HSMS Family Literacy Night is coming up on March 10 from 5–6:30 p.m.!
Current and future students are welcome for an evening of student work displays, interactive exhibits, contests and prizes, and food trucks on site. We’ll also host a can’t-miss information session for rising 6th graders!
And don’t forget — you can shop the Book Fair while you’re here!
Mark your calendars and plan to join us for a fun night celebrating literacy and learning!
We hope to see you there as we celebrate and reflect together.
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.
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
Congratulations to the three Principal of the Year Honor Court members!
Paige Day, Principal at Highland Springs Middle School
Charlene Heard, Principal at Warrenville Elementary School
Sheldon Higgenbottom, Principal at Midland Valley High School
We are excited to share the remainder of the ACPSD Honor Court in the coming days!
#ACPSD #AikenCountyPublicSchools #StarsHonorCourt #ACPSDcelebrates
If you have empty boxes at home, please drop them off in the front office or send them to the Art Room with students. Thank you for supporting our artists!
Tutoring takes place on Thursdays from 12–12:45 p.m. and 12:45–1:30 p.m. Volunteers may choose to help with one session or both. Tutors do not need to be specialists in the content area; this role focuses on facilitating and guiding students as they work through math problems.
All volunteers must be approved and complete volunteer training if they have not already done so. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Dr. Guerry at nguerry@acpsd.net. Thank you for supporting our students!
Try a Blind Date with a Book in the HSMS Media Center! Each book is wrapped up tight, so you won’t know what you’re getting until you open it. Step outside your usual picks and discover a new obsession — this date is guaranteed to have a good plot!
Join our We ❤️ Books Beanstack Reading Challenge! Log your reading, earn virtual tickets, and be entered into 5 prize drawings. EVERYONE who completes a challenge wins a prize.
Challenge ends Feb. 26
Virtual drawings held Feb. 26
First 14 students to complete the challenge win a fun stress toy or fidget
Read what you love and let those minutes count.
Counselors play a vital role in helping students succeed by guiding them through academic goals, career planning, and social-emotional growth every single day. Their support, care, and dedication make a real difference for our students, staff, and families.
HSMS wouldn’t be the same without our dedicated counselors Ms. Abellan, Dr. Guerry, and Ms. Smith. Thank you for all you do to support and empower our school community!
Spread the love, HSMS!
The HSMS PTO is excited to announce Valentine’s Ring Pop Cards, the sweetest way to celebrate love and friendship!
$2 each
On sale February 9–12
Cafeteria during all lunches
Card delivery: February 11 & 13 during Advisory
Cash only! Parents may send cash and a note if they’d like to purchase a card for a student or teacher.
Every Ring Pop supports our HSMS PTO, so grab one (or a few!) and help make someone’s day a little sweeter.
Purchases may be made online, a handling fee will be applied. Link: https://shorturl.at/eNe6y
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.
The South Carolina Junior Scholars Program was initially developed by the South Carolina Department of Education in 1985 in support of the statewide effort to improve education and provide for the needs of students with exceptional academic talent. Students that qualify for this achievement receive an Award of Merit certificate. Students had to score 550 or higher on Evidence-Based Reading and Writing subtests of PSAT/NMSQT, and 530 or higher on the Math subtest of the PSAT/NMSQT.
Midland Valley High School Color Guard opened up the ceremony along with Kristanna Mitchell, student at Langley-Bath-Clearwater Middle School, who sang our National Anthem. Dr. Phyllis Gamble, Assistant Superintendent of Middle Schools, introduced the occasion noting the significance of the achievement. The musical opening continued with a performance by Paul Knox’s Orchestra which preceded the recognitions of students who were surrounded by family and school leaders. Students received a certificate along with a coin recognizing them for their dedication, perseverance, and merit in the classroom. Dr. Corey Murphy closed the ceremony commemorating the students' hard work and excellence.
We are incredibly proud of these students and grateful to everyone who helped make this celebration possible.
#ACPSDCelebrates #JuniorScholars #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.