2023. Please verify the address shown on your October 27, 2023 pay stub is your current address. If the address is incorrect, log into ESS and update your address (click on Life Events and then Move). Please note: To access ESS, you must be logged onto an HCPS computer/HCPS network. The username and password for ESS is your network username and password. See the DSS and ESS Instructions for all you can do in DSS/ESS.

For questions regarding this information, please contact your Payroll Coordinator. Click Here to find the Payroll Coordinator for your location.

Not sure who to contact? Send your question to the general email at Payroll@hcps.org.

In an effort to assist HCPS with forecasting budget savings and project staffing needs for FY 2024-2025, an Early Notification of Separation Incentive is currently offered to employees. A memorandum of understanding has been executed with each collective bargaining unit and includes the following information:

• Incentive. HCPS is offering a one-time payment of $500 for employees who provide notification on or before January 31, 2024, of their intent to separate from employment with an effective date of separation of February 29, 2024 through and inclusive of June 30, 2024. Written notification of intent to separate must be received in the Human Resources Office no later than 4:30pm on January 31, 2024. An email including the signed letter of intent to separate is also acceptable. Send email to Ms. Lori Hatfield, Administrative Support Coordinator, at Lori.Hatfield@hcps.org.
  
  
• Eligibility.
1. Separations pertaining to this incentive are limited to separations resulting from retirement or resignation.
2. The early notification incentive does not apply to probationary employees.
3. An employee must be in good standing on the date of his/her submission of intent to separate from employment through the date of his/her separation. Good standing means that the employee has no disciplinary investigation/action pending against the employee.
4. If the employee’s separation from employment will result in a breach of his/her teacher contract, he or she is not eligible for the early notification incentive.
5. Any staff member who, prior to the execution of this MOU, provided written notification to the Human Resources department of his/her intent to separate effective February 29, 2024 through and inclusive of June 30, 2024, will be eligible for the early notification incentive.
   
   

• Payment. The payment for early notification provided pursuant to this MOU shall be issued on July 19, 2024, or with final reconciliation check, if earlier. HCPS reserves the right to deduct from the $500 incentive payment any amount owed by the employee to HCPS, at time of separation.
  
  

The full memorandum of understanding regarding this incentive can be found on the Human Resources SharePoint page or by clicking here. Questions regarding this information should be directed to C. Mae Alfree, Ed.D., Director of Staff and Labor Relations, at Mae.Alfree@hcps.org or 410-588-5226.

HCPS Parent Academy, in partnership with Chick-fil-A of Harford County, is proud to announce that Magnolia Middle School is the October winner for the school system’s Family Friendly School Award program!!

This month, 22 schools were nominated and 2,769 unique votes were cast by the community among the nominated schools, naming Magnolia Middle the winner with 415!! Not only does the school earn the coveted title of Family Friendly School for the month of October, but the entire school staff will be treated to a luncheon by the program partner, Chick-fil-A of Harford County.

We want to also recognize this month's runner-up schools:

• Fallston Middle School
• Riverside Elementary School
• North Bend Elementary School

Keep up the great work!

HCPS is deeply grateful for its generous Chick-fil-A partners at the Aberdeen, Bel Air, Constant Friendship, and Forest Hill locations for their tremendous support of this program.

The nomination window is NOW OPEN open until 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, November 8. Visit the Parent Academy page of hcps.org to submit your nomination.

If your school is nominated, our community can show how welcoming your school is by casting their vote November 10-17, 2023.

More information may be found on https://www.hcps.org/parents/parentacademy/familyfriendlyschools.aspx.

During the week of November 6-10, 2023, schools throughout the United States will celebrate National School Psychology Week (NSPW) to highlight the important work school psychologists and other educators do every day to help all students thrive. This year's theme is "Let's Grow Together," inspired by the importance of both personal and shared strengths in our growth as individuals and school communities in every season of life. The theme recognizes every aspect of growth as fundamental to effective learning environments and to school psychologists' role in supporting student well-being and learning.

HCPS’ School Psychologists all join together in unison during this dedicated week to celebrate all of our many efforts and successes in helping our students and their families grow and thrive!

Click here to access this month's issue of the EL Newsletter.

November is HCPS Safety Month. All month on HCPS social media, we will share tips to help parents/guardians keep their students safe. Tune in to see those messages. Coming up, we introduce our community to some of the people dedicated to keeping their students safe in our schools.

Italian American Heritage Month & German American Heritage Month

Fountain Green Elementary School

Mary Ann Clinton, Principal

In art with Mrs. Vignola, 2nd grade artists created Italian landscapes inspired by cinque terre. They also learned about the day of the dead and created symmetrical sugar skulls. First-grade students created abstract art inspired by the Filipino artist Pacita Abed. They also learned about the Leaning Tower of Pisa and painted one of their own. Fourth graders learned about the Cuckoo clocks made in the black forest of Germany. They illustrated a Cuckoo clock with a theme of their choice.

In music with Mrs. Ward, 5th Graders learned a German Folk Dance called “Der Schuhplattler,” sang a German folk song, and learned about Bach – a German Baroque composer. 1st and 2nd graders sang Italian folk songs, experienced a live accordion performance, and learned about the Italian children’s music festival Zecchino d’Oro.

Mrs. Nandalal's first grade class learned how to greet each other in various languages and sing "Guten Morgen!" during our morning meetings. They learned about famous individuals who represent each cultural group. They also learned what a school day is like for a child in each country. They were amazed by the school uniforms, amount of homework and other aspects of each culture.

Join us as we continue to shine a light on how HCPS celebrates the contributions we all make throughout the year. This month we are celebrating Native American Heritage and Veteran's Day. To join in on the fun, simply:

1. Capture Your Celebrations: Take pictures or videos of the various activities, events, or decorations in your school or office that celebrate Native American Heritage and Veteran's Day.

2. Write a Brief Description: Write a brief description of the activities or decorations you captured in your photos or videos. Describe how your school or office is honoring these important occasions and the significance of the celebrations.

3. Submit Your Contributions: Send your pictures, videos, and the accompanying write-up to Sherron Foster-Moore, Diversity Retention & Recruitment Specialist, at Sherron.FosterMoore@hcps.org.

4. Deadline: Make sure to submit your materials by Thursday, November 30, so they can be included in the December 7 edition of the HCPS 411 Update, allowing you to share your celebrations with the HCPS community.

By sharing your celebrations with the larger HCPS community, you continue to foster healthy, supportive working and learning environments for all.

CPD Credit Opportunity - Recognizing and Managing Emotional Poverty in Students

Adrienne’s Educational Consulting Firm "Recognizing and Managing Emotional Poverty in Students" course has been designed to empower teachers, school counselors, principals, and school staff with the knowledge and tools to create supportive, empathetic classrooms. This comprehensive course delves into brain regulation, integration, and emotional competence, equipping educators to address the emotional needs of their students effectively.

Course Dates:
- November 13-16, 2023, from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
- December 11-14, 2023, from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.

As an added incentive, this course is MSDE-approved and offers 1 CPD credit, which can contribute to teacher recertification. Plus, they're currently offering a special 10% discount for those who register using the promo code ENDOFYEAR23 or by following this link: Course Registration Link.

Here's what a Maryland Educator had to say about the course: "I would absolutely recommend this course to other counselors. I feel like this course was so informational on the root of behaviors in students and could help educators change their viewpoint on how they are seeing and managing those behaviors."

Please share this incredible opportunity with your teachers, counselors, principals, and school staff. By participating in this course, they can gain invaluable insights and strategies to support their students' emotional well-being and academic success.

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University of Delaware 2024 Winter Term Internship & Job Shadow Programs

Strengthen the Blue Hen network by offering current UD students these professional development opportunities.

UD Winter Term 2024 Internship Program

Looking for short-term project assistance? Offer a Blue Hen a three- to four-week internship in January 2024. Make a direct impact on UD students' professional growth while addressing your project needs.

Submit this form by November 3

Questions? Contact hireahen@udel.edu.

2024 Winter Job Shadow Program

Connect with a student one-on-one via Zoom for an informational interview or host a student in person for a daylong on-the-job shadowing experience to talk about your career path, industry insights and any advice you have for a student interested in potentially pursuing a similar career.

Sign up by October 29

Questions? Contact jobshadow@udel.edu.

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Morgan State University

Morgan State University's Department of Teacher Education & Professional Development is hosting a virtual open house for the MAT, Admin 1, MS in Educational Administration and Supervision on Thursday, November 9, 2023, at 4:30 p.m. Please see the flier for more information.

All certification requests must be processed through The Educator Application and Certification Hub (TEACH) For those who have a Maryland teaching certificate that is expiring DECEMBER 31, 2023, if you have not done so already, please log onto TEACH and request a renewal of your certificate. In order to renew certificates in a timely manner, please have your request completed by November 1, 2023.

Questions regarding this information should be directed to CJ Harbach, Certification Administrative Support Technician, or Aretha Young, Certification Coordinator at Certification@hcps.org or 410-588-5258.

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 County. 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 4, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required and will close at the end of business on Thursday, November 2, 2023. To register:

1. Click on the following link to go to the registration website for the November 4, 2023 Pre-Retirement Webinar: Pre-Retirement Planning Webinar Registration.

2. Click the “Select” button next to the class Pre-Retirement Planning Webinar and you will advance to the next screen.

3. Click "Register for Selected Courses."

4. You will be redirected to the login page. If you have previously attended a Pre-Retirement Seminar or other class at CCBC, log in using your current username and password. Not sure what your username and password are? No problem, give us a call at 443.840.5059 and let our call center register you for course number/CRN 73300 If this is your first Pre-Retirement Seminar, click the "New Account" button on the right-hand side of the screen.

5. Fill out your information (anything in red is required information) and choose Submit.

6. After you have registered for the seminar, choose "Finalize Selection" and print your confirmation.

7. You will receive an email confirmation of your registration within three business days.

8. You will receive instructions on how to join the webinar two days prior to the event.

If you are unable to register online or by phone, please contact the Benefits Office at benefits@hcps.org to request a paper enrollment form.

Over the summer, a storm took down some of the trees at Bel Air Elementary School. But the Bulldog community rallied together and made it right!

With the help of Harford Glen and our Facilities team, Bel Air Elementary School students pitched in, and we planted TWO new trees on school grounds!

Check out the heartwarming video of this special event.

Challenge Begins Monday, November 13!

The HCPS Wellness Committee, in partnership with CareFirst, is excited to announce Nourish, a new well-being challenge that helps turn healthy eating intentions into lifelong habits. Wrapped in a captivating garden theme, Nourish lets you choose the activities most meaningful and motivating to you. Grow virtual veggies, fruits, and grains from around the world by recording health activities. Then try delicious recipes with ingredients from your garden — seven (7) new recipes each week! Those who log a minimum number of participation days throughout the program will be entered into a prize raffle.

Learn how you can increase energy, lift mood, and sharpen focus by eating more nutrient-rich food and less nutrient-deficient food in Nourish. Click here to learn more about Nourish: Healthy Eating Challenge.

The program will begin on Monday, November 13, 2023! To register, click the following link: https://hcps.thenourishgarden.com/.

Pre-diabetes and Type 2 diabetes are largely preventable. About nine in ten cases in the U.S. can be avoided by making lifestyle changes. These same changes can also lower the chances of developing heart disease and some cancers. The key to prevention can be boiled down to five words: Stay lean and stay active.

The Wellness Committee, in partnership with CareFirst, is offering employees the opportunity to participate in a 4-week webinar series. Employees will learn how to implement lifestyle behavior changes to improve overall health and wellness and decrease the risk of Type 2 diabetes onset. Sessions are scheduled throughout November on the dates below, 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.:

• 11/7: Building a Plate for Blood Sugar Management
• 11/14: Nutrition Basic for Pre-Diabetes
• 11/21: Physical Activity and Pre-Diabetes
• 11/28: Sleep, Stress, and Their Impact on Blood Sugar Management

To register, click the following link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZclf-CrrTMpEtbc1aG-BgxgmsNwrJC7V0Cn#/. This registration link will register you for all four classes.

Those who register and attend three out of the four classes will be entered into a raffle for a Spout Garden.

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. The seminar/webinars will run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Webinars:

• November 29 (CRN 73303)
  
• December 19 (CRN 73288)

Seminar:

• December 7 – Harford Community College (CRN 73279)

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.

November is Diabetes Awareness Month at CareFIrst

Did you know that while over 37 million Americans have diabetes, one in five don’t even realize they are walking around with the disease? American Diabetes Month is an annual health observance highlighted each November to raise awareness about the risk factors, symptoms, and types of diabetes. Chances are, you know someone with diabetes. Because the best way to prevent or manage any chronic health condition is to be informed, we want to help by providing you with information and resources available through your medical plan with CareFirst. To learn more, click here.

November CareFirst Recipe of the Month: Baked Broccoli-Cheddar Quinoa Bites

November CareFirst Wellbeing Challenge – November Healthy Plate Challenge

A poor diet can impact your overall health. Balanced meals are the perfect formula for sustaining energy throughout the day. So, whether it’s choosing mini meals or three square meals a day, make sure you have the right combination of health sources of low fat, protein, and high fiber. Click here to learn more about the CareFirst Wellbeing challenge and how to join.

Presented by Acentra Health (Formally KEPRO) Employee Assistance Program

Although it feels like the primitive brain is trying to take over, by practicing a more intentional response to situations, you can take control of how you act under pressure. This session will provide tips for participants on how to notice your thoughts and how you choose to react to them. Click here to learn more.

Date: Available on demand now

Broadcast Length: 50 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 any time, 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.

Harford County Public Schools students, staff, and families looking for help with mental health or substance use can call Care Solace at 888-515-0595 for 24/7/365 free, personalized, and confidential help finding a therapist, or you can search on your own at www.caresolace.com/harford.

"I just wanted to give a special shout out to a woman who wears many hats - Chrissi Berry. From team leader to technology troubleshooter, to field trip travel tracker filler-outer, to a PACE liaison, and science teacher extraordinaire, she works feverishly to meet the needs of her students and coworkers on a regular basis. She is a problem solver and is a wizard at making color-coded graphics to make our lives easier. I am not sure what we would do without her at Fallston Middle! Thanks for being awesome, Chrissi!"

-Submitter wished to remain anonymous

"Shout out to Carie Sadowski! With Carie's support, the Department of Special Education was able to diligently search for the ideal candidate to fill the position of Partners for Success Parent Coordinator. Throughout this process, Carie admirably fulfilled her existing role, providing invaluable support to families with children aged 5 and under, as well as those with students in grades K-12. When the new parent coordinator joined the team, Carie not only extended a warm welcome but also offered unwavering support, assisting her in all facets of the role. Simultaneously, she remained an exceptional resource for Harford County families with children with disabilities. Carie has also been instrumental in supporting the Infants and Toddlers program in facilitating family supports such as the monthly Infants and Toddlers newsletter, Chicago Parent Program, Fall Hayride and Winter Celebration. Carie's passion and dedication shine through, making her an invaluable asset to HCPS."

-Stephanie Swisher and Melissa Romano, Department of Special Education

*To submit a Shout Out for inclusion in an upcoming issue of HCPS 411 Update, please email it to HCPS.411@hcps.org.

Please join us in welcoming the following new employees to the HCPS family:

• Sarah Griswold, Inclusion Helper, Hickory Elementary School
• Sierra Divel, Paraeducator, Emmorton Elementary School
• Stephanie McGill, Inclusion Helper, Bel Air Elementary School
• Cora Connell, Paraeducator, William S. James Elementary School
• Kirsten Venker, Roye-Williams Elementary School
• Kelli Sinkler, Custodian I - Shift 1, Swan Creek School
• Joanna Schoene, School Bus Attendant, Transportation Department
• Shirley Downie, School Bus Attendant, Transportation Department

Editor: Lindsay Bilodeau, Innovation Specialist

Email: HCPS.411@hcps.org
Website: www.hcps.org
Location: 102 South Hickory Avenue, Bel Air, MD, USA