HCPS 411 Update

We are proud to announce the 2019 Support Services Superstar Award recipients:

• Jennifer L. Brazil, Administration Support Technician – Reading, English, and Language Arts, Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment
• Jessica M. Brazil, Administrative Support Technician – School Counseling, Fallston Middle School
• Paula A. Dalton, Custodian I – Shift 2, Bel Air Elementary School
• Sherry A. Dowell, Paraeducator – Special Education, North Harford Middle School
• Lori A. Gohlinghorst, Administrative Support Specialist – Professional Development, Alternative Education Program at the Center for Educational Opportunity
• Lauren E. Harper, Paraeducator – Special Education, Harford Technical High School
• Kathleen M. Houston, Administration Support Specialist – Curriculum, Harford Glen
• Deborah “Deb” Johnson, Paraeducator – Special Education, Patterson Mill Middle School
• Traci L. Kivinski, Paraeducator – Special Education (CSP), Joppatowne Elementary School
• Jennifer L. Langrehr, Paraeducator – Special Education, John Archer School
• Pamela A. Lopez, Paraeducator – Special Education, Forest Hill Elementary School
• Jennifer R. Marchsteiner, Administrative Support Technician – Background Technician, Human Resources
• Carmeline R. Messenger, Paraeducator, Homestead/Wakefield Elementary School
• Barbara A. Mortus, Inclusion Helper – Special Education, Church Creek Elementary School
• Laura L. Wade, Administrative Support Technician – School Counseling, Student Services

This employee recognition program is an opportunity for HCPS stakeholders to recognize support services employees. Nominations were accepted during September 2019. Then, a panel of judges reviewed all nominations submitted and identified a list of finalists to recommend to the Superintendent of Schools. The winners were notified during a surprise office visit and check presentation on November 20, 2019 – Education Support Professionals Day.

APG Federal Credit Union (APGFCU) is the proud financial sponsor of HCPS Support Services Superstar Awards. The 15 award recipients received $200 each, and their supervisors were given $100 to host a celebration for the recipient at their work location.

The awards were based on nominated employees demonstrating at least one of the following criteria:

• Exemplary performance, outstanding achievements, or accomplishments.
• Exemplary role model to include outstanding customer service, collaboration, and positive attitude.
• Cost savings or ideas that contribute to increased efficiency.
• Design and implementation of new systems or processes.

All HCPS regular support staff employees (clerical support, instructional support, central office support, operational support, etc.) who have successfully completed one year of continuous service with the organization are eligible for the annual award.

Dr. Sean Bulson is hosting two budget community forums to take questions and input about the upcoming HCPS FY21 budget:

TONIGHT!! November 21, 2019

6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

C. Milton Wright High School – Cafeteria

Monday, November 25, 2019

6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Joppatowne High School – Media Center

This is an opportunity for staff, parents/guardians, and community members to contribute their voices as Dr. Bulson develops the FY21 proposed operating budget. A brief presentation will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by tabletop discussions.

All are welcome to attend, and childcare will be provided on-site. Those planning to utilize the childcare service must register their child(ren) prior to the event. To register, visit hcps.org and go to the ‘Parent Academy’ page found under the ‘Parents’ tab on the homepage, or click here.

HCPS 2019 Teacher of the Year Finalists provide their expertise and insight on how parents can help build the bridge from school to home in the most recent Real Talk episode:

Over the next few weeks we will highlight on social media the five FABULOUS 2019 Teacher of the Year finalists! First up, Ms. Martinek, science teacher at C. Milton Wright High School, shares how she makes sure students have wings to fly.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2020 Teacher of the Year. Be sure to nominate the teacher who has had the greatest impact on your life, or the life of someone you know! Don’t put off your nomination – the teacher must submit his/her application by midnight on January 2, 2020!

Visit www.hcps.org and click the 'Staff' tab on the homepage, and then 'Teacher of the Year' for more information and to access the link to submit applications through TalentEd once nominated.

Maryland’s EITC is a credit for certain taxpayers who have earned income. Most taxpayers who are eligible and file for a Federal EITC can receive the Maryland state and local EITC. The allowable Maryland credit is up to one-half of the Federal credit.

To be eligible for the Federal and Maryland EITC, Earned Income (EI) and Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) must be less than:

• $50,162 ($55,952 married filing jointly) with three or more qualifying children
• $46,703 ($52,493 married filing jointly) with two qualifying children
• $41,094 ($46,884 married filing jointly) with one qualifying child
• $15,570 ($21,370 married filing jointly) with no qualifying children

If your income is less than the amounts shown above, visit the Internal Revenue Service website at www.irs.gov, visit Maryland’s website at www.marylandtaxes.com or contact your tax advisor to learn if you meet the other requirements.

For questions regarding this information, please contact Mary Folus at Mary.Folus@hcps.org or 410-588-5241.

• La Salle University/Regional Training Center Winter and Spring Graduate Courses for Teachers:

  Registration for winter and spring 2020 courses is now open. Courses have been developed by educators to provide you with relevant topics and techniques that you can immediately apply in your classroom. View courses and schedules online here: Winter and Spring 2020 Schedule.

  
  

• Online Learning Courses – Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Courses through Thinkport:

  MPT Thinkport 2019 Winter course registration is now open. Earn one to three CPD credits through these facilitated online courses. Register soon; early winter sessions start January 15, and late winter sessions start February 26, 2020. Please see Thinkport’s list of CPD courses here.

The Special Education Department, in an effort to inform school leaders and faculty, will be highlighting each week one or more of the MSDE Division of Early Intervention and Special Education Services (DEI-SED) technical assistance bulletins.

This week, they are sharing the guidance on Improving Outcomes for Students with Disabilities Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment. This is the newest version, released November 2019.

A full list of available DEI-SED Technical Assistance Bulletins are available on the MSDE website, located here.

Questions regarding this should be directed to any of the Coordinators for Special Education x5246.

Thank you to those who participated in the Paraprofessional and Inclusion Helper Conference on November 4, 2019. We hope that you learned a lot and took some new skills or self-care ideas back with you to your schools.

Organizers would like to get some feedback on individual sessions and the overall conference. Please use the link here to complete a brief survey to help them continue to make this a valuable learning experience for you.

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

"Special shout out to Jacquelyn Booth, special education teacher at Edgewood Middle School, and all the teachers who helped organize an INCREDIBLE field trip for more than 300 Edgewood Middle students to see Aladdin at the Baltimore Hippodrome Theatre! Ms. Booth's logistical prowess accounted for every detail, down to name tags, bus signs, and individually assigned seats. The students were amazed and so struck by the talent and beauty of the show. It was an experience they will remember for the rest of their lives!"

-Kristie Smith, 7th grade science teacher, Edgewood Middle School

Several HCPS Physical and Health Education teachers were honored at the Maryland SHAPE conference in this month. The Simon A. McNeely Award recognizes teachers who demonstrate outstanding innovation in teaching health education or physical education, along with active involvement in school and community affairs. The award is named for Simon A. McNeely, who was a special education teacher and longtime member of the President’s Council for Physical Fitness and the United States and International Olympic committees.

Pictured at right: Joseph Harbert, supervisor of Elementary/Middle PE, Health & APE; Robert Pohlner, Forest Lakes Elementary School; Sarah Friedman, Edgewood High School; Jeroud Clark, Patterson Mill High School; Anthony Feldscher, Southampton Middle School; Deborah Basler, supervisor of High School PE, Health & Athletics; and Robert Shank, Abingdon Elementary School - not pictured.

"I would like to recognize our lead custodian, Tivis Wilson. Tivis is a hard worker! He arrives at work every day ready to face whatever challenges may arise. He keeps a calm and pleasant demeanor at all times. Whenever we have a special request or need, Tivis will jump in to help out. Tivis works diligently to increase the efficiency and communication of the entire custodial team. I appreciate everything that he does for us at Harford Glen!"

-Melanie Kane, outdoor education teacher, Harford Glen

"Ms. Katie Campbell is a true educator at heart. With all of the contents that she covers throughout the county, she still makes time to carve out to assist with lesson planning, workshop development, or even just a hug and a smile for our teachers. Sometimes her efforts and what she does gets overlooked, but without question, CTE students within this county are 100 times better and more prepared because of her efforts."

-Austin Hill, Academy of Finance coordinator, Edgewood High School

#HCPScustomerservice

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

• Samatha Adams, paraeducator, Homestead/Wakefield Elementary School
• Daniel Baldwin, inclusion helper, Aberdeen High School
• Sharon Baltimore, inclusion helper, Edgewood Middle School
• Heather Bennett, inclusion helper, Hall's Cross Roads Elementary School
• Derrick Dass, custodian I - Shift 2, Bel Air Middle School
• William Freeney, custodian I - Shift 2, Ring Factory Elementary School
• Nadi Garcia, paraeducator, Abindgon Elementary School
• Brent Kadlubowski, custodian I - Shift 2, Fallston Middle School
• Aaron Mason, inclusion helper, Edgewood Middle School
• Ashley Moir, inclusion helper, C. Milton Wright High School
• Stanley Rote, paraeducator, Darlington Elementary School
• Tammi Shiles, school nurse, Aberdeen High School
• Shannon Spence, inclusion helper, Meadowvale Elementary School
• Tommy Sweeney, custodian I - shift 2, Meadowvale Elementary School/Roye-Williams Elementary School
• Thao Truong, custodian I - shift 2, Emmorton Elementary School/Magnolia Elementary School
• April Whitehurst, inclusion helper, Magnolia 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