News

Do you work with an outstanding English Language Development (ELD) teacher or administrator who goes above and beyond in making a difference in the lives of our Multilingual Learners (MLs)? Nominate them for the ELD Teacher of the Year award or the ELD Administrator of the Year award!

The nomination window is open through Feb. 28, 2025. The award is open to ELD teachers and administrators at all levels. Full details including eligibility requirements and nomination forms are available through Canvas. 

Employees who are members of the following sick leave banks will have their annual contribution processed during the pay of 12/06/2024. The donation will be processed in the following priority order:

• Sick Leave Balance – Full and/or partial donation will be deducted from available balance between 12/02/24 - 12/04/24. 
• Sick Bank Balance – Full and/or partial donation will be deducted from available balance between 12/02/24 – 12/04/24.
• Docking of Pay – Value of full and/or partial donation will be deducted from the gross pay and displayed as “Adjust Wage – Non-Retirement” in the Earnings area on the pay stub on the check dated 12/06/24.

To view your sick bank status in Workday, go to Personal Information > About Me > Overview > Additional Data, then scroll down to Sick Bank. This will indicate if you are a member and when you joined.

See attached for bargaining units and donation amounts.

Staff are advised that the Instructional Support Center (formerly Teacher Support Center) will be closed on the following dates:

• November 26-28
• December 17, 2024-January 7, 2025

The ISC will be open Dec. 3-12 during regular days/hours of operation and, following the winter closures, will reopen Wednesday, Jan. 8.

ISC regular hours of operation for this school year are Tuesdays-Thursdays from 4-7 p.m.

HCPSS and Bright Minds Foundation, the education foundation of HCPSS, is excited to announce the launch of the new Employee Giving Campaign. Bright Minds works to address critical resource and opportunity gaps faced by HCPSS students and educators. This campaign will support important initiatives across our school system, including staff & teacher grants, early childhood literacy, and classroom resources. Your participation will directly impact the lives of our students and fellow educators, enhancing educational experiences throughout our school system.

You can donate via easy payroll deductions or one-time using a different payment method. Payroll deductions will begin on your payroll cycle starting in January 2025.

All givers will be entered to win weekly gift card drawings and receive a recognition pin. The elementary school, middle school, high school, and department with the largest percentage of participation will receive a $250 wellness grant to spend how you would like.

Please join us in supporting Bright Minds and their work for HCPSS students and educators!

To learn more and participate, visit: https://brightmindsfoundation.org/employeegiving/

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?
Every job that I've ever held involved working with young people in some capacity. I was an undergraduate psychology major and considering a career as a clinical child psychologist. I went to a Saturday session about careers in psychology and learned for the first time about the field of school psychology. I was immediately drawn to the idea of supporting young people's mental health, behavioral, and academic needs in an environment where they spent the bulk of their time. I spent about ten years as a school psychologist before moving to the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. 

What is the best professional advice you've ever received?
The idea that a career trajectory may not always be a linear path. This has really helped me embrace change and uncertainty because there is something to be learned from every part of my journey. 

What is something you like a lot that would surprise people?
I'm a pretty big sports fan and worked for a college football team for three years (Go Gators!). I also geek out about extreme weather and whenever I find some free time, I hope to become a trained volunteer weather spotter for the National Weather Service. 

What is on your bucket list?
Growing up in Miami and taking Spanish in high school and college, I used to have a much better grasp on the language. I would love to take an intensive course so I could speak Spanish fluently.

What is the most interesting place you’ve ever been?
Granada, Spain is probably one of the most interesting places I've visited. With its proximity to North Africa and its history as a Jewish, Muslim, Christian and Catholic settlement, there is an amazing richness to the culture there. Bonus points for gorgeous weather, amazing street art and architecture, and delicious food. 

Do you work with an exceptional school psychologist? This year the Howard County School Psychology Association (HCSPA) is celebrating National School Psychology Week (November 11-15) by asking you to share what makes them so special. 

The HCSPA School Psychologist of the Yearwill be announced in mid-January and will serve as the Howard County nominee for Maryland School Psychologist of the Year Award. 

Complete details, including a nomination link, can be found online (Google login required).

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 chose to work in education because I have a deep passion for helping others and making a meaningful impact on the lives of students, parents, and fellow professionals. I’ve always been driven by a love for learning, and I enjoy creating environments where others can experience the joy of discovery and growth. My humanitarian values push me to elevate individuals and communities, ensuring that every student has access to the opportunities they deserve. Being able to guide and support both students and staff is one of the most fulfilling aspects of my work. I believe education is the foundation for lasting change, and I want to be part of that transformation. Ultimately, my goal is to inspire others to reach their full potential and build a brighter future.
 

What is the best professional advice you've ever received?
Self-care and balance: The demands of being a principal can be intense, so make sure to manage your time and take care of your own well-being to sustain your leadership long-term.
 

What is something you like a lot that would surprise people?
People might be surprised to learn that I actually enjoy spending time alone, where I can recharge and reflect in peace. Quiet moments by myself give me the space to think clearly, focus on personal growth, and unwind from the demands of daily life. While I thrive in social and professional settings, I truly value solitude as an essential part of maintaining my energy and balance.
 

What is on your bucket list?
Hike Machu Picchu in Peru; go on a safari in Kenya; skydive over Dubai’s Palm Islands; explore the Great Wall of China; attend Carnival in Rio de Janeiro; ride a hot air balloon in Cappadocia, Turkey; cycle through Tuscany, Italy; zipline through the Costa Rican rainforest; and, climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
 

What is the most interesting place you’ve ever been?
When I visited this country it was called Yugoslavia (which is now known as modern-day countries like Serbia, Croatia, Montenegro, and others). It stands out as the most interesting given its complex history, diverse cultures, and stunning landscapes as well as the region’s blend of Eastern and Western European influences.
 

If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be and why?
I would love to have dinner with Maya Angelou. Her wisdom, resilience, and poetic insight into life are so inspiring. I’d be fascinated to hear her thoughts on overcoming adversity, empowering others, and how her personal experiences shaped her writing and activism. Plus, I bet she’d have some incredible stories to share!

This message is to provide staff with updates on Print Services offerings and related information, and specifically to correct misinformation circulating throughout the system.

Paper Supply
Regarding paper supply, there is no paper shortage on printer/copier paper. Through discussions this spring and summer with vendors and additional purchases, HCPSS staff were able to ensure sufficient paper for all staff/school printing needs for the entirety of the school year. 

There are no limits on 8.5 x 11 white paper a school can receive. High schools may order 40 cases of paper at a time, with no limit on additional requests. Middle and elementary schools can order 20 cases per request.

Schools in need of standard white paper can order via Workday, choosing catalog item #64500017 Paper White, 8-1/2 X 11. When placing your order, please use the following worktags.

• Cost Center: Procurement (0205)
• Program: Procurement (0205)
• Location: General
• State Category: 04
• Ship to: School location
• (spend category is not needed)

Offices in need of white paper can place an order from the Print Services Office by emailing Sue Williams.

Schools may order color paper via ODP Business Solutions and may contact the HCPSS Purchasing Office with any questions.

Printing in Schools
At no time this year has there been a directive that staff may not print in schools and offices. Staff are encouraged to utilize Print Services when possible for larger requests, which yields a significant savings to the school system. Details on placing a print order and other Print Services information can be found online.

When staff print in schools/offices, the use of Sharp MFDs is preferred over a desktop printer, when possible. Utilizing the MFDs provides a more than 60% savings over the desktop printers. 

Additionally, due to continued increased costs and demand, staff are asked to restrict color printing to instructional items that require it. Staff who request color copies via Prisma web-to-print should include justification for color copies in the remarks/notes field.
 

Print Services Turnaround Time
Expected turnaround for print requests is 10 business days, and may be less or more depending on the request and additional system priorities.

Questions about paper and/or Print Services can be emailed to printservices@hcpss.org.

Do you have a staff member/team or know a colleague who has achieved excellence in areas of diversity, equity and inclusion; innovation; instruction; operations; stakeholder engagement; staff support; and/or student support? Nominate that person for an HCPSS Staff Excellence Award, issued throughout the school year.

Use this form to nominate another staff member. If the nominee is selected to receive an HCPSS Staff Excellence Award, an HCPSS leader will surprise the selected staff member—in coordination with their supervisor—and present them with a certificate to celebrate them for their outstanding service. 

Additional information and opportunities for staff recognition can be found in the HCPSS Employee Well-Being Canvas community.

Thank you for your active participation during Cybersecurity Awareness Month! To continue improving our cybersecurity awareness, we encourage all staff members to explore the below new resources. You can access them by navigating to the Staff Hub > Services > KnowBe4 Cybersecurity Resources > Library.

•  Pretexting: Setting You Up for the Scam - This module identifies the main elements of effective pretexting and provides best practices for reducing the likelihood of falling victim to one of these scams. ‎
•  Micro-module - Social Engineering - This module defines social engineering and describes what criminals are after. It covers the three main areas of attack: digital attacks, in-person attacks, and phone attacks. ‎

Employees are encouraged to forward any suspected phishing emails to abuse@hcpss.org, and then delete the email. If assistance is still needed, contact the Technology Support at TechSupport@hcpss.org.