On this week’s Thursday Thoughts, Superintendent Dr. Bedell shares an update regarding the Cool Schools Plunge.

YouTube English: https://youtu.be/1-jvz1YQTAE
YouTube Spanish: https://youtu.be/bBU1_spzVy8
about 3 hours ago, AACPS
Thursday Thoughts with Dr. Bedell - January 22, 2026

Please see the AACPS website, www.aacps.org, for important precautionary information in advance of the weather event projected for this weekend.

about 16 hours ago, AACPS
Important Notice artwork

Join us for the third session of You Belong Here! Family Forum: Let's Talk Bullying! 📅 Tuesday, February 10, 2026 ⏰ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm 📍Annapolis Middle School. Activities for adults and students of all ages + strategies to address bullying. Register at https://forms.gle/LYoXFFfnz1rh1aBW7

about 17 hours ago, Anne Arundel County Public Schools
Join us for the third session of You Belong Here! Family Forum: Let's Talk Bullying! 📅 Tuesday, February 10,  2026 ⏰ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm  📍Annapolis Middle School. Activities for adults and students of all ages + strategies to address bullying. Register at https://forms.gle/LYoXFFfnz1rh1aBW7
Únase a nosotros para la tercera sesión de ¡Usted pertenece aquí! Foro familiar: Hablemos del acoso, martes, 10 de febrero, 5:30pm - 7:30pm en Annapolis MS. ¡Actividades para adultos y estudiantes de todas las edades + estrategias para afrontar el acoso!  Inscríbanse en https://forms.gle/LYoXFFfnz1rh1aBW7
It’s nearly certain that we’re getting impacted by snow this weekend, but it’s ABSOLUTELY certain you can be part of the Keep Calm Club by ordering your “Keep Calm, Bob Will Call” apparel through the Center of Applied Technology South. All proceeds from the sale of this apparel helps fund competitions and other opportunities for our CAT center students. ❄️

🔗 Get yours today: https://www.catsouth.org/schoolstore

#BelongGrowSucceed #AACPSFamily
about 19 hours ago, AACPS
Keep calm... Bob will call t-shirt photos
The Board of Education of Anne Arundel County will meet at 5 p.m. on Thursday, January 22, 2026, for the specific purpose of voting to go into closed session, pursuant to Sections 3-305(b)(9) of the General Provisions Article of the Open Meetings Act, to consider matters related to collective bargaining negotiations.

The meeting will be conducted virtually.

The public may listen to the open portion of the meeting, including the vote to go into closed session, by calling 605-468-8781 and entering access code 685333 followed by the pound/hashtag symbol.

The public may not listen to the closed session portion of the meeting.
about 21 hours ago, AACPS
Board of Education Members
Today 5th Grade Starfish Daniella C. was recognized for her participation in the Young Heroes Essay Contest in which she wrote about her older brother Pablo. 
about 23 hours ago, Ms. Megan E. Edwards, Principal
Good Job Daniella!
It's Family Academy Friday! Check out the Family Academy Newsletter at https://aacps.edurooms.com/engage/family-academy/newsletters/family-academy-fridays-1-16-26. Visit the Family Academy anytime at www.aacps.org/familyacademy or in Spanish at www.aacps.org/academiafamiliar! #AACPSFamily #BelongGrowSucceed
6 days ago, AACPS
Family Academy Fridays!  Service Learning
On this week’s Thursday Thoughts, Superintendent Dr. Bedell highlights our county’s delegation to the Maryland General Assembly. #BelongGrowSucceed

Spanish: https://youtu.be/7gDrH2g-Kg4
English: https://youtu.be/WjinHal_4P4
7 days ago, AACPS
Thursday Thoughts with Dr. Bedell - January 15, 2026
The Board of Education of Anne Arundel County is scheduled to vote on changes in its policy regarding graduation requirements for students at its next meeting, set for Wednesday, January 14, 2026. For complete information, including proposed changes in the administrative regulation regarding graduation requirements, go to the AACPS News Release page at https://www.aacps.org/article/2625723.
13 days ago, AACPS
Board of Education Members
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
14 days 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

16 days 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.
16 days 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.

17 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.
18 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!

20 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.
about 1 month 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.
about 1 month 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.
about 1 month 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.

about 1 month 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.
about 1 month ago, AACPS
FY2027 Budget recommendation