Hammond Hill Elementary

Parents,

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 survey:
https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fforms.office.com%2Fr%2FjmQWNhjuL7&data=05%7C02%7CHCline%40acpsd.net%7C3c6cbc93fef44cb604b308de6b395e68%7Cf86e302d701341f499871c135ce4132b%7C0%7C0%7C639066091295593312%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=hBsc7KSZIHqTyDzpyTr6WxOJo4ob2vnZi9BcdRM6H%2Bc%3D&reserved=0

Spanish survey:
https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fforms.office.com%2Fr%2FYaZqFMTtNb&data=05%7C02%7CHCline%40acpsd.net%7C3c6cbc93fef44cb604b308de6b395e68%7Cf86e302d701341f499871c135ce4132b%7C0%7C0%7C639066091295615400%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=HZIsbRr%2Fz4VOYA29wfbY0O6Nh1nb8%2BHpnbkBDcoiLkQ%3D&reserved=0

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.

Help us congratulate Mrs. Parliament-Griffith, a math teacher at Paul Knox Middle School, on being named a Golden Apple Award teacher by WJBF News Channel 6.

She was one of three Aiken County teachers surprised by WJBF News Channel 6 and sponsors Kroger, Universal Plumbing, and Great Deals on Furniture on Friday, February 13, in her classroom as a recipient of the Golden Apple Award. Her segment will air on WJBF News Channel 6 on Tuesday, February 24 during the 5:30 PM broadcast.

Parliament aims to create a learning environment where everyone can improve and grow their math skills.

“They know that in here it’s ok to be wrong and that I make mistakes too,” Parliament said “They feel, at least I hope they do, that it’s a safe environment for them to be able to make those mistakes and learn and grow from making those mistakes. They are all comfortable raising their hand and answering the questions whether they are right or wrong.”

She also coaches Paul Knox Middle School's Academic Team, a competitive extracurricular activity with a focus on quizzes to showcases a team’s broad knowledge across all subjects. Her team will be headed to Chicago later this year to compete in the National Championships – a back-to-back feat.

"We don’t win every single one of them," she shared, "but we are doing very well in our season. They have built up confidence. A lot of our team, they don’t play sports so they don’t get that competition anywhere else. In the classroom, that’s where they shine and we give them that opportunity so that they can still be competitive if they are like me and suck at every sport ever.”

“Mrs. Parliament is constantly looking for ways to support and praise students at PKMS,” Paul Knox Principal John Bush said. “She really enjoys seeing students succeed and pushes each student in her class to perform at a high level.”

For Mrs. Parliament, she wouldn’t trade her middle school classroom for anything.

“Seventh grade is the best,” she laughs. “They still laugh at my jokes and they still think I’m funny. Once they get to eighth grade they start to think I’m lame. They know how to blow their own nose, do their own thing, and follow directions for the most part. Middle school is the sweet spot.”

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.

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.