In this week’s edition of Thursday Thoughts, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Bedell discusses the downsizing of the federal government and the impact on students, families, staff and the community. #BelongGrowSucceed #AACPSFamily
https://youtu.be/d8GZdsuB72Q
Six educators named finalists for 2025 AACPS Teacher of the Year award #BelongGrowSucceed #AACPSFamily
https://www.aacps.org/article/2053403
In Mrs. Locher’s CKLA class, students wrote letters as Jacques, a teenager in the 1460s who just learned to read and write. They wrote on “parchment” paper and signed with a quill pen, imagining correspondence with friends or family. #belonggrowsucceed #aacpsawesome
Anne Arundel County Public Schools, Publishing on February 12, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Join us for the Teacher Recruitment Job Fair Saturday, March 29th at Severna Park High School 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Register now! www.aacps.org/teacherjobfair
Today in 5th grade, we learned about the Reformation and the revolutionary impact of the printing press. Students used stamps to make their names, then discussed how the printing press made this process more efficient, leading to greater book accessibility. #belonggrowsucceed
It's Family Academy Friday! Check out the Family Academy Newsletter at https://aacps.edurooms.com/engage/family-academy/newsletters/family-academy-fridays-2-21-25. Visit the Family Academy anytime at www.aacps.org/familyacademy or in Spanish at www.aacps.org/academiafamiliar! #AACPSFamily #BelongGrowSucceed
3:30 p.m., 2/21/25: A vehicle fire on I-97 near Waterbury Road is causing significant backups this afternoon. These backups will likely impact bus transportation for some students in the central and southern part of the county. A vehicle fire on I-97 near Waterbury Road is causing significant backups this afternoon. These backups will likely impact bus transportation for some students in the central and southern part of the county.
#TBT Spotlight on CTE
Ms. Kyllonen, a former student of the Dental Assisting Program at CAT-South, is now the Honors Dental Instructor there.
“I returned to CAT-South because my mentor, Ms. Hubbard, reached out to me. After 20 years in dental assisting, I was looking for the next step in my career, and this opportunity came at the perfect time. I never imagined I’d have the same job as someone who influenced me so much in high school, and now I get to do that for others. The certifications and experience I gained at 14-17 years old laid the foundation for my rewarding career. I’m so grateful."
“I love teaching dental assisting because I’m a total tooth nerd—I could talk about teeth all day! But the best part is the students. I have four daughters of my own, but every year, I get 30+ new ‘kids’ who feel like family. It’s incredible to see students from different backgrounds come together and grow. Watching them earn their dental assisting certifications is such a proud moment. I’m honored to be part of their journey and see them succeed."
“My students constantly impress me. Many go beyond dental assisting, aspiring to become dentists or hygienists. Some have participated in dental mission work and research, which I never imagined at their age.”
“I love working at CAT-South. Some of my best memories were made here as a student. We have a tradition where students paint a brick in our bathroom during graduation to leave their mark. I still see my own brick with ‘Lacy Shannon’ and think about how I once felt like I ran the place as a student—and now, I’m part of running it! The work I put in as a student shaped my career and life. I hope my students feel the same way one day. I truly believe we’re building something special at CAT-South, and the more people know about it, the better.”
Photos: Ms. Kyllonen with her mentor Ms. Hubbard, and with her student at SkillsUSA Nationals in Atlanta, where they won second place in Dental in the entire nation! Ms. Kyllonen also held this honor as a student.
As part of our kindness countdown, students made Valentine's Day cards for patients at BWMC! The patients absolutely loved the cards they received! #belonggrowsucceed #aacpsawesome
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD! YOUR OPINION MATTERS!
Parents or guardians of children receiving special education and related services will be mailed the Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey from the Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services during the week of February 14, 2025. Parents are asked to complete the survey and return it in the postage paid envelope by May 30, 2025. The Survey may also be completed online. Please look for details in your survey packet. To learn more, please visit https://www.mdparentsurvey.com.
Anne Arundel County Public Schools, Publishing on February 12, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Join us for the Teacher Recruitment Job Fair Saturday, March 29th at Severna Park High School 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Register now! www.aacps.org/teacherjobfair
Celebrating Presidents Day
The Board of Education has proposed an additional amendment to Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Bedell’s recommended Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget. Amendment 22 can be found along with the rest of the proposed amendments at www.aacps.org/budgetamendments. The Board is scheduled to vote on a formal budget request at its meeting on Wednesday.
Celebrating National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day!
#NationalSchoolResourceOfficerAppreciationDay
Fifth grade students are learning about Renaissance artists in CKLA! Did you know that Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel? It took him 4 years to paint the ceiling and walls. Students got to experience painting like Michelangelo today! #belonggrowsucceed #aacpsawesome
Students in Ms. Haynie's fifth grade class made elephant toothpaste in science today! Elephant toothpaste is a foamy substance that is created by combining ingredients to demonstrate an exothermic reaction. #belonggrowsucceed #aacpsawesome
Hello Families,
Please find, linked below, a link to the Field Day volunteer signup. A background check is required. More info in the form below. All questions should be directed to the front office. LINK: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeL0MmXrvoZaTGNsWFpzoBQ86Mvib_jPrSQwaytG-wRv_Vdxg/viewform?usp=sharing
Today, we celebrated the 100th day of school! Fun and learning was had by all! #aacpsawesome #belonggrowsucceed
#TBT Spotlight on CTE
Mr. Hayes was a student at South River High while attending the Vo-Tech Center (CAT-South) for the Automotive program. He is now the Automotive Instructor at CAT-South.
"As a young man, my mother realized I had a passion for anything mechanical. She was an AACPS teacher and she was told that the new South River Vo-Tech Center was opening in the 77-78 school year. This was a perfect fit for me. Some of my best high school memories were formed in my AutoTech class. After completing the Automotive program, the work-study coordinator found me an apprenticeship position at the Annapolis Chrysler Plymouth dealer. I worked at that dealer for 27 years and became a very successful master automotive service technician.
In 2007 the dealership was closing down. I had a former coworker who was teaching at what is now known as CAT-South. He thought I would be a good teacher because I was good at explaining what was wrong with people's cars.
As a teacher, I began taking the necessary courses to get my APC and have been teaching at CAT-South ever since.
I really enjoy teaching at the same school that I attended. I always tell my students that I once sat in the student seats and I understand their passion for mechanical knowledge.
The CAT-South Automotive Service Technology program was good when I attended and I'm working every day with our administration to make it Great!"
In this week’s edition of Thursday Thoughts, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Bedell gets a haircut from an Arundel High School student is also a licensed barber and discusses the many such opportunities available for AACPS students. #BelongGrownSucceed #AACPSFamily
https://youtu.be/QpdLx4hN_o8
