HCPS 411 Update

Today’s Harford County COVID-19 positivity metrics are 7.37% positivity and 17.06 cases per 100,000 residents. This information is updated daily at 10:00 a.m. by the Harford County Health Department here.

The HCPS operational status currently reflects consistent positivity of 5%.

As a reminder, FAQ documents have been created for employees. The school-based employee FAQ can be found here and the central office employee FAQ can be found here. These documents, and the parent/guardian FAQ are being updated as HCPS recovery efforts evolve.

If you are a school-based employee who is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, please contact your school nurse immediately for further guidance on isolation or quarantine requirements.

If you are a non-school based employee who is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, please contact the Human Resources office at covidreporting@hcps.org for further guidance on isolation or quarantine requirements.

All questions regarding leave can be directed to covidreporting@hcps.org.

Take a moment to watch the latest Real Talk featuring the 2021 Teacher of the Year finalists, or the 5x Stronger team, to get to know them a little better and hear what they have to say for a successful start to the new school year.

• McDaniel College – Virtual Open House
  McDaniel College will hold an information session for their cohort programs with HCPS on Wednesday, September 15, at 4:30 p.m. Click here for the flier and to register. For more information, please contact gradadms@mcdaniel.edu.

• American College of Education (ACE) Webinar
  ACE will host an informational webinar on October 5 at 7:00 p.m. Please see the flier.

Online Seminar Presented by KEPRO Employee Assistance Program

Over a decade ago, September was declared as National Suicide Awareness month, with September 10 identified as World Suicide Prevention Day. On this day, KEPRO EAP is hosting an online seminar: Creating Hope Through Action. This pre-recorded seminar will offer participants the opportunity to:

• Recognize warning signs of someone who is dealing with depression.
• Learn how to respond and communicate with individuals who may be thinking about suicide.
• Help individuals connect with life-saving resources.
• Understand the impact suicide and suicide attempts have on families, friends, and colleagues.

Those interested can access this seminar by logging onto www.eaphelplink.com and entering the company access code, HCPS. For more information or to schedule a consultation, call KEPRO toll-free at (866) 795-5701 to visit their website online at www.EAPhelplink.com.

Effective October 1, 2021, all transcripts and or tuition reimbursement documentation should be electronically submitted to transcripts@hcps.org.

Electronic transcripts submitted directly from the college/university are preferred. If you cannot obtain an electronic transcript, a scanned copy, including the envelope, may be emailed in place of the electronic submission. Transcripts should be sent as a separate document from all tuition reimbursement forms.

Reminder:

Tuition reimbursement requests, to include:

• An official transcript,
• The Partial Reimbursement Request form which aligns with your union, and
• An itemized receipt indicating payment method(s) and amount(s).

Documentation must be submitted via one of the above methods within 90 days of the course completion date. Please do not send incomplete requests; all documentation should be submitted collectively when possible (except for official transcripts when emailed directly from the college/university/transcript service).

Tuition Reimbursement Questions: benefits@hcps.org

Certification Questions: certification@hcps.org

Presented by KEPRO Employee Assistance Program

The September KEPRO EAP communication resources are here! This online webinar will help you with discovering the key to being more present and actively taking the time to digitally disconnect to spend quality time with those around you. Click here for more tips on how to do better at being present.

Date: Available on demand beginning September 21, 2021

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.

Call KEPRO toll free at (866) 795-5701 to visit their website online at www.EAPhelplink.com.

Improving your health just got easier! Harford County Public Schools has partnered with CareFirst to bring a new wellness program to all HCPS employees that puts the power of health in your hands. Access the program’s tools, resources, and personalized recommendations whenever and wherever you want – all tailored to help you live your healthiest life. Available through the program: RealAge Test, Personalized Timeline, Trackers, Challenges, Health Profile and Health Coaching, Weight Management Programs, and Financial Well-being.

This program is available to all employees regardless of enrollment in the medical plan. Be sure to look for upcoming challenges, programs, and events promoted in future HCPS 411 Update newsletters.

Click here to get started!

BurnAlong is right by your side with a ton of great programming to keep you healthy, well, and fit. First off, a brand new BurnAlong partner, LivFitCo, is now offering upbeat cycling, HIIT, Barre, and breathing practice classes on the platform. Check them out!

As a reminder, BurnAlong is our health and wellness partner who provides you and your family with access to 1,000’s of online classes from 1,000+ local instructors at no cost to you. To activate your complementary 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.

CLICK HERE to watch this quick two-minute video to help get started with your online member portal.

Through the Maryland State Retirement Agency and the Community College of Baltimore County, Harford County Public Schools announces a pre-retirement webinar for HCPS employees and their spouses. This webinar provides vital retirement information to all members who are within eight (8) years of retirement, whether it is normal service or early retirement. Discussion topics include:

• HCPS Retiree Benefits
• State Retirement Pension Benefits
• Legal Consideration
• Social Security Benefits
• Financial Planning

This year’s pre-retirement session will once again be held virtually on November 6, 2021. Check future HCPS 411 Update newsletters for more information, including session times, agendas, and how to register.

In partnership with MetLife, HCPS is offering employees the opportunity to participate in a webinar on College Planning. There may have been a time when you could count on savings bonds or CDs to pay for college, but today you need to know about other possible saving options; from 529 plans to Coverdell Education Savings Accounts to Uniform Gift to Minors and IRAs.

Date: Wednesday, September 15, 2021

Time: 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Click here to reserve your spot!

Register online now. Space may be limited.

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

• Bel Air High School: Saturday, September 18, 2021, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• Aberdeen High School: Thursday, September 23, 2021, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
• Youth’s Benefit Elementary School: Saturday, September 25, 2021, 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.
• Edgewood High School: Thursday, September 30, 2021, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
• North Harford High School: Thursday, October 7, 2021, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
• Bel Air High School: Saturday, October 9, 2021, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• C. Milton Wright High School, Thursday, October 14, 2021, 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Please be sure to bring your insurance card and identification with you. Flu shots will be billed to your insurance*. Be sure to watch for additional dates and times that will be announced throughout September and October.

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

+Events will be held at the school location listed per the selected link.

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

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