HCPS 411 Update

March 5-11 is School Social Work Week!

The theme for National School Social Work Week 2023 is, “We Rise.” School Social Workers rise up - supporting their students, families, and school communities. School Social Workers rise to share hope. They rise to listen and understand. They rise to challenge inequities. They rise to support all students.

We are grateful to the HCPS School Social Workers who RISE for their students, families, and school communities. Please take a moment to thank a School Social Worker sometime next during the coming week.

We are busy planning our systemwide Professional Learning Conference for all instructional-based staff on April 3-4, Cruise into Learning: Learn. Connect. Reflect. Here are a few details to spark anticipation and excitement:

• Monday, April 3: We have over 250 live, synchronous sessions being offered across the entire day—along with self-directed sessions, there will be lots of choice!
• Tuesday, April 4: A Choice Board filled with a variety of self-directed morning options will allow participants to continue learning, connecting with colleagues and content, and reflecting on new learning. The afternoon block is reserved for Negotiated Professional Development.
• Clerical Staff: Professional development with choice session is being offered and communicated through the Organizational Development office.

Professional Learning Guidelines have been created to establish professional norms regarding attendance and engagement throughout the conference. Participants will have the option to work from a remote location as they learn, connect, and reflect throughout the conference days and school buildings will be open for staff (closed to the public) for those who choose to work from their classroom/office space. Learn more on our Professional Learning for All SP site.

Annual leave allows eligible staff members an opportunity to get much needed and uninterrupted down time in order to decompress from the stress of the work environment. Use of annual leave is strongly encouraged in order to enjoy leisure time activities, time to focus on mental health, as well as the ability to connect with family and friends, either near or far. Employees are strongly encouraged to use the annual leave available to them.

Please note that carry-over of accrued annual leave will follow the guidelines as stated in your respective negotiated agreement at the end of the fiscal year.

Questions regarding this information should be directed to Human Resources at 410-588-5226.

Are you an HCPS parent or guardian? We want to hear from you!

Your response to the 2022-2023 Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) Parent Engagement Survey is kindly requested. The purpose of this survey is to help HCPS understand your current involvement in your child(ren)’s education and give you an opportunity to share your thoughts on HCPS's parent engagement efforts. This year’s survey responses will establish the baseline for the school system’s data on engagement, and we plan to administer this survey annually moving forward. The responses will allow us to review data and continuously find ways to improve the school and home connection.

The Office of Family and Community Partnerships worked closely with the HCPS Parent Advisory Council, school-based leaders, teachers, central office administrators, and the HCPS Manager of Research and Program Evaluation to develop the content for the survey.

All responses to this survey are anonymous and will be kept strictly confidential. Please be as open and honest as possible with your answers. The survey should take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete. Your response is requested by Friday, March 24, 2023.

To take the survey, please click here.

This survey is also available in Spanish. To access that version of the survey, please change the default setting from English (United States) to Español (Espana, alfabetizacion internacional) in the upper right-hand corner on the start page of the survey.

We appreciate your participation and value your feedback. Thank you in advance for your time.

Future U aspiring principals and aspiring assistant principals recently had the opportunity to hear about culture and climate from Dr. Dyann Mack, Director of Elementary School Instruction and Performance, and Ms. Natalie Holloway, Director of Middle School Innovation. They also spent time hearing from panels of current Harford County Public Schools principals and assistant principals. Special thanks to our administrators who shared so much leadership wisdom with the group!

Harford County IMPACT principals recently had the opportunity hear the leadership wisdom and strategies of Ms. Jennifer Janson, owner of the Painted Mill. Ms. Janson spent an afternoon with the group discussing creativity and innovation. We deeply appreciate her time and partnership!

Fountain Green Elementary School

Mary Ann Clinton, Principal

At Fountain Green Elementary, their amazing artists were inspired by the artists Alma Thomas, Romare Bearden, and Faith Ringgold. Their creative musicians learned about the rich music history from African American traditional tunes, blues, and jazz. Fifth graders additionally learned the 12-bar blues on ukuleles and wrote their own blues verses. Kindergarteners enjoyed reading Sing about Martin. Their fantastic first graders read a plethora of literature related to African American culture and famous individuals who inspired them, including Ruby Bridges and George Washington Carver. They also listened to the music of famous black musicians like Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington.

Forest Lakes Elementary School

Victoria L. Guido, Principal

At Forest Lakes Elementary School, acknowledging the contributions of African Americans can be seen throughout the building. Special thanks to school nurse, Ana Jakse for highlighting African America Leaders in nursing and medicine and for extending the learning beyond the classroom.

Old Post Road Elementary School

Ron Wooden, Principal

At Old Post Road Elementary School, the proud Penguins celebrate Black History Month in February and all year long. Each morning, students start their day listening to the Black National Anthem, Lift Every Voice and Sing and monthly newsletters to parents and families highlight the amazing things teachers are doing to commemorate Black History Month in the classroom. The Proud Penguins don’t stop there, Black History Month celebrations are embedded in curriculum materials, classroom libraries, decorations, bulletin boards and more! Way to go OPR!

Patterson Mill Middle High School

Dr. Sean Abel, Principal

Sixth grade ELA students at Patterson Mill Middle read some of Maya Angelou's poetry including "Life Doesn't Frighten Me" in order to choose and emulate one of Angelou's poetic literary choices in their own poem about fear in their lives. They collaborated on a mural to honor and celebrate her contributions to literature and our world.

Teachers, administrators, and staff from Patterson Mill worked together to recognize their sweetest parent, Mrs. Esther Oyedeji! For years, Mrs. Oyedeji has been blessing her sons' school family with beautiful handmade Dashikis. Arrangements were made to gather staff from elementary, middle, and high school for joyful pictures with the Oyedeji boys, Joshua and Joel.

Thanks to Mrs. Oyedeji for literally covering them with her love. Staff members appreciate her and her awesome young men!!

Magnolia Middle School

Laurie Namey, Principal

Black History Month Magic is alive and well at Magnolia Middle School. All month long, the MAMS Vikings used their brilliance and creativity to celebrate the accomplishments of African Americans. From a Poetry Slam to HBCU Day to a special day dedicated to wearing gear from a black small business clothing line, MAMS is leading the charge to celebrate the past, present, and future contributions of African Americans. Way to go MAMS! Special shout out to Principal Namey, Mr. Dustin Rhodes, and the amazing staff and students at Magnolia Middle.

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.

In honor of Black History Month, pianist, artist, and composer Kayla Waters visited Aberdeen High School earlier this month. A 2008 graduate, she stopped by to talk to the students about following their dreams and being themselves. She also talked to us about her experience at Aberdeen High School! Check it out!

HCPS Parent Academy, in partnership with Chick-fil-A of Harford County, is excited to announce that Emmorton Elementary School is the February winner for the school system’s Family Friendly School Award program!! Way to go!

This month, a total of 15 schools were nominated and 3,206 unique votes were cast by the community among the nominated schools, naming Emmorton Elementary the winner with 992 votes!! Not only does the school earn the coveted title of Family Friendly School for the month of February, but the entire school staff will be treated to a luncheon by the program’s partner, Chick-fil-A of Harford County.

We want to give a special shout out to this month's runner up schools:

• Harford Technical High School
  
• Swan Creek School
• Hall's Cross Roads Elementary School

Keep up the great work!

The school system will continue to celebrate its schools that best engage all families by consistently demonstrating the National PTA Standards for Family-School Partnerships. One school will be named a family friendly school each month through May.

Want to see your school highlighted for this award on the website and social media, plus treated to a Chick-fil-A lunch? Continue to encourage parents/guardians, students, staff and community members to nominate your school for the Family Friendly School Award! The nomination window is open now until March 8, 2023, on the Parent Academy page of hcps.org. If your school is nominated, our community can show how welcoming your school is by casting their vote March 10-17, 2023.

More information may be found on https://www.hcps.org/parents/parentacademy/familyfriendlyschools.aspx.

HCPS is deeply grateful for its generous Chick-fil-A partners at the Aberdeen, Bel Air, Constant Friendship, and Forest Hill locations for their tremendous support of this program.

Calling all nominations for this month's Family Friendly School Award!

Nominations for the award are being accepted now through 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, March 8, 2023. Only nominations submitted during this window will be considered for this month's award.

It takes just a few minutes to nominate a school...access the link to nominate here: https://www.hcps.org/parents/parentacademy/familyfriendlyschools.aspx.

Please spread the word! Help your school be celebrated for their efforts to communicate well, engage and welcome all families, and support student success.

Winning schools receive the positive coverage of the award, a custom banner to display in the school, and a complimentary staff luncheon from Chick-fil-A of Harford County.

Congratulations to all February Communi-Team Adventure nominees! The February adventure focused on celebrating one another both in and out of the classroom. Nominees were recognized for their unwavering ability to uplift and encourage their peers, creating and implementing schoolwide initiatives to boost morale, supporting families of special needs students, bringing joy and laughter to their buildings, and so much more.

Five randomly selected honorees were invited to You Make Scents on Friday, February 24, 2023, with three members of the Communi-Team, to create customized candles to highlight the value of celebration in our classrooms, schools, and communities. Honorees shared stories, explored an inspirational book, made candles, and inspired each other to continue creating "light" for each other and our communities.

The group invited to You Make Scents included:

• Bridgette Bell, Teacher Specialist, Aberdeen Middle School
• Emily Cox, Second Grade Teacher, Roye-Williams Elementary School
• Taylor Dudley, Special Education Teacher, Forest Lakes Elementary School
• Meghan Morrison, School Counselor, Edgewood High School
• Kristine Snyder, Special Education Teacher, Magnolia Middle School
• Rebecca Gault, English Teacher, Bel Air High School
• Liz Nemeth, Social Studies, Havre de Grace Middle School
• Amy Wolff, Reading Specialist, Swan Creek School

The honorees had a wonderfully uplifting afternoon filled with laughter, camaraderie, and of course celebration. Thank you to our wonderful partner Freedom Federal Credit Union for their sponsorship of this adventure! We sincerely appreciate their unwavering support of HCPS staff.

Congratulations to all of our February nominees! You are all an integral part of our schools’ success. We sincerely appreciate all of the work you do each day to support our students and each other.

• Bridgette Bell, Teacher Specialist, Aberdeen Middle School
• Julie Ciotola, Instructional Coach
• Emily Cox, Second Grade Teacher, Roye-Williams Elementary School
• Taylor Dudley, Special Education Teacher, Forest Lakes Elementary School
• Elizabeth Johns, Mathematics Teacher, Bel Air High School
• Meghan Morrison, School Counselor, Edgewood High School
• Kristine Snyder, Special Education Teacher, Magnolia Middle School
• Wendy Morelli, Kindergarten Teacher, Emmorton Elementary School
• Jamie Prichard, Special Education Teacher, Roye-Williams Elementary School
• Erica Richardson, Social Studies Teacher, Joppatowne High School
• Marcia Shewan, School Counselor, Joppatowne Elementary School
• Keisha Nandalal, First Grade Teacher, Fountain Green Elementary School
• Mark Truszkowski, Principal, Swan Creek School

Calling all Central Office Employees: Is there a school-based staff member that you would like to recognize through the Communi-Team Adventure? The March nomination window is now open! In March we are recognizing school-based staff members who persevere through the toughest of times and come out on the other side, stronger than before. Do you know someone who uplifts others through these rough journeys? Nominate them for the March Communi-Team Adventure and they may be selected to join members of the Communi-Team at Broom’s Bloom Dairy on Tuesday, March 28 to enjoy a tour of how they make their delicious ice cream, have lunch together as a group, build relationships, and engage in wonderful conversation to rest, recharge, and return to their buildings ready to take on the remainder of the school year.

For their third stop, 5xStronger is looking to highlight and recognize one high school teacher. Do you know a high school educator 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 the high school level!

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

From University of Phoenix (UOPX):

University of Phoenix offers online courses, degree, and certificate programs to assist teachers with licensure needs. We have multiple pathways to achieve your goals with a flexible online schedule.

As your Education Liaison, I will apply 10% off tuition cost and provide information on payment options such as tuition deferment or direct billing if applicable.

Contact: Nicole Berkebile, email: Nicole.Berkebile@phoenix.edu cell: 480.290.4328

March – June 2023, UOPX Online Course Schedule:
Continuing Education for Teachers and Degree programs

• Reading/ Literacy courses
• Courses for Conditional Licensure requirements
• Graduate-level credits for BA+30/ MA+ 30
• Educator Preparation degree or certificate programs
• MAEd programs for advancing career in Leadership and Administration

Content area courses

• Undergraduate Mathematics
• Undergraduate English
• Undergraduate Sciences
• Undergraduate Humanities
• Undergraduate Psychology and Sociology
• Undergraduate Economics

Please email Nicole.Berkebile@phoenix.edu before you enroll to ensure the 10% tuition discount is applied, or if you have any questions on courses.

We are excited to share with you the following information regarding high school spring musicals. If you are interested in attending a performance, visit our website for more information on purchasing tickets.

Aberdeen High School
Annie
April 13, 7:00 p.m.
April 14, 7:00 p.m.
April 15, 3:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.

Bel Air High School
You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown
April 12, 7:00 p.m.
April 13, 7:00 p.m.
April 14, 7:00 p.m.
April 15, 7:00 p.m.

C. Milton Wright High School
Mary Poppins
March 23, 7:00 p.m.
March 24, 7:00 p.m.
March 25, 7:00 p.m.
March 26, 3:00 p.m.

Edgewood High School
Mean Girls
March 10, 7:00 p.m.
March 11, 7:00 p.m.
March 12, 2:00 p.m.

Fallston High School
Mamma Mia!
April 28, 7:00 p.m.
April 29, 7:00 p.m.

Havre de Grace High School
The Sound of Music
March 10, 7:00 p.m.
March 11, 7:00 p.m.
March 12, 2:00 p.m.

Harford Technical High School
Into the Woods Jr.
April 21, 7:00 p.m.
April 22, 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.

Joppatowne High School
The Lightning Thief
April 28, 7:00 p.m.
April 29, 7:00 p.m.
April 30, 2:00 p.m.

North Harford High School
Footloose
March 17, 7:00 p.m.
March 18, 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.

Patterson Mill High School
Freaky Friday
March 2, 7:00 p.m.
March 3, 7:00 p.m.
March 4, 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.

*All productions are subject to changes in date, time, and ticket information. Please contact the school directly for the most accurate information.

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

• Teacher Specialist Literacy - Magnolia Middle School

• Curriculum Specialist - Fine Arts - Central Office

• Custodians - various locations

• Paraeducators and Inclusion Helpers - 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- 7/21/23Monday 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.

Registration Is Open!

Learn skills to build emotional fitness, foster resilience, and build happiness with the Work of Art wellness program. Personalize activities to enhance mindfulness, share gratitude, increase optimism, and make stronger connections. How you interact with others, the way you manage life's ups and downs, the thoughts and attitudes you choose, and the relationships you nurture make up the rich tapestry of you: your personal work of art. And although you'll be crafting art on your mobile or desktop device, you don't have to be an artist to thrive in Work of Art. As you complete activities you value and track progress by "painting" images with personal meaning, you'll create a unique experience to support ongoing emotional health and happiness. Start with a photo and log emotional well-being activities to bring your painting to life. A participant's goal is to complete approximately one photo per week, which they can then showcase in their personal or shared gallery. This program is available to all HCPS employees, free of charge. Click here to learn more about Work of Art.

Registration is now open, and the program will begin on Monday, March 6, 2023! To register, click here.

Presented by KEPRO Employee Assistance Program

Loneliness is the feeling we get when our need for rewarding social contact and relationships has not been met. It's normal to experience loneliness from time to time. In this session, participants learn practical steps to overcome loneliness and build better connections with others. Click here to learn more.

Date: Available on demand beginning February 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.

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.

Presented by the Wellness Committee and CareFirst

During February, CareFirst and the Wellness Committee hosted two virtual cooking demonstrations. These Virtual Heart Smart Cooking Demonstrations focused on a three-course heart-smart meal. Shaped to inspire nutritious meals at home, the demonstration will have participants learn techniques for making their meals healthier and receive recipes to practice their new culinary skills in the comfort of their homes.

You could still view both demonstrations if you could not attend the live events.

• Click here to view the recorded session. This menu features Cajun Honey Grilled Chicken with Spanish Rice and Sauteed Peppers. Featuring Warm Chocolate Pudding for dessert. The recipes for this delicious meal can be found here: February 9 Cooking Demo Recipes.pdf.
• Click here to view the recorded session. This menu features Baked Fish and Potatoes with Green Beans and Shallots. Featuring Balsamic Strawberries for dessert. The recipes for this wonderful meal can be found here: February 23 Cooking Demo Recipes.pdf

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 seminar/webinars will run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Webinars:

• March 8 and 9 (CRN 37277) *Two Evenings
  
• March 28 (CRN 37274)
• April 19 (CRN 37255)
• May 24 (CRN 37264)
• June 28 (CRN 37262)

Seminars:

• March 3 – Harford Community College (CRN 37279)

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.

Cinderella's Closet

March 25 and 26, 2023

10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Harford Cheerleading (701 Whitaker Mill Road, Joppa, MD 21085)

This event is open to all those in need of a prom dress or prom attire, free of cost. They will have beautiful dresses of all sizes and styles, shoes, jewelry and other prom accessories available to take home at no cost. They will have tons of giveaways for day of hair, makeup, nails, tanning, lashes and much more! This event is completely free of charge - all of this is made possible because of their amazing community of donors. A special thank you to Leading Harford Booster Club for being a Diamond Sponsor and opening up their beautiful cheer gym for this event!

If you have questions or would like to find out ways you can help, email cinderellasclosetmd@gmail.com or them Facebook @cinderellasclosetmd.

"The Bel Air Middle School (BAMS) administrative team would like to give a shout out to the Bel Air High School (BAHS) administrative team. When we were having an issue at BAMS during a professional development (PD) day and were not able to deliver our scheduled PD to staff, BAHS graciously opened their doors for our staff at a moment’s notice! We appreciate you accommodating us so that we could achieve our goals on a PD day!"

-Kelly Curio, Assistant Principal, Bel Air Middle School

"I would like to give a shout out to Courtney McLean, a counselor here at C. Milton Wright High School who goes above and beyond to help us out in our school library. Courtney has morning duty in the library every day and is a warm, welcoming face for all the students who come to the library. Not only that, she has many times handled our busy library mornings all on her own! She has been always been willing to take over when I am out of the building and our library tech is at her other school. She takes on the responsibility of opening the library, returning and checking out books, and allowing our students the opportunity to enjoy their morning in the library, when it otherwise would have been closed. Courtney McLean is a dependable and delightful person and I’m happy to give her this well deserved shout out!"

-Marcia Buckley, Media Specialist, C. Milton Wright High School

"The HCPS Teacher Academy of Maryland (TAM) magnet program would like to thank Mr. Johnson and Ms. Johnston at Fallston Middle 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 C. Thomas, HCPS Teacher Academy of Maryland Program Coordinator

"Today [2/24/2023] I was observing a student and noticed that during music, Mr. Weller at Joppatowne Elementary School, did an amazing job circulating the room and providing behavior-specific praise to individual students! As a Behavior Intervention Coach, I believe that providing praise is essential in reinforcing and shaping positive student behavior. This is especially true for our younger students. I believe the Pre-K students I was working with benefitted greatly from Mr. Weller's positive reinforcement!"

-Greg Willison, M. Ed., Behavior Intervention Coach, Special Education

"A huge SHOUT OUT to all of our professional school nurses for their recent presentations to our school staff about sickle cell disease, diabetes, and seizures/epilepsy. School nurses are such an amazing asset to our school district and are skilled health educators who improve the health, safety, and well-being of our school community. Throughout COVID, they were our lifelines and they continue to be public health ambassadors and provide case management to optimize student health. Thank a school nurse today!"

-Mary Nasuta, Supervisor of Health Services, Student Services

"Edgewood Middle School is shouting out Ms. Sandy McMichael and the wonderful administration and staff of Edgewood High School for being a wonderfully supportive and friendly neighbor! Recently our staffs gathered together in the Edgewood High School spacious auditorium to engage in the systemwide live event during the 2/17 staff professional development day. Prior to the live event, we were able to mingle and network over some refreshments. This simple effort on their behalf fostered an increased sense of community and made for a great experience with the live event and other presentations. Additionally, Edgewood High School has been willing to host the Edgewood Middle School quarterly honors recognition ceremonies. This has greatly enhanced the experience for all involved, particularly members of the community who now have a fantastic space to observe their loved ones receiving their recognitions. Thank you so much, Edgewood High School!"

-Drew Hoagland, Assistant Principal, Edgewood Middle School

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

• Elizabeth Outten, School Nurse, Bakerfield Elementary School
• Jasmine Credle, Custodian I - Shift 1, Red Pump Elementary School
• Delainey Parsons, Inclusion Helper, Harford Academy

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