News

Systemic PL Oversight Committee Focus Group, Nov. 19

As part of the 2025-2026 HCPSS Systemic Professional Learning (PL) model, the Systemic PL Oversight Committee is conducting focus groups with key stakeholders to evaluate the effectiveness of the professional learning model and its impact on teaching and learning.

A virtual focus group session will be held Wednesday, Nov. 19 from 4:30-5:15 p.m. Employees interested in participating should register online. Employees interested but who are not available that day or who are not selected to participate will have additional opportunities to provide input. More information is forthcoming.

Responsible Use of Chromebooks via Lightspeed Parent Portal

Staff are reminded that not all students are allowed to access the YouTube website and teachers should embed curated YouTube videos in their Canvas courses. However, please note that using the Lightseed Parent Portal families may control the viewing of any YouTube videos while off the HCPSS network.  

Parents/guardians may monitor their child’s HCPSS Chromebook internet usage by signing up for Lightspeed Parent Notifications to receive a weekly email summary of their child’s usage.

Once parents have signed up for Lightspeed Parent Notifications an email summary will be delivered each Sunday and will contain a link with access to the Lightspeed Parent Portal.

The Lightspeed Parent Portal offers near real-time information on their child’s internet activity, and, when they are not on the HCPSS network, the ability to block YouTube and pause the internet for 1 hour, 3 hours or until 6 a.m. the next morning. Frequently asked questions about Lightspeed and the Parent Portal can be found online.

Reminder! Open Enrollment Closes Nov. 14

The annual Benefits Open Enrollment period will be held Oct. 27-Nov. 14. Open Enrollment is the annual time period where benefits-eligible employees may make changes to their benefits elections for the upcoming plan year. Employees should review their personal information, the benefits being offered by HCPSS, and the plans that they are enrolled in to determine if they would like to make any changes. HCPSS will continue to offer the same comprehensive benefits program in Plan Year 2026.

Benefits Information

Details regarding Open Enrollment are posted online, including:

Benefits Selections

All benefit selections must be made in Workday. Each benefit category will have its own benefit tile, making it easier for employees to navigate and to enroll/make changes to benefit elections. 

To review, enroll and/or make changes in Workday:

  1. Log in to Workday using your Active Directory user name and password
  2. Go to your Workday inbox and select the Open Enrollment task.
  3. Click on “Let’s get Started” and follow the prompts to proceed with your enrollment.
  4. Upon making changes to your benefit elections you must click ”submit” for the changes to take effect for 01/01/2026.
  5. Print a copy of your benefits confirmation page for your records.

Virtual Benefits Fairs

Employees will have the opportunity to learn more about their benefit options by attending a Virtual Benefits Fair. Carrier representatives and HCPSS Benefits staff will be available to meet, provide information and answer any benefit questions. Please note that the virtual fairs and accompanying chat rooms are accessible to all HCPSS active employees and families and are not confidential so please be mindful of disclosing any personal information.

Remaining virtual fairs will be held from 10:30 a.m.-noon, and from 1-4:30 p.m. on:

  • Tuesday, November 4
  • Monday, November 10

The Virtual Benefits Fairs will be accessible by visiting www.employeewellnesshub.com/hcpss. (Note: this is a third-party website that is not managed or supported by HCPSS)

Additional Information

  • Open Enrollment will not be extended. The last day for Open Enrollment is Friday, November 14, 2025.
  • For staff who do not wish to make any changes to your medical, dental, vision, short-term disability, long-term disability, supplemental life, critical illness, accident and /or whole life insurance benefits, your benefits elections will continue for Plan Year 2026.
  • All staff must make a new election for flexible Spending Accounts, if you wish to enroll. Your 2025 FSA election(s) will not carry over to Plan Year 2026. HCPSS has a new FSA provider, Flexible Benefit Administrators, effective 01/01/2026.
    • Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA) - 2026 FSA annual maximum is $3300.
    • Dependent Care FSA - 2026 New Annual maximum is $7500 per household.

Questions?

HCPSS Benefits Call Center is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. by calling 410-313-7333, Option 1. You also may email questions to benefits@hcpss.org.

Office Hours are available by appointment on Wednesdays. Schedule an appointment by calling (410) 313-7333 Option 1.
 

Howard County Blood Drive, Nov. 5

The following is shared on behalf of the Howard County Department of Fire & Rescue Services.

Howard County Fire and Rescue is hosting a blood drive and has several open spaces. Please see the details below.

  • WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 5. 8am - 2pm
  • WHERE: James N. Robey Public Safety Training Center, 2200 Scott Wheeler Drive, Marriottsville
  • REGISTER: Online

Cyber Safety for Students — What Staff Should Know

As we conclude this year’s Cyber Resiliency and Preparedness Month, we as educators and staff play a vital role in helping students navigate the digital world safely. Whether they’re using school devices, accessing online resources, or communicating through digital platforms, students rely on us to model and reinforce smart cybersecurity habits.

Here are three simple ways you can support student cyber safety:

  1. Model Strong Password Practices
    Encourage students to use complex passwords and avoid sharing credentials, even with friends.
  2. Promote Responsible Online Behavior
    Remind students to think before they click, avoid suspicious links, and report anything that feels “off” or unsafe.
  3. Recognize and Report Cyberbullying or Security Concerns
    Be alert to signs of online harassment or risky behavior and know how to escalate concerns through the proper channels.

! Call to Action ! Explore Cybersecurity Training in Vector

To deepen your understanding and strengthen our collective cybersecurity culture, we invite you to voluntarily explore the Cybersecurity Extra Training section in K–12 Vector Training. Short courses for Cybersecurity Awareness for Education Leaders include:

  • Creating a Cybersecurity Culture
  • Safeguarding Against Social Engineering Attacks
  • End-User Best Practices

Let’s continue to lead by example and keep our students—and ourselves—safe online.

If after reviewing the resource you have any questions, contact Technology Support at (410) 313-7004 option 4 or TechSupport@hcpss.org


 

Multi-Factor Authentication Number Matching – Effective October 31

As part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen account security, HCPSS will enable Duo Number Matching for multi-factor authentication (MFA), effective this Friday, October 31, 2025.

This enhancement, also known as Verified Push, adds a short verification step to help prevent accidental or fraudulent approvals during login.

What’s Changing?

When logging in with Duo Push, you may occasionally see a three-digit number on your computer or device screen. To approve the login, simply select or enter that same number in the Duo Mobile app.

This feature helps ensure that only legitimate login attempts are approved, significantly reducing the risk of phishing or “push fatigue” attacks.

What You Need to Know

  • The change takes effect Oct. 31, 2025.
  • The number prompt may appear intermittently when using Duo Push through the Duo Mobile app.
  • Duo Number Matching only applies to Duo Mobile push notifications, not YubiKey USB keys. If you use a YubiKey (USB key) for MFA authentication, this change does not affect you.

Call to Action

No immediate action is required. On Friday, Oct. 31 when you next login and are prompted for number matching, simply follow the on-screen instructions.

If you have any questions, contact Technology Support at (410) 313-7004 (option 4) or TechSupport@hcpss.org

Together, we can make HCPSS more secure — one smart click at a time.

 


 

Open Enrollment Available Through Nov. 14; Benefits Fairs Begin Oct. 29

The annual Benefits Open Enrollment period will be held Oct. 27-Nov. 14. Open Enrollment is the annual time period where benefits-eligible employees may make changes to their benefits elections for the upcoming plan year. Employees should review their personal information, the benefits being offered by HCPSS, and the plans that they are enrolled in to determine if they would like to make any changes. HCPSS will continue to offer the same comprehensive benefits program in Plan Year 2026.

Benefits Information

Details regarding Open Enrollment are posted online, including:

Benefits Selections

All benefit selections must be made in Workday. Each benefit category will have its own benefit tile, making it easier for employees to navigate and to enroll/make changes to benefit elections. 

To review, enroll and/or make changes in Workday:

  1. Log in to Workday using your Active Directory user name and password
  2. Go to your Workday inbox and select the Open Enrollment task.
  3. Click on “Let’s get Started” and follow the prompts to proceed with your enrollment.
  4. Upon making changes to your benefit elections you must click ”submit” for the changes to take effect for 01/01/2026.
  5. Print a copy of your benefits confirmation page for your records.

Virtual Benefits Fairs

Employees will have the opportunity to learn more about their benefit options by attending a Virtual Benefits Fair. Carrier representatives and HCPSS Benefits staff will be available to meet, provide information and answer any benefit questions. Please note that the virtual fairs and accompanying chat rooms are accessible to all HCPSS active employees and families and are not confidential so please be mindful of disclosing any personal information.

Virtual fairs will be held from 10:30 a.m.-noon, and from 1-4:30 p.m. on:

  • Wednesday, October 29
  • Tuesday, November 4
  • Monday, November 10

The Virtual Benefits Fairs will be accessible by visiting www.employeewellnesshub.com/hcpss. (Note: this is a third-party website that is not managed or supported by HCPSS)

Additional Information

  • Open Enrollment will not be extended. The last day for Open Enrollment is Friday, November 14, 2025.
  • For staff who do not wish to make any changes to your medical, dental, vision, short-term disability, long-term disability, supplemental life, critical illness, accident and /or whole life insurance benefits, your benefits elections will continue for Plan Year 2026.
  • All staff must make a new election for flexible Spending Accounts, if you wish to enroll. Your 2025 FSA election(s) will not carry over to Plan Year 2026. HCPSS has a new FSA provider, Flexible Benefit Administrators, effective 01/01/2026.
    • Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA) - 2026 FSA annual maximum is $3300.
    • Dependent Care FSA - 2026 New Annual maximum is $7500 per household.

Questions?

HCPSS Benefits Call Center is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. by calling 410-313-7333, Option 1. You also may email questions to benefits@hcpss.org.

Office Hours are available by appointment on Wednesdays. Schedule an appointment by calling (410) 313-7333 Option 1.
 

Nationwide Study on School Cell Phone Policies

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

Phones in Focus is a national research study led by University of Pennsylvania Professor Angela Duckworth and other researchers. Its aim is to give educators an opportunity to inform and improve school cell phone policies and their implementation.

Last school year, 7,863 Maryland educators took the survey, ranking Maryland #2 in the nation for participation. Now, Maryland educators are asked to again join this landmark study on school cell phone policies. 

Access the survey at www.phonesinfocus.org.

  • Just 5 minutes
  • Completely confidential
  • Be entered to win one of ten $500 gift cards
  • Instant snapshot of national results