HCPS 411 Update

This year marks the 26th anniversary of the Harford County Public Schools’ Teacher of the Year program and annual banquet dinner – an event entirely funded by community donations! Please consider nominating a colleague who is truly a shining star with HCPS. In addition, parents, students and community members are welcome to nominate the special teacher in their life.

This award is not only an amazing experience for the winning teacher, but for his/her students and the entire school community. As educators face new challenges every day, give this gift to a teacher. Just a few of the benefits of Teacher of the Year include:

• Invaluable professional development
• Positive public relations for the school
• Monetary awards and gifts for the teacher / school
• Invitations to special events and engagements throughout the year
• An expanded network of colleagues throughout the state of Maryland
• The opportunity to be named Maryland Teacher of the Year
• And so much more!

The 2020 Teacher of the Year application is NOW AVAILABLE! Applications for the Teacher of the Year program are accepted online through TalentEd. Please share this information with your school community and direct those interested in nominating or applying to visit www.hcps.org > Staff > Teacher of the Year (or click here) for more information and to access the link to submit applications. The application deadline is midnight on Thursday, January 2, 2020.

Take a moment and play the video below to hear how meaningful the application process was for our current Teacher of the Year, Paige Milanoski of Havre de Grace High School.

In an effort to assist HCPS with forecasting budget savings and project staffing needs for FY 2020-2021, an Early Notification of Separation Incentive is currently offered to employees. A memorandum of understanding has been executed with each collective bargaining unit and includes the following information:

Incentive: A one-time payment of $500 will be provided to employees who submit written notification on or before January 31, 2020, of their intent to separate from employment with an effective date of separation of February 28, 2020 through and inclusive of June 30, 2020. Written notification of intent to separate must be received in the Superintendent’s Office no later than 4:30pm on January 31, 2020.

Eligibility:

• Separations pertaining to this incentive are limited to separations resulting from retirement or resignation.
• The early notification incentive does not apply to probationary employees.
  
• Employees must be in good standing on the date of his/her submission of intent to separate from employment through the date of his/her separation. Good standing means that the employee has no disciplinary investigation/action pending against the employee.
  
• If the employee’s separation from employment will result in a breach of his/her teacher contract, he or she is not eligible for the early notification incentive.
  
• Any staff member who, prior to the execution of this MOU, provided written notification to the Superintendent of their intent to separate effective February 28, 2020 through June 30, 2020, will be eligible for the early notification incentive.

Payment: The payment for early notification provided pursuant to this MOU shall be issued on July 24, 2020 or with final reconciliation check, if earlier. HCPS reserves the right to deduct from the $500 incentive payment any amount owed by the employee to HCPS, at time of separation.

The full memorandum of understanding regarding this incentive can be found on the Human Resources SharePoint page or by clicking here. Questions regarding this information should be directed to Jeff Fradel, Senior Manager of Staff and Labor Relations, at Jeff.Fradel@hcps.org or x5226.

The Office of Student Services will offer Youth Mental Health First Aid Training to interested HCPS staff members. The training is designed to teach participants how to support and assist young people in the early stages of a developing mental health problem or those experiencing a mental health crisis.

Participants will learn about the prevalence of mental health problems among young people and examine “typical” adolescent development and its relation to mental health issues. Participants will also learn ways to approach, support, and refer young people believed to be at-risk for mental health issues or those who are experiencing a crisis.

This course is offered over two evenings. Attendees must be present both evenings in order to be recognized as a First Aider. The class will be offered on November 18 and 19, 2019, from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Media Center at C. Milton Wright High School.

This is a paid opportunity for HCPS 10-month employees. To sign up for the class follow this link: https://www.hcps.org/registration/workshops/workshops.aspx?subject=69

Questions regarding this information should be directed to Christina Alton, Mental Health Specialist, at Christina.Alton@hcps.org or x6243.

The November issue of the Get Psyched newsletter is now available. Click here to read about Self-Care: It’s not just a buzz word!

HCPS is pleased to offer one 12-week session of fitness classes beginning on January 14, 2020. These programs will be available to ALL HCPS employees and are made possible using Wellness Funds from our CareFirst contract.

Important Information:

• Each location can only choose one fitness class below.
• Classes will be held on a mutually agreeable day (Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday) at 2:30 p.m. for high schools and NHMS; 3:30 p.m. for middle schools (except NHMS) and Forest Hill Annex; and 4:30 p.m. for Elementary schools, Central Office, and Hickory Annex.

• Registration requires participants to attend at least 80% of the classes. Participants will be directed to register on Hector, once classes are arranged.
• Classes must have a minimum of 10 participants, and the maximum number of participants is limited to the space available at your site.

Fitness Classes:

Choose from six different classes; one mutually agreeable class will be held once per week for 12-weeks:

• Abs, Core, and More: Helps strengthen core muscles, including abdominals and lower back. Participants should bring a mat to class.
• Total Body: A fun and inspiring class designed to work all major muscle groups.
• Combat Cardio/Kickboxing: Combines punching and kicking along with other exercises to keep the class interested and motivated.
• Yoga: Offers a complete body workout through the ancient practice of yoga.
• Pi- Yo: Pi-Yo combines the muscle-sculpting core-firming benefits of Pilates with eh strength and flexibility advantages of yoga.
• Team Building Work Out: A group workout that brings electric fitness energy to the worksite. Equipment is provided for a dynamic workout customized to all fitness levels and interests.

Please see your coordinator to complete the Fitness Class Interest Form if you are interested in participating. Coordinators are:

• Schools: The school nurse at your location.
• Central Office: Kathy DeHoff – Kathleen.DeHoff@hcps.org
• Hickory Annex: Joy Mattheu – Joy.Mattheu@hcps.org
• Forest Hill Annex: Karen Olsen – Karen.Olsen@hcps.org

This coming month's issue of Top Health is linked below. Click to learn more about Diabetes: Facts and Myths; Resisting Antibiotics; Best-Ever Face Savers; and more!

• The Instructional Technology Team is offering afterschool professional learning opportunities for 1:1 elementary and middle school teachers throughout the 2019-2020 school year. There are many sessions from which to choose. The session topics provide learning opportunities for novice and advanced technology users. Sessions have been differentiated for elementary and middle school teachers. Teachers will be paid at the negotiated rate of $20 per hour for the 90 minute afterschool sessions. Registration is currently open for 1:1 elementary and middle school teachers on HECTOR. Elementary Registration Middle School Registration Questions regarding this information should be directed to instructionaltech@hcps.org.

• You have the drive to pursue your passion, and Walden University has the support and the innovative learning platform you need to make it happen. Their graduates say it best: “I’ve used my degrees as a teacher, literacy coach and specialist, literacy consultant, and author. My two degrees from Walden have armed me with information I can share with people in all walks of life.” —Clarice Davis, Walden Graduate. Learn more and view exclusive tuition reductions for Harford County Public Schools employees by visiting WaldenU.edu/harford or calling 1-855-628-3427. Additionally, you're invited to register for one or more of Walden’s upcoming teacher support webinars:

Thursday, Nov. 7 at 8:00 p.m. – The Doctoral Journey: How I did it!

Saturday, Nov. 9 at 2:00 p.m. – Teacher Well-Being: Wellness Tips for Teacher

Saturday, Nov. 16 at 2:00 p.m. – Finance for Teachers: Funding your Classroom

The Department of Special Education is excited to once again offer a one day mini-conference for all paraeducators and inclusion helpers on November 4, 2019, at Bel Air High School.

This conference is a mandatory professional development day. It is a full workday, and participants are expected to attend all four sessions. Any absences must follow the usual absence policy and procedures for HCPS and your school.

The schedule is posted to SharePoint at this time: Schedule. Registration is available through HECTOR under Special Education Workshops and Trainings and will continue through November 3, 2019. All sessions will be on a first come, first served registration system. Any sessions that do not appear on HECTOR when you log in are full and can no longer be accessed.

Full day sessions are available on this day in Youth Mental Health First Aid. The Youth Mental Health First Aid course is a seven-hour course, so participants are asked to bring lunch and eat at the school in order to complete the full training.

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

• "One of your employees, Donald Fleck lll, performed an act of kindness this weekend. He returned my purse I had inadvertently left in a cart at Wal-Mart. After frantically looking and returning to the store, I came home to start canceling my credit cards. Twenty minutes later, Donald came to my house with my purse. I was overwhelmed and extremely happy. I thanked him for being honest and saving me from hours of stress and worry. I am a former employee of HCPS, and I am so pleased to know that there are personnel like Donald working for the system. I wanted to let let his superiors and Donald know how much I appreciated his honesty and going out of his way to help a stranger." -Janet Baker

  
  

• "Please give a shout out to all the high schoolers (band and guard), along with their amazing directors and staff, for a FANTASTIC Showcase of Bands on October 23, 2019. Those students give their all, whether small or large, and cheer for each other as only those who know what they put into these shows can!" -Brenda Walenczyk, School Librarian/Media Specialist, Abingdon Elementary School
  

• "I would like to give a huge shout out to our Equity Supervisor and my dynamic boss, Dr. Paula Stanton. This past week, I observed her providing Equity & Cultural education to bus drivers serving HCPS. To say she did a great job is minimal. Her passion and love for teaching comes naturally, as she instantly makes staff feel welcomed and valued. Watching the faces of those in attendance transform their mindsets throughout the presentation was astounding. As quoted by A. Huxley, “There are things known and there are things unknown, and in between are the doors of perception.” I heard some saying as they left, “this is not what I thought is was going to be.” Wherever you were standing in the room, you heard a clear mutual message of respect. Dr. Stanton is in every part of her being a teacher. I am in awe of her ability to capture the room while increasing diversity awareness. We are so fortunate to have an Equity Leader who is working to redefine perception while making her mark on HCPS." – Kim Sullivan, Office of Equity and Cultural Proficiency

• "I would like to submit a shout out to Mrs. Clausen, teacher in the International Baccalaureate Program at Edgewood High School. Mrs. Clausen is an amazing teacher. She drove 3+ hours on a Saturday to visit my daughter and watch her play rugby. She did this to show her support for a FORMER student who has already graduated! Mrs. Clausen made her a sign, brought her some treats, but more importantly, encouraged and supported her in her transition to college life. Mrs. Clausen has shown my daughter and my family what support and dedication look like. This woman has been such a wonderful part of my daughter's tribe. Throughout her four years at EHS, Mrs. Clausen taught her, counseled her, and lifted her up when she was down. This is what great teachers do, and it doesn't end when the students leave the classroom. We are forever grateful for the love and support Mrs. Clausen shows her students. She is making a difference and changing lives!" -Michelle Bowditch, Title One Resource Teacher, Hall's Cross Roads Elementary School

• "I would like to recognize to Joanna Karolenko, in Human Resources, for her amazing customer service. I notified her about a discrepancy between my salary letter on Lawson, my pay, and my offer letter. Within an hour and a half, she had investigated the problem, resolved it, had contacted payroll, and had started the process to get me a new salary letter. Throughout the process she was extremely pleasant and very apologetic for the error. She is to be commended for her quick and thorough handling of the situation. Her actions turned my panic into a small blip on the radar, she made my day!!! I cannot thank her enough for correcting the problem so very quickly." -Cynthia Poper, in-school suspension technician, Bel Air Middle School

• "I recently visited Edgewood Middle School to drop off textbooks. They were extremely heavy. I met Matt Vickers outside while he was doing other duties. He came to my rescue. He got a cart and he picked every box of textbooks out of my car and delivered them into the school. He was very polite and nice. I would like him to get a gold star for customer service. He went above and beyond his duties." -Renee Mozingo, administrative suppport technician, Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment

  
  

#HCPScustomerservice

Please help us welcome the following new employees to our HCPS family:

• Kenneth Hershman, custodian I - shift I, Harford Technical High School
• Stacey Karg, paraeducator, Roye-Williams 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