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Headlines

Hays HealthWise

Carolyns Message

Awareness is Key on October 19

Frank Joy, Director of Employee Services

Breast Cancer Awareness

Month
is
an
annual
international
health
campaign
organized
by
major
breast
cancer
charities every October to
increase awareness of the
disease and to raise funds
for research into its cause,
prevention,
diagnosis,
treatment and cure. The
campaign
also
offers
information and support to
those affected by breast
cancer.
At their second meeting of the year, Frank Joy distributed go pink bracelets for HHW
members to distribute to their respective campuses and departments. October 19th
will be the district go pink day! We encourage every campus and department to
wear pink in an effort to increase awareness of the importance of breast cancer
screenings and generally to become more aware of early cancer identification.
Members of the HHW have been charged with providing information to their
campus/department in a more personal way. We provide members with talking points
following each monthly meeting, so that they can deliver information during
faculty/staff meetings. Talking points, meeting minutes, and other items of interest
are also posted to the District Shared X:/ drive under the Employee Wellness file.

LETS GO PINK ON OCTOBER 19!

Employee Services

Volume 5, Issue 2
2012 2013 School Year
HR Connection highlights events and
news important to the employees of Hays
Consolidated
Independent
School
District. It is published five times annually
under the direction of:

Carolyn Hitt
Asst. Superintendent
Human Resources

Michelle Barrera
Executive Director
Human Resources

This newsletter is designed to be viewed

as a PDF and requires Adobe Acrobat
Reader, a free program you can
download if you dont have it on your
computer.
If you have problems viewing the
newsletter or using the interactive
features, or if you would like to provide
feedback including story ideas, please
email:
barreram@hayscisd.net

Catapult Health Comes to Hays

Frank Joy, Director of Employee Services

Hays CISD has entered into an exciting new partnership with Catapult Health. Beginning this year, Hays CISD, TRS,
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas and Catapult Health are teaming up to provide you with an extraordinary opportunity to
gain an in-depth awareness of your health and how it can be improved. Basic preventive health checkups will soon be
offered on-site at many of our school campuses!
This NEW program is now available AT NO CHARGE to employees of Hays CISD and their spouses and adult
dependents (ages 18-25) covered under TRS-ActiveCares PPO (Blue Cross Blue Shield).
Advanced healthcare insight and treatment simply doesnt get any easier. Following are a few of the details:
Your personal health information is absolutely confidential and will not be shared with anyone at Hays CISD.
Your checkup will be done on-site and your results will be provided at the end of the session.
Your checkup requires only a finger stick its quick and easy!
Health measurements will include total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, blood glucose, triglycerides, blood pressure and
other key health variables.
You will meet privately with a nurse practitioner to review your test results.
You will receive a full color report to take home, in English or Spanish.
Your entire checkup will be completed in about 45 minutes.
If you are currently pregnant, we recommend that you visit your OB/GYN provider.
Our plan year begins each September 1st, and one preventive checkup per plan year (from your doctor or from
Catapult) will be paid 100% by TRS-ActiveCare.
You may check to see if you have met your one per plan year preventive exam maximum by calling TRSActiveCare Customer Service at 1-866-355-5999.

Everyone should have an annual preventive checkup. Thats why our health plan pays for one preventive checkup each
plan year. Now you have a choice you can either go to your doctor, or you can schedule your basic preventive checkup
with Catapult Health at one of our campus locations this fall:
Dahlstrom Middle School
Oct 17
Hays High School
Oct 18
Kyle Elementary School
Oct 19
Lehman High School
Oct 23
Simon Middle School
Oct 24
Central Office
Oct 25
If you are a TRS ActiveCare Blue Cross Blue Shield subscriber and would like to receive your basic preventive checkup
from Catapult Health this year, sign up today at http://www.catapulthealth.com/HaysCISD or call catapult Healths
Interactive Voice Response Scheduler at (512) 269-1113.

What does that pay check say???

Michelle Barrera, Executive Director for Human Resources, and Stephanie Arias, Payroll Assistant

Ever wonder what all that information means on your pay check? Below, the payroll department has provided information
that should assist you in a better understanding of your pay statement.

Long Term Substitute Requirements

Tricia Griffith, Substitute Specialist

Our school year has really jumped into high gear. We thought it would be a good time to go over the administrative
procedure for long term substitutes (D35 Long Term Substitute Requirements) A good example of a long term absence
is maternity leave; however, this procedure applies to all absences that are for more than 5 school days.

Requirements
When a substitute is required for more than 5 consecutive days in the same teaching assignment, the substitute must be
approved by human resources via the substitute office. The campus designee must obtain prior approval for any
substitute position that exceeds 5 consecutive days, by submitting the electronic request form 3 days in advance, but no
later than the day the assignment begins. Every effort will be made to accommodate requests for a specific substitute;
however, there is no guarantee that the campus will be granted a specific substitute for any given assignment.
The form is located on the SmartFind Express website or by clicking on the address below:
http://www.hayscisd.net/longtermsub
The substitute selected must be on the district approved substitute list. In the event that a campus wishes to hire a
candidate that has not been approved, that candidate would be required to follow the steps to become a district substitute.
While the candidate participates in the required training, a substitute that is already on the approved list would remain in
the position.
Every attempt will be made to secure a substitute with the same certification as the teacher of record. A non-certified
substitute will not used in a long term capacity for a certified teaching position. The same procedure is also required for a
paraprofessional; however, a certified teacher is not required for paraprofessional absences.
If you have any questions, please check with your campus secretary. If you need additional help, please contact Tricia
Griffith.
Return to Beginning of Newsletter

Headlines

Important Benefits Information

Rita Kibbie, Benefits Coordinator

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS (FSA) - USE IT OR LOSE IT

The amount of funds from the 2011-2012 plan year that will be forfeited by employees is $8,998.05. Employees had
until August 31, 2012, to use these funds. $6,537.00 of FSA funds were forfeited in the 2010-2011 plan year.
As required by IRS rules and regulations, the remaining funds will be returned to the school district; they do not get
returned to the employee. Claims for reimbursement from flexible health spending accounts must be filed within 90
th
days of the end of the plan year (November 30 ). Terminated employees must file claims within 30 days of termination.
For questions or balance inquires please call National Plan Administrators (NPA) at 1-800-880-2776.
KNOW YOUR BENEFITS
Preventive Care - TRS-ActiveCare encourages preventive care and maintenance of good health. Covered services
under this benefit must be billed by the provider as preventive care. Preventive care benefits are provided for specified
covered services, and if you use network providers, the services are not subject to copayment, deductible, coinsurance
or dollar maximums.
Examples of covered services include routine annual physicals, immunizations, well-child care, cancer screening
mammograms, bone density tests, screening for prostate cancer and colorectal cancer (including routine
colonoscopies), smoking cessation counseling services, healthy diet counseling, and obesity screening/counseling.
For detailed information on your benefits, please call customer service at:
BCBSTX/TRS 1-866-355-5999; or Scott & White Health Plan (HMO) 1-800-321-7947
IN-NETWORK VS. OUT-OF-NETWORK
Before using your benefits, ask your provider if s/he is in-network that is, a participating,or contracted provider with
our insurance carrier. This will ensure that you receive the most cost effective benefit for your health, prescription,
dental or vision plan(s).
Network Provider: Doctors, hospitals and other providers who have contracted with the plan.
Non-Network Provider: Doctors, hospitals and other providers who have not contracted with the plan. Payment for
non-network services is limited to the allowable amount as determined by the carrier. You are responsible for all
charges billed by non-participating providers that exceed the allowable amount.
DID YOU KNOW?
You can keep track of your claims spending, order ID cards, and enroll in Blue Access to earn reward points for logging
meals and exercise programs and for taking a health assessment. Go to www.bcbs.tx.com/trs and create a user name
and password to register your ID card. You can also go to www.medco.com and register your ID card to price
medications, order prescriptions, view claims and balances, review your prescription history, and locate a pharmacy.

Employees and Political Advocacy

Michelle Barrera, Executive Director for Human Resources

Now that the political campaign season is in full swing, please remember that while on duty, public school district
employees may not promote, advocate, or campaign for any political candidate or measure. This includes, but is not
limited to, a prohibition on campaign/partisan apparel, buttons, and signage, as well as political advocacy in the
classroom. State law prohibits the use of district resources (such as email, bulletin boards, or employee mail boxes) to
electioneer for or against any candidate, measure, or political party. Also, consistent with the districts standards of
employee conduct, all employees must take care not to interfere with a colleagues personal exercise of political,
professional, or citizenship rights and responsibilities. District employees, like all citizens, may pursue their personal
political interests and advocacy during off-duty time.
As always, employees must ensure that their conduct and actions at work are professional and focused on the districts
purpose of educating students. If you need further clarification or have any questions regarding what political or
campaign-related activities are or are not acceptable at work, please feel free to contact me.

Exchange Day Review

Michelle Barrera, Executive Director for Human Resources

District campuses will be closed for business the week of November 19, 2012. The central office will be open during
regular business hours. Additionally, please note the following:

Auxiliary Employees
Auxiliary employees, who work 226 or more days, may continue with their regular work schedule during the week of
November 19, 2012. Custodians and maintenance employees can use this opportunity to work in areas that are usually
not accessible during regular working hours.
If approved by their supervisor, this group of employees may use compensatory time (if available), vacation or personal
leave on November 19 and 20, 2012.

226 Day (or more) Professional and Paraprofessional Employees

Paraprofessional employees who work 226 days (or more) must use compensatory time (if applicable and available),
vacation, personal leave, or a combination of compensatory time, vacation and personal leave for November 19 and 20,
2012.
Professional employees who work 226 days (or more) must use vacation, personal leave, or a combination of vacation
and personal leave for November 19 and 20, 2012. Please note that administrators are not eligible for compensatory

time.
Return to Beginning of Newsletter

Hays HealthWise

Wellness Stories
Frank Joy, Director for Employee Services

IRMA CHITTA RIDES TO CONQUER THE COAST

Science Hall Elementary School
My love for cycling came 5 years ago and I have loved it ever since. For the past
three years I have ridden in bike events starting from 25 miles to 69.2 miles. On
October 22, 2012, I rode in Conquer The Coast in Corpus Christi, Texas. I
completed the ride in 5 hours and 15 minutes. The feeling afterwards was
awesome as people cheered us on as we entered Whataburger Field.
Since I began cycling, I have lost 50 pounds and my
health is great. I have so much support from friends
and family for what I am doing! Im keeping myself fit
and healthy just by cycling every day either on the
road or on my stationary bike and doing 100 crunches
on the AB lounger at home.
NIKKI DICKERSON SWIMS FOR COLINS HOPE
Lehman High School
This year I was invited to participate in a 4-mile open water swim to raise awareness of
the importance of water safety to prevent childhood drowning for Colins Hope. There
were only a few small problems with this invitation: I had not done any swimming since I
was a kid; I have never been on a swim team; and I hate being in lake water because I
am terrified of snakes and other creatures that may live in that murky water. But I jumped
at the chance and said Sure.

I began training in February in the pool at my gym. It was very intimidating to get into the pool at first. I am a runner
(actually jogger), not a swimmer, and I didnt know the first thing about this swimming thing. I was unsure of the etiquette
of sharing a lane with someone; I wasnt even sure about the proper way to wear my swim cap or goggles. I was
embarrassed to ask anyone these things so I resorted to tips from the internet and did a lot of observation of others.
When I finally got up the nerve to get into the pool, I swam one length of the pool (about 25 meters) and was panting
and had to stop to take a break I thought about quitting right then, but I kept practicing and each day I was able to go
just a little farther. I took a few adult swim lessons to help me with breathing techniques.
The first group training swim was my next hurdle. These people were good swimmers How would I ever keep up with
them? How would I do in the open water without the comfort of being able to stop and stand up for a break in the
pool? I was very nervous as I entered the water alongside my water guardian. As a safety precaution, swimmers were
required to have a kayaker (water guardian) beside them on each swim to ensure their safety and to provide the
swimmers a resting place when needed. I successfully completed my first open water practice swim. I wasnt as fast as
the others, but this was about me accomplishing my goal at my pace and more importantly about sharing the message
of childhood drowning prevention. After months of practice swims and improving a little and gaining more confidence in
my ability as a swimmer, it was time for the event.
th

At 9:00 on the morning of August 30 forty swimmers along with all of our water guardians entered Lake Austin at the
360 Bridge in support of Colins Hope. I was so excited to begin this four mile journey. It was a beautiful sight
swimmers with our bright orange buoys (so that we are visible to boaters) and our guardians with their colorful array of
boats. I started with the pack, and the pack soon left me behind, but I didnt care. This was not about keeping up with
the group but about finishing what I started and accomplishing something that pushed me beyond what I thought I could
do both physically and mentally. The best part is that my work was helping a greater cause. It took me 4 hours and 15
minutes to complete the 4 mile swim to Walsh Landing, and it was by far the most physically exhausting thing that I
have ever done. But I enjoyed every minute of it and cant wait to do it again next year!

Colin's Hope is a nonprofit organization started by the Holst family after

their 4-year old son, Colin drowned in 2008.
Drowning is the #1 cause of unintentional death of children under the
age of 4.
The mission is to raise water safety awareness to prevent children from
drowning.
Please visit www.colinshope.org

Financial Wellness Opportunities

Tim Savoy, Public Information Officer

The following workshops are being offered by A+ Federal Credit Union (FCU):
Register at: www.aplusfcu.org/trickyourself
HOLIDAY SPENDING WORKSHOP
The holiday shopping experience can cause unnecessary stress financial, mental and physical. Because of
aggressive holiday advertising and crowded retail centers, it is wise to prepare yourself, and your family, before you
head to the stores. This workshop will help you plan ahead with strategies for creating a holiday budget and sticking to
it, creative suggestions for gifts, and tips for saving on your purchases.
Date: Thursday, November 8, 2012
Time: 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. - Refreshments included
Location: A+FCU Buda Branch, 15295 IH 35, Buda, TX 78610
Register at: www.aplusfcu.org/holidayspending

Blue Points
Frank Joy, Director of Employee Services

Blue Points is available to TRS ActiveCare Blue Cross Blue Shield subscribers. Its a wonderfully helpful tool to log
everyday activities and earn rewards points. Many Hays CISD employees have taken steps to improve their health, and
this program has rewarded them for it. One employee found that in the month of September, alone, she earned more
than 2,800 Blue Points by logging meals, exercise, and completing quick health assessment questionnaires. Points can
also be earned by linking your Blue Points account with online weight loss programs, as well as, by "checking in" at area
fitness centers.
Points can be used to reward yourself with tools to promote healthy living - pedometers, fitness DVD's (including the
entire Zumba Fitness set), cookbooks, iPods, and more.

Hays HealthWise (HHW) Members

Frank Joy, Director of Employee Services

We are pleased to introduce the hard working members of the HHW committee for this year. These individuals are
responsible for sharing the information they receive at HHW meetings, in an effort to increase district communication
about wellness. They are:
Monica Bosma, BVES
Amanda Borrel, CHES
Melissa Ivicic, HES
Melanie Vernor, TGES
Deniese Harvey, BMS
Alma Flores, SMS
Sue King, HHS
Wendy Bergstrom, LHS
Barbara Gloria, Administration
Virginia Peltier, Transportation

Andi Bosar, BES

Monica Joy, EGES
Pam Lombardo, KES
Wendy Morgan, TES
Kristi Marzullo, CMS
Alma Flores, SMS
Lance Kaminsky, Impact
Rhonda Montano, Child Nutrition
Jesse Ponce, M&O
Stephanie Malott, TCTA

JoAnn Marcantonio, CRES

Chris Halenza, FES
Christine Tucker, RPES
Maria Mendoza, SHES
Carla Bandy, DMS
Karen Herrmann, WMS
Leroy Kanemeier, LOA
Andrey Alpeyev, Technology
Denise Minton, SPED
Carla Perez, TSTA

Free Child Safety Seat Assistance

Frank Joy, Director of Employee Services

Customize Your Fitness

Frank Joy, Director of Employee Services

Design an Exercise Program for Where You Are in Life

There are many benefits to exercise at any age. For example, exercising regularly can help you manage your weight
and lower your risk for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, colon and breast cancers and osteoporosis.
Regular exercise can raise your metabolic rate.
A higher metabolism means your body is better at burning calories.
Overall, youll burn more calories all the time, even when youre not working out.
Its never too late to commit to a regular fitness program. The challenge is making sure you design a program that
doesnt exceed the limitations and challenges of your current age. Youve likely heard the standard disclaimer "talk to
your doctor before starting an exercise program." Thats good advice no matter how healthy you are right now. But this
is especially true if you havent been active for a while.
Your doctor may also do a stress test if you have or suspect a heart condition, high blood pressure, diabetes or any
other serious ailment. This test helps your doctor find out how much your heart can handle and the kind and level of
exercise best for you.
The next step is to measure your current fitness level. Here are some important things you should look at:
What is your cardiovascular fitness level right now?
Have you done any strength training on a steady basis?
How about stretching, yoga or Pilates?
Up to 35 years old
Form and flexibility are often overlooked during these years. Practicing good form in any sport whether it be tennis,
swimming, running, etc will help you stay injury free later in life. Devoting time to stretching, yoga or Pilates will also
help. Avoid overtraining by always building rest into your exercise program.

35 50 years old
Strength training should be a part of your fitness goals. Do 30 minutes of resistance training at least three times a week.
This is most important for women to help prevent osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.
50 and up
Even if you havent exercised in a long time, you have every reason to start now. The real key is to start slow. Begin
any new activity at the simplest level. For example, instead of running, start walking first. Instead of lap swimming, take
a water aerobics class first. If youre unsure about how to start an exercise program, talk to a personal trainer.
No matter what your age, commit to fitness and you will better the quality and quantity of your life.
Source: The American College of Sports Medicine

Return to Beginning of Newsletter

Carolyns Message
Its October?? I guess the cooler weather shouldve been a hint, but were all so busy that we often failed to notice
that the days are flying like falling leaves across our Central Texas landscape. Were over half way through the first
nine weeks and people are facing all those challenges that are inherent in our profession. Thank you for keeping
expectations high and knee-jerk reactions low. Even when we get frustrated, we are expected to maintain a
professional attitude and demeanor. You guys are doing are great job in that area. Thank you!
Speaking of being over half way through the first nine weeks, can you believe were still hiring teachers? Our
student enrollment growth has required it. Its never easy to divide classes to relieve overcrowding, but you have and
are making it work. Parents have shown understanding in these cases, and I believe its because campus
administrators and teachers helped them understand the reasons the classes had to be divided. I have long believed
that when people understand why, they are much more likely to accept change, even if they dont particularly like it.
With that thought in mind, I want to share with you some information regarding our substitute teachers.
First of all, when the teacher is out of the classroom, student learning is negatively impacted. I know that
campuses are working hard to increase teacher attendance which averages several percentage points below student
attendance across the district. Please put forth your best effort to be here every day.
When the unavoidable occurs and you have to be out, we do our best to supply you with a substitute. Occasionally,
we do not have enough substitutes to fill the open jobs on a given day. That creates a hardship on the students and
on the rest of the campus staff. Sometimes, when teachers know in advance that they are going to have to be out for
an extended period of time, they try to help out by securing their own long term substitute. Please do not do that.
Heres the why: Our substitute specialist, Tricia Griffith, has a worked diligently to create a reliable, fair, and
equitable substitute system. Its focused on whats best for students and what is respectful of our substitutes. When
you need a long term substitute, please contact your principal (or the principals designee usually the campus
secretary) who will then work with Tricia to secure the substitute. When you approach someone and ask him/her to
sub for you, you may not know whether or not s/he is currently on our substitute list, what certification(s) s/he holds,
or whether or not there is a confidential reason that s/he may not be the best fit for a long term position.
We do not approve people to sub if they are not on the substitute list. Protocols have been established to keep
the system running smoothly. Ignoring our own protocols invites chaos. We hope that this explanation of the why
has been helpful. For more specific information regarding long term substitutes, please see Tricias article on page 2.
And circling back to where we began this discussion, please make every effort to be here every day. Lets beat the
student attendance rate. Now thats a goal worth its weight in success!
Sincerely,

Return to Beginning of Newsletter

Employee Services

Employee Work Injuries

Frank Joy, Director of Employee Services

The school year is already well under way. Parking lots, hallways, and cafeterias are filled with people and activity
again. And in the first month our coworkers are already reporting injuries at the rate of 32 per month. At that rate we
can expect to see 384 injuries this year, which would, unfortunately, be a new record high for Hays CISD.

Injury Costs and Trends

During the 2011-2012 school year we experienced 228 reported injuries. Slips, trips, and falls again led the list of
accident causes with 79 events. Thats a 46% increase over the previous year. The second most prevalent cause
was sprains and strains with 50 events. That, too, is an increase over last year by more than 10%. Thirty five injuries

were attributed to interaction with students. Those interactions covered the spectrum from sports to altercations to
little ones biting. That was our third largest cause of injury. Fourteen people reported being struck by an object in
motion think doors closing and things falling from shelves. A significant decrease over last year. These four
categories accounted for 78% of our reported employee injuries. The remainder were comprised of striking against
stationary objects, burns, lacerations, abrasions, and miscellaneous others.
Along with those injuries come serious costs. Costs come in two varieties simply stated, pain and dollars. The
injured employee pays the pain cost. Nobody else will feel the pain of that injury, nor will they experience the
difficulties that come with adjusting to crutches, wheelchairs, or other durable medical equipment and the immobility
associated with severe injuries. How do we avoid that cost? THINK before acting. Dont you really need a step
ladder to reach that height? Should you be securely holding the handrail on the stairs? We each need to take
responsibility for cleaning up the wet spot in the hallway, stowing the step stool out of the way so nobody will trip over
it, and making sure the things we place on the shelf are not ready to fall on the next person.
The dollar cost of workplace injuries is paid by everyone. The 2009-2010 school year saw incurred costs totaling
$581,461. During the 2010-2011 school year, our incurred costs dropped to $536,884. But the 2011-2012 year saw
an increase to $619,269. Just imagine the things we could do for our students if we were able to apply that money to
teaching!

Hazard and Injury Reporting

Weve all heard the phrase See something? Say something! Its usually used in a context other than workplace
safety, but it still applies. If you see something that could hurt you, a student, a coworker, or a visitor, report it
promptly. Report the hazard to your supervisor or to maintenance. Check back later to be sure its been addressed
properly. Also, bear in mind that injury reporting is about a lot more than workers' compensation. If someone is
injured on the job, however minor or severe, something went wrong. We need to know about it to keep someone else
from being hurt the same way - possibly worse! We do track near misses. We can't track those if they're not
reported. Statistically, they're a huge indicator for us of what our risk as an employer looks like and what we need to
do to manage it. Its not an attempt to cause interference at the task level, or asking people to waste their time with
"unnecessary paperwork. It's about making a good faith effort to operate a hazard-free workplace.
Return to Beginning of Newsletter