As promised, the website for Phase 2 of the redistricting process went live at the conclusion of the January 27 Board of Education workshop. A video of that workshop has now been added to the site. The link to the specifics of scenarios and an avenue for public comment will go live on the site on Feb. 1. The site can be found at www.aacps.org/phase2redistricting.

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

High school juniors in good academic standing can get more information on becoming the 2025-2026 Student Member of the Board of Education (SMOB) of Anne Arundel County during a virtual Information Night scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 5, 2025. Details: https://www.aacps.org/article/1987305.

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

As provided in the Board approved calendar, all AACPS Schools will be closed for students on Tuesday, January 21, 2025. Semester Break #BelongGrowSucceed

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.

As provided in the Board approved calendar, all AACPS Schools will be closed for students on Tuesday, January 21, 2025. Semester Break #BelongGrowSucceed

Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day: The Importance of Volunteers in Anne Arundel County Schools “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” – Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King’s words remind us of the vital role volunteers play in Anne Arundel County schools. Volunteers help students succeed through tutoring, mentoring, and supporting extracurricular activities. They also strengthen the school community, organizing events and fostering collaboration between families, teachers, and students. On MLK Day, we honor the volunteers who continue Dr. King’s legacy by serving others and creating a brighter future for all.

As provided in the Board approved calendar, all AACPS schools and central offices will be closed on Monday, January 20, 2025 in observation of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. #BelongGrowSucceed

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

As provided in the Board approved calendar, all AACPS schools and central offices will be closed on Monday, January 20, 2025 in observation of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. #BelongGrowSucceed

1:00 p.m., 1/17/25: Anne Arundel County Public Schools staff is monitoring the weather forecast, which calls for potential snow Sunday and into next week. Schools are closed on Monday, Jan. 20, for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday and Tuesday. Jan. 21, is a teacher workday with no students in buildings (semester break day). The following possible scenarios exist: Students should be prepared in the event there is a need for a switch to virtual instruction when the second semester begins on Wednesday, Jan. 22. Employees, regardless of work location, should take home any devices and other materials they may need both to work virtually on Tuesday, Jan. 21, and switch to virtual instruction when the second semester begins on Wednesday, Jan. 22, should either become necessary. No final decisions on school system operations for Jan. 21 or 22 have been made at this time. Families and employees will receive additional messaging when those decisions are made.

As provided in the Board-approved calendar, all AACPS Schools will dismiss two-hours early, on Friday, January 17, 2025. End of second marking period. No afternoon ECI. #BelongGrowSucceed

7:20 a.m., 1/16/25: The bridge at Magothy Bridge Road and Ullman Road in Pasadena is closed due to a water main break that has caused icy conditions. This is, in turn, causing bus delays in the area. Families in the area may wish to consider alternative ways to transport students to school this morning.

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.