Laredo educators reflect on a year of adapting to the pandemic
Laredo Morning Times
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M.S. Ryan Elementary student Elias Lozano checks in with his teacher in their virtual classroom on Aug. 24, 2020 during the first day back to school for some students.Danny Zaragoza / Laredo Morning Times
Last year on March 11, the U.S. officially declared the pandemic had arrived and communities throughout the nation had undergone a transformation due to the fear and uncertainty surrounding COVID-19.
For students, much work had to be done to ensure that their future would not be hindered by the pandemic. With hopes that the situation could be addressed before students returned, education leaders worked to adapt to the changes.
Spirit of Laredo and School Bell Award competitions to begin
March 9, 2021
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The Members of the Chamber of Commerce Education Committee announced that the annual School Bell Award and Spirit of Laredo scholarship competition will continue in 2021 despite the pandemic.Christian Alejandro Ocampo / Laredo Morning Times
The Laredo Chamber of Commerce Education Committee announced the launch of the third annual Spirit of Laredo student video competition and the educator annual School Bell Awards competition.
Both competition applications have a deadline in April. Students interested in the Spirit of Laredo competition will have until April 16 to submit their entry. Educator nominee applications for the School Bell Award will need to be submitted before April 12 at 5:30 p.m. to be eligible.
Harmony adding health care benefits for employees
Feb. 4, 2021
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Harmony Public School employees across the state can expect additional benefits as announced by the school system’s board. These benefits are slated to go into effect starting in the spring.
According to Harmony, the addition of benefits will coincide with the benefit enrollment period. These new benefits include free vision and dental employee benefits, and an increased free life insurance policy. The life insurance policy is stated to be free for $100,000 for all exempt employees.
Additionally, exempt employees can receive matching retirement contributions. Harmony explained that exempt employees can receive 100% matching contribution to employee 403(b) and/or 457(b) plan, up to $1,500 annually depending on tenure of service.