🍦Should AACPS implement weapons detection?

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Annapolis. Shoutout to all the dads who said, “We needed this” when it started raining yesterday. Hope your New Balances didn’t get dirty.

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

• New Village Academy

• Brand new trampoline park

• Chesapeake Chapters: The Senator’s Wife

Let’s get to it.

— Lauren Burke Meyer, Dylan Roche, Duffy Perkins, & Ryan Sneddon

SPONSORED BY 84 LUMBER

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Embrace the opportunity to create the kitchen you've always wanted. With 84 Lumber’s wide selection of high-quality products and personalized design services, there's no better time to start than now.

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Bring your vision to life with the help of your hometown building partner!

THE DIGEST

Coming soon: New Village Academy 📓✏️

Have you heard about the newest tenant at Annapolis Mall? It’s New Village Academy, a public charter school dedicated to project-based learning and career readiness. After delaying its opening last spring for lease negotiations, the school is on track to open this fall. Describing itself as “small by design so that everyone knows one another,” the academy is opening with ~150 high school students and plans to grow to 250 in its first few years.

A groundbreaking at the 2002 Annapolis Mall Road location (on the second level between The Container Store and Crate & Barrel) on Thursday from 4–6 PM will give everyone a chance to see the space where the school will operate and meet members of its team. (Planning to go? Be sure to RSVP.)

🔎 What’s a charter school? Unlike a private independent school, a charter school operates based on a contract (aka charter) with local authorities. So even though it receives public funding, it doesn’t follow the same regulations as the rest of the school district. New Village Academy lays out its model here.

Will AACPS implement weapons detection? 🏫

There’s a difficult question facing every school system: How do we keep students and teachers safe? AACPS is looking at the possibility of installing weapons detection systems, but the idea isn’t proceeding forward with a clear scan just yet. Superintendent Dr. Mark Bedell proposed $332K for a pilot program at two high schools (TBD which) in the 2025–2026 budget. The Board of Education, which approves the school budget, boosted that number to $2 million for detectors at all 15 high schools.

Now it’s up to County Executive Steuart Pittman, who considers the school budget as part of the overall county budget. It’s likely the county can’t cover that $2 million and Pittman will defer to Bedell’s original $332K for a pilot program before considering whether to implement detectors at all schools. Johns Hopkins Center for Safe and Healthy Schools says the technology could yield 80% false positives, and though it could deter some would-be attackers, it could also create a false sense of security.

Right now, other school systems in Maryland like Harford County and Baltimore City have detection systems in place. A weapons detection system works via electromagnetic sensors, which use AI to detect the shape and density of a weapon. AACPS hasn’t announced which specific system it would use and likely wouldn’t be able to make that determination until funding is secured. ($)

Want to add more meaning to your runs?

Running is a super fulfilling pastime and exercise (at least according to Scoop writer Dylan). But we have a way to make it even more fulfilling. It’s called Athletes Serving Athletes. ASA allows runners to donate their legs and heart to disabled athletes to empower them to participate in mainstream running events. They participate in everything from huge races to charity 5Ks and it’s a fantastic group of people. Our own Duffy Perkins caught up with some of the “wingmen” to learn more. Check it out!

Chesapeake Chapters: The Senator’s Wife 📖

Looking for your next page turner? NYT bestselling sister duo Liv Constantine has you covered. Lynne Constantine lives in Connecticut, and Valerie Constantine is our Annapolis neighbor. Together, they’ve sold over two million books worldwide.

A psychological thriller set in DC’s elite circles, The Senator’s Wife follows philanthropist Sloane Chase, who’s newly married to Senator Whit Montgomery. After a hip replacement, she hires home health aide Athena Karras — but as Sloane’s health declines, paranoia sets in. Fast-paced and twist-filled, this novel exposes the dark side of power and privilege.

Grab your signed copy at Park Books. Then check out The Last Mrs. Parrish (a **Reese’s Book Club pick) and stay tuned for Don’t Open Your Eyes in June.

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LOCAL BUSINESS

New Sky Zone Trampoline Park Opens 🤸

Little ones are jumping for joy! This week, a new Sky Zone trampoline park opened in the Crofton/Gambrills area at 986 Waugh Chapel Way. And while no, this isn’t technically in our normal coverage purview, trampoline parks are worth the drive. The new Anne Arundel County location offers favorites including the Zip Line, SkySlam, and Warrior Course. This is Sky Zone’s eighth in Maryland, with two more locations planned for Owings Mills and Frederick.

🔗 Reserve a jump time or book a party! ($)

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

SPONSORED BY YOGA FACTORY ANNAPOLIS & CROFTON

New Faces, Fresh Flows — Meet Your New Favorite Instructor

Big news at Yoga Factory. We’ve expanded our teaching team and we can’t wait for you to roll out your mat with them! Our new instructors bring fresh energy and expertise to Vinyasa, Bikram, HIIT, and Sculpt classes — offering even more variety to help you grow, sweat, and flow.

Don’t worry! Your favorite teachers aren’t going anywhere. We’re just adding more talent to the lineup so there’s always a class that fits your style and schedule.

Come try something new, discover a new favorite, and keep your practice inspired at Yoga Factory in Annapolis or Crofton.

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

Theatre Talk Tuesday 🎭

🔔 Woods Church presents The Hunchback of Notre Dame
This musical, adapted from the classic Disney film, tells the story of hunchback bellringer Quasimodo and the world that shuns him. It opens this Friday and runs through April 6.

🩰 Ballet Theatre of Maryland holds Elegance on the Water gala
Guests at this fundraiser for Ballet Theatre of Maryland will be treated to a one-night-only special performance featuring the company’s dancers on Saturday at the Annapolis Maritime Museum.

💼 Colonial Players presents Working
This musical gives a vivid portrait of American workers from all across the spectrum — from teacher to phone operator to waitress — and runs at Colonial Players through March 29.

🪴 Compass Rose Theater presents Little Shop of Horrors
Compass Rose Theater’s production of this musical comedy about a monstrous bloodthirsty plant runs through March 30.

🍸 Live Arts Maryland holds Great Gatsby Dance Party
Join Live Arts Maryland in celebrating the 100th anniversary of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Great Gatsby with a performance by the Hotel Paradise Orchestra on Friday evening.

Annapolis Film Festival: Opening Night! 🎬 ✨

There’s no denying the movie magic. The 13th annual Annapolis Film Festival is THE place to be from March 27–30. Opening night is always a highlight and this year expectations run high with the film The Ballad of Wallis Island. The “fresh, big-hearted comedy” (according to The Wall Street Journal) is about an eccentric lottery winner who lives on an island alone and dreams of reuniting his favorite musicians/ex-lovers. The Opening Night After Party is a blast too, with signature cocktails, food, and dancing!

Spend the weekend watching all kinds of movies and hearing from experts. Learn more and grab your pass before time runs out!

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

WEATHER

Tuesday

60 🌡️ 41 | ⛅ | 15% | 💨 WSW 11 mph (10 knots)

Wednesday

54 🌡️ 35 | ⛅ | 16% | 💨 WNW 15 mph (13 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 49ºF
Temperature readings taken from the mouth of the Severn River the night before publication

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

Tuesday

The Point | Kavoossi | 5–8 PM
Brian Boru | Ray Weaver | 6–9 PM
Rams Head Roadhouse | Kristi Allen | 7 PM

Wednesday

49 West | Dave Chappell & Friends | 5–7 PM
49 West | Mr VCR & Friends | 8–10 PM
Brian Boru | Nate Finn | 6–9 PM
Galway Bay | Irish Trad Music Session | 8 PM
Killarney House | Jason Bishop | 6–10 PM
Middleton Tavern | Michael K | 10 PM
Pirate Cove | Sydney Smith | 6–9 PM
The Point | Aaron Hawkins | 5–8 PM
Rams Head Tavern | Tim Kurtzberg | 4:30 PM
Reynolds Tavern | TBA | 7 PM

NAVY SPORTS

Capital Gazette 2025 high school softball preview 🥎

Anne Arundel County softball is on the rise, with a strong crop of pitchers dominating the field. Standouts clocking 60 mph (or more) include Broadneck’s Rylan Crisafulli, Crofton’s Marley Connor, Arundel’s Aedyn Prince, Severna Park’s Quinlyn Bary, and Northeast’s Presley McGinty and Kayleigh Fyffe. Teams to fear? Northeast, Chesapeake, and Broadneck are strong title contenders.

The sport is gaining popularity, with more girls eyeing college teams — the reverse of trends in basketball and lacrosse. As competition heats up, coaches expect fierce battles on the field this season. All we have to say is . . . PLAY BALL! ($)

Upcoming games

Baseball (12-11)
3/25 vs. Coppin State | 3 PM
3/26 vs. Maryland Eastern Shore | 3 PM

Women's Lacrosse (7-3)
3/26 vs Loyola | 6 PM

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THANKS!

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