Homewood Attendance Information and Resources

2023-24 Homewood Attendance Information and Resources September 18, 2023 Research is clear that showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s academic and social success, starting from pre-kindergarten and continuing through high school. Missing 10% (or about 18 days of a school year or 2 a month) can drastically affect a student’s academic success at each grade level. By the 6th grade, absenteeism is one of three signs that can indicate if a student is at risk for dropping out of high school. In the 9th grade, regular and high attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than 8th grade test scores. Please help us support a culture of showing up to school every day! Please review Policy 9010: https://policy.hcpss.org/9000/9010/ If your student is absent or will be absent, please contact us at the following email address to explain the reason: hwcabsence@hcpss.org. In the email please Include the following information:hwcabsence.org Student First and Last Name Grade Reason for absence (e.g., illness, bereavement, observance of a religious holiday, lack of transportation) Discretionary Days HCPSS students are granted 3 days a year to use at their discretion for scheduled interviews with prospective employers, visits to post-secondary institutions, family trips, civic engagement, and other special events. Such absences may not occur during exam or state-mandated testing periods unless authorized by the principal/designee. A written request for such absences to be lawful/excused should be submitted at least one week in advance to the principal/designee. Please download the PDF fillable Discretionary Absence Form and email it to hwcabsence@hcpss.org. The form is also available in Chinese, Korean, and Spanish If you are requesting a day for a religious holiday not identified by the Howard County Public School System school calendar, please download the PDF fillable Religious Obligation Form and email it to hwcabsence@hcpss.org With the collaborative effort of HCPSS parents, staff and students, we are confident that all students can have successful attendance. This will improve student success in school and in future life!

Time to Complete Family File and Free and Reduced Meal Applications!

It’s time to complete this year’s Family File so we know who to contact in an emergency. Please include multiple phone numbers and alternate family/friends in case we cannot reach a parent/guardian. After logging in to HCPSS Connect at https://www.hcpss.org/connect/ complete the Family File at: https://family.hcpss.org/familyfile/#/app/default. To apply for all the financial assistance benefits of Free and Reduced Meals, including free Evening and Summer School, free SAT/ACT test fees, free college application fees, and MUCH, MUCH MORE., complete the quick FARMS application at: https://linqconnect.com/public/meal-application/new?identifier=GA4UME Pronoun options for Canvas: All Canvas users, including students, staff and families can identify their pronouns in Canvas. (link to info below): All Canvas users, including students, staff, and parents/families, can identity their pronouns in Canvas. As a default, the pronoun field is left blank. Users who do not wish for a pronoun do not need to take any action. Want to identify your pronouns? See https://news.hcpss.org/news-posts/2021/04/optional-pronoun-settings-in-canvas/

MAP Testing – All Middle School Students Sept 26-29

PSAT 10th Graders – Oct 4 11th Graders – Oct 11

What's Happening At Your Home School?

Download the HCPSS Mobile App and subscribe to any school to find out events and resources available to you!

Howard County CareApp

The Howard County CareApp will help you find resources that you need in our community.

Homewood Student Support Fund

Would you like to donate to the Homewood Center? It is easy! Check out our Homewood Student Support Fund

Student Transcript Requests-Now by Email

Please note that if a student needs a transcript, they can request it by emailing: homewoodregistrars@hcpss.org