Wednesday, February 18, is an Early Dismissal Day for students.
On Early Dismissal Days, elementary school students are dismissed at 11:30 a.m., middle school students at 12:10 p.m., and high school students at 12:30 p.m.
Early dismissal times are slightly different for Aiken Scholars Academy, as well as our schools in the Ridge-Spring area. Ridge Spring-Monetta Elementary dismissal is at 11:55 a.m., Aiken Scholars Academy dismissal is at noon, and Ridge Spring-Monetta Middle and High dismissal is at 12:15 and 12:20 p.m., respectively.
These Early Dismissal Days are part of the 2025-26 Aiken County Public School District Calendar and are necessary to support the training and development schedule for state-required teacher training. Please make any necessary arrangements for your child's early dismissal. Elementary school student after school care through Quest Zone is available.
Students receiving transportation services on half-day schedules, such as Early Learning Special Education students, will not be provided school bus transportation on Early Dismissal Days as buses will be unable to make mid-day routes.
Afternoon classes at the Aiken County Career and Technology Center are not held on Early Dismissal Days. Students enrolled in an afternoon class at the Career Center will remain at their high school on these designated days.
Help us congratulate Dr. Richard Ball, a math teacher at North Augusta High School, on being named a Golden Apple Award teacher by WJBF News Channel 6.
On Friday, February 13, he was surprised at North Augusta High School alongside several community business partners, Kroger, Universal Plumbing and Great Deals on Furniture.
“I think that the goal at the end of each day is for a kid to walk out with a little bit more joy from math,” Dr. Ball said during an interview with WJBF News Channel 6. “You have to treat them like they are like kids and teaching them a subject in a way that lets them be kids is the way I like to approach each lesson.”
Dr. Ball teaches a variation of math courses at North Augusta High School from Algebra to AP Calculus. The Buffalo, NY native moved to South Carolina and says he has been welcomed with open arms calling it his home away from home.
“Dr. Ball represents exactly what this profession is about. He challenges our AP Calculus students to think deeper, push harder, and reach higher, while at the same time meeting Algebra I students right where they are and refusing to let them give up on themselves. That range is rare. He makes advanced mathematics accessible and struggling students confident. The WJBF Golden Apple Award is well deserved—our school is stronger because of his commitment to every learner who walks into his classroom.”
“I think watching them grow is the pleasure of the job,” Dr. Ball said. “Yes, it would be fantastic if we all got A’s but it’s the person they become in the room. It’s great for all of us to achieve greatness, but it’s the person and the journey that is more important.”
Two other North Augusta teachers were surprised by WJBF News Channel 6: Mrs. Heather Parliament-Griffith, a 7th grade math teacher at Paul Knox Middle School and Mrs. Christine Witt, a kindergarten teacher at Hammond Hills Elementary School.
You can catch a news segment on each of the teachers starting Feb. 17 during the 5:30 PM broadcast. The remaining segments will air on Tuesday's on WJBF News Channel 6.
Mark your calendars for Read Across America, the week of March 2! Please see the image to see how we are celebrating.
Hammond Hill Elementary does its best to offer opportunities to involve parents not only in school activities, but also as partners in the educational process of our children. We are currently in the process of developing our Title I plan for the 2026-2027 school year and need your input to assist the Title I School Planning Team in recommending how our Title I money should be spent. Please click on the link to complete this digital parent survey to assist us in determining what kinds of activities have worked well, what activities need to be improved, and what additional activities should be included. Please complete this survey by 5:00pm on Wednesday, February 25.
English: 2025-26 Hammond Hill Elementary Title I Parent Involvement Survey – Fill out form
Spanish: 25-26 Hammond Hill Elementary Encuesta de participación de padres de Título I - Español – Fill out form
Paper English and Spanish copies of our Title I Parent Involvement Survey are available in the office for pick-up or can be sent home upon request.
* 6:00 - 7:00 - we will have a Gallery Walk Through . This is open to everyone to view student projects. Projects will be located from the office entry hallway to the end of the first grade hall, as well as in the cafeteria.
* 6:15 & 6:45 -- there will be a Read Aloud by our former guidance counselor, Mrs. Crews, there will be a Malcolm Mitchell Video, & Coloring Contest in the Library. Coloring sheets may be taken home and returned to Mrs. Winburn by Feb. 24.
* 6:30-- we will have a performance in the Cafeteria . Second and Third Grade Students will sing and be led by Mrs. Reynolds.
We hope you will join us for this celebration!
Our early learning classrooms focus on building foundational skills in literacy, math, social development, and school readiness all in a nurturing and engaging environment fostered by certified teachers. We help students build confidence, friendships, and a love for learning from day one.
Spots fill quickly, apply today at www.acpsd.net/4k
#ACPSD #ACPSD4K #EarlyLearning
#ACPSDCelebrates #ACPSD #SchoolBusDriverAppreciation
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.
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.
We are excited to share the upcoming Aiken County Career and Technology Center CTE Techno Camp for fifth grade students!
This camp will take place Saturday, March 21, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. All Aiken County Public School fifth grade students are invited to participate in the CTE Techno Camp to engage in hands-on activities lead by ACCTC instructors to show students the advantages of Career and Technical Education! Students will select up to three courses to participate in throughout the day where they will learn about robotics, diesel technology, cosmetology, nail technology, welding, culinary arts, media technology , fashion design, biomedical science, cybersecurity, graphic design and health science.
The deadline to submit the application is Wednesday. February 25th by 5:00 p.m. Spots are limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Please contact Alvina Jackson at ahead@acpsd.net.
#AikenCountyPublicSchools #ACCTC #ACPSD
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.
