One book, two books, red books, and blue books!
Today, Monday, March 2, kicks off Read Across America Week! Read Across America is presented by the National Education Association and plans literacy festivities alongside Dr. Suess's birthday.
We challenge all students across Aiken County Public Schools to pick up a book this week and start reading, and we thank the community leaders who are serving as guest readers bringing literacy to life throughout our classrooms.
During National School Social Work Week, we are proud to recognize and thank our school social workers and student service workers for the incredible support they provide to our school community.
They play a vital role in supporting students’ academic, social, and emotional well-being through compassionate guidance, collaboration with families and staff, and a strong commitment to helping every student succeed.
The 2026 theme, “Unite to Ignite: Celebrating Our Impact,” reflects the positive difference they make by bringing students, families, and educators together to create a caring and inclusive school environment across all Aiken County Public Schools.
#ACPSDCelebrates #ACPSD #AikenCountyPublicSchools
Help us congratulate Mrs. Christine Witt, a kindergarten teacher at Hammond Hill Elementary School, on being named a Golden Apple Award Teacher by WJBF News Channel 6.
She was 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 Tuesday, March 3 during the 5:30 PM broadcast on WJBF.
“I love kindergarten," she shared. I see these children come in as a blank slate basically and see them grow and learn. Those lightbulbs that come on... they are the joy every day to get to school."
Mrs. Witt started her career at Curtis Baptist, where she started teaching Spanish and Computer Science. She has experience teaching a variety of grade levels and made the switch to kindergarten during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I had a blank slate,” Witt said. “I had to write a program to keep 20 kids engaged on a computer. I had to get the mommas, daddies and grandparents to be their learning coaches. I wanted them to not be behind... to have the same standards and the same type of teaching at home as in the classroom.”
Mrs. Witt says she enjoys giving her students life lessons for success.
“Sometimes you make mistakes but you try it again and pick it up and that’s what I teach my little ones that you will do hard things, you will make mistakes, but we are going to try it over again.”
“Mrs. Witt embodies a great example of a Golden Apple recipient," Hammond Hill Elementary's Principal Dede Scott shared. "She creates a warm, welcoming classroom where every child feels safe, valued, and excited to learn in kindergarten. Through her patience, creativity, and high expectations, she helps young learners build strong academic skills and the confidence to believe in themselves. She goes above and beyond each day for her students and families, laying the foundation for a lifetime love of learning. Her heart, dedication, and excellence make a lasting difference in every child she teaches.”
“I cannot wait to get to it in the morning and I don’t want to leave in the afternoon," Witt shared.
All month long, you can vote in our Manga Madness Bracket to decide the ultimate manga champion! Stop by the library to cast your vote in this week’s round. Think you’ve got what it takes to create the next great hero? Enter our Design Your Own Manga Character art contest and show off your creativity!
And don’t forget — when you finish a manga, fill out a Read It & Rate It card to earn a sweet treat.
Let the madness begin!
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.”
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!
