News from the Nest

Good Evening Eagles,

Our school year is off to an amazing start. Aberdeen High School students recently met with their counselors and administrators to review important information about counseling services, testing, discipline, and mental health supports. A lot was covered, and students will receive soft copies of the information, along with the Back-to-School Night presentations, next week.

Please take a few minutes to talk with your student about these meetings and the information that was shared. To help set them up for success, here are a few key reminders to reinforce at home:

1. Check email daily – Email is our primary form of communication for opportunities, updates, and important information.

2. Listen to morning announcements – This helps ensure students don’t miss events, activities, or deadlines.

3. Arrive on time – Attendance is not only state-mandated, but essential. If students are not in class, they miss valuable learning and opportunities.

4. Use their planner – Writing down upcoming tests, quizzes, and assignments helps students stay organized.

5. Lock their locker & don’t share it – Students are responsible for the items in their locker. They should never share lockers, preset combinations, or give their combination to others.

6. Stay in class – Some students have already accumulated over 25 passes out of class in just the first nine days. This is significant lost instructional time.

7. Get involved in extracurricular activities – AHS offers many clubs, sports, and activities. If something doesn’t exist that sparks interest, students can find a sponsor and like-minded peers to start their own.

8. Download the HCPS App – This is a quick and easy way for parents and students to stay on top of school happenings, especially if email inboxes get crowded.

9. Follow the phone policy – Phones should be deactivated and kept in lockers. While we understand students may occasionally forget, phones must remain out of sight during the school day.

While there are many other recommendations we could make to support your student’s success, we are grateful that you took the time to read this message and partner with us.

Enjoy your weekend!

Erica Harris, Principal

Friday, September 12, 2025 – HAC Update

Tuesday, September 16-17, 2025 -- School Pictures

Tuesday, September 23, 2025 -- 3-hour Early Dismissal

Friday, September 26, 2025 – HAC Update

Thursday, October 2, 2025 – Schools Closed

Friday, October 10, 2025 – Interim Progress Reports

Monday, October 13-15, 2025 – Senior Make-up pictures

Thursday, October 16, 2025 – 3-hour Early Dismissal

Friday, October 17, 2025 – Schools Closed

Wednesday, October 22, 2025 – SMA Open House

Friday, October 24, 2025 – HAC Update

Friday, October 31, 2025 – 3-hour Early Dismissal

PSAT - open to all students in 10th and 11th grade only (practice for SAT assessment):

• Date: New this year, students register will take the PSAT in school. After students have signed up, Mrs. Bane will send information regarding a student’s specific date and time.
• Time: students will be scheduled to test either in the AM or PM
• Registration opens: August 27th at 8:00am
• Registration closes: September 17th at 11:59pm
• Register online through Total Registration - www.TotalRegistration.net/PSAT/210000
• Cost:
• $20 per student
• Free for students who qualify for the Free/Reduced Meals program - click here to apply (you must reapply each year to see if you qualify - opens August 7th).

AP EXAMS - open to all students taking advanced placement courses

• Dates: May 4th - May 15th (click here for specific exam dates)
• Time: During school hours (afternoon exams go beyond a normal school day)
• Registration opens: October 6th at 8:00am
• Registration closes: November 7th at 11:59pm
• Registration online through Total Registration - www.TotalRegistration.net/AP/210000
• Cost:
• All 11th and 12th grade students as well as students who qualify for FARMS (free or reduced meals program)
• FREE for all exams; $42 per exam if registering after November 7th
• All 9th and 10th grade students who do not qualify for FARMS
• $104 per exam; $146 per exam if registering after November 7th
• Any student who signs up for an exam and drops the course, cancels the exam or fails to take the exam on the day of the test will be charged $42 per exam. This is a College Board cancellation fee.

State Assessments:

• State assessments are required for graduation purposes in the following areas:
• Government
• Biology (LS MISA)
• Algebra 1
• English 10
• All 9th grade students will take a Mathematics assessment (Algebra 1, Geometry or Algebra 2) for ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) purposes.
• Testing will take place in school on the dates listed below:
• Government – April 27th and 28th
• Biology (LS MISA) – April 29th and 30th
• Algebra 1, Algebra 2 and Geometry – April 20th and 21st
• English 10 – April 9th, 10th, 13th and 14th – students will test all 4 days
• Testing will also take place in school December 1st - January 16th for students who did not test in the Spring of 2025 or who have not met College and Career Readiness Standards.
• MCAP Scores from Spring 2025 testing will be distributed mid October.

Contact Danielle Bane (Danielle.Bane@hcps.org) if you have any questions regarding PSAT/AP Exams or State Assessments.

October 9th 6pm – College Information Night for Seniors and Families – AHS Auditorium

FAFSA Nights Presented by HCC – 6-8pm – Register at www.harford.edu

• October 14th – Location: Bel Air High School

• October 22nd – Location: Fallston High School

• October 23rd – Location: Edgewood High School

• October 29th – Location: Havre de Grace High School

• November 3rd – Location: North Harford High School

October 8th 4pm-7pm - College and Career Fair Presented by HCC – APGFCU Arena

Thank you to The Pit Shack for supporting AHS on Wednesday, September 3 during Back to School Night!!

Do you have or know someone with a local business? Would you like to partner with Aberdeen High School? Would you like to see your business represented in our newsletter??

If so, Please reach out to the PACE liaison : Aaron Heasley at aaron.heasley@hcps.org