News from the Nest

Good Evening Eagle Parents and Guardians,

As March begins, we are well into the third quarter and have passed the halfway point of the school year. We were excited to celebrate so many of our students during our Quarter 2 Honor Roll celebrations. We also enjoyed an outstanding Black History Month performance organized by our BSU, which showcased the incredible talent of many students in our performing arts department.

Our winter athletic teams also had an excellent season. Congratulations to all of our teams for their hard work and playoff appearances. A special congratulations goes to the members of our men’s swim team for winning the UCBAC Championship and to our wrestlers who advanced to the state competition.

As we head into the home stretch of the school year, there are a few important reminders for parents and students:

1. Please have your student bring their device home and check their school email regularly.
Even better—review it together. This helps ensure students know where their device is, that it is working properly, and that they have a charger. Regular use also ensures devices remain updated and ready for upcoming testing.

For senior families, this is especially important. Many scholarship opportunities are being sent directly to student email accounts, and several local organizations have contacted us encouraging Aberdeen seniors to apply.

2. Review your student’s grades from Quarter 1, Quarter 2, and their current Quarter 3 progress.
If your student is doing well—congratulations! Please encourage them to keep up the great work.

If they are struggling, please reach out to teachers, counselors, or administrators so we can work together to provide support. Please note that there will be no summer school for underclassmen this year, which means students who do not earn the required credits may face retention.

3. Senior Parents and Guardians:
Please encourage your student to regularly check their email and review the Senior Packet and senior updates with you. Several deadlines are approaching, and some cannot be extended. While we will send general information to families, links for required senior forms and submissions will only be accessible through students’ HCPS email accounts.

4. Thank you to our parents who continue to keep our PTSA strong.
It is never too late to join, and strong schools are supported by strong parent organizations.

As the weather gets warmer and students begin to look forward to summer, please remind them of the importance of finishing the year strong.

Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting our students and school community.

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

3/12 SMA Mentor Night

3/13 HCRASC Bingo night makeup

3/14 SAT

3/14 PTSA/NHS BINGO 5:00pm - 8:00pm

3/27 3 Hour Early Dismissal for Students

3/30 - 4/6 SPRING BREAK

If your student needs tutoring in a subject not listed, please have them stop by C203 on the tutoring dates to see if an NHS member can still support their needs.

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 concluded. Please discuss your child's selections with them.

If your student plans to take a dual enrollment HCC class or apply for a reduced schedule for part time employment, your child must submit a Student Enrollment Options (SEO) application for the 26-27 school year. Students were given SEO application instructions during course selection, and the application is now live as of March 2nd. ALL SEO APPLICATIONS ARE DUE MARCH 27th! Rising senior students who fail to complete an SEO by the deadline will be placed in a full schedule of 8 classes.

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

Please note that the ASVAB test date for Aberdeen High School has been rescheduled.
The new test date is Friday, May 1st at 7:30 AM in the cafeteria.

If you plan to take the ASVAB, please sign up using the link below:
https://forms.office.com/r/FnUsVkS9q2?origin=lprLink

Group study sessions will be held with Dr. Royster during all four lunches 10:35 am-12:30 pm (bring your lunch) in the Counseling Office conference room on the following Wednesdays:

• April 8
• April 15
• April 22
• April 29

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.

All college-bound juniors should plan to take the SAT this spring. Upcoming SAT dates are as follows:



May 2, 2026

June 6, 2026

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

Aiyanna Gibson (Senior) placed as a winner for the Varsity team competing in Educator's Rising for her interactive bulletin board and is now eligible to attend Nationals in Oregon. YAY Aiyanna!!

Save the Date for the Youth Leadership and Engagement Summit this Spring. (Please use the attachment. I'm not sure what format works for the newsletter, so I'm attaching both.)

The last date to order Senior Banners is on April 3rd. If you would still like to order a banner, please click on the link below.

Order Senior Banners