HCPS 411 Update
September 7, 2023
Monthly Minute with Dr. Bulson
Countywide Moment of Silence in Remembrance of 9/11
In partnership with Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly, HCPS will participate in a countywide moment of silence to remember the brave souls, the lives lost, and the families of 9/11 at 8:46 a.m. on Monday, September 11, 2023. This is the exact time the first plane struck the World Trade Center in 2001. If at all possible, you are encouraged to plan accordingly to pause and join us in this act of remembrance on Monday morning.
A systemwide email will be sent on Monday, September 11, at 8:30 a.m. to remind all school system staff of the planned moment of silence.
To view the County Executive’s news release about this and other events taking place that day, please click here.
Back-to-School with the Blueprint for Our Students’ Future
The Back-to-School Blueprint Newsletter has important updates, member spotlights, celebrations, and goals for our upcoming school year. This information packed newsletter reviews activities in the five Blueprint pillars of Early Childhood, Elevating Educators, College & Career Readiness, Student Supports, and Accountability. A few teasers of what is inside the Back-to-School Blueprint Newsletter include: highlighting new students joining the committees, a look at what other counties are doing to expand pre-kindergarten, national board certification teacher impact data, grants awarded to supporting apprenticeships, and more! For all things HCPS Blueprint, you can also go to hcps.org for the Blueprint Website.
Strategic Initiatives Focus Group Series – Cell Phones
The results of the focus group series from June 2023 have been released on hcps.org through the Office of Strategic Initiatives. The focus group series asked the questions, “What role should HCPS play in navigating the advantages and disadvantages of cell phones for students? What are productive policies for managing cell phones in schools?” The Student Cell Phones Strategic Focus Group Report includes collected data from the process, the various recommendations by participants, gathered feedback from teachers, and recommendations from the exercise. The full report can be viewed HERE. Thank you to all who participated (teachers, administrators, parents, and students) and to the various leaders involved in the action items and next steps.
NEW Parent Connection Newsletter From Parent Academy
Mary Beth Stapleton is excited to announce the very first issue of Parent Academy’s NEW monthly newsletter, Parent Connection. This newsletter has been thoughtfully developed to serve as a resource to support and strengthen the home and school connection. The hope is that the information shared each month will better equip parents and caregivers to navigate the school year with their children.
A new issue of Parent Connection will publish each month during the school year and be sent via email to all families in the system.
Please see the Inaugural/September 2023 issue of Parent Connection:
Physical Education Grant for Elementary School, Middle School, and Special Education Teachers
Interested in Becoming a Teacher?
Earn your teaching certificate in just nine (9) months with Moreland University! Click here for a printable version of the flier below.
Career Counseling is Available to You!
Did you know that over 600 HCPS employees have participated in career counseling? You could be next! Email Maranda Scott for more information.
Increase your retirement plan contributions gradually with personal auto increase.
Click here to find out how easy it can be to start saving more for retirement. Small changes can make a big difference!
Care Solace
Autism Acceptance
The Office of Special Education is excited to announce a significant change in our approach towards autism. As we continue to grow and learn, we recognize the importance of moving beyond mere awareness and instead embracing Autism Acceptance. Over the years, our understanding of autism has evolved, and we have come to realize that true acceptance is what empowers individuals on the autism spectrum to thrive and lead fulfilling lives. We understand that each person's journey with autism is unique, and we are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and understood.
We encourage staff to embrace the following as we shift our focus from awareness to acceptance:
Symbolic Transformation: The autism puzzle piece has been a familiar emblem in raising awareness for autism spectrum disorder. While it has served a purpose in shedding light on the challenges individuals with autism face, it has also been criticized for its association with an incomplete or missing piece. We believe it's time to move beyond this representation and embrace a symbol that better reflects the infinite possibilities and diversity of neurodivergent individuals.
The infinity symbol holds a profound significance in our journey towards Autism Acceptance. Its endless loop represents the boundless potential and limitless talents that individuals on the autism spectrum possess. We choose this symbol to celebrate the unique strengths and perspectives that enrich our community and the broader society.
Embracing Neurodiversity: We celebrate the diversity of human minds, recognizing that autism is just one of the many variations in how our brains are wired. Our goal is to create a world that appreciates the unique strengths and perspectives that neurodiverse individuals bring to our communities.
Amplifying Voices: We are dedicated to elevating the voices of autistic individuals themselves, their families, and advocates in our initiatives. Their lived experiences and insights will guide us in creating programs that are meaningful and impactful.
Promoting Inclusion: We will strive to build inclusive spaces that accommodate and welcome individuals with diverse sensory needs, communication styles, and social preferences. All events and activities should be designed with accessibility in mind.
Education and Awareness: While we move towards acceptance, we recognize the importance of education and awareness in dispelling myths and misconceptions about autism. Our efforts will focus on fostering understanding and empathy rather than on stigmatizing or pathologizing autism.
We sincerely hope that this paradigm shift will foster a more compassionate and supportive community. We invite all of you to join us in this journey of embracing autism acceptance, promoting understanding, and building a more inclusive world for everyone.
First Day Smiles 2023
Magnet and Technical Programs Information Nights
KEPRO Has a New Name: Acentra Health
KEPRO is the Employee Assistance Program Provider
With over six decades of combined experience, CNSI, a leading provider of innovative healthcare technology solutions, and Kepro, a leading provider of technology-enabled care management, quality oversight, and clinical assessment services, announced the combined organization has rebranded as Acentra Health. Acentra Health's mission is to continually innovate solutions that deliver maximum value and impact to the healthcare delivery system. Its power lies in the marriage of developing advanced claims and encounters and providing solutions that drive efficiency and cost savings with high-quality care management, quality oversight, and clinical assessment capabilities. By leveraging rich data sets – provider, health plan beneficiary and member, claims and encounters, and social determinants of health – Acentra Health transforms insights into action by bridging the gaps between technology suppliers, policy advisors, and clinicians.
For information on Acentra Health, including a new company video and an organization timeline, visit acentra.com. A comprehensive new website will launch later this summer. Until then, employees can continue to access the EAP program and resources by phone at (866) 795-5701 or by visiting their website online at www.EAPhelplink.com, company code: HCPS. For more information on CNSI and Kepro, visit cns-inc.com and kepro.com.
Dental Network Transitioned to CareFirst BlueDental Effective July 1, 2023
REMINDER: HCPS has transitioned dental insurance carriers from Delta Dental to CareFirst. Unless you elected to change your plan, those enrolled in the Delta Dental PPO Comprehensive plan transitioned to the CareFirst Dental PPO Comprehensive plan on July 1, 2023. Likewise, members who were enrolled in the Delta Dental Premier Standard plan transitioned to the CareFirst PPO Standard plan as of the same date if an active change election was not submitted during the open enrollment period. Please contact your dentist's office to verify if your provider participates with the new dental plan.
NEW ID CARDS: Every employee enrolled in a dental plan had new dental and vision, if elected, ID cards mailed to them in late June. If you did not receive an ID card, you can request new ID cards be mailed to your home through your online member portal at www.carefirst.com. Members can call CareFirst at (866) 891-2802 to request ID cards.
To find an in-network dental provider, members can visit BlueCross BlueShield BlueDental Lookup. On this page, please be sure to adjust the location of the search area on the page before entering your provider's name. Please Note: You must search by your dentist's name and not the dental practice's name; the search tool will not return results for group dental practices.
If you have any questions, contact the Benefits Office at benefits@hcps.org.
CareFirst Wellness Announcements: Focusing on Finances
September is Self-Improvement Month at CareFirst
Financial well-being is one of the key players in whole health. It includes understanding the financial processes related to savings, income, and debt and learning to live within your means while setting short- and long-term goals to improve. This month's wellness newsletter features factors that impact your financial health and tips to improve your financial health. To learn more, click here.
September CareFirst WellBeing Challenge – The 7 Days of Savings Challenge
Many people think of exercise or nutrition when it comes to improving their well-being, but worrying about finances is Americans' leading cause of stress. September is Self-Improvement Month and the perfect time to start changing your spending habits to help ease your mind. Click here to learn more about the CareFirst WellBeing challenge and how to join.
Access the Dave Ramsey SmartDollar Financial Wellness Solution by clicking here: SmartDollar Financial Wellness Solutions.
September HCPS Wellness Lunch and Learns, presented by CareFirst
New this year, the HCPS Wellness Committee, in partnership with CareFirst, will host monthly hybrid Lunch and Learn sessions for employees to attend in person at the A.A. Roberty Building or virtually via Microsoft TEAMs. These webinars will be recorded and available for employees to view later if they cannot attend the live event.
In September, the HCPS Wellness Committee will be discussing Financial Wellness. These Lunch and Learn Sessions will help to provide a general understanding of financial planning and budgeting during any stage in life.
- Financial Planning for New Families – Wednesday, September 13, 12:30-1:30 p.m.:
The in-person event will be held in conference room 234 of the A.A. Roberty Building, 102 S. Hickory Ave, Bel Air, MD 21014. Feel free to bring your lunch to enjoy while you participate.
To attend virtually, click here on the day and time of the event. You can also copy and save this link to your calendar as a reminder.
- Household and Individual Budgeting - Tuesday, September 26, 12:30-1:30 p.m.:
The in-person event will be held in conference room 234 of the A.A. Roberty Building, 102 S Hickory Ave, Bel Air, MD 21014. Feel free to bring your lunch to enjoy while you participate.
To attend virtually, click here on the day and time of the event. You can also copy and save this link to your calendar as a reminder.
If you’re looking for more health and wellness resources or to view recordings of previous Lunch & Learn sessions, we encourage you to check out our Staff Wellness Program webpage on hcps.org! This webpage is updated monthly with in-person and online events, CareFirst resources, BurnAlong challenges, and more!
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 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)
September is Family Health Month at BurnAlong
Focus on family health: health at every stage of life.
This month, the spotlight is on family. Join BurnAlong as they explore ways to promote overall health at any stage of life, embrace the benefits of including pets as valued family members, and incorporate family into fitness sessions. The BurnAlong team will discuss tips and insights from renowned health professionals on optimizing your well-being at any stage of life. Add the link below to your calendar to avoid missing this valuable opportunity to enhance your health and live your best life!
Coming to You Live in September!
This month, it’s all about family. During the sessions below, BurnAlong will provide tips on being healthy at any age, the benefits of having pets (because they’re part of the family, too), and how to include family in your workouts.
- September 14 at 12:00 p.m.: Make Fitness a Family Fun Affair
- September 20 at 12:00 p.m.: Be Healthy at Any Stage of Life
- September 28 at 12:00 p.m.: The Benefits of Having Pets
Need Help Kick-Starting Your Family Health Journey?
Participate in BurnAlong’s Family Health challenge, which kicks off on September 1. Everyone can participate simply by picking an age-relevant program to complete with someone you love. To participate, ask a family member or loved one to commit to completing a BurnAlong program with you. Find an age-appropriate program and complete it together throughout September. Courses for this challenge can be accessed through your online BurnAlong account.
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 September:
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.
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.
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 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:
- September 13 (CRN 73354)
- September 26 & 27 (CRN 73356) *Two evenings
- October 16 & 17 (CRN 73283) *Two evenings
- November 2 (CRN 73299)
- November 29 (CRN 73303)
- December 19 (CRN 73288)
- 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.
Maryland State Retirement and Pension System: First Steps Webinars
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, September 27, 2023, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. and a second 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).
EAP Webinar: The Gratitude Habit
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 beginning September 19, 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 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.
Understanding Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Rights and Support for Employees
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law enacted in 1993 that allows eligible employees to take unpaid, job-protected leave for certain family and medical reasons. Eligible employees include:
- Have worked for the employer for at least 12 months, which do not have to be consecutive, and
- Have worked at least 1,250 hours during the 12-month period immediately preceding the start of the FMLA leave.
The FMLA was designed to balance the demands of the workplace with the needs of employees to attend to their own health and well-being, as well as the needs of their families. The FMLA provides eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave* in a 12-month period. This leave can be used for various reasons, such as:
- The birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child,
- Caring for a spouse, child, or parent with a serious health condition or
- A serious health condition that prevents the employee from performing their job.
- Qualifying exigencies arising out of the fact that the employee's spouse, child, or parent is on covered active duty or called to covered active-duty status as a member of the National Guard or Reserves.
Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), a serious health condition is defined as an illness, injury, impairment, or physical or mental condition that involves one or more of the following:
- Inpatient Care: Any period spent in a hospital, hospice, or residential medical care facility, including any subsequent treatment in connection with the inpatient care.
- Incapacity and Treatment: A condition that causes the employee to be unable to perform their job functions or attend school or other regular daily activities, along with the requirement of ongoing treatment by a healthcare provider. The treatment may include but is not limited to visits to a doctor, physical therapy, or prescription medication.
- Chronic Conditions Requiring Periodic Treatment: A condition that requires periodic visits to a healthcare provider for treatment, such as asthma, diabetes, or epilepsy. These conditions may cause episodic rather than continuous periods of incapacity.
- Pregnancy or Prenatal Care: Any period of incapacity due to pregnancy, prenatal medical care, or related conditions. This includes incapacity due to severe morning sickness or the need for prenatal rest. Please note that using this leave before a child's birth impacts the FMLA entitlement for recovery and child bonding.
- Chronic Conditions Requiring Supervision: A chronic condition that requires supervision by a healthcare provider but may not necessarily involve active treatment. Examples include Alzheimer's, severe arthritis, or a severe stroke with residual effects.
- Permanent or Long-Term Conditions: Any period of incapacity due to a condition that is not expected to improve significantly or has an indefinite duration, such as terminal illnesses.
The determination of a serious health condition is based on the professional judgment of a healthcare provider and will require medical certification to support the need for FMLA leave.
There are two types of leave under FMLA: continuous and intermittent.
- Continuous FMLA leave refers to taking an uninterrupted block of time off for a qualifying FMLA reason. HCPS requires that employees who are absent for more than five consecutive duty days apply for continuous FMLA.
- Intermittent FMLA leave refers to taking FMLA leave in separate blocks of time rather than in one continuous period. It allows employees to take leave in smaller increments or on an as-needed basis due to their own or a family member's serious health condition. Intermittent FMLA leave can be taken in hourly, daily, or even shorter increments, depending on the employer's policies and the employee's needs. Care, recovery, or treatment should be scheduled outside regular business hours when possible so as to not unduly impact HCPS operations.
SPECIAL NOTE FOR INSTRUCTIONALLY RELATED STAFF AND INTERMITTENT LEAVE: Under FMLA, instructional personnel can take no more than 20% of their scheduled work time off, which equates to about one day per week or about four (4) days per month. If more leave time is needed, you must arrange to take continuous FMLA leave.
During FMLA leave, eligible employees are entitled to maintain their group health benefits and have the right to return to their same or equivalent job upon their return to work. The FMLA also prohibits employers from retaliating against employees for exercising their rights under the law. Under the FMLA, eligible employees have several rights and protections, including:
- The right to take FMLA leave for qualifying reasons without fear of losing their job.
- The right to maintain their group health benefits during FMLA leave.
- The right to be reinstated to their same or equivalent position after FMLA leave.
- Protection against retaliation for exercising their rights under the FMLA.
Should you feel that your circumstances and work/life balance require the use of FMLA, please follow the steps outlined here: https://hcps365.sharepoint.com/sites/HumanResources/Benefits/INFO%20%20FORMS/FMLA%20and%20Leave%20of%20Absence%20Information/FMLA%20Instructions%20to%20Apply/Steps%20to%20apply%20for%20FMLA.pdf.
If you have additional questions, contact the HCPS Benefits Office at (410) 588-5275 or benefits@hcps.org.
Department of Labor FMLA Eligibility Poster: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/fmlaen.pdf
*HCPS requires employees to utilize their available paid leave to cover their absence.
Shout Outs!
"Huge kudos to Brian McNutt and crew. We finally have a working ice machine after five years without one."
-Helen E. Miller, Ed.D., Principal, Southampton Middle School
"I just want to give a shout out to Chris, Mark, Ted, Scott and Garrett in Grounds for coming to Bakerfield and picking up all those extra desks and chairs for disposal, which helped make space for new teachers and just makes the school look so much nicer. Not only do they mow and trim the outside to make it beautiful, they go the extra mile to help inside, too. You guys are awesome!"
-Tammy Bonney, Chief Custodian, Bakerfield Elementary
"Shout out to Mary Brewer and Debbie Tillman who had a hot water leak onto newly waxed floors the day before 6th grade orientation at Bel Air Middle School and managed to get it cleaned up and polished in time for opening day! What a lot of hard work! You’re so appreciated."
❤ Your school nurses
"Shout out to Stephanie Boylan, new front office administrative assistant at Bel Air Middle School! You’re doing a great job and we couldn’t do it without you!"
❤ Your school nurses
"Shout out to Suzette Attah, Bel Air Middle School 6th grade AP - welcome to BAMS and thank you for all you do!
❤ Your school nurses
*To submit an HCPS Shout Out, please email the information to HCPS.411@hcps.org.
Welcome to HCPS!
- Omoymen Alli, Administrative Support Assistant, Aberdeen Middle School
- Jeremy Blackwood, Custodian I - Shift 2, Bel Air Middle School
- Kyriann Blair, Inclusion Helper, Roye-Williams Elementary School
- Michael Blanchard, Custodian II - Shift 2, Forest Lakes Elementary School
- Arlene Boyd, Paraeducator, Old Post Road Elementary School
- Tatum Brown, Administrative Support Assistant, North Bend Elementary School
- Rondina Delacoudray, Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher, Edgewood High School
- Dominic Dorse, Kindergarten Teacher, Riverside Elementary School
- Michelle Dunmore, Paraeducator, Old Post Road Elementary School
- Karen Grande, Speech Language Pathologist, Riverside Elementary School
- Sanaa Harris, Inclusion Helper, Aberdeen Middle School
- Joann Hurd, Paraeducator, Harford Academy
- Stella Kalambihis, Special Education Teacher, Edgewood High School
- Jessica Kraus, Special Education Teacher, Harford Technical High School
- Aubree Lopez, Paraeducator, North Bend Elementary School
- Gregory Lyons, Grounds/Equipment Maintenance I, Facilities Department
- Velta Mahon, Paraeducator, North Harford Middle School
- Rossy Mayorga Ramos, Custodian I - Shift 2, Churchville Elementary School
- Rachel McCloskey, Science Teacher, Southampton Middle School
- Barbara McLaughlin, English Teacher, Aberdeen Middle School
- Kiarra Nowell, Paraeducator, C. Milton Wright High School
- Tizeta Joy Nystrom, Paraeducator, Aberdeen Middle School
- Madeline Ortt, Paraeducator, Church Creek Elementary School
- Christian Santana, Custodian I - Shift 2, Youth's Benefit Elementary School
- Lynda Shrader, Inclusion Helper, George D. Lisby Elementary School at Hillsdale
- Laurrie Wahl, Paraeducator, Prospect Mill Elementary School
- Patti Wheeler, Paraeducator, Fallston High School
- Cameron Wilgis, Custodian I - Shift 2, Edgewood Middle School
- Autumn Young, Paraeducator, Forest Hill Elementary School
Office of Communications and Family Outreach
Email: HCPS.411@hcps.org
Website: www.hcps.org
Location: 102 South Hickory Avenue, Bel Air, MD, USA