Aberdeen High School

The following is being shared with families who have Kindergarten students in HCPS, on behalf of the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE):

This fall your student will take the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA). The KRA is an assessment that measures a student's knowledge, skills, and abilities in literacy, mathematics, and social and emotional development. It is given to all kindergarten students enrolled in public schools in Maryland by October 10th each year. The purpose of the KRA is to provide teachers and caregivers with information about what students know and can do, as well as to identify areas where they might need additional support. The assessment has three components:

• Star Early Literacy - 10-minute computer adaptive assessment of early literacy skills
• Star Math – 15-minute computer adaptive assessment of math skills
• SAEBRS (Social Academic Emotional Behavior Risk Screen) – 19-question survey completed based on
teacher observation

Most students will take the literacy and mathematics components of the KRA on a computer or tablet. The test will be read out loud to students who will use a mouse or touchscreen to select answers. Paper tests, ASL interpretation, and other accommodations are available for students who need them. Teachers will complete the social and emotional component of the assessment after spending the first few weeks of school getting to know students and completing observations.

Caregivers will receive information about how their student performed after the assessment has been administered. The results provide information about a student's mastery of the content and skills that will support their success in kindergarten. Performance on the KRA does not prevent a child from entering or remaining in kindergarten. The KRA results are only one piece of data, and scores should be understood in the context of other information, including feedback from a student’s teacher.

If you have questions about the KRA please speak with your student’s teacher.

Sincerely,
Erika McCrea
Executive Director of State Assessments

Reminders and important info to start the 2025-2026 school year:

• The Back to School Checklist includes links to all the required and optional documents to start your school year!

• The Student Handbook is a great resource for students, parents, and guardians.

• The new webpage, Stay Connected with Your Student’s Learning, was made to help parents and guardians connect directly to their student’s curriculum and understand options to support their child’s learning. This includes the process to follow for opting out of specific elements of the curriculum.

Reminder - Back to School Night

9/3/25 - TONIGHT!!

5-7pm

@AHS

Check out the Aberdeen High School Special BACK TO SCHOOL Edition of the News from the Nest Newsletter:

https://secure.smore.com/n/jb5gf

HCPS parents are their child’s first and best teachers! The HCPS Parent Academy is here to support you with resources, tools, and newsletters designed to keep families informed and engaged.

Check out the Parent Connection newsletter archive here: https://www.hcps.org/parents/parentacademy/parentconnectionarchive.aspx

Click here to visit the Parent Academy webpage for even more parent resources.

Little Eagles Preschool Enrollment Now Open
Aberdeen High School is now accepting 3- and 4-year-olds for the Little Eagles Preschool program. Classes begin October 20, 2025, and meet Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:15–11:45 a.m. The program cost is $250, paid in two installments.

For details or to add your child to the list, contact Lindsay Slepesky at Lindsay.slepesky@hcps.org or 410-273-5500.

Join us on Wednesday, September 3rd from 5:00pm - 7:00pm for our Back to School Night!

There will be a food Truck Available to order dinner while you meet the Aberdeen Team!

We hope to see you there!

The first day of school is September 2, 2025, for most students and September 4, 2025, for Prekindergarten. Be sure to review the HCPS Back to School Checklist, complete required forms, and get important updates before the first day. Click here to view the full checklist and resources.

HCPS has updated its backpack and bag policy to support safety and emergency preparedness. Families are encouraged to review expectations for locker use, storage sizes, and guidelines for athletic and instrument bags. Click here to view the full policy.

Harford County Public Schools is partnering again with the Aberdeen IronBirds for End of Summer Fest on Wednesday, August 20 at Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. and the game begins at 7:05 p.m. The evening will feature back-to-school giveaways, local resources, and HCPS staff, plus a special opportunity for students to play catch in the outfield from 6:00 to 6:25 p.m. We look forward to seeing our families at the ballpark! Click here to purchase discounted tickets. After you click the link, enter hcps25 where it asks for a password.

Harford County Public Schools is requesting families share their input on the possible use of virtual instruction during inclement weather for the 2025–2026 school year. The survey takes only a few minutes to complete and is open through Monday, August 11, 2025, at 11:45 p.m. Parents and guardians will need their child’s Student ID number, which can be found on report cards or progress reports. Click here to complete the survey.

The counseling office will be CLOSED July 29th - July 30th due to filing transitions.

For Enrollment inquiries, please email our registrar Diamond Smallwood at Diamond.Smallwood@hcps.org.

If you are in need to connect with a counselor about scheduling. Please email the following counselors by last name of your student:
- (A-Da) Angela.Farthing@hcps.org
- (De-Ha) Elizabeth.Manninggohlinghorst@hcps.org
- (He-Me) Devearl.Royster@hcps.org
- (Mi-Sh) Kimala.Humphreys@hcps.org
- (Si-Z) Hannah.Joyce@hcps.org

For Transcripts, email in this format to our Registrar, Diamond Smallwood.

- Name
- Date of Birth
- Year of Graduation
- Where/Location the transcript should be sent.

Thank you,

Aberdeen High School Counseling Staff

Sunday, July 27, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Verizon Wireless is having a FREE Backpack Giveaway.

One backpack per child. While supplies last.