HCPS 411 Update

We are excited to announce the launch of a new television program, “Cool Harford Schools” produced in partnership with HarfordTV. This dynamic new show will take viewers on an educational journey through HCPS, showcasing the remarkable aspects of the school system, both inside the classroom and behind the scenes.

‘Cool Harford Schools’ is hosted by Jillian Lader, HCPS Manager of Communications, and promises to be an engaging and informative experience for audiences of all ages.

The focus of ‘Cool Harford Schools’ is on the dedication, innovation, and excellence that define HCPS. From inspiring educators and accomplished students to the unsung heroes who work tirelessly behind the scenes, this show will shed light on the incredible people and initiatives that make HCPS a vibrant, thriving, and safe educational community.

See the full press release by clicking here.

Check out the first episode online at https://hcn.viebit.com/player.php?hash=rmbxs0YbOYuPpgrP.

Nursing mothers may request lactation breaks by completing a Nursing Mother Lactation Request Form available through Human Resources at the HR Benefits SharePoint site in the FMLA and Leave of Absence folder.

Employees requesting lactation breaks must complete and submit the employee portion of the Lactation Break Request Form to their immediate supervisor prior to the need for accommodation. The supervisor and employee will engage in an interactive discussion to determine if the lactation breaks can be accommodated as requested.

Questions regarding this information should be directed to the Benefits Office at 410-588-5275 or Benefits@hcps.org or Dan Reimers, in Staff and Labor Relations, at 410-588-5311 or Daniel.Reimers@hcps.org.

Beginning this month, all HCPS faculty and staff will have access to the HCPS EL Newsletter.

In this newsletter, readers will find basic information, procedures, explanations, and ideas that HCPS, as a community, can utilize when working with our non-native English speaking population of students. In addition to instructional strategies, research and trends will also be shared.

To view this month's newsletter, click here.

Congratulations to HCPS Board member, Dr. Carol Mueller, as earlier this week she was sworn in as a member of the Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE) Board of Directors!

HCPS General Counsel Kimberly Neal was elected Vice President of the Maryland Council of Local School Board Attorneys (MCLSBA) to serve a two-year term. Membership on the Council includes both in-house and outside legal counsel for school systems and school boards. Kimberly will assist the group in planning legal education seminars, including presentations for MABE conferences, and will also be organizing monthly collaboration opportunities for in house counsel to discuss legal issues impacting their school systems. This is a wonderful opportunity for Kimberly to contribute to the education law sector and to help HCPS shine in the education community. Congratulations, Kimberly!

Learn more about earning your teaching certificate with Moreland University! Please join us for an informational session on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. Please RSVP using the link below!

https://forms.gle/tce6HVpsQ3Z4UTtG7

Contact Maranda Scott, Career Counseling Specialist, to learn more about how to use the GET More Program to fund Moreland University’s teaching certificate program.

This month, think about creating a future worth celebrating. Click here for ways to improve your financial well-being.

The October nomination window for the Family Friendly School Award is NOW OPEN! Nominate your school before 11:59 p.m. on Monday, October 9, to put it in the running this month!

Nominate here: https://www.hcps.org/.../paren.../familyfriendlyschools.aspx.

Jones Bel Air Subaru partnered with AdoptAClassroom.org recently to donate $12,500 to Magnolia Middle School for the second year in a row! Teachers will be able to use this donation for the resources and supplies they need to make a great learning environment for their students.

Congratulations, Magnolia Middle School!

Nominations for the Support Services Superstar Award are being accepted until October 13, 2023. APG Federal Credit Union (APGFCU) is the proud sponsor of HCPS Support Services Superstar Awards. All Harford County Public Schools regular support staff employees are eligible for the award. Program information and nomination forms may be downloaded at 2023 Support Services Superstar Award.

Questions regarding this information should be directed to Ben Richardson, in Human Resources, at Benjamin.Richardson2@hcps.org or 410-588-5226.

The Office of Student Services is accepting nominations for the STUDENT SERVICES STANDOUT AWARD (S.T.A.R. AWARD). This award is presented once per semester (biannually) to a nominated member of the Student Services staff. The nominee must currently be an employee budgeted under Student Services who is based in a school or Central Office. This would include staff under the offices of School Counseling Services, School Health Services, Psychological Services, Social Workers, or Pupil Personnel Services. Any person, regardless of position or relationship to the nominee, including students, may make the nomination. The nomination form and supporting narrative must be submitted by December 1, 2023. Please see the links below to access the nomination form and the rubric used by the judges and consider nominating someone today!

Link to Student Services S.T.A.R. Award

Questions regarding this information should be directed to Lawanda Brown, in School Counseling, at Lawanda.Brown@hcps.org or 410-588-5251.

Harford County Public Schools students, staff, and families looking for help with mental health or substance use can call Care Solace at 888-515-0595 for 24/7/365 free, personalized, and confidential help finding a therapist, or you can search on your own at www.caresolace.com/harford.

Getting healthy and holistically feeling your best can be fun and easy with help! That's why HCPS wants to provide a health and wellness program to help you live healthier and to provide resources to support your overall well-being while making it a program that works for employees. Please take a few moments to click the link below to complete the survey to help us shape this year's program by letting us know which health issues are important to you.

Click here to complete the survey.

Harford County Public Schools announces a pre-retirement webinar for HCPS employees and their spouses through the Maryland State Retirement Agency and the Community College of Baltimore College. This webinar provides vital retirement information to all members and is recommended for those within eight (8) years of retirement, whether normal service or early retirement. Discussion topics include:

• HCPS Retiree Benefits
• State Retirement Pension Benefits
• Legal Consideration
• Social Security Benefits
• Financial Planning

This year's pre-retirement session will be held virtually on Saturday, November 4, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Watch future HCPS 411 Update for more information on registering and obtaining a day of event link.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month at CareFirst

It's that time of year again, time to think pink! Every October, we come together to show support and spread awareness for the second most common cancer among women in the United States – breast cancer. While anyone can be diagnosed with breast cancer, most cases are found in women above 50, with one in eight who will be diagnosed at some point during their lifetime. Creating awareness, knowing risk factors and symptoms, and available resources are critical to proper detection and treatment. To learn more, click here.

October CareFirst WellBeing Challenge – Relationship Rejuvenation Challenge

People are social creatures, and relationships allow us to interact with the people we care about. They also influence our health and longevity in various ways, ranging from sleep and stress to diet and exercise. Healthy relationships can improve well-being, while poor relationships can weaken our body's immune systems and impair mental health with increased anxiety and depression. Click here to learn more about the CareFirst WellBeing challenge and how to join.

1 in 8 women in the United States will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Click here to learn the signs, get regular exams, and how to minimize your risk.

Keep track of your financial and digital life with MetLife.

Placing your financial and digital life together for a resource for your loved ones in the event of your passing or unexpected illness or injury seems like such a big job, and it is difficult to know where to start. The best way to start is to break it into smaller parts and take it one step at a time.

MetLife has provided access to an excellent resource for all employees, regardless of whether you carry life insurance benefits through Harford County Public Schools. This resource can help you gather all your information to provide to your beneficiary(ies) so they know how and where to start managing your financials if you can no longer. To access this tool, follow this link: Personal-Financial-Profile-2021-Digital-Home-print-exp0823.docx (live.com)

Embracing the Essence of Community

This month, join BurnAlong as they celebrate the power of community and its profound impact on our well-being. Discover how coming together can create a supportive environment for positive change, fostering connections that uplift us all.

Coming to Your Live in October!

This month, learn how to make a lasting impact on your loved ones' personal health journey by offering support, encouragement, and practical strategies. During the sessions below, BurnAlong will provide tips to inspire those around you to thrive and embrace a healthier lifestyle.

• October 12 at 12:00 p.m.: Importance of Community
• October 18 at 12:00 p.m.: Positively Impacting Others
• October 26 at 12:00 p.m.: Ask Health Coaches Heather and Jon

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

Looking for More Class Recommendations?

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

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.

BurnAlong, HCPS' virtual health and wellness partner, is hosting a fall wellness challenge beginning September 25. You and your family can participate in this five-week expedition. As you participate, members will earn badges for each milestone completed and find new secret milestones along the way to earn exclusive badges!

Journey Milestones: Earn a badge for each milestone you complete!

Start Your Journey: 1) Join the Fall into Wellness Challenge through your online member account at https://well.burnalong.com/login. 2) Participate in each milestone during the identified period above to earn badges. For every milestone completed, unlock a new adventure to earn exclusive badges. 3) Anyone who participates and completes the challenge has a chance to win their choice of an all-terrain backpack or a mystery Travel Box. Those who complete all 100 minutes will be entered into a drawing to win their choice of an annual pass to US National Parks or a Mystery Adventure Box.

For assistance with registering for the challenge, email BurnAlong at customercare@burnalong.com.

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

Webinars:

• October 16 & 17 (CRN 73283) *Two evenings
  
• November 2 (CRN 73299)
• November 29 (CRN 73303)
• December 19 (CRN 73288)

Seminar:

• December 7 – Harford Community College (CRN 73279)

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.

Designed for Early Career and Mid-Career Members

The Maryland State Retirement and Pension System (MSRPS) now offers members a Retirement Readiness First Steps webinar, which will provide a general overview of the survivor, disability, and retirement benefits administered by the MSRPS. The session includes descriptions of service retirement eligibility rules, vesting criteria, and ways to obtain additional qualifying service credit. The MSRPS will host a live session on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Interested parties can click this link to register: First Steps Webinar Registration (gotowebinar.com).

Presented by Acentra Health (Formally KEPRO) Employee Assistance Program

Starting a new habit can be transformative. Choosing gratitude can help improve your optimism and appreciation. This session will cover how to build a gratitude habit in your life. Click here to learn more.

Date: Available on demand now

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 any time, 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 Acentra Health (Formally KEPRO) Employee Assistance Program

Although it feels like the primitive brain is trying to take over, by practicing a more intentional response to situations, you can take control of how you act under pressure. This session will provide tips for participants on how to notice your thoughts and how you choose to react to them. Click here to learn more.

Date: Available on demand beginning October 17, 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 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.

Balance, the newsletter provided by KEPRO, our Employee Assistance Program provider, is a newsletter specific to help employees maintain a healthy work-life balance. This quarter's newsletter features techniques to boost your mood throughout the day, stay proactive in your healthcare, and other helpful tips. Click here to read more.

Employees and their family members can call KEPRO 24 hours per day, 7 days per week toll-free (866) 795-5701 to visit their website online at www.EAPhelplink.com.

"Shout out to Ms. Bonita Buchanon, paraeducator at Southampton Middle School, for actively serving her community and inspiring her students to follow her generous lead. Ms. Buchanon encourages current and past students to get involved in community events and varying volunteer opportunities by actively recruiting them. She is a light in our community and a beloved and valued educator! Thank you for your work and leadership, Ms Buchanon, you have touched so many lives in such a meaningful way!"

-Linda Hawkins, Special Education, Magnolia Middle School

"Magnolia Elementary School would like to give a shout out to our School Safety Liaison, Delphonzo Sellers! Mr. Del keeps our building, grounds, classrooms, and surrounding areas safe! He is always checking to make sure our facility is the safest it can be. He advocates for improvements and puts the safety of all first! Mr. Del is an active member of our school family and we are fortunate to have him! Thank you, Mr. Del!!"

-Rebecca M. Reese, Principal, Magnolia Elementary School

"Shout out to first-year teacher, Nahtisha Baxter, Technology Education at Joppatowne High School. Her uplifting positivity is inspiring students and teachers to spread love and light in their school. community. We are so excited to welcome Ms. Baxter to our Career and Technology Education family!"

-Katie Eckstein, Coordinator, Career & Technical Education and Magnet Programs

"Many thanks to Jamieson DuRette and the Technology Education department of CMW and Principal Erica Harris for creating and supporting a co-curricular club to encourage female participation in Engineering career paths. Opportunities like this exist because educators like you empower students to be champions for change in their communities."

-Katie Eckstein, Coordinator, Career & Technical Education and Magnet Programs

"Shout out to the dedicated educators at Old Post Road Elementary. The parent picnic event on 9/21 was a creative and innovative way to increase family engagement. The smiles, sense of community, important conversations, and effective use of all staff did not go unnoticed!"

-Jeffrey M. Hoffman, Special Education Coordinator of Training and Technical Assistance, Student Support Services

*To submit a Shout Out for inclusion in an upcoming issue of HCPS 411 Update, please email it to HCPS.411@hcps.org.

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

• Michaela Baker, Administrative Support Technician-School Counseling, Bel Air Middle School
• Aleana Robinson, Inclusion Helper, Riverside Elementary School
• Shelia Saddler, Paraeducator, Aberdeen High School
• Tikeya Wheeler, Inclusion Helper, Old Post Road Elementary School
• Alexandra Hibler, Inclusion Helper, Magnolia Elementary School
• Grace Sexton, Paraeducator, North Bend Elementary School
• Rebecca Ake, Check & Connect Grant Mentor, Special Education Department
• Hector Alvarez, Custodian I-Shift 1, Fallston Middle School
• Matthew Gossman, Custodian II-Shift 2, Abingdon Elementary School
• Hayley Haynes, Administrative Support Assistant, Bel Air Middle School
• Theresa Taylor, Inclusion Helper, Hickory Elementary School
• William Madison, School Counselor, Havre de Grace High School
• Deborah Passos, Therapeutic Counseling Interventionist, Student Services
• Shannon Wechsler, First Grade Teacher, George D. Lisby Elementary School at Hillsdale

Editor: Lindsay Bilodeau, Innovation Specialist

Email: HCPS.411@hcps.org
Website: www.hcps.org
Location: 102 South Hickory Avenue, Bel Air, MD, USA