You don’t have to tell Old Mill Middle School South Principal Linda Chandler or anyone on her staff just how amazing her school’s PTA is. After all, Chandler has seen the group go above and beyond to support students, staff, and families through countless volunteer hours, community-building events, student recognition programs, and fundraising efforts that have enhanced the overall school experience.
From hosting the Halloween Dance, Trunk or Treat, Holiday Craft Fair, and Spirit Nights to supporting incentive programs, student leadership luncheons, and other school initiatives, the PTA has become an invaluable partner in fostering a positive and connected school community. Just in case anyone was unsure, however, the school’s PTA now has additional evidence: It has been named a 2025-2027 National PTA School of Excellence for its partnership with families through PTA to enrich the educational experience and overall well-being for all students.
To read more, go to the AACPS News Release page at www.aacps.org/article/3093930.
#BelongGrowSucceed #AACPSFamily #OurStory
The Board of Education of Anne Arundel County will receive an update on the school district’s readiness for the opening of the 2026-2027 school year at its next meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, August 19, 2026.
The Board will also hold a workshop to discuss the latest information related to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future and receive information related to Maryland’s charter school process at 6 p.m. on Monday, August 17, 2026, in the Board Room.
For complete details, go to the AACPS News Release page at https://www.aacps.org/article/3075464.
The Board will also hold a workshop to discuss the latest information related to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future and receive information related to Maryland’s charter school process at 6 p.m. on Monday, August 17, 2026, in the Board Room.
For complete details, go to the AACPS News Release page at https://www.aacps.org/article/3075464.
Anne Arundel County Public Schools will celebrate the opening of three new or reimagined learning spaces next week as New Village Academy, Carver Early Education Center, and Marley Glen School at Severn Run prepare to welcome students for the 2026–2027 school year.
For complete details, go to the AACPS News Release page at https://www.aacps.org/article/3074315.
For complete details, go to the AACPS News Release page at https://www.aacps.org/article/3074315.
Anne Arundel County Public Schools has a free mobile app that makes staying informed easier than ever before. In the 2026-27 school year, routine announcements about school system events and operations will be disseminated primarily through the mobile app, the news section of the AACPS website, and through messaging to families (not through social media). Emergency notifications will continue to be featured in the alerts banner at the top off the AACPS website on social media pages. To ensure receipt of the latest updates and information, families should download the app and follow their student's school(s).Download the app in the App Store or on Google Play today!
Let's fill a school bus with school supplies!
For the last several years, the AACPS community has been very generous by stuffing a school bus with donations of school supplies for students. This year, we’re doing it again!
Thursday, August 20
3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Old Mill Middle School South, 430 Old Mill Road, Millersville
Superintendent Dr. Mark Bedell, Board members, district leaders and Education Foundation members will be there, and OMMS will be hosting its annual block party at the same time. Bring your school supply donations and join us!
For the last several years, the AACPS community has been very generous by stuffing a school bus with donations of school supplies for students. This year, we’re doing it again!
Thursday, August 20
3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Old Mill Middle School South, 430 Old Mill Road, Millersville
Superintendent Dr. Mark Bedell, Board members, district leaders and Education Foundation members will be there, and OMMS will be hosting its annual block party at the same time. Bring your school supply donations and join us!
Bus routes and schedules for the 2026-2027 school year are now available online. For complete information, go to www.aacps.org/buses. Information may change prior to the start of the school year as routes are adjusted, so please check back periodically. Questions should be directed to the Transportation Division.
Are you unsure about whether your student is eligible for bus transportation in the upcoming school year? Anne Arundel County Schools’ Transportation Eligibility Tool can give you the answers you need. Just to go www.aacps.org/transportationeligibility and enter your address. Specific bus schedules will be posted online no later than Wednesday, August 12.
#BelongGrowSucceed #AACPSFamily
#BelongGrowSucceed #AACPSFamily
🔗View our August 2026 Family Link Newsletter
‣ Everything Back to School!
‣ Family Engagement Tip of the Month
‣ Family Academy resources
‣ Upcoming community events
‣ County & community resources
...and more!
AACPS: Board of Education to meet in closed session on July 30, 2026
The Board of Education of Anne Arundel County will meet at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 30, 2026, for the specific purpose of voting to go into closed session, pursuant to Section 3-305(b)(7) and (8) of the General Provisions Article of the Open Meetings Act, to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice on a legal matter and to consult with staff, consultants, or other individuals about pending or potential litigation.
The meeting will be conducted in a hybrid format, allowing members to attend either in person or 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.
The Board of Education of Anne Arundel County will meet at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 30, 2026, for the specific purpose of voting to go into closed session, pursuant to Section 3-305(b)(7) and (8) of the General Provisions Article of the Open Meetings Act, to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice on a legal matter and to consult with staff, consultants, or other individuals about pending or potential litigation.
The meeting will be conducted in a hybrid format, allowing members to attend either in person or 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.
Less than three years after launching Anne Arundel County Public Schools’ inaugural elementary Best Buddies chapter, Waugh Chapel Elementary School has brought home another first: best elementary chapter in the nation.
The announcement of the Overall Outstanding Elementary of the Year honor came last night at Best Buddies International’s 2026 Leadership Conference. The organization is dedicated to helping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure successful jobs, live independently, and develop self-advocacy and communication skills.
For more details about Waugh Chapel’s #AACPSAwesome story, go to the AACPS News Release page at https://www.aacps.org/article/3036329.
#BelongGrowSucceed #AACPSFamily #OurStory
The announcement of the Overall Outstanding Elementary of the Year honor came last night at Best Buddies International’s 2026 Leadership Conference. The organization is dedicated to helping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure successful jobs, live independently, and develop self-advocacy and communication skills.
For more details about Waugh Chapel’s #AACPSAwesome story, go to the AACPS News Release page at https://www.aacps.org/article/3036329.
#BelongGrowSucceed #AACPSFamily #OurStory
The heat of summer makes outdoor water activities enticing for children and adults alike. Following these simple tips from our partners at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources can increase enjoyment and prevent tragedy.
This is the flyer for the upcoming school year dress code.
Congratulations to Crofton High School rising senior AJ Mason, who followed up his record discus throw in the Maryland state championships by setting another record in winning the event at the New Balance National Championships. Mason’s throw of 209 feet, 5 inches (63.83 meters) broke the existing record by about 8 feet!
#BelongGrowSucceed #AACPSFamily #OurStory
#BelongGrowSucceed #AACPSFamily #OurStory
Join Our Team
Food & Nutrition Services
Anne Arundel County Public Schools
Informational Job Fair
📅Wednesday, July 29, 2026
⏰11 a.m.–1 p.m.
📍Michael E. Busch Annapolis Library
1410 West Street
Annapolis, MD 21401
We Have an Opening for You!
Temporary Associate Positions
Make Plans to Attend!
▪️Hiring for cafeteria positions in all Anne Arundel County Public Schools.
▪️Walk-in informational job fair (no appointment necessary).
▪️Meet with hiring staff.
▪️Learn about the role, responsibilities, and requirements.
▪️Receive guidance on how to apply for the appropriate position.
▪️Please bring any relevant documents or references that may support your application.
Questions?
AACPS Food & Nutrition Services
Phone: (410) 222-5900
🔗 www.aacps.org
REMINDER: AACPS’ Summer Meals Program continues to operate mobile meal delivery to 19 community sites despite the extreme heat advisory. Those sites are:
• North County: Heritage Hills, Pumphrey Center, Willows Apartments.
• West County: Pioneer City, Meade Village, Spring Meadows, Still Meadows.
• Annapolis: Admiral Farragut, Annapolis Gardens, Bywater, Congregation Kneseth Israel, Hilltop Village, Woodside Gardens.
• South County (all sites designated as rural): Boones Mobile Estates, Lyons Creek Estates, Maryland Manor.
• Lothian (all sites designated as rural): Rio Vista, Patuxent Mobile, Wayson Woods.
Complete info: www.aacps.org/summermeals
• North County: Heritage Hills, Pumphrey Center, Willows Apartments.
• West County: Pioneer City, Meade Village, Spring Meadows, Still Meadows.
• Annapolis: Admiral Farragut, Annapolis Gardens, Bywater, Congregation Kneseth Israel, Hilltop Village, Woodside Gardens.
• South County (all sites designated as rural): Boones Mobile Estates, Lyons Creek Estates, Maryland Manor.
• Lothian (all sites designated as rural): Rio Vista, Patuxent Mobile, Wayson Woods.
Complete info: www.aacps.org/summermeals
On Wednesday, June 24, Debbie Phelps provided the keynote address for our Division of Instruction and School Performance Conference attended by school building leaders and other administrators. Joined by Joe Callahan, Executive Director of the Education Foundation of Anne Arundel County Public Schools, the keynote culminated in awarding 10 AACPS Schools with $1,000 grants to support students in the upcoming year. Huge thanks to Debbie Phelps and the Phelps Legacy Fund as well as Educational Systems Federal Credit Union for underwriting these grants.
#BelongGrowSucceed #AACPSFamiliy #OurStory
#BelongGrowSucceed #AACPSFamiliy #OurStory
Continuing its long streak of excellence, Anne Arundel County Public Schools’ Purchasing Office has earned a national award of excellence for the 15th consecutive year and 16th time overall.
The 2026 Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award from the National Procurement Institute once again puts AACPS’ Purchasing Office in elite company. The award recognizes organizations that demonstrate excellence by obtaining a high score based on standardized criteria including innovation, professionalism, productivity, e-procurement, and leadership attributes of the procurement organization.
“The taxpayers of our county provide us with funding every year that they rightfully expect is allocated prudently and efficiently,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Bedell said. “The team in our Purchasing Office does exactly that every single day. Their continued recognition should be a source of pride for everyone in our county.”
The 2026 Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award from the National Procurement Institute once again puts AACPS’ Purchasing Office in elite company. The award recognizes organizations that demonstrate excellence by obtaining a high score based on standardized criteria including innovation, professionalism, productivity, e-procurement, and leadership attributes of the procurement organization.
“The taxpayers of our county provide us with funding every year that they rightfully expect is allocated prudently and efficiently,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Bedell said. “The team in our Purchasing Office does exactly that every single day. Their continued recognition should be a source of pride for everyone in our county.”
Congratulations to Kenaz Samet, who just finished fifth grade at Millersville Elementary School, for publishing his first book, "Joy & Buster: The epic adventure between dog and cat!"
Read more about Kenaz and his book in Tanisha Bhat's story in the Capitale Gazette at https://www.capitalgazette.com/2026/06/24/recent-millersville-elementary-graduate-published-author/.
#BelongGrowSucceed #AACPSFamily #OurStory
Congratulations to Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Bedell, who was honored today by having his name enshrined on Kansas City's Monument to Freedom, Justice and Courage. The honor was bestowed for Dr. Bedell's six-year tenure as Superintendent of Kansas City Public Schools, during which led the effort to restore the district’s full accreditation more than two decades after it was lost.
#BelongGrowSucceed #AACPSFamily #OurStory
#BelongGrowSucceed #AACPSFamily #OurStory
Even before she entered the teaching profession, Kimberle Campbell had a passion for math. As a teacher, she seeks to instill that passion in her students every day.
Her efforts have garnered attention across the state, and the Monarch Academy Annapolis has now been recognized as the 2026 Maryland Council of Teachers of Mathematics’ Outstanding Elementary School Mathematics Educator.
To read more about Ms. Campbell, go to the AACPS News Release page at https://www.aacps.org/article/3003434.
#BelongGrowSucceed #AACPSFamily #OurStory
