HCPS 411 Update

We invite you to participate in one of our upcoming Superintendent's Community Budget Sessions this November. These sessions provide an opportunity for you to learn more about the budget constraints HCPS is facing and to share your input on the difficult decisions ahead.

Event Details:

• TONIGHT! November 14, 2024
  5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
  North Harford High School Cafeteria

• November 20, 2024
  5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
  Aberdeen High School Cafeteria

Click here to RSVP. You may select your preferred session date on the linked form.

If you have not done so already, please complete the 2026 Budget Survey. Your feedback will provide valuable insights for our budget planning and decision-making process.

Annual compensation letters for all HCPS employees will be available for review through Employee Self Service (ESS) on Friday, November 15, 2024. For security purposes, ESS can only be accessed from an HCPS device or through HCPS VPN. For issues accessing ESS, please review the Employee Self Service Overview and Reference information or contact the Help Desk at 410-588-5242 for assistance.

1. ESS Login: Employee Self Service (ESS)
2. ESS Instructions: Employee Self Service Overview and Reference

Employees who do not remember their network username and password must contact User Support at 410-588-5242.

If you receive your Compensation Letter by email but do not remember your password to view the document, you will need to review My Delivery Settings in Electronic Documents, and click Email Delivery, then “I Forgot My PDF Password”. This password is only required to view the emailed version of the Compensation Letter; a password is not required to view the document directly from ESS.

Employees who require salary verifications for financing or other purposes may refer to The Work Number® to obtain automated employment and income information.

Questions regarding this information should be directed to hris@hcps.org or 410-588-5225.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently released the 2025 employee benefit limits for retirement plans. The flier provides information on how to make the most of your retirement plan this year.

UMBC is hosting a series of upcoming virtual events that might be of particular interest to educators. This is part of UMBC's program for International Education Week, and they focus on a variety of international opportunities including career pathways and ways to have experiences abroad. More details and fliers are below. Full flier.

Meet Maryland’s Director of International Affairs
Monday, November 18, 2024, 4:30-5:30 p.m. EST
Meet UMBC alumna Mary (Mendy) Nitsch who serves as Director for International Affairs
in the Office of the Secretary of State for Maryland. She will discuss how her graduate
studies in TESOL and teaching experiences in the US and abroad prepared her for state-level
policy work. Pre-registration required.

Fulbright English Teaching Program/English Language Fellows Program
Monday, November 18, 2024, 7:30-8:30 p.m. EST
UMBC TESOL and MAT alumni have an outstanding tradition of receiving both Fulbright
U.S. Student English Teaching awards, as well as English Language Fellows placements.
This virtual information session will present current TESOL MA students and recent
alumni information on both of these prestigious U.S. State Department opportunities to
teach English in up to 140 countries around the world. Pre-registration is required.

Fulbright Hays Info Session
Tuesday, November 19, 2024, 5:00-6:00 p.m. EST
Interested in bringing global perspectives to your classroom? Learn how educators
immerse themselves in local cultures, participate in education abroad, and develop rich
curriculum materials from their experiences. Panelists include Dr. Colleen Ebacher from
Towson University and three Peru 2024 Fulbright-Hays Projects Abroad participants
(including two alumni from UMBC). Discover the application process and how this
professional development opportunity can enhance your teaching. Pre-registration is
required. Pre-registration is required.

The English Program in Korea (EPIK)
Wednesday, November 20, 2024 7:00-8:00 p.m. EST
The English Program in Korea (EPIK) was established in 1995 in affiliation with the
Korean Ministry of Education. EPIK invites enthusiastic native English teachers with a
motivation to share their knowledge and language with Korean students and teachers
within the Korean public school system throughout the country.

EPIK aims to improve the English-speaking abilities of Korean students and teachers,
develop cultural exchange between Korea and other countries, and introduce new
teaching methods into the Korean education system. Through EPIK, you’ll get a great
start in a teaching career all while making a difference and experiencing Korean culture.
For more information, please join our info session and visit our official website
(epik.go.kr).

Just in time for the holidays, Moreland University is offering a $500 Thankful for Teachers Scholarship to support the dedication and hard work of U.S. educators.

This scholarship, open from now until December 20, 2024, provides a $500 award to both current and aspiring U.S.-based teachers pursuing full certification through one of Moreland’s alternative pathways: the TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program or Master’s in Education with teaching credential.

Please see this link for more information or join one of their upcoming information sessions to learn more about how they can support you in your certification journey.

Join us on November 21, 2024, at Patterson Mill High School for the next opportunity to collaborate and build your teaching toolbox during SHINE U!

Secondary Teachers: 4:00-6:00 p.m.

Elementary Teachers 5:00-7:00 p.m.

SHINE U is driven by the data collected in our sessions and planned to meet the needs of participants! Attend SHINE U to build your toolbox based on your needs!

On November 21st SHINE U will highlight:

• Strategies for Enhancing your Canvas Toolbox
  - Differentiated by elementary and secondary
• The Power of a Collaborative Community
  - Guest Speaker: Sherron Foster-Moore, Diversity, Retention and Recruitment Specialist

SHINE U Future Dates

February 20, 2025

March 20, 2025

April 24, 2025

Last night, the Harford County Education Foundation proudly held its 19th Annual Everyday Hero Dinner and Awards, celebrating 53 incredible Harford County Public Schools educators!

These Everyday Heroes exemplify dedication, creating positive, nurturing environments and fostering meaningful relationships that inspire growth and achievement. They were honored for their unwavering commitment to our children and community.

Congratulations to this year's honorees! Join us in applauding the amazing impact they make each day in the lives of students across Harford County! Click the link to discover the impact of each Everyday Hero! https://youtu.be/7L-3teMscPU?si=c2-BAVYeFL-fN1mb

Harford County Public Schools, along with some amazing community partners, just opened a brand-new hardtop court at Abingdon Elementary School! Thanks to the incredible teamwork and dedication of the Abingdon Elementary community, Harford County Health Department, Harford County Parks and Recreation, and HCPS, the school now has a fantastic new space for basketball, foursquare, and pickleball!

The project also included creating an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant pathway connecting the parking lot off Singer Road to the hardtop court and the playground, making the playground ADA accessible!

What is really great about this project is that it was funded without using HCPS budget funds! Beginning in 2019, the Abingdon Elementary School community started raising funds for this project. They raised $28,000 before COVID shut everything down. But, using that $28,000, plus $25,000 from Parks and Recreation and a grant from the Harford County Health Department, we were able to complete the project this year!

The court is open for public use outside of school hours, so bring your game and enjoy this new spot for healthy fun.

During this season of giving, Harford County Public Schools will once again partner with United Way of Central Maryland to kick off our annual fundraising campaign to help create a region where families are financially stable, individuals achieve good health, and students succeed in school.

This year’s campaign kicks off November 7th and runs through November 22nd. The first payroll deduction will be taken from December 6, 2024, pay, and the last deduction will be taken June 20, 2025 (14 pays). Don’t want to deduct from your pay? You can also make a one-time donation.

To make your gift to the 2024 HCPS United Way Campaign, see the steps below.

HCPS Employee Electronic Pledging Instructions Login:

• Access your campaign donor site with the following address: https://epledge.uwcm.org/epledge/Begin.jsp
• Type your Username, which is your work email address
• Type your Password, which is 5 digit employee ID

New donors (not employed with HCPS during the 2023 campaign) can use the pledge form 2024_DonationForm2pg_FINALSept11_GTN-1.pdf and email to Jennifer.Crosson@UWCM.org.

We believe strongly in our commitment to the community, and we hope you will join us in supporting United Way. United, we can do more in the community, help more families, and create more long-term change. Donations of all sizes do make a difference.

On behalf of Harford County Public Schools, United Way of Central Maryland, and those who benefit from your generosity, thank you!

HCPS is committed to maintaining a safe learning environment for every student, teacher, and staff member. As part of our continuing efforts to enhance school safety and security, we invite you to participate in the HCPS School Safety and Security Feedback Survey. Your insights are essential in helping us evaluate current safety practices and identify potential areas for improvement.

This survey is open to all HCPS staff, students, and parents/guardians, and it has been designed to gather feedback that will guide our future safety enhancements. As requested by our community, all participants will need to provide authentication—such as valid and current Student IDs, staff and student email addresses—before completing the survey. These details will help ensure the validity and accuracy of the results by preventing duplicate submissions. Please note, Student IDs and email addresses are solely used for validation purposes, responses will remain confidential.

We appreciate the time and thought you put into your responses, as your feedback will directly influence the steps we take to further secure our schools.

To participate in the survey, please click here.

The survey will remain open until Sunday, November 17, 2024, at 11:45 p.m.

At the Monday, September 23, 2024, Board Business Meeting, the 2025-2026 HCPS Draft Calendar options were presented to the Board of Education. You are encouraged to complete the survey below to give your feedback. If you have additional comments, there is an opportunity to share them at the end of the survey. The survey will be available through Friday, November 22, 2024.

HCPS staff are asked to complete the survey here via an HCPS device or after logging into your HCPS account.

The Board of Education of Harford County holds Engage for Education listening sessions throughout the school 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 next session is scheduled for Wednesday, December 4, 2024, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at North Harford 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.

Join us at Patterson Mill High School on Tuesday, December 10, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. This is an opportunity to participate in a HCPS Staff Only session with Board President Poynton

Vice President Hahn.

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.

Attention High School Principals: 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.

The Office of Student Services is accepting nominations for the STUDENT SERVICES STANDOUT AWARD (S.T.A.R. AWARD). This award is presented once per semester (biannually) to a nominated member of the Student Services staff.

The nominee must currently be an employee budgeted under Student Services who is based in a school or Central Office. This would include staff under the offices of School Counseling Services, School Health Services, Psychological Services, Social Workers, or Pupil Personnel Services. Any person, regardless of position or relationship to the nominee, including students, may make the nomination.

The nomination form and supporting narrative must be submitted by December 1, 2024. Please see the links below to access the nomination form and the rubric used by the judges and consider nominating someone today!

Link to Student Services S.T.A.R. Award

Questions regarding this information should be directed to Lawanda Brown, in School Counseling, at Lawanda.Brown@hcps.org or 410-588-5251.

Nominations for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) are open. Harford County Public Schools has amazing mathematics and science educators! Let’s nominate those educators and recognize their achievements using the PAEMST Nomination link. Nominate early so nominees have sufficient time to complete the application prior to the deadline on February 6, 2025. When nominating an educator, please notify the educator of the nomination so they know what to expect and can prepare to apply. Check out this link to see previous Maryland Awardees! This year, the application cycle will be for Grades 7-12 educators.

November is Diabetes Cancer Awareness Month

Diabetes affects over 37 million Americans, with an additional 96 million at risk due to prediabetes. This November, we observe National Diabetes Month to raise awareness about reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes and supporting those affected by the chronic condition. Diabetes prevention isn’t just about diet or exercise; it’s about making small, lasting changes that improve overall health. Prediabetes rates are higher than ever; now is the time to take action. Click here to learn more.

November CareFirst Wellbeing Challenge: Mindful Eating

As the holidays approach, consider practicing mindful eating to help keep your diet and nutrition on track. Remember to make healthy ingredient swaps and try not to overindulge – you’ll be extra grateful after paying attention to how your food makes you feel. Join the Mindful Eating Challenge running November 4 – 10 to challenge yourself. Click here to learn more.

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 actual 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.

Click the flier to learn more!

Foster positivity and uncover the transformative power of gratitude, enhancing your mental well-being.

Join BurnAlong for a month dedicated to staying grounded in gratitude. During November, enjoy events designed to foster thankfulness and balance. Embrace the season with intention and joy!

November Intention Setting - Gratitude and Giving Back:

What can you do to center your attention on gratitude this month? Reflect on what you are thankful for and give back to your community through acts of kindness. Challenge yourself to set your intentions for November.

Looking for More Class Recommendations?

Click on the calendar below to access suggested classes for November:

Have you registered for your Burnalong account yet?

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.

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

Did you know that laughing actually creates changes in the body that act as stress busters? Laughter is a universal language that transcends boundaries and connects people on a profound level. To learn more about the power of humor in life, click here.

Date: Available on demand beginning November 19, 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. You can also search for them by title.

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

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

Email: HCPS.411@hcps.org