Silver Bluff High

A NIGHT OF EXCELLENCE: CELEBRATING THE 2026-2027 STARS OF PUBLIC EDUCATION

Tonight, at Aiken High School, the air was filled with music from the Jazz Band and a shared sense of pride as we honored the incredible individuals who make Aiken County Public Schools shine.

As Superintendent Dr. Corey Murphy reminded us, our schools are not defined by buildings or budgets, but by the people who show up every day for our students.

We are thrilled to introduce our 2026-2027 District Winners: District Teacher of the Year:

Jerry Brannon (Ridge Spring-Monetta Middle/High) A master of making complex science feel real and reachable. Mr. Brannon is a cornerstone of his school’s culture, known for meeting every learner exactly where they are with high expectations and a heart for mentorship.

First Year Teacher of the Year: Aleesha Ashe (North Augusta Elementary) In just her first year, Ms. Ashe has created a classroom filled with discovery and joy. Her poise and dedication to her 4K students prove that she is a rising star in the profession.

Principal of the Year: Dr. Charlene Heard (Warrenville Elementary) A visionary leader who believes that when educators are supported, students thrive. Dr. Heard’s leadership is rooted in the deep understanding that meaningful relationships are the foundation of academic growth.

Assistant Principal of the Year: Dr. Miranda Fulmer (Ridge Spring-Monetta Middle/High) Recognized for her innovative approach to school schedules and structures, Dr. Fulmer balances strategic data with a genuine heart for every student and staff member.

District Level Administrator of the Year: Brian Gibbons (Federal Programs) A leader of steady resolve and integrity. Mr. Gibbons is a vital guide for our principals, navigating complex responsibilities with a calm, compassionate approach.

Professional Staff Member of the Year: Carrie Adams (Hammond Hill Elementary) As a school nurse, Ms. Adams masterfully balances the well-being of our students with expert professional judgment, ensuring every child feels cared for, respected, and heard.

GEM of the Year: Karen Ulmer (North Augusta Elementary) The definition of service. Ms. Ulmer is the first to ask, "How can I help?" and brings a signature warmth to her school community that makes everyone feel at ease.

The evening also included a beautiful tribute to the legacy of Julie Revelle. Seeing so many staff members stand to honor her impact was a powerful reminder of what it means to lead with kindness.

To all our nominees and winners: Thank you for the talent and character you bring to our schools every single day!

In collaboration with local emergency management authorities, District leaders have been closely monitoring the severe weather forecasted for Aiken County tomorrow. Hail, damaging winds, and isolated tornadoes are possible. Wind gusts of 60-75 mph are forecasted, which exceeds state regulations for the safe operation of school buses.

In abundance of caution and with safety at the forefront, tomorrow, Monday, March 16, will be an e-learning day for students and a remote work day for employees. Additional information on e-learning can be found under the Academics tab on your school's website.

Students who are able to complete e-learning assignments tomorrow are encouraged to do so. Students who do not have a device, reliable internet, or who are without power due to tomorrow's storm will have ample time to complete the e-learning work. Assignments will not be due until March 27th.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation. Please remain alert for any emergency weather related precautions that may be recommended to keep your family safe with tomorrow's storms.

Aiken County Public Schools Mourns the Loss of Assistant Superintendent Julie Revelle

Aiken County Public Schools is deeply saddened to share news of the passing of Julie Revelle, Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Schools.

Julie dedicated her life to education and to the students, families, and educators of Aiken County. Throughout a decades-long career with our district, she has served as an English Language Arts teacher at Kennedy Middle School, Assistant Principal at North Aiken Elementary School, and Principal of Redcliffe Elementary School. In 2018, she joined the district’s Executive Leadership Team as an Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Schools, supporting principals and overseeing the instructional and operational work of many of the district’s elementary schools.

Throughout her career, Julie was known as a thoughtful leader and passionate advocate for students. She worked closely with school leaders and teachers across the district, offering guidance, encouragement, and support for the important work taking place in classrooms each day.

Those who worked alongside Julie will remember her not only for her dedication to education, but also for her kind and gentle spirit. She cared deeply about the people she served and supported throughout her career and took great pride in her family, including her husband, David, their daughter Beth, and grandchildren.

The loss of such a respected leader and colleague is deeply felt across the Aiken County Public Schools community. Support services are being made available for staff and school leaders as they process this loss.

Out of respect for Julie’s family, we ask that the community honor their request for privacy during this difficult time.

Aiken County Public Schools extends heartfelt condolences to Julie’s family, friends, and colleagues. Her dedication to students and educators will leave a lasting impact on our schools and the many lives she touched throughout her career.

Attention All Aiken County Public School District Seniors! The future is now!

We are thrilled to host Hire Summit, an exclusive event bringing you face-to-face with employers actively hiring for new talent. Show them you are their next Great Hire with on-the-spot interviews!

Event Details:

• Date: Tuesday, April 21, 2026

• Where: Aiken High School Gym

• Sign up and take advantage of this incredible opportunity please contact your school counselor.

This is your chance to turn your potential into a position. Come prepared to impress with your resume, professional attire, and elevator pitch.

Two Silver Bluff student athletes are making their way to collegiate athletics in football.

Gage Kirkbride and Jessie Shelley signed their NCAA Letters of Intent to play football at Newberry College and Union Commonwealth University, respectively, starting in fall 2026.

“These two young men kind of jumped out at me their junior year...their work ethic, their mindset," Silver Bluff head football coach Matt Hayes shared. "Their senior year, you saw a jump in their talents, their work ethic, and what they did in the classroom. They're signing this letter of intent because of not just their talent, but their mindset.”

Gage Kirkbride will be attending Newberry College in the fall and is thankful for the role models he had in previous teammates to help pave the way.

“I think that's what prepared me to be such a great senior is the amount of discipline that they had," Gage shared. "I looked up to the seniors as I was a freshman and sophomore. They helped me out and pushed me to be better."

Jessie Shelley, who will attend Union Commonwealth University, also credits his coaches and teammates for helping push him to the next level.

“Some coaches, they really work, they see a lot,” Shelley said. “My teammates, they really helped push. We push each other every day. They challenge each other every day to make the job the best we can.”

Kirkbride and Shelley join Adrian Gray who recently signed his NCAA Letter of Intent to play football at Brevard College (February 2026).

“I cannot talk about how much work goes in, not just from these young men, but their community, their surroundings, their support staff,” Coach Hayes continued.

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

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.

Silver Bluff High School student-athlete Adrian Gray is taking the next step in his football career.

On February 12, 2026, in front of family, friends, coaches, and peers, Gray signed his NCAA Letter of Intent to play football at Brevard College starting Fall 2026.

“Being able to play this sport is a good thing,” Gray said. “Especially after high school, because most people don't get to do that.”

Gray is a multi-sport athlete for the Bulldogs, playing offensive line in the fall on the football field and throwing shotput for Track and Field in the spring.

His coach, Matt Hayes, is proud of the hard work and leader Gray has become at Silver Bluff.

“When I was hired two years ago, I kind of identified that core groups of guys that would be not just starters, but the kind of guys with leadership qualities, guys that we were going to lean on in the weight room and in practice. And Adrian kind of jumped out. He's a really good football player, obviously. Works hard at his craft. A little bit undersized, but what he lacks in size, he has with technique, and he plays with the nastiness that you need to play offensive line,” Hayes said. “Being his teacher in the classroom, he takes pride in his athletics and his academics. So, Brevard is getting a student athlete, not just an athlete.”

Celebrating student athletes and their next steps into collegiate athletics is something that Silver Bluff takes pride in, according to Athletic Director Phillip Strother.

“Anytime we get an opportunity for a kid to sign and go on to the next level, you know, it means that we're obviously doing something right,” Strother said. “That's kind of my thing. I want to make sure we're doing the right thing for our kids. So, we're giving them a real idea of what life is going to be like so they're suited for real life.”

“You cannot talk about Silver Bluff without the tradition of the student athletes here,” Hayes continued. “We've had a lot of success with guys going to the next level. It's a testament to their family, this community, but also those student athletes who want more than just being a good athlete in high school. They want to take their talents to the next level. It's hard, especially in today's climate. It's very hard to go from high school to college to go compete at that level. Adrian's part of a long line of student athletes who took that challenge, and I'm excited for him and Brevard.”

REGULAR OPERATIONS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3

ACPSD will return to regular operations tomorrow, Tuesday, February 3, following this weekend’s historic snow event. With temperatures below freezing overnight, please use caution in travelling as some shaded areas may still be partly frozen. We have appreciated the patience and flexibility of our school community and look forward to welcoming everyone back in person tomorrow.

E-LEARNING DAY /REMOTE WORKDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2026

Following this weekend’s winter storm and out of an abundance of caution for the safety of students, families, teachers and staff, tomorrow, Monday, February 2, will be an e-learning day for students. All teachers and staff will be on a remote work day as well.

Student e-learning will be available online, and our teachers are available for support. Should your student have any questions, difficulty, or need assistance with their e-learning assignments, please reach out.

Continued cold temperatures refreezing the snow that accumulated this weekend may impact our district’s operations for Tuesday as well. A decision regarding Tuesday will be announced no later than 3 p.m. tomorrow afternoon and will be made with the safety of all students, families, and employees at heart.

As always, we are grateful for the flexibility of our school community. Please be safe, enjoy the snow, and stay warm.

January 27, 2026: Regular Operations

Aiken County Public Schools will return to a regular schedule tomorrow, Tuesday, January 27, 2026, with no change to arrival times.

Thank you for your flexibility this morning as we operated on a two-hour delay due to the weekend’s winter storm.

Please anticipate continued cool temperatures throughout the week. District leaders will continue monitoring weather conditions alongside local Emergency Management officials, including the potential for a weather system this weekend, and will communicate any updates if changes to operations become necessary.