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
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
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.
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 this week’s Thursday Thoughts, Superintendent Dr. Bedell marks the start of summer vacation next week and expresses his gratitude to the staff and families who helped students belong, grow, and succeed this school year. #BelongGrowSucceed
- English: https://youtu.be/P-DSc74ZmcQ
- Spanish: https://youtu.be/B2mXcc1bZQU
On this week’s Thursday Thoughts, Superintendent Dr. Bedell reflects on graduation season and celebrates the accomplishments of the Class of 2026. 🎓 #BelongGrowSucceed
- English: https://youtu.be/rwXLFEnibEY
- Spanish: https://youtu.be/MaE-IqC_xU8
- English: https://youtu.be/rwXLFEnibEY
- Spanish: https://youtu.be/MaE-IqC_xU8
🔗View our June/July 2026 Family Link Newsletter
‣ Summer Meals
‣ Family Engagement Tip of the Month
‣ Family Academy: HS Athletics
‣ Summer events at your local library & in the community
‣ County & community resources
...and more!
On this week’s Thursday Thoughts, Superintendent Dr. Bedell reflects on the excitement and pride of graduation season across AACPS over the next two weeks. #BelongGrowSucceed
- English: https://youtu.be/E65_9Vs3Tas
- Spanish: https://youtu.be/WWJm5_tP5FA
- English: https://youtu.be/E65_9Vs3Tas
- Spanish: https://youtu.be/WWJm5_tP5FA
On this week’s Thursday Thoughts, Superintendent Dr. Bedell discusses the newly approved policy regarding personal care and toileting needs, formalizing practices already in place across our schools to support all students. #BelongGrowSucceed
- English: https://youtu.be/8H4P-4cQbaw
- Spanish: https://youtu.be/D4EJWS8MG7w
- English: https://youtu.be/8H4P-4cQbaw
- Spanish: https://youtu.be/D4EJWS8MG7w
On this week’s Thursday Thoughts, Superintendent Dr. Bedell reinforces his message regarding the importance of respect and civility throughout the AACPS community. #BelongGrowSucceed
- English: https://youtu.be/9Fk9H77F-8o
- Spanish: https://youtu.be/K8FdKZKknDI
- English: https://youtu.be/9Fk9H77F-8o
- Spanish: https://youtu.be/K8FdKZKknDI
On this week’s Thursday Thoughts, Superintendent Dr. Bedell highlights the Teacher Academy of Maryland program at CAT North. #BelongGrowSucceed
- English: https://youtu.be/_KKe23mW0d8
- Spanish: https://youtu.be/EWXKZ5SUY_8
- English: https://youtu.be/_KKe23mW0d8
- Spanish: https://youtu.be/EWXKZ5SUY_8
The Board of Education today approved an agreement with the Secretaries and Assistants Association of Anne Arundel County (SAAAAC) for the coming fiscal year that provides, subject to county funding, a step increase for eligible Unit IV employees and a 3 percent cost-of-living adjustment for all Unit IV employees.
For more information, go to the AACPS News Release page at https://www.aacps.org/article/2874675.
For more information, go to the AACPS News Release page at https://www.aacps.org/article/2874675.
The Board of Education of Anne Arundel County today unanimously approved a 2027-2028 school year calendar that calls for classes to begin for students on Monday, August 30, 2027, and end on Wednesday, June 14, 2028.
For complete details, go to the AACPS News Release page at https://www.aacps.org/article/2874544.
For complete details, go to the AACPS News Release page at https://www.aacps.org/article/2874544.
The Board of Education of Anne Arundel County today unanimously approved a 2027-2028 school year calendar that calls for classes to begin for students on Monday, August 30, 2027, and end on Wednesday, June 14, 2028.
For complete details, go to the AACPS News Release page at https://www.aacps.org/article/2874544.
For complete details, go to the AACPS News Release page at https://www.aacps.org/article/2874544.
2025-2026 School Year - 3rd Quarter Honor Roll
Congratulations to all AACPS students who made the honor roll.
🔗www.aacps.org/honorroll
#BelongGrowSucceed
#AACPSCelebrates
On this week’s Thursday Thoughts, Superintendent Dr. Bedell highlights four schools that were awarded the Purple Star Schools designation, as announced this week by the Maryland State Department of Education. #BelongGrowSucceed
- English: https://youtu.be/9F-x1ohlB6s
- Spanish: https://youtu.be/aogRGEq1nKU
- English: https://youtu.be/9F-x1ohlB6s
- Spanish: https://youtu.be/aogRGEq1nKU
Joe Bigsby, a STEM teacher at Magothy River Middle School, tonight was named the 2026 Anne Arundel County Public Schools Teacher of the Year. The announcement came before a crowd of more than 700 people at the culmination of the 40th annual Excellence in Education Awards held at the Live! Event Center at Arundel Mills.
Bigsby has taught Anne Arundel County Public Schools students since 2018 and has spent the entirety of that time at Magothy River Middle School. During that time, he has built a reputation as a dynamic educator with a passion for student connection and innovation.
For more about Bigsby and all those honored at this year’s event, go to the AACPS News Release page at https://www.aacps.org/article/2843645.
Bigsby has taught Anne Arundel County Public Schools students since 2018 and has spent the entirety of that time at Magothy River Middle School. During that time, he has built a reputation as a dynamic educator with a passion for student connection and innovation.
For more about Bigsby and all those honored at this year’s event, go to the AACPS News Release page at https://www.aacps.org/article/2843645.
