Meals Offered By AACPS Through Extended Closure

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — Anne Arundel County Public Schools will continue to offer free meals to youth through the school closure due to the new coronavirus at 60 sites across the county. Children will receive breakfast, lunch and dinner in a single pickup and adults may not pick up meals for children. In the first five days, the district distributed 74,000 meals to more than 24,000 youth.

Dr. George Arlotto, superintendent of Anne Arundel County Public Schools, shared a message with school families, explaining that the "coronavirus outbreak is scary for all of us."

"First and foremost, I'm asking you to take care of yourselves and your families ... take precautions. Maintain social distancing if you must leave your home. We are each obligated to do our part because we are all at risk," Arlotto said in a Facebook video.

Superintendents across the state are working with the Maryland State Department of Education to address baseline expectations of what districts will be required to provide, possible changes to graduation requirements and the impact it could have on the plans of current seniors, expectations on delivering special education services and support, requirements for grading and other issues.

"The idea that our schools are empty makes me very sad. We miss our colleagues and our students very much. But a school closure is a necessary step to keep everyone safe ... no one is feeling the impact more than our high school seniors and families," Arlotto said. "Please know how incredibly proud we are of you and all that you have and will continue to accomplish. Your precious senior year has been significantly altered in a way none of us could've predicted. We will search for ways to celebrate you and your accomplishments."

Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman shared on Facebook that while his 10-year-old twin boys cheered when they heard of the extended closure, they still miss their school family and friends. He encouraged all students to focus on schoolwork and take a moment to study what they're interested in.

Arlotto also encouraged parents to continue accessing the links and resources provided for students to learn remotely and to use AACPS-TV if possible, too.

"We are nothing if resilient," Arlotto said.

Read more:

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• Coronavirus Social Distancing Score: How Anne Arundel Is Doing
• MD Coronavirus: Child Care Programs To Close Except One Type
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