HCPS 411 Update

During this Parent Academy Real Talk, mental health experts from HCPS and the community share information for parents/guardians about how to access resources to help themselves and their children during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond.

Harford County Public Schools is proud to announce a very special opportunity for our school community. HCPS has worked with IndieFlix, a leading independent online streaming platform, along with its non-profit arm, the IndieFlix Foundation, to offer a multi-day virtual screening of the of the documentary, “Angst: Raising Awareness Around Anxiety.” In the movie, children and young adults speak openly about their experiences with anxiety. The movie also features a candid discussion with world champion swimmer, Michael Phelps, in which he discusses his experience with anxiety.

Below is the link to access the Angst online program:

https://www.indieflix.com/ocs/Angst/Harford/watch.html

The login to access the link is:

Login: harford@indieflix.com

Password: harford

Please share this information with students and their families.

Questions about the event can be directed to Christina.Alton@hcps.org.

Join us on October 20 at 4:30 p.m. as HCPS 2020 Teacher of the Year (TOY) Beth White and the TOY Finalists share tips and tricks on how to stay connected with your child’s teacher and support your child’s learning in this new environment.

To access the Microsoft Teams live event, click here.

This year’s Responsible Use Procedure 2021 Training was moved to Safe Schools. As stated in the August 20 edition of the HCPS 411 Update, the deadline for all staff to complete was September 28, 2020. HCPS is extending the final deadline to November 2, 2020. On November 3, 2020, staff who have not completed the RUP will have access to technology restricted. Restricted permissions means that Internet access will limit you to Office 365, itslearning, educational resources, and the Safe Schools training modules only. To determine if you have completed the training, navigate to the Safe Schools website for Harford County Public Schools https://hcps-md.safeschools.com/ and ensure that your Course Status is set to Completed.

The Academic Tutoring program will resume this fall to provide students with academic and instructional supports throughout second quarter. The Academic Tutoring Coordinators, Catherine Jones and Kelly Mattingly, are working with the Office of Accountability to target our students most in need, using an equity lens. Students will receive tutoring services in a virtual, small group setting with HCPS teachers and paraeducators. If you are interested in employment as a tutor, please complete the survey here by November 6. Teachers will be compensated for tutoring at the 75% rate for time worked outside of the duty day. Paraeducators will be compensated at their hourly rate. Upon completion of the survey to indicate your interest (after November 6), the Academic Tutoring Coordinators will send communication regarding orientation and tutor duties and responsibilities. With questions or concerns, please contact Academic.Tutoring@hcps.org.

Walden University

Receive a tuition reduction on Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral programs at Walden University as an employee of Harford County Public Schools. For the November 2, 2020 class start**, Harford County Public Schools employees may combine the partnership reduction with the first course at no cost tuition for the MS in Instructional Design and Technology and the MS in Education (excluding Accelerated, Self-Design, One-Credit Courses and Educational Leadership and Administration). LEARN MORE AND GET STARTED TODAY: WaldenU.edu/harford or 855-542-6261.

**The first course at no cost tuition reduction (excluding technology and other applicable fees) is only available to new students in good standing, residing in the U.S. who begin classes on November 2, 2020. This tuition reduction of first course at no cost can only be applied to the applicable first course of the student's degree program on the student’s first attempt. Tuition reduction is applicable to tuition only and do not apply towards books, materials and other supplies or fees needed for a course. This tuition reduction may only be combined with the 10% tuition reduction for U.S.-based partner organizations, the military reduction, or incremental offers. Walden may change the tuition benefit offered hereunder at any time, but such change will not affect the tuition reduction for students who are currently enrolled at Walden and using the existing tuition reduction. All tuition reductions, grants, or scholarships are subject to specific eligibility requirements. Contact a Walden University enrollment specialist for details. Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, www.hlcommission.org.

The University of Phoenix is pleased to offer:

• Courses that may be used for Conditional Licensure
• Graduate-level coursework for MA+
• Master of Arts in Education advanced programs
• Initial Teacher certification programs

Click this schedule link to view and download November 2020 through March 2021.

MAEd/Curriculum and Instruction
35 credits
$486 per credit with tuition discount
17 months

Now enrolling for November 17 program start

Designed for teachers (P-12) who want to serve as leaders in their schools with advanced knowledge and skills in curriculum and instruction. Waive up to 12 credits if you have an academic endorsement or graduate credits that align to course(s) in the program .

MAEd/Administration and Supervision
38 credits
$486 per credit with tuition discount
19 months
Now enrolling for November 10th program start
As an experienced educator, you are ready to start leading and helping teachers thrive. Advance your education and prepare for K-12 school principal licensure.

Please contact nicole.berkebile@phoenix.edu or (480)290-4328 to receive their 10% Tuition Discount.

Get Your Flu Shot Without Leaving Your Car!

HCPS, in partnership with CVS, will be hosting a drive-thru flu shot clinic. Events will be held on various days in school parking lots throughout the county. Employees and their families (ages 9+) are welcome to attend an event to receive their flu shot.

Pre-registration is preferred, but not required. To register, click on the school location and date you wish to attend.

• Youth’s Benefit Elementary School+: Saturday, October 17, 2020, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
• Edgewood High School: Friday, October 23, 2020, 3:30 – 6:30 p.m.

CVS representatives will be wearing masks and proper PPE. Please be sure to bring your insurance card and identification with you. Flu shots will be billed to your insurance*.

Questions? Email the Benefits Office at benefits@hcps.org.

*HCPS medical plans cover flu shots at 100% with no member liability.

+Events will be held at the school location listed per the selected link although the provided address is for Central Office.

"Just wanted to give a shout out to our Media Specialist, Denise Stone! She is ALWAYS willing to help students/parents/faculty/staff with anything related to tech and our laptop issues. And, she always does it with a smile on her face! In addition to being our Media Specialist, she volunteered to supervise our Learning Support Center and goes above and beyond every single day. She also helps our teachers with virtual learning strategies and consistently brings a positive attitude with her every single day! She is such an asset to FHS! The picture is from our virtual spirit week because she’s spirited too!"

-Tina Graf on behalf of the office and administrative staff of Fallston High School

"I'd like to give a shout-out to Ryan Bordenski at JOES! He has gone above and beyond to selflessly serve others as we prepare for students to enter back into the building. He volunteered to hang bulletin boards and hanging hallway displays and is just so sweet and helpful! He is working in our LSC and helping the kids so much! I'm thankful for his eagerness to help in any and all ways!"

-Cassaundra Kenny, 2nd Grade Teacher, Joppatowne Elementary School

"A special THANK you to Andrea Shaw (Fallston Middle kitchen assistant) and Haven Johnson (YBES para)! These two women came into the Learning Support Center at YBES and went above and beyond every day for the children in my 1st grade classroom. Not only did they assist the children on managing the technology and keep them safe and engaged, they did SO much more. Ms. Shaw brought her own device into the school for one of the children to have access to the daily technology. They both reached out for addition/subtraction ideas and kindergarten sight words to create games and provide extra practice. I want to express my gratitude to these two for all their hard work and patience with my students."

-Jo Lynn Davie, 1st Grade Teacher, Youth's Benefit Elementary School

"I’d like to give a huge shout out to Nancy Rocks, who has been an exceptional leader and motivator in the Fallston Middle School Learning Support Center (LSC). I have been in awe of Nancy’s tireless dedication to assisting the students attending at the LSC, clearly going the extra mile every day to ensure kids needing focused support receive the help they need to make their learning experience meaningful. While Nancy is a paraeducator extraordinaire, she clearly also had her hands full mentoring me, as I was brought in to the LSC as a temporary employee with no prior experience working in education. I was very grateful for her patience! She is a credit to both FMS and HCPS and it has been a very rewarding experience working with her. If I were to describe her impact in two words, well..Nancy rocks!"

-Todd Sunderland, Fallston Middle School Learning Support Center

"I would like to give a shout out to Missy Romano. She has been working so hard at what she does and preparing the preschools for reopening. She always makes sure to give a positive attitude and help others stay positive as well."

-Michelle Holloway, Occupational Therapist, John Archer School

Editor: Lindsay Bilodeau, communications specialist

To submit an HCPS Shout Out or recognize a colleague in the Spotlight on Customer Service, please email the information and photo (if available) to HCPS.411@hcps.org.

Email: HCPS.411@hcps.org
Website: www.hcps.org
Location: 102 South Hickory Avenue, Bel Air, MD, USA
Phone: 410-588-5213