Homewood Community News #38

Homewood Center Community,

On Thursday May 14, 2026 we celebrated our graduating seniors. The evening was the perfect send off and celebration I wish everyone could have been there to experience the student speeches. Powerful i the best way to sum them up.

Completing a high school degree requires perseverance and hard work. We talk to our school community all the time about the importance of being present and being engaged. The recipe for success at school is - Behavior, attendance and grades. As simple as that sounds, the added flavors of experiences and opportunities that each student, family and community mix into that recipe have a direct impact on the outcome.

Please take a minute and celebrate our graduating Senior Class of 2026 and our 3rd Quarter recognitions for Attendance Achievements and Honor Roll.

I would like to take a moment to thank The Council of Elders of the Black Community of Howard County for personally recognizing each of our graduating seniors for all they have accomplished on their paths to graduation. Likewise, to our families, thank you for being a partner with us toward student success.

Make it a great one!

Mr. Rattay, Principal

Following the Board of Education’s recent adjustments to the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) 2025-2026 school year calendar, additional adjustments are being made to the 2025-2026 school year calendar. To see the details on changes to the school calendar please click here. Updated HCPSS calendars are available online.

Beginning Monday, May 4, the high school student period 1 will begin at 7:48 a.m., two minutes earlier than the current 7:50 start time. The bus pickup schedule will remain unimpacted.

May 18 - June 4 - Graduation Window

May 25 - Schools and Offices Closed

May 27 - Schools and offices closed

June 8 - 15 - FULL DAYS*

June 16 - 18 - 3 hour Early Dismissal*

*Dates adjusted per March 27, 2026 Board of Education Meeting

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

Visit Homewood's Community Calendar here.

This year’s theme — More Good Days, Together — encourages us all to reflect on what a “good” day looks like, both for ourselves and for our communities. Together, we can use that insight to connect people to the right support at the right time, and shape advocacy, education, and community engagement to make more good days possible for all. Here's to More Good Days!💚

Please check out the resources linked here to incorporate Mental Health Awareness Month activities into your work, with each other, or for yourself.

Our books and media materials have loved spending time in your homes and backpacks but it's time for them to return back to the Homewood Media Center!!

Each round is a fresh start, so every student has another chance to improve, earn rewards, and stay on track! If you have any questions read full details here or contact Kenny Porritt Assistant Principal for Homewood Center.

🔥 KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE BIG REWARDS!

🎁 GRAND PRIZES

• 🏎️ 2 Winners: Autobahn Indoor Speedway (Free Race + License)
• 🎬 1 Winner: $25 Fandango Gift Card

Download this helpful guide to remember what seasonal items are available and the full farmers’ market schedule with market locations, dates and times.

Don’t miss this FREE CPR training hosted by Howard County Fire and Rescue. Learn how to save a life using CPR and an AED for adults, children, and infants. Hands-on training. Real-life skills. This FREE non-certification class covers CPR for adult, child and infant victims, and how to use an AED.

As a student, you’ll get hands on practice to build life-saving skills. By the end of the course, you’ll walk away with the confidence to provide help in the case of sudden cardiac arrest until first responders arrive. Classes are appropriate for those 12 years or older. Anyone under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult.

RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cpr-training-for-adult-child-infant-victims-tickets-1980475185593?aff=erelexpmlt#location

Do you have a child attending cap this summer or playing a fall sport? HCPSS athletic forms and guidance can be found here. UMG Urgent Care is offering deeply discounted sports physicals for students using the attached voucher.

Community Convos is a space for community members and stakeholders to come together for listening and sharing sessions that amplify voices, encourage self-determination, and support collaboration. The evening will focus on exchanging ideas, sharing resources, and discussing action plans and goals for our community.

Event Details:

• Date: Thursday, May 21, 2026
• Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
• Location: Oakland Mills Interfaith Center (5885 Robert Oliver Place, Columbia, MD)

Columbia Baptist Fellowship and 10 X Better Youth Development, invites you to the 2026 Skilled Trade Fair on Wednesday, May 27th, from 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM at the Oakland Mills Interfaith Center, 5885 Robert Oliver Place, Columbia, MD 21045.

Connect with hands-on career opportunities. Exhibitors will include trade schools, community colleges, unions, companies, and organizations offering pathways to skilled employment and apprenticeships. Featured Trades & Professions:

• Welding, HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical, Roofing, Masonry, Concrete
• Automotive, Carpentry, Construction
• Culinary Arts, Healthcare, Barbering & Beauty
• Police, Fire, Paramedics, and more

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

• May 28th: Mental Health Resources
• June 11th: Cyberbullying and Safety
• June 25th: Parent Support Networks

Parents and guardians of children receiving special education and related services were mailed the Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey from the Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services. Parents are asked to complete the survey and return it in the postage paid envelope by Friday, June 5, 2026. The survey can also be completed online. Your feedback will help guide efforts to improve special education and related services in HCPSS. Your voice can make a real difference for your child and many other children across the state of Maryland. Complete the survey here.

Pride Prom Registration is now OPEN! - Join high school students from all HCPSS high schools to attend our 4th annual Pride Prom at the beautiful historic Harriet Tubman Cultural Center on Friday, June 12, 2026 from 8:00PM - 11:00PM. Tickets are $30 each. Check out the HCPSS Pride Prom website for more information and to register and reserve your ticket today! Registration closes on Friday, May 29th!

Please note, students must be logged into their HCPSS account in order to access registration forms.

HCPSS middle school students are invited to join us for our middle school Pride Dance at Folly Quarter Middle School on Thursday, June 4, 2026 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. This event is FREE and open to HCPSS middle school students. Play with pride at this Alice in Wonderland Through the Looking Glass themed dance. If you have an interest in attending, please log into your HCPSS Google account and complete the registration form. We will send you a permission slip that must be completed in order to attend.

High School Students... Interested in exploring hands-on, career focused, immersive education that meets graduation requirements?

ARL, Howard County's Career and Technical Education Center, has openings for rising 11th grade students (current 10th graders) in the following academies for the 2026/2027 school year:

• Agricultural and Animal Sciences
• Animation and Interactive Media/3D Game Design
• Graphic Design and Production
• Cybersecurity Networking Academy

Want more information? Check out the ARL website and talk to your counselor.

The Office of the Local Children’s Board invites #HoCo high school students (grades 9–12) to this hands-on workshop exploring how history, institutions and bias shape today’s world—and how they can champion social change and build more equitable communities. Through interactive activities and engaging videos, participants will:

• Examine systems of inequity and learn how to challenge them
• Develop skills for inclusive leadership
• Gain confidence to drive change in their communities
  
  

Additional Perks: Daily $25 gift card plus a chance to win an additional raffle prize, lunch & refreshments provided (please note dietary restrictions upon registration).

Monday & Tuesday, June 22-23, 2026 | 10 am to 3 pm (with an option to arrive at 9:30 am, for Breakfast) | The Meeting House 5885 Robert Oliver Place, Columbia 21045.

Parent or guardian permission is needed to attend. Please complete and sign the Permission Form. Register here: Youth Leadership Development for Equity

NAMI Howard County MD is an organization of families, friends and individuals whose lives have been affected by mental illness. Together, NAMI advocates for better lives for those individuals who have a mental illness, and offers support, education and advocacy.

The mission of NAMI Howard County MD, MD, Inc. (NAMI HC) is to improve the lives of individuals with mental illness and their families through education, advocacy and support, and to increase awareness of mental illness throughout the community.

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. 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.

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. This opportunity is limited to the availability of funds. Please contact Ms. Kesler in the Community Suite for questions or more information.

To apply for Class Funding: families will need to complete the form here: Driver's Education Support Request Form. and provide documentation demonstrating eligibility. For students under the age of 18, the form must be completed by a parent or legal guardian. Students are able to begin the classroom (virtual or in-person) prior to having their learner’s permit; however, to complete the driving portion that is required for the provisional license, they must have their state issued learner’s permit.

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.

The Community Action Council of Howard County (CAC) is launching the second phase of the Guaranteed Basic Income Pilot Program (GBI2), in partnership with Howard County Government. The GBI2 Pilot Program will provide selected households with $500 per month for 12 months. In addition, $500 per month will be set aside in a savings account and released in July 2027 upon completion of a financial literacy program delivered by a CAC partner. This flexible financial support is designed to help families meet their most pressing needs, including housing, food, transportation, education, and healthcare. Learn more about the Guaranteed Basic Income Pilot Program (GBI2) here.

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.

Maryland Vaccine Program for adults - the state of Maryland has been able to expand its "vaccines for children" program to adults! Now, any adult over the age of 18 who is uninsured or underinsured is eligible for many free vaccines at the Howard County Health Department located at 8930 Stanford Blvd., Columbia, MD 21045.

Call 410-313-7500 to schedule an appointment. Click here to learn more.

Missing 10% (or about 18 days of a school year) can drastically affect a student's academic success. When an absence is necessary, please send all attendance notes to HWCAbsence@hcpss.org from the e-mail address on your Family File. Notes should be received within 5 school days of the absence. Discretionary Absences requested by a parent and approved by a school administrator can be requested in advance using this form. We appreciate your help in this process. For more information, read HCPSS Policy 9010-Attendance.

Here is a reminder for how to access the parent portal in HCPSS Connect. HCPSS Connect provides access to a variety of student information and classroom instructional tools offering personalized communication and timely, relevant and easily accessible information relating to your student. https://www.hcpss.org/connect/guides/

Brainfuse HelpNow is available on the HCLS website, and video and written instructions on how to use the resource are available here. First-time users will need to create a username and password.

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.

For families of senior students about to graduate, congratulations on your student’s accomplishment! One more step toward higher education! Stay informed about important upcoming dates, announcements and opportunities here.

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) Class of 2026 graduation ceremony schedule is now available. All ceremonies are scheduled to take place at Merriweather Post Pavilion, with the exception of Cedar Lane School, which will be held at that school. Graduations will be available for viewing live online and on-demand following each ceremony, and will be rebroadcast on the HCPSS local cable channel in Howard County (Comcast 95, Verizon 42). Read more here.

• 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