Homewood Community News 26 - 27 #4

Dear Homewood Community and Families,

It has been an amazing start to the 2026 - 2027 school year! Thank you to all of our students, families and staff for being present and engaged! Attendance Matters and is something that will remain a key area of focus this year! Familiarize yourself with our attendance procedures here.

In addition to dinner and other activities during Back to School Night, families will be able to shop the Scholastic Book Fair and share the love of reading as a community. Start exploring together: Check out the HOMEWOOD BOOK FAIR HOMEPAGE here.

Make it a great one!

Mr. Rattay, Principal

September 15-Oct.15: Hispanic Heritage Month

September 14 - 18: Scholastic Book Fair
September 16: Back to School Night and Phoenix Family Rise Up Evening RSVP HERE

September 21: Schools and offices closed - Yom Kippur

September 30: 3 hour early dismissal

September 30: FARMS Applications due

October 14: PSAT

October 16: Schools closed for students

October 21: Vision and Hearing Testing

October 27: End Quarter 1 & Quarter 1 Attendance Incentive

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

Visit Homewood's Community Calendar here.

SAVE THE DATE for September 14 - September 18...The Scholastic Book Fair is coming! Click image below to learn more!

We still need your help with making sure each student has an up-to-date family file in Synergy and has completed their FARMS Application for this year. Read more below and please take the time to do these for your student, and for our school community.

We NEED families to help us with the following:

1. Update your family file TODAY here.
2. Complete your 2026-2027 FARMS Application here. *NEW THIS YEAR ... Even if your family has received a direct certification letter in the mail/email, in prior years, you will now need to fill out a free and reduced-price meal form for the school year. Read more below.
3. RSVP for Back to School Night and our family dinner on September 16th here.

Help us keep your student safe in an emergency!! Homewood families, we need your help with this critical information! HCPSS utilizes Family File for so much including emergency information. Parents/guardians must verify and/or update information for each child each school year.

After logging in to HCPSS Connect, please complete the Family File here. High School students will NOT be able to purchase Homecoming and/or Prom tickets without a completed Family File from this school year.

Our staff will be using TalkingPoints to connect with families via text. Be sure to update your HCPSS Family File so all your contact information and your language preferences are correct.

Family File Resources:

• https://www.hcpss.org/f/connect/family-file-quick-guide.pdf
• FAMILY FILE USER GUIDE (ENGLISH)
• FAMILY FILE USER GUIDE (SPANISH)

Many HCPSS families may be eligible to receive benefits through the Free and Reduced Price Meals (FARMs) program. FARMS provides access to more than meals. Qualifying families can take advantage of a wide range of additional resources and discounts, including free college applications, free or reduced JumpStart dual enrollment tuition, discounted internet through the Comcast Internet Essentials program, and more. Families must submit a new application every school year. During the first 30 school days, students with FARMs eligibility from the prior school year will continue to receive benefits.

IMPORTANT CHANGE THIS YEAR: Recent changes to federal legislation mean that children of families enrolled in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), and Medicaid programs will no longer be automatically certified for school meal programs. This means that families who previously were automatically enrolled in FARMS will have to apply this year.

Parents/guardians are highly encouraged to fill out the applications as soon as possible. It is very important that applications are filled out accurately and completely.

• Apply online.
• Apply by mail: Paper applications will be available at all school front offices. Applications can be returned to the school or mailed to HCPSS Food & Nutrition Services, 10910 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042
• Ask for Help, We are here for you! We want you to know that there are school staff available to support you and your child. We have numerous supports in place, and encourage you and your child to take advantage of them whenever they are needed. Please call 410-313-7081 to speak with a support staff.
  
  

Answers to frequently asked questions. on HCPSS meals and additional meals/nutrition assistance programs can be found on the HCPSS Help site. If you have questions regarding the program, please visit www.hcpss.org/FARMs. or contact Food and Nutrition Services at 410-313-6743 or foodsvc@hcpss.org.

Join us on September 16, 2026 for Homewood Center's Back to School Night & Family Dinner. During the evening, our school community will have an opportunity to make connections, share a meal, learn about academic and future planning resources, get in-person help with completing FARMS Applications or completing the Family File, and visit the Scholastic Book Fair!

In order to make sure that we are able to have enough food for everyone, we kindly ask you to RSVP as soon as possible but no later than September 10th. RSVP HERE.

No Cars in Bus Loop (Front of School): Families, please note that no cars will be allowed in the bus loop, during arrival and dismissal. For any questions contact Mr. Porritt here.

Transportation: All families should have received notification about their student's bus information. If you have not, or if you have questions, contact Mr. Porritt here.

Arrival & Breakfast: NEW THIS YEAR All students will enter through their Program's door. Staff will be outside at arrival to assist students in locating their door if needed. Late arrivals will need to enter through the main office and sign-in on the kiosk. Doors Open at 7:30 AM and FREE Breakfast will be available for all students until 7:47 AM in their Program Area.

Gateway High School - Gateway provides all necessary supplies for every class. Students who prefer to carry a backpack may use a clear backpack all other backpacks should remain at home. Clear backpacks will be available for students who need one. Families should refer to communications from their Program Administrator, Mr. Porritt, for additional information and program expectations.

Momentum Academy - Momentum Academy provides all necessary supplies for every class. Cell Phones will be collected and secured as students arrive. Families should refer to communications from their Program Administrator, Ms. Parker, for additional information and program expectations.

Bridges - Bridges High School and Middle School provides necessary supplies for every class room. Families should refer to communications from their Program Administrator, Ms. Peter, for additional information and program expectations.

Did you know that access to books in the home is one of the strongest predictors of student achievement?

Share the Fair is the giving program that supports students in our school who need help buying books. Learn how to contribute at https://tinyurl.com/pzxce6bc. No one should leave the Book Fair empty-handed!

* Your donation can make a real difference in the lives of our students. Visit our school’s Book Fair homepage through September 16th to contribute.

The Johnson Family Foundation (JFF), in collaboration with the Getting Ahead R-Rules Program, is excited to introduce the Youth Barbering Academy, hosted at the Howard County Multi-Service Center! This unique program provides youth with an opportunity to experience mentorship through barbering, while building skills, confidence, and positive connections. Registration is currently open for all available dates.

Education, Enrichment, Internship, Employment Programs School Year 2026-2027 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.

• Homewood Senior News
• HCPSS Class of 2027 College Application Google Site
• HCPSS School Counseling Canvas Page
• HCPSS College Application Checklist
• Start a 2026–27 FAFSA® Form

The FAFSA doesn't open until October 1st, but you can start the process by opening up a Federal Student Aid account and getting your FSA ID number now! Your FSA ID number gives you access to your account where you can complete and sign your FAFSA, as well as accessing federal student loans.

Set up your account and get your FSA ID number at: https://studentaid.gov/

Follow hcpss_ccr for all things college and career related for HCPSS students and their families.

The 2026-2027 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.

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, All items are subject to availability. At this time, we cannot stock items that require refrigeration.

Homewood Community Members can request support 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.

Homewood Center partners with the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration to offer access to Learner's Permit Testing at school throughout the year. 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.

2026 - 2027 Testing Dates

• October 22, 2026 (permission slip due by October 8th)
• December 17, 2026 (permission slip due by December 3)
• March 18, 2027 (permission slip due by March 4th)

Learn more about the process of becoming a new driver in Maryland and find practice tests here.

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. To apply 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 lesson-based (virtual or in-person) portion of the class prior to having their learner’s permit; however, to complete the driving hours that are required for the provisional license, they must have their state issued learner’s permit.

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.

Howard County food pantries Howard County Food Connection Map.

Howard County Service Navigator Newsletter

• August 2026

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!

Grace Clothing Closet provides gently used clothing.

Homewood Center has a Washer & Dryer for students. Need access or have questions? Email us here or stop by the Community Support Suite!

The Howard County Office of Workforce Development provides career services, job training, and recruitment solutions to help both individual job seekers and local businesses succeed. Through resources like workshops, apprenticeships, and a career portal, the office supports a diverse community in achieving employment advancement and economic growth.

Student Responsibilities and Behaviors Policies

HCPSS Student AI Guide: Using Generative AI Responsibly

HCPSS News

*Community programs are not sponsored or endorsed by HCPSS