HCPS 411 Update

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

• School Counselor
  
• School Nurse – Joppatowne Elementary
  
• Home and Hospital Teachers
  

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!

Although HCPS offices are closed Friday, November 25, 2022, banks will be open. Therefore, the actual pay date remains November 25, 2022. 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 23, 2022. Please verify the address shown on your November 10, 2022, 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. Also, the format for username is your network username followed by “@hcps.org”, for example, johsmith@hcps.org. 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.

As HCPS Safety Month continues, we're pleased to introduce you to some of our School Safety Liaisons! These staff members are found throughout the county and support our students and schools daily.

Be sure to follow the HCPS Facebook page to see more posts related to our HCPS Safety Month campaign.

Standard 3: Support Student Success

Churchville Elementary School Principal Lisa Minutoli shares how as a school leader she uses the Capturing Kids Hearts program to build the capacity of families and educators to continuously collaborate to support students’ academic, social, and emotional learning.

The HCPS Bowtie Breakfast program celebrates Central Office employees who consistently demonstrate outstanding customer service and go above and beyond in their roles. Honorees are nominated by colleagues to attend Superintendent Bulson’s virtual event held each month. Congratulations to the November 2022 honorees! Join us in celebrating our awesome HCPS staff!

We'd also like to give a BIG thank you to our program sponsor, Freedom Federal Credit Union! We are able to provide our honorees with a special treat courtesy of their generosity.

Harford County Education Foundation held its annual Excellence in Education Showcase & Awards Breakfast on October 14, 2022. The Foundation was delighted by the return of student exhibitions from HCPS magnet programs allowing their guests to interact with the students and learn about the outstanding learning in our schools. Each guest received a placemat - laminated artwork - creatively designed by students from Emmorton Elementary School. They also enjoyed jazz and vocal performances by the Havre de Grace High School Jazz Band and were entertained by the Edgewood High School Dance Company. The Foundation extends a special thank you to these schools and to Rob Limpert and Jeffrey Winfield for their support in bringing the amazing talent of students to the event.

Three community leaders were honored with the Excellence in Education Award for their outstanding contribution to the education of Harford County Public Schools students. The Excellence in Education Awards were presented to:

Harford County Education Foundation honored outstanding educators who promote exemplary dedication to the education of Harford County Public Schools students. This year, during the Everyday Hero Awards and Cocktail Reception on November 3, 38 educators were awarded. Each Everyday Hero received an engraved jumbo pencil award, an Everyday Hero tote bag with classroom supplies, a gift from Saxon's, a gift from APGFCU, a pumpkin pie courtesy of Wegmans and Proclamations from the Harford County Executive and the Harford County Council. Congratulations and thank you for your commitment to our children!

Susan Andrews, Havre de Grace High School

Jennifer Chandler, North Harford High School

Denae Clark, Bel Air High School

Kelsey Clayton, Old Post Road Elementary School

Cathy Corun, Ring Factory Elementary School

Myong Critchlow, Deerfield Elementary School

Jacquelyn Cummings, Fallston High School

Karen Dausch, North Bend Elementary School

Alana Davis, Prospect Mill Elementary School

Lauren Donnelly, Riverside Elementary School

Samantha Holthaus, Joppatowne Elementary School

Jennifer Doyle, Abingdon Elementary School

Ashley Hagner, Edgewood Elementary School

Sarah Hipley, Bel Air Middle School

Verna Hiser, Homestead/Wakefield Elementary School

Colleen Hyde, Churchville Elementary School

Amber Johnson, Edgewood Middle School

Mary Keleman, Harford Academy

Donna Koluch, Youth's Benefit Elementary School

Amanda Kriete, Norrisville Elementary School

Dina Kropkowski, Forest Lakes Elementary School

Peggy Lauer, Emmorton Elementary School

Gretchen Lindsey, Southampton Middle School

Amy Lloyd, Joppatowne High School

Jane Martin, Magnolia Middle School

Mary McAuliffe, George D. Lisby Elementary School at Hillsdale

Deanna McGill, Swan Creek School

Danielle McKeown, William S. James Elementary School

Jamilah Oatis Davidge, Aberdeen Middle School

Emily Pecora, Aberdeen High School

Tara Recor, Swan Creek School

Sarah Scholl, Havre de Grace Middle School

Kelly Shepherd, Havre de Grace Elementary School

Dawn Sinclair, Swan Creek School

Susan Summerfield, North Harford Middle School

Mike Svezzese, Harford Technical High School

Danielle Taylor, Church Creek Elementary School

Kimberly Wheeler, Magnolia Elementary School

The voting window to name the November Family Friend School winner is NOW OPEN!

Click here to vote once before 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, November 17, to let us know which nominated school should win the coveted title of “Family Friendly School” and a staff Chick-fil-A luncheon!

If “your” school isn’t in the running this month and you feel it should be, nominate it next month! One winning school will be named each month through May, and schools may win multiple times. Reminders about nominating and voting windows will be shared in the HCPS 411 Update and on the Parent Academy Facebook page throughout the school year.

We look forward to announcing the November winner later this month!

Webpage goes live in time for Veterans Day 2022

Harford County Public Schools is home to approximately 3,000 military-connected children and their families, with most parents/guardians serving at U.S. Army Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG). HCPS understands the challenges military-connected families may experience with frequent transitioning from one installation to the next and often relocating during the middle of an academic year.

Members of the HCPS Customer Service Task Force identified an opportunity to better serve our military families by developing a Military Family Welcome Center on the school system’s website for families to access information they need to get started with HCPS and other community resources to help them acclimate to the area. The HCPS Parent Academy made it a priority to see this project come to fruition in time for Veterans Day 2022, working closely with representatives from APG. The new page went live on the school system’s website this week.

The Military Family Welcome Center is easily accessible from the homepage of www.hcps.org, linked under the ‘Parents’ tab. In addition to featuring links to HCPS registration, school, academic, and athletic information, the page includes military and veteran resources. Military families are also encouraged to email AskHCPS@hcps.org if they need additional information and support.

In honor of Veterans Day, HCPS is celebrating the launch of the page on its social media platforms and asking our community to help us spread the word to families who may benefit from checking out the new page.

HCPS thanks all Harford County military families for their service.

To learn more about the history of Veterans Day and events that celebrate the holiday, please visit: https://veteran.com/veterans-day/.

HCPS Spring 2023 CPD 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.

HCPS Book Studies

Many schools/departments have expressed interest in offering book studies for their teachers. MSDE credits for book studies go through the Professional Development Center. School administrators wishing to structure this opportunity should contact Lori Gohlinghorst at Lori.Gohlinghorst@hcps.org for more information. It is advised that the book study is set in HECTOR prior to facilitating course.

HECTOR Directions

Need assistance HECTOR?

• Registering for courses
• Checking registration and history
• Changing or canceling registration

Please see the Instructions for HECTOR.

Towson Learning Network – Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Professional Spanish

See flier for a new Towson Learning Network program that Towson hopes to offer. It is 100% online and is for teachers, administrators, and school system staff who want to earn graduate credit and gain oral and written proficiency, cultural competence, and learn about language acquisition to better a diverse population of students, parents, and employees. Applicants will need to have some Spanish proficiency and will complete a quick/free placement test. Towson plans to start the program in spring 2023. To learn more about the program, please join Towson for an informational session November 15, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. Zoom link is in the flier.

University of Phoenix (UOPX) – Master of Arts in Education/Curriculum and Instruction

Make learning come alive for students. In as little as 17 months, you can earn a Master of Arts in Education/Curriculum and Instruction, designed for teachers (P-12) who want to serve as leaders in their schools with advanced knowledge and skills in curriculum and instruction.

Teachers with academic endorsements or who have completed specific University of Phoenix Continuing Education for Teachers courses, such as Assessment and Evaluation for Educators and Technology Integration for Educators, can save time and money by applying to waive up to 12 credits.
** UOPX students that completed course EDUC/524 Assessment and Evaluation for Educators may receive 3 credits waived determined by evaluation.

If you would like more information on this program and 10% off tuition cost, please contact
Nicole Berkebile, Nicole.Berkebile@phoenix.edu or call 480-290-4328.
Your Benefits:

• 10% off tuition
• $486 per credit (includes 10% off tuition)
• Locked-in Tuition - pay the same price from start to finish
• Financial aid eligible
• Students complete a total of 35 credits in the MAEd/Curriculum and Instruction program, with potential course waiver with previous course credits.
• Register now for the November 29, 2022, start date. Students will have Winter Break (no attendance required) from December 20, 2022, through January 2, 2023.

Why does UOPX work for working adults?

• 100% online asynchronous allows students to attend class on their schedule
• Students take one, 6-week class at a time
• Practitioner Faculty (avg. of 20 yrs. in the field)
• Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
• Career Services for Life

Join us as we continue to shine the light on how HCPS celebrates diversity all year long. Each month, we will 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:

National Native American Heritage

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 Monday, November 28, 2022. This month’s celebrations will be shared in the December 1 issue of the HCPS 411 Update.

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, 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, 2022. Click here to access the nomination form and the rubric used by the judges and consider nominating someone today!

Questions regarding this information should be directed to Kay Malone, Supervisor of School Counseling, at Kay.Malone@hcps.org or 410-588-5251.

The Academic Tutoring Program is seeking short-term and long-term tutors for the 2022-2023 school year. Tutors will provide students with instructional support and remediation. Tutors are needed in the areas of Reading and Mathematics for students in grades K-12, as well as Science and Social Studies for the graduation required courses at the high school level. Teachers and paraeducators in any content area may serve as tutors and will be able to select their desired content(s) and grade level(s). Tutors will also be able to determine the number of tutoring sessions that they would like to conduct each week. Elementary students will be supported in a virtual, one-on-one setting. Middle and high school students will be supported in a virtual, small group setting with three or fewer students. Tutors will be compensated at their per diem rate.

If you are interested in serving as a tutor, please complete this survey form:

https://forms.office.com/r/SL2YfC2L6J

The Harford County Education Association (HCEA) COVID-19-related MOU, revised on August 30, 2022 between the Board of Education and the HCEA, is available on the Human Resources Staff Relations SharePoint site, or by clicking here.

Questions regarding this information should be directed to Mae Alfree, Ed.D., in Human Resources at Mae.Alfree@hcps.org or 410-588-5226.

MSDE has released The Educator Application and Certification Hub (TEACH). Existing applicants and certificate holders will need to complete a one-time registration by visiting https://certificationhub.msde.maryland.gov. You will be required to upload verification of identification such as a driver’s license or passport. Verification of your identification must be completed before any service or request can be completed. When registering, please ensure your email address is updated. The Certification Department will provide updates and notification to teachers through TEACH as well as your HCPS email. TEACH requires educators to submit an application/request for initial certification, renewal of a certificate, adding an endorsement or name change. This must be done on MSDE TEACH through the educator’s dashboard.

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.

In order to renew certificates in a timely manner, please have your dashboard and request completed by November 1, 2022.

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.

Looking for a way to relieve holiday stress and maintain balance? Picture yourself having a healthier, happier holiday season by joining us in Health for the Holidays, a lighthearted online wellness program. As you record daily health behaviors, you paint a winter scene – brushing on more color and detail – while earning inches of snow. The more you do, the more your painting comes to life and the more snow builds up, reinforcing your healthy holiday accomplishments. Every week there’s a new scene – with surprises that inspire you to keep at it until you finish each painting. Your goal is to record daily exercise, healthy eating, and special Gift Box behaviors (there’s a new one each day). You add an inch of snow for each of these activities… piling up to 21 inches a week. And you complete a painting by recording activities 5 or more days a week. Aim to accumulate 60 total inches of snow and finish 4 paintings during the 4-week campaign. Participants can log their daily activity on a computer or on their phone using the Health for the Holidays app! You can even connect a tracking device to record your daily steps! The participant with the most points at the end of the 4-week program will receive a grand prize, courtesy of our partners at CareFirst.

Don’t miss out on the perfect way to wrap up the year feeling more energetic and resilient. Click here to view a brief promotional video for the program. This program is available to all HCPS employees, free of charge.

Registration will open on Monday, November 14, and the program will begin on Monday, November 21, 2022. On Monday, click here to register!

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. This month, BurnAlong is bringing you a savory vegetarian twist on a classic, and a surprisingly sweet recipe.

• Vegetarian Chickenpea Noodle Soup: Looking for a new take on chicken noodle soup? Try out a vegetarian-friendly version of chicken noodle soup, where you still get your protein!
• 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 access to 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.

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month

Did you know more than 237 million people in the United States live with diabetes and 96 million adults with prediabetes (National Diabetes Statistics Report | Diabetes | CDC)? National Diabetes Awareness Month is an important health observance promoted each November to raise awareness and sound the alarm on the growing diabetes epidemic. To learn more, click here to view CareFirst's November Wellness Newsletter.

CareFirst One-on-One Health Coaching

You have access to personal health coaching as part of your health coverage. To learn more about the coaching program, or to join, call (877) 260-3253 and press option 7. You may also receive a call inviting you to participate. While not mandatory, we encourage you to participate in this voluntary and confidential phone-based program to help you achieve your best possible health. You can leave the program at any time. Click here to learn more.

October Recipe of the Month: Salmon with Spinach

Salmon isn't just a delicious fish. It is also full of healthy fats that are good for your heart. Click here to try this healthy as you relax on a night in with this tasty recipe perfect for one.

CareFirst has notified the HCPS Benefits Office of their contract agreement. Below is the news brief from CareFirst posted on October 26, 2022.

Parties chart a new course to bring greater value to shared communities

Johns Hopkins Medicine and CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) have agreed to a new multiyear contract to provide high-quality care options while building on a long-standing relationship and commitment to serving our shared communities. This agreement ensures continued service to existing members and patients while opening new opportunities to create value for the people and communities we serve.

“We are pleased to announce that we have reached an agreement with CareFirst to keep our doctors, nurses and other caregivers in CareFirst’s network,” said Theodore L. DeWeese, M.D., interim dean of the medical faculty and CEO of Johns Hopkins Medicine. “Our goal was to reach a resolution before our patients had to make changes to their care or their coverage, and we appreciate CareFirst’s collaboration to make that happen.”

“Together, CareFirst and Johns Hopkins Medicine are poised to continue providing high-quality health care and maintain our focus on the people who matter most: members and patients,” said Brian D. Pieninck, president and CEO, CareFirst. “The impact of our partnership remains tied to advancing health outcomes in the community, and this new agreement provides the structure necessary to organize our efforts and deliver on that shared goal.”

“Our patients are our top priority,” added Kevin W. Sowers, M.S.N., R.N., F.A.A.N., president of the Johns Hopkins Health System and executive vice president of Johns Hopkins Medicine. “We look forward to continuing to work with CareFirst to best support the communities we serve.”

Through this new agreement, Johns Hopkins Medicine and CareFirst have reinforced their commitment to continuing this relationship while recognizing that, together, they will create an even more significant impact on the health of this region for years to come.

Presented by KEPRO Employee Assistance Program

Do the holidays typically leave you worn out and exhausted? Now is the time to reflect on changes you can make as you enter this year's holiday season. This month, learn effective ways to plan, organize, and make the most of your holidays. Click here to learn more.

Date: Available on demand beginning October 18, 2022

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, 7 days per week toll-free at (866) 795-5701 to visit their website online at www.EAPhelplink.com.

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.

"I would like to give a shout out to the first grade team at NHES! Ashley Shell, Lauren Brosh, and Alice Owen are amazing teachers who go above and beyond for their students and their families. I appreciate their help as I adjust to getting to know new curriculum in a new grade! You guys are wonderful! Thank you!"

-Elizabeth McElwain, 1st Grade Teacher, North Harford Elementary School

"I would love to give an official shout out to Ron Edwards. Mr. Ron (as known by the students) is the chief custodian at Fountain Green Elementary. Mr. Ron goes over and above not only to keep our school clean, but to build relationships with our students. He greets students during arrival, dresses up on holidays, allows students to help him at lunch, lends an ear to listen, and so much more. He is continually enthusiastic and a positive role model. It is quite obvious that Mr. Ron truly cares about our students and they just adore him. FGES is lucky to have such a gem as Mr. Ron!

-Kandice Schucker, School Counselor, Fountain Green Elementary School

"The CSP Team at Joppatowne Elementary would like to give a BIG SHOUT OUT to bus driver, Ms. Twyla Criss. Good days start with our students seeing people like her in the morning. Ms. Twyla is an example of how joy can be spread through care, patience, and kindness. We appreciate the job that you do and the way you do it. Thank you for your excellent work!"

-Tia Johnson, School Social Worker, Joppatowne Elementary School

"I would like to give a shout out to Christina Calabrese, our school social worker. Christina is consistently professional, approachable, and sincere. She is a fierce advocate for students, and is passionate about her work with students and families. When Christina is working with someone, she carefully listens with genuine interest and she gives whomever it is (students, parents, or staff) her undivided attention. If you share with Christina something that is important to you, she makes it important to her. No problem or concern is too small for Christina to jump in and assist with; Christina is always looking to help. I am so grateful for the work that Christina does with our students, families, and staff. She is an incredible asset and a driving force for the Magnolia Elementary School community."

-Sarah Lumbard, Grant PPW, Student Services

"A huge thank you to Amy Ryan who goes above and beyond to ensure that Swan Creek School elementary students have enriching, hands-on opportunities in science! Amy Ryan takes time to collaborate with SCS teachers regarding material preparation and distribution and ensures that all elementary students have the materials they need. Amy Ryan also attended PLCs with SCS science teachers to brainstorm and facilitate opportunities for infusing science curriculum during in-person experience days and field trips. She thinks creatively to help us keep the WONDER of Science alive for our Elementary Students! We are so grateful for her time, effort, and expertise as we continuously improve our methods for teaching Science in our unique setting!"

-Amy Wolff, Special Education Teacher, Swan Creek School

"I would like to thank Sue Miller, Jeff Hoffman, and Megan Avampato for the support and leadership they have provided to the behavior team this year. All three have supported with training and technical support that has been invaluable as we work to promote positive behavior throughout our great schools.

I wanted to shout out to Jennifer Burr and Lynn Jennings for the support they have provided me in working with secondary staff to meet their student needs. They have been great resources of knowledge and are always willing to go above and beyond to help me anytime I reach out to them for support!"

-Greg Willison, Behavior Intervention Coach

"I would like to give a shout out to Cassandra Pellegrini in Assistive Technology for her assistance in supporting our students at Hickory. She's always willing to come help us quickly and is so pleasant to work with."

Jill Fisher, Special Educator, Hickory Elementary School

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

• William Addison, School Bus Attendant, Transportation Department
• Carsyn Cernos, Paraeducator, William S. James Elementary School
• Neiel Gapulan, Custodian I - Shift I, Fallston Middle School
• Eryka Groover, School Safety Liaison, Office of Safety and Security
• Cheeryl Johnson-Mathews, School Bus Attendant, Transportation Department
• Latera Lawhorn, Inclusion Helper, Aberdeen High School
• LaTonya Lee, School Bus Attendant, Transportation Department
• Alexa Leitkowski, Custodian I - Shift 2, Joppatowne High School
• Emma O'Berry, Health Teacher, Edgewood Middle School
• Tiffany Robinson, School Bus Attendant, Transportation Department
• Sarah Wehrman, Teacher - Grade 5, William S. James 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