News from the Nest

Dear Eagle Parents and Guardians,

As we move further into the school year, I want to thank you for the support you continue to provide to your student and our school community. Research consistently shows that parent involvement in high school has a powerful, positive impact on student achievement. When parents engage in school activities, communicate with staff, and stay connected to their child’s education, students perform better academically and show stronger growth on assessments.

One of the best ways to get involved is by joining our Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA). The PTSA plays a vital role in shaping our school’s culture, advocating for student needs, and supporting programs that directly benefit our students and staff. Whether you attend meetings, volunteer at events, or simply lend your voice to the conversation, your involvement makes a difference. I encourage you to consider joining this year.

While celebrating all the positive things happening at our school, I also want to ask for your partnership in addressing two challenges we are facing:

1. Phone Use in Bathrooms and Hallways
We are seeing an increase in students leaving class to use their phones in bathrooms or in the hallways. This results in missed instructional time and can create ongoing academic challenges. If your child is frequently out of class, you may hear from a counselor or administrator as we work together to ensure your student is getting the most out of their classroom time. Please help us by reinforcing the importance of being present in class and reminding your student that phones should be in their lockers and not used during instructional times, even in the hallway/bathroom.

2. Food Deliveries to Campus
Students are not permitted to receive DoorDash or any outside food deliveries during the school day. This is an HCPS policy designed to maintain safety on our campus and to minimize disruptions in the main office and cafeteria. With more than 1,400 students, allowing deliveries creates unnecessary security concerns and distractions. While parents may have an emergency that necessitates dropping off “outside” food, it must be eaten in the main office and should not become a regular practice. (And, as you might imagine, a hot bag of McDonald’s fries arriving in the cafeteria can be more disruptive than you’d think!) Parents are always welcome to bring a bagged lunch from home. Please help us by supporting this policy and avoiding the expense of deliveries, which will be turned away.

Your continued partnership is what makes our school community thrive. Together, we can ensure that all students are safe, supported, and positioned for success.

Thank you for all that you do to support your student and our school.

Enjoy your weekend!

Erica Harris, Principal

Thursday, October 2, 2025 – Schools Closed

Friday, October 10, 2025 – Interim Progress Reports

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

Wednesday, October 15- Parent Teacher Conference Night 5-7pm

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

College Admission reps will be here at AHS to meet with you to discuss their college programs. You can register for these visits by logging onto Xello and clicking on Events under the Explore Tab. https://xello.world/en/

Please use your student email address as your username. If you do not remember your Xello password, you can reset it (check your junk folder for the reset email).

All visits will be held in the school cafeteria. Please use an Ehall pass to attend.

October 3: University of Maine

October 8: Johns Hopkins University

October 10: St. Mary's College of Maryland

October 13: McDaniel College

October 21: Washington College

October 23: Frostburg State University

October 24: Virginia Tech

October 30: Loyola University Maryland/ Albright College

November 4: Robert Morris University

The 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form is now open!

✅ Start your FAFSA form now: FAFSA.gov
📅 The earlier you apply, the better your chances of maximizing aid.

Upcoming FAFSA Nights:

Let Harford Community College’s Financial Aid team guide you through the Financial Aid process for the 2026-27 school year. Learn about the FAFSA®, types of financial aid and how to apply, key deadlines, updates from last year, financial aid terms, tips on maintaining your aid, and more. Sessions are open to all, whether you plan to attend Harford or any other college or university. You’ll have a chance to ask important questions and lay the groundwork for your academic future.

Reserve your spot today at one of the high schools below and let Harford help you realize your educational dreams! Select an Information Night at the location (and date) that works best for you.

Bel Air High School/Patterson Mill (at Bel Air High School)
Tuesday, October 14, 6—8 PM | RSVP

Harford Tech/C. Milton Wright/Fallston (at Fallston High School)
Wednesday, October 22, 6—8 PM | RSVP

Joppatowne/Edgewood (at Edgewood High School)
Thursday, October 23, 6—8 PM | RSVP

Aberdeen/Swan Creek/Havre de Grace (at Havre de Grace High School)
Wednesday, October 29, 6—8 PM | RSVP

North Harford High School
Monday, November 3, 6—8 PM | RSVP

John Carroll High School
Tuesday, November 11, 6—8 PM | RSVP

FAFSA Completion Event: Saturday, November 8th

If you would like hands on assistance with completing your FAFSA, please register for this FAFSA Completion Event on Saturday, November 8, 2025, 9 - 1:00 PM at HCC, 401 Thomas Run Rd, Bel Air, MD 21015 RSVP

Please join the PTSA at our next meeting on Thursday, October 16 @ 7 pm. Use the link below to register and let us know you will be there.

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/nWSjIe8FSKuWiaZpGqp0SQ

Senior Banners are for sale!

🎓 Early Bird Price: $40 if purchased by December 12, 2025.
💰 After that date, prices will increase, so don’t wait!

Banners can be purchased through the AHS PTSA Giveback store (link below).

https://aberdeenhsptsa.memberhub.com/store/items/759892

Your Aberdeen High School PTSA is taking a monumental step toward student engagement programming and invites you to participate in an impactful way. On Saturday, Nov. 1 from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM your PTSA has partnered with the Harford County Regional Association of Student Councils and MPM Thinks, an education consulting firm, to host the first ever county-wide Youth Leadership and Engagement Summit. The purpose of the Youth Leadership and Engagement Summit is to allow youth from grades 6 – 12 to express their leadership via workshop sessions and participate in a mock convention as well as having them learn very useful tools, strategies, and fun activities as they approach life in general. The theme is, Ignite the Future, and we want you to be a part of it.

This affair is open to all students who are residents of Harford County. While students are encouraged to lead a workshop, many sessions will be facilitated by teachers, industry professionals, and field specialists. Each session is designed for all youth to be able to do, produce, or create something.

We are looking for parents to facilitate a plethora of workshop options based on their profession, hobby, certification, business ownership, and knowledge.

Please save the date and look for more messaging as registration will be underway and open for only two weeks. We expect workshops to fill up fast.

Moreover, we are looking for sponsors as an advertising and partnership opportunity. Please let me know if you would be willing to serve on the day of, or if you'd be interested in running a workshop at abhs.ptsa@gmail.com.

By joining the PTSA, you help make meaningful events like this possible. If you haven’t already, we invite you to join and support our efforts to bring engaging and impactful programs to our students.

Join the PTSA (https://aberdeenhsptsa.givebacks.com/shop)

Thank you to The Screaming Bean for funding new uniforms for the AHS football team!

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

PSAT -

• Students/parents/guardians - Please check your email from 9/29 from Mrs. Bane for important information regarding PSAT information if your student registered to take the test. All you need to know is in the email.

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 12:00 pm
• 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.