HCPS 411 Update

Click below to watch Dr. Bulson's latest message. To view a complete archive of all past Monthly Minute videos, visit the Monthly Minute page on our website by clicking here.

State Superintendent of Schools, Carey M. Wright, Ed.D., wrote a message for all Maryland educators welcoming them to the 2024-25 school year.

Please take a moment to read her inspiring letter here.

We had a great time welcoming our new teachers last week! And we can't wait to welcome our students back on Tuesday!

We would like to highlight our newest HCPS principals in a series of Principal Spotlight videos. Supervisor of Leadership Development Audrey Vohs talks with a few of our new principals each week to get to know them better. Take a moment to hear from Jeanna Gentile, Principal of Bel Air Elementary School, and Erin Mock, Principal of Harford Technical High School, in the videos linked below. Welcome, Ms. Gentile and Ms. Mock, to your new leadership positions!

Jeanna Gentile, Bel Air Elementary School

Erin Mock, Harford Technical High School

The Office of Organizational Development, in partnership with the Enterprise Professional Development Committee, is excited to announce Future U Enterprise Academy. This is for HCPS operational and enterprise staff seeking advancement opportunities in a leadership role in the near future. The academy focuses on uncovering individual strengths and exploring essential strategies for enhancing leadership sills.

The program also offers an opportunity to learn more about HCPS leadership competencies for roles that may be available in the future. The Future U Enterprise Academy is designed to empower leaders and future leaders and provide transformative experiences that align with their professional aspirations.

Academy participants will meet Tuesdays from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the A.A. Roberty Building from October 8, 2024, through January 17, 2025.

Apply on TalentED by September 16, 2024, by clicking here.

Stay informed about the latest Canvas updates and best practices for Secondary, Intermediate, and Primary classrooms. Explore the new priorities for the '24-'25 school year in the Innovation in Learning Resource Course.

Haven't enrolled yet? Click here to join the course and access valuable resources: Innovation in Learning course enrollment

Do you have any upcoming travel plans? Effective July 1, 2024, the procedure entitled Travel and Mileage Reimbursements For Employees was revised and has been posted to the Business Services SharePoint site HERE. The procedure will also be updated to the HCPS website, under BOE-HCPS Administrative Procedures. Please take the time to review the procedures BEFORE you travel. All changes/clarifications are highlighted in yellow.

Please share this information with staff as appropriate.

Questions regarding this information should be directed to Deborah Judd, in Business Services, at Deborah.Judd@hcps.org or 410-588-5321.

The Maryland Virtual Learning Opportunities (MVPLO) Fall 2024 Catalog and registration for online courses are now available. Please visit the PL Online Courses page for links to the online catalog, print catalog, and registration site. A new course has been added to the catalog.

Note: You must have an active MSDE Canvas account to register. If you do not have an active MSDE Canvas account, please email econnect.msde@maryland.gov.

Registration is open until Thursday, September 5, 2024. Low enrollment decisions will be made the week of August 26, 2024.

HCPS Parent Academy thanks the Aberdeen IronBirds and all the HCPS staff, community partners, and families that joined us for the annual End of Summer Fest on August 15! What a great night at the ballpark!

Thank you to everyone in our community who came by the Fallston Walmart to support HCPS students by helping us Stuff the Bus with school supplies!

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.

On July 1, 2024, all benefit-eligible employees transitioned to one consistent deduction cycle, moving from a 20 or 24 deduction cycle to a 22-consecutive pay deduction cycle for all 10-, 11-, and 12-month employees. All employee deductions for healthcare premiums will now occur over 22 consecutive pays throughout the fiscal year, beginning with the first pay of the annual school year.

For the 2024-2025 school year, this will occur with the August 30, 2024, pay date. Therefore, if you are enrolled in healthcare benefits, you will see an adjustment in your August 30 pay, which will be the first pay with benefit deductions. More information about this change can be found on the Benefits Deduction Change Resource SharePoint site.

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 5 at 12:00 p.m.: Developing a Self-Care Routine that Works for You
• September 18 at 12:00 p.m.: Practical Strategies for Managing Workplace Stress
• 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, participants will learn how to effectively acknowledge and appreciate positive actions in various contexts, from the workplace to parenting. Click here to learn more.

Date: Available now

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.

"It takes a team effort to host the New Hire Orientation Event. Over the course of five days, the Professional Learning Office hosted approximately 250 new and mid-year hires. We would like to thank the Front Office Staff, Custodial Staff, and Administrative Staff at Havre de Grace Middle/High School. We appreciate their support, flexibility, and the shared dedication for this event.

We would like to also thank Principal Mark Warfield and Chief Custodian Samantha Armstrong at Meadowvale Elementary School for arranging the use of additional tables.

Thanks for being part of the New Hire Orientation Event!"

-Professional Learning Office: Rebecca Spencer, Betty Jo Marzec, Erin Schisler, and Lori Gohlinghorst

-Trish Schoen, Office of Health Services

-Trish Schoen, Office of Health Services

Email: HCPS.411@hcps.org