HCPS 411 Update

The Curriculum Star Awards Program (previously known as the Curriculum Activities Awards Program) promotes teaching excellence in education by applauding exemplary instructional performance and accomplishments that focus on student achievement. Awards will be given in the following categories: Unit Enhancement, Professional Development or Learning Communities, Innovation in the Classroom Project, or School-Wide Initiative/Community Involvement Project. All HCPS teachers, paraeducators, school counselors, librarians, media technicians, and specialists are eligible to submit entries. Winning entries will receive a monetary award at the Curriculum Star Awards Reception on April 23, 2020. The deadline for submission is March 20, 2020. For additional information, please view the accompanying video from Dr. Susan Brown, Executive Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment. To access the entry form and other documents, log in to itslearning from your Internet browser’s start page, select Courses, All courses, Find more courses, and Site course catalog. Type the word curriculum in the search field and click Search. Select the course Curriculum Star Awards 2019-2020 and enroll in the course.

HCEA-represented employees and inclusion helpers (HCESC-represented employees) who wish to be considered for a voluntary transfer must submit their request online prior to the deadline date stated in the applicable negotiated agreement. The Voluntary Transfer Request site may be accessed by clicking on the following SharePoint link: Human Resources - HR Information. Each subject and/or position requested must be submitted separately. It is important to note that the Voluntary Transfer Request site is only accessible from a HCPS device connected to the HCPS network. The Voluntary Transfer Request site is not accessible from home. Please note that only online requests completed on the Voluntary Transfer Request site will be accepted.

Transfer requests are accepted on a year-round basis. Although transfers are accepted on a year-round basis, decisions will be based on the existing vacancy/transfer timeline. To review the 2019-20 SY Employment Timeline, please click on the following SharePoint link: Staff Management Department.

All Other HCESC-Represented Employees

For all other HCESC-represented positions, applications, including transfers, MUST be done through the online application process. All positions within the unit, which offer promotional and transfer opportunities, will be posted for at least one week prior to the close of the application deadline. You MUST apply online for consideration.

Questions regarding this information should be directed to Joanna Karolenko, in Human Resources, at Joanna.Karolenko@hcps.org or x5238.

The Retirement Coordinators of Harford County Public Schools (HCPS), via the Maryland State Retirement Agency, announce a free seminar for HCPS employees. This seminar is a condensed version of our Fall Pre-Retirement Seminar.

To register, please contact the Benefits Office at (410) 588-5275, as seating is limited. The deadline for registration is Thursday, February 6.

This seminar provides vital retirement information to all members who are approaching retirement, whether it is normal service or early retirement. Discussion topics include:

• Planning for Retirement
• State Retirement Pension Benefits
• Retiree Health Care

If you are within two years of being eligible to retire, this seminar is for you! Spouses may attend this seminar with you if space is available. Registration is open to all HCPS employees who have not attended this seminar in the last four years.

Date: February 10, 2020

Location: Bel Air High School Auditorium

Time: 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Click the image below to access this month's full issue of the Top Health wellness newsletter from CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield.

The Special Education Department, as part of an effort to inform school leaders and faculty, will be highlighting each week one or more of the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Division of Early Intervention and Special Education Services (DEI-SES) Technical Assistance Bulletins.

This week's information includes several resources on Transition.

For toddlers transitioning to IEP services:

• Effective Transition Practices: Supporting Family Choice At Age 3
• Appendix A: Transition at Beginning of School Year Following 4th Birthday
• Appendix B: Transition After Age 3 flowchart
• Appendix C: Transition By Age 3 flowchart

For students turning 14 years of age or older:

• Secondary Transition: Legal Policy, Implementation, Tools – November 2018

In addition, guidance is shared on Child Outcome Summary (COS).

A full list of available DEI-SES Technical Assistance Bulletins are available on the MSDE website, accessible here.

Questions regarding this should be directed to any of the Coordinators for Special Education, at x5246.

Cosmetology students from Harford Technical High School partnered with the United Way of Maryland to support the annual Homeless Connect Event. On January 23, students in grades 10-12 provided shampoo, hair cutting, and styling services during the event. Clients of the United Way of Maryland met centrally at Harford Community College and were shuttled over to the Harford Technical High School Cosmetology Clinic to receive their services. This was an in-school service opportunity for students that made good use of the thirty-eight station studio at Harford Technical High School.

“We are training students in a valuable skill so that they may provide a service to support themselves after graduation. We hold them to a high standard of customer service and technical proficiency because even though they are young, they are very capable,” said Ms. Carole Golley, cosmetology teacher at Harford Tech.

“We are very proud of the Cosmetology Program at Harford Tech, and the student’s willingness to warmly welcome the clients of the United Way of Maryland made all the preparation worth it. It’s one thing to teach a class in hospitality and another to watch students serving in a professional manner,” said Mrs. Lindsay Avila, cosmetology teacher at Harford Tech.

The students and staff of Harford Tech were joined by Ms. Marni Kaye of Jordan Thomas Salon and Spa in Bel Air to assist students with answering technical questions and supervision for the day.

Please help us welcome the following new employees to our HCPS family:

• Charla Moore, Grade 2 Teacher, William Paca/Old Post Road Elementary School
• Keelin Eder, Special Education Teacher, John Archer School
• Chelsey Eggleston, Mathematics Teacher, Magnolia Middle School
• Simone Thorne, Inclusion Helper, Edgewood Elementary School
• Elizabeth Slemaker, Paraeducator, Darlington Elementary 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