News

For those staff who elected to receive electronic copies of year-end tax documents, 2024 W-2s are now available in Workday. Detailed instructions on how to view/print the W-2 are available online.

For staff who elected  to receive both electronic and paper copies of tax documents, electronic W-2s will be available January 30. (This information was shared in the Opt Out Alert on Dec. 9.) Paper copies of the W-2s will be mailed via USPS and postmarked no later than Jan. 31.  

If you would like immediate access to your 2024 electronic copy sooner, please make the electronic only election in Workday. Once this selection is made, you will have access. 

New for 2025, the HCPSS Instructional Support Center (ISC) will be open each week on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4-7 p.m. Please note, if HCPSS schools are closed due to inclement weather, the ISC also will be closed.

More information on the ISC can be found online. If you haven't yet been, come to the ISC to explore resources and create instructional support materials that will engage students.

! IMPORTANT ! It is the responsibility of each staff member to check one of the HCPSS notification sources for closing information.

In emergency situations (including inclement weather), information will be shared with the community through a number of platforms.

The HCPSS emergency notification sources are:

• HCPSS Status website
• HCPSS homepage
• HCPSS community email/text alert
• X / Twitter
• HCPSS Information Hotline (410-313-6666)

HCPSS does not use schools-out.com, e-schoolnews.com or local news stations for any notifications. Only the sources listed above should be used to confirm emergency information.

Staff who have not already done so, or who are not parents in the system are strongly encouraged to sign up for HCPSS email/text notifications. Otherwise, it is the staff member’s responsibility to check one of the above notification sources for closing information. Staff reporting details during an emergency can be found online.

Please Note: 

• Staff who are parents in the system do not need to sign up, as you already receive these notices.
• If you believe you are signed up to receive messages and are not receiving them, please do not create a new account. Email webmaster@hcpss.org with any issues.  
• If you are unsure if you have already opted in to text messaging, text the word “YES” to 67587.
• Unsubscribing from any school or district email or text will unsubscribe a user from all messaging, including emergency notifications.

To subscribe or edit your subscription:

• Staff email/text sign up
• Manage your subscription (non-HCPSS parents/guardians)

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?
One of the first experiences I remember teaching someone something was when I was in middle school. I had a cousin come overseas from Korea to attend school here in Maryland. I met with her weekly to help her through English workbooks and practice conversational language. We giggled our way through the whole thing. My aunt said, "You're really good at this. You should be a teacher." From that point on, I took on every opportunity I could to teach. It's an awesome feeling...to teach!

What is the best professional advice you've ever received?
One of my former principals once told me, "Each day, as a leader, you may disappoint people without even knowing it. The important thing is to be able to reflect on each day and know you did something positive for a student, staff member, or family." I still think about this daily on my drive home.

What is something you like a lot that would surprise people?
Shows on the CW! My family makes fun of me because instead of watching new shows on Netflix, I will rewatch old my favorite CW series. 

What is on your bucket list?
Staying in one of those island huts on the water, where the floor is see-through and you can see sea life beneath your feet!

What is the most interesting place you’ve ever been?
The Swiss Alps. It was magical and truly one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. There were alphorns blowing in the background like the Ricola commercial, cuckoo clock stores, and the cutest villages!

The Employee Chorus is open to current and retired HCPSS employees, their spouses and significant others, and their adult family members. Singers of all experience levels are encouraged to join! 

Learn more about and/or sign up for the Employee Chorus at the following:

• Employee Chorus video

• 2024-2025 calendar

• Registration form

All staff should be aware of a rise in cyberattacks nationwide, and impacting HCPSS employees, in which malicious actors attempt to offer support services or solicit your interests in employment opportunities. These attackers use financial promises to gain your trust and trick you into:

• Sharing sensitive information, such as resumes, personal identification or credentials e.g. driver license or social security number.
• Clicking on malicious links or attachments that can compromise your device or steal your data.

Example #1

Example #2

Tips on Staying Safe:

• Do not share sensitive information or click on suspicious links or attachments. When in doubt, err on the side of caution and do not click.
• Be cautious of unexpected messages, even from familiar names. If a message seems suspicious, do not respond and report it using the report feature described below.
• Be mindful of what information you share online. Avoid sharing personal details or company information on public platforms.
• Forward any suspicious emails to abuse@hcpss.org. This will help the IT Security team investigate the incident and take appropriate action.

Learn more about phishing attacks on the Technology Support Canvas community and review resources in KnowBe4 for more information about phishing.

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.

HCPSS leadership is seeking to increase students' awareness of HBCUs as exciting and affordable pathways to careers, and will host an HBCU Fair on Saturday, March 15 (details are forthcoming).

Many of our HCPSS staff are proud graduates of an HBCU. If you attended an HBCU at any level, please take a few minutes to complete this brief online survey.

Questions or for more information, can be emailed to Kareem Penn or Monica Stevens. 

Did you know that by simply being a member of the HCPSS family, you are eligible to save on all kinds of goods and services? HCPSS has an extensive Staff Discount Program with discounts on clothing, experiences, services, travel and more. Be sure to check it out – just in time for your holiday shopping!

Employees may be entitled to claim an Earned Income Tax Credit on their 2024 federal and Maryland resident income tax returns if both their federal adjusted gross income and their earned income is less than the following:

• $59,899 ($66,819 married filing jointly) with three or more qualifying children
• $55,768 ($62,688 married filing jointly) with two qualifying children
• $49,084 ($56,004 married filing jointly) with one qualifying child
• $18,591 ($25,511 married filing jointly) with no qualifying children

See attached for details. For more information about the Maryland EITC, visit marylandtaxes.gov or call 1- 800- MD-TAXES (1-800-638-2937) or from Central Maryland 410-260-7980. For more information about the federal EITC, visit www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit-eitc.

Staff who are interested in receiving your W-2 earlier than Jan. 31 should look for an upcoming Workday notification email that will tell you how to sign up for an electronic version of your Form W-2. If you select the electronic copy only, it will be available weeks prior to the electronic/printed copy option. 

Stay tuned for details.