12:15 p.m., 1/25/26: Due to adverse weather and travel conditions, all Anne Arundel County Public Schools buildings will be closed on Monday, January 26. A Code Red is in effect for employees. Unit III Facilities, Operations, and Maintenance personnel must follow the terms of their negotiated agreement and report as required. Additional guidance regarding reporting requirements will be communicated to impacted employees.
Due to expected severe weather, all Anne Arundel County Public Schools facilities will be closed on Sunday, January 25, 2026. This applies to all AACPS and external groups. This status does not impact any school activities for Saturday, January 24, 2026. No decisions have been made as to the status of school district operations for Monday, January 26, 2026.
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
YouTube English: https://youtu.be/1-jvz1YQTAE
YouTube Spanish: https://youtu.be/bBU1_spzVy8
Please see the AACPS website, www.aacps.org, for important precautionary information in advance of the weather event projected for this weekend.
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
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
🔗 Get yours today: https://www.catsouth.org/schoolstore
#BelongGrowSucceed #AACPSFamily
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.
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.
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
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
Spanish: https://youtu.be/7gDrH2g-Kg4
English: https://youtu.be/WjinHal_4P4
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.
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
English: https://youtu.be/D0a2RMQtGJw
Spanish: https://youtu.be/F-WJVQjDE3A
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.
For more information, go to the AACPS’ News Release page at https://www.aacps.org/article/2619561.
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.
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.
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.
🔗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!
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.
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.
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.
For details, go to the News Release page at https://www.aacps.org/article/2606299.
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.
For details go to the News Release page at https://www.aacps.org/article/2606278.
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.
For more information and details on the process, go to the News Release page at https://www.aacps.org/article/2606248.
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.
For details, go to the AACPS news release page at https://www.aacps.org/article/2605182.
