
As we begin the month of February and start of Black/African-American History Month, we are afforded the opportunity to celebrate and commemorate the many contributions made by people of African descent to our nation. The U.S. Census Bureau offers us some historical context for this month’s recognition on their website:
"To commemorate and celebrate the contributions to our nation made by people of African descent, American historian Carter G. Woodson established Black History Week. The first celebration occurred on Feb. 12, 1926. For many years, the second week of February was set aside for this celebration to coincide with the birthdays of abolitionist/editor Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. In 1976, as part of the nation’s bicentennial, the week was expanded to a month. Since then, U.S. presidents have proclaimed February as National African American History Month."


#UnityDay is coming!
Don't forget to wear orange on Tuesday, February 4 to show your support and celebration of Unity Day #UnityDay #UnityDay2025 #ProjectUnity
#BelongGrowSucceed


Board of Education to honor 2025 Mo Gaba Positivity and Perseverance Award winners at next meeting. Details: https://www.aacps.org/article/2001359


View our February 2025 Family Link Newsletter: https://aacps.edurooms.com/engage/anne-arundel-county-public-schools/newsletters/family-link-february-2025


In this week’s edition of Thursday Thoughts, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Bedell discusses the launch of Phase 2 of the school system’s comprehensive redistricting effort. #BelongGrowSucceed #AACPSFamily
https://youtu.be/ZkHZjue779M

We are excited to invite you to the next session of the Family Wellness Forum – an exciting and empowering initiative for all AACPS families! This event is designed to provide you with valuable resources, tools, and strategies to help strengthen your student’s well-being. We’re excited to come together and create lasting positive change – see you there! Register today: https://forms.gle/wUjjckKArtGM6yCM8 📆 Wednesday, February 5th, 5:30pm📍Meade High School #BelongGrowSucceed #AACPSFamily


Celebrating Mo Gaba Day
#MoStrong


Today, Anne Arundel County Public Schools celebrates Mo Gaba Day, honoring the legacy of a young man who physically left us too soon but whose positivity and perseverance continues to remind us all to "make every day a win." #BelongGrowSucceed #AACPSFamily #MoStrong
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nX-b2DKKms&t=11s


We are excited to invite you to the next session of the Family Wellness Forum – an exciting and empowering initiative for all AACPS families! This event is designed to provide you with valuable resources, tools, and strategies to help strengthen your student’s well-being. We’re excited to come together and create lasting positive change – see you there! Register today: https://forms.gle/wUjjckKArtGM6yCM8 📆 Wednesday, February 5th, 5:30pm📍Meade High School #BelongGrowSucceed #AACPSFamily


It's Family Academy Friday! Check out the Family Academy Newsletter at https://aacps.edurooms.com/engage/family-academy/newsletters/family-academy-fridays-1-24-25. Visit the Family Academy anytime at www.aacps.org/familyacademy or in Spanish at www.aacps.org/academiafamiliar! #AACPSFamily #BelongGrowSucceed



In this week's edition of Thursday Thoughts, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Bedell discusses the upcoming Cool Schools Plunge, through which AACPS students and staff raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for Special Olympics Maryland. You can support the cause by going to www.plungemd.com.
https://youtu.be/elp0YypqabA
#BelongGrowSucceed #AACPSFamily

Dear Families,
As you are aware, Anne Arundel County Public Schools has used all three inclement weather days built into the 2024-25 calendar. The intent is to switch any future closings necessitated by inclement weather to virtual instruction days so that an extension of the school year can be avoided.
If your student does not have access to a device at home for virtual instruction, we encourage you to utilize our loaner device program to obtain one. Loaner devices are available free of charge to students who need them. Complete information on obtaining a loaner device can be found at https://www.aacps.org/o/aacps/page/student-devices-loaner-program.

4:15 p.m., 1/21/25: Anne Arundel County Public Schools will operate on a normal schedule for all students and staff on Wednesday, January 22.
Families are encouraged to take steps to ensure students are appropriately dressed for the extremely cold temperatures that are forecast for Wednesday morning. Information from the Anne Arundel County Department of Health related to handling the cold temperatures appropriately can be found through this link or at www.aacps.org. Those precautions include layered clothing and appropriate attire to ensure that hands, faces, and skin are covered.
Families of students who walk to school should consider making arrangements to drive or have their students driven to school.
Thank you.


Today over 500 teaching assistants gathered virtually for AACPS' first Paraeducator Symposium, Empowering Paraeducators for Student Independence, organized by the Division of Specialized Instruction & Early Intervention Services. This professional development provided our valuable teaching assistants, from early childhood through high school, with sessions on a variety of topics including enhancing inclusive learning environments for all students. Seeing families as valuable members of our students' teams, the latest edition of the Family Academy features a session entitled, Inclusion: What is it and Why is it so Important? available to watch on the Family Academy YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/iFNZlPKmG24 (English), https://youtu.be/HNv-TpYadzc (Spanish)



5:30 p.m., 1/20/25: Out of an abundance of caution, AACPS employees will report to their work locations two hours later than normal on Tuesday, January 21. Employees scheduled to take part in professional development meetings should contact the organizer of their meeting for updated information.
Unit III employees will receive reporting requirements for Tuesday, January 21, in a separate message.
No decision has been made on the status of school system operations for Wednesday, January 22.


Have you registered for the Family Wellness Forum? The Family Wellness Forum is an exciting and empowering initiative for all AACPS families! This event is designed to provide you with valuable resources, tools, and strategies to help strengthen your student’s well-being. Register today: https://forms.gle/3BQ98gEneWmRVEr78. We’re excited to come together and create lasting positive change – see you there! 📆 Thursday, January 23rd, 5:30pm 📍Marley Middle School



Our Principals at Eastport Elementary School really go the extra mile to reward great attendance!
#AACPS
#AttendanceMatters
#DuctTape
#PiethePrincipal


The Anne Arundel County Public Schools Office of School and Family Partnerships is seeking applicants for its tenth International Parent and Community Leadership Academy (IPCLA). The deadline to apply is January 19, 2025. English application link: https://forms.gle/fZ9Q2SkShPKcAxcKA. More information, including the application form in multiple languages, is available at www.aacps.org/ipcla. #AACPSFamily #AACPSAwesome #BelongGrowSucceed


Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Bedell today announced the #LiftLA campaign, which will raise funds to assist the students and families of the Los Angeles Unified School District impacted by the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. Info: www.aacps.org/drbedellmessage.


We are thrilled to invite you to the Family Wellness Forum – an exciting and empowering initiative for all AACPS families! This event is designed to provide you with valuable resources, tools, and strategies to help strengthen your student’s well-being. Register today: https://forms.gle/3BQ98gEneWmRVEr78. We’re excited to come together and create lasting positive change – see you there! 📆 Thursday, January 23rd, 5:30pm
📍Marley Middle School

