HCPSS Student Newsletter

September 7, 2022

Hey, HCPSS students! Welcome back to school! I'm Oliver Song, the president of the Howard County Association of Student Councils (HCASC)!

We have some amazing opportunities to share with you this school year. If you are interested in becoming civically engaged, volunteering in the community or engaging with leadership, we recommend reading this weekly newsletter.

Please email Ms. Drummond, HCASC Advisor, (cindy_drummond@hcpss.org) if you want to learn more about student leadership opportunities.

Thank you,

Oliver Song

Priority News

Your Guide to the 2022-2023 School Year: Visit https://www.hcpss.org/2022-2023/ to learn about Athletics, Student Meals, Health and Safety and much more.

Weigh In on 2023-2024 Redistricting: Students: did you know that redistricting is underway to open the newest high school in the eastern part of the county? Make your voice heard by providing written testimony or testifying in person at a Board of Education Public Hearing. The next public hearing on redistricting is Wednesday, September 14 at 7 p.m. Learn more about redistricting here: https://www.hcpss.org/school-planning/redistricting-for-23-24/#superintendent-recommendation.

Electronic Tickets for High School Sports: All students and guests between the ages of 7-59 are required to purchase tickets for high school gated sporting events using the GoFan website or mobile app (Apple store only) for admission. Be sure to buy your ticket before you go. Cash will no longer be accepted at the gate and service may be spotty on site.

Free Student RTA Bus Passes for 2022-2023: HCPSS again has partnered with Howard County Government and the Regional Transportation Agency of Central Maryland to provide free RTA bus access to students. Students can ride free without a pass in September and October. Passes will be available in schools this October.

Opportunities

Join the Youth Climate Institute: Are you interested in being a leader in climate action? Current sophomores and juniors are invited to join the Youth Climate Institute. In this three-year program organized through the Howard County Conservancy, you will learn climate science and work with community partners such as the Howard County Office of Sustainability, NAACP, University of Maryland, and Maryland League of Conservation Voters to develop climate solutions. Graduates of the program will become Certified Ambassadors with Honors and will receive graduation cords, digital badges, and will be eligible for scholarships. Apply here by Friday, September 16. Learn more at youthclimateleader.org.

Attend the HCASC September General Assembly Meeting: Remember the long name I wrote in the introduction? That is HCASC! All HCPSS middle, high and Homewood Students are invited to engage in conversation with students across the county through HCASC. Pursue issues you are passionate about, learn more about leadership skills and build your network of connections.

The September General Assembly meeting will occur in person at Atholton High School on Wednesday, September 21 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. with a virtual link posted at https://hcasc.hcpss.org/. No registration, prior experience or knowledge is required—just show up ready to engage.

Join the HCDrugFree Teen Advisory Council: HCDrugFree's Teen Advisory Council is open to all Howard County students in grades 8 through 12. This is a great opportunity to help prepare younger students for success in high school, while allowing older students to develop their leadership and mentoring skills.

Register here: https://hcdrugfree.org/teen-advisory-council/. Community service hours available. The first meeting for this school year will be on Monday, September 19 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. To receive the Zoom link, visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TAC-9-19-2022

HCDrugFree also needs at least 20 student for approximately one hour at different events across Howard County on the evening of Thursday, September 8. Students can register at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TeenVolApp to volunteer.

Planning for After High School Webinar Series, 2022-2023: HCPSS’ Office of School Counseling is offering March to the Future, free Zoom webinars twice a month at 7 p.m. to help with post high school planning. Topics range from financial aid, athletics, disability services, apprenticeships and vocational schools, the college search, standardized testing, military options and more. See dates, registration links, and topics here.

For more leadership and volunteer opportunities, visit HCPSS Community News

Resources

Send questions & comments (Links to an external site.) (You must be logged in with your HCPSS student login)
Follow HCASC on Instagram: @_hcasc_

Subscribe to School News
Howard County Association of Student Councils Website (Links to an external site.)
Howard County Public School System Website