Orange Peal - December 2021

December 2021 | Vol. 48, Issue 5

An Orange County Public Schools Employee Publication

THE HELPING HANDS OF HOMELESS EDUCATION pg. 10

A FUNNY THING

HAPPENED

pg. 7

HOLIDAY

RECIPES

pg. 16

Feature

EDITORS Shayla Cannady Alayna G. Riggins

DESIGN & LAYOUT Ashley Marrotte Eric Mateer

ADVERTISING Adrienne Noel

CONTRIBUTORS Kimberly Eisenbise Beth Palmer To submit your story ideas, email orangepeal@ocps.net.

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SAVE THE DATE Dec. 20-31

Winter Break (Schools Closed)

Dec. 23-31

District Offices Closed

Jan. 3, 2022

Teacher Workday/ Student Holiday

The Orange Peal is a districtwide publication for and about the employees of Orange County Public Schools.

The School Board of Orange County, Fla., does not discriminate in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its programs and activities, on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, marital status, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other reason prohibited by law. The following individuals at the Ronald Blocker Educational Leadership Center, 445 W. Amelia Street, Orlando, Florida 32801, attend to compliance matters: Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Officer & Title IX Coordinator: Keshara Cowans; ADA Coordinator: Jay Cardinali; Section 504 Coordinator: Tajuana Lee-Wenze. (407.317.3200) ©2021

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4 TABLE OF CONTENTS

4

District Dispatches

5

You're the Best

7

A Funny Thing Happened

8

Around OCPS

10

The Helping Hands of Homeless Education

15

Retirement Corner

16

Holiday Recipes

18

Benefits Bulletin

Photos used in this publication may not reflect the current face mask mandate or social distancing guidelines required by Orange County Public Schools at the time of publication.

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District Dispatches Making an impact

Everglades Champion School Jones High has just been named an Everglades Champion School. Science Teacher Kithara Reid Coates and the Science Club will participate in Everglades Literacy professional development; integrate Everglades Literacy into its curriculum; and promote Everglades interdisciplinary projects and field experiences; as well as Everglades community and culture.

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Nourish to Flourish Congratulations to the following OCPS team members who recently received a $25 gift card as a wellness boost: • Lauren Mallary, 5th-grade teacher, Pineloch Elementary • Elba Arroyo, paraprofessional, Cypress Springs Elementary • Onyx De La Osa, Social Studies teacher, Horizon West Middle (pictured far right) Each week an OCPS staff member is randomly selected. Gift cards are delivered by district Student Services team members or a member of the OCPS Mental Health Commission.

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TIP: According to the Mayo Clinic, laughter can help relieve some stress, by reducing levels of stress hormones and increasing health-enhancing hormones. So, share a joke with a friend or look for something that amuses you each day! https://orangepeal.pub/mayo

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This school year, 181 Teacher Impact Grants totaling $246,500 have been distributed throughout Orange County Public Schools. Classrooms received Arts; Bond Foundation; Duke Energy (Math, Science, Energy Education & STEM); Lockheed Martin (STEM); NonFiction Classroom Libraries; and Middle School Book Club grants impacting over 28,000 students. To view the full list of the 2021-22 grant recipients, visit the Foundation for OCPS website, https://orangepeal.pub/ foundation.

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You're the Best

Andy Chiles, Winter Park High athletic director, was recognized by the FHSAA for his six years of service on the FHSAA board of directors.

® www.redribbon.org

Red Ribbon Schools The following schools have received Red Ribbon School certification: • • •

Arbor Ridge K-8 Freedom Middle Lancaster Elementary

Red Ribbon Schools create a culture of prevention that produces safe, healthy drug-free kids; increase parental involvement in schools; improve academic performance; and improve awareness and social norms around alcohol and drug use.

Thomas "TJ" Thoss, an industrial education teacher at Orange Technical College - Mid Florida campus, was named an EC-Council "2021 Academic Instructor Circle of Excellence" Award recipient.

The International Council of Electronic Commerce Consultants is an American organization that offers cybersecurity certification, education, training, and services in various cybersecurity skills.

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Bonnie Toffoli, Talent and Acquisition and Human Resources director, received the Priscilla A. Scotlan Award for Distinguished Service from the American Association for Employment in Education.

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Complete online application by Friday, December 31, 2021 to be entered into the contest.

Visit AdditionFi.com/Renovate for more information or to apply.

Federally Insured by NCUA

We’ll handle the rest.

Calling all public school teachers from Lake, Orange, Osceola and Seminole county!

Enter our Renovate to Educate contest for a chance to win a TOTAL CLASSROOM RENOVATION.

AFTER

BEFORE

Tell us about your dream classroom.

a funny thing happened

Kindergarten teachers are privy to some of the very best "Aha" moments.

One such moment occurred during our Heggerty Phonics lessons recently. We were taking apart compound words. An example provided was [that] foot and ball together make football.

One of my very bright littles excitedly said, "I get it. It's like Bench and Amen make Benjamin!"

Charlott Cadiz Kindergarten teacher Palm Lake Elementary

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UND

AR

OC PS O

Brookshire Elementary teachers show they can Rock Your Schools in style.

Lake Weston Elementary really gets in the spirit for Book Character Day.

The OCPS Cabinet at the 2021 State of the Schools.

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Creative costumes were plentiful at the Moss Park Elementary Vocab Parade.

Administrators at Carver Middle unite against bullying for Unity Day.

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The Tildenville Elementary Tigers and staff did a great job of wearing pink and showing their support for breast cancer awareness during Pink Out Day.

OCPS music teachers were pleased to perform in a community collaboration, Broadway on Magnolia, with UCF, Orlando Choral Society and the Encore orchestra in late October at the Dr. Phillips Center Frontyard Festival.

Some of the welcoming OCPS Security team members at the Ronald Blocker Educational Learning Center.

The administration team was still all smiles after the Boone Braves' 2021 Homecoming.

Universal Education Center Assistant Principal David Webster-Gardiner enjoys bus duty with his students.

Aliens tried to abduct Chair Teresa Jacobs for Halloween, but she fought valiantly and is safe with us.

Frangus Elementary won the elementary level of the Back to School Spirit Challenge hosted by the Health West Orange Foundation.

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THE HELPING HANDS OF HOMELESS EDUCATION

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Nestled on the eighth floor of the Ronald Blocker Education Learning Center is a small but mighty team that works to support families in housing transition or who are experiencing homelessness in our district. Led by Senior Administrator Christine Cleveland, the Homeless Education team or McKinney-Vento Program includes four district liaisons; three program coordinators; a program specialist; and program assistant who diligently serve more than 3,300 students who are currently identified as homeless.

"We expect that number to grow to more than 6,000 by the end of the year as we must re-identify students each year," said Cleveland, of students and families due to financial hardships who are living on the streets; staying in hotels, garages, tents and cars; or sharing inadequate housing with other people. "[People] have a mindset on what homelessness looks like," Cleveland added. "Most of our parents are working but can't afford a place of their own. It would take someone working minimum wage 117 hours/week to afford an average twobedroom apartment that costs $1,400."

A challenge for the team is identifying students who qualify for resources through the federal McKinney-Vento Program. While the district cannot provide housing, students who qualify receive immediate enrollment (even without paperwork); can stay at their zoned school or last-attended school for stability; receive free lunch at school; and get free transportation to school (over 2 miles). Every OCPS staff member (front office staff, bus drivers, teachers, etc.) is responsible, per the McKinney-Vento law, to take note if a family might qualify and identify them to the MVP team.

"Families are overwhelmed, obviously," said Program Liaison Danielle Batista. "They're in housing transition; they're trying to figure out where they're going to be residing. And so it's really just us explaining to them [that] we have a program, [that] this is what the program can do [for them]."

To think outside the box during COVID the team launched a digital student residency questionnaire and fliers with a QR code to help with identification. As each program liaison supports more than 60 schools, these have been beneficial to the team. "[Families] fill it out and it comes directly to our homeless email account, [and] our program coordinator sends it to the right liaison for the school," said Program Liaison Natasha Paul. "… If we need to look at it, if there's anything on there that makes us think we need to get more information to determine if they're eligible, then we call the family … for clarification… ."

Homeless Education team members. (Standing from left: Natasha Paul, Danielle Batista and Jasmin Reyes Baerga. Sitting from left: Lorna Melendez Rondon, Christine Cleveland and Kara Meyers).

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"The goal is for us to be able to train the assigned schoolbased coordinator and the registrar so that they can identify within their own school," Paul added. "If the school is trained on how to identify [families], if they're eligible and move forward with the process, [the school reps] can help at least get them in the program, get them started, and then we can provide additional support after they're identified, if needed."

For greater awareness, last summer OCPS Homeless Education created and hosted the inaugural Central Florida Homeless Education Summit virtually. Along with counterparts in Seminole and Osceola counties and community agencies, nearly 150 participants attended to learn about more regional resources. The team is looking forward to the next summit, June 2, 2022.

"We're not alone in support. … We work in unison with the liaisons from different counties," said Program Liaison Jasmin Reyes Baerga. "We like to network with other counties [and] see what are some things that they're doing that could be effective over here as well."

The Homeless Education program liaisons each support a host of schools in addition to providing resources and trainings.

The Homeless Education team collaborates and trains other OCPS staff, specifically those at the school level to assist in providing supports and ensuring students receive their MVP rights.

As the winter holidays approach, the Homeless and Migrant Education teams are sponsoring a OCPS Holiday Gift Drive, Treats not Tricks. OCPS employees can support students in need during the holiday season with Amazon wish list purchases that will be accepted through Dec.17. Employees and teams can also donate money; food; new or gently-used clothes and shoes; and hygiene or school supplies yearround to the OCPS Kids' Closet, operated under Homeless Education as well (see sidebar).

"Many families have this sense of guilt or they carry the stigma of homelessness. They don't share that information with the

1990s has blossomed into the OCPS Kids' Closet. From three rooms at the old Kaley Elementary location, clothing and supplies are dispersed to OCPS students in need – not just those in the McKinney-Vento Program or at Title I schools.

For the last nine years, Program Assistant J. Rafael Martinez has run the Kids' Closet with the Homeless Education team.

He receives and categorizes thousands of pieces of clothing, supplies and food donations from companies, organizations and individuals in an organized fashion.

"We don't sell anything. Everything is provided," he said.

On a recent Thursday morning, Lorena Suter stopped by the Kids' Closet to pick up clothes for four students. When the 28-year social worker with the Southeast Learning Community heard there was also food stocked, she loaded up a few boxes with cereal and milk, spaghetti and sauce, and more to take.

What started as School Clothes Make a Difference in the

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In coordination with the school social worker, any school staff member can make a request for a student. Martinez created and streamlined a Google form to fill and track requests. If items are on hand, he will nicely bag them to be picked up from the Kaley location between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

"Presentation is important to me," said Martinez, who used to work as a creative designer. "I just think it's nice for [students] to have a bag that's discreet. That way the student can get it and … remove the label… . It's just a better presentation and shows the care that we put into it."

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school, thinking that something bad is going to happen; that the child is going to be withdrawn from school," said Bernice Mendez Robles. "This program exists to support them. There's nothing wrong with going through challenges in life. The important thing is to have people around you, lifting you up in order to go through it – not by yourself but with the assistance of others to get out of it."

Did You Know?

The McKinney-Vento Program provides scholarships to Orange Technical College (for parents and students), purchases graduation caps and gowns, and assists with field trips and school activity costs.

For more information or to contact the Homeless Education department, call 407.317.3485 or email: helphomeless@ocps.net or homeless@ocps.net.

to five students here to learn retail and warehouse skills.

"It's been such a great partnership," Martinez said. "They enjoy it, … and it helps them and it helps us."

Martinez says the Kids' Closet's biggest need is clothes for students in preK-fifth grade.

"We're always working on trying to acquire donations for students in that age group … . Those are the ones that move the fastest."

To contact the Kids' Closet, call 407.317.3900 or email KidsCloset@ocps.net.

Items Needed Prior to the pandemic, the Kids' Closet served nearly 797 students and families, giving away 8,999 items in school year 2019-20.

To help him sort and stock donations, a few years ago he enlisted the help of the ESE Transition School. A few days a week now, ESE Program Assistant Evelyn Morales brings up

• • • • • • •

Pants and shorts (4T-18) Tops with short and long sleeves (no sleeveless shirts) (4T-18) Jackets, coats and sweaters Closed-toe shoes New underwear and socks Soap, deodorant, feminine hygiene products Toothbrushes and toothpaste

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Advance Your Education and Further Your Career As your local university development counselor, I’m here to help you learn more about Grand Canyon University and start your college journey!

Why choose GCU? • • • •

More than 200 online academic programs Bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs available 100% online* Cost-reduction options and scholarship opportunities Complimentary transfer credit evaluation and more For more information, contact me directly to discuss!

Lauren Hazeltine | 602-247-3718 lauren.hazeltine@gcu.edu | gcu.edu/OCPS

*Excludes programs with residencies Please note, not all GCU programs are available in all states and in all learning modalities. Program availability is contingent on student enrollment. Grand Canyon University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Important policy information is available in the University Policy Handbook at https://www.gcu.edu/academics/academicpolicies.php. The information printed in this material is accurate as of APRIL 2021. For the most up-to-date information about admission requirements, tuition, scholarships and more, visit gcu.edu. ©2021 Grand Canyon University 21COEE0243

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Retiree: Pamela Feinauer Years with OCPS: 31 OCPS Retirement date: Dec. 30 Dec. 17 will likely be a day filled with mixed emotions for Pamela Feinauer. Once the end-ofthe-day bell rings, signaling the start of the Winter Break at NorthLake Park Community School, she will turn off the lights in room 153 for the last time. "[I will] walk to my car in disbelief that I won't be setting the alarm for 5:15 a.m. as a routine ever again," said the art teacher, who has been educating students for 44 years.

Feinauer's career in education began as a kindergarten classroom teacher in Hollywood, Fla. Other stints took the Woodbridge, N.J., native to schools in Cooper City, Fla., and Maitland, before she joined OCPS in 1990. She has served the NorthLake Park Community School in Lake Nona for more than 20 years.

The graduate of the University of Florida entered the profession teaching to "survive as an artist!

I also had educators in my family [who] had some influence on my decision after art school," she said.

Teaching highs have included Feinauer being named Teacher of the Year for 2012-13 and a Walt Disney Teacheriffic Award winner in 1992. She also met former President George W. Bush when he visited NorthLake Park in 2005.

Feinauer has been more inspired though by some of her students returning to the schools she taught them to be teachers themselves.

"It made me feel ancient but very proud at the same time," she said.

In retirement, Feinauer will be happy to finally sleep later and be a full-time artist "instead of teaching others to be one!"

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Upcoming Virtual Workshops: Dec. 1, 5-6:30 p.m.

Don't Go Broke in a Nursing Home https://orangepeal.pub/NursingHome

Jan. 5, 2022, 5-6:30 p.m.

Nearing Retirement in the FRS https://orangepeal.pub/NearingFRS

Dec. 8, 5-6:30 p.m.

New Employee Retirement Plan Choice https://orangepeal.pub/Choice

Go to the MyFRS workshop flyer link to register for the particular course. Go to Canvas to get more information about the course. For additional information, email retirement.services@ocps.net or call 407.317.3227.

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H Hash Brown Casserole

Cranberry Salsa

Ingredients 1 package of frozen hashbrown potatoes 1 can cream of mushroom soup (you can substitute cream of chicken) 1 8 ounce container of sour cream 1 stick of butter 2 cups of grated cheese Bag of potato chips

Ingredients 12 ounces of cranberries ¼ cup of sliced green onions 2 jalapeños minced (use 3 with seeds for an extra kick) ¼ cup of fresh cilantro leaves minced 2 tablespoons of finely grated fresh garlic 2 tablespoons of lemon juice ½ cup granulated sugar (use ¾ if you prefer a sweeter salsa)

Instructions 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. Combine hash browns, soup, sour cream ½ stick of butter, and cheese. Spread into a greased 9x13 casserole dish.

3. Take the other ½ of the butter, cut into small pats and place around on the top.

4. Crush chips and cover top thoroughly.

5. Cover and cook for 30 minutes.

6. Remove cover and cook for 30 minutes longer.

(Sometimes it takes more than an hour to cook. It depends on the oven. If not cooked through and through, continue cooking for an additional 20 minutes, then check, and repeat if necessary.)

Instructions 1. Rinse, drain and pick over cranberries (discarding all that are soft or bruised).

2. Place cranberries in a food processor or blender; pulse until the cranberries are finely chopped but not mushy.

3. Place crushed cranberries in a bowl; mix together with green onions, jalapeños, cilantro leaves and ginger.

Pour lemon juice and sugar over, and stir together.

4. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate (4-5 hours or overnight is best.) This allows all the flavors to combine.

The salsa will be very tart at first, but as the flavors merge, it will become sweet. So it's very important that it gets enough time to sit in the refrigerator.

5. Once the salsa is completely chilled, stir well.

6. Serve over cream cheese with crackers or with tortilla chips like plain salsa.

Submitted by Tami Stueve

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Submitted by Rachel Rice

Holiday Recipes Magic Flan

Christmas Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Pudding

Submitted by Jaclyn Roman

Submitted by Isabel Cavaliere Enriquez

Ingredients For the Caramel 1 cup sugar For the Flan 1 cup granulated sugar 4 ounces cream cheese, softened 1 14 ounce can of sweetened condensed milk 1 12 ounce can of evaporated milk 3 large eggs, room temperature 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract For the Chocolate Cake 1 box chocolate cake mix Ingredients indicated on box Instructions For the Caramel 1. Carefully grease a 12-cup bundt pan.

2. Add the sugar to a nonstick pan over medium heat.

3. The caramel will start to form within about 5 minutes, but it is important to stir constantly to prevent lumps. It is normal for it to start forming lumps at the beginning and then it will start to melt, and once it has dissolved completely and has a golden brown color, it is done.

4. Pour the caramel into a pre-greased bundt pan and carefully move it from side to side so that the caramel covers the bottom portion of the bundt pan.

For the Cake 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a water bath using warm water for the cake pan, water should be about halfway up the pan.

2. Prepare the cake batter according to directions.

3. Pour about ¾ of the batter on top of the caramel in the greased bundt pan. Any extra can be used for cupcakes!

4. Combine the flan ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

5. Carefully pour the flan on top of the cake mix. Do not stir together. When baking, the two will separate and form a delicious cake.

6. Place in the water bath, and then bake for 60-75 minutes. A toothpick toward the center should come out clean when baked.

7. Cool on a wire rack for one hour, and then refrigerate overnight. Remove from the pan and serve.

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Ingredients Chocolate cake (Use any brand) 2 boxes of instant chocolate pudding (follow the directions and use half of milk) Instructions Make the cake.

Wait for an hour. Cut across.

Make the pudding.

Wait for 5 minutes and whip with a fork.

Fill the cake.

Cover completely with film paper.

Put it inside the refrigerator for 15 minutes before eating.

Brigadeiro

Submitted by Diane Carter Ingredients 1 (14 ounce) can sweet condensed milk 4 tablespoons of cocoa powder, sifted 2 tablespoons of butter, plus more for rolling balls Pinch of salt Chocolate sprinkles (or any other type of sprinkles you like) Instructions 1. In a small saucepan, mix the sweet condensed milk, cocoa powder, salt and the butter.

2. Bring the sauce pan to the stove and heat it over medium-low heat.

3. Cook it, mixing constantly (this is important, otherwise it will burn!) until it thickens. A way to know is to run your wooden spoon (or spatula) in the middle of the mixture.

If it takes a while for the mixture to move, then your brigadeiro is ready!

4. Reserve, letting it cool to room temperature.

5. On a plate or bowl, spread your sprinkles.

6. Once the brigadeiro is cool, grease your hands with butter and roll the brigadeiros into little balls.

7. Roll the brigadeiro balls into the sprinkles and place them in paper/foil candy cups.

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Insurance Benefits Closed for the Holidays The Insurance Benefits department will be closed during the winter break – Monday, Dec. 20-Friday, Dec. 31. It will be important for you to keep the contact information in this Benefits Bulletin should you need assistance during the winter holidays. Remember, you can reach insurance benefits at 407.317.3245 now through Friday, Dec. 17, and again beginning Monday, Jan. 3, 2022.

Easy Reference Guide for Insurance Benefits Keep this chart handy when you have questions about your insurance benefits.

MEDICAL PLANS, MENTAL HEALTH/CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY Cigna www.mycigna.com • • •

For claims information, eligibility or benefits verification, call Cigna HealthCare member services at 1.800.CIGNA 24 (1.800.244.6224).

For precertification or hospital admission due to an emergency, call Cigna HealthCare member services at 1.800.CIGNA 24 (1.800.244.6224).

For the Employee Assistance Program, call 1.877.622.4327.

PHARMACY CVS Caremark www.caremark.com • • • •

For CVS Caremark Customer Service, call 1.800.378.9264.

For CVS Caremark Clinical Services (for prior authorization), call 1.800.294.5979.

For CVS Caremark Clinical Services (for formulary Exceptions/Appeals), call 1.877.203.1681.

For CVS Caremark Specialty Pharmacy, call 1.800.237.2767.

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DENTAL DeltaCare USA Basic and Comprehensive www.deltadentalins.com Call DeltaCare at 1.800.422.4234.

Delta Dental PPO www.deltadentalins.com Call Delta Dental PPO at 1.800.616.3629.

VISION Humana www.compbenefits.com Call Humana Specialty Benefits Vision Plan at 1.800.865.3676.

DISABILITY Lincoln Financial Group Call Lincoln Financial Group Disability Plan at 1.800.423.2765.

GROUP UNIVERSAL LIFE Minnesota Life Insurance (Securian) Call Minnesota Life Insurance (Securian) GUL at 1.800.843.8358.

FSAs (FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS) TASC (Total Administration Services Corporation) www.tasconline.com Call TASC at 1.800.422.4661.

Catch up with On-Demand Replays Shake off those bah humbugs and tap into the attitude of gratitude with Cigna's Employee Assistance Program webcasts. Each seminar is designed to reduce stress, find balance and help us be our best at work and in our personal lives. There are currently more than 80 wellness topics, including: • • • • • •

No More Humbugs: Emotionally Healthy Holidays The Power of Gratitude A Holiday Planning Guide The Power of Purpose Giving to Yourself Managing Financial Stress

All OCPS employees* can access registration information, live webcasts and on-demand replays at www.Cigna.com/EAPwebcasts. *Employees do not have to be enrolled in an OCPS medical plan to utilize the EAP webcasts. Mental/ behavioral health and substance use disorder services are accessible to employees and dependents covered by one of the three OCPS Cigna medical plans.

Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account Deadline is Here The plan year for our Flexible Spending Accounts is Sept. 1-Aug. 31. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the IRS permitted an extended grace period for the Dependent Care FSA only. This extended grace period ends Dec. 31. This means you are able to incur eligible expenses and submit reimbursement requests against the 2020-21 Dependent Care FSA plan through Dec. 31.

What did I Miss?

Because of COVID-19, many adults and children have fallen behind on routine health screenings and recommended vaccines. It's time to catch up so that you are protected as you think about gathering with friends and family during the holiday season. OCPS Cigna members can get vaccines* recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for diseases such as shingles; pneumonia; tetanus; pertussis (whooping cough); and others, without a copayment, coinsurance or deductible when delivered by a network provider.

The best place to receive medical care is from your primary care physician; however, some vaccines are available at convenient care centers and pharmacies.

Call your physician, convenient care center or pharmacy to ensure they have the vaccine and you have any required prescriptions. For vaccines, always use your Cigna medical plan ID card. To find out which vaccines are right for you, talk to your physician and review the Adult Immunization Schedule at http://cdc.gov/ vaccines. *Travel vaccines are excluded.

You Told Us Last spring, OCPS Insurance Benefits asked you to participate in the eighth biennial Insurance Benefits Survey. These benefits are a significant part of your total compensation and your feedback is important to us.

5,047

Employees responded to the 2021 survey, up from 4,101 in 2019!

84%

Of respondents are "satisfied" or "very satisfied" with the medical plan.

72%

Of respondents either "strongly agree" or "somewhat agree" that the medical benefit is worth the premium they pay.

Network Features: Most Important 1. Quality of care provided by network doctors 2. Direct access to network specialists (no referral required) 3. Quality of care provided by network hospitals

31%

Of respondents read every issue of the Benefits Bulletin.

You asked for more information on Flexible Spending Accounts and Life Insurance. Look for more results in upcoming editions of the Benefits Bulletin!

Save with SurgeryPlus!

If you need surgery, it's natural to have some concerns.

Don't forget about SurgeryPlus, a supplemental benefit for nonemergency surgeries available to all OCPS Cigna members at no additional cost.

SurgeryPlus is here to make your health care journey simple and ensure you have access to the best quality of care. You'll have access to surgeons who meet rigorous quality standards and a health care concierge dedicated to support you along the way.

you must contact the program and be accepted as a participant prior to receiving covered services. Charges incurred prior to utilizing SurgeryPlus will be filed under your Cigna medical plan, subject to deductible and copayment/coinsurance.

Eligible procedures: • Joint replacement • Orthopedics • Gallbladder • Ear, Nose & Throat • Spine • Cardiac

• • • • •

Pain management Gynecology Thyroid Hernia repair Gastroenterology

This program provides savings to the OCPS medical plan that are passed on to you. The plan is able to reduce your financial burden by waiving your deductible and coinsurance on covered procedures.

SurgeryPlus is 100% voluntary. Members have the option to have surgery wherever they choose according to regular plan benefits, but the cost will be higher. In order to have your deductible and coinsurance waived,

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Contact SurgeryPlus by phone at 833.552.1699 or via email at OCPS@SurgeryPlus.com to verify eligibility.

Visit http://OCPS.SurgeryPlus.com (access code: surgeryplus) to register.

Events Join OCPS employees by participating in the following events:

Before

After

Greg Warmoth Reindeer Run Presented by AdventHealth for Children Saturday, Dec. 11 Race starts at 7:15 a.m.

SeaWorld Orlando 7007 Sea Harbor Drive Orlando, Fla. 32821

December Healthy Hero Living with a chronic condition can present hurdles to overcome. Angela Ruvo, resource teacher at Zellwood Elementary, says she struggled with weight fluctuations and side effects of polycystic ovary syndrome since she was a young girl.

When she "decided a change needed to happen," she started Weight Watchers™ the next day. The decision led to changes in nutrition, water intake and progressed into developing a consistent exercise routine. Making a change in her lifestyle, Ruvo has been able to maintain a 40-pound weight loss.

Megan Venning nominated her colleague as a Healthy Hero because she said Ruvo was inspirational and "took it upon herself to make changes in her diet and exercise."

If you would like to nominate a co-worker as a Healthy Hero, please email wellness@ocps.net with the candidate's name, location and why they deserve

Park Ave 5k Presented by AdventHealth Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022 Race starts at 7:30 a.m.

Stage at Central Park 251 N. Park Ave. Winter Park, Fla. 32789 For more information on fees and to register, visit www.trackshack.com/events/.

Benefits Bulletin is designed to keep OCPS employees and their families informed about available benefit programs. This information is not intended to replace professional health care. See your health care professional for information relevant to your medical history.

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Angel Tree Project The Angel Tree Project team helps provide holiday gifts to students experiencing poverty or homelessness. You can now give safely and securely via text.

Text OCPSANGEL to 41444 Then click on the reply link to fill out your form.

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9067 International Drive · Orlando, FL 32819

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445 W. Amelia St., Orlando, FL 32801 | 407.317.3200 www.ocps.net