For some parents who lost power during Hurricane Irene, that meant that their phones, television, and Internet were out as well, avenues that the school system uses to communicate important information.

Realizing the dilemma, the Anne Arundel County Public Schools announced Thursday morning that it has launched an official Facebook page to further reach out to parents and county residents who desire to receive information about the school system. 

Those who “like” the page Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) will receive notifications of emergency and weather-related closings as well as periodic information about events and initiatives within the system.

The page can be accessed through the main AACPS website, www.aacps.org, or at www.facebook.com/aacps.

“We need to continue to explore every measure we can to reach out and convey information,” Superintendent Kevin M. Maxwell said. “This is just one more tool that the public at large can utilize to keep abreast of the important news about our school system and the impact we have not only on our 76,600 students, but on everyone in our county.”

In a release Thursday morning, AACPS spokesman Bob Mosier said only specific AACPS personnel will have access to post information on the page, which is intended as means to convey information and not an avenue for dialogue with AACPS employees.

Inappropriate or obscene comments will be removed from the page promptly and the sender will be blocked from further access, the release said.