Anne Arundel County Public Schools

Family Link October 2025

From School & Family Partnerships
Family Link

Harvest for the Hungry: Kids Helping Kids

harvest for the hungry, kids helping kids, October 1-31, 2023

We are excited for our 38th Annual Harvest for the Hungry: Kids Helping Kids campaign!
Bring food to your local school or donate online!

Did you know?

  • Our Kids Helping Kids campaign is the Food Bank's largest fundraiser of the year!

  • Food insecurity impacts a child's ability to learn.

  • Every $4 donated provides 1 meal.

  • 1 in 10 families in Anne Arundel County struggle with food insecurity.

  • Monetary donations help the Food Bank purchase exactly what is needed for our community.

Family Involvement Conference

School & Family Partnerships invites parents and caregivers to a Family Involvement Conference.

Belong Grow Succeed
Saturday, November 8
Anne Arundel County Community College

Keynote:
The Science of Motivation: Getting Going Again
Erin Walsh, of Spark & Stitch Institute, draws on brain science, humor, and real-life stories to show what truly fuels motivation. Parents will leave with a clearer picture of what’s happening in their child’s brain, why old standbys like rewards and punishments often backfire, and practical ways to spark lasting motivation in kids.

Family Involvement Conference, Save the date: November 8

More information and registration coming soon at aacps.org/familyconference.

Dates to Remember

Yom Kippur

October 2
Schools & Offices Closed
Yom Kippur

early dismissal

October 14
Early Dismissal
Professional Development

early dismissal

October 27 & 28
Early Dismissal
End of first marking period

unity day wear and share orange to prevent bullying

October 14
Unity Day
Wear orange to show unity for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.

Board of Education logo

October Board of Education Meetings

  • Public Session: Wednesday, October 1, 12:00pm

  • *Public Workshop: Monday, October 13, 6:00pm

  • Public Session: Wednesday, October 15, 6:30pm

For Board of Education meeting calendars, opportunities for comment, and other Board documents visit the Board of Education site.
*As needed

anne arundel county public schools magnet programs online application

AACPS Magnet Programs

Fall Magnet information sessions are held throughout October, both in-person and virtually.

Applications for Magnet programs for the 2026-2027 school year are accepted October 6 - November 6, 2025

Family Engagement Tip of the Month

family engagement tip of the month with pictures of adults and children

October is National Bullying Prevention Month

Bullying and cyberbullying, harassment and intimidation, hazing, and/or bias behaviors are unsafe behaviors that do not reflect respect for others as defined by the Code of Student Conduct. AACPS Counselors teach lessons about recognizing bullying, standing up to it, and what to do if you or someone you know is experiencing bullying.

What are some resources to support your children and their friends in bullying situations?

  • Learn more about Bullying and online reporting at our website.

  • Anti-Bullying Alliance - What to do when your child is being bullied.

  • STOMP Out Bullying - What to do if your child is bullying other kids.

  • Talk to your school counselor.

  • Join us at one of our four Family Forums this school year. See below for dates and information.

You Belong Here: Family Forum Let's Talk bullying
  • 5:30-7:45pm

  • Tuesday, October 14, 2025 - Southern Middle School

  • Monday, November 17, 2025 - Northeast High School

  • Tuesday, February 10, 2026 - Annapolis Middle School

  • Wednesday, April 22, 2026 - Severn Run High School

You Belong Here!
Family Forum
Let's Talk Bullying

Attend one of four Family Forums to engage in conversations about bullying and how we can work together to build inclusive schools.

Learn more and register on our website.

Family Academy

family academy

AVID: Advancement Via Individual Determination

AVID is an academic elective program designed to provide support to students who are in the “academic middle."  AVID prepares students to enter and be successful in college through career and college exploration. Detailed is an overview of the program, including student testimonials and information on how to apply.

For more information, visit the AVID Office.

AVID: Advancement via Individual Determination

AVID
(en español)

Find more videos on Family Academy: Academics & Programs, Wellbeing & Growth,
and Navigating AACPS

Family Academy Live Workshops

Financial Aid Nights for all families

Register at https://forms.gle/zfABZncm4YjWiikVA

College Financial Aid Night

Tuesday, October 21, 2025
6:00-7:30pm
Glen Burnie High School

Topics include:

  • The 2026-2027 FAFSA application

  • Financial aid options for international students

  • The Maryland State Financial Aid application

  • Q&A Session

Lunch and learn

Register at https://forms.gle/sHs548upoix5T7ax8

Birth to Five Virtual Lunch & Learn: Communication

Wednesday, October 22, 2025
12:00pm - 1:00pm

Learn about:

  • Key milestones from birth to age 5

  • How to support and develop communication skills

  • Differences between receptive and expressive language and articulation skills

  • Q&A on speech and communication development

International Families

2nd celebracion del bienestar

2nd Celebración del Bienestar

Únase a nosotros para un evento divertido y relajante para todas las edades, donde las familias pueden unirse y...

  • ¡Practiquen Yoga juntos!

  • ¡Expresa tus talentos artísticos y relájate con una sesión de Arte familiar!

  • Conozca los Recursos Escolares y Comunitarios que se ofrecen para apoyar el bienestar y el crecimiento de su familia.

18 de Octubre, 11:00am
Annapolis Middle School
1399 Forest Dr., Annapolis

¡Inscríbase hoy!
https://forms.gle/Ncad74MfKTfjGjES7

Department Spotlight

Join our team: Food & Nutrition SErvices

Learn more about Food & Nutrition, and working for us, on our website.

Food & Nutrition Services

October is Tackling Hunger Month! School Meals are an important part of our students’ health and wellness. Food & Nutrition Services operates a comprehensive program aligned with the Center for Disease Control, School Health Model and the United Stated Department of Agriculture; Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Our 35 million dollar operation is self-funding, receiving revenue from federal and state reimbursements, along with student and staff sales. 

Anne Arundel County Public Library

One Maryland One Book

One Maryland One Book Programs
Kin: Rooted in Hope by Carole Boston Weatherford

Kids: Nature Explorers Club, 10/8, 4:15-5:15pm, Busch Annapolis Library
Teens: Art Event, 10/18, 2-4pm, Riviera Beach Library
Adults: Book Discussion, 10/7, 2-3pm, Glen Burnie Library

Library Happenings

Find programs for all ages across the county in Library Happenings!

teen hang out

Teen Events
There's always something to do for teens at the library!

Teen BookBox - 10/1-10/7, Busch Annapolis Library

Hackathon - 10/7, 4-7pm, Odenton Library

After-Hours Lock-in - 10/24, Edgewater Library and 10/31 Busch Annapolis Library

Anne Arundel County Recreation & Parks

fall fun

Fall Fun Day
at Kinder Farm Park
Saturday, 10/11, 10am-3pm

For children 12 and under, includes scarecrow making, hayrides, straw-bale maze, farmhouse tours, and more!

Visit kinderfarmpark.org for more details.

Explore Recreation and Parks Program guide

Fall Program Guide

Register for fall programs, classes, and activities for all ages!

Art at the park

Art @ the Park 2025
at Quiet Waters Park
10/11 & 10/12, 10am-4pm

This 2-day event will feature dozens of art vendors, three musicians daily, food trucks, kids' activities, and demonstrations.

The festival is free, $6 per car entry to the park in effect.

Anne Arundel County Department of Health

Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program

The Vaccines for Children Program provides childhood vaccines free of charge to qualifying children under the age of 19 years old. If your child is enrolled in Medical Assistance, uninsured or has health insurance that does not pay for any vaccines, your child might be eligible for free vaccines.

Visit the Parent's Guide to School Health to find an Immunization Clinic near you.

Vaccines for Children

See vaccine requirements for children enrolled in Preschool programs and in Schools.

Volunteers

volunteer of the month

Volunteer of the Month

Each month, at the first Board of Education meeting, we honor a volunteer.

Nominate someone for Volunteer of the Month

become a volunteer

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

image of raptor sign in

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.

  • in a shelter

  • in a motel or campground due to lack of adequate accommodation

  • in a car, park, abandoned building, or bus or train station

  • doubled up with other people due to loss of housing or economic hardship

If you believe your children may be eligible, or know a child who is, contact your local school and ask to speak to the Pupil Personnel Worker.

McKinney-Vento Serving Students in Transition

All school phone numbers and additional information can be found on the McKinney-Vento Program section of the AACPS website.

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