News

Scheduled for the coming days, users to the Frontline Home Page will see a refreshed look focused on enhancing user functionality.

The new design reduces clicks and prioritizes information for action. Users will find it easier to monitor tasks, review requests, access schedules, and take action directly from a single dashboard.

Detailed information, videos, and visuals are available by logging in to Frontline from the Staff Hub homepage, selecting the Expand Navigation arrow on the left menu if it's not already open, and selecting Insights.

As we prepare for the return of our staff on August 13 and our students on August 24, we are excited to launch the 2026-2027 Systemic Professional Learning Guide, centered on this year's theme, Strengthening our Culture of Learning. Our collective success depends on a unified approach to improving/accelerating student achievement, and our August kickoff is the critical foundation for this work.

The Importance of Our Focus: MTSS 
The primary focus of our systemic professional learning (PL) this August is the launch of our districtwide implementation of the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). Together, we will build a shared understanding of why MTSS matters, what a fully implemented MTSS framework looks like in HCPSS, and the foundational role of high-quality instruction in ensuring every student has access to high-quality learning and support. These sessions will establish the common language, expectations, and practices that will guide our work throughout the school year as we build our MTSS framework together. 

Preservice PL Schedule 
To ensure we are prepared for our students, the following sessions are required:

Middle & High School

• Friday, August 14: Required in-person Systemic Professional Learning on MTSS (8:00-11:00 a.m. at designated sites), paired with required asynchronous professional learning (telework option) during the remaining half of the day. Please refer to the PL Canvas Page for your assigned schedule and designated location. 
• Tuesday, August 18: Required in-person Countywide Professional Learning at designated sites (see PL Canvas Page). 

Elementary School

• Friday, August 14: Required in-person Systemic Professional Learning on MTSS (half day at designated sites), paired with required asynchronous professional learning (telework option) during the other half of the day. Please refer to the PL Canvas Page for your assigned schedule, designated location, and whether your in-person session is scheduled for the morning or afternoon.
• Tuesday, August 18: Required in-person Countywide Professional Learning at designated sites (see PL Canvas Page). 

Attendance and Accountability 
As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, we have redesigned this year's professional learning based on feedback from staff across the system. Our goal is to provide learning experiences that are more relevant, collaborative, and directly connected to instructional practice and student success.

These sessions are intentionally designed to build individual and collective capacity, provide opportunities to collaborate with colleagues, engage in shared problem-solving, and establish a common understanding of key district initiatives. Your participation strengthens not only your own practice but also the consistency and quality of instruction across our schools.

Because these sessions are an essential component of our districtwide implementation efforts, attendance is expected for all staff. We recognize that unforeseen emergency circumstances may occasionally prevent participation.

Staff members who are unable to attend a required systemic professional learning session will be expected to complete the corresponding Vector module independently during the Professional Improvement Plan (PIP) time within the first two weeks of school. The Vector module will ensure access to the essential learning; however, it does not replace the collaborative discussions and shared learning that occur during the live session.

Thank you for your professionalism, your commitment to continuous learning, and your dedication to ensuring every student has access to high-quality instruction. We look forward to learning alongside you in August.

The 2026-2027 salary and step information is now available for employee review. Please use the attached Workday instructions to generate and review the “Compensation Review” report with your compensation information. Contact the Office of Human Resources at salaryinquiries@hcpss.org with questions. 

*NOTE: Leave balances may be accessed by viewing Time Off in Workday. This information reflects leave balances for the 2026-2027 school year.

Effective July 1, 2026, updates to the mileage reimbursement submission process will take effect for all employees.

Beginning with July mileage reimbursement submissions (submitted by August 15, 2026), employees will be required to list each trip separately on the HCPSS FIN Form 210- Mileage Log with Mileage_Calculator . Each “to and from” destination must be entered on its own line. For employees who travel to multiple locations throughout the day, a separate row should be completed for each trip being submitted for reimbursement.

Separating trips by stopping point increases transparency and consistency in reimbursement documentation and allows supervisors and the Accounting Office to more easily review submissions for accuracy and completeness. 

The HCPSS FIN Form 210- Mileage Log with Mileage_Calculator has been updated to accommodate the requested documentation change. The updated form will automatically calculate reimbursable mileage when employees enter “from” and “to” locations, including HCPSS schools and other business-related destinations. This change creates consistency among submissions by ensuring mileage is calculated using the shortest travel distance between two locations, which is the basis for HCPSS reimbursement.

These updates are intended to simplify the completion of the required documentation while improving consistency and accuracy in the reimbursement process. 

For additional information regarding mileage reimbursement, employees are encouraged to review the Expenses page in Workday Community Canvas. On this page, you will find additional resources:

• HCPSS Employee Expense Reimbursement Manual 
• Expense Reimbursement - Create an Expense Report for Mileage Reimbursemen... 
• Expense reports FAQ 
• HCPSS FIN Form 210- Mileage Log with Mileage_Calculator

The HCPSS 2026-2027 academic calendar is available online to view and/or subscribe to, and is updated to include staff professional learning and/or workdays. A list of key days also is posted and a printable, one-pager of those dates is forthcoming.

An online print option will be available by August 1. Prior to that, you can subscribe and add the calendar to your Outlook or personal online calendar and print from that platform.

To print the online calendar by month:

1. Subscribe to the calendar/add the calendar to the personal online calendar of your choosing (Google, Outlook, etc.)
2. From your personal calendar, check only the HCPSS calendar and follow your provider’s directions to print.

In addition, 2026-2027 Elementary School Related Arts Color and Secondary A/B calendars are forthcoming and will be added to the HCPSS online calendar as soon as they are available.

Circular #0006 Policies 4040, 6030, 7140, 9080, 9460 is now available online.

HCPSS circulars are to share information when that information is needed by staff systemwide and is not specific to a particular school/location or position/job class. All HCPSS staff are responsible for adhering to the guidelines and procedures outlined in the circulars. Circulars are released on July 1, and subsequently as needed throughout the year. When a circular is added or updated, staff will be notified via Staff Hub post/email. 

Circulars are available anytime in Canvas (staff login required), which can be accessed from the Staff Hub under the Services dropdown menu, or Hub homepage Featured Applications button.

As we prepare for the 2026–2027 school year, the Division of Academics is excited to offer a variety of summer professional learning opportunities designed to support educators, leaders, and support staff. These opportunities align with key district priorities, including strengthening Tier 1 instruction, building a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), supporting specialized programming, and implementing Maryland's literacy and mathematics initiatives.

This summer's offerings include both paid and voluntary professional learning sessions tailored to a variety of roles across HCPSS. Participants will have opportunities to deepen their understanding of instructional practices, collaborative structures, student support systems, and content-specific initiatives that will help prepare schools for a successful start to the school year.

We encourage all staff to review the Summer Professional Learning Flyer for highlights and visit the Summer Professional Learning Guide for a complete list of learning opportunities, session descriptions, registration information, and important updates for the 2026–2027 school year. Whether you are looking to strengthen your instructional practice, learn more about MTSS, participate in literacy and mathematics learning, complete required professional learning, or explore role-specific opportunities, there is something for everyone.

Thank you for your continued commitment to professional growth and student success. We look forward to learning alongside you this summer.

Circular #1011 ESP 10- and 11 month Employees Work Year Circular 2026-2027 has been updated and is posted online.

HCPSS circulars are to share information when that information is needed by staff systemwide and is not specific to a particular school/location or position/job class. All HCPSS staff are responsible for adhering to the guidelines and procedures outlined in the circulars. Circulars are released on July 1, and subsequently as needed throughout the year. When a circular is added or updated, staff will be notified via Staff Hub post/email. 

Circulars are available anytime in Canvas (staff login required), which can be accessed from the Staff Hub under the Services dropdown menu, or Hub homepage Featured Applications button.

The free weekly virtual yoga sessions offered on Wednesdays by Bluebird Yoga and Wellness are on hiatus for the summer. Sessions will resume in September 2026.

As you prepare for the end of the school year, please review the below staff 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 Halo Pickup/Move ticket should be entered indicating what devices are being returned and where they are being securely stored. 
  • Staff who will not return next school year 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) .

Temporary Staff

• Daily substitute teachers and other temporary staff who are not working over the summer should return their assigned device and charger to the Library Media Specialist, Elementary Technology Teacher or Technology Support at the Central Office so that they may be returned to the Logistics Center.  A Halo Pickup/Move ticket should be entered indicating what devices are being returned and where they are being securely stored. 

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. Report any damage immediately by calling 410-313-7004 or email techsupport@hcpss.org. 

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.

Questions may be directed to Technology Support at TechSupport@hcpss.org or 410.313.7004.