Congrats to the 2026 Walktober Challenge Participants!
Congratulations to the 1,698 HCPSS staff members and 247 teams who participated in the Walktober challenge. Participants accrued more than 464 million total steps. Give a virtual round of applause to the top steppers and teams:
Top Steppers
- Donna Gregor, Rockburn Rockettes from Rockburn ES - 1,263,370 Steps
- Katherine Farrar, The Flannel Footsteps from West Friendship ES - 1,173,320 Steps
- Nicole Wolf, Rockburn Rockettes from Rockburn ES - 1,066,700 Steps
- Amanda Murray, WFES Walkie Talkie's 3 from West Friendship ES - 1,009,225 Steps
- Kathleen Patrick, Media Tech Mile Movers from Dayton Oaks ES - 969,309 Steps
Top 5 Teams by Points (each team earned 159 points)
- GHS Holy Walkamolies from Glenelg HS
Team Members: Cathy Frattali, David Chalecki, Katherine Grebe, Marcy Burkom and Michelle Oland - Team High Ground from Department of Information Technology
Team Members: Greg MacPhee, Jason Pazornick, Jeffrey Blake and Tim Fila - BBES Community Team! from Bollman Bridge ES
Team Members: Brianna Yerashunas, Danielle Gofstein, Kelli Shimabukuro and Tatiana Pham - PVMS Walk Strong from Patuxent Valley MS
Team Members: Amy Sandler, Emily Steele, Erienne Hoover and Pamela Vaughn - Deafinitely Walking from Mount Hebron HS
Team Members: Cher Krysowaty, Christy Ebberts, David Alianiello, Laurie Daman and Sheelah Kimbrough
Get to Know Javon "Mike" Couser
Couser began his career with HCPSS as a night custodian where he learned firsthand the hard work, attention to detail and teamwork it takes to prepare a school for the next day. He uses these experiences to inform how he leads his team with respect and appreciation in his role as Assistant Manager of Custodial Services.
Nervous System Regulation Practices
Through the HCPSS Employee Well-Being Program, HCPSS collaborates with Bluebird Yoga and Wellness to create brief videos for HCPSS staff and their families focused on nervous system regulation practices and other wellness tools. Videos include strategies to help you calm your nervous system if you are feeling stressed during the day and wind down at the end of a busy day.
Open Enrollment
Did you know FSAs for Health Care and/or Dependent Care must be re-elected each year?
Open Enrollment is open now through Nov. 13, 2026. Employees should review their personal information, benefits being offered by HCPSS, and the plans that they are currently enrolled in to determine if they would like to make any changes. Elections made during Open Enrollment will be effective from 1/1/2027 – 12/31/2027. If you don’t want to make any changes to your current benefits, you do not need to take any action unless you wish to elect a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) in 2027.
Boardroom Buzz
From last month’s Board of Education meeting:
October 29, 2026 Full Recap
Agenda Highlights:
- New Board Policy 3070: Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in Teaching, Learning, and School Operations
- Special Education Strategic Plan Updates
- FY 2028 Superintendent’s Proposed Local Capital Budget & FY 2028-2037 Long-Range Plan
- Capital Budget Prioritization Work Group Recommendation
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