All November, it's International Games Month in the Media Center! To celebrate, we're giving away a Bluetooth speaker and hosting Win-it Wednesday games! Come by during break, advisory, or after classwork to play the game of the day. Next up on Wednesday, Nov. 6: Uno! Don't miss out on the fun!
ONE POINT ABOUT THE ONE %
NORTH AUGUSTA MIDDLE (NAMS), CONSTRUCTED IN 1954, IS THE OLDEST SCHOOL AMONG THE LIST OF PROJECTS THAT A 2024 RENEWAL OF THE ONE CENT SALES WOULD BENEFIT.
Window air conditioning and heating units and metal-lined walls make indoor temperature control of this 1950s-era school (built without central heating and air) a challenge. At NAMS, the roof is leaking, doors are no longer fully shutting, and walkways and entrances to areas of the school built below grade flood on rainy days..
Part of the school was renovated previously and includes the cafeteria, science and music wing. If approved by voters, the recently updated areas are all that would remain. The original 1954 structure would be demolished, and a new, secure entryway, admin and classroom wing, media center, and gymnasium would be constructed.
For more Penny Tax Facts, visit www.acpsd.net/OneCent.
ONE POINT ABOUT THE ONE %
FIVE OF EIGHT OF THE COUNTY’S HIGH SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN RECENTLY UPDATED OR REBUILT, A SALES TAX RENEWAL IN 2024 WOULD ADDRESS THE REMAINING THREE.
South Aiken High, Silver Bluff High, and Midland Valley High were each built in 1980. At the time of the One Cent Sales Tax in 2014, they were referred to as the district’s “new” high schools.
Improvements at those campuses, if approved by voters, include secure, welcoming entrances, updated athletic facilities, purpose-built classrooms for culinary arts and other CTE courses, and more.
For more Penny Tax Facts, visit www.acpsd.net/OneCent.
Join us for a fun PTO fundraiser spirit night at Putt Putt Fun Center on Tuesday, November 12, from 6-8 PM! For just $15, you’ll get unlimited Putt-Putt and laser tag! (Arcade not included.) Don’t miss out on a night of fun and supporting HSMS!
ONE POINT ABOUT THE ONE %
THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL HOST A LIVE INFORMATIONAL MEETING ABOUT THE SALES TAX ON OCTOBER 29 AT 6PM.
ACPSD has engaged in an effort to educate the community about the One Cent Sales Tax, and has shared information in a series of meetings held throughout the county over several months.
A virtual meeting will be held this evening, Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at 6PM.
Join at www.acpsd.net/OneCent.
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.
Order your HSMS yearbook now! Don't miss out on capturing all the amazing memories from this school year! Pre-order your HSMS yearbook today and secure your copy. Visit the front office or order online to reserve yours at this link: https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/productBrowse/3248936/Highland-Springs-Middle-School/2025-Yearbook/2024062604230409069/CATALOG_SHOP
Join us for a community chorus concert! Highland Springs, Paul Knox Middle, and North Augusta High will be showcasing their talented voices on October 29 at 7 PM at Grace UMC. Come out for a night of amazing and FREE music and support our students!
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.
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!
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.
