Families: thank you all for your understanding this morning when changes in the Winter Weather system required a shift in our in-person and early dismissal plans. Our school bus drivers safely transported all students home who had already been picked up for school when the announcement this morning was made.
The timing of the announcement was not ideal, but the decision to close was made because conditions changed and we are committed to responding as necessary when safety concerns arise.
Our transportation team ensured each student made their way safely inside their home or that they were released off the bus to a trusted adult. Our bus drivers did an incredible job in a difficult circumstance and we applaud their care and dedication to our community’s children.
Snow and ice are impacting our county much more heavily than was forecasted. Please stay tuned to weather and safety precautions, and stay warm at home and off the roads if possible.
All ACPSD Schools to Dismiss Two-Hours Early on Friday, January 10 , due to Possible Wintry Conditions:
Based on the latest update from the National Weather Service in Columbia, ice and sleet accumulation is possible in Aiken County tomorrow in the late afternoon hours. To ensure that all students, families, teachers, staff and employees have an opportunity to return home before wintry conditions may make travel difficult, all Aiken County Public Schools will dismiss two hours early tomorrow, Friday, January 10. Breakfast and lunch will be served prior to dismissal.
Students receiving transportation services on half-day schedules, including Early Learning Special Education students and others, will not come to school tomorrow as buses will be unable to make mid-day routes.
Afternoon classes at the Aiken County Career and Technology Center will not be held. Students enrolled in an afternoon class at the Career Center will remain at their high school.
All schools and offices will also close early tomorrow. The district’s schools and offices will close no later than 3 p.m. As we shared last night, there will be no afterschool care tomorrow through QuestZone and no events will be held in the afternoon tomorrow through noon on Saturday.
As always, we thank you for your flexibility and understanding with the change to tomorrow’s dismissal times. Please be safe and exercise additional caution while travelling over the coming days.
Kindergarten Parents: Our previously scheduled "Coffee with the Counselor" for this Friday has been postponed to February 7th. Details will be sent out as the date approaches. We apologize for any inconvenience.
As temperatures drop this week and the possibility of a Winter Storm is on everyone’s radar, please know that we are in close collaboration with local Emergency Management Officials in monitoring for impact to our area.
Confidence in a possible impact to Aiken County late in the afternoon and evening this Friday, January 10, is increasing. With a concern for students, families, and employees traveling after dark on Friday in what may be a mixture of sleet and freezing rain, all athletic practices, games, arts-activities, afterschool care, and any other school or district-sponsored event scheduled for Friday, January 10, will not take place as planned.
With temperatures expected to be below freezing until mid-day Saturday and in an abundance of caution, any athletics, arts, and other events scheduled to be held before noon on Saturday, January 11, will also be cancelled. Travel to district and/or school sponsored events inside or outside Aiken County that would require employee or student travel prior to noon on Saturday, are also included in this cancellation.
We recognize that this will cause a disruption to many, especially our families who rely on QuestZone for after school care as well as those with events, activities, and tournaments that were scheduled. Please know that we are sharing this cancellation update with as much notice as possible based on current conditions and the latest forecasts available. As we keep safety at the forefront of these difficult decisions, we appreciate your continued understanding and support. Please stay tuned for any future updates that this Winter Storm may require and take other precautions that may be recommended to keep your family safe and warm.
Kindergarten Parents:
Our previously scheduled "Coffee with the Counselor" for this Friday has been postponed to February 7th. Details will be sent out as the date approaches. We apologize for any inconvenience.
New Year, New McConnell's Mavericks! Starting off 2025 successfully here at AES!
Congratulations Mavericks!
Congratulations to our District Martin Luther King Jr. Poster Winners! Our Aiken Elementary students won not only 1 but all 3 places!
These students will be celebrated at an event on Sunday, January 26, at 3 p.m. at USC Aiken’s Convocation Center, where each student winner will be recognized and officially awarded.
We are so proud of you Mavericks!
Save the date! Class Picture Day is January 22nd!
Parents of Kindergarten students: First grade will be here before you know it! This Friday, January 10th, Join Mrs. Uhle and first grade teacher Ms. Dean for everything you need to know to prepare your child for a successful 1st grade!!! We will meet at 8:30 in Mrs. Uhle's office. You won't want to miss this opportunity!
Real Men Read volunteer Rev. Will brought his guitar to Mrs. Keck's class on Tuesday! He led the class in singing Christmas songs. We are so grateful for him!!!
Thank you, Mrs. Auvenshine for such a fun book talk today! The students enjoyed talking about the book, Just Harriet and making gingerbread birdhouses.
Friday, December 20, is a half day for students. Due to the half day schedule on Friday, only breakfast will be served in our cafeterias. Please note the following dismissal times for students on our half day schedule.
Elementary schools in the Aiken area (Area One), the North Augusta area (Area Two), the Midland Valley area (Area Three), and Jackson/New Ellenton areas (Area Five) will dismiss at 11 a.m.; middle schools at 11:30 a.m.; and high schools at 11:50 a.m. Aiken Intermediate School’s half day dismissal will be at 11:25 a.m. and Aiken Scholars Academy at 11:20. The Center for Innovative Learning dismissal will be at 1:30 p.m.
Elementary schools in the Wagener/Salley/Ridge Spring/Monetta area (Area Four) will dismiss at 11:30 a.m., middle schools at 11:40 a.m., and high schools at 11:50 a.m.
In a short video released by the district, Superintendent Dr. Corey Murphy provides detailed information on the new state-required Personal Electronic Devices policy that will be implemented as student’s return from Winter Break in January.
Aiken County’s policy will allow middle and high school students to bring cell phones and other personal electronic devices , and accessories such as earbuds and AirPods to school, but they must remain powered off, stored in the student’s backpack or bag, and out of sight during the school day.
Progressive discipline measures will be enforced for violations of the policy. Parents are encouraged to watch this video with their student and discuss the policy and the consequences for students who are in violation. We thank you in advance for your understanding and support!
https://youtu.be/4Jjqsv_vFkk?feature=shared
Join us for Aiken County Public School District’s Spring Hiring Event for Teachers and Certified Staff on Saturday, February 1, 2025!
Applicants will have the opportunity for on-site interviews and on the spot job offers! The event will take place at Aiken High School located at 449 Rutland Drive in Aiken, SC from 8 a.m. until noon.
All schools and locations will be represented, and we will be hiring for certified positions to include immediate vacancies and future 2025-26 positions.
Scan the QR code to apply now for your level of certification to secure an interview at the event. Pre-registration is highly encouraged. Walk-ins are welcome.
Direct Link to Register and Apply for the Event: https://acpsd.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx?jcat=Recruitment
We will be hiring for certified positions to include Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Secondary Education, and Special Education. Please reach out to our Human Resources Team at (803) 641-2428 for more information.
We look forward to welcoming many new teachers and certified staff members to Aiken County in February!
Students have two more days to shop in the Aiken EL Book Fair. Parents and adults can stop by on Friday to shop in the book fair. Here are a few more wish lists to help promote books in the fair.
The Aiken Elementary School Book Fair is in full swing. Remember that parents can shop on Wednesday and Friday. We are still in need of volunteers for book fair. Please visit the PTO Link in order to sign up. These awesome teachers have picked out some books for their classroom wish list, and to help us promote our fair.
Parents of Kindergarten students: First grade will be here before you know it! Join Mrs. Uhle and first grade teacher Ms. Dean for everything you need to know to prepare your child for a successful 1st grade!!! Mark your calendar. You won't want to miss this opportunity!
ALL PRO DADS REMINDER! Our next event is this Friday, the 13th at 8:30 am. Please RSVP using the QR code! We look forward to seeing our dads!!
5th Grade Personal Yearbook Ads are now on sale until January 10, 2025. All ads must be purchased by January 10. Families may purchase a full page for $50, half page for $30, and/or a quarter page for $25. All personal ad pages must be designed and submitted by February 7, 2025. You can order your fifth graders personal ad page today by visiting https://plicbooks.com/go/GB6L26.
Congratulations to CJ Ware for winning the Public Education Partners Poster Contest! Thank you to PEP for supporting our students!
