It takes a village to support our students, and we are thankful for every member of our school community. During Counselor Appreciation Week, we especially honor our counselors for their guidance, advocacy, and support as students navigate all career pathways. Your impact matters.
If you know a staff member who deserves special recognition, give them a shout-out! www.acpsd.net/shine
#SHINEACPSD #ACPSDcelebrates
Feature Friday | January Employee of the Month
Please join us in celebrating our January 2026 Employee of the Month, Mariah Clay!
Mariah Clay consistently goes above and beyond to support students, staff, and families with compassion, professionalism, and unwavering dedication. They are often the first to notice when a student is needs support and the first to step in, quietly, thoughtfully, and effectively, ensuring that every child feels seen, heard, and valued.
Thank you, Mariah Clay, for demonstrating excellence and making a lasting impact at Clearwater Elementary and across ACPSD. We appreciate all that you do!
Think About It Thursday | Teacher Transfers
The Teacher Transfer Window for the 2026–2027 school year is officially OPEN and will close on May 15, 2026.
New opportunities sometimes start on the inside.
Sign up or log into your SchoolSpring account and check the Internal Job Postings tab. Some roles are only visible to current employees.
Eligible teachers can apply, interview, and accept one transfer for the upcoming school year.
Applications must be submitted through acpsd.net > Join our Team!
Take time to explore your options and find the best fit for you!
Work for Us Wednesday | Calling All Game-Changers!
Several High Schools are looking for Athletic Trainers to keep our athletes strong, safe, and ready to win.
If you’ve got the passion for sports medicine and the heart to support student-athletes, we want you on our team!
We are looking for:
EDUCATION
Bachelor’s degree in athletic training
Master’s degree in athletic training (required for individuals entering the profession after 2022, per CAATE accreditation standards)
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:
Current South Carolina Athletic Training Licensure through the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (SCLLR)
Current certification through the Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer (BOC)
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
Current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification
National Provider Identifier (NPI) number preferred
Apply today! Be the difference on and off the field.
REGULAR OPERATIONS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3
ACPSD will return to regular operations tomorrow, Tuesday, February 3, following this weekend’s historic snow event. With temperatures below freezing overnight, please use caution in travelling as some shaded areas may still be partly frozen. We have appreciated the patience and flexibility of our school community and look forward to welcoming everyone back in person tomorrow.
E-LEARNING DAY /REMOTE WORKDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2026
Following this weekend’s winter storm and out of an abundance of caution for the safety of students, families, teachers and staff, tomorrow, Monday, February 2, will be an e-learning day for students. All teachers and staff will be on a remote work day as well.
Student e-learning will be available online, and our teachers are available for support. Should your student have any questions, difficulty, or need assistance with their e-learning assignments, please reach out.
Continued cold temperatures refreezing the snow that accumulated this weekend may impact our district’s operations for Tuesday as well. A decision regarding Tuesday will be announced no later than 3 p.m. tomorrow afternoon and will be made with the safety of all students, families, and employees at heart.
As always, we are grateful for the flexibility of our school community. Please be safe, enjoy the snow, and stay warm.
The signing serves as a symbolic commitment to effective governance, transparency, and ethical leadership. The poster will remain on display in the boardroom throughout the year as a visible reminder of these shared principles.
For more information on joining ACPSD and to contact recruiters directly please visit www.acpsd.net/join-our-team. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
#ACPSD #AikenCountyPublicSchools
January 27, 2026: Regular Operations
Aiken County Public Schools will return to a regular schedule tomorrow, Tuesday, January 27, 2026, with no change to arrival times.
Thank you for your flexibility this morning as we operated on a two-hour delay due to the weekend’s winter storm.
Please anticipate continued cool temperatures throughout the week. District leaders will continue monitoring weather conditions alongside local Emergency Management officials, including the potential for a weather system this weekend, and will communicate any updates if changes to operations become necessary.
Due to the winter storm and out of an abundance of caution, all Aiken County public schools and offices will begin the day tomorrow, Monday, January 26, 2026, on a two-hour delayed start. While some areas of Aiken County experienced greater impacts from this storm than others, district leaders continue to consider conditions across the entire county. Temperatures are expected to rise today, which should improve conditions; however, some roadways—particularly bridges and secondary roads—may remain slick during the morning commute.
Important Details for Tomorrow:
• Students and Staff: The two-hour delayed start applies to all students, teachers, and staff.
• Student Meals: With the delayed start schedule, only lunch will be served in school cafeterias.
• Half-Day & Partial-Day Programs: Students on half-day and partial-day schedules, including Early Learning Special Education students, are encouraged to attend school if possible; however, school bus transportation will not be available, as buses will be unable to run mid-day routes.
• No Before-School Activities: No activities will be permitted before school begins on the two-hour delay.
• After-School Activities: After-school activities, including Quest Zone and extracurricular activities such as athletic practices, will continue as scheduled.
• Aiken County Career and Technology Center: Morning session students should report to their home high schools. The afternoon session will continue as planned.
What's Next: ACPSD continues to collaborate closely with local Emergency Management officials and monitor conditions across the county. An update regarding any changes to Tuesday’s schedule will be shared no later than 3:00 p.m. tomorrow.
We look forward to welcoming students and staff to school tomorrow and appreciate our families’ continued patience and flexibility as we prioritize safety.
Teacher Hiring Event | January 31, 2026
Aiken High School – 449 Rutland Drive
8:00 AM–12:00 PM
Application required | Apply ahead to streamline your interview day
Register now!
Confidence in the weekend storm’s possible impact to Aiken County has decreased. However, in an abundance of caution, our District and school’s weekend activities scheduled to extend beyond noon this Saturday, January 24, will be rescheduled.
This includes numerous activities, such as Saturday’s acGATEWAY auditions, as well as the MLK Jr. Community Event previously scheduled for Sunday. Individual schools and programs will share details on these and other cancellations along with rescheduled dates and times.
Our emergency management team will continue to work closely with local officials in monitoring the storm over the coming days. As we prepare for the possibility of e-learning on Monday, students will be sent home from school tomorrow with their laptop and remote assignments.
A decision regarding the safety of operations for next week will be made as soon as possible. We recognize that school closure decisions have a tremendous impact on our community, especially parents and guardians. Please know that the safety of our students, families, teachers and staff is always our highest priority, and that every effort will be made to utilize our five designated e-learning days carefully so as to not extend the school year to meet mandated requirements. An update regarding operations for Monday, January 26, will be shared no later than 3 p.m. on Sunday, January 25.
Think About It Thursday | Save the Date!
Our Annual Hiring Event is on January 31, 2026 at Aiken High School!
Join us for a one-stop-shop experience in the gymnasium, where all 43 of our school locations will be represented. Whether you're a traditional pathway teacher or a current South Carolina educator looking to transfer, this is the perfect opportunity to explore your next career move. (This event is not intended for current Aiken County teachers.)
You could even walk out with a job offer on the spot!
Location: Aiken High School Gym
Date: January 31, 2026
Mark your calendar and take the first step toward a rewarding future with Aiken County Public Schools.
Apply online to save time!
Visit our Hiring Event on January 31, 2026, 8:00 AM–12:00 PM, at Aiken High School (449 Rutland Drive, Aiken, SC 29801).
- Applications are required for interviews
- Pre-register to save time and skip the wait
Come see where your future can grow!
This MLK Weekend, we honor and appreciate our ACPSD employees whose daily service, care, and commitment make a lasting difference for students and families. Your work matters. Your shine is seen.
Congratulations to our First-Year Teachers of the Year Honor Court!
Aleesha Ashe, 4K Teacher at North Augusta Elementary
Disaiah Whack, ELA Teacher at Kennedy Middle
Hayden Beck, 1st Grade Teacher at Belvedere Elementary
Regina Androl, 1st Grade Teacher at East Aiken School of the Arts
Ryann Kramer, Math Teacher at Highland Springs Middle
Stay tuned as we continue to highlight additional STARS Honor Court categories over the coming days and celebrate employees who shine brightly.
#ACPSD #AikenCountyPublicSchools #StarsHonorCourt #ACPSDcelebrates
Feature Friday | December Employee of the Month
Please join us in celebrating our December 2025 Employee of the Month, Hanna Kinard!
Ms. Kinard is a wonderful second-grade teacher who is fully dedicated to the art of teaching. Her goal is to ensure her students understand the curriculum, grow as learners, and develop into well-rounded individuals. She goes above and beyond by sending postcards to her students, helping cover field trip costs, and building strong partnerships with parents.
Ms. Kinard truly believes that together is better and lives this out by taking the lead in supporting her fellow teachers. With her positive attitude and strong work ethic, success is her only option!
Thank you, Hanna Kinard, for demonstrating excellence and making a lasting impact at North Aiken Elementary and across ACPSD. We appreciate all that you do!
District Leadership made surprise visits at schools and offices across the District today to celebrate this year’s Stars of Public Education Honor Court. The recognition program and event honoring ACPSD’s brightest stars first began as our annual Teacher of the Year celebration, and has grown to incorporate recognition of our very best New Teachers, Principals, Assistant Principals, Classified Staff, Professionals, and District-Level Administrators. With its origin in mind, we’ll begin our first Stars of Public Education Honor Court announcements with Teacher of the Year.
Congratulations to our Teachers of the Year Honor Court!
Arrington Weston, Social Studies Teacher at Schofield Middle
Jerry Brannon, Science Teacher at RSM Middle/High
Madison Spires, Science Teacher at Silver Bluff High
Megan Maxwell, Speech Pathologist with Special Programs
Sonya Lee, Special Education Teacher at Leavelle McCampbell Middle
#ACPSD #AikenCountyPublicSchools #StarsHonorCourt #ACPSDcelebrates
When passion meets purpose, great things happen. Do more of what you love and help shape the future through education. Discover your next opportunity with ACPSD.
New year. Fresh energy. Same amazing people. As we jump back in after winter break, we’re celebrating our employees who continue to lead with heart, purpose, and resilience. Your work matters, and your impact is felt across our schools. Let’s keep the momentum going and finish the year strong!
If you know a staff member who deserves special recognition, give them a shout-out! www.acpsd.net/shine
#SHINEACPSD #ACPSDcelebrates
