Homewood Phoenix Community News

Good afternoon, Homewood Center Community.

This past Monday, Ms. Hall, Ms. McKenna and other Homewood Center staff met with our Seniors to go over a few calendar reminders and check points as they are now four months away from graduation! For our seniors, and all of our students, we have been reinforcing the importance of doing all they can to finish out strong heading into midterms and the end of the second marking period on January 23rd.

We encourage you to review your child’s grades in Canvas and contact your child’s teacher should you have any questions ahead of the grading period deadlines. Please go over the midterm schedule below with your student and help them prepare by by providing a quiet study space and reminding them about the importance of being present and engaged at school each day. Your support and encouragement truly help set them up for success!

Enjoy the long weekend. We look forward to seeing students back on Tuesday! Make it a great one!

Mr. Rattay, Principal

January 19 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - Schools & Offices Closed

January 21st - 23rd - Mid term Exams

January 22 - Schools Close 3 Hours Early

January 23 - End of 2nd Quarter - Middle and High Schools ONLY close 3 Hours Early

January 26 - Schools Closed for Students - Professional Work Day

February 1 -28 Black History Month

February 4: Report Cards Issued

February 4: Schools Closed for Students - Countywide Professional Learning Day

Click links above for information and access the HCPSS system’s academic calendar here.

Visit Homewood's Community Calendar here.

Students are not permitted to take exams early. If absent, students must schedule make-ups after exams are completed.

Wednesday, January 21 (No Phoenix Time)

• Period 3 Exam (60 mins)

Thursday, January 22 (AM ARL exam day): 3-hr early dismissal

• Period 1 Exam (60 mins)
• Period 2 Exam (60 mins)
• Period 4 Exam (60 mins)

Friday, January 23 (PM ARL exam day): 3-hr early dismissal

• Period 5 Exam (60 mins)
• Period 6 Exam (60 mins)
• Period 7 Exam (60 mins)

Beginning January 27 (Second Semester), all high school students (Grades 9–12) will have access to Gemini AI, a district-approved tool that helps students explore ideas, solve problems, and engage in creative and critical thinking.

Why are we introducing Gemini AI?

AI is an essential and evolving part of the modern workplace and daily life. By safely integrating Gemini AI, we aim to:

• Help students learn how to use AI responsibly and ethically.
• Prepare them for future academic and career environments where AI tools are common.
• Support critical thinking and creativity while maintaining academic integrity.

To ensure students use this technology responsibly and effectively:

• Students will participate in an AI Literacy lesson in their English class prior to Semester 2. This lesson will help them understand how to use AI as a supplemental tool while maintaining academic integrity and following HCPSS guidelines.
• All assignments are AI-free unless otherwise directed by the teacher. Students should complete work independently unless a teacher specifically allows AI use for a task.
• Students are expected to review and follow AI Usage Guidelines. These guidelines emphasize that AI should never replace original thinking or writing and must be used ethically under teacher direction.

Gemini AI is a tool to enhance learning, not a replacement for instruction or original work. We appreciate your support in reinforcing responsible technology use at home.

If you have questions about this initiative or the guidelines, please contact your school’s administration.

Community Shout Out! Last month, Son Sesay, owner, and apprentice Kevon Kirby from The Legends Barber Co provided free haircuts for students and talked with interested students about career paths in their field. Speaking from the heart, in the way that only a barber can, students had a chance to ask questions about being a small business owner, finding apprenticeships, and more right from their chairs. We are so thankful for community partners that invest in our students in such creative ways!

Recently, ninth graders in Mr. LaCount's classes completed their final projects for Fahrenheit 451. Students were given a choice of projects to complete and several chose to complete original dystopian short stories. This week, students and staff readers had the opportunity to share their stories by reading them aloud to small audiences of staff and students.

Congratulations to all of our student writers and open mic readers for your efforts!

On Saturday, January 24th Maryland STEM Festival is hosting a Blue Collar STEM Fair from 9:00am - 12:30pm. Learn about good paying STEM jobs that don’t require a four-year college path. FREE event includes breakfast and lunch. Free transportation for MESA students and families provided by Howard County Office of Workforce Development. Register at tinyurl.com/owdstem

Join us for an exciting day of learning and growth at Wilde Lake High School! Our event will feature interactive workshops, mentorship opportunities, and case simulations to help you hone your legal skills. Whether you're a budding lawyer or just curious about the legal field, this event is perfect for you. Don't miss out on this chance to network with legal professionals and gain valuable insights into the world of law. Registration and refreshments will be served from 5-5:30pm. The program will commence at 5:30pm and run through 8:30pm. Link to register can be found HERE.

Homewood Center partners with the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration to offer access to Learner's Permit Testing at school throughout the year. Additionally, as a Community School, Homewood Center, can offer financial support for eligible Homewood Center students to access an MVA-certified, 36-hour Driver's Education course through Greg's Driving School. Upon successful completion of this course, you will be eligible to obtain a provisional driver's license in Maryland. This opportunity is limited to the availability of funds. Please contact Ms. Kesler in the Community Suite for questions or more information.

In order to participate in permit testing at Homewood Center students need to meet the following requirements:

• Must be 15 years and 9 months of age or older
• Download Permission Slip Here or pick one up from cafeteria bulletin board or Community Suite.
• Must have signed permission slip turned in 2 weeks before test date.
• February 19 - 9:30 AM - permission slip due by February 5, 2026
  

  April 30 - 9:30 AM - permission slip due by April 17, 2026

2026 HCPSS Family Academy Conference

HCPSS families are invited to save the date for the 2026 Family Academy Conference on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, from 6:00–8:30 pm at Long Reach High School. Families can look forward to a light dinner, a community resource fair, and interactive workshops focused on academic achievement, well-being, and family engagement. Workshop topics will include college and career readiness, special education supports, curriculum updates, hands-on learning strategies for use at home, and more. For more information, click here.

2026 Academia de Padres (Parent Academy):

The Hispanic Achievement Program is now accepting applications for the 2026 Academia de Padres (Parent Academy) that will be held fully in Spanish starting January 21 through June 10, 2026. This educational opportunity will be offered virtually one evening per month, with two sessions scheduled for May. For more information click here. For questions, contact Gaston Gamez, Hispanic Achievement Program Supervisor, Gaston_Gamez@hcpss.org or call 410.313.6667.

FREE Caregiver Wellness Workshops by Backpack Healthcare 2nd & 4th Thursday of the Month 6:00 - 7:00 PM - Virtual Sessions via Zoom - Register here.

• January 22nd: Cultural and Parenting Styles
• February 12th: Learning about Depression
• February 26th: The Resilient Mindset
• March 12th: Crisis Communication and Effective Listening
• March 26th: Grief and Loss
• April 9th: Identity Self Discovery and Emotional Resilience
• April 23rd: Rebuilding Bridges
• May 14th: Healthy Friendships and Boundaries
• May 28th: Mental Health Resources
• June 11th: Cyberbullying and Safety
• June 25th: Parent Support Networks

Free Food, Fire, and Friends: Thursdays 6 - 7:30 PM at Freetown Farm, 8000 Harriet Tubman Ln, Columbia, MD 21044 - The Community Ecology Institute (CEI) is hosting an event with free potluck style meal with on-site resource information from community partners. Activities for all ages. The purpose of this weekly meal is to ease food insecurity, build connections, and relieve stress for parents, while giving kids a safe, joyous outlet. All are welcome. Learn more here.

As a Community School, Homewood Center serves as a resource to support student success. One way we do this is through the operation of our Phoenix Pantry. Due to limited supplies, Homewood Families can request support monthly using this form: http://bit.ly/489qWHa Please allow 3-5 school days to fulfill an order and arrange pick-up/drop off. Contact Kelly Kesler, Community School Site Coordinator if you have a more immediate need. All items are subject to availability. At this time, we cannot stock items that require refrigeration.

Howard County has a network of food pantries that provide essential supplies to those in need. Locate the nearest pantry by visiting the Howard County Food Connection Map.

The Community Action Council of Howard County provides five critical services: early childhood education, energy assistance, food assistance, housing assistance, and weatherization assistance. Applications for support can be done online!

Looking for resources for clothing? Success in Style provides interview and work clothing and the Grace Clothing Closet provides gently used clothing.

Free Cell Phones are available through the Lifeline program which provides free phones and plans for SNAP, Medicaid, SSI participants. Multiple carriers available.

Visit the HCPSS Family Resources webpage, a one-stop hub for essential support services, including food assistance, shelter, and financial aid.

Visit the HCPSS resource webpage dedicated to supporting immigrant families.

Visit the HCPSS resource webpage for military families.

Education, Enrichment, Internship, Employment Programs School Year 2025-2026 This database introduces a curated collection of opportunities for students looking to grow academically, professionally, and personally. The spreadsheet linked contains organized tabs for each category, making it easy to explore options based on your interests and goals.

The 2025-2026 Scholarship Resource introduces a curated collection of scholarships and grants that students can apply for to help decrease their out-of-pocket expenses for colleges and trade schools.

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The HCPSS Hispanic Achievement Program is now selling sarapes (stoles) for purchase by graduating seniors. Sales will run through May 2, 2026. Purchases can be made directly here, and flyers for sarape sales are linked here. The Hispanic “sarape” represents the ancient custom of wearing colorful textiles throughout all the ancient indigenous people of Latin America. These bright colors represented their devout spiritualism and the advanced knowledge they possessed. Additional history of the sarapes and the initiative in HCPSS for graduating seniors can be found here. If you have questions or need financial assistance, contact Homewood Senior Class Advisors, Ms. Hall or Ms. McKenna.

The HCPSS Black Student Achievement Program (BSAP) is selling Kente cloth graduation stoles to families for graduating students. Sales will run through May 1, 2026. The flyer for the stole sale can be found linked here. Kente is a traditional African textile that the Ashanti people in Ghana and West Africa first weaved. Today, it is worn to pay homage to African ancestors and to show pride in the heritage of the Diaspora during ceremonial occasions. If you have questions or need financial assistance, contact Homewood Senior Class Advisors, Ms. Hall or Ms. McKenna.

• Homewood Senior News
• HCPSS Class of 2026 College Application Google Site
• HCPSS School Counseling Canvas Page
• HCPSS College Application Checklist
• Start a 2026–27 FAFSA® Form

Student Responsibilities and Behaviors Policies

HCPSS Student AI Guide: Using Generative AI Responsibly

HCPSS News

*Community programs are not sponsored or endorsed by HCPSS