HCPS 411 Update

In addition to sharing weekly COVID-19 data with our community on the HCPStogether webpage, the COVID-19 data dashboard has been added to the homepage of hcps.org for easier access! We will continue to utilize the dashboard to post the number of students and staff members in isolation/quarantine and who have tested positive for COVID-19. Data will be updated each Friday evening.

HCEA and HCPS have reached an agreement on the observation and evaluation process for the 2020-2021 school year. Each school’s leadership team will share details and a narrated PowerPoint outling the process will be released in next week’s HCPS 411 Update.

As a reminder, you have the ability to sign up for email delivery of your pay stub (it will still be available under My Pay Stubs in Employee Self Service). Email delivery allows you to receive a copy of your pay stub from any computer by logging into the email(s) you choose.

Here are the steps to enable this option:

• Sign into Employee Self Service (ESS). See the link below if you need instructions for signing into ESS.
• Select Bookmarks
• Select Employee Self Service
• Select Electronic Documents
• Select Pay Stubs under My Delivery Settings
• Check Yes for Web Delivery
• Enter a personal email address, if desired, and enter a password. This password does not expire so do not use your network password.
• Click on Submit

To access ESS, you must be logged onto an HCPS computer. If you need information on logging into ESS, click on the following link: DSS and ESS Instructions.

For questions regarding this information, please contact Mary Folus at Mary.Folus@hcps.org or 410-588-5241.

Please verify the address shown on your 10/16/2020 pay stub is your current address. If the address is incorrect, log into Employee Self Service (ESS) and update your address (click on Life Events and then Move). To access ESS, you must be logged onto an HCPS computer/HCPS network. 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.

If you plan on separating/retiring and will be moving prior to Friday, January 15, 2021, please complete the Change of Address Form and email it to Leah Hebert (Leah.Hebert@hcps.org) so your 2020 W2 will reflect your current address and reach you timely.

For questions regarding this information, please contact Leah Hebert at Leah.Hebert or 410-588-5225 or Mary Folus at Mary.Folus@hcps.org or 410-588-5241.

Most parents, at some point, have struggled with their child’s bedtime routine, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Good early childhood sleep routines are associated with several positive developmental outcomes and can increase oral language development, supporting our little ones’ healthy minds and bodies.

Join the HCPS Early Childhood Office online for a live Parent Academy Real Talk on Tuesday, November 10, at 5:00 p.m. and receive a FREE “Bedtime in a Box” (includes age-appropriate books, bath wash, a towel, bath toys, a toothbrush and toothpaste, pajamas, a stuffed animal, an alarm clock, a Teach My Learning Kit, and a kid-friendly routine log). Registration is required for the Bedtime in a Box gift; click here to register now.

The Bedtime in a Box gift is fully funded through a grant from the Maryland State Department of Education.

The link to the join the event will be emailed to those registered and posted on the HCPS Parent Academy Facebook page.

“A better tomorrow begins tonight.”

Click here for a link on SharePoint to a flier from Lincoln Financial about how to build a financial wellness strategy. Your financial wellness is important for your overall health! Take a minute to check it out.

Maryland School Psychologists’ Association (MSPA), in accordance with the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), has designated November 9-13, 2020, as National School Psychology Week. Every day, in all of Harford County Public Schools, our school psychologists work diligently to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments that allow all students to thrive. This year’s National School Psychology Week theme – "Power of Possibility" – relates to how school psychologists and HCPS staff can empower children to make small, positive efforts to achieve goals, grow academically, build understanding, and create compassion. Throughout National School Psychology Week, many schools in Maryland and across the country will be taking part in student-centered activities designed to highlight how school psychologists, teachers, and other school personnel can help students to look for the Power of Possibility. School psychologists will be connecting with students and staff to emphasize how focusing on possibilities can help lead individuals to their goals, interests, and talents, resulting in positive growth.

Focusing on the Power of Possibility is especially important given the current hardships our students, schools, families, and communities are facing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. By helping and encouraging students to focus on what they can do to create positive change, rather than concentrating on barriers, students are learning to build resiliency and become better able to confront challenges with hope and positivity. Emphasizing students’ strengths and their power to bring about positive change, both for themselves and others, will help them grow and contribute to the quality of their schools and communities.

Our school psychologists are fully committed to working with you and the rest of your school’s staff to continue to energize and empower our students on a daily basis. As with all school-based professionals, we are most effective in our work through collaboration with other school staff, families, and members of the community. We hope that your school will join others across the state and country in recognizing November 9-13, 2020 as National School Psychology Week. We encourage you to take some time during the week to acknowledge our school psychologists and recognize their invaluable role in helping all children to be successful in school, at home, and in life.

For more information, please read the November edition of the Get Psyched newsletter - https://www.smore.com/up4cs.

With principal approval the ParaPro Assessment will be available to all HCPS employees seeking to meet the highly qualified requirements of paraeducator positions in Harford County, which permits an individual to work with students in the classrooms under the direction of the teacher.

The test measures skills and knowledge in reading, math, and writing as well as the ability to apply those skills and knowledge to assist in classroom instruction. Test administration is scheduled for November 2, 2020. The test will be from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and a second opportunity from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at C. Milton Wright High School located at 1301 North Fountain Green Road, Bel Air, MD 21015. Please sign-up and pay for the assessment on HECTOR.

Additional information related to the test, procedures for reimbursement, test prep/review and the MD passing score requirements are also available on the HR site here.

Questions regarding this information should be directed to Pauline Timmons, in Special Education, at Pauline.Timmons@hcps.org or x5246.

Walden University

Walden is celebrating the hardworking educators and staff this fall through their Halloween-themed campaign. Enter to win a $150 Grubhub gift card. Please see their flier for more infromation.

Learn more at: WaldenU.edu/harford.

University of Phoenix

Attention creative people, University of Phoenix would like to see how you celebrate Halloween in your classroom or virtual classroom. Please email Nicole Berkebile a picture if you would like to have it featured in their next Educator Insights edition.

University of Phoenix wants to help professional educators stay at the head of the class with courses that are innovative, relevant, and convenient. Receive 10% off tuition by contacting Nicole.berkebile@phoenix.edu or 480-290-4328.

Teachers, start your Master of Arts in Education this November and lock in the discounted tuition rate. Students take one course at a time. Begin the first online course this November and you will have a head start to your 2021 goals.

MAEd/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. Waive up to 12 credits if you have an academic endorsement or graduate credits that align to course(s) in the program.

35 credits (or less if you have an endorsement)
$486 per credit with tuition discount
17 months in length (or less if you have an endorsement)
Now enrolling for November 17
A MAEd/CI can prepare you to be a:

• Curriculum and assessment director
• Curriculum and instruction director
• Curriculum director
• Program administrator
• School standards coach
• Instructional designer
• Senior instructional designer

MAEd/Administration and Supervision
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.

38 credits
$486 per credit with tuition discount
19 months in length
Now enrolling for November 10
A MAEd/ADM can prepare you to be a:

• Principal
• Assistant principal
• Athletic director
• School administrator

View online schedule: Continuing Education for Teachers

During this time of uncertainty, it is more important than ever that educators take care of themselves so they can effectively support and nurture the growth of our students. This interactive webinar will provide relevant strategies to support mindful behaviors for educators and students. The webinar will feature Heather Kutcher, HCPS Supervisor of Teacher Preparation & Professional Development; Mary Kayhoe, HCPS Teacher - Specialist, Early Childhood, Special Education; and Erin Leach, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Registered Children's Yoga Teacher. Learning Forward Maryland will provide participants with all of the valuable resources included in the $25 ticket price at the conclusion of the webinar.

Date and Time:

Saturday, November 14, 2020

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Location:

Online Event

To puchase tickets, please click here.

The Countywide Cultural Proficiency PD window closes tomorrow, October 30, 2020, for all instructional staff. Directions for how to access the Equity and Cultural Proficiency professional learning course titled Countywide Cultural Proficiency PD in itslearning are provided here. Your school building administration team will provide a specific date for completing the synchronous Part 2 small and whole group discussions. Be sure to complete Part 1 before Part 2. If you have any questions, please reach out to Dr. Paula Stanton at Paula.Stanton@hcps.org.

If you were not able to attend the October 3 HCPS pre-retirement webinar, the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System, through the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC), is holding webinars for members who are within eight (8) years of retirement.

These webinars will cover the following topics:

• The Maryland State Retirement and Pension System,
• Legal Issues,
• Social Security and Benefits, and
• Financial Planning.

Webinars are scheduled for:

Thursday, November 12, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Saturday, November 21, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Thursday, December 17, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

To register:

1. Visit the website http://www.ccbcmd.edu/ceed-preretirement-county

2. Under the headline, How to Register, click the Register Online link.

3. Click the Select button next to the course titled "Pre-Retirement Webinar," towards the bottom of the screen.

4. Scroll back to the top of the screen to click on the button, Register for Selected Courses.

5. If you are not already logged in, you will be redirected to the login page.

a. If you have previously attended a Pre-Retirement Seminar or other class at CCBC, log in using your current username and password. Not sure what your username and password are? You can call CCBC at (443) 840-5059.

b. If this is your first Pre-Retirement Seminar, choose "New Account" on the right-hand side of the screen. Fill out your information (anything in red is required information) and choose Submit.

6. After you have registered for your seminar, choose "Finalize Selection" and print your confirmation. You should receive an email confirmation of your registration within three (3) business days.

As the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System, through CCBC, schedules more webinar dates, those dates will also be posted in the weekly HCPS 411 Update for interested individuals. If you are unable to attend an event but are interested in learning more, a shorter presentation about the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System is available on the Maryland State Retirement Agency website.

If you have any questions, please contact Elizabeth Miller, Coordinator of Benefits, at Elizabeth.Miller@hcps.org.

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.

"I would like to recognize the custodial staff at Forest Hill Elementary School. Paul Santiago, Gary Zeigler and Mike Sunderhaus. They go above and beyond for the students and staff to keep our building functional, safe, and clean. Their hard work has not gone unnoticed. We are lucky to have them as part of our Forest Hill family."

-Staff of Forest Hill Elementary

"A well-deserved Shout Out to lead secretary, Jackie Frye. Jackie is an asset to our school. She is always ready to help, and always with a smile. Thank you Jackie!"

-Cara VanTrigt, Kindergarten Teacher, Ring Factory 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