HCPS 411 Update

Many of our positions are filled by word of mouth by our employees. Help us share our employment needs!

• Building Trades II - Facilities

• Vocal Music Teacher - Bel Air Middle School

• Principal, Assistant Principal, and Pupil Personnel Worker (PPW) - Candidate Pool

Follow us on social media @hcpsrecruiter and share our employment posts. To find a full list of our available positions, visit hcps.org and click on the sun!

In this episode of Real Talk, Mary Beth Stapleton talks with Shannon Hagan, Supervisor of Staff Management for Human Resources, about the many different job opportunities for interested parents, such as substitute positions with a flexible schedule and the ability to select a specific school or location; paraeducators and inclusion helpers, which provide support to students in the classrooms; custodians; school nurses; bus drivers and attendants; facilities workers; and more. All open positions may be found on https://www.hcps.org/departments/humanresources/vacancies.aspx. Qualifications for positions vary, but some require little to no experience! On the other hand, if a parent is interested in teaching and has a degree but not certification, the HCPS Human Resources Department can help. There are many wonderful benefits to working for HCPS.

Take a moment to share this video with someone you know who may be interested in learning more about working for HCPS.

Click below to watch Dr. Bulson's latest Monthly Minute message from November 22, 2022.

To view a complete archive of all past Monthly Minute videos, visit the Monthly Minute page on our website by clicking here.

Annual leave allows eligible staff members an opportunity to get much needed and uninterrupted down time in order to decompress from the stress of the work environment. Use of annual leave is strongly encouraged in order to enjoy leisure time activities, time to focus on mental health, as well as the ability to connect with family and friends, either near or far. Employees are strongly encouraged to use the annual leave available to them.

Please note that carry-over of accrued annual leave will follow the guidelines as stated in your respective negotiated agreement at the end of the fiscal year.

Questions regarding this information should be directed to Human Resources at 410-588-5226.

Love your bus driver and bus attendant?! Now's your chance to let them know! Submit a nomination on the website as soon as possible to see your favorite bus driver and attendant be named Bus Driver and Attendant of the Year!

Click here to submit your nomination.

HCPS Parent Academy, in partnership with Chick-fil-A of Harford County, is excited to announce that Churchville Elementary School is the November winner for the school system’s Family Friendly School Award program!! Way to go, Chargers!

This month, a total of 17 schools were nominated and 2,479 unique votes were cast by the community among the nominated schools, naming Churchville Elementary the winner with 601 votes!! Not only does the school earn the coveted title of Family Friendly School for the month of September, but the entire school staff will be treated to a luncheon by the program’s partner, Chick-fil-A of Harford County.

We want to give a special shout out to this month's runner up schools:

• Joppatowne Elementary School
• Bel Air High School
• Swan Creek School

Keep up the great work!

The school system will continue to celebrate its schools that best engage all families by consistently demonstrating the National PTA Standards for Family-School Partnerships. One school will be named a family friendly school each month through May.

Want to see your school highlighted for this award on the website and social media, plus treated to a Chick-fil-A lunch? Nominations for the December award are being accepted now through 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, December 7, 2022. *ONLY nominations submitted during this window will be considered for this month's award.*

It takes just a few minutes to nominate a school...access the link to nominate here: https://www.hcps.org/parents/parentacademy/familyfriendlyschools.aspx.

Please spread the word! Help your school be celebrated for their efforts to communicate well, engage and welcome all families, and support student success. More information may be found on https://www.hcps.org/parents/parentacademy/familyfriendlyschools.aspx.

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.

As we wrap up HCPS Safety Month, we're excited to share our latest HCPStories featuring Deputy Mitchell! If you know him, you know his story is so good, we had to make two videos!

Join us as we continue to shine the light on how HCPS celebrates Diversity all year long. Each month, we highlight a cultural/organizational holiday. All you have to do is take a picture or two and share the wonderful things your school or office is doing to celebrate the contributions we all make to HCPS.

This month, we are celebrating: Foreign Language Appreciation Month.

Please email your celebration pictures and a brief write-up regarding the event to Sherron Foster-Moore, Diversity Retention & Recruitment Specialist, at Sherron.FosterMoore@hcps.org by Friday, December 23, 2022. This month’s celebrations will be shared in the January 5, 2023, issue of the HCPS 411 Update.

November: Native American Heritage Month

Bel Air Middle School

Dr. Karl Wickman, Principal

What better way to celebrate Native American Heritage than by highlighting literary works celebrating the culture and highlighting the work of Native American authors? Hats off to Bel Air Middle School for celebrating the Native American culture by showcasing fiction and non-fiction books on Native Americans. Special shout out to Donna Smith, Media Specialist.

Fountain Green Elementary School

Mary Ann Clinton, Principal

At Fountain Green Elementary, art students learned about the importance of Bison and looked at artists that live in the great plains as inspiration. They listened to stories from the indigenous people that live in the Pacific Northwest coast about the Salmon and Raven as they created paintings. Our music students explored Native songs and drumming from various tribes throughout the nation and learned about the purpose of their music. 1st grade friends started the day with the traditional Cherokee greeting for Good Morning, "OSDA SANALEI" (ᎣᏍᏓ ᏌᎾᎴᎢ). They also read and learned about Native Americans who are serving as remarkable role models for all of us. Special shout out to Ms. Luzmaria Vignola and Ms. Keisha Nandalal for sharing the great things taking place at Fountain Green Elementary.

La Salle University/Regional Training Center (RTC) Graduate Courses

Did you know that La Salle University/RTC Graduate Courses (and M.Ed.) …

• Are offered in a 4- and 6-week online format (asynchronous) with multiple start dates per month?
• Are offered in a virtual format (synchronous) in two weekends (school year) and 5 consecutive days (summer) with multiple start dates per month?
• Can be taken as part of a 30 credit M. Ed. with rolling admissions?
• That personal advisement is available to help navigate course and program needs?
• Include 26 engaging topics such as The Kinesthetic Classroom: Teaching and Learning through Movement and Technology with Ease?
• Are immediately applicable to your specific classroom?
• That the M.Ed. has been completed by more than 350 Maryland teachers?

RTC will be offing off-campus and virtual classrooms for the spring. Click here for more information and schedule.

Harford County Public Schools and La Salle/RTC have a Direct Tuition Agreement. Please check with Human Resources for eligibility and your portion of the tuition.

For more information, please visit www.thertc.net or call 800-433-4740.

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HCPS Spring 2023 Continuing Professional Development Course Offerings

The Spring 2023 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Course Catalog is now available. Registration for these MSDE credit courses is available on HECTOR. Register early for the best course selection.

HECTOR Directions

Need assistance with HECTOR to...

• Register for courses?
• Check registration and history?
• Change or cancel registration?

Please see the Instructions for HECTOR.

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McDaniel College – Virtual Open House

Learn more about McDaniel's Graduate and Professional Programs for Educators. Please see flyer for an upcoming open house on Wednesday, December 7, 2022, at 4:30 p.m. and use the register here button in the flyer to RSVP.

All certificated staff will now have to request initial certificates and changes to their existing certificate through the TEACH system - https://certificationhub.msde.maryland.gov.

Directions for requesting an initial certificate, a certification renewal, and/or an endorsement to your current certificate can be found on the Certification site in SharePoint. Please see links below:

• Applying for an initial Certificate
• Requesting a Certificate Renewal
• Requesting an Endorsement

For those who have a Maryland teaching certificate that is expiring DECEMBER 31, 2022; if you have not done so already, please log onto TEACH and request a renewal of your certificate. More information regarding this process can be found in the MSDE TEACH INFORMATION 9-2022 document on SharePoint, Human Resources, Certification, under Certification Forms & Information.

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

*Administrators interested in an in-person or virtual presentation on the TEACH system for their staff should contact the Office of Certification.

CareFirst WellBeing – A Personalized Digital Connection to Your Healthiest Life

Health and wellness is intensely personal. It's a product of everything, large and small, that goes into making and living life. It's constantly evolving. And it's different for everyone. To help you find and maintain your own sense of well-being in an increasingly complicated world, CareFirst is building a better wellness resource.

Beginning on January 1, 2023, the current ShareCare wellness app available to all HCPS staff members will transition to CareFirst WellBeing. The new site will feature all the tools, resources, and support you rely on but in a more clear and cohesive platform. To download the app, visit CareFirst.com/WellBeing. To access CareFirst WellBeing, you can register with the new program using your current ShareCare credentials on or after January 1, 2023. After that, you can start using all the excellent resources available – there's no waiting period. All of your data will carry over, too. You can view the Introduction Flier here to learn more about the new CareFirst WellBeing app.

This December, Focus on Prioritizing You this Holiday Season

It's almost that time of year again! As the holiday season approaches, it often brings a side of stress. Between the demands of cooking meals, entertaining, cleaning, and shopping for gifts, alongside the regular day-to-day duties, it can become overwhelming. While stress is a natural part of life and, in small doses, is a good thing, excessive stress can negatively impact our mental and physical health. During this time, it is essential to make sure we are making our own health and well-being a top priority. To learn more, click here to view CareFirst's December Wellness Newsletter.

December Recipe of the Month: Tasty Gingerbread Pancakes

Pancakes are fun any time of the year, especially during the holidays when you can add your favorite spices. These gingerbread-style pancakes will fill you up without busting your diet. Click here to try this tasty recipe this holiday season.

Presented by KEPRO Employee Assistance Program

Are you caring for an older parent in addition to raising your child or financially supporting a grown child? If so, you are part of the sandwich generation, the 47% of adults nationwide, ages 40-59, who face multiple responsibilities and competing demands as they support older and younger family members. This session will help participants to find practical and effective strategies to balance your work and personal life as the sandwich generation. 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 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 KEPRO 24-hours per day, seven days per week toll-free at (866) 795-5701 to visit their website online at www.EAPhelplink.com.

What's Cooking with B? Soup and Sweets: It's What's for Dinner

Fall is in full swing, and it's time to get your soup ladles out. BurnAlong brings you a savory vegetarian twist on a classic and surprisingly sweet recipe this month.

1. Vegetarian Chickpea Noodle Soup: Looking for a new take on chicken noodle soup? Try a vegetarian-friendly version of chicken noodle soup, where you still get protein!

2. Carrot Cake Muffins: Have a sweet tooth? Try out these carrot cake muffins for a sweet surprise!

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.

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!

Getting healthy and holistically feeling your best can be fun and easy with help! That's why HCPS wants to launch a health and wellness program to help you live healthier and to provide resources to support your overall well-being while making it a program that works for employees. If you haven't done so already, please take a few moments to click the link below to complete the survey to help us shape this year's program by letting us know which health issues are important to you so that we may develop a program that meets the needs of all staff.

Click here to complete the survey.

Employees who have received the primary vaccine series and at least one (1) booster can submit verification of their vaccination status through an online employee survey to be eligible for COVID Breakthrough Leave for the 2022-2023 school year. Individuals who already submitted both their primary vaccine series and booster information during the 2021-2022 school year will not need to complete this survey again. Information collected from the COVID Breakthrough Leave survey will be utilized for the 2022-2023 school year to determine COVID Breakthrough Leave eligibility. The survey can be accessed by clicking here.

The complete MOU specific to your bargaining unit can be found on the Staff Relations SharePoint page. Questions about COVID Breakthrough Leave can be directed to Staff and Labor Relations Office at (410) 588-5311.

In honor of National Pearl Harbor Day of Remembrance, December 7, 1941, visit this site for some interesting history from the National Archives - 'A Date Which Will Live in Infamy' | National Archives.

Aberdeen Middle School is hosting its Winter Bazaar on Saturday, December 10, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This is the first year the annual Bazaar is back since pre COVID-19, and all are invited to attend.

In addition, the school is still accepting community vendors and crafters, as well as donations for BINGO prizes. Please contact Kimberly Bell (Kimberly.Bell@hcps.org), Special Education Teacher at Aberdeen Middle School, if you are interested.

"Southampton Middle School hosted it’s first Listen and Learn event in November for 6th grade families. The event was a success for parents, teachers, and administrators. Mary Beth Stapleton was key to this success. Mary Beth’s passion to connect families and schools is important work for HCPS and its communities."

-Dr. Helen Miller, Principal of Southampton Middle School

"The HCPS Teacher Academy of Maryland magnet program would like to thank Dr. Gerringer, Ms. Fox, Ms. Patzer, Ms. Staton, and Ms. Yeager at Abingdon Elementary School for partnering with our Teacher Academy Interns for the 2022-2023 school year. The experiences and opportunities our 12th grade TAM Interns are receiving in your classrooms each week are priceless!"

-Alissa C. Thomas, Teacher Specialist, Program Coordinator, HCPS Teacher Academy of Maryland

"I would like to recognize Mrs. Karen Kinghorn, paraprofessional at Riverside Elementary, for the constant kindness and positivity she shines on our students and staff. Mrs. Kinghorn is incredibly patient and caring when working with students and brings so much joy to their day. She is unbelievably considerate and always checking with staff to see where she can be of help. We are incredibly lucky to have such a fantastic educator at RVES!"

-Amanda Seiverd, NCC, School Counselor, Riverside Elementary School

"The Office of Technology would like to thank the Facilities Grounds Crew for their help in moving the Endpoint Technicians from Hickory Annex to Central Office. Carl Glassman, Paul Kline, Charlie White, Cory Stanley, Chris Desell, Jessica Knopp, and Damien Wies made this transition seamless with minimal downtime. We couldn’t have done it without them!"

-James Webb, Endpoint Technician, Office of Technology and Information Services

"Edgewood Middle School is shouting out Brittany Pettus, Kilo Mack, and (formerly) Mr. Harbert from the Health and Physical Education Curriculum Office for their timely and unending support with all of our Health and PE teachers here at EDMS. Health and PE teachers new to EDMS (a few who are past HCPS graduates!) have been provided with dedicated curriculum support prior to and since the school year has begun. Mr. Mack, and previously Mr. Harbert, have been instrumental in identifying quality candidates and Ms. Pettus (also a former HCPS student!) is the most energetic and thorough mentor and source of support any teacher could ask for. EDMS wishes to acknowledge and celebrate their efforts, fantastic reputation, and quality teachers they are helping to build and sustain."

-Drew Hoagland, Assistant Principal, Edgewood Middle School

Please join us in giving a warm welcome to the following new members of the HCPS family!

• Sena Chancellor, Paraeducator, Deerfield Elementary School
• Daion Donaldson, Paraeducator, Havre de Grace Middle School
• Monserrate Hassell, Paraeducator, Southampton Middle School
• Sabrina Helmick, Paraeducator, Roye-Williams Elementary School

Editor: Lindsay Bilodeau, Innovation 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