News

October marks the start of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a time to enhance our digital safety knowledge and practices. To start off the month, we are launching a new online platform for staff called KnowBe4 Cybersecurity Resources. KnowBe4 provides staff information on how to stay safe in the digital world in two ways: 

1. Emails from KnowBe4 containing short security hints and tips. In the coming weeks be on the lookout for emails from <SecurityTips@KnowBe4.com> that will contain timely cybersecurity safety and security practices. 
2. Curated online library of resources and videos on cybersecurity topics. To access the platform visit the Staff Hub and from the Services menu select KnowBe4 Cybersecurity Resources link. Once on the site, select Library from the menu. Two resources have already been added by our IT Security team, including: 
   • Security Culture and You 
   • Eight Ways to Strengthen and Secure Your Passwords Today! 

Let's make cybersecurity a top priority and work together to keep our information secure. Stay tuned for more updates throughout the month. 

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.

The Department of Information Technology (IT) is committed to creating a safer IT environment. To that end, users of Apple products should be aware of an advisory that was published related to vulnerabilities in Apple operating systems.   

Warning! If you use Apple products, including any of the following iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Apple Watch or an Apple computer, it is important that you run operating system updates. Users can find directions to update iOS (iPhones, iPad, and iPod Touches) on the Technology Support Canvas community.  

Employees are encouraged to forward any suspected phishing emails to abuse@hcpss.org, and then delete the email. If assistance is needed, contact the Technology Support at TechSupport@hcpss.org.

The Information Technology Department is continuing to modernize its file storage approach by relocating school-based files to a file hosting service operated by Microsoft (O365 OneDrive).  This includes the home directory, campus, and hand-in/out folders for both staff and students.    

Note:  The below information is for anyone with a requirement to retain files contained in their Homedir$ (Z: drive), Campus$ (W: drive), Hand-in$ (T: drive), or Hand-out$ (P: drive) folders.  If you do not have files or wish to keep any files stored in these folders, you do not need to do anything.    

! Call to Action:  Staff who have files saved to these locations that they wish to retain -  

Prior to Sept. 30, 2023, staff should notify Tech Support at TechSupport@hcpss.org, or 410.313.7004, and request that a ticket be entered (Server Administration > Network Directory/Folder Access) for the Technology Department migrate the files to O365 OneDrive.  

*All migration requests must include the person’s name, username and building location. 

Once the migration is complete, staff will be able to access their files by selecting Office 365 from the Staff Hub and then One Drive from the waffle menu in the top left corner. Learn about OneDrive on the Technology Resources Canvas community. 

If after reviewing this information and the linked resources, you have any questions contact Tech Support at TechSupport@hcpss.org or 410.313.7004.  

! WARNING: To trick people into responding, scammers sometimes use publicly available information to send emails. As always, staff should maintain a heightened state of awareness and caution when receiving email messages containing hyperlinks, including QR codes, ask for confidential information, and/or provide ways for you to reset your password.

Below is an example of a common phishing emails using this trick. Notice the scammer uses the name of an HCPSS principal but the email is coming from an external email system, gmail.com. After establishing contact, the sender will ask the person to buy gift cards or provide other confidential information. 

From: Antoinette Roberson <robersonantoinette437 @ gmail.com >

Sent: Saturday, August 19, 2023 8:21 AM

To: Nick Vissari Nick_Vissari@hcpss.org

Subject: [External] Follow up ASAP

! CAUTION: This email originated from outside of HCPSS. Do not click links or open attachments, unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Is it appropriate to text talk at this time. What is the quickest way to reach you via phone?

 Thanks!!!

Learn how to sign-up for Multi-factor Authentication today to protect your account. Learn more about phishing attacks on the Technology Support Canvas community. 

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.

Multi-Factor authentication (MFA) is a security measure that requires users to enter multiple sources of authentication before being granted access to their account. Beginning last school year, HCPSS has been actively implementing MFA across the district. Staff are receiving messages notifying them of mandatory MFA enrollment when they login.

While staff who were not already enrolled were provided additional time to due to summer break, staff currently not enrolled in MFA will begin to see the number of days left to enroll shrink to zero in the coming weeks. Once the timeline runs out, staff will not be able to log in to systems until they enroll. Staff are encouraged to use the instructions to self enroll prior to their window closing. 

Direct questions to TechSupport@hcpss.org.

The 2023-2024 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 humanresources@hcpss.org with questions.

*NOTE: Leave balances may be accessed by viewing Time Off in Workday. This information reflects leave balances for the 2023-2024 school year.

The Charlotte Danielson Framework for Teaching (FFT) has been updated by the Danielson Group and better reflects the values and commitments prioritized in the HCPSS Strategic Call to Action and the HCPSS Equity Framework. Beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, HCPSS will use the updated FFT as the foundation for teacher evaluation and conversations about teaching and learning.

HCPSS will provide school-based learning sessions in every building during the 2023 August in-service week, and the content will be embedded in curriculum sessions during Professional Learning Days. There additionally will be optional school-based and systemic professional learning opportunities throughout the year. 

What’s the same: 

• Organization and structure (Four Domains, 22 Components, Rubrics describing levels of Performance) 
• Evaluation models and processes

What Has Changed? 

• The language used to describe teaching and learning shifts at the domain, component and element level. 

HCPSS, HCEA and HCASA support these changes as it better uplifts and clarifies racial equity, social and emotional learning, sense of belonging for all students, and culturally responsive pedagogy. 

Employees who wish to review the FFT updates prior to August in-service can learn more on the Danielson Framework for Teaching Canvas page, part of the HCPSS Employee Evaluation Canvas community.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore on June 14, 2023, named Wilde Lake High School student Abisola Ayoola as the 2023-2024 Maryland State Student Member of the Board of Education (SMOB). Ayoola was selected as a finalist in November during the Maryland Association of Student Councils annual Legislative Session attended by over 300 student leaders from across the state.

Ayoola served as the Howard County Board of Education SMOB during the 2022-2023 school year, during which time she amplified student voice between the thousands of students in the school system and school system leaders. She will be a senior during the 2023-2024 school year and is active in her school where she is a part of several clubs, including student government, class council, Rise Up mentorship, and Active Minds, which supports student mental health. She additionally is a member of the Spanish Honor Society and the National Honor Society.

Full Release: Howard County’s Abisola Ayoola Named Maryland State Student Member of the Board
 

Staff should be aware of the following information:

HCPSS has partnered with Bonfire Interactive, a Euna Solutions company, to create a new procurement portal that will allow HCPSS staff to receive notifications on contracts that they manage, submit intake requests for solicitations, and conduct evaluations of RFP/IFB documents digitally.

The Office of Purchasing is currently in the implementation process with Bonfire. As current contracts are loaded into the new system, the staff responsible for managing the contracts will receive an email from Bonfire. The Bonfire email will provide notice of the contract being added and the ability for HCPSS staff to sign on and review the associated contract documentation. The system also will send out alerts periodically to these staff when actions need to be taken regarding these contracts.

HCPSS staff also may submit intake requests for formal solicitations that are required by Board of Education Policy 4050 Procurement of Goods and/or Services. To submit an intake request, please visit https://hcpss.bonfirehub.com/login, select “Create a Requestor account,” sign on with your HCPSS credentials, and complete the required fields for the solicitation. The Office of Purchasing will assign the request to a Procurement Specialist who will reach out to the requesting staff to move forward with the solicitation.

Questions may be directed to Office of Purchasing at 410-313-6644 or by email at purchasing@hcpss.org.  
 

HCPSS employees and their dependents have access to free professional confidential counseling and support services to manage their needs. This program can connect you to resources including confidential emotional support, financial information, legal guidance, work-life solutions, online will preparation, and much more. 

Employees and family members can receive up to six free counseling sessions per person, per episode, per year. See attached for more information and/or watch this brief orientation video. (Please note, video is third-party sponsored and does not provide subtitles/closed captions.)

Create an account by visiting guidanceresources.com. Click on the “register” tab and use the Organization Web ID: HCPSS. GuidanceResources provides services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via a toll-free nationwide number, 1-888-532-7874 and (TDD) 1-800-697-0353.