This week on Thursday Thoughts, Superintendent Dr. Bedell shares more about the district’s mentoring program.

English: https://youtu.be/D0a2RMQtGJw
Spanish: https://youtu.be/F-WJVQjDE3A
about 2 hours ago, AACPS
Thursday Thoughts with Dr. Bedell -- January 8, 2026

Join us for the third session of You Belong Here! Family Forum: Let's Talk Bullying. Explore topics about bullying/cyberbullying, the effects on mental health, and how we can all work together to build inclusive schools and communities. Engage in activities for all ages - elementary, middle, high, and adults! Emerge with concrete strategies for talking about bullying! 📅Tuesday, February 10 ⏰5:30 pm - 7:30 pm 📍Annapolis Middle School 🔗Register at https://forms.gle/LYoXFFfnz1rh1aBW7

1 day ago, Anne Arundel County Public Schools
Family Forum February 10 at Annapolis MS
Foro Familiar, 10 de febrero en la Intermedia Annapolis
Calling it a “proactive and responsible step” to address growing pressures as the Fiscal Year 2027 budget process begins, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Bedell today announced an immediate hiring freeze for the school district’s central and satellite offices.

For more information, go to the AACPS’ News Release page at https://www.aacps.org/article/2619561.
1 day ago, AACPS
Hiring Freeze sign

The Board of Education of Anne Arundel County has opened a link for those wishing to testify virtually at the second of its two public hearings on Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Bedell’s recommended Fiscal Year 2027 operating and capital budgets. For information on both hearings as well as avenues to sign up to deliver testimony, go to AACPS' News Release page at https://www.aacps.org/article/2616536.

3 days ago, AACPS
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Bedell with t wo students
The Board of Education has scheduled two public hearings and a public workshop on Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Bedell’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget recommendation.

Public hearings will be held on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at Severn Run High School, and Thursday, January 8, 2026, in the Board Room at the Parham Building in Annapolis. Both hearings begin at 6 p.m. The workshop will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, in the Board Room at the Parham Building.

More information, including the process for signing up to speak at the hearings, can be found on AACPS' Budget page at www.aacps.org/fy27budget.
4 days ago, AACPS
 Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Bedell with two students

🔗View our January 2026 Family Link Newsletter
‣International Parent & Community Leadership Academy
‣Dates to Remember
‣You Belong Here! Family Forum
‣Family Engagement Tip of the Month
‣Family Academy Events
‣AACPS Mentorship Programs
...and more!

6 days ago, Anne Arundel County Public Schools
Family Link Newsletter - puzzle pieces containing images of students, parents, and community members
The Anne Arundel County Public Schools Office of School and Family Partnerships is looking for candidates for its 11th annual International Parent and Community Leadership Academy (IPCLA), which begins February 17, 2026.

The seven-week academy is aimed at improving communication between the school system and international families as well as diversifying the pool of leaders in schools and communities who can better support the academic achievement of international students and multilingual learners. Meetings will be held during the day at various Anne Arundel County Public Schools locations.

For details, go to the News Release page at https://www.aacps.org/article/2608959.
20 days ago, AACPS
IPCLA logo
Beginning with freshmen in the 2026-27 school year, all Anne Arundel County Public Schools students will be required to earn one-half credit in financial literacy in order to graduate, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Bedell has announced.
For details, go to the News Release page at https://www.aacps.org/article/2606299.
21 days ago, AACPS
Graduation cap and diploma
The Board of Education of Anne Arundel County will host elected officials representing the county and the City of Annapolis at its annual Legislative Breakfast on Monday, January 5, 2026.
For details go to the News Release page at https://www.aacps.org/article/2606278.
21 days ago, AACPS
Board of Education Members
The Chesapeake Regional Association of Student Councils (CRASC) will launch the 2026–2027 Student Member of the Board (SMOB) election cycle by hosting a virtual information night on Tuesday, January 7, 2026.

For more information and details on the process, go to the News Release page at https://www.aacps.org/article/2606248.

21 days ago, AACPS
SMOB logo
Continuing a pattern of prudent and responsible budgetary decisions and placing a clear emphasis on prioritizing people over launching a slate of new programs in light of budgetary constraints at various levels, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Bedell tonight recommended a Fiscal Year 2027 operating budget to the Board of Education tonight that dedicates nearly 49 percent of new funding to employee compensation and benefits.

For details, go to the AACPS news release page at https://www.aacps.org/article/2605182.
22 days ago, AACPS
FY2027 Budget recommendation

Join us for an interactive webinar on Managing Behavior at Home for ages 0-5 years. Learn how to support your young child with challenging behavior at home, including evidence-based strategies & practical examples of when to use them. Virtual: 📅Wednesday, January 14, 2026, ⏰12:00 pm - 1:00 pm. Register at https://forms.gle/9N1Tf6ypKQEmrxJZ6

22 days ago, Anne Arundel County Public Schools
Join AACPS Birth to Five Services for a virtual Lunch & Learn on managing behavior at home on January 14 at 12 pm. Register here: https://forms.gle/9N1Tf6ypKQEmrxJZ6
Únase a los Servicios de Nacimiento a los cinco años de AACPS para un almuerzo y aprendizaje virtual sobre cómo manejar el comportamiento en casa (de 0 a 5 años) el 14 de enero a las 12 pm. Inscríbase en: https://forms.gle/9N1Tf6ypKQEmrxJZ6

Join us for an interactive webinar to discuss Tips for Managing Behavior at Home for ages 0-5 years, including evidence-based strategies & practical examples of when to use them. Virtual event details: Birth to Five: Tips for Managing Behavior at Home,📅Wednesday, January 14, 2026, ⏰12:00 pm - 1:00 pm. Register at https://forms.gle/9N1Tf6ypKQEmrxJZ6

22 days ago, Anne Arundel County Public Schools
Join AACPS Birth to Five Services for a virtual Lunch & Learn on managing behavior at home on January 14 at 12 pm. Register here: https://forms.gle/9N1Tf6ypKQEmrxJZ6
Únase a los Servicios de Nacimiento a los cinco años de AACPS para un almuerzo y aprendizaje virtual sobre cómo manejar el comportamiento en casa (de 0 a 5 años) el 14 de enero a las 12 pm. Inscríbase en: https://forms.gle/9N1Tf6ypKQEmrxJZ6

Join us for an interactive webinar on Managing Behavior at Home for ages 0-5 years. Learn how to support your young child with challenging behavior at home, including evidence-based strategies & practical examples of when to use them. Virtual: 📅Wednesday, January 14, 2026, ⏰12:00 pm - 1:00 pm. Register at https://forms.gle/9N1Tf6ypKQEmrxJZ6

22 days ago, Anne Arundel County Public Schools
Join AACPS Birth to Five Services for a virtual Lunch & Learn on managing behavior at home on January 14 at 12 pm. Register here: https://forms.gle/9N1Tf6ypKQEmrxJZ6
Únase a los Servicios de Nacimiento a los cinco años de AACPS para un almuerzo y aprendizaje virtual sobre cómo manejar el comportamiento en casa (de 0 a 5 años) el 14 de enero a las 12 pm. Inscríbase en: https://forms.gle/9N1Tf6ypKQEmrxJZ6

Join us for an interactive webinar on Managing Behavior at Home for ages 0-5 years. Learn how to support your young child with challenging behavior at home, including evidence-based strategies & practical examples of when to use them. Virtual: 📅Wednesday, January 14, 2026, ⏰12:00 pm - 1:00 pm. Register at https://forms.gle/9N1Tf6ypKQEmrxJZ6

22 days ago, Anne Arundel County Public Schools
Join AACPS Birth to Five Services for a virtual Lunch & Learn on managing behavior at home on January 14 at 12 pm. Register here: https://forms.gle/9N1Tf6ypKQEmrxJZ6
Únase a los Servicios de Nacimiento a los cinco años de AACPS para un almuerzo y aprendizaje virtual sobre cómo manejar el comportamiento en casa (de 0 a 5 años) el 14 de enero a las 12 pm. Inscríbase en: https://forms.gle/9N1Tf6ypKQEmrxJZ6

Winter weather is upon is and the easiest and fastest way to stay on top of school schedule changes is to download the AACPS app! App notifications are in the first set of messages sent out when weather decisions are made.

The app is free and accessible to anyone (not just families of students). Be sure to follow the school or schools in which you are interested as well!

Download the app in the App Store or on Google Play.

25 days ago, AACPS
AACPS app
It's the home stretch of the #AACPSAttendtoAchieve Challenge. You can do it!
25 days ago, Ms. Megan E. Edwards, Principal
December Attendance Challenge
10:00 a.m., 12/14/25: In order to allow facilities and operations crews to clear school lots and walkways in preparation for classes tomorrow, all Anne Arundel County Public Schools facilities will be closed for all groups and activities today, December 14. At this time, all schools will operate on normal schedules on Monday, December 15.
25 days ago, AACPS
Important notice for school operations
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Bedell will present his recommended Fiscal Year 2027 operating and capital budgets at the next meeting of the Board of Education of Anne Arundel County, scheduled for Wednesday, December 17, 2025.

The Board will also hold a public workshop to discuss information related to the recently released Maryland Report Card results at 6 p.m. on Monday, December 15, 2025, in the Board Room. The Maryland Report Card provides schools across the state with star ratings calculated from a variety of academic, attendance, and curriculum factors.

For details, go to the News Release page at https://www.aacps.org/article/2595431.
27 days ago, AACPS
Board of Education Members
This week at Nantucket we are conducting an emergency drill to practice how to respond in an emergency situation. As always, the goal of the drill is to provide staff and students with practice responding in an emergency situation so that we can work together to keep everyone safe. You can support your child to prepare for this drill by reminding them to take the exercise seriously and to follow the directions of the teachers and staff. Thank you for supporting our efforts to keep all members of the Nantucket community safe!
30 days ago, Ms. Megan E. Edwards, Principal
SRP Poster