There was excitement in the air at North Augusta Elementary as our Dolphins enjoyed an unforgettable STEM Day filled with exploration, discovery, and hands-on learning! đŹđŹâď¸
A very special thank you goes to the Celebrate Freedom Foundation for bringing an incredible STEM experience directly to our students. Throughout the day, students had the opportunity to get an up-close look at impressive equipment, including a helicopter, Humvee, and drones. đđđ¸
For many of our students, seeing this equipment in person was an experience they will not soon forget! There were plenty of wide eyes, excited questions, and enthusiastic conversations as students rotated through the different stations and discovered how science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are used in the real world.
đşđ¸ Veterans Inspiring the Next Generation
One of the most meaningful parts of the day was the opportunity for our students to learn directly from the veterans of the Celebrate Freedom Foundation.
These dedicated men and women did much more than bring equipment to our campus. They shared their knowledge and experiences, answered our studentsâ many questions, explained how the equipment works, and helped our Dolphins see connections between what they are learning in school and future opportunities in STEM-related fields.
Through the foundation's mission of âVeterans Inspiring the Next Generation,â our students were able to learn from individuals who brought real-world experience, knowledge, and enthusiasm to every conversation.
And our Dolphins were definitely curious! đŹ Students were eager to examine the equipment up close, ask questions, discover how different pieces worked, and learn about the science and technology behind what they were seeing.
đŹ Learning Beyond the Classroom
STEM Day gave our students an opportunity to see that STEM is much more than something found in a textbook or classroom lesson. It is all around us!
From understanding how a helicopter is able to fly and exploring the technology behind drones to examining specialized vehicles and equipment, students were encouraged to observe, question, investigate, and imagine.
Experiences like these help spark curiosity and introduce children to possibilities they may not have considered before. A single exciting experience can inspire a new interest, a future area of study, or even a career dream.
Most importantly, our students had a fantastic time learning! The excitement, smiles, questions, and conversations throughout the day showed just how meaningful hands-on experiences can be.
đđ Thank You, Celebrate Freedom Foundation!
North Augusta Elementary extends our heartfelt appreciation to the Celebrate Freedom Foundation and all of the veterans who spent the day with our students. Thank you for bringing your equipment, expertise, experiences, and enthusiasm to our campus and for investing your time in inspiring the next generation.
We are also grateful to everyone who helped make STEM Day possible and ensured that our students had a safe, exciting, and memorable learning experience.
Our Dolphins certainly âMade a Splash at STEM Day!â đŹđŹđ
Who knows? One of the curious students asking questions today may be inspired to become one of tomorrowâs engineers, scientists, pilots, technicians, innovators, or STEM leaders!
Thank you, Celebrate Freedom Foundation, for helping our Dolphins discover just how exciting the world of STEM can be! đđ










Today, Friday, September 25, North Augusta Elementary had the honor of welcoming Aubrey Hinkson as our special Principal for a Day! đŹđŤ
Mrs. Hinkson is the owner of Orange Otter â North Augusta, an adjunct professor at Augusta University, and a marketing director â and today she added another title to her rĂŠsumĂŠ: Principal Hinkson! đđ
Our Principal for a Day experience gives a community member the opportunity to step inside our school and see firsthand what makes NAUES such a special place. Itâs a chance to experience the excitement of a school day, connect with students and staff, and see the dedication, leadership, and learning happening throughout our building.
Principal Hinkson jumped right into the role! She started the morning by welcoming our Dolphins to school and wishing everyone a great day â and, of course, no morning at NAUES would be complete without helping deliver the Dad Joke of the Day! đđŹ
Throughout the day, she visited classrooms, checked in with teachers, and got an up-close look at the exciting teaching and learning taking place across our school. She also helped with our Habit Heroes of the Month presentation, celebrating students who are demonstrating leadership and putting the 7 Habits into action. đ
Principal Hinkson also helped us welcome special presenters to our school, experiencing just a few of the many responsibilities, celebrations, and special moments that make every day at NAUES unique.
đ One of the things that makes North Augusta Elementary so special is the support we receive from our community. Opportunities like Principal for a Day allow our community partners to see our school from a different perspective while giving our students the chance to connect with leaders from beyond our school walls. We are grateful for community members like Mrs. Hinkson who invest their time in our students and schools.
Thank you, Principal Hinkson, for spending the day with our Dolphins, celebrating our students, supporting our teachers, and making today extra special! đđđŹ
We hope you enjoyed being a Dolphin for the day as much as we enjoyed having you!
#NAUES #PrincipalForADay #DolphinPride #LeaderInMe #HabitHeroes #CommunityPartners #NorthAugusta



Our North Augusta Elementary 2nd graders will participate in CogAT/IOWA testing on October 13, 14, 15, 20 & 21.
đ What are CogAT and IOWA?
These assessments help provide information about our studentsâ academic skills and how they think, reason, and solve problems. The results give our school additional information that can be used alongside classroom performance and other measures to better understand studentsâ strengths and learning needs.
Families can help our Dolphins come to school feeling rested, confident, and ready to do their best!
â° Arrive at school by 7:30 AM.
đ Please reschedule appointments that conflict with testing dates whenever possible.
đ´ Get a good nightâs rest before each testing day.
đ Eat a nutritious breakfast.
đ Remind your child to take their time, try their best, and believe in themselves!
There is no need for students to study or feel worried about these assessments. The best preparation is simply to come to school rested, on time, and ready to show what they know and how they think.
We are proud of our 2nd Grade Dolphins and know they will give their best effort! đđđŹ
GO DOLPHINS!
#NAUES #GoDolphins #SecondGrade #CogAT #IOWA #TestingReminder


October is National Principals Month, and we are proud to celebrate our amazing principal, Mr. Eli Badillo! đŹ
Each day, Mr. Badillo leads North Augusta Elementary with dedication, positivity, and a genuine commitment to our students, teachers, staff, and families. Whether he is greeting our Dolphins in the morning, encouraging students in the hallways, supporting teachers and staff, celebrating accomplishments, solving problems behind the scenes, or sharing one of his famous Dad Jokes of the Day đ, Mr. Badillo works hard to make NAUES a place where everyone feels supported and valued.
Most importantly, our students know that Mr. Badillo is always in their corner. He believes in them, celebrates their successes, encourages them through challenges, and reminds them every day that they are capable of great things. đ
Mr. Badillo, thank you for the countless big and little things you do each day to help our school grow, succeed, and continue to Make a Splash! đđŹ
Please join us throughout October in celebrating Mr. Badillo and thanking him for his leadership and dedication to our North Augusta Elementary family!
đđ Happy National Principals Month! đđ
#NationalPrincipalsMonth #ThankAPrincipal #NAUES #DolphinPride #MakeASplash #LeadershipMatters




















Mrs. Rutlandâs first graders had a week filled with learning, experimenting, creating, and plenty of fun! đŹđđ
đ Students spent the week learning about Johnny Appleseed and all things apples! They explored apples through hands-on activities, conducted apple experiments, and even enjoyed some tasty apple treats along the way. What a delicious way to bring learning to life! đđ§Ş
âď¸ Then it was time for STEM Day! Our young engineers put their creativity and problem-solving skills to work as they designed, created, and flew paper airplanes. Students were able to test their creations and see how their designs performed in flight!
From investigating apples to sending paper airplanes soaring, Mrs. Rutlandâs students ended the week with plenty of opportunities to explore, experiment, ask questions, and learn through doing! đ
What a wonderful week of hands-on learning in First Grade! đâď¸đŹ
#NAUES #FirstGrade #JohnnyAppleseed #AppleExperiments #STEMDay #HandsOnLearning #YoungEngineers #DolphinPride










Congratulations to this weekâs **First Grade Leader Loot winners!** đŹđ These Dolphins continue to show us what it means to make great choices, work hard, and demonstrate leadership each day. We are so proud of you!
đ¸â Our **First Grade You Rock Winner of the Week is Hudson!** âđ¸
Hudson is a wonderful student who comes to school with a **happy and positive attitude** and is always willing to lend a helping hand to others. He consistently demonstrates **responsibility and leadership in the classroom** and sets a great example for his classmates. đđ
Way to go, Hudson! **YOU ROCK!** đ¤đ
Congratulations to Hudson and all of this weekâs **Leader Loot winners!** Keep making great choices, helping others, and letting your leadership shine, First Grade! đŹâ¨
#NAUES #FirstGrade #LeaderLoot #YouRock #StudentLeadership #LeaderInMe #DolphinPride


Ms. Budreauâs fourth-grade students combined STEM, math, and creativity for some exciting hands-on learning! đŹđđ
đ During STEM Day, students were challenged to become young engineers as they designed and created their own helicopters using paper and straws! Students had the opportunity to build, test, observe, and think about how their designs worked â a fun way to put problem-solving and engineering skills into action.
đ They also added a little fall creativity to their multi-digit multiplication practice! Students solved multiplication problems to determine how to color their designs and then used their work to create beautiful, colorful fall leaves. đâď¸
From engineering paper helicopters to strengthening multiplication skills, these fourth graders showed that learning can be challenging, creative, and fun all at the same time! đ
Great job, Ms. Budreauâs Dolphins! đŹđđ
#NAUES #FourthGrade #STEMDay #HandsOnLearning #MathIsFun #Multiplication #STEMEducation #DolphinPride










Our **second-grade scientists** have been learning all about the **three states of matter â solids, liquids, and gases** â and this week they put their learning into action with some fun and delicious hands-on science! đŹđđ
đż Students watched **popcorn pop** and observed the steam as it cooked, giving them an opportunity to see changes in matter happening right before their eyes!
đ Next came **Purple Cow Floats!** Students identified the **ice cream as a solid** and the **purple Fanta as a liquid** â and they could even **hear the gas escaping** as the soda fizzed! To top it all off, they added another solid⌠**sprinkles!** đŚâ¨
These hands-on activities gave our students the opportunity to connect what they have been learning in the classroom to real-world examples. Instead of simply reading about the three states of matter, our Dolphins were able to **observe, listen, investigate, discuss, and even taste their learning!** đ§Şđđ
Experiences like these help make learning meaningful and memorable â and judging by the smiles, our second graders definitely enjoyed this science lesson! đ
Science is always a little more fun when you can **see it, hear it, and taste it!** đđđŹ
#NAUES #SecondGrade #StatesOfMatter #HandsOnLearning #ScienceIsFun #STEMLearning #DolphinPride








đđđ MR. ANDERSONâS FIRST ALL-STAR OF THE MONTH! đđđ
Congratulations to Jake, who was nominated and selected as the September All-Star of the Month in Mr. Andersonâs fourth-grade class! đŹđ
The All-Star of the Month is a special classroom recognition that Mr. Andersonâs students are striving to earn by making positive choices, working hard, showing leadership, and being a great classmate. đ
Jake was recognized for being a friend to everyone, following directions, always doing his best, and being a positive leader in the classroom. His classmates saw those qualities in him and helped select him as their very first All-Star! đđ
Congratulations, Jake! Keep leading by example and showing your classmates what it means to be an All-Star Dolphin! đŹâđ
We canât wait to see who will rise to the challenge and become Mr. Andersonâs next All-Star of the Month!
#NAUES #AllStarOfTheMonth #FourthGrade #DolphinPride #StudentLeadership #LeaderInMe


As a Leader in Me school, we work throughout the year to help our Dolphins develop habits that encourage leadership, responsibility, confidence, and positive decision-making. Each month, we focus on one of the 7 Habits and recognize students who demonstrate that habit through their choices and actions at school.
đ September's Focus: Habit 2 â Begin With the End in Mind
Habit 2: Begin With the End in Mind means thinking about what you want to accomplish before you begin and making choices that help you reach that goal.
For our students, this can be as simple as asking:
âWhat is my goal, and what do I need to do to get there?â
Students practice Habit 2 when they set a goal for themselves, make a plan before beginning a project, think about the outcome of their choices, or picture what success will look like before getting started.
Our September Habit Heroes have demonstrated that they can set goals, make thoughtful choices, plan ahead, and work with purpose. We are proud of these Dolphins for being wonderful examples of student leadership! đŹđ
đ Helping Students Practice Habit 2 at Home
Families play an important role in helping children develop leadership habits. Habit 2 can easily become part of everyday conversations and routines at home.
Try asking your child questions such as:
What is your goal for today or this week?
What would you like to accomplish?
What steps will help you reach your goal?
What do you want your finished project or assignment to look like?
If you make this choice, what do you think might happen next?
Families can also encourage children to set small, achievable goals for reading, homework, chores, saving money, practicing a skill, or preparing for the next school day.
The goal isn't for every plan to work perfectly. Learning to set a goal, make a plan, reflect, and try again helps our students become more independent and confident learners.
đ Coming in October: Habit 3 â Put First Things First
Next month, our Dolphins will focus on Habit 3: Put First Things First.
Habit 3 means doing the most important things first. It teaches students to identify their priorities, manage their time, stay focused, and complete responsibilities before moving on to less important activities.
For children, that might mean:
đ Finishing homework before playing a video game
đ Packing a backpack before bedtime
đ Reading before screen time
đ§š Completing a responsibility before choosing a preferred activity
â° Getting ready on time instead of waiting until the last minute
Families can help children practice Habit 3 by creating simple routines, making checklists, helping children decide which tasks need to be completed first, and encouraging them to balance responsibilities with fun.
Try asking:
âWhat is the most important thing you need to do first?â
That one simple question can help children begin thinking about priorities and taking responsibility for how they use their time.
đđ Congratulations to all of our September Habit Heroes! We are proud of the leadership you demonstrate each day and can't wait to see our Dolphins continue to grow as leaders as we move into Habit 3: Put First Things First! đŹđ

đđ HIGH FIVE FRIDAY WITH OUR NAHS YELLOW JACKETS! âđđđŁđ
What a way to start our Friday! đŹâ¨ Our Dolphins received an extra-special welcome this morning as members of the North Augusta High School Homecoming Court, cheerleaders, and football players joined us for High Five Friday!
Our students arrived to plenty of smiles, cheers, high fives, and Yellow Jacket spirit as our special guests helped us kick off the school day with excitement and positive energy! đđ
đ Congratulations to the members of the NAHS Homecoming Court on this special recognition! We were so excited to have you spend part of your Homecoming Week with our Dolphins.
đŁđ A huge thank you also goes to the NAHS cheerleaders and football players who joined in the fun! Your enthusiasm and school spirit made our studentsâ morning even brighter and helped make this High Five Friday one to remember.
One of our favorite things about visits like this is seeing our younger Dolphins connect with students from our community. Our elementary students look up to these older students, and having them take the time to greet, encourage, and celebrate with our Dolphins makes these moments especially meaningful. đ
Thank you to everyone from North Augusta High School who helped us start our Friday with smiles, school spirit, and a wonderful sense of community! We loved having our Yellow Jackets visit our Dolphins! đđ¤đŹ
Best wishes to the entire NAHS community for a fantastic Homecoming! đđđŁđ
#NAUES #NAHS #HighFiveFriday #Homecoming #HomecomingCourt #YellowJacketSpirit #CommunityConnections #DolphinPride




đ September 28âOctober 9
We hope all of our NAUE students, families, faculty, and staff enjoy a safe, relaxing, and fun-filled Fall Break! Take time to rest, recharge, and make some wonderful memories. đâď¸
Weâll see our Dolphins back Monday, October 12! đŹđ
đđ Have a fantastic Fall Break, NAUE!





On Wednesday, September 23, our Kindergarten and first-grade students were thrilled to welcome firefighters from North Augusta Public Safety Fire Station 1 to NAUES! đŹđđ
Students had the exciting opportunity to see a fire truck up close and learn about the important tools, equipment, and protective gear firefighters use to do their jobs safely. đđ§âđ They loved getting a closer look at the BIG truck while learning more about what firefighters do each day to protect and serve our community.
Experiences like this bring learning to life and help our youngest Dolphins learn about fire safety, community helpers, and the important role first responders play in keeping us safe.
â¤ď¸ A very special THANK YOU to the North Augusta Public Safety firefighters who took time to visit our school, answer our studentsâ questions, and share their knowledge with us. We appreciate all you do each and every day to help keep our community safe!
#NAUES #NorthAugustaPublicSafety #Firefighters #CommunityHelpers #FireSafety #DolphinPride #LearningBeyondTheClassroom










If youâre a North Augusta Elementary Dolphin, you know that Mr. Badillo loves sharing his Dad Joke of the Day each morning! đŹđ¤
Well, our fourth-grade students decided it was time to help him expand his collection! đ With a little help from their teacher, they put their creativity and sense of humor to work and created a very special book of dad jokes just for Mr. Badillo!
Now he has a whole new collection of student-approved material to keep us laughingâor groaningâduring the morning announcements! đ¤Łđ
We love seeing our students use their creativity to bring a little extra joy and laughter to our school community. đđ
And Mr. Badillo⌠no pressure, but we expect to hear some of these soon! đđ¤
#NAUES #DadJokeOfTheDay #DolphinPride #FourthGradeFun #MakingMemories #SchoolFamily

We had another wonderful All Pro Dads gathering this morning at North Augusta Elementary! đŹ This monthâs character focus was HONESTY â understanding the importance of telling the truth, making trustworthy choices, and taking responsibility for our actions.
Honesty is a character trait that grows stronger with practice! Families and teachers can help children develop honesty by:
â Modeling honesty â Children learn by watching the adults around them.
â Creating a safe space for the truth â Let children know that telling the truth is always the right first step, even when they have made a mistake.
â Praising honesty â Recognize when children choose to tell the truth, especially when it may be difficult.
â Teaching responsibility â Help children understand that being honest also means owning our choices and working to make things right.
â Building trust â Remind children that honesty helps others know they can depend on and trust us.
đ NEXT UP: INITIATIVE!
Our next character focus will be INITIATIVE â seeing something that needs to be done and taking positive action without always having to be asked.
We can encourage initiative by giving children opportunities to solve problems, help others, take responsibility, and look for ways they can make a positive difference at home, at school, and in their community.
đ Next All Pro Dads Meeting
Thursday, October 22, 2026
â° 8:00 AM
Thank you to all of our dads, father figures, families, and students who joined us this morning. We appreciate your partnership as we work together to help our Dolphins grow into honest, responsible, and confident leaders! đŹđđ
#NAUES #AllProDads #Honesty #Initiative #BuildingLeaders #DolphinPride





Today was NAUEâs very first Pickle Sale, sponsored by our amazing SPED Department, and our Dolphins were excited to get in on the fun! đŹ
For just $1 each, students could grab a delicious pickle while helping support our Exceptional Learner classes. Funds raised will help reduce the cost of field trips and provide additional opportunities for our students throughout the school year. đđ
A special thank you to our wonderful SPED teachers â Mrs. Abby, Mrs. Prescott, Ms. Torres, and Mrs. Emily (not pictured) â for organizing this fun fundraiser and for everything they do each day to support our students.
Thank you to everyone who purchased a pickle today! đĽ We appreciate our NAUE families and students for always supporting our school programs.
đ Mark your calendars for our October Pickle Sale dates!
đĽ Thursday, October 15
đĽ Thursday, October 29
Pickles are $1 each, so bring your dollar and get ready for another BIG DILL at NAUE! đđđŹ

North Augusta Elementary is excited to celebrate our September You Rock Teacher and Staff Member of the Month! These two outstanding members of our Dolphin family consistently demonstrate kindness, dedication, and a willingness to go above and beyond to support our students, staff, and school community.
đŹ You Rock Teacher of the Month â Stephanie Morin
Congratulations to our Media Specialist, Stephanie Morin, our September You Rock Teacher of the Month!
Mrs. Morin works each day to make the library a welcoming and engaging place for students and staff. Whether helping students discover a new book, supporting teachers with resources and technology, organizing special programs and events, or sharing the many wonderful things happening throughout our school, she is always willing to lend a hand wherever needed.
Her dedication extends well beyond the library. Mrs. Morin is committed to supporting the entire school community and helping ensure that students, families, staff, and visitors feel welcomed and valued at NAUES. She takes great pride in our school and in celebrating the accomplishments of our Dolphins.
Congratulations, Mrs. Morin, and thank you for all you do for North Augusta Elementary! đđ
đ You Rock Staff Member of the Month â Andrea Foreman
Congratulations to Ms. Andrea Foreman, Instructional Aide, our September You Rock Staff Member of the Month!
Ms. Foreman supports students and teachers throughout our building in many different areas, and she is always willing to step up and assist wherever she is needed. Her caring nature and genuine concern for others are evident in the way she interacts with both students and staff.
One of Ms. Foremanâs greatest strengths is her ability to build trusting relationships with our students. She is reliable, dedicated, and continually looks for opportunities to learn, grow, and improve professionally. She also has a wonderful ability to see the good in others and encourages those around her through her positive and supportive attitude.
We are grateful for the many ways Ms. Foreman contributes to our school each day and for the care she shows our Dolphins and her colleagues.
Congratulations to Mrs. Morin and Ms. Foreman! We are proud to have you as part of our NAUES Dolphin family! đŹđđ


