News

Staff should review the following technology reminders:

Staff who will not be returning to work for HCPSS next school year:

• Staff who are leaving and are assigned HCPSS devices, including laptops, cell phones and tablets, must return those devices to HCPSS by their last day of employment. Devices can be returned to the school’s library media specialist or elementary technology teacher, or taken to the Logistics Center 9645 Gerwig Lane, Columbia, MD 21046, Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Staff devices collected by offices or schools should be returned to the Technology Department. A staging > return ticket should be entered into the Web Help Desk indicating what devices are being returned and where they are being securely stored.
  • Staff who will not return for SY 2025-26  but will continue to work in a temporary capacity over the summer (summer programs) may return their device(s) at the conclusion of their temporary assignment.
• Active Directory accounts will be suspended once a person no longer works for HCPSS. Staff who are leaving who wish to have copies of non-proprietary materials they created, in Google, O365 or other, must download the files prior to their last day of work. Access will not be provided after their account is suspended. They must not take proprietary or confidential information including documents containing student personally identifiable information (PII) .

Staff Support Over the Summer 

• If issues arise with your HCPSS-issued technology over the summer, call 410-313-7004 or email techsupport@hcpss.org.
• Store your assigned computer so that it will not be damaged, and take appropriate precautions to prevent damage, loss or theft.

Multi-factor Authentication Reminder

• Staff who replace their mobile phone over the summer and use it for Duo MFA should use the directions under the heading “I lost, replaced, or don’t have my mobile device or security key…” to remove their old phone and add their new phone to MFA.

HCPSS staff interested in working for the Innovative Pathways Evening Program for the 2025-2026 school year are invited to attend a virtual information session on Tuesday, June 10 at 7:00 p.m. via Google Meet. Please complete the registration form below, and you will receive the Google Meet link after submitting the form.

• SY25-26 IP Evening Program - Virtual Hiring Info Session Registration

General program information can be found on the Innovative Pathways Evening Program webpage. Direct questions to IPEvening@hcpss.org or call 410-313-6627.

The salary payment option update timeframe will be June 1-July 31, 2025. This annual opportunity allows 10-month employees who would like to change their current election to select either a 10-month or 12-month salary option for the upcoming school year. Eligible employees will receive a Workday notification to perform the update.

Please note:

• If you wish to continue your current pay option, NO action is required.
• If you wish to change your current pay option, the salary payment option election MUST be completed no later than July 31. Workday will be updated with your new pay option no sooner than August 14, 2025.

If you are not sure of your current pay option, please follow these directions:

1. Log into Workday (Staff Hub > Services dropdown > Workday)
2. Select your profile picture at the far right and then select view profile
3. Select Job from the left side blue navigation menu
4. Select the Organizations tab at the top
5. Your current pay option displays in the first line 

Staff are reminded that employee retirement and fond farewell celebration announcements can be found online. You can find that link anytime by going to the Staff Hub, scrolling down to Resources, and then selecting the Retirement Announcements link under Communications.

To share an open celebration for an employee who is retiring or leaving the school system, email communications@hcpss.org with the following:

• Who: Name of employee being celebrated; include their current title and location
• When: Date and time
• Where: Location, including address
• Cost: If applicable, and how to contribute
• RSVP: If applicable, to whom, by when and how

The following is shared on behalf of the Maryland State Department of Education:

The Phones in Focus initiative is a non-partisan, research-based effort aimed at identifying the most effective school cell phone policies to support students' learning and overall wellness. By surveying principals and teachers about current phone use policies and enforcement strategies, the study will create a comprehensive state and national map of practices and link them to key student outcomes like academic achievement and attendance. Maryland has opted to participate in this national effort.

Phones in Focus needs your help answering a pressing question: How, specifically, should schools manage student cell phones to maximize learning and well-being? The Phones In Focus survey aims to change that by:

• Creating a statewide and national map of phone policies
• Connecting policies to academic and well-being outcomes to identify what
  works best and for whom

Take a few minutes to complete the online Phones in Focus survey. The survey closes Friday May 23.

Additional information:

• At the end of the survey, you’ll receive a real-time snapshot of how educators across the U.S. are answering the same questions
• Every educator who completes this survey is automatically entered into a weekly raffle ($100 for the educator and a $100 donation to the school). One educator will be chosen as the winner of the grand prize raffle: a gift basket that includes a $500 VISA gift card, a $500 donation to their school, personalized and signed copies of Mindset by Carol Dweck and Grit by Angela Duckworth, and a personalized professional development workshop or in-person school assembly with Angela Duckworth.
• All educators from schools where at least 5 educators complete the survey will be invited to an online, invitation-only professional development webinar on the science of self-regulation with Angela Duckworth in fall 2025.
   

The HCPSS Get To Know series was created to help staff learn more about system leaders in schools and offices with whom they may not typically interact. HCPSS leaders answer a mix of personal and professional questions in an effort to let all employees get to know them better. Please use this form to nominate an HCPSS leader to be featured in the series.

Why did you choose to work in education?
My parents played a major role in my decision to work in education. My mom immigrated to the United States from Trinidad as an adult and always wanted her children to have the opportunities that she did. My dad was in the military and stressed the importance of service to others. Neither of my parents attended college but they stressed the importance of education. As a result I loved school and serving others, which is why I decided to be a social worker in a school setting.

What is your role within HCPSS?
As the coordinator of Social Work Services, I oversee the work of school social workers and manage the School-Based Mental Health Services Program. I work collaboratively with student services colleagues, administrators, and community partners to address and support the mental health needs of our students by expanding mental health services in schools.

What is the best professional advice you've ever received?
The best professional advice I've ever received is to always remain open to opportunities for growth no matter where you are in your career, and to treat everyone with respect.

What is something you like a lot that would surprise people?
I have a high sense of adventure. I once took pilot lessons and flew a small Cessna-style plane.

What is on your bucket list?
I love to travel. Traveling to as many countries as I can is on my bucket list.

What is the most interesting place you’ve ever been?
The most interesting place I've ever been is Maho Beach in St. Maarten. St. Maarten is a small island with over 30 beautiful beaches, friendly people, and great food. The island also provides two different cultural experiences, as one side is Dutch and the other side is French. Maho Beach, in particular, is very interesting because it is so close to the airport that when the planes are landing, they fly so low to the beach that you feel like you could hit it with a rock! It's thrilling to experience! I would highly recommend visiting!

Do you know a fellow staff member who has gone above and beyond in supporting students with Individualized Education Programs (IEP)?

The Howard County Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee (SECAC) invites you to nominate a staff member for its 2nd Annual Gladiator Program, a special initiative recognizing HCPSS staff who have made a positive impact on a student with an IEP. The Gladiator Program is open to all HCPSS staff and contractors, including teachers, therapists, bus drivers, aides, administrators, media specialists, custodians and more.

Staff selected to receive the award will be celebrated at an event on June 3.

Submit your nomination through this Google Form by Friday, May 16.

Join in celebrating HCPSS Principal of the Year Lisa Smith (Hammond Middle School), and HCPSS’ Teachers of the Year Tyrone Page (Oakland Mills Middle School) and Natalie Pretzello (Hammond Middle School)! 

Each recipient was named during surprise visits at their respective schools, and will be recognized at an upcoming Howard County Board of Education meeting. The three also serve as the HCPSS nominees for Washington Post Principal of the Year, Washington Post Teacher of the Year (Page) and Maryland State Department of Education Teacher of the Year (Pretzello).

Learn more about these outstanding staff members online.

The HCPSS Get To Know series was created to help staff learn more about system leaders in schools and offices with whom they may not typically interact. HCPSS leaders answer a mix of personal and professional questions in an effort to let all employees get to know them better. Please use this form to nominate an HCPSS leader to be featured in the series.

Why did you choose to work in education?
I knew I wanted to be a teacher at a very young age. I had a love of learning and reading combined with the world's greatest kindergarten teacher. As I got older, my reason for sticking with education evolved. While I loved school and found a deep sense of belonging in the schools I attended, I realized that wasn't the same for everyone and hoped to change that for the students I worked with.

What is the best professional advice you've ever received?
During my first year of teaching, the TDL at my school (who became a close friend and mentor) gave me the advice to "find my marigolds" from an article published by the Cult of Pedagogy. Marigolds are people who are positive and encourage you and help you grow. I love sharing this article with new staff as a reminder to find people who will both push you and care for you.

I also have taken some of my best professional advice from the show Ted Lasso, specifically "be curious, not judgmental." Curiosity allows for deeper understanding, builds relationships, and helps escape the pitfall of making assumptions without knowing the entire story.

What is something you like a lot that would surprise people?
I love playing the various New York Times puzzle games and I'm a great baker!

What is on your bucket list?
There are a lot of countries I want to visit, especially Greece and Italy. My mom has always wanted to take a cruise to Alaska so I also would love to do that with her.

What is the most interesting place you’ve ever been?
I was very lucky in high school to go on a trip where we explored both Spain and France. I would recommend anyone that has an opportunity to travel to another country and immerse themselves in a different culture and experience do so!

The 2025 National Board Certification (NBC) Scholarship is now open. This scholarship fully covers the cost of NBC candidacy.

For those ready to apply:

1. Attend an information session – This is the essential first step for all applicants.
2. Join the NBC Canvas community – Stay informed and supported.
3. Visit the Potential Candidates page – Access key information and step-by-step directions to complete your application.

Preferred deadline is May 16.

Application Questions: casey_schurman@hcpss.org | NBC Program Questions: jennifer_hlavka@hcpss.org