Millbrook Elementary

As students return from Fall Break next week and hurricane recovery efforts continue, Aiken County Public Schools will operate on a two-hour delayed schedule on Monday, October 14, and Tuesday, October 15. This delayed start will help increase visibility as school buses, student walkers, and others travel to school, ensuring safety as we navigate roads that may still have fallen trees and debris following Hurricane Helene. We understand this change may be challenging for many families and appreciate your patience and cooperation. Crews have made significant progress clearing debris, and we will continue to evaluate road safety for early morning travel. We will make a decision regarding start times for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday by noon on Tuesday. Breakfast: A grab-and-go breakfast will be available for students. Lunch: Lunch will be served; menus may be limited as we restock all perishable food items. Half-Day or Partial-Day Programs: Students on half-day and partial-day schedules, including Early Learning Special Education students, will not attend school on Monday or Tuesday as buses will be unable to run mid-day routes. No Before-School Activities: No activities will be permitted before school starts on the two-hour delay. Aiken County Career and Technology Center: Monday: Morning session students should report to their high schools. The afternoon session will continue as planned. Tuesday: Morning session students will attend the afternoon session. Afternoon students will stay at their high schools. In evaluating roadway conditions, the Hammond Hill neighborhood remains a concern. We are currently exploring transportation options for students residing in that neighborhood and will communicate with impacted families over the coming days once a determination is made. As our community recovers from this catastrophic storm, please exercise additional caution and care in travelling to school. Sidewalks may be blocked in some areas, visibility may be limited due to debris, and some powerlines are still low-hanging. If your child walks to school or to a bus stop, we encourage you to walk the route with them in the coming days or plan to walk with them Monday morning.  We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Monday!

NWS issued a wind advisory for tomorrow, Oct 10, 4AM-8PM. The hazard is 30-35 MPH gusts on weakened/leaning trees, causing concerns for travel in early morning & evening hours. With safety at heart, employees will begin on a delayed start of 9AM & no activities after 5PM.

NWS issued a wind advisory for tomorrow, Oct 10, 4AM-8PM. The hazard is 30-35 MPH gusts on weakened/leaning trees, causing concerns for travel in early morning & evening hours. With safety at heart, employees will begin on a delayed start of 9AM & no activities after 5PM.

Shelter Update: Community shelters are being consolidated at this time. The Red Cross Shelter at Paul Knox Middle School remains open for families in need.

Tonight, Oct. 4, at 6PM, Public Sheltering for Aiken County will open at Paul Knox Middle (PKMS) and Aiken High (AHS). PKMS: 1804 Wells Road, North Augusta; (enter Wells Rd. and Pisgah Ave.); AHS: 449 Rutland Dr., Aiken (enter Taylor Gym).

Dear Millbrook families. We hope that you are safe and well. We understand that many in our area have experienced damages and power outages as a result of the storm and our hearts go out to you. We appreciate our first responders, emergency workers, and agencies who are working tirelessly to restore our community back to some normalcy. Unfortunately, due to power outages at the school, we are limited in our ability to join these efforts. We want to make sure you are aware of the resources our district office compiled for those still needing assistance. You can access the list by going to the app and then clicking on "feed". Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you all. We look forward to seeing everyone back after Fall break.

To help ensure that the information available through websites and social media posts from local Emergency Management Operations officials, Chambers of Commerce, public safety and media outlets are able to be seen by families with limited access to the internet, we are resharing through our school system-managed platforms. We hope that this is helpful to those needing access to water, ice, food, information, and other resources. The availability of resources included below is not guaranteed, please verify that the resources are still available. Much of this information is being shared from posts made on social media platforms from media stories, as well as the following sites: Aiken Chamber of Commerce https://www.facebook.com/AikenChamber/ CSRA United Way https://www.facebook.com/UnitedWayoftheCSRA/ United Way of Aiken County Phone lines and internet are down at the office. Message this Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/uwaiken/ North Augusta Chamber of Commerce https://www.facebook.com/GNACOC/ FOOD/WATER Salvation Army Feeding Sites: • Salvation Army Soup Kitchen-604 Park Ave., Aiken • YMCA- 621 Trolley Line Rd., Graniteville • KJs in Edgefield- 155 Carolina Sq., Edgefield The North Augusta Community Center, 495 Brookside Ave, will be opening for handing out water and food until 5pm or while supplies last. Golden Harvest Food/Ice Distribution Site (Oct 2): National Wild Turkey Federation, 770 Augusta Rd., Edgefield @ 2pm Hub for Community Innovation Augusta 631 Chafee Ave from 4:00-5:00PM (Oct 2) The Salvation Army Kroc Center of Augusta 1833 Broad St at 4:00PM (Oct 2) Center of Hope 1384 Greene St at 5:30PM (Oct 2) Ridge Spring-Monetta schools will serve hot food and bottled water will be available at no charge starting Wednesday, around 4 p.m. at Monetta Volunteer Fire Department. Water Via the New Holland Volunteer Fire Department: If you need water for flushing toilets, washing we have non-potable well water at our HQ station at 2243 Old Ninty Six Indian trail. The hose is on left side of bay building. Please do not block driveway to trucks. - Chief Dennis Jackson South Carolina Rural Water For small water districts needing assistance, call Nick Rubin 864-617-3169. SHELTER True Testament Church • 1031 Reynolds Pond RD, Aiken SC 29801 • 803-295-9800 Jet Middle School • 1095 Columbia HWY, Johnston, SC 29832 POWER While power companies attempt to restore power, having main power shut off at the house, with lines connected to a house, which were taken down by a tree, would help with tree removal and power line issues. Once power is restored, please leave your front porch lights on which shows utility workers that power has been restored. Candles - Place candles in safe holders away from anything that could catch fire. Never leave a burning candle unattended. Wednesday Morning (October 2) Update from Aiken Electric Co-Op & Dominion Energy provided by our local legislative delegation: AEC’s outage management system is up and running. There currently have 22,757 meters without power. There are 140 AEC employees and 50 fiber contractors reconnecting members. Additionally, 340 contractors are working on the Co-Op system and another 100 arrive tomorrow. This weekend, the total number of contractors working to restore power should be 600. Dominion reports that in Aiken County they have restored service to 26,000 customers with 34,000 still without power. Dominion says there should be a lot more connections made today. Dominion Energy o Power Outage: 888-333-4465 o Downed Lines: 888-333-4465 o Gas Leaks: 800-815-0083 Aiken Electric Co-Op: 877-264-5368 DRIVING With many traffic signals remaining with no power, please treat those intersections same as a four way STOP intersection. CHARGING STATIONS/SHOWERS (please bring your own toiletries/towels) YMCA – Aiken & North Augusta • 621 Trolley Line RD, Graniteville, SC 29829 • 401 W Martintown RD Suite 111, North Augusta, SC 29841 CHARGING STATIONS/ICE SRP Park will have charging stations set up by our main gate. At 3pm we will begin distributing ice, 1 10lb bag per person, until we once again run out. COMMUNITY EVENT This Thursday, October 3rd, from 3:30 - 6:30 p.m., Cedar Creek Church is hosting a Family Hangout at the Banks Mill Campus of Cedar Creek Church. This will be a time for all families to connect, play games, enjoy each other’s company. Snacks, drinks, and charging stations will be available, and the worship center will be open for anyone seeking quiet time for prayer or meditation

Dear Millbrook Elementary Parents, Due to Hurricane Helene, tomorrow will be an e-learning day. Students will bring home work today for them to complete. Also, just a friendly reminder that our Fall Break begins on September 30th and runs through October 11th. We look forward to seeing everyone back at school on Monday, October 14th. Have a wonderful Fall Break!

As students will be out tomorrow, Friday, September 27, 2024, due to the weather, the related arts teachers have prepared a choice board of activities from which students can choose. Students are invited to take a photo or video of their chosen activity and share it with their specials teacher(s) via Rooms. We hope everyone stays safe, dry, and has a relaxing and enjoyable Fall Break!

ACPSD Changes Due to Hurricane Helene - Due to the potential impact of Hurricane Helene, which is forecasted to make landfall in the Gulf of Mexico today and arrive in Aiken County late tomorrow afternoon, Aiken County Public Schools has several changes to the remainder of this school week to announce. All after school activities tomorrow, Thursday, September 26, are cancelled. This includes athletics, arts, meetings planned for after school, and Quest Zone. Friday, September 27, will be an e-learning day for all students. Teachers and staff will work remotely on Friday. We recognize that several high schools have athletic events this week, including some with Homecoming. Some of those schools have moved their football games to this evening. Others are planning to host their games Friday night after the storm passes through. Should the weather necessitate a change to those plans, additional information will be shared by our high schools directly. We apologize for the disruption that this change will cause to our students and families and, as always, appreciate the flexibility and cooperation of our school community. Please stay tuned to local weather precautions and follow recommendations to keep your family safe.

📣 Reminder to All Parents! 📣 Don't forget about our Vendor Fair and Yard Sale happening this Saturday, September 28th, from 8 AM to 1 PM! If you’d like to reserve a spot for just $20, please do so by Tuesday, September 24th. To reserve your spot, you can scan the QR code below or visit https://millbrookpto.ptboard.com/home. We’re looking forward to a fun-filled day with great items and community spirit! Thank you!

Millbrook Families and Friends: 🍬 Help Us Feed Our Candy Monster for Fall Festival! 🎃 As we gear up for our Fall Festival, we’re excited to announce a Candy Collection to help feed our Candy Monster! 🎉🍭 Here’s how you can help: 🕷️ What to Bring: Any type of candy or non-candy item—chocolate, lollipops, bracelets, bouncy balls, you name it! 🧙‍♂️ When to Donate: Students can take their donations to the cafeteria to feed the Candy Monster beginning Monday, Sept. 23rd. 🎃 Why It Matters: Your contributions will not only delight our Candy Monster but also ensure a fun-filled experience for all our students and families! Let’s make this Fall Festival a treat to remember! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. Thank you for your support! 🍂

ONE CENT SALES TAX COMMUNITY MEETING This evening, Tuesday, September 17, please join us at South Aiken High School at 6 p.m. for an informational meeting on the One Cent Sales Tax. Voters will have the opportunity to consider a renewal of the One Cent Sales Tax in November. If approved, the 2024 One Cent Sales Tax will benefit upgrades and renovations to South Aiken High, Silver Bluff High, Midland Valley High, North Augusta Middle, and construction of a new elementary school in Area Three, as well as contingency projects as funding is available.

🚨 Attention Millbrook Dads and Families! 🚨 We’re thrilled to announce our upcoming All Pro Dads event on September 27th at 7:45 AM! This is a fantastic chance for dads and their kids to connect, share experiences, and start the day off right together. 📅 Date: September 27, 2024 🕖 Time: 7:45 AM 📍 Location: Millbrook RSVP now by scanning the QR code below or by visiting this link: https://forms.office.com/r/3cce4YwsrJ 🌟 Special Offer: We’re also excited to offer Millbrook Dad AND Mom shirts for purchase through October 4th! Show your Millbrook pride with these great shirts. Check them out and place your order at: https://carolinascreenprint.com/shop/ols/categories/millbrook We can’t wait to see you and your kids there for a morning full of fun and connection! 👨‍👧‍👦✨

All Pro Dad Millbrook Chapter: Join us for breakfast, fun activities, prizes, and heartfelt discussions with your child on September 27th 7:45am. This meeting will be facilitated by Pastor Smith of Town Creek Baptist Church. Register by using the link below. https://forms.office.com/r/3cce4YwsrJ

Dear Parents and Guardians, This is a friendly reminder that students will dismiss early on Wednesday, September 18th. Please note that dismissal will be at 11:30 AM. Please ensure that you make any necessary arrangements for your child’s early pickup or after-school care. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact our office at 803-641-2580. Thank you for your attention to this matter!

Ensuring the Safety of Our Schools: Addressing Recent Rumors - We are aware of misinformation circulating throughout our schools and communities regarding rumored incidents of school violence at various campuses within our district. Please know that these messages are being reposted and reshared at schools throughout our district and at schools throughout the state. Your children’s safety is our top priority. We take all threats seriously and work in collaboration with law enforcement to fully investigate each and every rumor and/or post that is shared. There is no active threat impacting the safety and security of any of our school campuses. Rumors of this nature cause a great deal of concern, stress and anxiety. When those are shared on social media, the impact is far-reaching, and causes unnecessary concern for other parents, students, and staff, and divert critical resources away from genuine safety and security efforts. If ever there is an actual incident of school violence at your child’s school or if a threat of violence at your child’s school warrants your attention, school and/or district communications will notify you. We are committed to sharing accurate information as quickly as situations allow. We hope to never have to notify you of an actual event of school violence, and we are fully committed to maintaining the safety and security of our schools through a variety of safety measures and close collaboration with local law enforcement. If you or your student ever have a safety concern, or if you hear a rumor of a safety concern, we ask that you immediately notify the appropriate authorities. This includes local law enforcement and the administration at the district office or the school involved. Thank you for your support as we work together to keep our schools, and your children safe.

Millbrook Families: We regret to inform you that due to inclement weather forecasted for this weekend, we must postpone our vendor/yard sale. We believe rescheduling our event will be more beneficial for both shoppers and sellers. We understand this news may be disappointing, and we want to assure you that this decision was not made lightly. Our goal is always to provide the best service and experience to our community. The new date for the event is scheduled for September 28th from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. We are also working diligently to secure a weather backup location to prevent any further issues related to weather conditions. What this means for you: Reservation Fee Options: Your $20 reservation fee can be: ~ Transferred to the rescheduled date ~ Refunded in full ~Transferred to a direct donation for our organization’s annual Fall Festival event Please respond to our PTO President, Ashley White, on which option you prefer. You can email her at millbrookelementarypto@gmail.com. Additionally, if you have friends or family members who wanted to participate but missed the registration deadline, please inform them that registration will be reopened for the rescheduled event. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out. Thank you for your continued support and cooperation.

Reminder: TOMORROW, Tuesday, September 10, is the last day to order books by guest author Lindsay Currie! Please read below for more information. Lindsay Currie is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of mysteries for children. In the past two years her books Scritch, Scratch and What Lives in the Woods have appeared on the SC Children's Book and Junior Book Award nominee lists. What Lives in the Woods received the SC Junior Book Award for 2024. And, she has another book, The Girl in White, which is on this year's SC Children's Book Award nominee list and one of our Aiken County Battle of the Book titles. She will visit Millbrook Elementary on Wednesday, September 25. All 3rd-5th grade students should have brought home a pink information sheet about ordering books. Please read carefully, as books will be purchased through a local independent bookstore that has partnered with our guest and her publisher in preparation for her visits to Aiken County schools. FAQ: Are there options to pay with cash or check? - No, as the author and her publisher have partnered with a local independent bookstore, The Book Tavern, all orders must be placed online. Step-by-step instructions are on the pink information sheet that is going home. What is the deadline to order? - All orders must be placed online by Tuesday, September 10. Is Currie's newest book the only one available? - No, other books by her are available and listed on the back of the pink information sheet. When will the books be received? - Local media specialists will pick up all pre-orders (must be placed by the deadline of September 10) from The Book Tavern and have them ready to distribute on the day of Currie's visit to the school. How will The Book Tavern know where to send the copies I ordered? - Please make sure to follow the step-by-step instructions on the pink information sheet that is going home. Which book by Lindsay Currie is on the Battle of the Books list for this year? - The Girl in White is a 2024-2025 Aiken County Battle of the Books title at the elementary level. Scritch, Scratch was on the 2022-2023 list. When will Lindsay Currie be at Millbrook Elementary? - Currie will visit Millbrook on Wednesday, September 25, 2024. Her target audience will be our 3rd through 5th grade students.

In honor of Grandparents Day, we invite grandparents or another special grownup to come and enjoy lunch with their grandchildren at school, on Friday, September 13th! Lunch Schedule 4K and 5K- 10am 1st - 10:30am 2nd - 11am 3rd - 11:10 4th- 11:40 5th- 12:10 Visitor Guidelines: Please allow enough time for parking and checking in with the front office. All visitors need to bring their ID even if they have had their ID scanned before. Your badge is good for all lunches on Friday if you have multiple grade levels to attend. To protect instructional time, students are only allowed to eat lunch at their grade level’s time. Recess is closed to visitors. We look forward to seeing you there!