HCPS 411 Update

On January 22, 2024, HCPS learned that the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) approved our 2023-2024 School Year Virtual Day Instruction Plan, which requested the use of three (3) asynchronous virtual instruction days in the event of inclement weather.

Following the approval of our virtual instruction plan, the next inclement weather day(s) will be utilized as asynchronous virtual learning day(s). When asynchronous virtual instruction is utilized, that information will be released with the inclement weather communications.

At the direction of the Superintendent, all employees will be expected to work and/or be available for work during an identified asynchronous inclement weather day. Employees will remain virtual for their duty day unless given further direction by their supervisor. Here is the link to the staff FAQ with additional details: https://www.smore.com/3rgmx1.

This information will be shared with our community TOMORROW, Friday, January 26, 2024, via Mass Notification communications (call, text, email) and on social media.

Staff, students, and families may visit the inclement weather page on hcps.org for more information about virtual learning days, including FAQs, resources for Canvas, and more. This page will be updated regularly with additional information; please check it often during this season.

For easy reference for our entire community, when the school system is utilizing a virtual instruction day, the following graphic will be shared on social media.

Beginning this week, parent and guardian access to Canvas is open. This grants parents/guardians the ability to access their student’s Canvas account in a read-only observer role. A Parent Access Orientation was created to help parents/guardians navigate Canvas and show them how to connect with their student’s account. Additionally, a Parent Academy Real Talk video was taped to demonstrate the process (linked below). This information is being shared with parents/guardians this evening via Mass Notifications.

HCPS recently learned that in May of 2023, our former dental insurance carrier, Delta Dental, experienced a data breach in their MOVEit file-transfer software program.

We have learned Delta was one of the many organizations impacted by their data security incident resulting from a previously unknown vulnerability in the MOVEit file transfer software, which is owned by Progress Software. The breach has impacted many organizations, insurance providers, and financial institutions, with an estimated 7 million individuals being impacted by this data breach. Unfortunately, HCPS has not been provided information from Delta regarding the number of HCPS employees and retirees impacted by the data breach or more information beyond the letters impacted individuals may have received.

From our understanding, this breach compromised personal identifying information, including name, address, social security number, date of birth, and healthcare information.

Delta Dental has mailed letters to those who were impacted by the breach, detailing the information compromised in their account, instructions, and a membership number for enrolling in 24 months of free credit monitoring and identifying theft protection through Kroll. If you did not receive a letter from Delta Dental, you may not be impacted by this data breach. HCPS has not been provided information from Delta regarding the number of HCPS employees and retirees impacted by the data breach or more information beyond the letters impacted individuals may have received.

If you have questions about the data breach or need additional information on the identity theft protection program, the Kroll customer service team is available Monday through Friday at 1-800-693-2571, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Central Time), except for major U.S. holiday closures.

Please note that the HCPS Benefits Office does not have additional details regarding this incident.

What you should do to protect your personal and financial information:

• If you receive a letter from Delta Dental, take advantage of the free credit monitoring and identity theft protection: Information and a unique membership number for registering in the program will be contained in the letter from Delta Dental. You must activate this protection within 90 days of receiving the letter.
• Monitor and set up alerts for bank accounts: Monitor your bank account(s) for suspicious transactions and report any to your bank. Ask the bank for online monitoring and alerts on your account. This will give you an early warning of any fraudulent transactions.
• Watch out for suspicious emails, phone calls, and text messages: It is possible that the person(s) behind this attack may send threatening communications in an attempt to scare people into giving them money. If you receive such communication, forward it to your local authorities or delete it. Do not respond or engage to these messages.
• Place a fraud alert on your credit file: We recommend you place a fraud alert on your credit file by contacting one of the three nationwide credit bureaus listed below. If a fraud alert is placed on a consumer’s credit file, specific identity verification steps must be taken before extending new credit.
• Important reminders about protecting yourself: These incidents are reminders of the importance of doing everything possible to protect your online information.

The next "Engage for Education Listening Session" will be held at North Harford High School on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. This is an opportunity for staff and out community to meet face-to-face with Board Vice President Hahn and Board President Poynton and have their voices heard.

W-2 forms will be placed in the courier on or before January 31, 2024, for calendar year 2023 wages.

Annually, the Finance Office provides an explanatory memo assisting employees to reconcile their final pay stubs for the year to the W-2 form and to answer frequently asked questions over the years. Click here to view the memo online or to print a hard copy of the memo if desired. Please print and share the memo with non-networked colleagues at your location.

W-2 forms will also be posted on Employee Self Service (ESS) on or before January 31, 2024. For detailed instructions on using ESS, please click here.

Any questions should be directed to Jay Staab, Director of Finance, at Jay.Staab@hcps.org or 410-588-5237.

The LASOS, Inc partnership with HCPS offers extra support for our English Language Learners through out-of-school programs such as mentoring; summer programs; and casework for housing, legal, employment, education, healthcare, and so much more.

LASOS partners with HCPS during the summer to provide a summer program that refreshes academic skills as well as life skills as the youth are introduced to ways to connect with the community.

During the school day, LASOS has a youth coordinator that works alongside the classroom teacher, EL teacher, and guidance counselor to support students within the school setting.

LASOS seeks to level the playing field for non-native English-speaking students through special activities such as the recent holiday giveaway of pajamas and cookie decorating while also encouraging other HCPS students to volunteer and support each other. LASOS believes in providing the resources and supports to our non-native English-speaking population as they acclimate into American Society and become active members of our community.

• Building Blocks- family literacy program 6 months - 5 years
• Foundations- Youth academic mentoring afterschool
• Butterflies- middle and high school youth life skills mentoring for girls
• Phoenix- middle and high school youth life skills mentoring for boys
• Summer Program- month long academic summer program for youth from PreK - 12th grade
• Engage Program- academic and internship support for the trades program youth 18-24

For more information, contact Chandra Krantz, Supervisor of English Language Learners and World Languages, at Chandra.Krantz@hcps.org.

Shomari Zachary, a teacher specialist at Joppatowne High School, is requesting untenured teachers to complete a brief survey regarding the implementation of critical thinking skills. This survey is a part of his dissertation and has been approved by the Office of Accountability. The survey is voluntary and anonymous.

The study aims to investigate the perceptions, preparation, and practices of pre-service and novice teachers within teacher preparation programs and school districts to examine teacher readiness and barriers that prevent the implementation of critical thinking. The survey consists of five demographic questions, 10 Likert scale questions, and four open-ended questions and should take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete.

The researcher may request a follow-up interview for interested individuals. If interested, participants may respond to that in the survey. Untenured teachers may complete the survey here.

Any questions should be directed to Shomari.Zachary@hcps.org.

The HCPS Limelight program celebrates school-based employees who consistently demonstrate outstanding service to others. Honorees are nominated by their administrator. HCPS Limelight events are held virtually once a month during the school year and are sponsored by a different community business partner each month. Congratulations to all of the January honorees highlighted below for serving BIG this month!

A special thank you to this month's Limelight sponsor, Cintas. This month's lucky grand prize winner was Maureen Leiss of Fountain Green Elementary School who received a $250 gift card gift card to the Cintas catalog, which features brands like Under Armour, Nike, and The North Face. But no one left empty handed! Each of this month’s nominees received a 40 oz. custom Limelight tumbler.

We would also like to give a shout-out and heartfelt thank you to Joe Harbert, HCPS Director of Health and Wellness, who took the time to be with us that morning to help celebrate our staff!

We are thrilled to share that Rebecca Reese, principal at Magnolia Elementary School, has been named the Maryland Association of Elementary School Principal's Connected School Leader for Harford County!

This prestigious award recognizes Ms. Reese's outstanding leadership and her remarkable ability to involve all stakeholders in implementing instructional strategies. Her commitment to collective teamwork and servant leadership truly sets her apart. Ms. Reese's visionary approach to education has not only benefited the Magnolia Elementary School community, but has also contributed to the development of leaders both at the school and county levels.

Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!

Some exciting news from Ring Factory Elementary School! We're thrilled to share that a fifth-grade team earned first place at the regional level in this year's fall Stock Market Game!

The Maryland Council on Economic Education (MCEE) organizes this competition every year. The Stock Market Game is a hands-on learning tool to help students build a fundamental understanding of investing while providing them with real world math skills.

Huge congratulations to our talented winning team: Brendon Fast, Julia Navaline, Lily Macomber, and Charlotte McGehee! Their dedication and hard work have truly paid off.

A special shoutout to our outstanding educators who guided and supported the students on this journey: Mr. Parfait Awono, Principal; Ms. Jacqueline Fisher, Assistant Principal; and Mrs. Kathleen Thompson, Gifted and Talented Specialist. Their leadership has been instrumental in shaping these young minds!

Littles University is back! And just in time to spread some love in February, the Harford County Education Foundation will mail a copy of, "I Love You to the Moon and Back," by Amelia Hepworth, to your front doorstep when you register at their link! https://harfordeducation.org/littlesuniversity/

Then, join Jillian Lader for a special video release on, you guessed it, February 14, 2024! Don't delay- register today to ensure you get your very own copy for your home library!

EveryMind is hosting a series of free mental health trainings for the community. Explore the trainings below and kickstart 2024 with a commitment to supporting mental wellness for yourself and others.

Question, Persuade, and Refer. These are the three simple steps that anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help, also saving lives.

As a QPR-trained Gatekeeper you will learn to:

• Recognize the warning signs of suicide
• Know how to offer hope
• Know how to get help and save a life

Register for QPR

See below to register for a free, virtual QPR course. These courses will take place via Zoom. Please note that due to the sensitive nature of the course, participants are required to remain on-camera for the duration of the training.

• Friday, January 26th, 2024, 10:00 - 11:30 AM
• Thursday, February 15th, 2024, 6:00 - 7:30 PM
• Monday, March 4th, 2024, 6:00 - 7:30 PM

Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach individuals how to help an adolescent who is experiencing a mental health challenge or is in crisis. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a five-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations.

Register for Youth Mental Health First Aid

Virtual via Zoom

• Youth MHFA: Friday, April 26th, 2024, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
• Youth MHFA in Spanish: Saturday, March 9th, 2024, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Further your career with a graduate degree from Loyola University MD. Scholarships still available for Summer/Fall 2024! See flyer to learn more about how to apply.

Instructional ESPs (paraeducators, inclusion helpers, techs, etc) are invited to participate in choice professional learning opportunities during the early dismissal TOMORROW, Friday, January 26. Click Here for a list of the sessions and to preregister.

After completing the Sign Up Registration Form, you will receive a confirmation email prior to the session start time with the link to join and additional directions, if needed.

Questions? Reach out to HCPSProfessionallearning@hcps.org.

Course Title: IIRP Restorative Practices for Educators

Course Description: Building and strengthening relationships and community is a critical component of school culture. Restorative practices are an essential process for creating a positive learning environment, building social capital, and resolving relational issues.

During your training session, you will learn the fundamental theory and practices for engaging with students, staff, and parents in your school setting.

Topics include the importance of being explicit about practice, how to set high expectations while being supportive, and ways to build community in your setting. We will discuss giving direct feedback, asking questions that foster accountability, and using effective methods to resolve common conflicts.

You will learn to apply the restorative practices continuum, understanding which restorative processes are best for achieving certain goals or responding to particular situations. We will focus specifically on facilitating circles, an essential process for creating a positive learning environment and school culture. Circles can be used both proactively and responsively to build social capital, sustain relationships, address social problems, and respond when harm occurs. Participants will spend time planning circles to use in their schools.

CANVAS Pre-Work Modules: All participants must complete the RA for Educators Canvas Modules before attending their scheduled training.

Location: These training sessions will be offered in person at the indicated locations or virtually via a TEAMS link sent by the course instructor.

Session Format: There is a Max 24 participants per session and 14 participants need to be registered for the course to run. Session formats are subject to change based on registration. You will be notified by email of any format changes.

Permissions: If you are registering for an in-person weekday training session, you will need to obtain permission from your principal to attend. Sub-coverage pay will be provided.

Payment: For HCPS staff completing the Canvas modules and training outside of their duty day, the compensation rate is the $25/hr. negotiated rate.

Hector Registration Links:

VIRTUAL: https://www.hcps.org/registration/workshops/workshops.aspx?filter=1814

IN-PERSON: https://www.hcps.org/registration/workshops/workshops.aspx?filter=1813

Questions:

Please email Faith Buxton at faith.buxton@hcps.org.

Students and families from Roye-Williams Elementary School recently joined forces to collect donations for the Humane Society of Harford County!

Their dedication and compassion are truly making a difference in the lives of our furry friends. We're thrilled to share this wonderful news and showcase the impact these young changemakers are having on our community.

February is Career and Technology Education Month, and HCPS is celebrating with a CTE Spirit Week in our secondary schools prior to hosting our annual Career and Technology Education Family Night for families with students in grades 4 through 7. Please see the linked graphics below to share with your students and in your school communities.

• High School Spirit Week
• CTE Family Night

How can you be more intentional with your goals in January?

Intentional goal setting is a powerhouse for transformation, especially as the new year dawns. With BurnAlong by your side, you have the tools and support to turn those aspirations into powerful, achievable actions, making every year a step closer to your best self. To help those beginning this process, BurnAlong is hosting live events throughout January:

• January 11 at 12:00 p.m.: Setting Goals and Finding the Motivation to Achieve Them
• January 17 at 12:00 p.m: Building Good Habits and Routines That You Actually Stick To
• January 25 at 12:00 p.m: Visualizing Your Wellness Journey

Looking for More Class Recommendations?

Click on the calendar below to access suggested classes for January:

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. 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.

CareFirst Virtual Care Offering Update

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) members can now access a full suite of services through CloseKnit. CareFirst Video Visit is no longer available. This change does not impact your ability to use telemedicine offerings from other providers in the CareFirst network.

CloseKnit is a full-service virtual health offering designed around you. Services include:

• Primary care (ages 18+)
• Urgent adult/pediatric care (ages 2+)
• Behavioral and mental health therapy
• Psychiatry*
• Lactation consulting*
• Nutritional counseling*
• and more!

*Available January 2024

Download the CloseKnit app from the Apple App Store or Google Play, or visit closeknithealth.com. Ensure your member ID card is handy when setting up your account.

Employees who wish to provide feedback on their experience(s) obtaining medications through CVS retail pharmacies are advised to complete the CVS/Caremark Service Reporting Tool, available on SharePoint. This report is monitored bi-weekly by a member of the Benefits Office for further assistance and tracking of member service feedback. To access this form, visit the Harford County Public Schools – SharePoint Home Page.

As always, if there is an immediate need or concern when obtaining medication, please email benefits@hcps.org so that a member of the Benefits Office can assist you more quickly.

The Maryland State Retirement and Pension System and the Community College of Baltimore County are providing State Pension members the opportunity to participate in pre-retirement webinars. These sessions provide vital retirement information to pension system members, including the Maryland State Pension, Legal Issues, Social Security Benefits, and Financial Planning.

Webinars:

• January 30 (CRN 77175)

• February 12 & 13 (CRN 77177)
• March 14 (CRN 77185)
• April 6 (CRN 77192)
• April 17 (CRN 77194)
• May 2 (CRN 77198)
• May 29 & 30 (CRN 77265)
  
• June 7 (CRN 77205)
• June 26 (CRN 77209)

Seminars:

• April 5 – Harford Community College (CRN 77189)
• June 25 - Harford Community College (CRN 77203)

To register, please visit https://www.ccbcmd.edu/ceed-preretirement-county. You will receive an email with site-specific information for those participating in person. Those participating in the online events will receive a separate link to join the date-specific event.

Please Note: These sessions are not affiliated with HCPS and will not include HCPS-specific information, such as retiree healthcare.

January is All About Refreshing Routines and Implementing New Healthy Habits at CareFirst

A new year is the perfect opportunity for employees to refresh their daily routines and implement new healthy habits that will ultimately improve their overall quality of life. The new year often feels like a fresh start, which is why it is the ideal time to establish new routines and implement daily healthy habits that will ultimately improve your overall quality of life. Think about your intentions for 2024, and click here for more information to help you reach your health and wellness goals this year!

January CareFirst Wellbeing Challenge – Fresh Start Green Days Challenge

As the new year begins, commit to invest in your overall well-being and improve your quality of life. Start by identifying any pain points and then try to be more mindful of how stress, diet, exercise, and sleep habits affect how you feel. It helps to track your habits each day and monitor your progress. Click here to learn more about the CareFirst Wellbeing challenge and how to join.

Presented by Acentra Health Employee Assistance Program

Discover how emotions can influence spending, lead to procrastination with decisions, and impact your long-term financial health. Participants will walk away from this training with strategies to take control of their finances. Click here to learn more.

Date: Available on demand beginning January 16, 2024

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 Acentra Health 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, toll-free at (866) 795-5701 to visit their website online at www.EAPhelplink.com.

Presented by the HCPS Wellness Committee in partnership with HealthyWage

The HCPS Wellness Committee is excited to announce its partnership with HealthyWage in its $10,000 School Team Weight Loss Challenge that kicks off on January 26, 2024. This challenge brings people together and provides support with coaching, education, and an exciting team-based approach.

Participating in the $10,000 School Team Challenge can offer several advantages. Benefits include accountability, social support, healthy competition, various perspectives and ideas, emotional boots, and long-term lifestyle changes. Working together allows you to explore various strategies, learn from each other's experiences, and build a foundation for long-term success.

What to Know:

• Compete against other teams from organizations to lose the greatest percentage of weight in 12 weeks to win the GRAND PRIZE of $10,000! Organizations that have at least 50 total participants will receive a top team prize of $1,500 (as long as they aren’t the grand prize-winning team).
• Create a team of five (5) coworkers, friends, and/or family members. Don’t have a team? No problem – HealthyWage will match you up with one!
• There is a participant registration fee of $84 (individuals can elect to pay this fee in three payments of $28). However, you will earn back your registration fee by achieving a weight loss of 10% or more in 9 months!
• Not looking to lose weight but want to participate? Register as a team cheerleader for free and support your five teammates (limit one cheerleader per team). If you’re on a winning team, you’ll win an equal share of the cash prize!

The challenge starts on January 26 and ends on April 19, 2024. For questions, contact HealthyWage at info@healthywage.com or 888-636-3832.

"Harford Academy would like to give a huge shoutout to our tech team, Jason Wilkinson, Pat Brewer, Jeremy Greene, and James Webb, that works so hard behind the scenes to make sure that our students are getting access to devices. Thank you for your support to ensure teachers’ technology is up and running. We appreciate all you do to keep us connected so we can help our students do the same!"

-Amy Mangold & Randy Geyer, Harford Academy

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

• Bianca Morales Gonzalez, Special Education Teacher, Prospect Mill Elementary School
• Rebecca Pape, Physical Education Teacher, Joppatowne Elementary School
• Andrea Goble, School Counselor, Student Services
• Tammy Mashaal, Inclusion Helper, Church Creek Elementary School
• Kloey Skolsky, Paraeducator, Roye-Williams Elementary School
• Samantha Smedley, Paraeducator, Edgewood Middle School
• Grace Richardson Knopp, Inclusion Helper, Riverside Elementary School
• Anthony Bennett Jr, In-School Suspension Technician, Joppatowne High School
• Renee Cole, Food and Nutrition Services Worker, Deerfield Elementary School

Editor: Lindsay Bilodeau, Innovation Specialist

Email: HCPS.411@hcps.org