The Buffalo City School District is proud of the opportunities & advantages that we offer to our employees. We are committed to providing high-quality benefits & programs that are designed to meet the needs of our dedicated & diverse community.

Buffalo City School District has selected the services of a new outside firm to handle the administration of our flexible spending accounts (FSA) benefits. The new vendor, Total Administrative Services Corporation (TASC) will begin providing service on 9/1/24. Information about these changes has been mailed out.

For more detailed information and a Q&A click here -> Flexible Spending

Cancer Screening Verification Form

Commuter Benefits Plan

COVID - 19 Reporting

COVID-19 Vaccination Verification Form

Employee Notices

Eligibility

Flexible Spending Accounts

Health Insurance Comparison Charts by Bargaining Unit

Highmark Member Webpage

Insurance Electronic Payments for Retired Employees

Insurance Electronic Payments for Active Employees

Leave of Absence

Leaving The District

Life Insurance

Life Qualifying Events

Plan Document & Summary Plan Description

Summary Of Benefits by Bargaining Unit

Tax-Shelter Annuities

NEW Workers Compensation Incident Form-

Effective 10/21/2024 - There will be a new incident form if you need to complete one for a work related injury. You MUST sign in your BPS email to access this form. You CANNOT complete a form without access to your BPS email. If you have never logged into your BPS email, please reach out to Help Desk for assistance at 716-816-3510

COVID-19

Please note: The COVID-19 quarantine leave legislation expires on July 31, 2025 per New York State.

NEW Employee Assistant Program provider -

Effective 9/1/2024 - Child and Family Services will be the Employee Assistant Program (EAP) for our BPS staff. We are very excited about their services! You can find more information by clicking on the "Employee Health & Wellness" block above

NEW FSA Vendor - for those who are enrolled in Medical and/or Dependent Care FSA, Commuter Benefits and Exempt HRA

Buffalo City School District has selected the services of a new outside firm to handle the administration of our flexible spending accounts (FSA) benefits. The new vendor, Total Administrative Services Corporation (TASC) will begin providing service on 9/1/24. Information about these changes has been mailed out.

For more detailed information and a Q&A click here -> Flexible Spending

SUMMER SAFETY TIPS

Learn how to have fun and stay safe as you enjoy the great outdoors this summer with these tips from the American Red Cross

Water & Beach Safety

• Do not leave anyone unsupervised access to water

• It’s best to swim in a lifeguarded area. Always designate a “water watcher” whose sole responsibility is to keep a close eye and constant attention on everyone in and around the water until the next water watcher takes over.

• Watch the weather and get out of the water at the first sign of lightning or the rumble of thunder. Stay indoors and away from water for 30 minutes after the last lightning flashes or thunder roars.

• Children, inexperienced swimmers, and all boaters should wear properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets.

• Protect your neck – don’t dive in headfirst. Walk carefully into open waters. Watch out for and avoid aquatic life.

• If you are caught in a rip current, stay calm and don’t fight it. Swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current. Then, turn and swim to shore. If you can't swim to shore, float or tread water until you are free of the rip current and then head toward shore. Draw attention to yourself by waving and calling for help.

Camping, Picnic & Grilling Safety

• Pack a first aid kit to handle insect stings, sprains, cuts and bruises and other injuries that could happen to someone in your group.

• Sprains and falls are some of the most common misfortunes travelers may face. Falls are the biggest threat, many due to poor decision-making, lack of skill or not being properly prepared. Dehydration is also a danger. Plan ahead for these dangers.

• Share your travel plans and locations with a family member, neighbor or friend.

• Bring nutritious food items and water, light-weight clothing to layer and supplies for any pets.

• Wash your hands, utensils and workstation before preparing the food.

• Separate uncooked meats, poultry, and seafood from ready-to-eat foods like salads, fruits, vegetables, cheeses, and desserts. Use separate plates and utensils to prevent cross-contamination.

• Bring hand sanitizer if your picnic site doesn’t have hand-washing facilities.

• If you are going to cook on the grill, bring a food thermometer to be sure grilled foods are cooked enough.

• Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use. Don’t add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited.

• Never grill indoors — not in the house, camper, tent or any enclosed area.

• Make sure everyone, including pets, stays away from the grill.

• Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, deck, tree branches or anything that could catch fire. 

• Use the long-handled tools especially made for cooking on the grill to help keep the chef safe.

• Don't leave perishable food out in the sun.

Mosquitoes and Ticks

• Use insect repellents containing DEET (N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) when you are outdoors. Be sure to follow the directions on the package.

• Consider staying indoors at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.

• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants and tuck your pant legs into your socks or boots.

• Use a rubber band or tape to hold pants against socks so that nothing can get under clothing.

• Tuck your shirt into your pants. Wear light-colored clothing to make it easier to see tiny insects or ticks.

• When hiking in woods and fields, stay in the middle of trails. Avoid underbrush and tall grass.

• If you are outdoors for a long time, check yourself several times during the day. Especially check in hairy areas of the body like the back of the neck and the scalp line.

• Inspect yourself carefully for insects or ticks after being outdoors or have someone else do it.

• If you have pets that go outdoors, spray with repellent made for their breed/type. Apply the repellent according to the label and check your pet for ticks often.

• Get rid of mosquito breeding sites by emptying sources of standing water outside of the home, such as from flowerpots, buckets and barrels.

Summer and Pets

• Don’t leave your pet in a hot vehicle, even for a few minutes. The inside temperature of the car can quickly reach 120 degrees even with the windows cracked open

• If you suspect your pet has heat stroke, take their temperature rectally. If the temperature is above 105 degrees, cool the animal down. The easiest way to do this is by using the water hose. Stop cooling the animal when the temperature reaches 103 degrees

Fireworks

• Choose a location away from buildings and trees.

• Never give fireworks to small children, and never throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials. Always follow the instructions on the packaging.

• Be sure your spectators, including children and pets, stay well back. 

• Keep a supply of water or fire extinguisher at hand. If you live in an area that’s experiencing a drought, consider canceling the show this year – a stray spark that lands on dry grass or leaves can lead to a wildfire.

• Make sure the person lighting fireworks always wears eye protection.

• Light only one firework at a time and never attempt to relight "a dud."

• Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.

TIPS FROM OUR COMPENSATION PARTNER - PMA

Walking is Working - Safety Tips on Slips, Trips and Falls

Strain & Sprain Injury Prevention

Distracted Driving

Stretching Program - Shoulder & Neck Exercises

Stretching Program -Hand Exercises

WNY MMA & Fitness - Women's Free Self Defense Class Information

Buffalo Healthy Living Magazine

Offerings to BPS employees!

JadaBlitz Fitness, StetchLab, NEIGHBORHOOD Barre, and Be Embodied have partnered with BPS to offer our staff discounts on some of their services!

Please visit the Health & Wellness page to get the information for each business and what they have to offer. Be well!

We are available Monday through Friday from 8am - 4pm

(716) 816 - 3754
Email the Benefits Office

806 City Hall
65 Niagara Square
Buffalo, NY 14202

Active Employees that are a members of 409, 264, BTF, BCSA, PCTEA, Exempt staff and Tradesmen: 716-816-3724

ALL BEST Members (both active and retirees): 716-816-3608 or email BESTbenefits

Retirees and questions on retiring if you are a member of 409, 264, BTF, BCSA, PCTEA and Exempt staff: 716-816-4538

Tax-Shelter Annuity: 716-816-3754

Workers Compensation: 716-816-3936

THANK YOU FOR BEING A BPS HERO!!