News

The annual benefits Open Enrollment period will run Monday, Oct. 27 through Friday, Nov. 14. This is the annual time period where employees can make any changes to their benefits for the 2026 plan year. If you do not wish to make any changes to your current benefits, then you do not need to take any action; your current benefits will roll over into the new plan year. The only benefit you must actively re-elect is your Flexible Spending Account (FSA). Health Care FSA amounts and Dependent Care FSA amounts must be elected each plan year, if you wish to participate in this benefit.

Employees will be able to make changes to their benefits through Workday during the Open Enrollment period. More information will be shared once Open Enrollment begins, and throughout the Open Enrollment period. Information about Open Enrollment will be posted on the Benefits website prior to Oct. 27, and shared via the Staff Hub throughout the process.

Questions about Open Enrollment can be directed to benefits@hcpss.org or 410-313-7333.
 

A new circular is now available for all staff. Circular #2017 - Asbestos Notification 2025-2026 serves as notification, as required by law, of the availability for public review of Asbestos Management Plans for the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS).

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 new circular is added, staff will be notified via Staff Hub post/email. Circulars are available anytime in Canvas (staff login required), which also can be accessed from the Staff Hub under the Services dropdown menu.

Helping people use their strengths to overcome obstacles and unlock their potential is Barbara Baker’s passion. That same passion to help people problem-solve and achieve has driven Baker’s nearly 20-year career with the Howard County Public School System.

Learn more about Barbara and how her passions drive her role as HCPSS’ Facilitator of Extended School Year Services in this HCPSS Staff Focus article.

This following information is applicable to veterans only. 

As we prepare to honor Veterans Day, we would like to recognize and celebrate the veterans among our HCPSS staff. To do this, we are collecting information from staff members who have served in the military. If you are a veteran and would like to share this information, please complete this brief form if you have not already done so.

Generative AI is supercharging both sides of cybersecurity. Attackers are using it to write highly convincing phishing messages, clone voices, and scale “smishing” (texts) and “vishing” (voice) scams far beyond what we’ve seen before.

The good news: defenders benefit from AI, too  through faster detection, smarter response, and better user awareness.

What to watch for:

• Polished, personal emails or texts that create urgency (e.g., “Act now!”) or request MFA codes, wire transfers, or gift cards.
• Voice cloning calls that sound like a colleague, leader, or family member asking for money or credentials, often with intense urgency.
• Deepfake video or audio in meetings or messages. Clues include subtle lip‑sync issues, odd pauses, or mismatched lighting.

How to stay safe: 

1. Slow down and verify. If a message or call asks for money, data, or codes, call the sender back on a number you already trust.
2. Use MFA everywhere and never share one‑time codes.
3. Be mindful of your voice online. Just a few recorded words can be enough to convincingly clone a voice.

Call to action:
Explore available training resources to learn more . If you have any questions, contact Technology Support at (410) 313‑7004 (option 4) or abuse@hcpss.org.

Learn more (trusted references):

• FBI IC3 PSA: Smishing & AI voice (vishing) campaign—what to look for and how to respond. Read the PSA
• FTC Consumer Advice: How to spot and handle AI voice cloning scams. Fighting back against harmful voice cloning
• Microsoft Security—Cyber Signals: AI‑powered deception trends and defenses. Issue 9: Emerging fraud threats & countermeasures
• Microsoft 365 Tips: What are voice‑cloning scams and practical ways to protect yourself. Voice cloning scams explained
• Optional (Reporting beyond HCPSS): You can also file a report with the FBI at IC3.gov. Internet Crime Complaint Center

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

As part of the Moore-Miller Administration’s efforts to strengthen the Feds to Eds Program, the Maryland State Department of Education is collecting information from Maryland’s teacher workforce to determine how many teachers previously worked for the federal government.

A brief online survey is open through Oct. 24.

National Cybersecurity Awareness Month held each October raises awareness about the importance of cybersecurity across our Nation. This year’s theme Building a Cyber Strong America highlights the need to strengthen the country’s infrastructure against cyber threats, ensuring resilience and security. National Cybersecurity Awareness Month encourages everyone to take increased ownership of enhanced online activity and the important security practices that come along with it. CISA’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month website and Cyber Essentials – basic cyber best practices for business leaders offers resources that you can utilize to keep yourself safe online

This month especially, we ask that you talk to others about how to “Be Cyber Smart” and be sure to share Cybersecurity Awareness Month resources throughout your community. 

! CALL TO ACTION ! Explore the resources available on the HCPSS KnowBe4 cybersecurity training platform under the Library menu. If after reviewing the resource you have any questions, contact Technology Support at (410) 313-7004 option 4 or TechSupport@hcpss.org

Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, HCPSS staff who are members of CVS/Caremark plans and diabetic will have access to engage in the Transform Diabetes Care program to help take care of their diabetes and overall health.  

The program provides members with:

• Support from a Certified Diabetes Care Nurse;
• Two digital vouchers annually for preventive diabetes and hypertension monitoring visits at any MinuteClinic, the walk-in medical clinic located inside many CVS Pharmacy locations; and
• Access to the Health Optimizer mobile app which helps members monitor their blood glucose and blood pressure as well other interventions and supports.

Eligible members will receive more information from CVS/Caremark by mail in the upcoming months.

Contact the Benefits Office at benefits@hcpss.org or 410-313-7333 for questions. 

Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, HCPSS staff who are members of CVS/Caremark plans and interested in pursuing weight loss with or without GLP-1 medications will be required to enroll and engage in the CVS Weight Management program. This program will be offered at no cost to those enrolled and provide additional support to help members meet their goals and maintain healthy changes. Members will receive personalized nutrition counseling from a registered dietician in a virtual setting.  

Members who choose not to enroll in the program will need to pay the entire cost of the medication and it may not count towards their deductible or out-of-pocket maximum.

CVS/Caremark will notify impacted members and their prescribing providers by mail.  This notification will include information about how to download the Health Optimizer app to enroll in the CVS Weight Management program.  

Contact the Benefits Office at benefits@hcpss.org or 410-313-7333 for questions. 

During the Thursday, Sept. 25 Board of Education meeting, the fiscal outlook for the Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) Operating Budget was presented. This presentation is the first of many discussions with the Board and other stakeholders that will continue over the next few months prior to the presentation of the Superintendent’s Proposed Operating Budget in January 2026. 

Read the full news item.