HCPS 411 Update

"National Assistant Principals Week is April 5–9, 2021! Join the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), the National Association of Elementary School Principals, and the American Federation of School Administrators in honoring the enormous contributions of assistant principals to student success. This year, our celebration takes on even greater significance as we recognize all that assistant principals have conquered amid the pandemic and consider what their ever-expanding and evolving role might look like moving forward. Through it all, America’s assistant principals have demonstrated unwavering leadership—becoming a source of strength and inspiration for us all."

-The National Association of Secondary School Principals website

We have some of the most talented and inspiring Assistant Principals in the State of Maryland. We could not be prouder of the incredible work they do to support their students, staff, and school communities every day. They are a vital part of our team, and we are so thankful to have them. #HCPStogether

HCEA-represented employees who wish to be considered for transfer to the eLearning Blended Virtual Program must complete an online application. Program description and application can be found at the following link: https://harford.tedk12.com/hire/Index.aspx. Requests for transfer will be accepted from tenured teachers who meet the certification requirements for the position identified at time of application.

Online applications will be accepted for these vacancies until the positions are filled. Candidates who apply by April 14, 2021, will be given first consideration. Each subject and/or position requested must be submitted separately. The need to fill these positions will be dependent upon student enrollment.

Questions regarding this information should be directed to Shannon Hagan, in Human Resources, at Shannon.Hagan@hcps.org.

As we continue with the school boundary review process, the Advisory Team for balancing enrollment in Harford County schools is inviting you to a Community Education Forum on Wednesday, April 14, 2021, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. During this meeting, the team will present potential elementary school boundary adjustments. This is an initial look at the most recent scenarios being reviewed by the Advisory Team. During the live event, participants will be able to ask questions in the chat and encouraged to take part in live polls to capture public opinion.

For one week following the meeting, an exit survey will be available on our website to contribute feedback on the boundary adjustments being discussed. The Advisory Team will use the information gathered during this event and from the survey to continue to revise and refine the proposed boundary adjustments.

For more information, including maps of the initial draft boundary adjustment scenarios, the meeting access link, and a detailed agenda by region, please visit the Balancing Enrollment page under the Community tab at HCPS.org.

If you are unable to attend the live event, a recording of the presentation will be available on our website after the event.

Please take a moment to watch the latest Parent Academy Real Talk on this process.

Spring is here, and summer is right around the corner. Harford County Education Foundation is getting ready by hosting the Summer Palooza Raffle! The winner of the raffle will receive a Trailmate All Terrain Igloo Cooler filled to the brim with over $1,000 of great stuff to get your summer fun started! You can learn more about the Summer Palooza raffle and purchase raffle tickets online at https://harfordeducation.org/events/raffle/. Online sales of the raffle will end on April 28, 2021. The winner will be drawn and notified on May 3, 2021. The proceeds from the Summer Palooza raffle will fund programs that provide support to teachers and students of Harford County Public Schools. Contact deb@harfordeducation.org with any questions.

On August 10, 2020, preliminary results and findings of the HCPS Survey on Racism, Implicit Bias, and Other Forms of Discrimination were presented to the Board of Education. At that time, detailed results of the survey questions and responses were also posted on hcps.org.

The final research report is linked here. This final report differs from the preliminary report in that it includes more sample comments from the survey, additional analysis of the comments, and a summary of all the work and initiatives done to date in response to the survey results.

All HCPS staff are encouraged to read and review the key findings and recommendations included in the report.

The Summary of HCPS Initiatives in Response to Survey Findings may be found on page 10 of the linked report.

Questions regarding the report may be directed to Yakoubou Ousmanou, Manager of Research and Program Evaluation (North Star), via the following email address: yakoubou.ousmanou@hcps.org.

Starting April 12, 2021, through April 30, 2021, copier demonstrations will be held at various schools and offices. Each week, these selected locations will test copiers from three (3) different manufacturers. A survey will be sent to participating locations once demonstrations are complete to receive feedback. After review of the survey results, a final decision will be made for the new copier contract for the district. The new copiers will be distributed during the month of August. Questions should be directed to Jenn Horner, Purchasing Agent, at Jennifer.Horner@hcps.org.

Thank you again for participating in the systemwide Professional Learning day this week! If you have not done so already, please take a moment to complete our brief survey about the day. We value your input and use the data from the survey to inform upcoming professional learning structures, topics, and timing. The survey is anonymous and will remain open through Tuesday, April 13, 2021. Here is the link to the Survey Monkey: April 6, 2021 Feedback Survey Monkey. Questions about the day or the survey can be sent to HCPSProfessionalLearning@hcps.org.

Applications are still being accepted for Extended School Year (ESY) and High School Programs. Please note that current employees should use the designated internal application.

To access an employment application, please visit the Current Vacancies section of the HCPS website at www.hcps.org found under the About Us banner, or click here. Summer Program Employment Information can also be accessed on the HCPS website under the About Us banner.

The following positions are available:

• Audiologist
• Braille Transcriber
• Inclusion Helper
• Interpreter
• Occupational Therapist
• Paraeducator
• Physical Therapist
• School Nurse
• Speech Language Pathologist
• Teacher
• Team Nurse

The following programs are being offered:

• Special Education Infants & Toddlers
• Special Education ESY Elementary & Early Interventions Programs
• Special Education ESY Secondary
• Special Education ESY John Archer – Camp-I-Can
• Special Education Child Find Test Center
• High School Mathematics
• High School English
• High School Physical Education
• High School Science
• High School Social Studies
• High School Special Education

Please take a moment to watch our latest #LeadWithLove message.

Enrollment in the HCPS Blended Virtual Learning program for the 2021-2022 school year has officially begun. Applications are now being accepted and can be found on www.hcps.org. Also available on www.hcps.org are a recording of the parent/guardian informational session and a parent/guardian question and answer document.

If you or your family have seen benefits in virtual learning and would like to continue next year, please be sure to apply!

• Virtual Program from Home (eLearning) Elementary School Application
• Virtual Program from Home (eLearning) Middle School Application
• Virtual Program from Home (eLearning) High School Application

HCPS is seeking educators to teach in the 2021 Stars of Summer program. Stars of Summer is a virtual, camp-like summer school experience for rising grade one through grade nine students. We need your ingenuity and creativity in order to provide students with exciting summer workshop experiences. Please see the overview to learn more about this paid teaching opportunity and to submit a workshop proposal. Please contact diane.sumutka@hcps.org or andrew.renzulli@hcps.org with any questions. Note that the deadline to submit workshop proposals has been extended to April 12, 2021, at 7:00 a.m.

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.

Each year, the Harford County Sheriff’s Office receives hundreds of complaints about people illegally passing school buses. During the 2019 school year alone, Harford County deputies issued 144 citations to drivers who had passed a stopped school bus. Across the country, there are an estimated 17 million stop arm violations during a single school year. Not only is this illegal, but it is dangerous. Illegally passing a school bus could result in a child being seriously injured or killed. Together, Harford County Public Schools , the Harford County Traffic Safety Advisory Board, and the bus contractors of Harford County, are working with a national company BUSPATROL, to identify and hold offenders accountable.

Starting this week, we are beginning a pilot program that will run the remainder of this school year. Ten HCPS buses that have been equipped with a BUSPATROL Stop Arm Camera will be deployed in Harford County.

Remember, STOP when you see a bus activate its flashing lights, and display it’s STOP sign. Let’s keep our children safe!

With principal approval, the ParaPro Assessment will be available to all HCPS employees seeking to meet the highly qualified requirements of paraeducator positions in Harford County, which permits an individual to work with students in the classrooms under the direction of the teacher.

The test measures skills and knowledge in reading, math, and writing, as well as the ability to apply those skills and knowledge to assist in classroom instruction. Test administration is scheduled for May 21, 2021. The test will be from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. at C. Milton Wright High School, located at 1301 North Fountain Green Road, Bel Air, MD 21015. Please sign-up and pay for the assessment on HECTOR.

Additional information related to the test, procedures for reimbursement, test prep/review, and the MD passing score requirements are also available on the HR site here.

Questions regarding this information should be directed to Pauline Timmons, in Special Education, at Pauline.Timmons@hcps.org or 410-588-5246.

HCPS Summer and Fall CPD Course Offerings

The Summer and Fall 2021 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Course catalog is now available. Registration for these MSDE credit courses is available on HECTOR. Register early for the best course selection.

Questions should be directed to Lori Gohlinghorst at Lori.Gohlinghorst@hcps.org or hcpsprofessionallearning@hcps.org, or by calling 410-273-5261.

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Harford Community College – Course Offerings

Harford Community College is offering courses this summer for educators, including Assessment for Reading Instruction, Literacy in the Content Area, and others. For course offerings, go to https://hccweb1.harford.edu/scheduleofclassescredit/newsite/ . If you have questions or need assistance, contact Laura Hutton at lhutton@harford.edu or 443-504-9639.

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Towson University – Cohorts

Towson University will be hosting informational sessions on the following cohort programs. Please see flier for additional details and to register.

• M.S. Transformational Educational Leadership
  Wednesday, April 21, 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.

• Post-Master’s PBC Educational Administrator 1
  Tuesday, April 20, 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.

• PBC Action Research for School Improvement/Teacher Leadership Track
  Monday, April 26, 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.

• PBC Community Engagement and Leading School Change
  Tuesday, April 27, 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.

For more information, please visit https://www.towson.edu/coe/departments/leadership/grad/

or contact Program Director, Dr. Carla Finkelstein, at cfinkelstein@towson.edu.

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University of Maryland – online ESOL PBC and MA TESOL Programs

The University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) program is now offering it's master's degree and postbaccalaureate certificate at a 20% reduced tuition rate for Maryland P-12 educators (teachers, paraeducators, and administrators). Options are available for those seeking initial P-12 ESOL certification as well as for educators who are already certified and who would like deeper training in working with learners of English across content areas.

Additional details are available in the flier and information sheet.

Presented by KEPRO Employee Assistance Program

Balance, the quarterly newsletter provided by KEPRO, our employee assistance program provider, features guidance for dealing with vaccine anxiety, new stress management techniques, the power positivity, and other tips on maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Click here to read this quarter’s newsletter.

Presented by KEPRO Employee Assistance Program

The April KEPRO EAP communication resources are here! No matter where you are in your financial journey, KEPRO can help you take proactive steps to improve. This online seminar will help you to understand the practical ways you can feel more secure and more stable in your finance management. Click here to read more financial security tips from KEPRO.

Date: Available on demand beginning April 20, 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 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.

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

Through CareFirst, we are excited to announce the LiveWell webinar series for the month of April. Those interested may participate in any of the sessions listed utilizing the access link below. These are live sessions for all interested employees. This month’s topics include:

Making A Sustainable Lifestyle Change

Friday, April 9, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

Healthy eating and goal setting looks different for everyone. During this session participants are given guidance on how to achieve their own nutrition goals using sustainable habit-forming techniques.

I Want to Start Working Out, Where Do I Start?

Friday, April 16, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

New to working out? This seminar is for you! Learn tips and tricks on how to start your exercise routine and make it last.

Mindfulness 101

Friday, April 23, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

Follow along this presentation that will educate participants on mindfulness techniques and how they can use mindfulness to manage their daily stressors. Afterwards, your instructor will lead you through a mindful activity.

Sleep Solutions

Friday, April 30, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

Follow along a presentation that provides tips and tricks on how to get your best night’s rest. Then, your instructor will take you through a guided body scan to help you relax and slow down your mind.

To participate in the above session(s), click on the topic title listed above at the scheduled date and time. The Meeting ID: 991 5827 0491 and Passcode: 431278 will be the same for all four sessions.

If you would prefer to participate by phone, you may do so by calling 301-715-8592 utilizing the same Meeting ID and Passcode listed above.

This spring, BurnAlong is right by your side with a ton of great programming to keep you healthy, well, and fit. First off, a brand new BurnAlong partner, LivFitCo, is now offering upbeat cycling, HIIT, Barre, and breathing practice classes on the platform. Check them out!

You will have the chance to meet some LivFitCo instructors during the next monthly BurnAlong Live Event on Wednesday, April 14, at 12:00 p.m. This event will help get you motivated to wake up, re-energize, refresh, and get moving this season. To register for the event, click BurnAlong's Spring Into Wellness with LivFitCo.

Don’t forget, March Mania is still running until April 9, so keep taking classes to reach the final round and for a chance to win some great prizes from BurnAlong. As a reminder, this is a BurnAlong-wide program open to all those with a BurnAlong account.

As a reminder, BurnAlong is our health and wellness partner who provides you and your family with access to 1,000’s of online classes from 1,000+ local instructors. To activate your complementary 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.

CLICK HERE to watch this quick two-minute video to help get started with your online member portal.

From budgeting and building an emergency fund to determining your investment options and creating a will, there is something for everyone to learn. Each Retirewise session has different topics that build on each other.

With Retirewise, you’ll be on your way to making smarter financial decisions and creating an action plan that works for you.

Join your colleagues for the complementary Retirewise workshop series. Spouses and partners are welcome!

CLICK HERE TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT!

Workshop Details:
Session 1: Thursday, April 8, 2021
Session 2: Thursday, April 15, 2021
Session 3: Thursday, April 22, 2021
Session 4: Thursday, April 29, 2021
Time: 5:00 – 6:00 p.m

If asked for company name, enter Harford County Public Schools

Can’t attend but still need help with financial questions? You can still sign up for a free, no pressure, no obligation personal consultation. Click here.

Congratulations to Andy Renzulli, HCPS Supervisor of Science, who will be honored at the 10th annual Northeastern Maryland Technology Council (NMTC) Visionary Awards Gala on April 22 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., a virtual event this year. Mr. Renzulli is receiving the NMTC Leader Award for, “Consistent contribution to building the STEM-educated workforce and advancing our innovation and technology base in a public way that inspires others to help in accomplishing shared goals.” This awards gala, the largest of its kind in Maryland, is now in its 10th year. Supporting this gala are leaders and contributors from industry, government, and education. "We honor remarkable people who continue to play key roles in support of STEM education," said NMTC Board Chair Claudine Adams, President/Founder, Bravura Information Technology Systems. "These are individuals who selflessly donate their time and talents to make a difference in our community." Honorees now number 140 in the Academy of Visionary Awards. To celebrate with Mr. Renzulli, register for the event at: https://nmtc.org/events/visionary_awards/.

"Shout out to the Print Shop! The Office of Athletics needed Lacrosse and Track game passes printed quickly. And the team in the Print Shop responded with a quick delivery and superb customer service. Thank you from our office and the high school athletic directors!"

-Patricia Smith, Administrative Support Technician, Physical Education, Health & Athletics

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