HCPS 411 Update

Mark your calendar for a special community event to honor and celebrate Dr. Sean Bulson for having been named Maryland Superintendent of the Year! All HCPS staff and the larger HCPS community are invited to come together on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Havre de Grace Middle/High School. Havre de Grace Mayor Bill Martin will host as we welcome performances by HCPS students and hear from a few key speakers. Guests will enjoy lite fare by our culinary students. Invitation to follow in an upcoming issue of the HCPS 411 Update.

We are excited to announce a students-only "Engage for Education Listening Session" at Harford Technical High School on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. This is an opportunity for Harford County Public Schools students to meet face-to-face with our Student Member of the Board, Board Vice President Hahn, and Board President Poynton and have their voices heard.

Help us spread the word to our student community!

The HCPS Bowtie Breakfast program celebrates Central Office employees who consistently serve others in a BIG (Bold, Invested, Genuine) way and go above and beyond in their roles. Honorees are nominated by colleagues to attend Superintendent Bulson’s virtual event held each month. Congratulations to the December 2023 honorees! Join us in celebrating our awesome HCPS staff!

We'd also like to give a BIG thank you to our program sponsor, Freedom Federal Credit Union! We are able to provide our honorees with a special treat courtesy of their generosity.

And, shout out to our Guest DJ at the event, Ms. Angela Rose, President & CEO of the Harford County Chamber of Commerce, who helped us congratulate our honorees and spread some holiday cheer.

Vote now to help name the December Family Friendly School Award winner!!

https://www.hcps.org/.../paren.../familyfriendlyschools.aspx.

The voting window is open until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, December 17, 2023.

Good luck to all our schools in the running this month!

The Professional Learning Office, in partnership with the Office of Organizational Development, is excited to introduce the Future U Teacher Leadership Academy. This initiative is for HCPS educators seeking advancement in their teacher leadership journey within the near future. The academy focuses on uncovering individual strengths and exploring essential strategies for adult learning and teacher leadership skills.

The program also offers an opportunity to learn about the various teacher leader and specialist roles available in HCPS. The Future U Teacher Leadership Academy is designed to empower educators, providing a transformative experience that aligns with their professional aspirations. Interested individuals must submit a formal application, including cover letter, resume, and references. All applicants will receive notification of approval status via email.

CLICK HERE to apply for the Future U Teacher Leadership Academy

Deadline to submit an application is Monday, December 18 at 5:00 p.m.

Questions? Contact HCPSProfessionalLearning@hcps.org

The 2023 Holiday Payroll Submission communicates when payroll information must be received by the Payroll Office to pay employees accurately and timely on December 22 and January 5.

Questions regarding this information should be directed to your Payroll Coordinator. Click here to find the Payroll Coordinator for your location.

Not sure who to contact? Send your question to the general email Payroll@hcps.org or call the general number at 410-588-5241.

Thanks for your cooperation, and happy holidays!

In this Real Talk, Mary Beth Stapleton talks with new Partners for Success (P4S) Centers Coordinator Megan Fitzgerald and Director of Special Education Colleen Sasdelli about supporting parental involvement in the special education decision making process by sharing information and community services and assisting families in resolving concerns.

The primary responsibility of the Certification Team is the processing of employee certifications including new educator certification applications, renewal of current certificates, and adding endorsements. The Certification Office is available to answer questions related to certification, Master's plus 30/60 coursework, salary changes related to education (master's equivalent, master's or doctorates), National Board Stipends and Teacher/Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Career Counseling services are also available through the department.

Career Counseling Specialist Maranda Scott offers career counseling services to promote and encourage career learning and development within the HCPS system, empowering all employees to realize their potential and the opportunities that await them in HCPS. Career Counseling services are available to all HCPS employees. Maranda is able to provide career-related support to employees who desire to transition or advance within their careers at HCPS. Some of the services that are available through career counseling are:

• Internal Interview Preparation
• Resume and Cover Letter Building
• Confidential Career Coaching
• HCPS Career/Transition Support
• Exploring Undergraduate and Graduate Programs
• HCPS Job Search Support

The chart below provides a listing of just some of the services provided by Certification.

HCPS Human Resources consists of five teams prepared to assist you with various employment-related needs, as described in the Human Resources Contact List. Please don’t hesitate to contact them with your questions. They will be happy to assist you or connect you with someone best able to provide assistance. A complete list of HR Team members can be found at HR Published Phone Lines.

Questions regarding this information should be directed to the Certification team at Certification@hcps.org or 410-588-5225.

It’s time to shine a light on the incredible staff members who go above and beyond! The nomination window is open for the 2024 Celebration of Excellence in Education!

This year, in addition to the Teacher of the Year, we’re celebrating many aspects of education. We’ll honor one of our dedicated custodians, a technology wizard, a support staff star, a facilities employee who keeps the lights on, a cafeteria Superhero, and an outstanding principal and assistant principal! This is our opportunity to honor those who make a difference in students’ lives each and every day!

Go to hcps.org, click “learn more” on the banner on the front page, and nominate that special staff member you want to recognize this year!

Nominations close on January 4, 2024, so don’t wait! Submit your nomination today!

The Board of Education of Harford County is seeking applications from interested county citizens to fill an opening on the school system’s Ethics Panel. The Ethics Panel reviews inquiries concerning potential violations of ethics on the part of school employees or Board members, provides advisory opinions regarding ethics issues, and reviews financial disclosure forms required to be filed by Board members and certain Board employees.

Ethics Panel members serve for a term of five years appointed at staggered intervals. Members are appointed by the Board of Education and may serve two full terms. Ethics Panel members serve without compensation but are reimbursed for travel and other expenses related to their service.

Applicants should send a letter of interest accompanied by a biographical sketch either by USPS mail to: Kimberly H. Neal, Esquire, General Counsel, Board of Education of Harford County, 102 S. Hickory Avenue, Bel Air, Maryland, 21014, or by email to Diana.Rasinski@hcps.org, before close of business on January 12, 2024.

For more information, please email Diana Rasinski, Administrative Support Coordinator for Legal Counsel, at Diana.Rasinski@hcps.org.

Employees who cover a spouse and/or child(ren) on their medical and/or dental plans through HCPS have begun to receive the second notification from Alight Solutions, whom HCPS has partnered with to conduct a mandatory Dependent Eligibility Verification Audit. This notification advises members from whom they need to verify continued eligibility, what documentation is required, and how to submit the documentation to Alight for verification.

Please pay attention to this notification, as your response to the documentation request is required by the January 15, 2024, deadline to avoid any disruption in your dependent’s eligibility for benefit coverage. If you do not have dependents on your healthcare plan, you will not be required to do anything for this audit.

Any questions regarding documentation or issues with documentation submission may be directed to Alight Solutions’ Dependent Verification Center at 1-800-725-5810. A resource page has been created on the Benefits SharePoint site.

Click here to read the full announcement about the upcoming dependent eligibility verification audit.

CareFirst Virtual Care Offering Update

Starting January 1, 2024, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) members will be able to access a full suite of services through CloseKnit. CareFirst Video Visit will no longer be available to members after December 31, 2023. This change does not impact your ability to use telemedicine offerings from other providers in the CareFirst network.

CloseKnit is a full-service virtual health offering designed around you. Services include:

• Primary care (ages 18+)
• Urgent adult/pediatric care (ages 2+)
• Behavioral and mental health therapy
• Psychiatry*
• Lactation consulting*
• Nutritional counseling*
• and more!

*Available January 2024

Download the CloseKnit app from the Apple App Store or Google Play, or visit closeknithealth.com. Ensure your member ID card is handy when setting up your account.

Video Visit Users: Download your health history report by December 31, 2023, so you have a record for your files. Click here for your guide.

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.

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

Remaining Webinar:

• December 19 (CRN 73288)
  

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

Please Note: These sessions are not affiliated with HCPS and will not include HCPS-specific information, such as retiree healthcare.

December is All About Self-Care for a Healthy Holiday Season at CareFirst

The holiday season is officially here! While it is a joyous time of year, it can also be difficult with added demands such as hosting holiday parties and financial obligations causing more stress than usual. It may be time to reassess if you are stressed about supposedly fun things. Check out the self-care tips and resources in this month’s CareFirst Wellness Newsletter to consider implementing a few this holiday season to feel your best mentally and physically. To learn more, click here.

December CareFirst Wellbeing Challenge – Practice an Act of Gratitude Challenge

As another year ends, it’s the perfect time to reflect on everything you are grateful for. It can be something big, like your family, job, home, or something that pleases you. A daily gratitude practice can help you become a happier, healthier person. Click here to learn more about the CareFirst Wellbeing challenge and how to join.

Presented by Acentra Health Employee Assistance Program

Change is a natural part of life, but for some, it can cause significant discomfort, anxiety, and depression, while others seem to handle it in stride. This month’s session will help participants learn how to make positive changes and discover tips to embrace the discomfort of change. Click here to learn more.

Date: Available on demand beginning December 19, 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 Acentra Health 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, toll-free at (866) 795-5701 to visit their website online at www.EAPhelplink.com.

Presented by the HCPS Wellness Committee in partnership with HealthyWage

The HCPS Wellness Committee is excited to announce its partnership with HealthyWage in its $10,000 School Team Weight Loss Challenge that kicks off on January 26, 2024. This challenge brings people together and provides support with coaching, education, and an exciting team-based approach.

What makes HealthyWage challenges more fun than the rest? The carrot – studies show that financial incentives increase the likelihood of weight loss success.

What to Know:

• Compete against other teams from organizations to lose the greatest percentage of weight in 12 weeks to win the GRAND PRIZE of $10,000! Organizations that have at least 50 total participants will receive a top team prize of $1,500 (as long as they aren’t the grand prize-winning team).
• Create a team of 5 coworkers, friends, and/or family members. Don’t have a team? No problem – HealthyWage will match you up with one!
• There is a participant registration fee of $84 (individuals can elect to pay this fee in three payments of $28). However, you will earn back your registration fee by achieving a weight loss of 10% or more in 9 months!
• Not looking to lose weight but want to participate? Register as a team cheerleader for free and support your five teammates (limit one cheerleader per team). If you’re on a winning team, you’ll win an equal share of the cash prize!

The challenge starts on January 26 and ends on April 19, 2024. For questions, contact HealthyWage at info@healthywage.com or 888-636-3832.

"Meadowvale administration would like to give a big SHOUT OUT to Laurie Evans, Special Educator, for maintaining her National Board Certification and for completing her Master’s +60!! In addition, we want to give a SHOUT OUT to Hannah Sample, one of our awesome 1st grade teachers, for completing her National Board certification! Way to go Laurie and Hannah!"

-Mark Warfield, Principal, Meadowvale Elementary School

"Shout out to Sandy McMichael, Jeanne Donlick, and Erin Jacobson. I cannot thank each of you enough for the support in earning my National Board Certification! I have talked myself out of it numerous times over the years, but because of you, Sandy, you were the push and confidence I needed to start! And to Erin and Jeanne, you two talked me off the ledge of quitting so many times! I am so thankful for all of you great ladies in my professional life, as are so many other great educators in this county!"

-Dene’ Flack, Horticulture Program Instructor, Harford Technical High School

"I would like to give a huge shout out to Melissa Abel, Building Engineer at North Harford Middle School. I have been working closely with Missy the last few weeks, it has truly been a pleasure. She is one of the most caring and passionate person that I have had the pleasure of meeting and working with. She goes above and beyond with her staff from baking cakes for their birthdays to coming back after her shift to talk through problems with them. We are extremely fortunate to have her as part of the HCPS staff and I look forward to working with her in the future."

-Patty Billings, Custodial Service Coordinator - Northern Zone, Facilities

*To submit a Shout Out for inclusion in an upcoming issue of HCPS 411 Update, please email it to HCPS.411@hcps.org.

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

• James Joyce, Paraeducator, Riverside Elementary School
• Taylor Gerecht, Inclusion Helper, Harford Academy
• Brianna Miller, Paraeducator, Forest Hill Elementary School
• Samantha DeHaven, Inclusion Helper, Aberdeen High School
• Ireland Jenkins, Inclusion Helper, Havre de Grace Middle School

Editor: Lindsay Bilodeau, Innovation Specialist

Email: HCPS.411@hcps.org