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Come Walk with Team Dana! 🌈

May 10th, 2024

Dear Neighbor,

Honored by the Maryland Library Association







I am incredibly honored to have been recognized by the Maryland Library Association with the Distinguished Service Award for 2023! I can’t describe how much this award means to me. I’ve known about the magic of the library my entire life. It is because of librarians that I am here today, and I am always proud to fight for our libraries because I know and see the impact they have everyday for all Marylanders. 








Whether it is fighting for library funding, or protecting the Freedom to Read, I often remember what Maryland’s own Frederick Douglass wrote; “Once you learn to read, you will be forever free. It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men. I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of others, rather than to be false, and to incur my own abhorrence.” This quote along with many others was on my mind as I drafted and fought to pass the Freedom to Read Act. 



Thank you so much to all of Maryland’s librarians, you make our State a better place for everyone.

 

Spring into Summer with me on June 4th!!


I am excited to announce my Spring Into Summer fundraising event for Tuesday, June 4th from 8:30 - 10:00am at Harry Browne’s. We accomplished so much this past session, and I can’t wait to talk with you more about it! Come join me on June 4th for breakfast and conversation!  

 

Get your tickets here! 

 

🌈 Walk with me in the 2024 Annapolis Pride Parade! 🌈


The Annapolis Pride Parade is one of my favorite days of the year! It is the second largest parade in Annapolis, and has been recognized Statewide for its incredible atmosphere and energy. If you haven’t attended in the past this is your year, and what better way than to walk in the parade itself! So come join me and my family as we celebrate love and equal rights for all on this wonderful day!


To sign up please click here!




 

AACPS Pre-K Program Registration Open!


Families who wish to apply for their student to attend Anne Arundel County Public Schools’ prekindergarten program in the 2024-2025 school year may do so online now! AACPS offers prekindergarten programs for 3-year-olds in 12 schools and 4-year-olds in 64 schools.


As called for by the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future (Blueprint), families will apply for prekindergarten through a centralized online enrollment process that is managed by the AACPS Early Childhood Office. Prekindergarten registration is no longer first come, first served.



AACPS is required to offer prekindergarten enrollment to families who qualify under the priority enrollment qualifications set forth in the Blueprint. These qualifications, in priority order, are:


  • Household income at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) or families experiencing homelessness.

  • Students with active Individualized Education Plans or Individualized Family Service Plan.

  • Home language other than English.


Information about prekindergarten programs in AACPS and an online application can be found at www.aacps.org/earlychildhood beginning at noon on May 7, 2024.


Children enrolling in 3-year-old prekindergarten must be 3 years old on or before September 1, 2024. Children enrolling in 4-year-old prekindergarten must be 4 years old on or before September 1, 2024. Registration must be done by a parent or legal guardian and proof of identification must be uploaded along with the completed online application. No additional documentation is uploaded with the application.


Should seats remain after enrollment of students in the above categories, schools may enroll students with other readiness needs at the beginning of October. When offered a seat in the program, families applying for prekindergarten must provide:


  • The student’s original birth certificate or birth record.

  • a copy of the student’s immunization record.

  • two proofs of residency (rental or mortgage agreement and current utility bill).

  • custody order (if applicable).


Additionally, families must verify their income eligibility when offered a seat by submitting one of the following:


  • Federal Income Tax Return (1040 statement), W2 or a C/1099 along with documentation related to other sources of income such as child support and/or rental income for each adult in the household

  • Current award letter for Temporary Cash Assistance

  • Current award letter for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

  • Documentation for foster care

  • McKinney-Vento Program Enrollment Form


Each elementary school in AACPS now has an assigned 4-year-old prekindergarten location. Families will be offered a seat in the program at the closest prekindergarten location with availability.


Families who do not have internet access or who need additional assistance completing an application should contact the school at which they intend to enroll their student. School staff are able to assist families with completion of the online application.


Information about the recommended immunizations for children entering school is available at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/


Families with further questions or individual concerns can contact the Anne Arundel County Public Schools Early Childhood Office at earlychildhood@aacps.org.

 

World’s Largest Diaper Drive!




Join the Walk the Walk Foundation in making a difference! They are collecting diapers for the World's Largest Diaper Drive in support of Walk the Walk Foundation.  Larger sizes are in the highest demand, sizes 4-6!  Every contribution counts in helping families in need. Let's come together and make a meaningful impact! #DiaperDrive #WalkTheWalkFoundation #CommunitySupport #WorldsLargestDiaperDrive





All the Ways to Support the World's Largest Diaper Drive

  • Donate Diapers: During May, consider visiting one of their partner locations to drop off your donation.

  • Support Financially: Make a tax-free donation to support the World’s Largest Diaper Drive.

  • Purchase Diapers: This simple shopping list allows people to give directly to needy families.

  • Annapolis Blues Soccer: The Walk the Walk Foundation has been selected as a beneficiary of the Blues’ home opener on May 15 at 7 p.m. Proceeds from the Community Shield game will go directly to support needy families and diaper donations will be accepted on-site.


 

Last Week to Apply to my Scholarship! 





Less than one week left to apply to my 2024-25 scholarship!! This scholarship is available to dedicated college students that reside in 30A who are eager to advance their education and contribute to our community's future. To access the details, requirements, and the application students please click here!





 

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with AACPL!


May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the culture, traditions and history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) in the United States.



AAPI Heritage Month also provides an opportunity to recognize the important role that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have played in shaping American history and the challenges they have overcome. Throughout the month of May, Anne Arundel County Public Library will host events and offer a wide range of resources, including books, movies and online materials that highlight the diverse experiences, cultures and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Join us as we celebrate the rich and vibrant heritage of AAPI communities.





Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month at your local library by attending fun, educational events! 

 

Visit our Asian/Pacific American Interest events calendar for a complete list of programs. 




Enrich your knowledge of Asian Pacific American history and cultures using the library’s digital resources!

  • Stream movies featuring Asian American and Pacific Islander actors and films highlighting AAPI history and achievements in the arts and media using Kanopy. 

  • Delve into the lives of historical and contemporary Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders like Duke Kahanamoku, Hazel Ying Lee, Jhumpa Lahiri and Yo-Yo Ma using our Biography database.  

  • Explore information on Asian American and Pacific Islander identity, culture, civil rights, perspectives and more using our Diversity Studies and Opposing Viewpoints databases.  

  • Learn about Asian American and Pacific Islander cinema, theatre, art and more using our Fine Arts database.

  • Discover the history of Asian American and Pacific Islander traditions, cultural migration, societies, immigration and more using our U.S. History and World History databases. 






Choose your next read from our lists of books written by Asian American and Pacific Islander authors! 


  • Check out our booklists for kids, teens and adults. 

  • Download books by Asian American and Pacific Islander authors in eBook and eAudiobook formats to enjoy instantly using Overdrive/Libby.

  • Looking for more books written by Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders? Use NoveList’s “Advanced Search” feature to generate a list of books by authors with specific ethnicities and cultural identities.

 

You can follow me on Facebook, X, and Instagram to learn about volunteer opportunities, community resources, legislative updates and much more. If you have any questions or concerns, you can always contact my office by email at Dana.Jones@house.state.md.us or by phone at 410-841-3211.


Stay safe and healthy,






Delegate Dana Jones

District 30A, Annapolis & Anne Arundel County


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