HCPS 411 Update

This week we are celebrating our phenomenal HCPS teachers who work tirelessly on behalf of our students and serve incredibly important roles in the lives of so many. Teachers, your unwavering focus on improving the experiences, outcomes, and opportunities for our students is awe-inspiring. Thank you for the love and dedication you demonstrate for our students, our schools, and our community. As a school system, we are grateful for all that you do, day in and day out. Your impact, though it may not always be seen or known, is truly profound.

You are cordially invited to join us for the 2022 Harford County Public Schools Service Recognition Program LIVE Event!

We look forward to honoring employees reaching 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 year anniversary milestones with Harford County Public Schools! This event is sponsored through the generosity of Freedom Federal Credit Union. All 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 year honorees will be receiving a $20 DoorDash gift card. This will provide our honorees the opportunity to purchase a meal from within the community to enjoy during the virtual celebration. Also, Freedom Federal Credit Union will be giving away five ($100) Amazon gift cards to 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 year honorees in attendance via random drawings throughout the evening (individuals must be logged in and present in the virtual event to be eligible for the drawing).

Tuesday, May 10, 2022

“Doors open” for musical selections from the Havre de Grace Jazz Band 5:40 – 6:00 p.m.

LIVE Virtual Program will begin at 6:00 p.m.

Click here for the LIVE event link!

If you do not currently use Microsoft Teams, we encourage you to take some time before the event to ensure you’re able to join us! If you have set up Microsoft Teams and follow the link prior to the event, you should see a black screen that says “The live event hasn’t started.” Attendees should be able to watch the event in Teams-desktop (Windows or Mac), web, or mobile. If you don’t have Teams, you should be able to use a browser (Chrome, Firefox, or Edge).

While we hope you don’t experience any technical difficulties, we will record the event and share it for viewing after the evening festivities.

Welcome to the month of May! May we invite you to click below to get to know Melissa Stout, Community Schools Specialist at Hall’s Cross Roads Elementary School? See if you can find the ways Melissa has shown and experienced high quality customer service. How might you steal one for your own practice?

Be on the lookout for next month’s Good to Great moment during the first week of June!

The Office of Safety and Security is excited to announce the growth of its HCPS Security Team for the 2022-23 school year. The office is looking to fill 22 additional security positions, which include 20 additional School Safety Liaisons and two (2) School Safety Liaison Regional Managers. If you know someone who is interested in working to support a safe and secure school climate, as well as working with students, teachers, administrators, and parents, then please spread the word!

The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future legislation contains requirements for school districts to provide more support to students who need it the most. The Blueprint Student Supports subcommittee is tasked with aligning the Blueprint requirements with HCPS initiatives and meeting the required milestones. This effort is chaired by Buck Hennigan, Executive Director of Student Support Services, and Bari Klein, the Executive Director of Healthy Harford, and will be facilitated by the new Director of Health and Wellness.

Check out these Blueprint Student Supports resources:

• A one-page printable overview of Blueprint Student Supports at HCPS
  
• How to subscribe to the Blueprint Student Supports SharePoint folder for instant updates on committee agendas, minutes, and presentations.
• A short video (2 minutes) introducing the Blueprint Student Supports Sub-committee (click below)

The Maryland State Department of Education has provided additional guidance about the definition of “teacher” for the purpose of receiving the National Board Certification (NBC) Salary Increase for the upcoming school year. As you are aware, NBC Teachers will receive a $10,000 salary increase beginning next school year, and NBC Teachers in Blueprint designated low performing schools will receive an additional $7,000.

Based on the new guidance, the following teachers are eligible for the salary increase as prescribed in the legislation known as the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future (Blueprint) and based on the MSDE guidance: classroom teachers, co-teachers (including special education, gifted and talented, reading specialist, and ESOL), elementary media specialists, and teacher specialists instructing students more than 60% of the day. “Teacher” does not include curriculum specialists, instructional aides, attendance personnel, psychologists, social workers, clerical personnel, secondary media specialists, and school counselors.

HCPS is tasked with forming a career ladder under the Blueprint by July 1, 2024, that will further define incentives and pathways for teachers and other professionals in the county.

Questions regarding information related to NBCT should be directed to Aretha Young, in Human Resources, at Aretha.Young@hcps.org or 410-588-5258.

IMPORTANT NOTICES:

• May 9, 2022 – May 23, 2022
• The rate for Basic Life Insurance will increase from $0.174/$1,000 to $0.236/$1,000 (the Board pays 90% of the premium for eligible employees’ basic life insurance coverage).
• There are no premium changes for medical, dental, or supplemental and dependent life insurance.
• There are no changes to the designs of the medical, dental, or life insurance plans.

Unless you login to your account and actively select and submit a change, your current health, dental, and life elections will carry over to the 2022 - 2023 benefit plan year. If you currently carry the flexible spending benefit and want to do so again for the following benefit plan year, you will need to complete an active enrollment through your account at hcps.benelogic.com before 11:59 p.m. on Monday, May 23.

This year, employees will have the opportunity to participate in a virtual open enrollment informational session with representatives from CareFirst, Delta Dental, Flexible Benefit Administrators, MetLife, and KEPRO. These sessions can be accessed by clicking the links below at the specified time and dates:

• Tuesday, May 10, at 4:30 p.m.: Click here to participate on the date and time of the event
• Wednesday, May 18, at 4:30 p.m.: Click here to participate on the date and time of the event

The 2022 - 2023 Benefit Reference Guide is now available on the HCPS website at https://www.hcps.org. Please take the time to review the guide now to be ready to make changes to your elections at hcps.benelogic.com, beginning on Monday, May 9.

To log into your account through Benelogic:

1. Using a computer with the internet, visit hcps.benelogic.com.
2. Enter your User ID, which is your HCPS 5-digit Employee ID number.
3. Enter your password. If you do not know your password, click on the “Forgot User ID/Password” link for further assistance.
4. Click the orange “Sign In” button.
5. Click on the large green “GO” arrow to start your enrollment.
6. Once you have reached the end, click the Submit button to finalize your enrollment.
7. Print a copy of the Enrollment Summary for your records.

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

The open enrollment period for the Harford County Education Association (HCEA) Certificated Unit Sick Leave Bank (SLB) will be from May 1–31. Certificated employees represented by the HCEA who wish to enroll in the Sick Leave Bank or those who wish to cancel their membership in the Sick Leave Bank may access the linked Enrollment/Cancellation form. Please see the form for specific details and timelines regarding the application/cancellation process. Note: Current members will be AUTOMATICALLY RENEWED.

The open enrollment period for the Harford County Education Association (HCEA) Non-Certificated Instructional Support Personnel Sick Leave Bank (SLB) will be from May 1–31. Non-certificated employees represented by the HCEA who wish to enroll in the Sick Leave Bank or those who wish to cancel their membership in the Sick Leave Bank may access the linked Enrollment/Cancellation form. Please see the form for specific details and timelines regarding the application/cancellation process. Note: Current members will be AUTOMATICALLY RENEWED.

Questions regarding the SLB should be directed to HCEA at 410-838-0800 or HarfordSLB@mseanea.org.

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.

Any questions regarding certification must still be directed to the HCPS Certification Department:

• Chris Lambert at Christine.Lambert@hcps.org
• Aretha Young at Aretha.Young@hcps.org

Harford County Public Schools is excited to offer a variety of paid and/or credit bearing opportunities to professionals including administrators, counselors, education support professionals, related service providers, social workers, psychologists, and teachers throughout the Summer of 2022.

These opportunities include essential work such as curriculum writing, academic tutoring, and summer programs teaching, as well as focused coursework and training. All opportunities are designed to promote professional growth, innovation, and leadership. The catalogue Summer 2022 Professional Opportunities.pdf provides guidelines and information regarding the various opportunities as well as time commitments, structures, and goals. Employees are welcome to express interest in one or more of the summer opportunities.

General questions may be sent to hcpsProfessionalLearning@hcps.org.

This week, make time for yourself. This is YOUR week. Click here to find out some self-care tips that can help you recharge.

Your EAP is Here to Help

The importance of addressing emotional wellness has never been so great. Mental health is a critical part of overall health. Everyone faces challenges in life that can impact their personal well-being. Don’t wait if you are finding yourself struggling. Commit to prioritizing yourself this month. Contact KEPRO Employee Assistance Program (EAP) today for help with the following and more.

24/7 Support – The EAP is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, to help you connect with a counselor either in-person or virtually to discuss your concerns. Household members and dependent children are also eligible for counseling. EAP counseling is solution-focused to bring measurable improvement to your situation.

Grief and Loss Support – The past few years have been complicated when dealing with grief and loss. Even if you have not lost someone from the pandemic, many are mourning the loss of a pre-pandemic lifestyle and events that could not take place. KEPRO can help you work through emotions that may be causing you distress.

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Confidential Support – Confidentiality is the cornerstone of your EAP. What is shared in your sessions is protected information, with some exceptions around safety, which your counselor will review.

Anxiety and Depression Assistance – How do you know if you are experiencing anxiety or depression, and when is it time to get professional help? Perhaps you are finding yourself turning to drugs or alcohol to help you cope. Not sure where to begin to get a handle on things? The first step is reaching out to the EAP for guidance. We can help point you in the right direction.

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Daily Living Support – The stress associated with daily life can be overwhelming at times. KEPRO is here to alleviate your burdens when getting items checked off your list. Contact KEPRO, and they can conduct searches for resources and get this off your plate, whether you’re looking for a new gym, dog walker, realtor, moving company, party planner, or house cleaner.

Legal Support – Almost half of the employees who take unscheduled time off work do so to deal with legal-related problems, while 70% of the population doesn’t obtain help due to the cost. Through KEPRO, you have access to a free 30-minute legal consultation with an attorney who has expertise in your matter, with a 25% reduction in their hourly rate should you choose to retain the attorney.

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Financial Support – Financial struggles are rated as one of the most significant sources of stress for individuals. Let one of our financial advisors assess your specific concerns and help you determine the most appropriate way to manage your financial situation. Take advantage of this free service and put a plan in place today.

Resources at Your Fingertips – Whether you are looking for information about wills, daycare options for your child, or seeking more information about depression, anxiety, or living a healthier lifestyle. Your EAP Website has many resources available for you and your loved ones. KEPRO EAP also offers webinars and training on timely topics to help you manage the work/life challenges we face. Log on and check out what is available.

Student Support Services is again sponsoring a mental health awareness art contest. This year the theme is, I am a Mental Wellness Warrior. Students are encouraged to submit original art work depicting how they are mental health warriors.

Each year, millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness. While 1 in 5 people will experience a mental illness during their lifetime, everyone faces challenges in life that can impact their mental health. Over the past several years, our country has seen an increase in behavioral health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and substance misuse. The stigma which often times surrounds behavioral health, keeps many people from seeking the help they need, when they need it most. In fact, most people living with behavioral health challenges say the stigma they face causes shame and self-doubt, isolation, increased substance use, and loss of hope in the ability to recover (NAMI, 2016). The Harford County Local Behavioral Health Authority are passionate about paving the way to confront behavioral health stigma head-on.

Now, it is more important than ever before to raise awareness about mental health. Through the development of partnerships and collaboration between public and private sector businesses and agencies, we strive to make Harford County a stigma-free community.

How can you learn more?

• Visit the Office on Mental Health/Core Service Agency of Harford County at: www.harfordmentalhealth.org

We all play an important role in destigmatizing mental health. Please help us raise awareness and thank you for your support in this effort.

Join us as we continue to shine the light on how HCPS celebrates Diversity throughout the year. 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:

Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage

Jewish 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 Friday, May 27.

This month’s submissions will be shared in the June 2nd edition of the HCPS 411 Update.

Spring has sprung! North Harford High School Agriculture and FFA programs invite all HCPS staff to our annual plant sale on Friday, May 6, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the early dismissal day. This will give HCPS staff members the first opportunity to shop the greenhouse before the community sale on Saturday, May 7, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. If shopping on Friday, please show your HCPS ID for entry.

School Lunch Hero Day, on Friday, May 6, 2022, is our opportunity to thank all of our Food and Nutrition workers who prepare and serve nutritious meals for our students and staff. This year's theme is "Be the Good/Believe There is Good in the World." On this date, and every day, we invite you to join us in thanking and recognizing our coworkers for their efforts in our school cafeterias. Thank you for everything that you do!

For more information on School Lunch Hero Day, click here!

Mark your calendar: Wednesday, May 11, 2022, is National School Nurse Day! We celebrate all school nurses in the United States who make a difference in the lives of children every day, but especially those who work in our schools. Thank you to each of the knowledgeable, dedicated, and compassionate nurses in our schools who take such great care of our students and staff every day. We appreciate all that you do! We know that healthy children learn better, and you make it happen! Take time to show your gratitude for our amazing school nurses next week.

School Nurses: Bridging Healthcare and Education.

The Teacher Tour, presented by the 2021 Teacher of the Year finalists, known as 5xStronger, recognizes and celebrates some of the fantastic and extraordinary teachers in our schools. Each month, nominations are accepted for teachers who are doing an outstanding job in a specific area. One winning teacher will be selected each month, but every nominee will be recognized in the HCPS 411 Update. The winning teacher will receive a surprise visit from the 5xStonger team and a special gift from one of our community partners.

For their fourth stop, 5xStronger recognized Erin Grad, of Bel Air Middle School! "A good education can change anyone. A good teacher can change everything.” -Unknown The importance of building positive and trusting relationships with students cannot be overstated. No matter the learning environment, the relationship between students and their teachers is critical. These positive relationships lead to improved academic results, motivate students, and boost positive behaviors.

Click here for more information and to see all April nominees!

A big, heartfelt thank you to our program sponsor, APGFCU, for their donations to our program!

“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” -Benjamin Franklin

Engaged students are interested in the content, involved in the lesson, and invested in their learning. Engaging classrooms often have students that are excited, curious, and committed to learning. These classrooms can be identified by a positive and energetic environment, resulting in a deeper understanding and a higher level of retention. Do you know a teacher who is a master at engaging students in their content? Tell us about some of the amazing things they do to engage their students. They could be the next stop on our Teacher Tour!

Please use this link to nominate an outstanding teacher on or before May 15, 2022. They may be the next stop on our teacher tour!

We are THRILLED and so incredibly PROUD to share that Ms. A. Blaine Hawley, principal of Red Pump Elementary School, has been named this year's National Distinguished Principal by the Maryland Association of Elementary School Principals (MAESP)!!

Congratulations, Ms. Hawley! This honor is well deserved!

The National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) is proud to sponsor the annual National Distinguished Principals (NDP) program. The NDP program is designed to recognize the outstanding leadership of active principals. The program honors principals who have exhibited extraordinary leadership, commitment to their students and staff, service to their communities, and contributions to the overall profession, including their professional associations.

Congratulations to Ms. Alisa Janiski, Gifted and Talented teacher, for having been selected as one of only 50 inspiring teachers from across the nation to be guests of honor for a celebration of America’s education heroes at Walt Disney Resort later this month! Ms. Janiski is the only teacher selected from Maryland. Way to go, Ms. Janiski, you will surely make HCPS and Maryland proud!

When they arrive at Walt Disney World Resort, the 50 elementary, middle, and high school teachers will be treated to special entertainment experiences in the parks; a celebratory parade at Magic Kingdom Park; and inspiring sessions led by Disney leaders, Disney Imagineers, and a Broadway performer.

The 50 teachers, who come from 32 different states, were selected from more than 5,800 written applications that centered on the creativity and imagination they each demonstrate in their classrooms on a regular basis. Many of the selected teachers incorporate various types of classroom transformations into their curriculum, creating vibrant and imaginative worlds that spark the minds of students. And all of them have positively impacted the lives of their students and, in some cases, changed the trajectory of their futures. To read more, visit https://wdwnews.com/releases/50-teachers-chosen-for-disney-imagination-campus-celebration-at-walt-disney-world-resort/.

We wish you a magical time at Disney, Ms. Janiski!

UMBC – Professional Development Opportunities in ESOL

UMBC invites educators in our district to two free online sessions about how to level up their skills in English language teaching. Administrators, paraeducators, and teachers of all subject areas are welcome to attend.

UMBC will discuss professional development opportunities at the postbaccalaureate certificate and master's levels. This session is for anyone who wants to take their knowledge of working with learners of English to the next level! UMBC will also share how current P-12 educators can receive discounted tuition through their Maryland Educator program.

Two sessions are available, covering the same information. Choose the one that is most convenient for your schedule:

• May 5, 2022, 8:00-9:00 a.m. Flyer
• May 9, 2022, 6:00-7:00 p.m. Flyer

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 classroom 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 May 6, 2022. The test will be offered from 1:00 to 4:00 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 available on the Human Resources SharePoint site HERE.

New-Service Training Employment Program, Inc. (N-STEP), in partnership with Harford Community College, will host the Women In STEM Cybersecurity Symposium and Career Expo from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. June 17-18, 2022. The event's theme is "Education Opens Doors and Changes Your World!” The event is open to the public and is geared toward teachers and school system staff.

On June 17, 2022, Harford County Chief Advisor will provide opening remarks to kick off the Cybersecurity Symposium. The Symposium will focus on professional information exchanges with Aberdeen Proving Ground, MS/HS/College students, HS/Collegiate faculty, defense industry, and community members on cybersecurity education and workforce needs. The Harford County Sheriff’s Office Drone Unit will demonstrate the role drones play in the law enforcement mission.

On June 18, 2022, supporting organizations will have an opportunity to inform, educate, and connect students/adults with college/career information, scholarships, and internships/employment opportunities on various career fields including manufacturing, information technology, healthcare, apprenticeships, and more. Planned STEM activities include a gaming industry room, drone flight operations interactive play, 3D printing, arts animation, emergency management services, obstetrics simulation, law enforcement vehicle tours, and other life skill building activities. Mr. Anthony Trucks, former NFL Athlete, American Ninja Warrior on NBC, international speaker, host of the Aww Shift podcast, and founder of Identity Shift Coaching will provide a motivational speech. All attendees will be invited to take a HCC Campus Bus Tour to increase the communities’ awareness of HCC programs offered with a goal of stimulating HCC enrollment.

Registration is available at www.nstepforward.com and allows individual attendees to participate in both day events. All registered attendees get lunch, one FREE swag bag, and a wealth of community information. Additional prizes and giveaways will be provided on June 18.

Please contact nstepcoordinator@gmail.com for questions, sponsorship, and/or vendor table information.

Congratulations to the North Harford High School Envirothon team! The team placed first in this year’s county competition on April 29 at Eden Mill and will represent Harford County in the state competition on June 23. Harford Christian School placed second, and Bel Air High placed third.

Shout out to all the teams that participated this year! Way to go! Good luck to our North Harford High team members as they advance to the state competition!

Huge shout out to Fallston High School sophomore Skylar Brown and freshman Elizabeth (Liz) Bromley, students of German Teacher Rick Jones. Both of these students scored in the upper 99th percentile of the National German Exam. Way to go!

Skylar has been awarded the American Association of Teachers of German (AATG) Summer Study Program Scholarship and will spend three weeks with a German family in Bovenden, Germany. Liz, a Level 2 student, is an alternate for the AATG Summer Study Program Scholarship.

Congratulations to Skylar, Liz, and Mr. Jones!

Author Dan Gemeinhart traveled from Washington state to visit the John Archer School on April 29. The school’s Book Club read his The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise this year and LOVED it!

During his visit, staff saw firsthand that Mr. Gemeinhart is a pretty fantastic person and truly loved the John Archer students. His visit was an awesome day for everyone at the school!

Here are just a few photos from their fun day.

Presented by BurnAlong Virtual Wellness Portal

You are doing awesome, and the weekend is almost here! Enjoy some rejuvenation in under 10 minutes with the most popular classes others at Harford County Public Schools have enjoyed this month.

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 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.

Get your finances on track with the Retirewise workshop series presented by MetLife.

With Retirewise, you’ll be on your way to making smarter financial decisions and creating an action plan that works for you. From budgeting and building an emergency fund to determining your investment options and creating a will, there’s something for everyone to learn.

Each Retirewise session has different topics that build on each other:

• Building the Foundation
• Creating & Managing Wealth
• Establishing Your Retirement Income Stream
• Making the Most of What You Have

Workshop Details:

Session 1: Wednesday, May 11, 2022

Session 2: Wednesday, May 18, 2022

Session 3: Wednesday, May 25, 2022

Time: 5:00–6:00 p.m. EST

If asked for the company name, enter Harford County Public Schools.

Click here to reserve your spot! Register online now. Space may be limited.

On the fence? Here’s a sneak peek of what to expect. Spouses and partners are welcome! For more information, click here.

Presented by KEPRO Employee Assistance Program

The April KEPRO EAP resources are here. Studies have shown that engaging in enjoyable leisure activities can reduce stress, replenish depleted reserves, and lead to overall positive mental and physical health benefits. This session will help you to understand the importance of having a hobby. Click here to learn more.

Date: Available on demand beginning April 19, 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.

May is Mental Health Month

To be healthy as a whole, mental health take a role. Our emotional, social, and psychological wellbeing affects how we think, feel, and act. After the last two years, many are realizing just how much of an impact stress, isolation and uncertainty have taken on all of us. That’s why it is important we all take the time to support our own mental health. To learn more, click here to view CareFirst’s May Wellness Newsletter.

May Recipe of the Month: Antioxidant-rich Berry Smoothie: Click here to learn more and try this delicious dish.

“A humongous shoutout to Maggie Henninger at Harford Technical High School for doing everything for everyone! As lead she already takes care of so much, but we are now shorthanded a secretary, so she has jumped into action mode and helps to cover that position as well. Plus, she is always there to lend a helping hand and support to administrators, secretaries, teachers, and students. HTHS would be lost without her! Maggie you do an amazing job and with everything that has been going on you deserve a BIG SHOUT OUT for ALL that you do!”

-Sandra Carter, Administrative Support Tech for School Counseling Office, Harford Tech High School

"Ben's one-on-one, Kevin Burton, Special Education Behavioral Technician, is just an amazing person!! He is great with Ben! He doesn't just sit there ignoring him, he encourages the good behavior, and tries to calm the negative. He talks to Ben and tries to help him. But above that, he has become such a friend and asset to us on the bus as well. Anytime there is something going on with one of the other kids on the bus, he jumps up and is there to lend a hand! This has happened multiple times!!! But the biggest event that put it on my heart to send this in was when Mary had her seizure last week. It was a tense, scary situation! As soon as l yelled, "she's having a seizure," he jumped up, and was back to lend a hand until Mr. Dave got the bus secure, and came back. He stayed with her, and kept an eye on the other kids while l made the necessary phone calls. He was just such a great help it made that situation go as smoothly as possible! I know l speak for the kids, as well as the driver (Mr. Dave) when l say, he does not feel like "just Ben's one-on-one," he is part of our bus family!

-Amber Kern, School Bus Attendant, Transportation Department

"I would like to shout-out Ms. Sonya Janouris. Ms. Janouris has been so helpful as our lead secretary at Havre de Grace Middle/High School. She is pleasant and easy to work with. From orders to payroll, Mrs. Janouris is helpful and kind and makes the additional tasks we do outside of teaching a breeze. Thank you, Mrs. Janouris, for being so supportive in our school!"

-Liz Nemeth, Seventh Grade Social Studies, Havre de Grace Middle School

"Shout out to Cristin Scott, at Aberdeen High School, for her support during testing season! Cristin has worked with teachers and administrators to ensure that schoolwide testing has gone smoothly at school. We appreciate all you are doing Cristin!"

-Kerrie Bauer, Mathematics Teacher, Aberdeen High School

Please join us in welcoming the following new hires:

• Melissa McCant, Inclusion Helper, Hall's Cross Roads Elementary School
• Jennifer Deckman, Check & Connect Grant Mentor, Special Education Office
• Anna Dufour, School Bus Attendant, Transportation Department
• Shaunta Miranda, School Bus Attendant, Transportation Department
• Norma Rosa Yanes, School Bus Attendant, Transportation Department
• Taylor Showacre, Paraeducator, Youth's Benefit 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