Greetings Waterford,
January2025
Volume3,Issue5
Happy New Year! I hope this message finds you well. In this issue are important updates and reminders regarding your benefits and upcoming events.
1. Connecticut Sick Leave Changes Effective 1/1/2025
Starting January 1, 2025, Connecticut’s paid sick leave law went into effect. For more information on the changes, please refer to page 3 and the email sent by HR on December 20.
2. Anthem Health Insurance Gym Benefit
Did you know that your Anthem Health Insurance plan offers a gym membership reimbursement? Get reimbursed for up to $300 annually by submitting your gym membership receipts. Take advantage of this benefit to help with your fitness goals in the new year (see page 6 ).
3. March Staff Health Fair
We cannot wait for you to join us for a fun-filled Carnival-themed Staff Health Fair March 7, 2025! Plans are underway. This will be a great opportunity to learn about wellness resources, health screenings, and more. Stay tuned for the additional details. While there may not be an actual tent, there will be games and a four-legged friend or two to brighten your day.
4. Staff Highlight
Don’t miss the story highlighting our own Cathy Grohocki!
We hope the information in this newsletter helps you plan ahead. If you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the HR team.
Regards, Nancy
Waterford Public Schools Human Resources
15 Rope Ferry Road, 2nd Floor
Questions can be emailed to: hr@waterfordschools.org. This email reaches all HR Staff
Nancy Sudhoff, Director x 1864
Michelle Crandall, HR Specialist x 1866
Juliane Halliwell, Exec. Secretary / Generalist x 1865
Cathy Grohocki Vice Regent
Lucretia Shaw Chapter
New London CT
Daughters of the American Revolution
My journey to becoming a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution started with my brother researching our family genealogy. He worked at the Connecticut State Library in the genealogy room with access to many genealogical resources and discovered our ancestor, George Passage Sr. of New York, was a patriot in the Revolutionary War. When he announced the news to our family, my cousin started the process to become a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She submitted an application with a local chapter near where she lives in Rochester, NY. The Registrar of the chapter was able to confirm George Passage Sr. as a Patriot and that he was a verified ancestor of our family. After my cousin was installed as a member of the DAR, my sister and I decided to look at joining a local DAR chapter here in CT. We joined The Lucretia Shaw Chapter, DAR, New London in 2015. The chapter is the second oldest DAR chapter in the state of Connecticut, being founded in 1892! Not long after being installed in the chapter, I became the Recording Secretary for several years. I moved up to Vice Regent of the chapter in 2023. I also chair the Excellence in American History Award that is given to local area 8th grade students each spring. Being a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution has become a family affair with my daughter also joining the Lucretia Shaw Chapter and my oldest sister is currently in the process of joining as well. It doesn’t stop at DAR though, my granddaughters are members of Jonathan Brooks Society, Children of the American Revolution which is sponsored by the Lucretia Shaw Chapter. Being members of these genealogical societies allows our family to volunteer in our communities, learn about our local history of the American Revolution, as well as educate others about preserving history for future generations. We enjoy the opportunities to do things together as a family, meet new friends, and contribute to our local communities while helping to preserve history.
Hey Waterford Staff!
Would you like to share something about you in the newsletter? Let us know!
MandatoryTraining
Title IX Training for All Staff - Thursday, January 9, 2025
All staff are required to complete Title IX training which will be assigned to you in your Paycom Checklists on Thursday, January 9th. Principals and Directors will allow time during normal work hours for you to complete this 1 (one) hour course. Substitutes may complete the training module at Central Office. Please email or call the Human Resources office to set up an appointment. If substitutes complete the training at home, time is not eligible for pay. hr@waterfordschools.org / 860-440-1863
To access the training, login to your Paycom account and either click on the bell icon or go to Checklists. There is no certificate to print or download after completing the training. All individual completions are logged in Paycom.
Hepatitis B Vaccine
All staff have the opportunity to receive, at no cost, the Hepatitis B vaccine. We ask that all staff fill out the Hepatitis B Questionnaire to request or decline the vaccine. If you respond to the questionnaire electing to receive the vaccine, HR will reach out to you to schedule an appointment with Hartford HealthCare in Norwich.
Please call or email HR with any questions. A link to the newly updated Board Regulation is below for your review.
B.O.E. Policy 4084/4950
B.O.E. Regulation 4084/4950
What you need to know about the CT Paid Sick Leave Law which took effect 1/1/2025.
Key Points Overview: The new law requires that employers provide eligible employees with paid sick leave in accordance with certain statutory requirements allowing for the care of your health and the health of family members.
What this means for Staff
• As of January 1, 2025, requested sick time will count as CT Paid Sick Leave for any requests for sick time within the maximum provided by this law.
• Processes in place to request time in Paycom and Frontline remain the same.
• The law is designed to support your health and well-being.
• Employers are required to provide this time in accordance with the law and, if requested by the Department of Labor, share record of employee accrual and use.
FAQs
Q: Do I have to choose CT Sick Time in Paycom?
A: No. Choices when entering sick time off in Paycom and Frontline remain the same.
Q: How much CT Paid Sick Leave will I receive in January 2025?
A: Eligible staff receive one hour for every 30 hours worked.
Q: If I am a member of a union, do my leave benefits under the contract continue?
A: Yes. CT Paid Sick Leave Law language provides details about use of sick time as do Bargaining Agreements. The Law refers to requirements for documentation and the reasons that qualify for the use of sick time. Please contact HR with any questions.
Click here for additional information.
The Human Resources team is happy to respond to any questions you may have. Reach out to HR by email at hr@waterfordschools.org or call 860-440-1863.
When? Friday, March 7th (PD Day) Where? WHS Old Gym
Once again, HR will host the Staff Health Fair sponsored by Anthem. We hope you take advantage of all that the participants have to offer! ~New this year ~ Planning Specialist, Megan from the Municipal Employees Retirement System (MERS) will be available to answer your questions. More information to follow!
Self-Care
Body Positivity
Preventive Care
Recipe: Egg Roll in a Bowl
Do you have Anthem Medical? Take advantage of this opportunity by 2/28/2025!
WeareHiring
If you know someone who is interested in learning about job opportunities, they can look at job postings listed via Paycom Talent Acquisition.
• Waterford High School Sports
Boys and Girls Varsity Outdoor Head Track Coach
Assistant Outdoor Track & Field Coach
Assistant Boys Soccer Coach
Boys Varsity Soccer Coach
• Paraeducators
• Van Drivers
• Spring Musical Choreographer– WHS
• Drama Musical Director-WHS
• Long-Term Substitute Paraeducator - OSW
• Long-Term Substitute Pre-K Teacher– OSW
• ACEs Coordinators- CLMS (Internal)
• Connections Coordinators-CLMS (Internal)
• Elementary Afterschool Activity Coordinators - OSW, GN (Internal)
• Substitute Teachers
• Substitute Paraeducators
• Substitute School Nurses
• Substitute Custodians
• Substitute Food Service Workers
Our Mission
Waterford Public Schools is a community of learners that fosters and supports high aspirations, ensuring every student acquires the skills and knowledge necessary to be a responsible citizen, prepared to contribute and succeed in an ever changing world.
