Homewood Community News #37

Homewood Center Community,

We thought last week was a good week but this week was a GREAT week. This week included a successful field trip to the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of African American History; an incredible Alumni panel discussion and lunch for our soon to be graduates from the Bridges program; hosting a state-wide meeting with the Maryland State Department of Education that included student-led tours and a powerful student panel; celebrating staff appreciation; AND a beautiful day for the RISE UP Fest (Thank you Mr. King and planning crew)! Did I mention all that happened while students (and staff) powered through testing?

This week we celebrated Teacher Appreciation Week & National School Nurse Appreciation Day! We are so thankful for all of the kindnesses and gestures of appreciation from families and community members who helped celebrate Homewood staff during Staff Appreciation Week! Staff was treated to planned and surprise treats all week and we are so thankful.

Special thanks to the DeBella, Hall, Powell and Painter families; Dr. Ravendhran, Ms. Queen; Sra. Delgado Catete; CLES PTA, CHS, Linden Linthicum United Methodist Church; Girl Scout Troop #4365 at Longfellow; Moonrise Micro Bakery; Texas Road House; Columbia Community Care; Homewood Administration; and our Phoenix community.

This coming week we will be celebrating our graduating seniors as they finish finals and prepare for Graduation! Seniors and Senior Families... check out the Final Exam Schedule in the Senior News Section below.

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 1 - 31: Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month
May 1 - 31: Jewish American Heritage Month;

May 14 - FULL DAY*

May 14 - Senior Celebration

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!!

💡 WHY IT MATTERS - Every day counts. Showing up consistently helps students stay on track academically and build strong habits that will carry into next year. Let’s keep the momentum going into Round 2 and continue building strong attendance habits. We’re excited to celebrate even more students in the next round! 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

On Thursday, 20 Homewood Center Students and staff from the Bridges and Gateway Programs were invited to participate in a field trip to the The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture funded through a grant made available by the Maryland Department of Education specifically available to Community Schools.

Students had an opportunity to explore the featured exhibit called, "The Titan" and learn about the life of Maryland-native Reginald Francis Lewis—the first Black person to build a billion-dollar company. Students explored his journey from Baltimore to the pinnacle of global business. Senior Jahree M., shared that it was powerful to learn that Lewis "was a finance guy that went to a segregated school in Baltimore, then became super rich."

Congratulations to Alice H (winning designer). and all the students who participated in the Homewood for Horses group T-Shirt design process with Ms. Hunter and Ms. McMahon (Intern). Students and staff had voted and the winning design will be used to create a Homewood for Horses t-shirt, and, will have the honor of being produced and sold as part of the Safe Haven Equine Warriors merchandise options.

The Gladiator Awards recognize individuals who go above and beyond to support and make a meaningful impact on students within special education! The nomination survey will close on Friday, May 15 at 5:00pm. Nomination Form: https://forms.gle/mMMxES7Sk8TfeAFVA

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.

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.

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 14th: Healthy Friendships and Boundaries
• May 28th: Mental Health Resources
• June 11th: Cyberbullying and Safety
• June 25th: Parent Support Networks

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

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.

MSDE will host virtual Math Policy Family Information Sessions in June 2026 to support family understanding of upcoming mathematics initiatives and updates for the 2026–2027 school year. Participants must register in advance to receive session links. Click here for details and dates/times.

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.

Through T-Mobile’s Project 10Million, eligible families can apply for free internet for five years and one free hotspot. To learn more and see if your student/family qualifies, visit T-Mobile online.

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.

The Office on Aging & Independence (OAI) helps ensure those added years are healthy, connected and secure. The Resource Guide for Older Adults, Adults with Disabilities and Caregivers provides connection to 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.

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/

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.

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

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.

Friday, May 8 - Period 1 Exam

Monday, May 11 - Period 2 & 3 Exam

Tuesday, May 12 - Period 4 & 5 Exam

Wednesday, May 13 - Period 6 & 7 Exam

Thursday, May 14 - Completion of 6/7 exams; Make up of missed exams; Extended time for exams

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.

Seniors, have you received recognition or an award from an organization outside HCPSS? Tell us! We want to hear from as many students as possible so that we can honor you and your award/recognition during Senior Awards. Please fill out the Google Form no later than April 24, 2026. Parents/guardians are also welcome to fill out the form.

It's a time of celebration, reflection, and looking forward to the bright futures ahead. Imagine the joy of personally handing your graduating senior their diploma – a moment you'll both cherish forever!

If you are an HCPSS staff member and would like to present your graduating senior with their diploma at the upcoming graduation ceremony, please reference the Staff Hub email published on 2/27 to sign up. Don't miss this incredible opportunity to add a touch of magic to your senior's special day. Let's make this graduation an unforgettable experience filled with pride and excitement.

AAPI Stoles - Asian American Pacific Islander Class of 2026 stoles are for sale. The cost is $22. Please contact Angie Lee to purchase - angie_lee@hcpss.org

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