North Augusta Elementary

📸 Classroom Group Picture Day is TOMORROW! 📸
Dear NAUES Families,

This is a friendly reminder that tomorrow, Wednesday, January 14, 2026, is Classroom Group Picture Day at North Augusta Elementary School! 💛💙🐬

Strawbridge Studios will be on campus to take class pictures for each classroom group. If you would like to purchase a special photo to remember the 2025–2026 school year, orders are available for $13.00 per photo.

✅ ORDERING OPTIONS
🌐 Option 1: Order Online

Visit www.strawbridge.net

Click Order Pictures

Enter school code: FM485576 (North Augusta Elementary)

📌 Or use this direct link to order:
https://strawbridge.fotomerchanthv.com/clients/north-augusta-elementary-school/group-pictures-1-14-2026-2/access?clearSessionAuthentication=1

✉️ Option 2: Pay With the Order Envelope (Paper Order)

Fill out all requested information on the picture envelope sent home today.

Place EXACT payment inside the envelope:

No change can be given

Do not combine payments for siblings/students

Checks should be made payable to: Strawbridge Studios, Inc.

Return the sealed envelope to school on picture day (Wednesday 1/14/26).

📌 Thank you for your support, Dolphin families! We can’t wait to capture these special class memories! 📸🐬💙💛

#NAUESDolphins #PictureDay #ClassPhoto #DolphinPride

🌟 Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then Be Understood 🌟
Habit 5 means listening first before talking.

At school, students learn to use their listening ears, watching eyes, and kind hearts to understand others.

When we listen:
👂 We don’t interrupt
👀 We look at the speaker
💬 We use kind words to share our thoughts
Pre-K to 5th grade, students practice Habit 5 by taking turns, respecting feelings, and learning that everyone’s voice matters. This habit helps build friendships, solve problems, and grow strong leaders—at school and at home!

👨‍👩‍👧 Family Connection
Families can practice Habit 5 at home by:
✔ Listening without interrupting
✔ Asking questions to understand
✔ Taking turns speaking

Together, we grow better listeners and stronger leaders! 🌱

On Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, at 6:30PM, ACPSD will be hosting the Strategic Plan Community Input Meeting at Belvedere El., for Area 2

We still have three opportunities remaining for families, staff, and community members to share feedback and help inform our district's strategic direction. If you were unable to attend this session, we invite you to join an upcoming meeting and be part of the conversation.

Strategic Plan Input Meeting Dates:
Area 1: January 22, 2026 | 5:00 p.m. | Aiken High School
Area 2: January 15, 2026 | 6:30 p.m. | Belvedere Elementary
Area 5: January 22, 2026 | 5:30 p.m. | Redcliffe Elementary

Your voice matters, and we look forward to hearing from you.
#ACPSD #AikenCountyPublicSchools #CommunityInput

📣 UPDATED: Perfect Attendance Students (First Semester)! 🎉

We are so proud to recognize our Dolphins who achieved Perfect Attendance for the First Semester! These students showed an amazing commitment to learning by being present, prepared, and ready to shine each day. Way to go! 🏫✨

✅ Important Update: After posting earlier this week, we discovered that additional students also earned perfect attendance. We sincerely apologize for any names unintentionally missed in the original post and are excited to recognize all students who met this achievement. 💛💙

⭐ Perfect Attendance Honorees (Updated List):
Cribbet, Carter
Bledsoe, Parker
Creighton, Mallory
Dowdell, Blessed
Mobley, Evelyn
Mooney, Emma
Evans, Brooks
Hogan-Bernard, Luna
King, Henry
Lewis, James
Rollinson, Caidyn
Sherlock, Luke
Smith, Sawyer
Baynham, Allyson
Buntin, Kaori
Carter, Bella
Davis, Hampton
Drayton, Kambre
Greene, Noah
Mason, Jordan
Mejia Ayala, Robin
Williams, Frenshaun
Eason, Amira
Hernandez Santos, Anthony
Matthews, Zoey
Mejia Alvarado, Angel
Mobley, Elsie
Mooney, Myah
Rollinson, Cailyn
Wilson, Samyiah
Al Jabali, Mohammad
Brooks, Rush
Elmore, Timea
Greene, Evan
Mejia-Ayala, Liam
Peterson, Gianna
Pough, Carson

Additional Perfect Attendance Honorees:
Aiken, Finley
Bartley, Natalee
Brown, Tristan
Coleman, Jordan
Danley, Addison
Daugherty, Emma
Echirkaoui, Layla
Hernandez, Caroline
Hiebert, Lyla
Hill, Camille
Jones, Aubree
Jones, Liam
Kirkland, Vivian
Lin, Jaden
Miller, Karter
Oliver, Ansley
Quick, Karson
Rogers, Maycie
Romero, Maggie
Rowland, Catherine
Shaw, Sebastian
Smith, Levi
Smith, Meilani
Smoak, Grayson
Tripp, Kamryn
Wallace, Bonnie

Attending school each day helps students grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Consistent attendance builds important life habits such as responsibility, perseverance, and dependability — skills that help our students succeed now and in the future.
💛💙 Once a Dolphin, Always a Dolphin! 💛💙

💛💙 Habit Hero of the Month: Seek First to Understand 💙💛

This month, our Dolphins are focusing on Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood as part of our Leader in Me journey! 🐬✨

🔍 What does “Seek First to Understand” mean?
It means listening carefully before speaking, trying to understand how others feel, and showing empathy and respect—even when we may disagree. Students learn to pause, listen with their eyes and ears, ask questions, and think about another person’s perspective before responding.

🌟 Why is this habit important for students?
Practicing this habit helps students:
✔ Build stronger friendships
✔ Solve problems peacefully
✔ Improve communication skills
✔ Show empathy, kindness, and respect
✔ Become confident, thoughtful leaders

When students feel heard and learn to listen to others, our classrooms become safer, kinder, and more supportive places to learn.

🏡 How families can help reinforce this habit at home:
Parents and guardians can support Habit 5 by:
• Encouraging children to listen without interrupting
• Asking questions like, “How do you think that made them feel?”
• Modeling active listening during conversations
• Practicing calm discussions when there is a disagreement
• Praising children when they show empathy and patience

Together, school and home can help our students grow into compassionate leaders who value understanding others. Thank you for partnering with us as we build strong habits that last a lifetime! 💛💙

#HabitHero #SeekFirstToUnderstand #LeaderInMe #NAUESDolphins #BuildingLeaders #OnceADolphinAlwaysADolphin 🐬

💛💙 First Grade Leader Loot Winners & You Rock Award 💙💛

We are so proud to celebrate our First Grade Leader Loot winners this week! These students continue to shine by making positive choices, showing leadership, and setting a great example for others every day. 🐬✨

A special congratulations goes to our You Rock Winner — Naomi 🌟
Naomi truly rocks because she:
⭐ Plays well with everyone
⭐ Helps her teachers
⭐ Follows all school rules

Naomi’s kindness, responsibility, and positive attitude make our school a better place. Way to go, Naomi! Keep leading the way and showing what it means to be a Dolphin leader! 💛💙

#LeaderLoot #YouRockAward #NAUESDolphins #PositiveChoices #OnceADolphinAlwaysADolphin 🐬

💙💛 National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day 💛💙

Today, our Dolphins proudly shared their gratitude and hearts in honor of National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day! Students in Mrs. Prescott’s class and Dr. Moore’s class created special coloring pictures of Officer Moulton and personally presented them to him as a thank-you for all he does to keep our school safe and supported each day at North Augusta Elementary School. 🐬

Officer Moulton’s kindness, dedication, and daily presence make a meaningful difference in the lives of our students and staff. Moments like these remind us how powerful appreciation can be—and how grateful we are for the relationships that help our school community thrive.

We also extend our heartfelt thanks to ALL law enforcement officers for their service, sacrifice, and commitment to protecting our schools and communities. Your hard work does not go unnoticed, and we are deeply thankful for all that you do—today and every day. 💙🚓

#LawEnforcementAppreciationDay #ThankYouOfficerMoulton #NAUESDolphins #OnceADolphinAlwaysADolphin #CommunityStrong

🚔💙 National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day 💙🚔

Today we pause to recognize and honor the brave men and women in law enforcement who work every day to keep our communities safe. We are deeply grateful for your service, dedication, and commitment to protecting others.

A very special thank-you to Officer Moulton, our amazing School Resource Officer, for the care, kindness, and support you give our students, staff, and school community each and every day. Your presence helps ensure NAUES is a safe, welcoming place for learning — and we appreciate you more than words can say!

Thank you to ALL law enforcement officers for the sacrifices you make and the service you provide. 💙
#NationalLawEnforcementAppreciationDay #ThankYou #NAUESDolphins 🐬💛💙

🐬 First Semester Celebration Shines at North Augusta Elementary

January 8, 2026

Today, North Augusta Elementary School proudly celebrated our amazing Dolphins during our First Semester Celebration Event—a joyful and meaningful recognition of students who demonstrated positive choices, growth, and commitment throughout Semester 1. 💛💙

This special celebration honored students who met expectations on our Dolphin Reflection Rubric, a tool shared with families earlier in the semester that reflects our shared partnership between school and home. Students were recognized for their efforts in the following key areas:

Attendance – Coming to school regularly and ready to learn

Behavior – Following school rules and showing respect to others

Academic Growth – Working hard and making progress in learning

Family Communication – Staying connected between home and school

Students who met these expectations earned the opportunity to participate in the celebration—and some Dolphins even achieved VIP status for going above and beyond! Our VIP students enjoyed special comfort seating with prime viewing, making the experience even more memorable.

🌿 A Wildly Exciting Surprise!

What was the big surprise? An unforgettable live animal experience that had students on the edge of their seats!

We were thrilled to welcome Holly DeVault from the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, part of the University of Georgia Outreach Program, who delivered an engaging, assembly-style program that brought science to life in the most exciting way possible.

Students had the incredible opportunity to see live animals up close, including:

A green treefrog
A southern toad
A bullfrog
A corn snake
A box turtle
A snapping turtle

And even a young alligator, currently about three feet long! 🐊

🔬 Learning Beyond the Classroom

Through this thrilling presentation, students learned about:

Animal adaptations and how animals survive in their environments

Biodiversity and the importance of protecting different species

The ecology of the southeastern Atlantic Coastal Plain

Endangered species, habitat destruction, and

The importance of natural resource conservation

The combination of real animals, fascinating facts, and interactive discussion created an unforgettable learning experience that perfectly blended celebration with education.

💙 Celebrating Our Dolphins

This First Semester Celebration was more than a reward—it was a powerful reminder that positive choices, perseverance, and strong school–family partnerships truly matter. We are so proud of our Dolphins for their hard work and growth, and we are grateful for opportunities like this that inspire curiosity, responsibility, and a love of learning.

Once a Dolphin, always a Dolphin! 🐬✨

🎉 SAVE THE DATE – NAUES FIELD DAY! 🎉

Mark your calendars for a day full of fun, fitness, and Dolphin pride!
North Augusta Elementary School Field Day is coming soon, and we can’t wait to celebrate with our students!

📅 Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Field Day is always a favorite tradition, packed with exciting outdoor activities, teamwork, laughter, and school spirit. It’s a wonderful opportunity for our Dolphins to stay active, cheer one another on, and make lasting memories with friends and teachers.

💙 Calling All Dolphin Families!
If you’re interested in joining the fun and helping us run our many activity stations, we would be extremely grateful for your support! Volunteers play a vital role in making Field Day a safe, successful, and joyful experience for all students.

📣 More information about volunteer opportunities and schedules will be shared closer to the date.

We can’t wait to celebrate a fun-filled day together—Once a Dolphin, Always a Dolphin! 🐬✨

#NAUESDolphins #FieldDayFun #SaveTheDate #DolphinPride #FamilyEngagement

📅✨ UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES — JANUARY 2026 ✨📅

We have lots of wonderful events happening this month at North Augusta Elementary School! Please take a moment to review the dates below and mark your calendars:

🏆 Friday, January 16, 2026 — Semester Award Ceremony
We’re excited to celebrate our students’ hard work and growth!
Ceremony Times by Grade Level:
• 8:00 AM – Kindergarten
• 8:45 AM – 4th Grade
• 9:30 AM – 3rd Grade
• 10:15 AM – 5th Grade
• 11:00 AM – 1st Grade
• 11:45 AM – 2nd Grade

🎉 Monday, January 19, 2026 — Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
📌 No School in observance of MLK Day.

⏰ Wednesday, January 21, 2026 — Early Dismissal Day
Students will dismiss at 11:30 AM. Please plan accordingly.

🌱 Saturday, January 24, 2026 — School Serve Day
🕗 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Families, students, and community members are invited to come out and help us make our school an even happier, brighter, and more beautiful place to learn! 💛💙

👨‍👧 Thursday, January 29, 2026 — All Pro Dads Meeting
🕢 7:45 AM
Dads, father figures, and students — we’d love to have you join us!

⭐ Friday, January 30, 2026 — Habit Hero Breakfast
🕗 8:00 AM
We look forward to celebrating students who are shining examples of leadership and positive character!

We are so grateful for our amazing Dolphin families and the support you give our school. 💛💙🐬

🎉 First Semester Celebration — Happening Tomorrow! 🎉

We are so excited to celebrate our Dolphins tomorrow during our First Semester Celebration Event! This special celebration recognizes students who have shown positive choices, growth, and commitment throughout the semester. 💛💙

Families previously received information sharing that students were evaluated using our Dolphin Reflection Rubric for Semester 1, which looks at the following areas:

✔ Attendance – coming to school regularly
✔ Behavior – following school rules & showing respect
✔ Academic Growth – working hard and making progress
✔ Family Communication – staying connected between home and school

Students who met the celebration expectations will participate — and some students even earned VIP access for going above and beyond! 🌟

We can’t wait to recognize our Dolphins for their effort, responsibility, and leadership. It’s going to be a wonderful day of celebration! 🐬💛💙

📣 NAUES Semester Award Ceremony 🏆

We are excited to celebrate the hard work, growth, and achievements of our Dolphins during our Semester Award Ceremony!

📅 Friday, January 16, 2026

⏰ Ceremony Times by Grade Level:
• 8:00 AM – Kindergarten
• 8:45 AM – Fourth Grade
• 9:30 AM – Third Grade
• 10:15 AM – Fifth Grade
• 11:00 AM – First Grade
• 11:45 AM – Second Grade

📨 Invitations for students receiving awards were sent home on Tuesday of this week. Please check your child’s folder/bookbag for this important information and keep an eye out for any additional reminders as we get closer to the date.

We look forward to celebrating our Dolphins and sharing this special moment with our school families! 💛💙🐬

Welcome Back!

We are excited to welcome our students, staff, and families back to school as we kick off a new year and a new semester. January is a fresh start and full of opportunities to learn, grow, and achieve together. As we return to our classrooms, we look forward to continued collaboration, renewed focus, and celebrating the success ahead. Let's make this semester a strong one!

#ACPSD #AikenCountyPublicSchools #BackToSchool

📚 Welcome Back, Dolphins! 💛💙

We hope everyone had a wonderful and relaxing Winter Break! We are so excited to welcome our students back to school on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 — refreshed, recharged, and ready for an amazing second semester of learning and growing together!

School is a special place where our Dolphins build friendships, discover new ideas, grow their confidence, and shine bright each day. We can’t wait to see your smiling faces, hear your stories from break, and jump back into learning adventures together.

✨ Let’s make 2026 a year filled with kindness, curiosity, and success!
We’re looking forward to seeing EVERYONE back in class — ready to learn, lead, and do great things!

💛💙 Once a Dolphin, Always a Dolphin! 💛💙

Ms. McGurk’s third-grade students enjoyed a warm and delicious holiday celebration! ⛄☕ Students had a sweet time creating marshmallow snowmen and sipping hot chocolate as they welcomed the holiday season together. Smiles, creativity, and cozy moments filled the room—making it a joyful way to bring in the holidays! 🎄💛💙🐬

🎶💃 ¡Feliz Navidad, Dolphins! 🎄🐬

The halls of NAUES were filled with joy, music, and celebration today as the NAUES Chorus, along with Mr. Hill, Mr. Palmer, Mr. Badillo, and family, paraded through the school sharing the sounds of lively Spanish music with every pod! Smiles, clapping, and holiday cheer followed them every step of the way as students and staff enjoyed this special moment together.

We were also thrilled to welcome visitors who joined us in celebrating this festive tradition. Now in its second year, this wonderful and cheerful parade of good cheer has become a beloved way to kick off our holiday season—setting a positive, joyful tone and reminding us of the power of music, culture, and community.

What a beautiful way to spread happiness and start the season on such a high note. Once a Dolphin, Always a Dolphin! 💛💙🐬
¡Feliz Navidad! 🎄✨

🐬💛 December PE Leaders of the Month 💙🐬

We are so proud to recognize our December PE Leaders of the Month! These students have shown outstanding leadership, teamwork, responsibility, and sportsmanship during PE class. They lead by example, encourage others, and always give their best effort.

Way to go, Dolphins! Keep moving, leading, and shining! 🌟🏅

#NAUESDolphins #PELeaders #LeaderInMe #DolphinPride