News

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month and HCPSS is increasing our resiliency in combating cybersecurity threats. In the coming weeks and months the Department of Information Technology will be implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) system-wide. MFA is a security measure that requires users to enter multiple sources of authentication before being granted access to their account. 

Some staff are currently enrolled in Microsoft Office 365 MFA. In order to increase functionality and the number of systems protected by MFA, HCPSS is sunsetting Microsoft MFA and implementing Duo MFA. Although enrollment in MFA is initially voluntary, enrollment will soon be mandatory. Staff are encouraged to get an early start on securing their account. 

! Call to Action ! 

Learn more about Duo MFA on the Technology Resources Canvas community and start using the new system today. During the process, staff who are currently using MFA via Microsoft Authenticator will be able to discontinue its use.

If after reviewing the resource you have any questions, contact Technology Support at (410) 313-7004 option 4 or TechSupport@hcpss.org.

Working with the Maryland State Department of Labor, HCPSS can enable employees to apprentice with trained HCPSS HVAC technicians and complete the 8,000 hours of on-the-job training required to earn a state license.

Select the link below to learn more about the program, including how one employee completed both the courses and on-the-job training required to become an HVAC technician–all while continuing his work at HCPSS.

HVAC Apprenticeship Provides HCPSS Staff with a Unique Growth Opportunity

HCPSS Superintendent Dr. Michael Martirano on Sept. 1 presented to the Board his redistricting recommendations for the 2023-2024 school year. The Board will hold public hearings and work sessions throughout the next few months before making its final decision, scheduled for November.

Learn more in this Message from the Superintendent: Proposed Attendance Area Adjustment Plan and find full details on the redistricting process online.

Upon request of family members, the HCPSS Communications office shares notices of the passing of HCPSS employees and retirees and/or their immediate family members on its Canvas page. A link to the Canvas page also can be found on the Staff Hub homepage > scroll down to Resources > Communications.

Notices may be sent via email to communications@hcpss.org and should include the following, as applicable and/or available:

• Name of employee/family member
• Employees' most recent job title and location
• Previous HCPSS job titles and locations
• Link to obituary and/or arrangement details
• Date, time and location of memorial service
• Condolences mailing address

Welcome to the Staff Hub! We hope the information below is helpful in understanding this platform. Please email webmaster@hcpss.org with any questions.

Who is the Hub for?

Information posted to and shared from the Hub is geared toward all HCPSS staff, and at certain times toward specific staff groups. Please be aware that the Hub is a public-facing website and does not require a staff login to access links and/or information.
 

What is the Staff Hub?

The Hub is the home for all your staff needs, including links to information and resources, and non-emergency news. Features include:

• Drop-down menu: Select Instruction or Services for links to many websites and resources.
• Featured Applications: Quick links to the most commonly used staff applications.
• News: Important information for most or all HCPSS staff. Items posted as News generate an automatic email to all staff shortly after posting.
• Circulars: Provided to ensure staff awareness of the latest policies and procedures. Items posted as Circulars also generate an automatic email to all staff.
• Vacancies: View the latest HCPSS job postings.
• Resources: Links to additional information, including Canvas pages, employee well-being, staff discounts and more.

Where can I find the Hub and related resources?

The Hub is available directly at https://staff.hcpss.org/. Items posted as News or Circulars automatically generate an email to all employees. All other features, including vacancy postings, are available on-demand by going to the Hub. 

When is information available in the Hub?

Resources and information are continually updated, as needed.

Why does HCPSS have the Hub?

We want to make it easy for staff to access the information and resources they need. Additionally, the functionality of the Hub allows us to seamlessly email all staff with important news.

How do I provide feedback on the Hub?

The Staff Hub is managed by employees in the Office of Multimedia Communications and School Support. The best way to report issues or ask questions is to email webmaster@hcpss.org.

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

The HCPSS emergency notification sources are:

• HCPSS Status website
• HCPSS homepage
• HCPSS community email/text alert
• 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 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.

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)

We are excited to announce the launch of a new Staff Discount Program. Through a partnership with Eplee + Associates, staff now have access to great discounts from local businesses and national retailers.

Access the Staff Discount Program anytime:

• Staff Hub > Services drop down > Staff Discounts
• Staff Hub > scroll down to Resources > Communications > Staff Discounts
• Directly at www.hcpssdiscounts.com
• Download the mobile app

Visit the website or use the mobile app to view offers exclusive for HCPSS staff. Simply present your HCPSS ID badge to any participating business to redeem an offer listed.

Additional discounts and deals will be added throughout the year. Start now to take advantage of these special offers, including discounts on apparel, offers at local restaurants, shopping deals, and more!

The 2022-2023 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 2022-2023 school year.

Hoonuit will be updated to the latest version at approximately 4 p.m. on Wednesday, July 6. Users will notice some changes. The primary changes are the menu icons and improved visualizations:

 Main menu icon: Three horizontal bars located at top left corner. Referred to as a hamburger menu (previously the waffle menu).

Send Card Tool icon: Download a metric or data, icon is an arrow pointing down (previously arrow curved right).

Clear All Filters: Click Clear All Filters to remove all optional filter selections (located to the right of filter sections).

Additionally, PowerSchool, which acquired Hoonuit, is folding Hoonuit into their brand. You will begin to see Hoonuit named PowerSchool Unified Insights powered by Hoonuit, in various locations.

Visit the Hoonuit community in Canvas for easy access to system information and guides. If you have any questions or need help, contact Technology Support at techsupport@hcpss.org or (410) 313-7004 option 4.

! WARNING PHISHING EMAIL !

Some HCPSS employees are receiving fake invoice emails from what appears to be PayPal (see image below). If you do not recognize the invoice, please forward the original message to phishing@paypal.com and do not click any links, download any attachments or call any listed phone numbers. The email is likely fraudulent and sent by a PayPay imposter. More information regarding PayPal imposters can be found online. 

Employees are reminded to have a healthy level of suspicion when using online communication tools. Learn more about phishing attacks in the Technology Support Canvas community.

If you suspect an email to be fraudulent, do not proceed with the directions provided in the email. Other suspicious emails can be sent to abuse@hcpss.org. If assistance is still needed, contact the Technology Support at 410-313-7004.