A staff member may be eligible for child rearing leave, depending on the situation.
In addition, a number of community resources are available for staff and parents seeking childcare:
The HCPSS Return to the Workplace Health and Safety Guide is available online. It is updated as needed.
Plexiglass dividers have been installed in areas of schools and offices where staff members work in close proximity to each other, and desks were rearranged as needed to ensure social distancing. Custodial staff will clean and disinfect high traffic areas and restrooms frequently used during the day.
Staff who are planning to retire are encouraged to begin the appropriate paperwork as soon as possible. The Office of Human Resources will work to process paperwork as quickly and efficiently as possible. If paperwork is not received in a timely manner, HCPSS cannot guarantee your retirement will be processed in time to retire March 1.
Impacted staff should share your concerns and questions with your supervisor who can work with other applicable staff to develop a schedule and/or make additional arrangements.
Staff do not need to quarantine if they are experiencing side effect symptoms from either dose. (See below for side effects for each vaccine). As always, if a staff member has a fever they must stay home until fever free without the use of medication and feeling better.
Please note: If the staff member has had an exposure to a person with COVID-19 or someone with COVID-like illness, the staff member should quarantine. In addition, if the symptoms are different than what is listed below, the staff member should contact their health care provider.
Substitutes and other active temporary staff are part of the vaccine distribution process. Most are in HCPSS Tier 3: All other school-based staff, including but not limited to teachers, paraeducators, substitute teachers, and contracted bus drivers and bus assistants.
No, HCPSS is only able to secure vaccines for employees and affiliated staff such as bus drivers. Spouses, dependents, etc. are not defined as part of Maryland’s 1B category for vaccination.
If a hybrid model continues into the 2021-2022 school year, HCPSS will continue to allow staff to resign without prejudice for as long as the hybrid model continues.
Staff who are approved for a temporary leave of absence (LOA) under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) can use available leave (e.g. sick, personal or annual) to stay in a paid status and cover their retirement and benefit contributions.
