HCPS 411 Update

Did you miss the Monthly Minute last week? No worries, we have you covered!

To ensure that all employees have the opportunity to hear what Dr. Bulson shares during these system check-ins, we record the event and share it in following HCPS 411 Update.

To view the May Monthly Minute, click below.

The 2019 HCPS Teacher of the Year finalists invite you to join them on FlipGrid! With topics like “Lemons to Lemonade,” “Reflections on Gratitude,” and “Laughter is the Best Medicine,” HCPS staff are encouraged to use FlipGrid to share with one another! All videos submitted are reviewed by the 2019 HCPS Teacher of the Year finalists prior to inclusion. Questions? Email HCPSTOY@hcps.org. We’ll see you on the Grid!

Each week in the HCPS 411 Update, the Parent Academy releases a new video showcasing a school/program that demonstrates a best practice related to one of the six National PTA Standards. Additionally, the videos are archived on the Parent Academy page on hcps.org for reference.

This series serves as a way to highlight and recognize the good work happening in our schools and create an opportunity to share ideas within our system.

Please take a moment to watch Edgewood Middle School Principal Melissa Williams and Social Worker and PACE Liaison Alexis Frazier share about their school’s successful family engagement events, like Cook With Me Family Night, which are excellent examples of PTA Standard 1: Welcoming All Families Into the School Community and PTA Standard 6: Collaborating With Community.

As part of HCPS’ Wellness Recovery efforts, the Office of Student Support Services will be providing a short video each week with some tips, reminders, and things to think about as students and staff return to in-person learning. We hope these videos provide some thoughtful guidance to your work with students and your own personal reflection on wellness throughout the remainder of this school year.

We are very pleased with the current response rate to our Educator Feedback on Student Engagement survey; however, our goal is to have 50% or more of instructional/teaching staff respond to the survey. The more responses we receive, the more representative, reliable, and useful the data will be, and our analysis will be less bias.

The deadline to submit a response has been extended to 5:00 p.m. TODAY, Thursday, June 3. If you have not yet responded, please consider taking 3-5 minutes to do so now before the survey closes.

Direct Survey Link: https://harfordcps.surveytrackersurveys.com/educatorfeedbackstudentengagement.htm.

If you have any questions or need additional information regarding this survey, please contact Yakoubou Ousmanou (Ousman), Manager of Research and Program Evaluation - North Star Initiative, at Yakoubou.Ousmanou@hcps.org.

Thank you for taking the time to share valuable feedback and experiences with us.

Educators throughout Maryland are invited to register for FREE to hear a keynote delivered by renowned poet Nikki Giovanni, followed by a presentation focusing on social justice, equity and antiracism. The event will be held June 6, 2021, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Please see this announcement for more information about the event, which is open and free to the entire Maryland education community. Those planning to participate may register at https://bit.ly/3yywTt6.

Presented by KEPRO Employee Assistance Program

The June KEPRO Employee Assistance Program (EAP) communication resources are here! Are you looking for ways to build and keep healthy relationships? This online webinar will help you identify the ways to build and maintain health relationships with those around you, with a focus on the importance of boundary setting. Click here to more tips on how to set healthy boundaries.

Date: Available on demand beginning June 15, 2021

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 the homepage, or you can search for them by title.

The EAP is available to HCPS employees and their families any time, any day, and is a free, confidential program to help you balance your work, family, and personal life.

Call KEPRO toll free at (866) 795-5701 or visit their website online at www.EAPhelplink.com.

Meal Plan Like a Pro: Mason Jar Salads

Friday, June 4, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

This seminar gives participants tips on eating healthy even with a busy life, a healthy meal plan schedule, and time-saving tips in the kitchen. Stay on to join CareFirst for the Mason Jar cooking demo! Sure, they're good for canning and drinking out of, but did you know they're also a great way to hold lunch for work! Learn how to layer a salad with all kinds of healthy ingredients using a Mason jar without ending up with a neglected, wilted salad. To participate in the above session(s), click on the topic title listed above at the scheduled date and time. The Meeting ID: 996 2056 1665 and Passcode: 7Ak2rt.

Superfoods Overview: Overnight Oats

Thursday, June 10, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.

Have you ever wondered what makes a food a SUPERfood? This presentation will answer all of your questions and bust common myths on superfoods and offer a cooking demo for quick Overnight Oats. The only ingredients needed are oats, dairy (or dairy alternative), a little patience, and a lot of love to make a breakfast of champions. No cooking necessary, refrigeration required, deliciousness guaranteed. To participate in the above session(s), click on the topic title listed above at the scheduled date and time. The Meeting ID: 917 5790 2804 and Passcode: ELYm1r.

The Community College of Baltimore County is offering members of the Maryland State Pension System the opportunity to attend virtual pre-retirement planning seminars. Topics include:

• Maryland State Pension System
• Legal Issues to Consider in Retirement
• Social Security Benefits
• Financial Planning

The next session will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on June 22 (CRN 38619).

To register, click here and follow the on-screen prompts. If you experience issues with registering online, call 443-840-5059.

Please note: This event is not hosted through HCPS, and therefore will not include information about our benefit plans. That session will be held will be in Fall 2021. More information will be shared in the HCPS 411 Update newsletter at a future date.

"Shout Out to Kristen Almes, media tech at Edgewood Middle School and Edgewood High School. Kristen moves seamlessly between our two schools, keeping both of our collections in good shape and ready for students to check out! She’s helped with genrification projects at both schools this year to make books easier for kids to find, and her ninja book-repair skills extend the lives of our books many times over. She also is a listening ear for MANY students at EMS and makes the library a haven for students who need one."

-Libby (Elizabeth) Gorman, Library Media Specialist, Edgewood Middle School

"I want to give a big Shout Out to everyone who gave part of their already busy day to help me complete scissor lift inspections. Kevin McGibney at NHHS, Diane Brown and Greg Testerman at NHMS, Lou Reichart at RPES, Gary Zeigler and Mike Sunderhaus at FHES, Harvey Cage at HDHS, Jay Cheuvront at ABMS, Mike Weddle at ABHS, Buddy Cook at HTHS, Zach Beavers at BAHS, Mark Kiebler at PMMHS, Mike Burton at DFES, Sonya Benn at EDHS, Debbie Tillman at ABES, Jason Riedal at YBES and anyone I might have missed. Your time is worth so much, even more so with all the additional Covid-19 responsibilities, and I greatly appreciate you working with me. Thank you all so much!"

-Tiffany Sawyer, Work Order Coordinator, Facilities Department

"Shout Out to Bob Kral! When I have a technology question or request, I know when I call Bob, the solution will be quick and painless. No matter what the problem is, Bob is always eager to help. Thank you for all you do!"

-Ashley Bowley, Central Office

Please note that the last regularly-scheduled issue of the HCPS 411 Update newsletter for this school year will be WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 2021.

The newsletter will resume publication weekly on Thursdays with the start of the new school year.

Important information for staff will be shared over the summer via Special Announcement newsletters.

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