Congratulations to the 2025–2026 HSMS Cheer Team! We’re so proud of these talented Riverhawks who will bring the spirit, energy, and pride to Highland Springs Middle School next year! Let’s give a big cheer for:
Alaysia Scott
Aubree Smith
Camryn Johnson
Chloe Spradley
Claire Neumann
Isla Bates
Lillie Jeffcoat
Maelynne Davis
Mallory Ford
Meela Newman
Morgan Scott
Natalie Harrison
Paola Montero
Sasha Whitaker
Sheryl Kirkland
Sophia Woriax
Sydney Gardner
Trinity Escalante
Get ready for an amazing season full of teamwork, school pride, and Riverhawk spirit!
May testing reminder! Testing season is right around the corner at HSMS! Please help your student do their best by ensuring they’re well-rested and present each day. Please, avoid scheduling doctor’s appointments on testing days if possible.
Testing Dates:
May 12 – SC READY ELA Writing
May 14–15 – SC READY ELA Reading
May 16 – Geometry
May 20 – English 1
May 21 – SC READY Math
May 22 – Fundamentals of Computing
May 23 – SC READY Science (6th grade only)
Let’s finish strong, Riverhawks!
It’s time for a book roundup! All HSMS library books are due back by May 9—no late cowpokes allowed! Mosey on down to the Media Center and turn ’em in!
📚 Exciting news for HSMS families! The HSMS Media Center, in partnership with the ABBE Regional Library System, is offering students the chance to get a public library card delivered right to school. Pick up an application in the media center and return it by May 16 to receive a free library card—no trip to the library needed! With a card, students can access books, audiobooks, movies, digital resources, and more from the public library. This is a great way to build reading habits and explore new learning opportunities—don’t miss out!
Outstanding FREE opportunity for 3rd–12th grade students! Join us for the Youth Financial & Leadership Academy on Saturday, May 10 at USC Aiken! Lunch will be provided, but registration is required — scan the QR code or click the link to sign up! Don't miss this chance to build leadership skills and learn valuable financial tips. https://shorturl.at/Gxp3G
Grab a Bojangles Biscuit & Go Fridays in May to support Buddy Club! Parents can grab delicious Bojangles biscuits during HSMS car line from 7:30-8 a.m. Cash only, with the exact amount preferred. Cajun chicken biscuits are $5. All proceeds support the HSMS Buddy Club and its student-focused programs, so start your Friday with a treat while giving back!
We may have missed Assistant Principals Week, but our appreciation for Mr. Lehman and Ms. Ball is never late! Thank you both for the spirit, care, and support you bring to our school every day. You help make HSMS a truly special place to be!
April 15 is National Purple Up Day! Show your support for our military families and their students by wearing purple. Students in 6th grader will be asked to wear HSMS shirts since they’ll be on a field trip with many other schools. (Those without a school shirt should wear purple.) Let’s come together to recognize and appreciate their service!
The Spring Reading Challenge is here! From April 1 to May 2, students can read and log their minutes in Beanstack to earn a prize and points toward the Semester Two Celebration. This is the final reading challenge of the school year, so don’t miss your chance to stack up minutes and rewards! Plus, students can log their reading over spring break using the Beanstack iOS and Android apps. Start reading, start logging, and let’s finish the year strong!
Community Spirit Night at Your Pie! Join us for a delicious way to support Highland Springs Middle School! Dine between 5-8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25, and 10% of all sales will go toward HSMS PTO’s support of student programs like the Semester Two Celebration.
Your Pie – 434 Georgia Avenue! Cash donations to the PTO are also gratefully accepted. Eat, enjoy, and give back to our Riverhawk students! See you there!
Want to be a part of HSMS Cheerleading? Here's what you need to know!
March 17: Cheer packets available in the main office
March 26: Mandatory meeting at 5 p.m. in the Media Center
April 17: Cheer packets due to Ms. G
April 21-25: Tryouts from 3:30-5 p.m.
Don't miss your chance to show your spirit and join the team!
WOOT! Riverhawks crushed our Semester Two goal of reading and logging WAY
MORE than 185,000 minutes in Beanstack! (It's more than 250,000 minutes now!) You’ve earned double break on Friday, April 25. Plus, 91% of HSMS students are now logging their reading minutes in Beanstack! Keep up the amazing work, Riverhawks!
NEW DATE! Join us for Lunch & Learn, presented by HSMS Counseling & Career! Dates are: March 11, Noon-1 p.m. – What Middle Schoolers Want Their Parents to Know and May 1, 5-6 p.m. – What I Need to Know for Middle School (Rising 6th-Grade Parents Only). Planning to attend? Email Dr. Guerry at nguerry@acpsd.net to let us know! Check-in at the HSMS office when you arrive. #HSMSLunchAndLearn #ParentConnections
The biscuits are here! They want YOU to support the Bojangles breakfast fundraiser sponsored by the HSMS PTO! Sausage Biscuits for $3 and Cajun Chicken Biscuits for $5. Friday, March 21, 2025, from 7:30-8 a.m. during morning car line drop-off, while supplies last. CASH ONLY - exact amount preferred. Sales to parents only! All proceeds benefit HSMS PTO’s student programs.
Tomorrow, Wednesday, March 5, there is a threat of severe weather with wind gusts in the morning forecasted to exceed 40 mph. This wind speed exceeds the threshold allowed for school buses to be on roadways. This wind event will result in a need to shift to e-learning tomorrow.
Employees should plan to report to their work location on a two-hour delayed start, with no building or office opening before 10 a.m.
Afterschool extracurricular practices, games, and events will continue tomorrow as scheduled. There will be no QuestZone tomorrow.
We apologize for the challenges that this will cause our families and appreciate your continued cooperation and support!
Get ready for the Snowball Celebration! Show growth on your MAP test (March 18 & 20), and you’ll earn a FREE Kona Ice on March 20! Work hard, do your best, and enjoy a sweet reward!
During Spring Intersession, the week of March 31-April 3, a limited number of spots are available for this year’s Fine Arts Camp, Lego Wars, for students in grades 6-8.
Fine Arts Camp will be held at Highland Springs Middle School Monday-Thursday from 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Students will be immersed in creativity, the engineering design process, and project design while developing architectural skills to build a strong Lego structure.
Registration opens Monday, March 3, at 6 p.m. for ACPSD middle school students and is offered on a first come-first served basis. Please note that due to space limitations, only the first 30 students to apply will be accepted. Once the application window opens, parents/guardians can apply by scanning the QR Code or visiting https://forms.office.com/r/zJ7pj8gvYh.
Breakfast and lunch will be provided each day of camp, Monday-Thursday, March 31-April 3, however students’ families will be responsible for their own transportation to Highland Springs Middle.
Please contact Dr. Kimberly Fontanez, District Fine Arts Coordinator, at kfontanez@acpsd.net with any questions.
Hey HSMS students! Want a great way to help others AND earn the chance to sit with your friends at lunch? Donate to the HSMS Food Drive! We’re collecting canned and non-perishable items all March. Each grade level has a box at the front office, and the grade with the most donations wins the chance to sit with friends at lunch on April 15! Beta Club members—every 4 items = 1 service hour! Let’s make a difference together!
Calling all HSMS Super Readers! The Super Reader Beanstack Challenge is here! From Feb. 18 - March 28, read and log 1,000 minutes in Beanstack to earn an awesome prize! Keep turning those pages and reach your goal!
March Reading Madness is here in the HSMS Media Center! Read any 4 books, fill out a rating card for each, and round the bases to earn prizes! Collect all 4 bases and win a ticket to a Greenjackets baseball game! Plus, complete the March Reading Madness Beanstack Challenge to score an ice cream treat! It’s a month of reading and winning—get in the game!
