Please join us in celebrating three ACPSD teachers who have gone above and beyond for their students and were honored with a Golden Apple Award!
Dr. Richard Ball, North Augusta High School; Mrs. Heather Parliament, Paul Knox Middle School; and Mrs. Christine Witt, Hammond Hills Elementary, will be amongst other CSRA teachers who will be recognized during the 33rd Annual WJBF NewsChannel 6 Golden Apple Awards special which is scheduled to air Friday, May 8 at 7 PM.
From capturing student achievements to sharing important updates, school communicators (aka "Communications Liaisons" in ACPSD) help connect families, staff, students and the community every day. Their work builds trust, strengthens relationships and shines a light on the incredible things happening across our district.
Thank you to all school communicators for their creativity, dedication, and heart you bring to your work. Your impact reaches far beyond the screen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8uv00kBT3Q
Plan ahead for next year 🌱📚. Aiken iNNOVATE gives grades 6–12 a flexible, supported virtual learning experience. Now accepting applications. 🚀 Explore and apply at www.acpsd.net/ai
Interpreters play a vital role in ensuring every student, parent and family can fully engage in their education. Through skill, cultural understanding and dedication, they break down language barriers and build meaningful connections every day.
Thank you for helping every voice be heard.
A scraped knee. A sudden illness. A student who just needs a moment of care. Behind every one of these moments is a school nurse who is steady, skilled and always ready to help.
On National School Nurse Day, we recognize the individuals who go beyond first aid to support the physical and emotional well-being of every student they serve.
Join us in thanking our amazing school nurses for all they do!
Join us as we honor our CTE Senior Completers—students who have demonstrated dedication, skill, and commitment to their career pathways!
The CTE Completer Ceremony will be on May 27, 2026 at 5:00 pm at the University of South Carolina Aiken - Convocation Center. This special evening is dedicated to recognizing seniors who have successfully completed their CTE programs.
These students didn’t just attend classes—they built skills, earned credentials, and prepared for real-world success. We invite families and friends to come celebrate their achievement and the bright futures ahead!
Reminder: This ceremony is for SENIOR COMPLETERS ONLY.
Please RSVP through the QR code on your invitation letter.
Join us in celebrating the Class of 2026 in person or online. All Aiken County Public Schools’ high school commencement ceremonies will be live-streamed to our website. Graduation Day is almost here, save the date(s) and celebrate your favorite seniors with us, www.acpsd.net/graduation.
Aiken County Public School District CTE Senior Completer Ceremony
Wednesday, May 27, 2026; 5 p.m.
Wagener-Salley High School
Wednesday, May 27, 2026; 7 p.m.
North Augusta High School
Thursday, May 28, 2026; 2 p.m.
Aiken Scholars Academy
Thursday, May 28, 2026; 5 p.m.
Aiken High School
Thursday, May 28, 2026; 8 p.m.
Silver Bluff High School
Friday, May 29, 2026; 9 a.m.
Ridge Spring-Monetta High School
Friday, May 29, 2026; 12 p.m.
South Aiken High School
Friday, May 29, 2026; 3 p.m.
Midland Valley High School
Friday, May 29, 2026; 7 p.m.
Congratulations to Aretha Tarver, School Counselor at Chukker Creek Elementary!
Mrs. Tarver goes above and beyond to support students academically, socially, and emotionally. From leading student support groups with integrated math tutoring to coaching award-winning Beta Club students, her impact is both measurable and meaningful. She also supports after-school learning, builds community partnerships to strengthen literacy, and leads service opportunities that teach students the value of giving back.
Her dedication, leadership, and commitment to student success make her truly deserving of this recognition.
The impact of a great teacher lasts a lifetime.
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week to the educators who inspire curiosity, build confidence, and change lives every single day. Your impact goes far beyond the classroom, and our schools are stronger because of you.
Thank you for your passion, your patience, and your unwavering dedication to students.
Make sure to check our socials to watch a special message from our Superintendent and School Board Chairman.
We're hiring the drivers who keep our schools moving.
Join us for our Bus Driver Hiring Event and take the first step toward a rewarding career supporting students everyday.
Date: May 14, 2026
Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location: Transportation Office located at 2457 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Warrenville, SC 29851
We will be conducting interviews and providing information about driver training. No experience is required. Please come prepared for an interview and bring your resume which should include reference contact information. Interviews will be conducted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Pre-registration is highly recommended to ensure a faster, smoother check-in experience, but walk-ins are welcome.
Registration link: https://acpsd.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5593469
If you have additional questions, please reach out to Hope Mullins at hmullins@acpsd.net.
Don't forget Amp the Appreciation is happening tonight!
Join us for an exciting evening celebrating the incredible people who power our schools. You won't want to miss it!
Stop by our table in the middle of The Alley in Downtown Aiken to pick up your Downtown Dollars and take advantage of exclusive discounts available just for ACPSD teachers + staff to use at select businesses around downtown and beyond, our way of saying thank you for all you do. As you get your dollars, you will be entered in raffle drawings for an arrangement of prizes generously donated by local businesses!
We are thrilled to announce an exciting lineup of performances including the Aiken High School Jazz Band, Youth Strings Academy Beginners and Advanced Elementary Strings, Chukker Creek Elementary Champion Singers and Theater Club, Wagener-Salley High Jazz Band, Silver Bluff High School Jazz Band, and the headliner Savanah Sunday!
As you take part in the festivities don't forget to take photos and share them on social media using our #acpsdAMP26 hashtag!
Let's come together, celebrate big, and keep the appreciation loud. We can't wait to see you there!
Strong schools start with strong leadership and today we celebrate the principals who lead with vison, heart, and purpose.
Our principals wear many hats each day such as mentor, problem-solver, encourager, and leader, while always putting students and staff first. They set the tone for their schools by building a positive culture and working behind the scenes to ensure every classroom is a place where students can thrive.
We are grateful for the impact you make in every school, every day.
Today we celebrate the incredible individuals who keep our students nourished, focused, and ready to learn. From preparing nutritious meals to greeting students with a smile, our child nutrition managers and operators make a difference far beyond the cafeteria line.
Thank you for your dedication, your heart, and the vital role you play in our schools each and every day. You are truly heroes in every sense of the word!
Did you know? Retired educators with a valid Professional Certificate can keep sharing their wisdom in the classroom through the Retired Educator Certificate!
Here’s how it works:
✅ Apply beginning May 1 if your certificate expires June 30.
✅ Once approved, you’ll receive a Retired Educator Certificate effective July 1.
✅ Keep renewing every 5 years with a quick request through My SC Educator Portal—no coursework required!
Your passion and experience are priceless, and we’d love for you to continue making a difference with ACPSD students!
Ready to keep inspiring? Visit ed.sc.gov to learn more!
Your hard work is the fuel that keeps Aiken County moving forward, and this Friday, we are turning up the volume to say thank you!
Please mark your calendars for Friday, May 1, for our annual AMP THE APPRECIATION event. We are excited to bring our entire team together in beautiful downtown Aiken for a night dedicated entirely to celebrating your dedication, your talent, and the incredible work you do every single day.
Event Highlights & Logistics
Kickoff & Registration: The festivities begin at 3:30 PM at the tent located in the center of The Alley.
Downtown Dollars: Visit the tent to collect your "Downtown Dollars" to spend as you shop, eat, and explore the heart of our city.
Raffle Entries: When you pick up your dollars, you are automatically entered into our raffle drawings for prizes donated by our generous local business partners.
Event Guide: A list will be shared next Friday morning featuring participating shops, restaurants, and exclusive "Educator Specials" to maximize your Downtown Dollars.
Live Entertainment: Enjoy performances by our own talented student performers starting at 5:00 PM, followed by our headliner, Savannah Sunday, taking the stage at 7:00 PM.
Arts & Culture: While strolling on Laurens Street, stop by the Aiken Center for the Arts to view student artwork and get an exclusive sneak peek at this weekend’s Fine Art Festival.
Aiken County truly loves our teachers and staff, and we cannot wait to see everyone there to AMP THE APPRECIATION once again. You give your best to our schools every day; now, it is our turn to give back to you.
The stage is set, and the spotlight is officially on you, and we can’t wait to see you Friday in The Alley!
On School Bus Driver Appreciation Day, we recognize the dedicated individuals who safely transport our students each day. Their reliability, professionalism, and commitment play a critical role in supporting student success across our district.
We are grateful for the care and consistency our bus drivers provide to students and families. Help us thank our drivers for all they do in the comments below!
We will soon share information about our upcoming Bus Driver Hiring Event, so keep an eye on our socials in the days to come!
Join us in celebrating the creativity and talent of our students at the 2026 ACPSD Fine Arts Festival! The community is invited to experience an inspiring showcase of the arts, featuring performances by our talented student groups on Friday, May 1st at 5:00 PM.
Additionally, come explore a vibrant collection of K–12 artwork on display throughout downtown at the Aiken Center for the Arts, highlighting the imagination and skill of students across the district. Whether you enjoy visual art, music, or live performances, this festival offers something for everyone.
Bring your family and friends and be a part of this exciting celebration of the arts in our community!
This award recognizes schools and departments that help build and maintain a strong culture of safety across our district.
We are committed to promoting safety and preventing accidents across our schools, facilities, and departments, and that work would not be possible without the support of our principals, supervisors, and leaders. The Safety Incentive Award reinforces this commitment by encouraging a strong safety culture that benefits employees through safer workplaces and helps reduce workers’ compensation costs for the district.
Thank you to our principals, supervisors, and leaders for continuing to make safety a top priority each day.
Congratulations to Dr. Christine Palladino, our Aiken County Career and Technology Center (ACCTC) biomedical science teacher who was just named as South Carolina's 2026-27 Teacher of the Year. In addition to the honor, she has been awarded $25,000, the use of a brand-new BMW for a year, $2,000 from Bojangles, a commemorative ring from Jostens, as well as a free graduate degree.
Dr. Palladino was joined today by her family, Superintendent Dr. Corey Murphy, and ACCTC Principal David Harris at the Governor's mansion for a Gala in the Garden with her ACPSD family watching her virtually back home. Watch the big announcement at the end of this linked livestream.
SCDE Teacher of the Year Livestream
We've had the opportunity to follow Dr. Palladino's journey from being named District Teacher of the Year, to a state finalist, and now South Carolina's 2026-27 Teacher of the Year. Get to know more about our district's top teacher and why she was named today as best in the state in a short video filmed when the state superintendent surprised her in the classroom last month. Congratulations Dr Palladino
Our communications team sent a videographer to Columbia today to capture the moment, and there's more to come.
Please join us in celebrating her!
Happy Earth Day!
Today we are reminded that even the smallest actions can make a big impact. Across the District, students and staff are learning, leading and taking steps to care for our planet both in and out the classroom.
From recycling and conserving energy to planting and protecting green spaces, we are proud to see our schools making a difference every day. These efforts include Aiken Elementary's composting and "Maverick Miracle Cleaner" projects, South Aiken's vertical aeroponic tower gardens, and Ridge Spring-Monetta's FFA program and Annual Agricultural Day. At Midland Valley High, FFA and environmental students recently celebrated Earth Day and Arbor Day by relocating trees to the teacher parking lot, preparing the Stampede Falls trail for the cross-country track, and monitoring wildlife food plots.
These are just a few examples of how our schools are creating a cleaner, healthier future for generations to come!
Shout out something special that your school does below!
#ACPSDCelebrates #EarthDay #AikenCountyPublicSchools
