News

Six years ago, Oakland Mills Middle School Library Media Specialist Jennifer Hamilton decided to try something new. Instead of purchasing books for the OMMS library, she’d have her students manage it and learn about HCPSS’ book-buying standards and rigorous approval process along the way. Since then, the “book buy project” has evolved into a multi-week activity, spanning multiple content areas and allowing students to earn service-learning hours.

Read more about Jennifer's idea and how it's being implemented at OMMS.

You can find this, and other feature articles on the HCPSS News site.

Originally gravitating toward college students, Diane Moe "fell in love working at the elementary school level" and has since been a school counselor at Jeffers Hill Elementary School for more than 20 years.

"I discovered the incredible opportunity it presented to impact students at a young age and equip them with skills that they could carry with them for a lifetime,” Moe said.

Moe also serves as the chair of JHES’ PBIS Committee, and as a trained intervenor supporting students who exhibit suicidal ideation and consults with colleagues ensuring that families are connected with appropriate resources. 

Learn more about Diane Moe, including hearing directly from Jeffers Hill families on the impact she has had on them in the latest HCPSS Staff News.

Meet Joshua Simmons, the custodian day supervisor at Mount View Middle School. Every day, he and his staff work hard to ensure students and staff have a clean, healthy environment in which to learn and work. From clearing bathrooms and sanitizing lunch tables to helping out with building maintenance requests, Simmons takes pride in all aspects of his job.

Read the latest HCPSS Staff Focus for more.

Javion Hinmon is not your ordinary bus driver. In addition to his morning and afternoon bus runs at three different schools, Javion also works as a registrar at Long Reach HS and in Student Records Management at the ARL. Through all that, Mr. Hinmon does it with enthusiasm and a smile!

For him, bus driving isn’t just about transporting students from point A to point B. It’s about building relationships with them and letting them know that no matter what else is happening in their lives, he is there for them. Read the latest HCPSS Staff Focus to learn more about Javion and all he does for HCPSS students.

HCPSS is proud to recognize Deep Run Elementary School Principal Denise Lancaster as The Washington Post’s 2021 Principal of the Year.

After recently being named the HCPSS Principal of the Year, Lancaster was chosen from among 19 finalists representing school systems in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. The Washington Post Principal of the Year Award recognizes principals who demonstrate leadership, encourage creative and innovation, foster cooperation between the school and the community, promote collaboration, and contribute in a substantive way to the improvement of education in the Washington metropolitan area.

Read more about Denise on the HCPSS website.

As we adjust to working remotely, it’s important for all staff to be aware of steps you can take to create a secure home working environment.

! Call to Action: Please take some time to review the steps below and implement technology security best practices. Find detailed information about each of the below security practices on the Technology Resources community in Canvas.

1. Maintain a healthy level of suspicion to avoid falling victim to phishing or other cyber scams.
2. Ensure your home network is secure.
3. Create strong passwords.
4. Do not allow family or friends to use your work devices.
5. Make sure your devices and applications are running up-to-date software.

If you suspect an email you have received to be fraudulent, do not proceed with the directions provided in the email. 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