
CELEBRATING SCHOOL LIBRARY MONTH
Throughout the month of April, we take time to celebrate the incredible school librarians and library staff across Aiken County Public Schools who go above and beyond to inspire, support, and serve our students, staff, and school communities.
From helping students discover a lifelong love of reading to curating resources that support academic success, you play an essential role in transforming learning. Your passion, creativity, and dedication make our libraries welcoming spaces for curiosity, exploration, and growth.
Thank you for all you do to empower readers, guide learners, and make our schools stronger through the power of books and knowledge. Happy School Library Month!
#ACPSDcelebrates #SchoolLibraryMonth


We’re excited to launch today the second video in our new series featuring student interviews with Board Members. Take a brief intermission from Intersession or five minutes away from somewhere fabulous during your extended Spring Break and spend it with us as you "Get To Know Your School Board." Mrs. Patrice Rhinehart-Jackson's interview with Schofield's Kaelea Burton is one you don't want to miss!
https://youtu.be/5C1dtEe3q7M
#ACPSDcelebrates



CELEBRATING PARAPROFESSIONAL APPRECIATION DAY
Please join us in celebrating the incredible paraprofessionals who serve our schools and students across Aiken County Public Schools. Also known as instructional aides, special education aides, and more, these dedicated professionals play a vital role in the classroom and beyond.
Whether supporting teachers, working one-on-one or in small groups with students, assisting those with special needs, or helping with daily routines and learning activities, our paras are always there, lending a helping hand and making a lasting impact.
Their compassion, patience, and dedication help create a supportive learning environment for all students. From guiding early readers to assisting with enrichment activities, their work truly touches every corner of our schools.
Today and every day, we are thankful for all they do to lift up our students and support our educators. Happy Paraprofessional Appreciation Day!
We hope you’re all enjoying a well-deserved and restful Spring Break!
#ACPSDcelebrates #ParaprofessionalAppreciationDay


SPECIAL OLYMPICS | A JOYFUL DAY OF CELEBRATION & INSPIRATION
On Friday, March 28, Aiken County Public Schools proudly participated in the Area 15 Spring Games Special Olympics at Citizens Park in Aiken, SC. The event, coordinated and led by Amy Ingram and her incredible team from Area 15 Special Olympics, featured an exciting track and field competition that brought together school and community-based programs from Aiken and Edgefield Counties. Our Special Programs department and amazing students truly shined.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to local law enforcement for volunteering their time to support and encourage athletes throughout the event.
We also recognize with appreciation Patrice Rhinehart-Jackson, Aiken County Board of Education member, who opened the event with an inspiring message to the athletes. As she shared: “Please know that all of you are special, you are inspiring, you are resilient, and you are true examples of angels walking on earth. Thank you for being examples of strength, determination, and fortitude. Thank you for always allowing others to learn from you.”
It was a joyful and memorable day filled with celebration, connection, and community spirit.
#ACPSDcelebrates #SpecialOlympics

🌸 Spring Break Send-Off: A Huge THANK YOU! 🌸
As we wrap up March and head into a well-deserved Spring Break, we want to take a moment to celebrate YOU—our incredible employees! Your hard work, dedication, and commitment to our students and community do not go unnoticed.
We hope you will take this time to rest, recharge, and enjoy the break—you’ve earned it!
#SHINEACPSD #ACPSDcelebrates










Next Week, March 31-April 3, is Spring Intersession Week. Students participating in Intersession Week will be engaged in extensive support or an acceleration program Monday through Thursday. For employees regularly scheduled to work next week, the workday schedule is four 10’s, with Friday off.
All schools and offices will be closed Friday, April 4, and the week of Spring Break, April 7-11.
We hope you have a restful and enjoyable break!


PRINCIPAL FOR A DAY | HIGH-FIVES ALL AROUND
Local business owners, community leaders, and elected officials recently stepped into the shoes of ACPSD school administrators during our annual Principal For a Day event—and what an unforgettable experience it was!
From greeting students at carline and observing classrooms to making morning announcements and joining lunch duty, our honorary principals got a behind-the-scenes look at the dedication, heart, and hustle it takes to lead a school. They asked thoughtful questions, connected meaningfully with students and staff, and left with a deeper appreciation for the vital role principals and educators play in public education.
This tradition continues to strengthen the bond between our schools and the community, thanks to the support of local leaders who are committed to empowering students and educators every day.
A heartfelt thank you to all of our Principals For a Day for accepting the challenge and making this year’s experience a memorable one for all!









Aiken County Public School District, March 25 BOARD MEETING - The Board of Education will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, beginning at 6:00 p.m. Please visit https://www.acpsd.net/page/board-meeting-livestream to view the meeting agenda and access the livestream when the meeting begins. Board Meetings are open to the public, although seating is limited. Our School Board Representatives may be contacted for any questions from our community stakeholders. Their contact information is available from that link as well.

🌸 Spring Has Sprung, and So Have Our Thanks! 🌸
As we welcome the season of renewal, we're celebrating our amazing classified employees who help Aiken County Public Schools bloom every day!
From keeping our schools safe and clean to serving meals and supporting students, your dedication makes a difference. Thank you for all you do!
#SHINEACPSD #ACPSDcelebrates










Congratulations to our 2025-2026 District Assistant Principal of the Year Mr. David Harris, Professional Staff Member of the Year Mr. Rashad Roland, Principal of the Year Mrs. Shunte Dugar, District Level Administrator of the Year Ms. Merry Glenne Piccolino, First Year Teacher of the Year Mrs. Theresa Reeves, Teacher of the Year Dr. Christie Palladino, and GEM of the Year Mr. Ni'Jae Jerry!
Stay tuned for more photos from tonight's STARS of Public Education Banquet coming soon!
#ACPSDcelebrates #STARSACPSD

Congratulations to this year’s Safety Incentive Award recipients: J.D. Lever Elementary School, New Ellenton Middle STEAM Magnet School, and Ridge Spring-Monetta Middle-High School!
The Safety Incentive Award was created to encourage and support a positive safety culture across our district. This initiative is meaningful because it directly benefits our employees by enhancing workplace safety while also reducing costs associated with workers’ compensation claims.
We are committed to promoting safety and accident prevention in our schools, facilities, and departments. Fostering a safe environment is a shared responsibility, and we greatly appreciate the support of our principals, supervisors, and leaders in making safety a top priority.




🍀 We Are Lucky to Have Our Amazing Employees! 🍀
Aiken County Public School District is feeling extra lucky to have such dedicated, hardworking, and passionate employees who make a difference every day! Thank you for your commitment to our students, schools, and community—our pot of gold is filled with incredible people like you!
#SHINEACPSD #ACPSDcelebrates










Congratulations to Aiken County Public School District's February Employee of the Month, Ms. Ruth Morris!
Ms. Morris has worked with ACPSD for six years and currently serves as the School Nurse at Midland Valley High School.
Nurse Morris is always diligent in her work and cares a lot for our students. Recently, a student came to her experiencing dizziness and chest pain. She promptly informed the parent, and the student was taken to the hospital. That morning, the mother called Ruth, expressing her gratitude and sharing that, because of her quick action, she saved her child’s life. Both Ruth and the mother were emotional and grateful for the outcome. Yes, our school nurses truly save lives!
Thank you to our February Employee of the Month, Ms. Ruth Morris, for demonstrating excellence as an employee of ACPSD! We appreciate all you do!
#ACPSDCelebrates #EmployeeOfTheMonth


Aiken County Public School District, March 11 BOARD MEETING - The Board of Education will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, beginning at 6:00 p.m. Please visit https://www.acpsd.net/page/board-meeting-livestream to view the meeting agenda and access the livestream when the meeting begins. Board Meetings are open to the public, although seating is limited. Our School Board Representatives may be contacted for any questions from our community stakeholders. Their contact information is available from that link as well.

🌟 A Day or Two Late, But Never Undervalued! 🌟
Friday was National Employee Appreciation Day, but let’s be real—one day isn’t enough to recognize the dedication, passion, and hard work of our incredible employees!
To every team member who shows up, steps up, and makes a difference—THANK YOU. Your commitment doesn’t go unnoticed, and we appreciate you today and every day.
#SHINEACPSD #ACPSDcelebrates










Tomorrow, Wednesday, March 5, there is a threat of severe weather with wind gusts in the morning forecasted to exceed 40 mph. This wind speed exceeds the threshold allowed for school buses to be on roadways. This wind event will result in a need to shift to e-learning tomorrow.
Employees should plan to report to their work location on a two-hour delayed start, with no building or office opening before 10 a.m.
Afterschool extracurricular practices, games, and events will continue tomorrow as scheduled. There will be no QuestZone tomorrow.
We apologize for the challenges that this will cause our families and appreciate your continued cooperation and support!


During Spring Intersession, the week of March 31-April 3, a limited number of spots are available for this year’s Fine Arts Camp, Lego Wars, for students in grades 6-8.
Fine Arts Camp will be held at Highland Springs Middle School Monday-Thursday from 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Students will be immersed in creativity, the engineering design process, and project design while developing architectural skills to build a strong Lego structure.
Registration opens Monday, March 3, at 6 p.m. for ACPSD middle school students and is offered on a first come-first served basis. Please note that due to space limitations, only the first 30 students to apply will be accepted. Once the application window opens, parents/guardians can apply by scanning the QR Code or visiting https://forms.office.com/r/zJ7pj8gvYh.
Breakfast and lunch will be provided each day of camp, Monday-Thursday, March 31-April 3, however students’ families will be responsible for their own transportation to Highland Springs Middle.
Please contact Dr. Kimberly Fontanez, District Fine Arts Coordinator, at kfontanez@acpsd.net with any questions.


🌟 Celebrating Our Classified Employees! 🌟
This Classified Employee Week, we honor the incredible staff who keep our schools running smoothly every day! From office professionals to custodians, bus drivers, food service workers, and more—you are the heart of our schools!
Shout out to our hardworking classified employees for their dedication, support, and commitment to student success!
#SHINEACPSD #ACPSDcelebrates










Aiken County Public School District, February 25 BOARD MEETING - The Board of Education will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, beginning at 6:00 p.m. Please visit https://www.acpsd.net/page/board-meeting-livestream to view the meeting agenda and access the livestream when the meeting begins. Board Meetings are open to the public, although seating is limited. Our School Board Representatives may be contacted for any questions from our community stakeholders. Their contact information is available from that link as well.

ACPSD fifth graders are invited to submit an application for the Aiken County Career and Technology Center’s CTE Techno Camp being held on Saturday, March 15, from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. Interested students must submit an application by next Wednesday, February 26, at 5 p.m. to be considered.
As part of the application, students will select their choice of two CTE programs to explore such as Under the Hood, Team Fashion Design, Photo Pea: Introduction to Photoshop, Code-A-Bot: Robotics, Digital Art and Media: Photography, Cosmetology 101, Barber Shop 101, Aiken Culinary Chefs, Nail Tech 101, An EMT to the Rescue!, The Life of a Biomedical Scientist, and Hair Braiding 101.
For more information, please visit the Aiken County Career and Technology Center’s website. Techno Camp Information is available under “Resources,” or call (803) 593-7300.
Application Link: tinyurl.com/CTEtechnoCamp
