A new program in Anne Arundel County Public Schools is intended to create a barrier-free learning environment. Superintendent Mark Bedell on Monday announced #BePresent , an initiative that involves community members volunteering to spend time at schools to improve relationships. The superintendent said he created something similar during his time working at the school system in Houston. Alumni and parents would head to a school either on a lunch break or in the morning to greet students or to say goodbye as they left for the day.