Hey HSMS students! Want to help out and earn a chance to sit with your friends at lunch? Donate to the HSMS Hygiene Drive! We're accepting items like toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, body wash, and hairbrushes throughout November. Each grade level will have a box outside the front office. The grade that donates the most will get to sit with their friends at lunch on Dec. 3!
Attention 8th-Grade students and parents! It's time to sign up for your IGP sessions. This is an important step in planning for high school and beyond! Make sure you schedule your session soon!
Dr. Guerry's Sign Up Link (Last Names K-Z)
https://signup.com/go/mjaPqHw
Mrs. Abellan's Sign Up Link (Last Names A-J)
https://signup.com/go/UrZCwJj
Attention 8th-grade parents and students! Join us for IGP Night on November 7 at 5:30 PM. This is a great opportunity to plan for high school and beyond! Don't miss it!
ONE POINT ABOUT THE ONE %
SC PUBLIC SCHOOLS GET NO FUNDING FOR CONSTRUCTION/MAINTENANCE
Upkeep, maintenance, and construction of schools is considered a “local responsibility” in South Carolina. School Facilities are funded locally through voter support of sales taxes and bond referendums.
We will be sharing information and facts about the One Cent Sales Tax as we lead up to Election Day on Tuesday, November 5. For more information, please visit our website at www.acpsd/OneCent.
Please make plans to join us at 6 p.m., Monday or Tuesday night this week for an informational meeting. Tonight’s meeting, Monday, October 28, will be at Midland Valley High School, and tomorrow, Tuesday, October 29, you can join us virtually as we’ll live stream an informational meeting from our District office to our website where viewers can join online from the comfort of their own home.
ONE POINT ABOUT THE ONE %
THE SALES TAX IS A 10-YEAR TAX AND DOESN’T AUTOMATICALLY RENEW.
Aiken County voters will have an opportunity to consider a renewal of the 2014 One Cent Sales Tax on Election Day. If renewed, the One Cent Sales Tax will extend for an additional 10 years and benefit school facility projects listed on the 2024 ballot. If not renewed, the 2014 One Cent Sales Tax will sunset (expire).
For more Penny Tax Facts, visit www.acpsd.net/OneCent.
ONE POINT ABOUT THE ONE %
BEFORE THE 2014 SALES TAX SUCCESS, IT HAD BEEN 38 YEARS SINCE A SCHOOL REFERENDUM PASSED.
Prior to 2014, 1976 was the year of the last successful referendum benefitting the county's public schools. Without funds available, school maintenance needs were deferred over decades.
For more Penny Tax Facts, visit www.acpsd.net/OneCent.
Attention 8th Graders! HSMS is looking for 48 students to visit the Clemson University Science Outreach Center on Jan. 16, 2025! This is an amazing opportunity, but remember: Grades & actions MATTER. Students must have a 70 or higher in all classes to participate.
Behavior records will be reviewed for selection. Applications and permission forms are due by Dec. 15—don’t miss out! Scan the QR code to sign up using your student email. Let’s represent Highland Springs Middle School with pride!
WHOA! 77% of HSMS Students are reading & logging on Beanstack! We are absolutely crushing it, Riverhawks! 77% of our students are reading, logging their minutes, and growing their brains while enjoying amazing stories. Keep it up! We are awesome! It's NEVER too late to join in and win
Join the Beanstack Hallow-Read Challenge! Log your reading in Beanstack before Oct. 31, complete the challenge, and win a treat bag full of goodies! Winners will be notified by student email, so be sure to check it daily. Keep reading, Riverhawks!
School picture retake day is Oct. 24. Remember to dress your best and avoid wearing green. We can't wait to see those smiles!
Parent-teacher conferences will be held on October 21 from 10 am to 6 pm at HSMS. We would like to invite all parents who are planning on attending to sign up using the link below. Although walk-ins are welcome, priority will be given to those who have scheduled a conference. Thank you for understanding and we look forward to seeing you on Monday, October 21! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0A49A9A922A1FD0-52390049-hsms
Shoutout to all the students logging their first minutes in our current Beanstack challenges! Keep up the great work! Remember, the more you read and log, the more chances you have to win prizes and earn bonus points for use at our Semester Celebrations! Let’s keep the reading streak going, Riverhawks!
Join us on Friday, Nov. 8 at 2 P.M. in the gym for our Veterans Day program, honoring our Highland Springs military family connections. We’re creating a Military Wall of Honor with photos and information about our veteran and active duty family members, and we need your help! Share info and pictures using the form link or QR code. You can also email scanned pictures to wstone@acspd.net. Clearly label pictures with names and your student’s name, and we’ll return them after scanning. During the program, we’ll recognize HSMS family members who are veterans or currently serving. Those in attendance will have designated seating and a reception in their honor! Deadline for submission: Friday, November 1. Let’s come together to celebrate and honor our heroes! https://forms.office.com/r/MnUvJf3B1a
¡Vamos, HSMS! Hispanic Heritage Month is here, and we’re celebrating with a variety of exciting events! Get ready for: faculty & volunteers vs. students soccer game, a door decorating contest, soccer jersey day, an Hispanic-themed craft, celebration of Hispanic authors & literature, and much more! Join us as we honor the vibrant cultures, traditions, and contributions of the Hispanic community. Let’s make this month one to remember!
The One Cent Sales Tax Community Meeting in the North Augusta area is being held tomorrow night, Tuesday, October 15, at 6 p.m. We hope to see you tomorrow night at North Augusta Middle School to learn more about the facility improvements that voters will consider in November.
As students return from Fall Break next week and hurricane recovery efforts continue, Aiken County Public Schools will operate on a two-hour delayed schedule on Monday, October 14, and Tuesday, October 15.
This delayed start will help increase visibility as school buses, student walkers, and others travel to school, ensuring safety as we navigate roads that may still have fallen trees and debris following Hurricane Helene.
We understand this change may be challenging for many families and appreciate your patience and cooperation. Crews have made significant progress clearing debris, and we will continue to evaluate road safety for early morning travel. We will make a decision regarding start times for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday by noon on Tuesday.
Breakfast: A grab-and-go breakfast will be available for students.
Lunch: Lunch will be served; menus may be limited as we restock all perishable food items.
Half-Day or Partial-Day Programs: Students on half-day and partial-day schedules, including Early Learning Special Education students, will not attend school on Monday or Tuesday as buses will be unable to run mid-day routes.
No Before-School Activities: No activities will be permitted before school starts on the two-hour delay.
Aiken County Career and Technology Center:
Monday: Morning session students should report to their high schools. The afternoon session will continue as planned.
Tuesday: Morning session students will attend the afternoon session. Afternoon students will stay at their high schools.
In evaluating roadway conditions, the Hammond Hill neighborhood remains a concern. We are currently exploring transportation options for students residing in that neighborhood and will communicate with impacted families over the coming days once a determination is made.
As our community recovers from this catastrophic storm, please exercise additional caution and care in travelling to school. Sidewalks may be blocked in some areas, visibility may be limited due to debris, and some powerlines are still low-hanging. If your child walks to school or to a bus stop, we encourage you to walk the route with them in the coming days or plan to walk with them Monday morning.
We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Monday!
NWS issued a wind advisory for tomorrow, Oct 10, 4AM-8PM. The hazard is 30-35 MPH gusts on weakened/leaning trees, causing concerns for travel in early morning & evening hours. With safety at heart, employees will begin on a delayed start of 9AM & no activities after 5PM.
NWS issued a wind advisory for tomorrow, Oct 10, 4AM-8PM. The hazard is 30-35 MPH gusts on weakened/leaning trees, causing concerns for travel in early morning & evening hours. With safety at heart, employees will begin on a delayed start of 9AM & no activities after 5PM.
Shelter Update: Community shelters are being consolidated at this time. The Red Cross Shelter at Paul Knox Middle School remains open for families in need.
Tonight, Oct. 4, at 6PM, Public Sheltering for Aiken County will open at Paul Knox Middle (PKMS) and Aiken High (AHS). PKMS: 1804 Wells Road, North Augusta; (enter Wells Rd. and Pisgah Ave.); AHS: 449 Rutland Dr., Aiken (enter Taylor Gym).
