HCPS 411 Update
May 18, 2023
HCPS FY24 Budget Update from Dr. Bulson
The County Executive requested a joint press release as part of the agreement to increase HCPS funding by $10 million for the FY24 budget. Click here to view the press release.
Tune in to the following video to hear Dr. Bulson address the repercussions of not receiving full funding and how it will impact future budgets in HCPS.
Open Enrollment Ends May 22 – Don’t Delay Making Your Elections!
Open Enrollment for the 2023-2024 plan year began on Monday, May 1, and will end at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, May 22, 2023. During this period, eligible employees can enroll in benefits or change their current benefits selections. All requested changes will become effective on July 1, 2023. All enrollments can be completed online at https://hcps.benelogic.com. The 2023-2024 Benefit Reference Guide is now available for review on the HCPS website and SharePoint for you to review.
NEW THIS YEAR, BEGINNING JULY 1, 2023! HCPS will begin offering employees a voluntary stand-alone vision plan providing vision benefits, separate and in addition to coverage already included in the BlueChoice HMO and Triple Option medical plans. In addition, HCPS will be transitioning dental insurance carriers from Delta Dental to CareFirst. Members enrolled in the Delta Dental PPO Comprehensive plan will transition to the CareFirst Dental PPO Comprehensive plan. Likewise, members currently enrolled in the Delta Dental Premier Standard plan will transition to the CareFirst PPO Standard plan if an active change election is not submitted during the open enrollment period. To view the benefit plan highlight sheets, please click on the corresponding links below:
- CareFirst Dental PPO – Comprehensive Plan Highlight Summary
- CareFirst Dental PPO – Standard Plan Highlight Summary
- CareFirst BlueVision Plus Plan Highlight Summary
If you wish to enroll in or change your benefit elections, a flexible spending account, or the new vision benefit offered to eligible employees, you must complete an active enrollment before 11:59 p.m. on Monday, May 22, 2023. If you elect not to change your current enrollments, you do not have to take action; your current elections will automatically continue into the new plan year, with your dental benefits transitioning to the CareFirst PPO Network beginning on July 1, 2023. The only exception to this is if you are enrolling in a flexible spending account; that must be updated each year. If you have any questions, contact the Benefits Office at benefits@hcps.org.
Did You Receive Your Open Enrollment Confirmation?
Check your email to confirm your open enrollment elections were successfully submitted for the 2023-2024 school year. Once you have successfully submitted your electronic enrollment through https://hcps.benelogic.com, you will receive an email from no-reply@benelogic.com confirming the receipt of your benefit elections effective 07/01/2023. If you did not receive this email, please log back into your account at https://hcps.benelogic.com to submit your open enrollment elections by May 22, 2023.
HCEA Sick Leave Bank Open Enrollment/Cancellation
The open enrollment period for the Harford County Education Association (HCEA) Certificated Instructional Support Personnel Sick Leave Bank (SLB) will be from May 1-31. Certificated employees represented by the HCEA who wish to enroll in the Sick Leave Bank or those who wish to cancel their membership in the Sick Leave Bank may access the linked Enrollment/Cancellation form. Please see the form for specific details and timelines regarding the application/cancellation process. Note: Current members will be AUTOMATICALLY RENEWED.
The open enrollment period for the Harford County Education Association (HCEA) Education Support Personnel Sick Leave Bank (SLB) will be from May 1-31. Non-certificated employees represented by the HCEA who wish to enroll in the Sick Leave Bank or those who wish to cancel their membership in the Sick Leave Bank may access the linked Enrollment/Cancellation form. Please see the form for specific details and timelines regarding the application/cancellation process. Note: Current members will be AUTOMATICALLY RENEWED.
Questions regarding the SLB should be directed to HCEA at 410-838-0800 or HarfordSLB@mseanea.org.
Exciting Professional Development Opportunity
IIRP Restorative Practices for Educators - (Tier 1 & 2 Supports ) - International Institute for Restorative Practices
Course Description: Building and strengthening relationships and community is a critical component of school culture. Restorative practices is 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 and asking questions that foster accountability, as well as utilizing 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.
Hector Registration Links:
In-Person: https://www.hcps.org/registration/workshops/workshops.aspx?filter=1813
Virtual: https://www.hcps.org/registration/workshops/workshops.aspx?filter=1814
Questions?
Please email: faith.buxton@hcps.org
LAST CALL FOR FALL! Looking for Leadership Opportunities?
Consider being a mentor teacher for a college/university student intern. We are creating a pool of qualified mentors and encourage you to share your passion and expertise as you help grow future educators. Those accepted into the Mentor Pool may be offered mentoring opportunities as they become available. Click here to learn more about options, qualifications, and/or to apply. Deadline to apply for Fall opportunities is Monday, May 22, 2023.
Note Exceptions:
- Professional Development School (PDS) classroom teachers do not need to apply. PDS staff are identified and matched with interns through a separate PDS partnership process. Unified Arts/PE/Health may apply for the pool.
- Student Support & Related Service Providers (i.e., counselors, psychologists, SLP/OT/PT, etc.) will continue to express interest through their content supervisor.
Questions?
Equity Communi-Team Adventure
Congratulations to all May Communi-Team Adventure nominees! The May adventure focused on school-based staff members who celebrate equity in their day-to-day actions by creating inclusive spaces for all students and staff to feel supported and able to thrive. Nominees were recognized for creating welcoming and safe environments, providing materials in more than one language, contributions to Voices for Equity summits, working to support the social/emotional health of their students, and so much more.
Six randomly selected honorees were invited to take part in a guided historic tour of the city of Havre de Grace on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, with five members of the Communi-Team, to learn the history of the area with a focus on historically underrepresented populations. Honorees were treated to breakfast at Concord Point Coffee and lunch at Coakley’s Restaurant and toured the Havre de Grace Maritime Museum and the Havre de Grace Colored School Museum and Cultural Center. Together the group shared stories of success, learning experiences, and times of growth. Together they foster equitable spaces for the students and staff in their buildings to learn, thrive, and grow.
The selected nominees invited to Havre de Grace included:
- Kelly Blackburn, English Teacher, Bel Air High School
- Lori Hackett, School Counselor, Bel Air High School
- Lindsey Harbert, School Psychologist, Aberdeen High School
- Colleen Hyde, Reading Specialist, Churchville Elementary School
- Nina Oxendine, Second Grade Teacher, Church Creek Elementary School
- Katelynn Ruby-Leftridge, Social Studies Teacher, Havre de Grace Middle School
Thank you to our wonderful partners Bravura Inc. and Freedom Federal Credit Union for their sponsorship of this adventure! We sincerely appreciate their unwavering support of HCPS staff.
Congratulations to all of our May nominees! You are all an integral part of our schools’ success. We sincerely appreciate all of the work you do each day to support our students and each other.
- Kelly Blackburn, English Teacher, Bel Air High School
- Lizette Creer, Fifth Grade Teacher, Joppatowne Elementary School
- Alexis Frazier, Social Worker, Edgewood Middle School
- Lori Hackett, School Counselor, Bel Air High School
- Lindsey Harbert, School Psychologist, Aberdeen High School
- Diana Hartnett, Substitute Teacher, Magnolia Elementary School
- Colleen Hyde, Reading Specialist, Churchville Elementary School
- Amadelis Mattei, Title I Teacher Specialist, Old Post Road Elementary School
- Nina Oxendine, Second Grade Teacher, Church Creek Elementary School
- Lindsey Puopolo, Special Education Teacher, Joppatowne Elementary School
- Katelynn Ruby-Leftridge, Social Studies Teacher, Havre de Grace Middle School
- Carly Wingerd, Testing Coordinator, Edgewood High School
Congratulations to Churchville Elementary School!
Churchville Elementary School was selected as a Capturing Kids' Hearts National Showcase School! This award recognizes outstanding school administrators, teaching staff, and faculty for producing exemplary outcomes for their students with the Capturing Kids’ Hearts process. Watch their celebration below!
Kindness for Paws Art Show
Six Harford County schools recently participated in the Kindness for Paws Art Show. Artists selected photos of animals who were adopted from the SPCA and created a portrait. Then, artists donated their work to be auctioned off this Saturday, May 20, 2023. You can visit the show in person or virtually! All proceeds benefit the Maryland SPCA.
Thank you, art teachers at Deerfield Elementary, Edgewood High, Hickory Elementary, Red Pump Elementary, Ring Factory Elementary, and Swan Creek schools!
Check out the artwork in the link below.
#ShareTheShine
Many of our positions are filled by word of mouth by our employees. Help us share our employment needs!
- Coordinator of Magnet and Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs
- Administrative Support Coordinator – Grants Medical Assistance – Business Services
- Chief Custodian Level I - Bakerfield Elementary School
Follow us on social media @hcpsrecruiter and share our employment posts. To find a full list of our available positions, visit hcps.org and click on the sun!
Diversity 365 - May
Join us as we continue to shine the light on how HCPS celebrates Diversity all year long. Each month, we will highlight a cultural/organizational holiday. All you have to do is take a picture or two and share the wonderful things your school or office is doing to celebrate the contributions we all make to HCPS.
This month, we are celebrating:
Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage
Jewish American Heritage
Please email your celebration pictures and a brief write up regarding the event to Sherron Foster-Moore, Diversity Retention & Recruitment Specialist, at Sherron.FosterMoore@hcps.org by Friday, May 26th. This month’s celebrations will be shared in the June 1st issue of the HCPS 411 Update.
Armed Forces Day
When is Armed Forces Day?
Armed Forces Day is celebrated on the third Saturday in May, and it is the day Americans celebrate their military. In 2023, it falls on Saturday, May 20.
What is the difference between Armed Forces Day and Veterans Day?
Unlike Veterans Day (previously observed as Armistice Day - the end of World War I), which honors those who wore the cloth of our nation at war; and unlike Memorial Day, which honors those who died wearing the cloth of our nation at war, Armed Forces Day is the proper day to honor all of the men and women currently serving, as well as those who have served and sacrificed to defend our freedom.
Community News
Thinking About the Future: Create Your Personal Financial Profile
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 of your information to provide to your beneficiar(ies) so they know how and where to get started manging your financials if you are no longer able to. To access this tool, follow this link: Personal-Financial-Profile-2021-Digital-Home-print-exp0823.docx (live.com)
May is Mental Health Awareness Month at BurnAlong
Focus on your Mental Health this month and beyond.
Click the image below to view the May Playlist: Take Time for Your Mind and Mental Health.
Coming to You Live in May!
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, raising awareness about the importance of mental health and well-being. Check out the BurnAlong live event this month:
Have You Taken Your BurnAlong Mental Health Break Today?
All you need is a few minutes. BurnAlong has created a playlist of 15 classes; all focused on mental health. Take time for your mind and click the links below to view the classes on the playlist. Scan the QR Code to view the classes on the playlist. Recommended classes on the playlist include:
- Getting Grounded under 30 seconds
- Self Acceptance Meditation
- Body Scan Medication
Looking for More Class Recommendations? Click on the calendar to access suggested classes throughout May.
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 long. Help someone start their 2023 off on the right foot. 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.
Introducing NOOM through CareFirst Wellbeing
Have you heard about Noom? Noom is an app that takes a psychology-based approach to help individuals lose weight and keep it off. And now, we're pleased to have this available to all employees at no cost through the CareFirst Wellbeing Wellness program - even those employees who do not carry the CareFirst medical insurance through HCPS. Spouses and dependent children over 18 on the HCPS CareFirst medical plan can also access this new benefit at no cost. To learn more about Noom and how to create your free account, click here.
Already have a Noom account? Follow the direction in the link above to create your CareFirst-sponsored Noom account using the same email address as your individual/consumer account. Noom's registration flow will be able to identify you, prompting additional screens to confirm you wish to transfer from your consumer account to a CareFirst-sponsored account. If you agree, your account will transition to the free CareFirst-sponsored benefit.
End of Year Tuition Reimbursement Requests
Tuition reimbursement requests, including the Partial Reimbursement Request form corresponding to your union and an itemized receipt showing payment method(s) and amount(s), and an official transcript, sent separately and electronically from your university, must be submitted to transcripts@hcps.org within 90 days of the course completion date. Please visit the Tuition Reimbursement SharePoint Page for additional tuition reimbursement information, including reimbursement request forms, sample receipts, eligibility, and more details about the reimbursement submission process.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR SPRING 2023 SEMESTER REIMBURSEMENT REQUESTS: Spring 2023 semester reimbursement requests received on and after May 1, 2023, will be reimbursed after July 15, 2023, leading up to and including the 2023-24 school year's first and second pay dates. Employees will receive an email confirming the reimbursement date of their request once it is processed over the summer. This processing timeline will apply to all staff, including those not scheduled to work during the summer break. Employees taking coursework through a direct bill partner will have their coursework billed directly to HCPS. Therefore, no paperwork is needed from the employee for the reimbursement as the partner University/College will provide the required official transcript/grade report.
Courses completed before July 1, 2023, will count towards the July 1, 2022-June 30, 2023 fiscal year, while courses completed on or after July 1, 2023, will count towards the July 1, 2023-June 30, 2024 fiscal year. Questions concerning reimbursement should be directed to the benefits office at benefits@hcps.org. Questions concerning certification should be directed to certification@hcps.org.
CareFirst Wellness Announcements: Mental Health Matters
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Did you know 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience a mental illness each year? Now more than ever, we recognize the role that mental health plays in our overall health and well-being and the value of raising awareness and helping those in need receive treatment. This month's wellness newsletter features practices to help enhance your mental health and support methods and member resources. To learn more, click here.
May CareFirst WellBeing Challenge – Meditation Challange
Time to focus on your emotional well-being. With a busy lifestyle, it can be challenging to take the time to relax and practice self-care. Adding meditation to your daily routine can help relax your body and mind and improve your overall well-being. Click here to learn more about the CareFirst WellBeing challenge and how to join.
COVID-19 Breakthrough Leave Survey Link
Employees who have received the primary vaccine series and at least one (1) booster can submit verification of their vaccination status through an online employee survey to be eligible for COVID Breakthrough Leave for the 2022-2023 school year. Individuals who already submitted both their primary vaccine series and booster information during the 2021-2022 school year will not need to complete this survey again. Information collected from the COVID Breakthrough Leave survey will be utilized for the 2022-2023 school year to determine COVID Breakthrough Leave eligibility. The survey can be accessed by clicking here.
The complete MOU specific to your bargaining unit can be found on the Staff Relations SharePoint page. Questions about COVID Breakthrough Leave can be directed to Staff and Labor Relations Office at (410) 588-5311.
Upcoming Maryland State Retirement and Pension System Pre-Retirement Webinars and Seminars
The Maryland State Retirement and Pension System and the Community College of Baltimore County will provide State Pension members the opportunity to participate in pre-retirement webinars and seminars. These sessions provide vital retirement information to pension system members, including the Maryland State Pension, Legal Issues, Social Security Benefits, and Financial Planning. The webinars will run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Webinars:
- May 24 (CRN 37264)
- June 28 (CRN 37262)
To register, please visit https://www.ccbcmd.edu/ceed-preretirement-county. For those participating in the online events, you will receive a separate link to join the date-specific event. For those participating in-person, you will receive an email with site-specific information.
Please Note: These sessions are not affiliated with HCPS and will not include HCPS-specific information, such as retiree healthcare. HCPS will be hosting a condensed pre-retirement seminar in February. More information about this seminar will be announced in future HCPS 411 Update newsletters.
CVS/Caremark Service Reporting Tool
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.
EAP Webinar: Are You a Good Listener?
Presented by KEPRO Employee Assistance Program
Conversation is a two-way activity, and listening is essential to ensuring effective communication. This session will offer practical tips and discuss the benefits of being a good listener. Click here to learn more.
Date: Available on demand beginning May 16, 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 KEPRO 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, toll-free at (866) 795-5701 to visit their website online at www.EAPhelplink.com.
Welcome to HCPS!
- Taran Green, Physical Therapist, Harford Academy
- Kelvin Booker, Custodian I-Shift 2, Hall's Cross Roads Elementary School
- Emma Bishop, Administrative Support Assistant, Deerfield Elementary School
Office of Communications and Family Outreach
To submit an HCPS Shout Out, 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