Belvedere Elementary

All second-grade students in South Carolina participate in the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) and Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) assessments during the month of October. Your child is scheduled to test between October 13th-October 21st.

The primary purpose of these assessments is to identify potential students for academically gifted and talented programs. The results of these assessments provide important information regarding the individual learning needs of each student. The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE), in accordance with State Board of Education Regulation 43- 220, requires the administration, scoring, and reporting of a norm-referenced test system for these purposes. The tests include aptitude (verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal), achievement in reading comprehension, and achievement in mathematics concepts and problem solving. The CogAT measures aptitude and the ITBS is a measure of student achievement.

Most young children have had little or no experience with standardized tests and, therefore, do not have any preconceived notions, either positive or negative, about testing. There is no need to be anxious about the testing. Students can be reminded that the teacher will use the results to better understand each student’s progress. No special preparation is required of students beyond getting a good night’s sleep and having a nutritious breakfast. Parents will receive a summary of test results in early 2027 and prior to the end of the school year will be notified about potential qualification for gifted and talented programs.

Help us congratulate Mrs. Cassie Remson, a third grade teacher at Belvedere Elementary, for being named a Golden Apple Award winner by WJBF News Channel 6!

She was one of five Aiken County teachers that were surprised in their classrooms by WJBF News Channel 6 and sponsor Kroger as a Golden Apple Award winner. Her segment will air on WBJF News Channel 6 on Tuesday, September 15 during the 5:30 PM broadcast.

She credits her experience at Belvedere to helping foster a learning environment that is poised for success and academic achievement.

“Who you work with and who you work for makes all the difference in everything in life. I say it all the time, but Belvedere is just in an amazingly special place and we have admin that will support us in literally any way they possibly can,” Mrs. Remson added. “They'll make copies, they'll help you grade tests. It's amazing. I've never been so supported in my career, and that's what’s amazing. Also, my co-teacher happens to be my real-life best friend. We spend three dinners together a week, and the kids always think we're joking, and I'm like, no, no, we really are really best friends. Our husbands, our best friends. And so, I'm really fortunate.”

“We are so proud of Cassie and thankful she joined our team two years ago,” Belvedere Principal Allyson Long shared. “She is always willing to go the extra mile to ensure every student can make their personal best progress. What I appreciate most is that she creates a classroom environment where all are welcome and feel accepted. That creates classroom experiences her students will never forget.”

Investing in Our Students. Supporting Our Schools. Building Possibilities.

We are incredibly grateful to SRP Federal Credit Union for investing in the future of our elementary students and educators through its new Investing in Education: Unlimited Possibilities initiative.

At the kickoff event held at the WOW! Club at, SRP Park in North Augusta, SRP Federal Credit Union announced that 83 schools across 10 CSRA counties will each receive $2,500 representing a remarkable $207,500 total investment in local elementary education.

This generous support gives our principals the flexibility to respond to the unique needs of their schools — whether that means providing instructional resources, creating hands-on learning experiences, supporting teachers, or offering enriching opportunities for students.

“This investment empowers our principals to respond directly to the unique needs of their schools and create meaningful opportunities through instructional resources, hands-on learning, and enrichment experiences," Dr. Charlene Heard, Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Schools said.

Partnerships like this remind us what is possible when our schools and community come together with a shared commitment to student success. We are proud to have SRP Federal Credit Union investing alongside us and helping create unlimited possibilities for our students!

To read more on this story, please visit www.acpsd.net/invest-education

Good afternoon, Belvedere families! We are looking forward to a busy and great week ahead!

Monthly Bulletin: August Bulletin

Here is what families can expect for the upcoming week at Belvedere Elementary:

Title I Open House: Join us on Tuesday, August 18th, from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM for our Title I Open House. This is a great opportunity to visit classrooms, meet our staff, and learn about school programs.

Wednesday is a big day at Belvedere!

• Early Release Day! Students dismiss at 11:30 am

• Christmas Musical Open Auditions: Auditions for 2nd through 5th graders will be held on Wednesday, August 19th, after school until 1:30 PM, with pickup at the kindergarten playground. Students should let Mr. Grant know through Rooms if they plan to audition so he has a head count.

• First interim reports are available in the Parent Portal

• PTO Spirit Night at the Pink Dipper!

Other Important Notes:

Morning Attendance & Tardies: Reminder that tardies are officially recorded at 7:30 AM daily, and students must be inside the building by then to avoid being marked tardy.

Arrival & Dismissal Safety: Walkers must travel entirely on foot to their off-campus destination and are not permitted to meet a parked car on or off school grounds. Vehicle pickups must use the carline.

Ice Cream in the Cafeteria: Ice Cream sales will start in the cafeteria. Please send in money if you would like your student to purchase! More details to come!

Please reach out if you have any questions, and we look forward to seeing many of you at the Open House on Tuesday!

Good morning BES Families,

This morning, our staff and students practiced a lockdown drill.

In a lockdown drill, we announced that it is a DRILL and directed everyone with the saying, "Locks, Lights, Out of Sight." This procedure is used in the event we have an intruder enter our building.

Local law enforcement and district security personnel from participated in the drill checking that students and staff were out of sight.

They provided nothing but positive feedback to our administrative team and we are thankful for their partnership in keeping our school community safe!

Mark your calendars!

Wednesday, August 19th will be the first early dismissal day of the 2026–27 school year!

Students will be dismissed early while our teachers and staff use the afternoon for professional development, collaboration, and additional training to support student success.

Get a glimpse into what professional development looks like for our staff here at Aiken County by watching the video on YouTube at:https://youtu.be/RJ6SEXp8wUk .