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Aiken High School’s Educators Rising would like to invite you and your children to enjoy “A Royal Family Ball” in the Aiken High School cafeteria. This event is for families with young children to experience a “prom-like” event, where they get to dress up in fancy clothes, dance to fun music, eat delicious snacks, make crowns, decorate “chalices,” enjoy other activities, and take pictures of the memories! Tickets are available on GoFan.com see the link below and QR Code in the picture. Costs are $5.00 for each child ages 3-years-old to 12-years-old (children 2 + under are free). All children must be accompanied by an adult family member (18-years-old and up). Costs for adult tickets are $10.00. If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Christa Franklin (cfranklin2@acpsd.net), the Educators Rising adviser and Early Childhood Education Instructor. bit.ly/royal-family-ball

On May 7th, we celebrate National Interpreter Day—a time to recognize the incredible contributions of ASL and foreign language interpreters in our schools. Whether supporting students in the classroom, helping families communicate at meetings, or ensuring access for all, interpreters are vital partners in education. Thank you for all you do! #NationalInterpreterDay #ThankYouInterpreters #ASLInterpreter #ForeignLanguageInterpreter #LanguageAccess #InclusionInEducation

CELEBRATING NATIONAL SCHOOL NURSE DAY | MAY 7 Today, we honor the compassionate caregivers who help keep Aiken County Public Schools safe, healthy, and thriving, our amazing school nurses! From tending to daily bumps and scrapes to managing chronic health conditions and supporting mental wellness, these dedicated professionals are a vital part of our school communities. School nurses are on the front lines of student health, providing care, promoting wellness, and helping students stay in school and ready to learn. Their expertise, empathy, and quick thinking make a lasting impact every single day. Thank you to our school nurses for being a steady hand, a listening ear, and a source of comfort for students, staff, and families. We appreciate you! Happy National School Nurse Day! 💙 #SchoolNurseDay #ACPSDcelebrates #ThankYouNurses

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! This week, we celebrate YOU— the educators whose passion, care, and commitment help students grow, thrive, and reach their full potential. In this special video message, Superintendent Dr. Corey Murphy shares his heartfelt thanks for all that you do. A message for our ACPSD teachers: https://youtu.be/CYDTqxyu9IA #TeacherAppreciationWeek #ACPSDcelebrates

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! From all of us at Aiken County Public Schools, we extend our deepest gratitude to the exceptional educators who shape minds, build futures, and go above and beyond every day. Your dedication, heart, and impact reach far beyond the classroom—and we are proud to stand with you in our shared mission to empower every student. Thank you for being the difference. If you know a staff member who deserves special recognition, give them a shout-out! www.acpsd.net/shine

CELEBRATING SCHOOL LUNCH HERO DAY | MAY 2 Today, we celebrate the real-life heroes who fuel Aiken County Public Schools—our incredible Child Nutrition Program team! Each day, these dedicated professionals prepare and serve thousands of nutritious meals, greet students with a smile, and help create a warm, welcoming environment in our cafeterias. Their hard work ensures that students are nourished and ready to learn—and that no child goes without a healthy meal. Whether behind the serving line, planning menus, or managing operations, our Child Nutrition Program team members make a difference—every tray, every day. Happy School Lunch Hero Day! #SchoolLunchHeroDay #ACPSDcelebrates

CELEBRATING NATIONAL SCHOOL PRINCIPAL DAY | MAY 1 Today we celebrate the incredible leaders at the heart of our schools—our principals. National School Principal Day is a time to recognize the dedication, vision, and tireless commitment of our school leaders who guide, support, and inspire students, staff, and school communities across Aiken County. Our principals wear many hats—they are instructional leaders, student champions, mentors to staff, and trusted voices in the community. Their leadership helps create safe, supportive, and successful learning environments where students can thrive. To all of our Aiken County Public Schools principals: thank you for your leadership, your heart for students, and the countless ways you make a difference every single day. #NationalSchoolPrincipalDay #ACPSDcelebrates

Celebrating Our School Heroes! From teachers to bus drivers, principals to custodians, librarians to nutrition staff, and everyone in between—you are the heart of our schools. Your dedication, passion, and hard work make a lasting difference in the lives of our students every single day. Thank you for all you do to create a community where students can learn, grow, and thrive. #SHINEACPSD #ACPSDcelebrates

CELEBRATING ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS DAY | APRIL 23 Today we celebrate the amazing administrative professionals who play such an important role within Aiken County Public Schools! From the friendly voices who answer the phones to the experts who keep our schools and offices organized and on track, these dedicated team members are the heart of our operations. They handle countless tasks behind the scenes with professionalism, patience, and precision, supporting our students, staff, and families every step of the way. Thank you for your hard work, your attention to detail, and your unwavering commitment to excellence. ACPSD is able to thrive and serve its mission because of the essential role you play each day. #ACPSDcelebrates #AdministrativeProfessionalsDay

PURPLE UP WITH AIKEN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS | FRIDAY, APRIL 25 Aiken County Public Schools is proud to be a Purple Star School District in support of military-connected students and their families. April is the Month of the Military Child, and we invite you to join us on Friday, April 25, in wearing PURPLE, a symbolic color that combines Air Force blue, Army green, Coast Guard blue, Marine red, and Navy blue, as we demonstrate our collective support for military children. PURPLE UP with us on April 25, and celebrate the strength, resilience, and sacrifices of military children. In our Purple Star School District, we salute the children of those who serve and thank them for being an important part of our ACPSD family! #PurpleUp #MonthoftheMilitaryChild #ACPSDcelebrates

Aiken County Public School District, April 22 BOARD MEETING - The Board of Education will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, beginning at 6:00 p.m.  Please visit https://www.acpsd.net/page/board-meeting-livestream to view the meeting agenda and access the livestream when the meeting begins. Board Meetings are open to the public, although seating is limited. Our School Board Representatives may be contacted for any questions from our community stakeholders. Their contact information is available from that link as well.

SCHOOL BUS DRIVER APPRECIATION DAY | TUESDAY, APRIL 22 Today, we recognize and celebrate the dedicated bus drivers and transportation staff of Aiken County Public Schools who help keep our students moving—safely, reliably, and with care. From early morning routes to afternoon drop-offs, field trips, and after-school activities, our bus drivers go above and beyond to ensure students arrive ready to learn and return home safely. Their friendly greetings, watchful eyes, and calm presence make a meaningful impact in the daily lives of our students and families. To all of our bus drivers, monitors, and transportation team members—thank you for the vital role you play in supporting our schools and students. You help make every school day possible. #ACPSDcelebrates #SchoolBusDriverAppreciationDay

CELEBRATING PUBLIC SCHOOL VOLUNTEER WEEK April is National Volunteer Month, and this week, April 21-25, we celebrate Public School Volunteer Week! Aiken County Public Schools would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the many parent and community volunteers who give their time, talents, and hearts to support our students, staff, and schools. Whether reading with students, helping in classrooms, chaperoning field trips, assisting with school events, or simply offering a helping hand when it’s needed most, your presence makes a difference. Our volunteers are role models, encouragers, and vital partners in education. We are truly grateful for the positive impact you make across our district. Interested in serving as a volunteer? Connect with your school’s volunteer coordinator to learn how you can make a difference! #ACPSDcelebrates #PublicSchoolVolunteerWeek #NationalVolunteerMonth

All Aiken County Public Schools and offices will be closed tomorrow, Friday, April 18, for the Good Friday Holiday. We look forward to welcoming students and staff back on Monday, April 21, 2025.

Congratulations to Aiken County Public School District's March Employee of the Month, Ms. Beth Kelley! Beth Kelley has worked for ACPSD for 30 years and currently serves as a Secretary for the Department of Special Programs. Beth has been an amazing addition to the Department of Special Programs team. As the department’s secretary, she takes on various tasks requiring accuracy, timeliness, and attention to detail. Each task is managed with amazing care and always ahead of schedule. She is also a wonderful team player. Beth is willing to take on any additional task asked of her. She never comments that something is not her job. In fact, you will frequently find her offering to help colleagues and other department staff members when possible. She is always willing to cover for a friend who is out, and she comes to work each day with a joyful spirit and thankful heart. Beth is truly the heartbeat of the Special Programs Department! Thank you to our March Employee of the Month Ms. Beth Kelley for demonstrating excellence as an employee of ACPSD! We appreciate all you do! #ACPSDcelebrates #EmployeeOfTheMonth

“Lego Wars” Fine Arts Camp was an acceleration opportunity available for middle school students during Spring Intersession which brought creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving to life for middle school students participating. Throughout the four-day camp held at Highland Springs Middle, students became teams of architects, challenged to design a community center or venue for teenagers to help address the lack of recreational activities available for them. Using STEAM principles and the Engineering Design Process, students worked in teams as they brainstormed, built, and refined their designs before presenting their final projects to a panel of judges, including David Broaden, President of the CSRA National Society of Black Engineers Jr. Chapter, as well as our Federal Programs Director Brian Gibbons, and Highland Springs Principal Paige Day. 🏆 Congratulations to our winners! 🥇 1st Place: Dorothea Viner, Ayden Miner, Ivey Laube, & Liam Aiken 🥈 2nd Place: Grayson Williams, Elizabeth Glahn, & Ashanti Head 🥉 3rd Place: Victoria Arteaga, Elouise Chronister, Jonas Cato, & Nicholas Carty “We are extremely proud of these students for demonstrating outstanding teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving as they stepped into the role of architects and took on a real-world design challenge,” shared Dr. Kimberly Fontanez, District Fine Arts Coordinator. Catch a glimpse of the creativity and teamwork behind “Lego Wars” in these photos!

US 78 CORRIDOR STUDY PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING Join Aiken County Planning & Development on April 22, 2025, from 5:30 to 8:00 PM at the First Baptist Church of Montmorenci Fellowship Hall, located at 44 Old Barnwell Rd, Aiken, SC 29803. Aiken County is conducting a Corridor Study to evaluate potential improvements along the US 78 (Charleston Highway) corridor, extending from Airco Boulevard to Old Troy Lane, including Woodward Drive and intersecting roads. This public meeting is your opportunity to learn about the proposed plans to enhance safety, traffic flow, and accessibility along the corridor. Your input is valuable and will help guide the future of transportation in our community. If you're unable to attend in person, you can still participate by submitting feedback online through May 6, 2025, at https://bit.ly/aiken-transpo. For questions or more information, please contact Saralyn Yarborough, Transportation Planner, at 803-642-1520 or Tplanning@aikencountysc.gov.

Aiken County Public School District, APRIL 15 SPECIAL CALLED BOARD MEETING - BUDGET WORKSHOP - The Board of Education will hold a special called budget workshop meeting on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, beginning at 6:00 p.m.  Please visit https://www.acpsd.net/page/board-meeting-livestream to view the meeting agenda and access the livestream when the meeting begins. Board Meetings are open to the public, although seating is limited. Our School Board Representatives may be contacted for any questions from our community stakeholders. Their contact information is available from that link as well.

ACPSD schools and offices will reopen Monday, April 14. We hope you had a wonderful Spring Break and look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow!

APRIL IS WORLD AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH Each April, Aiken County Public Schools joins communities around the world in recognizing World Autism Awareness Month, a time dedicated to increasing understanding, promoting acceptance, and supporting individuals with autism. Throughout the month, we shine a light on the voices, experiences, and strengths of people with autism, while working to build school communities where every student is respected, supported, and given the opportunity to succeed. We’d like to take a moment to recognize and thank our incredible Autism Services Aides and related service providers who work each day to support students with autism across Aiken County. Your compassion, dedication, and care make a lasting difference in the lives of our students and families. By listening, learning, and embracing differences, we help create environments where all students can thrive. #ACPSDcelebrates #WorldAutismAwarenessMonth