News from the Nest

Good Evening Eagle Parents and Guardians,

As we begin the second semester, I want to take a moment to thank you for your continued partnership and to share a few important reminders as we move into the months ahead.

Regular attendance remains one of the most critical factors in student success. Being present, on time, and engaged each day truly matters. We appreciate your support in helping your student prioritize attendance and communicate with the school when concerns arise.

Strong communication between home and school is equally important. I encourage you to stay connected with your student’s teachers through email and by regularly checking Home Access Center (HAC) for grades, attendance, and assignments. If your student is struggling academically, socially, or emotionally, please reach out early. We are here to work with you and can connect families with additional supports to help students succeed.

Students are actively engaged in course selection for next year, please talk to your student about their current classes, academic progress, and opportunities for AP and varied electives for our underclassmen and dual enrollment, AP classes, and workforce/apprenticeship programming for our upperclassmen. We encourage families to discuss the course selection process and always have a back up class (or two) in mind in case of a schedule conflict.

We also invite you to be an active part of our school community. Attending events makes a meaningful difference for our students. This weekend, we are excited to present our drama production, and we hope to see many of you there. Athletic events continue throughout the season, and our upcoming PTSA/NHS Bingo promises to be a fun opportunity to build school spirit and community.

For families of our upperclassmen, this is an important reminder that prom tickets must be purchased before midnight tonight. Please be sure to complete the purchase by the deadline to ensure your student’s participation.

Thank you for your ongoing involvement, support, and commitment to our students and school. We look forward to a productive and successful second semester together.

Warm regards,
Erica Harris
Principal, Aberdeen High School

We want to work together with families to better support students and their families. Your answers will help us plan workshops, services, and events that are helpful to you and your child. This survey is optional, and your answers are private.

Aberdeen High School Parent Engagement Survey – Fill out form

✨ Prom 2026 – Save the Date! ✨

We are excited to announce that Prom 2026 will take place on April 18, 2026, from 7:00–11:00 PM at the beautiful Top of the Bay on APG! The theme will be announced soon, and we can’t wait to begin planning with our students.

🎟️ Tickets

• Price: $80 per person
• Where to Buy: School Cash Online
• Sales Dates:
• Seniors: January 20 – February 6
• Juniors: January 27 – February 6
• Limited to 400 tickets, so please purchase early!

👥 Guest Pass Information
Because the event is held on a military base, we must follow strict security guidelines. Guest passes are due January 30—no exceptions.

• Every guest’s full name must be submitted in advance; the list is finalized a little over two months before prom.
• The approved list will be provided to the APG gate on prom day.
• Upon arrival, guests must tell the gate guard they are attending Prom at Top of the Bay and present a driver’s license or student ID.
• Names will be checked off before entry, and all guests must arrive by 8 PM.
• Please be aware that there may be a security dog at the gate and possibly inside the venue.

We’re looking forward to an unforgettable night celebrating our students—more details to come! ✨

2/13 Early Dismissal

2/16 President's Day - School Closed

2/24 2nd Quarter Honors Breakfast

Ineligibility begins Tuesday February 17, 2026, for all 9th – 12th grade student(s) who earned a failing grade “E” in one or more classes for 2nd quarter or has a final grade of an “E” for 1st semester. Report cards come out on Friday, February 13th. Please have your student(s) check their report card on HAC. If your student(s) earned an “E” on their 2nd Quarter report card or received an “E” for the semester on their report card, they will need to have an appeal hearing to see if they are granted an appeal to participate in the 2026 Spring Sport or extracurricular activity. On Thursday, February 5, 2026, students were emailed a form link that must be completed and submitted to have an appeal hearing. The submission deadline is Thursday, February 19th by 12 PM (Noon). If not submitted by the deadline date (2/19 at Noon) the student(s) will not have an appeal hearing. There will be no extensions!

Harford County Public Library’s 2026 Winter Reading Program

🎉 Great news, Aberdeen community!

Harford County Public Library’s 2026 Winter Reading Program is LIVE, and we’re excited to share how our Aberdeen High School students, families, and community members can participate.

For Aberdeen High School Students

Students at Aberdeen High School are invited to join the Winter Reading Program directly through the school. Here’s how it works:

📚 Student Reading Requirements

Students must read 3 books between December 20, 2025 and March 20, 2026. All types of reading count, including:

• Books read independently

• Books read aloud to younger children

• Audiobooks & eBooks

• Cookbooks

• Books assigned for class

🎁 Student Incentives

• Free Winter Reading Program mug earned upon completing all 3 books

• Weekly decade‑themed quizzes about four famous books from each era, beginning with the 1940s

• Each completed quiz = 1 raffle ticket for an Aberdeen Branch–exclusive gift basket

📝 How Students Sign Up

• Students can register in the school library by adding their name to the sign‑up sheet located next to the sign‑in computer.

• ➡️ Students must sign up through the high school. If they register at another public library branch, we cannot add them to the school’s program.

• Once registered, students will receive Monday emails with the weekly quiz link and can mark off their completed books on the checklist outside the library office.

For Families & Community Members

While only high school students can participate through the school, all adults are warmly encouraged to join the program independently through the Aberdeen Branch of the Harford County Public Library. Participating is a fun way to share the reading spirit with our students and stay engaged with our vibrant local library community. Adults may visit the Aberdeen Library branch or check the HCPL website for details about how to sign up.

Aberdeen High School has historically had 100+ student and staff participants—let’s keep our tradition strong!

Course selection for the upcoming school year has begun. Over the next 4 weeks, students will be coming down the library with their math class to enter their course requests into the computer. Students viewed videos in their social studies classes that reviewed course options and were given a yellow course selection sheet. Please discuss these selections with your child. You can view the course selection videos for each grade level at the following links:

​Course Selection Grade 10​

​Course Selection Grade 11​

​Course Selection Grade 12

Students - please remember to check your email for upcoming scholarships. Look out for scholarship emails from Ms. Farthing and remember to subscribe to scholarship updates at https://www.hcps.org/departments/studentservices/SchoolCounseling.aspx#ScholarshipsAnchor

February 2nd-6th is National School Counseling Week. School counselors play an important role in supporting students’ success. School counselors help students grow academically, socially, and emotionally by providing guidance, resources, and encouragement. Whether it’s helping with course planning, college and career readiness, managing stress, or navigating challenges, school counselors are here to support every student and help them thrive—both in and out of the classroom.

Juniors- Mark your calendars. April 23rd at 5 PM in the AHS Auditorium, school counselors will be hosting a college application information night. Students and Families welcome.

Our seniors met with Ms. Taddia and a representative from Jostens on November 18th to kick off graduation planning! Students learned about cap and gowns, graduation apparel, and the exciting steps ahead as we prepare to celebrate the Class of 2026. Each senior received a packet to bring home with all the details.

If your student wasn’t able to attend, no worries—packets are available in the main office.

Families can also explore the graduation options and information shared at the meeting by visiting:
https://www.jostens.com/graduation/high-school/graduation-packages

We’re excited to begin planning for this memorable milestone with our seniors and their families!

Save the Date for Graduation 2026- May 26, 2026, at the APGFCU Arena!

Is your student College and Career Ready (CCR)? Please see the chart below to see if your student is on the right path. Being CCR is one of the criteria looked at when determining eligibility for Dual Enrollment, Apprenticeship Programs and Workforce Development Programs that students can participate in their Junior/Senior year.

AP EXAMS: Open to all students taking advanced placement courses.

Late AP exam registration information:

• Closes March 5th at 5:00 pm

• Cost:

• $146 per exam for any 9th or 10th grade student who is NOT FARMS eligible.

• $42 per exam for the following:

• Any student who is FARMS (free/reduced meals program) eligible.

• Any student in 11th grade.

• Any student in 12th grade.

• Register online through Total Registration - www.TotalRegistration.net/AP/210000

If you have questions, please contact: AP Coordinator Mrs. Bane Danielle.Bane@hcps.org

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

• MCAP Scores from Winter testing will not come back until mid to late April.

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

MARYLAND SURVEY:

• Who takes it: All students in grades 9-11 who were enrolled at ABHS prior to January 24th.

• Where will they take it: In their Social Studies class.

• When will they take it: In class between March 2nd and March 13th.

• How will they take it: On their computer.

• What does the survey ask:

• The School Survey asks students questions about their perceptions, experiences, attitudes, and activities in school in four topic areas - school safety, school environment, school community, relationships (student-student and student-teacher)

• Frequently asked questions: https://marylandpublicschools.org/about/documents/daait/marylandschoolsurvey/maryland-school-survey-faq-a.pdf

• Sample questions: https://marylandpublicschools.org/about/documents/daait/marylandschoolsurvey/student-school-survey-item-bank-a.pdf

Free Spring Semester Workforce Development Courses at Harford Community College

Interested in getting free, hands-on training in the manufacturing, logistics, or construction industries this Spring? Consider taking a workforce development course at Harford Community College covered by the Ratcliffe Scholarship. Students must be over the age of 16 to participate. Click ​here for a list of available courses​ and ​here for the scholarship application​. Act quickly, courses start soon!

For more information, contact one of the HCC Career Navigators below:

Macon Tucker (mtucker@harford.edu)

Allison Chapman (alchapman@harford.edu)

Mental Health Series

To proactively support students' overall well-being, Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) is partnering with ParentGuidance.org to offer a virtual webinar series developed by licensed therapists. These interactive sessions are designed to help parents and caregivers support their children’s mental health and wellness.

• Format: Virtual and completely confidential—registration, attendance, and participation are anonymous to other viewers.
• Time: All sessions are held from 12:00–1:00 p.m.
• Registration: Visit the HCPS Parent Academy Facebook page or the link on the event flyer .
• Contact: For registration assistance, email Mary Beth Stapleton at Mary.Stapleton@hcps.org.

Session Schedule:

• “What Parents Need to Know about Suicide Prevention” - Wed. Feb. 18
• “Everyday Happiness” - Wed. Mar. 18
• “ABCs of Substance Use & Vaping” - Wed. April 15

Thank you again, and please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. abhs.ptsa@gmail.com

Senior Banners are for sale!

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

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

We are looking for sponsors as an advertising and partnership opportunity. Please let me know if you would eb 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)