HCPS 411 Update

Due to the HCPS high school graduation schedule this week, the May Monthly Minute will be held tomorrow, Friday, May 28, at 12:15 p.m. Please join Dr. Bulson and your colleagues to hear systemwide updates and information from Dr. Bulson.

If you are not available to participate in the Monthly Minute, that's okay! To ensure that all employees have the opportunity to hear what Dr. Bulson shares during these system check-ins, we will record the event and share it in next week's HCPS 411 Update.

Monthly Minutes will continue to take place on the last Thursday of each month at 12:15 p.m. via a Microsoft Teams LIVE event. Watch for the link to join in the HCPS 411 Update the week before the event.

To join the event tomorrow at 12:15 p.m., click here.

What do I need to do now that open enrollment is over?

• Changes elected during Open Enrollment will be effective July 1, 2021.
  a. New deductions for 11- and 12-month employees will begin on the July 9 pay.
  b. New deductions for 10-month employees will start on the September 3 pay.
• If changes to your medical plan were elected, your new ID card(s) will arrive at member homes in late June.
• If you added new dependents to your health or dental coverage, you will need to submit the Dependent Verification Form and required documentation to the Benefits Office by June 15, 2021.
• Effective immediately, changes to your coverage options can only be made within 30-days of a qualifying life event. For more information, please review the 2021 – 2022 Benefit Reference Guide available at www.hcps.org.

Questions? Contact the Benefits Office by email at benefits@hcps.org.

In the customer service world, we strive to make things work for each person who reaches out to us, to meet their need with a “Yes.” However, there are times when the answer we need to give is, “No.” Lori Hatfield and Rebecca Spencer have created a helpful graphic to assist in framing that “No” response. The attached graphic proposes a Sandwich Approach. Perhaps you would find it helpful to save this graphic to a place next to your phone or computer to keep the helpful phrases available for your reference.

For a printer-friendly version of the referenced graphic, please click here.

This summer, the Academic Tutoring Program will run from July 6 through August 5. Tutors will provide students with instructional support and remediation. Tutors are needed in the areas of reading and mathematics for students in grades K through 9. Teachers and paraeducators in any content area may serve as tutors and will be able to identify 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.

Orientation for summer tutors will be held in early June. Parents/guardians will complete an online form to express interest in tutoring for their child. Tutors will receive their list of students by June 21. If you are interested in serving as a tutor, please complete this survey.

For any questions, please contact Academic.Tutoring@hcps.org.

HCPS will hold a one-day Teacher Leadership Conference on Thursday, June 17, 2021, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This virtual conference will include morning sessions on key HCPS initiatives including North Star, social-emotional learning strategies, equity and inclusivity, and digital teaching and learning. Participants will select from a wide range of afternoon choice workshops led by teacher leaders on promising teaching and learning practices implemented this over the past school year.

Eligible participants will be compensated at the negotiated rate for their attendance and can register for the event via Hector at Teacher Leadership Conference June 2021. Registration will remain open until June 10, 2021.

This conference is open to all HCPS administrators, teachers, and educational support professionals.

Questions about this information can be directed to HCPSProfessionalLearning@hcps.org.

Harford County Public Schools recently received PPE donations from Home Depot and Target. Below are the items being offered to all schools and offices for free on a first come, first served basis. You may place your orders for these “no cost” items through the RQC. The courier will deliver your items during their normal schedule.

Please direct any questions to James Waters, Distribution Center Manager, at James.Waters@hcps.org.

*For a printer-friendly version of this chart, please click here.

The HCPS Parent Academy Real Talk show is excited to continue our monthly series, Getting to Know our Board Members. Board Members Dr. David Bauer and Dr. Carol Mueller sit down with Parent Academy's Mary Beth Stapleton to share their story - a little bit of their background and ties to the community, why they sought a position on the Board of Education, and what serving the students of Harford County means to them.

As part of HCPS’ Wellness Recovery efforts, the Office of Student Support Services will be providing a short video each week with some tips, reminders, and things to think about as students and staff return to in-person learning. We hope these videos provide some thoughtful guidance to your work with students and your own personal reflection on wellness throughout the remainder of this school year.

Meal Plan Like a Pro: Mason Jar Salads

Friday, June 4, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

This seminar gives participants tips on eating healthy even with a busy life, a healthy meal plan schedule, and time-saving tips in the kitchen. Stay on to join CareFirst for the Mason Jar cooking demo! Sure, they're good for canning and drinking out of, but did you know they're also a great way to hold lunch for work! Learn how to layer a salad with all kinds of healthy ingredients using a Mason jar without ending up with a neglected, wilted salad. To participate in the above session(s), click on the topic title listed above at the scheduled date and time. The Meeting ID: 996 2056 1665 and Passcode: 7Ak2rt.

Superfoods Overview: Overnight Oats

Thursday, June 10, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.

Have you ever wondered what makes a food a SUPERfood? This presentation will answer all of your questions and bust common myths on superfoods and offer a cooking demo for quick Overnight Oats. The only ingredients needed are oats, dairy (or dairy alternative), a little patience, and a lot of love to make a breakfast of champions. No cooking necessary, refrigeration required, deliciousness guaranteed. To participate in the above session(s), click on the topic title listed above at the scheduled date and time. The Meeting ID: 917 5790 2804 and Passcode: ELYm1r.

With the constant pressure to work harder, stay at work longer, and take on more workload, employees are increasingly on the brink of burnout. This series, available to all interested employees, was designed to teach participants how to create a balance between work and the rest of their life. The last session date and time is listed below:

Guided Meditations

Friday, May 28, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

To participate in the session, click on the title listed above at the scheduled date and time. The Meeting ID: 996 0444 3697 and Passcode: 20uwjF.

The Community College of Baltimore County is offering members of the Maryland State Pension System the opportunity to attend virtual pre-retirement planning seminars. Topics include:

• Maryland State Pension System
• Legal Issues to Consider in Retirement
• Social Security Benefits
• Financial Planning

Sessions will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the following dates:

• June 3 (CRN 38616)
• June 22 (CRN 38619)

To register for one of the sessions, click here and follow the on-screen prompts. If you experience issues with registering online, call 443-840-5059.

Please note these sessions are not hosted through HCPS, and therefore, will not include information about our benefit plans. That session will be held will be in Fall 2021. More information will be shared in the HCPS 411 Update newsletter at a future date.

The FY22 Payroll Calendar is available on SharePoint and can be accessed by clicking here.

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

"I would like to recognize Joyce Jablecki of the Office of Communications and Family Outreach. Each time I need to submit a payroll sheet for PACE meetings, I manage to make a mistake. Joyce so kindly helps me fix up the mix up and offers a friendly greeting. She is always so helpful, thoughtful and patient! Thank you Joyce!"

-Kate Burke, paraeducator and PACE Liaison, Fountain Green Elementary School

"Shout Out to Denise Lamphere, Kim Debelius, Dee Kipp, Liz McCartney, Yvonne Evans, Barb Wieczynski, Ashley Bowley, and Darlene Amos from Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment who assisted us with cutting Lacrosse tickets (after Lucy Brandt laminated them all!) so the tickets were available at the start of the season!"

-Debbie Basler, Supervisor of Physical Education and Health - High Schools

"Thank you Jackie Tarbert and Lori Gohlinghorst for your support of HCPS National Board candidates through changes at the national level and MSDE with registration and payment! We appreciate your time and advocacy ensuring candidate accounts reflect correctly as they begin the upload process."

-Dr. Jennifer Palmer, Crystal Rufenacht, Caitlin Sieracki and Kathleen Thompson

"Thank you Cindy Lippencott for all the feedback and support you have provided to HCPS National Board candidates this year! We appreciate your time and expertise helping other educators achieve certification."

-Dr. Jennifer Palmer, Crystal Rufenacht, Caitlin Sieracki and Kathleen Thompson

Please help us give a warm welcome to the newest member of our HCPS family:

• Dr. Roclande White, Grants Specialist, Communications and Family Outreach

Please note that the last regularly-scheduled issue of the HCPS 411 Update newsletter for this school year will be WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 2021.

The newsletter will resume publication weekly on Thursdays with the start of the new school year.

Important information for staff will be shared over the summer via Special Announcement newsletters.

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