HCPS 411 Update
June 23, 2022
Publication Note
June Monthly Minute
Were you unable to join the Monthly Minute last week? No worries - we have you covered! Click below to watch Dr. Bulson's latest Monthly Minute message from June 15. This is the last Monthly Minute for the 2021-22 school year.
To view a complete archive of all past Monthly Minute videos, visit the Monthly Minute page on our website by clicking here.
Congratulations to This Month's Bowtie Breakfast Honorees!
The HCPS Bowtie Breakfast program celebrates Central Office employees who consistently demonstrate outstanding customer service and go above and beyond in their roles. Honorees are nominated by colleagues to attend Superintendent Bulson’s virtual event held each month. Congratulations to the June honorees! Join us in celebrating our awesome HCPS staff!
National Board
Updated FAQ have been posted to SharePoint. Searching for additional information? Check out the National Board Site. Please email HCPS.NationalBoard@hcps.org with questions.
Professional Development Annoucements
University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) – TESOL Master’s Degree
UMBC is continuing to offer its TESOL master's degree and postbaccalaureate certificate at a 20% reduced tuition rate for Maryland P-12 educators (teachers, paraeducators, and administrators).
They are accepting applications from now through August 1, 2022. 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. Both the master's degree and postbaccalaureate certificate are open to educators in all subject areas; no prior training in English language is needed.
Additional details are available in the flyer and on their website.
Extended School Year (ESY) Program
Paraeducators are still needed at Forest Lakes Elementary School (FLES), Prospect Mill Elementary School (PMES), and Roye-Williams Elementary School (RWES). Inclusion helpers are needed at most sites. Apply at Summer School Employment Opportunities. Summer employment incentives are applicable.
Harford County Public Schools Summer Employment Incentive
To increase the applicant pool for all of our summer programs, we have identified funding to provide stipends for all individuals (instructional and support) who elect to work in one of our summer programs this summer. In addition, anyone who is working in a summer program will continue to receive the per diem pay rate that was negotiated between HCEA and HCPS that took effect on July 1, 2021. The per diem pay rate will reflect an employee’s true hourly rate that is based on an employee’s annual salary. The stipends being offered will be paid in addition to the hourly pay provided for actual hours worked. The appropriate stipend will be paid on the second pay of September 2022.
To review the full memorandum of understanding reached between HCPS and HCEA, including charts detailing the programs, hours, and stipend amounts, please click here.
If you are interested in working a summer program, please submit your application as soon as possible. You can apply at Summer School Employment Opportunities.
Questions regarding this information should be directed to Staff Management, Human Resources, at StaffManagement@hcps.org.
New Mileage Rate Effective July 1, 2022
Harford County Public Schools reimburses employees at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) standard mileage rate for business use of personal vehicles. The IRS announced a change in the mileage reimbursement for the second half of 2022. Beginning July 1, 2022, the standard mileage rate for use of a personal vehicle will be 62.5 cents per mile for business miles driven. Employees who are approved for mileage reimbursement should download an updated Employee Expense Reimbursement Voucher for mileage incurred on or after July 1, 2022. (This form is posted to the Business Services’ Accounts Payable SharePoint page.) Please submit separate forms for January 2022 through June 2022 and July 2022 through December 2022. Additional details may be found in the Employee Mileage Memo 2022. Also, be sure to save the form to your own computer. The default folder is saving information to Share Point. Click here for detailed instructions.
New Investment Committee Member
The Investment Committee is seeking at-large members to serve on the committee. The committee meets virtually from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. two times per year, with additional meetings as needed. All HCPS employees are eligible to serve on the committee as long as they are active participants in either one or both of the 403b or 457 plans.
The Committee has the authority, duty and responsibility to:
1.) Select the funding vehicles available under the Plans.
2.) Monitor and evaluate the performance of the funding vehicles and the Plans’ investment line-up.
3.) Remove and replace funding vehicles available under the Plan.
4.) Retain an advisor to assist the Committee in the exercise of its authority, duty and responsibilities.
Please contact Deborah Judd, Assistant Superintendent for Business Services, if you are interested in serving on this committee or have questions regarding this information: Deborah.Judd@hcps.org or 410-588-5321.
Save the Date for the 2022 End of Summer Fest!
We are excited to announce that HCPS is once again partnering with the Aberdeen IronBirds to host the End of Summer Fest at Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium during the Thursday, August 25, 7:05 p.m. home game (IronBirds vs. Wilmington Blue Rocks). The purpose of this event is to end summer in a fun way and celebrate the beginning of a new school year with the families in our community. Many community partners will be onsite and there will be fun activities for kids. Mark your calendar now; more information about the event and a link to purchase discounted tickets will be shared on the HCPS website and HCPS and Parent Academy Facebook pages during the summer. We hope to see you there!
BurnAlong
Let’s head outside in June! Join the June BurnAlong Challenge
June is National Outdoors Month, so take BurnAlong on the go with you this summer! Join the challenge beginning on June 16 to participate in their Wellness Habits Challenge. From June 16 to June 30, track a wellness habit through your account on the BurnAlong app or your desktop. If going outside isn’t your thing, no big deal! Commit to another wellness habit for 15 days, such as drinking water. Click here to update your wellness habits.
BurnAlong Coaching Services
BurnAlong Coaches can help individuals with developing a routine no matter where you are starting from, starting a new BurnAlong category, connecting you with coaches and instructors to best meet your needs, set and track your goals and wellness habits, and assist you with finding the perfect program to achieve your health, wellness, and fitness goals. To get started with a BurnAlong Coach today, email coach@burnalong.com.
Healthy Mind, Healthy Life
If you need to have some more reasons to head outdoors, BurnAlong has curated some compelling benefits, ideas to incorporate the outdoors into your workday, and some suggested classes to take with you while you roam. For more information, click here.
On the Road this Summer?
You can take BurnAlong with you! Download the app and create an account if you have not done so already. BurnAlong has curated classes that you can take from hotel rooms with limited time and depending on your mood.
What is BurnAlong?
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 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 Wellness Announcement: UV Safety Awareness Next Month
July is UV Safety Awareness Month
While the sun’s rays boost Vitamin D, overexposure to the sun can cause significant risks. As we gear up for summer vacations and outdoor activities, it is essential to stay mindful of the short- and long-term effects exposure to UV rays can cause and how we can protect our skin during exposure. To learn more, click here to view CareFirst’s July Wellness Newsletter.
Click here to learn more about the American Cancer Society’s tips for preventing skin cancer.
July Recipe of the Month: Mixed Lettuce Salad with Cucumber Herb Vinaigrette
Click here to learn more and try this delicious dish.
EAP Webinar: Finding Yourself Through Nature
Presented by KEPRO Employee Assistance Program
The June KEPRO EAP resources are here. Get out this summer and explore nature. In this session, you will discover the importance of being outside and find your own way to enjoy nature and increase your wellbeing. Click here to learn more.
Date: Available on demand beginning June 21, 2022
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 KEPRO 24-hours per day, 7 days per week toll-free at (866) 795-5701 to visit their website online at www.EAPhelplink.com.
Shout Outs!
"I would like to send a shout-out to Mr. Nate Jourdan of the Bel Air High School Drama Company (BADC). Nate makes every part of the BADC about the students. He creates an environment where ALL feel valued. Imagine the delight of our seeing our students with disabilities sharing their talents front and center; I could not stop smiling. Nate Jourdan, you are appreciated beyond words! Thank you for sharing the importance of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging. GO BADC!"
-Kim Sullivan, Office of Equity and Cultural Proficiency
Office of Communications and Family Outreach
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