Homewood Community News #24

Good afternoon, Homewood Center Community.

We look forward to having everyone back next week!! Hopefully Mother Nature will cooperate and we can get the Second Semester off to a strong start by being present, engaged, kind and our best Phoenix Community! See you Monday!!

Make it a great one!

Mr. Rattay, Principal

Families are reminded of the HCPSS emergency notification procedures, including during inclement weather. Español | 中文 | 한국어

February 1 - 28 Black History Month

February 2-6: Black Lives Matter at School Week

February 2-6: National School Counseling Week (NSCW)

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

February 4: Report Cards Issued *Updated date

February 16-17 - Schools and Offices Closed

February 19 - MVA Learner's Permit Test

March 3 - 3 hour Early Dismissal - Professional Learning/Work & Wellness Day

March 20 - Schools Closed for Students - Professional Work & Development Day

March 30 - April 6 - Spring Break

April 14 - End of 3rd Quarter

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

Visit Homewood's Community Calendar here.

​​National School Counseling Week (NSCW) is approaching! From February 2–6, 2026, HCPSS will join districts across the country to celebrate the vital impact our school counselors have on student achievement and well-being. This year’s theme is "School Counselors Amplify Student Success”. Our counselors are the "amplifiers" in our buildings — turning student dreams into reality and providing the support needed for every child to thrive. Between February 2-6, please take a moment to thank your school counselor(s). #NSCW26 #AmplifyStudentSuccess.

We invite you to leave a message for a Homewood School Counselor, or any other Homewood Staff member that you believe Amplify Student Success to say THANK YOU for all they do. Please join us in helping us celebrate our school counselors and spread some love to our Homewood Center staff! Click to send a note of thanks

Rokkitwear is an on-line spirit wear store you can shop anytime and there is no open/close date for items. Orders are placed/paid for by individuals directly through Rokkitwear and are shipped directly to each customer. Shipping fees apply. A percentage of each purchase goes directly to the School. Check out Homewood Center’s online store to stock up on some HWC swag

Howard County residents are embracing new opportunities to live longer and thrive, and the Office on Aging & Independence (OAI) helps ensure those added years are healthy, connected and secure. With this in mind, we’ve updated the Resource Guide for Older Adults, Adults with Disabilities and Caregivers with programs and services for older adults of all ages and abilities, including wellness and prevention programs, caregiver and benefits support, nutrition and housing options, dementia-friendly initiatives, transportation, and opportunities to stay active and engaged. The newly updated Resource Guide is a gateway to valuable information that supports healthy aging, promotes financial security, and encourages meaningful social connections. Pick up a copy at your local 50+ Center or view the 2026 Resource Guide online.

CARY, Ellie Mental Health, and the HCPSS Counseling Office, are offering a special event on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 from 6:30PM - 8:00PM in the Central Office board rooms called The Power of Presence: Nurturing Resilience for Youth through Mental Health and Wellness Strategies. This is a FREE and in person event open to all!

Designed for students in middle and high school and parents, caregivers, educators, and community, participants will engage in an interactive presentation and discussion to:

• Learn about risk and protective factors for overall health and well-being
• Identify personal and community protective factors
• Reflect on how to access and activate resources

Refreshments will be provided, courtesy of our partner, CARY. Registration is strongly encouraged, but not required to attend.

Register Here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdS8aqf8lUnkGVoDYZQP-ei55izneayDd9uVSyRCHZUD7vedw/viewform

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.

The Howard County Office of Disability Services invites individuals with disabilities, their family members, caregivers, providers, and advocates to join us for a Community Listening Sessions at the Loan Closet on February 12 from 1 – 3 p.m. Join us to share your experiences, identify needs and help shape future disability services in our community. Your voice matters, and we want to hear from you! Questions? Contact Henry Chapman at 410-313-0356 (voice/relay). Register now to attend.

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.

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

Howard County Public Library offers live tutors, seven days a week via a partnership with Brainfuse HelpNow and is now available 24/7 for all library users, expanding access beyond the previous 2 p.m.–midnight live tutoring hours. This means students and caregivers can connect with live online tutoring and academic support anytime that fits their schedule.

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.

Are you a current sophomore that’s ready to take the next step of your leadership journey? Leadership U [LU] is a transformative 5-month leadership program for high school juniors in Howard County, MD, offering opportunities to activate your leadership skills, network with peers and community leaders, and make a difference through student-led team projects.

Applications for the 2026 program are open! Current sophomores can apply on the LHC website at Leadership U - Leadership Howard County. The application process will be open for students until April 6, 2026, with interviews taking place in late April and the program commencing in Summer 2026 as students begin their junior year.

Want to learn more? Join the Leadership U 2026 Info Session on Wednesday, January 28th at the Elkridge Branch Library (6540 Washington Blvd, Elkridge, MD 21075) beginning at 6:00pm in the Belmont room. Students and parents are invited to learn more about the program and hear from recent graduates about their LU experience. Register here: https://www.leadershiphc.org/event/leadership-u-january-information-session/ (encouraged but not mandatory). Bring a friend and bring your questions! Additional info sessions to follow in February and March with updates located on the LHC website. Questions? Contact Program Coordinator, Alli Eastham, at aeastham@leadershiphc.org and follow on social media @lhcleads.

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.

• 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.

HCPSS will host its second annual HBCU College and Career Fair on March 7, 2026, from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM at Guilford Park High School. Over 20 HBCU representatives will be in attendance to provide students and families with information on admissions, scholarships, and pathways to higher education. Many HBCUs offer rolling admission, making this event especially beneficial for students who have not yet applied to college.

This event has been expanded to include Careers and Trades! We have over 10 businesses registered to attend and several organizations will be on hand to share information to support students and families with their college and/or career pathway.

Students and families will have access to workshops on financing HBCU education, campus life, athletic scholarships, Carer Preparation, the application process, and receive support on essay writing, resume and cover letters and even interview prep. Click here to visit our website and keep up with what colleges/universities, businesses and organizations will be in attendance.

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..

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 HCPSS Hispanic Achievement Program is now selling sarapes (stoles) for purchase by graduating seniors. This is the only item your student is allowed to wear on top of their gown. 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.

Sales will run through May 2, 2026. Purchases can be made directly here, and flyers for sarape sales are linked here. Select the tab “Hispanic Achievement” to initiate the order, the cost is $22.25, or see the Hispanic Achievement Liaison at Homewood, Ms. Orris. The stole will be delivered to your student prior to graduation. If you have questions or need financial assistance, contact Homewood Center's Hispanic Achievement Liaison, Ms. Orris.

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