HCPS 411 Update

Were you unable to join the Monthly Minute earlier today? No worries - we have you covered! Click below to watch Dr. Bulson's message. To view a complete archive of all past Monthly Minute videos, visit the Monthly Minute page on our website by clicking here.

The Summer 2023 four-day work week schedule has been finalized. The eight (8) week period will commence the week of June 19th and terminate at the end of the week of August 7th. The linked document PROCEDURAL GUIDELINES Summer Hours 2023 details the work schedule options and provides guidance regarding plans and exceptions to the schedule.

Questions regarding this information should be directed to Mae Alfree, Ed.D., Director of Staff and Labor Relations, at Mae.Alfree@hcps.org or 410-588-5226.

After further guidance, HCPS will be paying non-exempt (hourly) employees their true hourly rate for chaperoning or other after school activities that are paid by the hour. If any non-exempt (hourly) employee works more than forty (40) hours in any week through a combination of after duty hours and the normally scheduled hours related to their position, they will be paid overtime (one and one-half times their hourly rate) for those hours. Examples of non-exempt hourly positions include inclusion helpers, paraeducators, media technicians, custodians, school safety liaisons, and clerical staff.

Questions regarding this information should be directed to Mae Alfree, Ed.D., Director of Staff and Labor Relations, at Mae.Alfree@hcps.org or 410-588-5226.

HCPS employees who are absent from work due to military duties or training are eligible for military leave. Employees should provide HCPS with as much advanced notice as possible. Additionally, family of service members can take leave from work on the day that an immediate family member is leaving for and/or returning from active duty outside of the United States.

All military leave notifications and questions should be sent to the Compliance Specialist, Holly Flynn, for processing at Holly.Flynn@hcps.org.

Additional information can be found here:

• Military Leave
• USERRA

Our systemwide Professional Learning Conference, Cruise into Learning: Learn. Connect. Reflect, is almost here! The Full Conference Guidebook is NOW AVAILABLE. The Guidebook includes:

• A full itinerary with a list of sessions and excursions being offered across the two days as well as a blank itinerary form to plan your learning adventure. Just like an authentic professional conference, you will not need to preregister for sessions (except for a select few noted in blue).
• Professional Learning Guidelines that establish professional norms regarding attendance and engagement throughout the conference.
• Information regarding how to receive support and links to provide feedback and reflection.
• Watch the brief video below for additional tips on navigating the Guidebook to plan your personalized learning itinerary. Thank you to Betty Jo Marzec in the Professional Learning Office!

Participants will have the option to work from a remote location and school buildings will be open for staff (closed to the public) for those who choose to join from their classroom/office space. All resources are also located on our PD SharePoint site. We are looking forward to cruising with you into learning!

A Service Recognition Dinner will be held on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. to honor staff reaching their 10, 20, 30, or 40 year milestone with HCPS. Honorees are encouraged to respond, whether or not they are able to attend the event, by April 3, 2023, to assist with planning purposes. Questions may be directed to Human Resources at 410-588-5226.

Standard 2: Communicate Effectively

Bakerfield Elementary School Principal Tara Dedeaux and Title I Teacher Specialist Kristina McGee share how they are providing focused time for teachers to connect with parents to provide updates on their child’s progress in a proactive and timely way and to open lines of two-way communication.

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) seeks to elevate the status, voice, and role of accomplished teachers in shaping a true profession. HCPS is pleased to announce that the National Board scholarship application window has opened. The scholarship funds will cover most of the cost of the certification process. The only cost to teachers will be a $75 processing fee for each year they attempt to certify.

Want to learn more?

• Visit our National Board SharePoint Site.
• Attend one of the choice NBC Overview sessions on Monday, April 3, 2023.

Ready to apply?

• Log into the National Board Canvas Site HCPS 2023-2024 NB Canvas Course.
• All applications are due by April 16, 2023.

Additional questions should be directed to HCPS.NationalBoard@hcps.org

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 or level. One winning teacher is selected each month, but every nominee is recognized in the HCPS 411 Update. The winning teacher receives a surprise visit from the 5xStronger team and a special gift from one of our community partners.

This month, 5xStronger recognized the amazing educators in HCPS high schools! Our high school teachers prepare students to excel outside of their buildings, whether that is in higher education, the workforce, or another endeavor. They foster relationships with their students and inspire them to achieve greatness beyond graduation. These educators promote enriching learning through innovative practices, celebrating achievements, and boosting positive behavior.

For the third stop of the year, 5xStronger recognized Michael Rex, of C. Milton Wright High School!

Click here for more information and to see all of this month’s nominees!

For their fourth stop, 5xStronger is looking to highlight and recognize one unified arts teacher! These teachers connect with students at all grade levels and play an integral part in each student's educational journey. Do you know a music, physical education, school librarian, or arts teacher who is exceptional in professional growth, classroom management, technology, positive relationships, and/or student engagement? We would love to hear about them and share some of the wonderful things they are doing in their classrooms to promote student learning at all grade levels!

Please use this link to nominate a unified arts teacher on or before April 15, 2023. They may be the next stop on our teacher tour!

Spring is here, and summer is right around the corner. Harford County Education Foundation is getting ready by hosting its ever popular Summer Palooza Raffle! The winner of the raffle will receive a Trailmate All Terrain Igloo Cooler filled to the brim with over $1,300 of great stuff to get your summer fun started! You can learn more about the Summer Palooza raffle and purchase raffle tickets online at https://harfordeducation.org/events/raffle/. Online sales of the raffle will end on April 21, 2023. The winner will be drawn and notified on May 1, 2023. The proceeds from the Summer Palooza raffle will fund programs that provide support to teachers and students of Harford County Public Schools.

Contact deb@harfordeducation.org with any questions.

The Academic Tutoring Program will be run July 9 – August 5, 2023. Tutors will provide students with instructional support and remediation.

Tutors are needed in the areas of:

• Elementary School: Reading and Mathematics for students in a virtual, one-on-one setting.
• Middle School: Reading and Mathematics in a virtual, small group setting with 2 or 3 students.
• High School: English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies in a virtual, small group setting with 2 or 3 students for graduation required courses.

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, with a maximum of 10 hours of tutoring per week. Tutors will be compensated at their true hourly rate when working with students and the negotiated rate for planning. Caseload assignments will be determined by student availability, certification, and need.

Tutors are REQUIRED to attend ONE informational session and will know their employment status by June 16, 2023. Required Informational Sessions will be offered on May 18, May 23, May 24, and May 25. Additional make-up sessions will not be available.

If you are interested in serving as a tutor, please complete this survey form to select which Required Informational Session you plan to attend:

HCPS Summer Academic Tutoring Informational Sessions

Filling out this form does not guarantee you employment this summer. For any questions, please contact Academic.Tutoring@hcps.org.

Applications are now being accepted for Summer Programs. Apply now for immediate consideration. Please note that current employees should use the designated internal application. We anticipate initial offers to occur after April 1st and additional offers will be made until all vacant positions are filled.

To access an employment application, please visit the “Employment Opportunities” section of the HCPS website at www.hcps.org, or click here. Summer Program Employment Information can also be accessed on the HCPS website under the About Us banner. Select Current Vacancies/Summer Program.

Positions:

• Audiologist
• Braille Transcriber
• Inclusion Helper
• Interpreter for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired
• Paraeducator
• School Counselor
• School Nurse
• Speech Language Pathologist
• Teacher

Programs:

• Special Education Infants & Toddlers
• Special Education ESY Elementary & Early Interventions Programs
• Special Education ESY Secondary
• Special Education ESY Harford Academy
• Special Education Child Find Test Center
• Elementary Summer School Learning Program for Mathematics and Reading – Pre-K through Grade 5
• Middle School Summer Learning Program for Mathematics and Language Arts
• Middle School Summer Learning Program for Unified Arts (NEW)
• High School Summer Learning Program for Mathematics, English, Science, and Social Studies
• High School Physical Education Summer Learning Program

Many of our positions are filled by word of mouth by our employees. Help us share our employment needs!

• Assistant Supervisor of School Counseling – Central Office

• Administrative Support Assistant, 10-Month – Prospect Mill Elementary School
• School Nurse – Various Locations

  
  

Follow us on social media @hcpsrecruiter and share our employment posts. To find a full list of our available positions, visit hcps.org and click on the sun!

HCPS, in partnership with the Department of English Learners (EL) and LASOS, is seeking educators and staff to work our "EL Summer Camp 2023.”

This camp is open to all EL students in grades K-12 who are interested to learn about their community and how they play an important role in its functioning. A variety of hands-on academic and social activities are planned to help students to grow in their English proficiency. Walking excursions and visits to community agencies are also planned.

Details:

1. Students will be grouped by age level.
2. Camp will run 6/26/23 - 7/21/23 (Monday through Thursday); Fridays are off-site.
3. Camp times: 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. *Teaching staff will work from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. each day.
4. Camp location is Bel Air High School.
5. This is a paid opportunity.

To indicate interest and to be considered for this paid opportunity, please complete the application below.

EL Summer Program Application

Questions should be directed to: Chandra Krantz, Supervisor of World Languages and English Learners Programs, at chandra.krantz@hcps.org.

Harford County Public Schools Facilities Management Department has an eight-week Summer Maintenance Program (June 20, 2023 – August 10, 2023) open to anyone who enjoys varying jobs such as painting and striping parking lots at various locations. Those selected will be working at school buildings and annexes throughout the Harford County Public School System. Target locations for this year include: Fallston High, Magnolia Middle, Abingdon Elementary, Darlington Elementary, Dublin Elementary, and Emmorton Elementary. Applicants must be at least 16 years of age and able to provide their own transportation to the various job sites.

The hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday. There are two (2) 15-minute breaks plus a half-hour lunch. Starting pay for painting is $13.25.

Applications are located on the Harford County Public Schools website (hcps.org) under About Us > Current Vacancies > Other Career Opportunities/Substitutes. Only online applications will be accepted until positions have been filled. If you have any questions regarding the program, please call the Hickory Annex at 410-638-4088.

Join us as we continue to shine the light on how HCPS celebrates Diversity all year long. Each month, we will highlight a cultural/organizational holiday. All we ask is for you to 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:

• Women’s History
• Irish American Heritage

Please email your celebration pictures and a brief write up regarding your event to Sherron Foster-Moore, Diversity Retention & Recruitment Specialist at Sherron.FosterMoore@hcps.org by Friday, March 31, 2023. March celebrations will be shared in the April 6th issue of the HCPS 411 Update.

Fuel Your Growth with Healthy Choices this March

Have You Taken Your BurnAlong Break Today?

Take time to stretch, breathe, and move your body. All you need is a few minutes. BurnAlong has created a playlist of 15 classes, all under five minutes. Scan the QR code to view the classes on the playlist. Recommended classes on the playlist include:

• 4-minute Desk Stretch: Wrists & Shoulders
• 5-minute Meditation: Loving-Kindness
• 5-minute Movements: Spine Mobility

Are you looking for class ideas? Click on the calendar below to access suggested classes throughout the month of March:

Did you know BurnAlong is free for you and your friends? You have access to four (4) free family subaccounts, so you can start sharing today! It takes just a minute to send one, and they'll get free, unlimited access to BurnAlong all year long. Help someone start their 2023 off on the right foot. Click here to invite a subaccount.

Take BurnAlong with You! Join thousands of others on their health and wellness journey by downloading the Mobile App. Available in iOS and Android, take BurnAlong with you by downloading the app today!

What is BurnAlong? As a reminder, BurnAlong is our health and wellness partner who provides you and your family with more than 23,000 live and on-demand online classes from 5,000+ credentialed 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.

March is National Nutrition Month

A healthy diet is essential for good health and nutrition. Not only does consuming nutritious foods protect us against many chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, but it also helps us feel good and provides us with the fuel we need to make it through our busy days! To learn more, click here.

Additional March Health Awareness Dates:

• March 2023: Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month - Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancer diagnoses in the United States. Regular screening, beginning at age 45, is the key to prevention.
• March 17, 2023: World Sleep Day - Sleep is essential for health. Just like eating well and exercising, sleep is a behavior that is foundational to our physical, mental, and social well-being.
• March 28, 2023: Diabetes Alert Day - Observed annually on the fourth Tuesday in March, Diabetes Alert Day is a "wake-up call" that focuses on the seriousness of diabetes and the importance of understanding your risk.

March Recipe of the Month: Squash and Leek Lasagna
Ring in the new year with a healthy take on a comfort food favorite! Yellow squash is high in vitamins A and C, and leeks are full of antioxidants and minerals, making this recipe both yummy and nutritious. Click here for the full recipe.

March CareFirst WellBeing Challenge – Keep Your Nutrition in Check

Practice mindful eating this month. A healthy diet can help control your weight and protect your heart. You'll start seeing positive results when you follow these steps: Track your meals and practice portion control, Eat colorful fruits and vegetables, Opt for whole grains, Consume healthy fats like fish, avocados, and nuts, and Avoid highly processed foods. Click here to learn more about the CareFirst WellBeing challenge and how to join.

Employees who have received the primary vaccine series and at least one (1) booster can submit verification of their vaccination status through an online employee survey to be eligible for COVID Breakthrough Leave for the 2022-2023 school year. Individuals who already submitted both their primary vaccine series and booster information during the 2021-2022 school year will not need to complete this survey again. Information collected from the COVID Breakthrough Leave survey will be utilized for the 2022-2023 school year to determine COVID Breakthrough Leave eligibility. The survey can be accessed by clicking here.

The complete MOU specific to your bargaining unit can be found on the Staff Relations SharePoint page. Questions about COVID Breakthrough Leave can be directed to Staff and Labor Relations Office at (410) 588-5311.

The Maryland State Retirement and Pension System and the Community College of Baltimore County will provide State Pension members the opportunity to participate in pre-retirement webinars and seminars. These sessions provide vital retirement information to pension system members, including the Maryland State Pension, Legal Issues, Social Security Benefits, and Financial Planning. The webinars will run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Webinars:

• March 28 (CRN 37274)
  
• April 19 (CRN 37255)
• May 24 (CRN 37264)
• June 28 (CRN 37262)

To register, please visit https://www.ccbcmd.edu/ceed-preretirement-county. For those participating in the online events, you will receive a separate link to join the date-specific event. For those participating in-person, you will receive an email with site-specific information.

Please Note: These sessions are not affiliated with HCPS and will not include HCPS-specific information, such as retiree healthcare. HCPS will be hosting a condensed pre-retirement seminar in February. More information about this seminar will be announced in future HCPS 411 Update newsletters.

Is one type of chocolate better than another? What is the best to pack in your kid's lunch? What are the best mouth-healthy dietary choices if you're watching your weight? Celebrate National Nutrition Month this March by finding answers to these questions and more in the March Delta Dental Newsletter: How to Eat for Your Teeth.

Employees who wish to provide feedback on their experience(s) obtaining medications through CVS retail pharmacies are advised to complete the CVS/Caremark Service Reporting Tool, available on SharePoint. This report is monitored bi-weekly by a member of the Benefits Office for further assistance and tracking of member service feedback. To access this form, visit the Harford County Public Schools – SharePoint Home Page.

As always, if there is an immediate need or concern when obtaining medication, please email benefits@hcps.org so that a member of the Benefits Office can assist you more quickly.

Presented by KEPRO Employee Assistance Program

Establishing healthy boundaries regarding time and energy helps us to remain true to our values and priorities. If someone is too loose with their boundaries, they may find themselves at the will of everyone else's demands. In this session, participants will look at the benefits of having healthy boundaries and how we can practice setting boundaries in everyday life. Click here to learn more.

Date: Available on demand beginning March 21, 2023

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.

"Special “Thanks” to Mrs. Perrone, Ms. Swearman, and their Pre-K students at Riverside Elementary for allowing me to spend the day visiting their classroom for the observation hours required by the University of Phoenix BS Early Childhood Education program. They were so welcoming and answered all my questions. I gained several tips and ideas for my future classroom."

-Jocelyn Healey, Pre-K Paraeducator, Deerfield Elementary School

"Congratulations!!! A BIG Shout Out to Michelle Taylor (School Nurse) of Bel Air Middle School. Michelle passed the NCSN exam and is now officially a Nationally Certified School Nurse for HCPS."

-Wendy Kraus, School Nurse, Bel Air Middle School

"A HUGE thank you to Jill Miller, our Title 1 Teacher Specialist here at Hall's Cross Roads Elementary. She is extremely hard-working, thorough, and always has a positive attitude! She makes our SPA meetings fun! She is truly amazing at what she does. Since losing our Community Schools Specialist, she has been helping out with extra tasks whenever possible as well. Jill, I hope you know that all your hard work is not going unnoticed. Thank you for all you do to make Hall's a beautiful place to be!"

-Ashley Thrasher, School Librarian, Hall's Cross Roads Elementary School

"The HCPS Teacher Academy of Maryland magnet program would like to thank Mr. Hamilton and Ms. Preston at Riverside Elementary School as well as Mr. Cook, Ms. Hennessey, and Ms. B.Moore at Homestead Wakefield Elementary School for partnering with our Teacher Academy Interns for the 2022-2023 school year. The experiences and opportunities our 12th grade TAM Interns are receiving in your classrooms each week are priceless!"

-Alissa Thomas, Program Coordinator, Teacher Academy of Maryland

"Many thanks to Lisa Jones, Bob Kral, and all the other technology staff members who worked diligently and very quickly to diagnose and fix a recent Adobe/Chrome print issue! Their time and attention to addressing the issue and supporting the needs of all staff and students is greatly appreciated. THANK YOU!"

Lisa Patterson, Human Resources Specialist, Benefits Office

Please join us in welcoming the following new hires to our HCPS family:

• Themba Matsinya, Physical Education Teacher, Magnolia Middle School
• Erin Wilcox, Inclusion Helper, Hickory Elementary School
• Jennifer Long, Paraeducator, Church Creek Elementary School
• Brittney Mattlin, Administrative Support Specialist, Planning and Construction
• Harry Ruskey Jr., School Bus Attendant, Transportation
• Darlene Dougherty, School Bus Attendant, Transportation
• Kayla Bishop, School Bus Attendant, Transportation

Editor: Lindsay Bilodeau, Innovation 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