Teacher of the Year

May is Teacher Appreciation Month, so it's the perfect time to highlight our new AACPS Teacher of the Year!

Jacqueline Sanderson, an English Language Development teacher at Belle Grove Elementary School, was named the 2025 Anne Arundel County Public Schools Teacher of the Year on Friday, April 25.

Sanderson has worked for AACPS since 2013, beginning her career at Hilltop Elementary School before moving to Belle Grove Elementary School in 2022. She has become known as a fierce supporter and ardent advocate of multilingual learners who goes the extra mile to create opportunities for students that help them better grasp instructional topics and the world around them.

“She is committed to supporting multilingual learners through authentic and creative activities throughout the school day,” Belle Grove Elementary School Principal Keri Allen wrote in her letter nominating Sanderson. “She uses a multi-tiered approach to help her students succeed and provides push-in support in the classroom so that students transfer the strategies from the English Language Development class to the general education classroom.”

Jacqueline Sanderson,
2025 AACPS Teacher of the Year

“Our multilingual students are not challenges to overcome. They are the assets to our classrooms, our schools, and our communities."

~ Jacqueline Sanderson

Dates to Remember

May 6
Pre-Kindergarten Registration Begins

Enroll Online

May 22-23
PK & K Conferences
Schools Closed for ECI, PreK, and Kindergarten only

May 26
Memorial Day
Schools & Offices Closed

Join our Team

Certificated Positions

explore teaching: career changers' pathways to licensure

Explore Teaching:
Virtual Workshops
May 10
9:00-10:30am
Join Online

We're Hiring for all Positions
Find out more about our Support Staff positions and how you can apply!

Family Engagement Tip of the Month

Screen Free Week: May 5 - 11, 2025

Screen-Free Week is a global celebration when communities swap digital entertainment for the joys of life beyond the screen! We know screens are essential in our lives and in our learning, and children need to understand technology. They also need screen-free time!

Why have Screen-Free time?

Improve physical health by spending more time moving and getting better sleep.
Make social connections with people in real life.
Boost your mood - limiting screens has been shown to improve mental health.

How can we participate in Screen-Free week?

Choose a date range and duration to spend off screens. It doesn't have to be the whole week!
Plan some activities together in advance so you are ready for fun, but also allow unstructured time.
Include family, friends, and neighbors in your screen-free time.
Use the Screen-Free BINGO card, or create your own!

We're being intentional about screen time: screen free week

Family Academy

International Families

10th IPCLA Graduates Honored at Board of Education Meeting
April 2, 2025 marked the conclusion of the 10th International Parent and Community Leadership Academy. Over the past 7 weeks, members of the academy have attended sessions and visited locations around the district to learn about our schools, departments, and resources. This has helped members gain a deeper understanding of what AACPS offers to our school community and has enhanced communication between international families and schools.

Congratulations to the 2025 IPCLA graduates!

Department Spotlight

Anne Arundel County Public Library

An Introduction to Taiko, the Art of Japanese Drumming

5 opportunities to participate in this interactive performance throughout May

Library Happenings

Celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

TumbleBook Library

TumbleBooks is a streaming collection of animated, talking picture books that children can read or have read to them.

Anne Arundel County Recreation & Parks

Box Turtle Study

Join park staff and volunteers at Quiet Waters Park to study our residential eastern box turtle population. Responsibilities include walking park trails, collecting data, and taking photos.

For more information contact Ranger Pauline Champlin (410-222-1777)

Explore Recreation and Parks Program guide

Spring & Summer Program Guide

Youth Volunteer Programs

Are you looking for volunteer and leadership opportunities for your teen this summer?

Learn more about Summer Serve and Counselor in Training opportunities.

Anne Arundel County Department of Health

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental health is fluid and can change based on our situation. We may be struggling one day and thriving the next. We may take steps backwards because of an upsetting day or event. Signs may show up in many different areas of life. When you can recognize the signs, you can take action to improve your mental health when needed and to strengthen the gains you have made.

Learn more about the BeWellAA program and the services available to you.

Volunteers

April Volunteer of the Month

Rachael Bricker
Four Seasons Elementary

The heart and soul of our yearbook committee

Nominate someone for Volunteer of the Month

Become a Volunteer

Volunteers are an important part of the AACPS school community. By offering your time and talent, you enrich the education of our students, support our staff, and serve families in our community.

https://www.aacps.org/
volunteer

Virtual Volunteer Portal

Record the hours you volunteer outside of school!

Your accurate data not only helps us thank you, it also serves as an in-kind contribution when the school system applies for grants.

Ask at your school's office if you don't have a login.

Youth Experiencing Homelessness

The federal McKinney-Vento Act ensures all children who live in any of the following situations have a right to enroll in school and receive transportation by request.