Homewood Community News #26

Good afternoon, Homewood Center Community.

This afternoon we celebrated students for their academic achievement and engagement through attendance. Please join us in recognizing these students for their commitment to personal growth and development. We want to take a moment and also celebrate the growth we have seen in many of our students who have exhibited the Keys to Rise Up that we value at Homewood:

• BE KIND - Use appropriate language. Be mindful of the needs of others. Give encouragement when you can.
• BE ENGAGED - Arrive to class on time. Appropriate use of technology. Be an active participant.
• BE YOURSELF - Be proud of yourself and accepting of others.
• BE SAFE - Make good decisions for your body and mind.

Thank you for helping us celebrate the hard work and achievement of our students!

Make it a great one!

Mr. Rattay, Principal

February 16-17 - Schools and Offices Closed

February 19 - MVA Learner's Permit Test

February 26 - Career Panel - Small Business, Technology & Entrepreneurship

March 3 - 3 hour Early Dismissal - Professional Learning/Work & Wellness Day
March 6 - Career Panel - Health Professions
March 10 - Vision Screening

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

March 30 - April 6 - Spring Break

April 14 - End of 3rd Quarter

May 18 - June 4 - Graduation Window

May 25 - Schools and Offices Closed

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

Visit Homewood's Community Calendar here.

As part of their partnership with Community Schools this year, Vision To Learn will screen students in grades 3-7 and 9-12. Eighth graders who were screened by HCHD this year and those who received glasses through VTL last year will not be screened. This will be done at school on March 10 and consists of a one-minute, no-touch process using a spot screener device that looks like a camera. If you, as a parent or guardian, do not wish for your child to be screened, please notify your school nurse at 410-313-5665 or kelly_tabak @hcpss.org

On February 10, 2026, students from both programs at Homewood came together to participate in a virtual visit with Diary of a Wimpy Kid author, Jeff Kinney. Students were part of a nationwide Zoom meeting with the author where they got to see his work studio, hear about his writing process, and learn a little bit about where his ideas come from, including some fun trivia about his childhood in Fort Washington, Maryland! After the meeting, students enjoyed a Partypooper themed social, complete with a birthday cake in honor of Kinney's most recent book in the series. It was a wonderful hour for our Bridges and Gateway students and it was awesome to see them enjoy the time together!

Schools and Offices are closed this coming Tuesday, February 17th for Lunar New Year. Lunar New Year is a celebration of the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year on the lunisolar calendar. While the official dates encompassing the holiday vary by culture, check out this flier to learn about this school holiday.

Additionally, the annual observance of Ramadan is anticipated to begin on the evening of Tuesday, February 17th and last for 30 days; however, the start date is determined by the sighting of the new crescent moon. Using resources shared in this flier our school community has discussed ways to best support students and families who are observing. Junior, Francisco T., shared that he has several friends who observe Ramadan and that in the past he has even chosen to fast with them during this time to be a supportive friend.

Wishing a joyful and prosperous Lunar New Year to all who celebrate! May the year ahead bring you happiness, health, and success. For those preparing for their observance of Ramadan, we wish you a generous Ramadan, Ramadan Kareem.

​Join us this February as we celebrate Black History Month through education, entrepreneurship, art, and community. Students will have a opportunity to lead and collaborate during several events and activities including:

• February 10 - Black Excellence Breakfast
• February 19 - Student Leadership Lounge
• February 24 - Soul Food Luncheon, Fashion Show and Open Mic

For more information, or to contribute to the celebrations with your time, talents or treasures, please contact Ms. Tenera Jackson in the front office.

On Tuesday, February 10th, students had the opportunity to participate in the 2nd Annual Black Excellence Breakfast. During this event, community leaders and students engaged in meaningful networking conversations and built connections through shared interests and experiences. Community leaders invested their time exploring future career pathways and sharing their own leadership journeys with students. One example of how these community leaders are committed to investing in our students is that one of them is even offering full scholarships to eligible students interested in pursuing a CDL and a career in truck driving.

This event reflects Homewood Center’s commitment to supporting the whole child. Through the Bridges and Gateway programs, and a strong focus on social-emotional development and learning, experiences such as this help nurture students as they prepare to reach their academic and post-secondary potential.

Students participating in Career Research and Development learn skills focused on effective career planning, career decision-making, goal setting, financial literacy and college readiness. As part of their experience, students in Ms. Schettig' s classes have had the opportunity to prepare for, and practice skills needed for site-based placements. 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. This year, students have taken on helping to support our pantry through project-based learning opportunities supporting the pantry. Students are developing skills in project management, inventory, supply, and organization among other important work experiences. Since the beginning of the school year, the student supported pantry has provided access to food to over 1,000 individuals.

On Tuesday February 10th, Gateway Alumni Kevon K. (@Keezy.cutz), visited with students in the STAND Mentorship Program. In an honest conversation with students, Kevon shared his experience as a young man working to recover credits and earn his high school diploma. He talked openly about the discipline and change in mindset it took to achieve a better outcome for himself. After completing an apprenticeship at Legends Barbershop during his final year of high school, Kevon has dedicated himself to being a part of a community environment that supports growth and development.

Following his most recent visit, Kevon posted, "We are creators of our own story and I am gonna work hard to make sure people know that there is a chance to have a good life and make others lives better as well. Don't take it for granted. We can all help each other!" Kevon is committed to continuing to connect with youth in Howard County through haircuts and powerful conversations.

​Project Access is a college preparatory program designed to facilitate the transition of high school students with disabilities into post-secondary education. The program strives to increase the success rate and freshmen retention rate in the post-secondary institute by providing instruction in relevant academic areas, career development, and college readiness skills.

Project Access is intended for high school students ages 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade (as enrolled in the academic school year prior to the Summer Institute program). To be eligible, students must be receiving a High School diploma.

Project Access offers a four-week Summer Institute program on the campus of Howard Community College. Additional events are held year-round, such as our parent information session and numerous social events.

https://www.howardcc.edu/services--support/academic-support/disability-support-services/project-access/

Project Access is providing an Informational Open House event on Saturday, March 7th, at Howard Community College to review the upcoming 2026 summer program. Updates to the program and further details of the classes will be provided at this event. No registration is necessary for this event. If you have any questions about this program or would like more information contact Lindsay Beil, M.Ed., Career Readiness Advisor.

MakingChange is a Howard County-based nonprofit that provides free one-on-one financial counseling to individuals, as well as customized financial education in group settings through partnerships with local employers, community organizations and governmental agencies. Learn more about there programs and FREE Tax Preparation Services.

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.

• 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

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.

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.

The HCPSS Special Education Resource Fair provides families with information available from the community and HCPSS to support their students receiving special education and related services. Get connected to services for students with a developmental delay or disability including:

• Services within HCPSS
• Recreational Activities
• Camps
• Community Groups
• Service Providers
• Transition Information
• Assistive Technology
• Behavioral Health
• Howard County Government Resources
• And Much More!

Saturday, March 14, 2026 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Cedar Lane School 11630 Scaggsville Road Fulton, MD

For information, please contact FSRC@hcpss.org. Registration is not required. This event is part of the HCPSS Parent Empowerment Series including training sessions related to special education and events for families of students with an IEP or IFSP.

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.

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.

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.

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/

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.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form to apply for financial aid for college and career school is due March 1st. Here are two upcoming opportunities for seniors and families to complete their FAFSA and other financial aid applications before March 1st!

FINISH THE FAFSA - MEOC counselors will be available to assist families with completing FAFSA, MDCAPS and One-App applications on Friday, February 20th at The Hill Church, one of our Howard County partners and official MEOC office sites. There is no sign-up needed. Students/families can just show up between 5:00pm-8:00pm! This event is open to the community and light refreshments will be provided.

HCC Financial Aid Frenzy - HCC Financial Aid Services is pleased to offer a hands-on financial aid application assistance lab on Saturday, February 21 from 10am-2pm. They will assist high school seniors with completing the 26-27 FAFSA, Maryland State One App and/or HCC scholarship application. Students who attend, complete an application and enroll at HCC during the 26-27 school year, will be entered into a scholarship drawing! Registration is strongly encouraged; however, walk-ins will be accepted!

Howard County high school seniors interested in public health, healthcare, leadership, and community service are invited to apply for the Community Health Worker (CHW) Certification Program, facilitated by The Healthy Church in collaboration with the Howard County Local Health Improvement Coalition (HCLHIC).

This 11-week virtual program, beginning March 2, 2026, provides students with a pathway to health careers while building leadership, teamwork, and community advocacy skills.

Participants will complete 70 hours of virtual instruction and 40 hours of self-paced learning, earning CHW certification through the Maryland Department of Health.

Program highlights include:

· Exploring careers in public health, healthcare, nursing, social work, and human services

· Developing leadership and community outreach skills

· Learning education and advocacy strategies

· Gaining certification training hours

The program is free, with scholarships available. Eligibility:

· Howard County high school seniors (17+ by start date)

· High school diploma earned by May 2026

· Reliable internet access and a computer

· Commitment to completing all program requirements

For More information, call 240-278-9501 or email thehealthychurch@gmail.com

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