
AACPS Employees: Open Enrollment runs from October 26 through November 10, 2026. This is your annual opportunity to review your benefits and select options that meet the needs of you and your family.
As you review your benefits:
✓ If you cover a spouse, select the appropriate Spousal Surcharge option.
✓ Consider enrolling in a healthcare or dependent care Flexible Spending Account to help manage eligible expenses.
✓ Take a moment to review your life insurance options.
EASY ACCESS – When you are ready to enroll, select the Open Enrollment button on the AACPS homepage or visit Benelogic to access the Open Enrollment portal.
Need Help with Open Enrollment? Our Benefits team will be happy to assist you at the Parham Building on Monday, November 2, 2026, from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Have Questions? We are here to help. Email us at benefits@aacps.org TECHNOLOGY SITE
Visit Benefits Enrollment | Anne Arundel County Public Schools

📣39th Harvest for the Hungry: Kids Helping Kids Fundraising Campaign, October 1-31, 2026
AACPS & AA County Food Bank partner to hold the largest annual fundraiser for the food bank! 100% of proceeds benefit the AA County Food Bank
Donate online at aacps.org/harvest or bring in canned/dried goods to your school














Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Bedell, Chief Operating Officer Jeff Hagan, and Director of Operations Michele Phillips recently surprised the custodial team at Benfield Elementary School with the inaugural Operationally Outstanding Award. The award will be given periodically to an individual or team that exemplifies excellence in their field. The Benfield custodial team of Chief Jen Bernard, Kim Baker, Teresa Schuder, and Devin Bazemore received zero deficiencies during the initial state assessment by the Interagency Commission on School Construction, something that only five to 10 schools statewide achieve. Congratulations to this #AACPSAwesome team! #BelongGrowSucceed #AACPSFamily #OurStory

To read more about the nominees, go to the AACPS News Release page at https://www.aacps.org/article/3208095.

Things are a little blue around Severn River Middle School in Arnold today, but there’s no feeling the school’s students, staff, and community would rather have.
The school today was honored by the Maryland State Department of Education as one of 12 public schools to be named a 2026-2027 Maryland Blue Ribbon School. The honor reflects Severn River’s performance on state and national assessments, and success in closing achievement gaps among student groups.
To read more about Severn River’s honor, go to the AACPS News Release page at https://www.aacps.org/article/3203726.
#BelongGrowSucceed #AACPSFamily#OurStory


Eighty-nine educators have been nominated for the 2027 Anne Arundel County Public Schools Teacher of the Year Award, the school district announced today. These outstanding teachers, representing schools across the county at all levels, were selected by those at their schools for their commitment to student achievement, their ability to build welcoming and inclusive classrooms, and their dedication to going above and beyond in service of children and families.
To learn more about the nominees, go to the AACPS News Release page at https://www.aacps.org/article/3174858.
#AACPSFamily #BelongGrowSucceed #OurStory

Hey are you in a 5th grader?
Middle School is getting close, so check out the AACPS Magnet programs and see which one you like the best.
Follow the link (www.aacps.org/magnet) to apply starting on Oct 5, 2026 at 12 pm until Nov 5, 2026 at 12pm to the be in an AACPS Awesome magnet program.
Check out the full video on AACPS Student Voices Instagram.



🔗View our October 2026 Family Link Newsletter
‣ Harvest for the Hungry
‣ October Family Academy events!
‣ Family Engagement Tip of the Month
‣ Family Academy resources
‣ Events at your local library & in the community
‣ County & community resources
...and more!

On International Translation Day and every day, we are so thankful to our incredible bilingual facilitators and translators who support our AACPS schools and families. We’re grateful for the connections they build every day and the important role they play in helping our families feel welcome, heard, and supported! #BelongGrowSucceed #AACPSFamily #OurStory






To learn more about the honorees, go to the AACPS News Release page at https://www.aacps.org/article/3159862.
#BelongGrowSucceed #AACPSFamily #OurStory

#BelongGrowSucceed #AACPSFamily #OurStory










Claudette Blackwell spends her days tending to the needs of others so that they can reach their full potential and better assist students and families. Through that process, however, it is also Blackwell herself who shines brightly.
Blackwell’s work has now been recognized at the state level as she has been named the 2026 School Social Worker of the Year by the Maryland chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.
To learn more about Ms. Blackwell, go to the AACPS News Release page at https://www.aacps.org/article/3150346.
#BelongGrowSucceed #AACPSFamily #OurStory

Glen Burnie High School biology teacher Noel Pauller has been selected as one of 10 educators to be recognized across the nation as part of the 2026 Claes Nobel Educator of the Year Awards, presented by the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS). The awards recognize exemplary educators who demonstrate leadership, excellence and a strong commitment to preparing students for success in college and life.
To learn more about Pauller and his work, go to the AACPS News Release page at https://www.aacps.org/article/3148029.
#BelongGrowSucceed #AACPSFamily #OurStory

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rm7CjS0nm6Q

That work has once again been recognized on the state level, with Crofton High School’s Rachel Morrissey being named the Maryland Dance Education Association’s High School Dance Educator of the Year. Morrissey, who began her AACPS teaching career in 2016, is the sixth AACPS dance educator to earn the state honor since 2017.
For more details about Ms. Morrissey and her work, go to the AACPS News Release page at https://www.aacps.org/article/3145409.
#BelongGrowSucceed #AACPSFamily #OurStory





Northeast Middle School and Annapolis and North County high schools have been named Special Olympics Unified Champion National Banner schools, adding to Anne Arundel County Public Schools’ (AACPS) stellar legacy dating back to 2010 with Special Olympics Maryland. Of the 20 schools in Maryland with the distinction, 13 are in AACPS.
To learn more about the amazing efforts at these three schools and about Special Olympics Maryland, go to the AACPS News Release page at https://www.aacps.org/article/3136866.
#BelongGrowSucceed #AACPSFamily #OurStory

Apply between September 15 and April 15
To apply for the award or donate to the fund: www.aacps.org/serviceaward
The Board of Education of Anne Arundel County MILITARY SERVICE AWARD in honor of Candace C.W. Antwine
