Brian Silas District 3 News

King Laurence: Thank you for your dedication and service to the students of Aiken County Public Schools. The honesty and integrity displayed in your service as our Superintendent was simply a reflection of how you went about your businesss every day of your 38 year career. Wishing you the best as you begin the next chapter!

Thank you to Chef Lenon and her Midland Valley Culinary students for preparing an impressive 3-course meal for the Area 3 Advisory Council. They were nice enough to invite Mr. Smith and me to celebrate their commitment to the students in Area 3. Of course I had to try on one of those good looking Chef hats….

Gregg-Graniteville Foundation awards $9,000+ grant to MVHS DECA. A great community partner!

Options…

Registration is open now!

https://app.sharefaith.com/App/Form/2df51d36-bfc9-4238-bb9e-d18f08627990

My apologies to Mr. Clyde Ergle II for me using an incorrect last name. Congratulations again to Mr. Ergle for his award as the Diesel Instructor at the career center. At least it gave me another chance to recognize him. Be sure to watch his interview on 10/3 at 5:30 on channel 6.

Congratulations to 3 Golden Apple Award winners from Area 3 presented by Brad Means from WJBF!! Our students and school district are fortunate to have you! Look for them on Tuesday’s 9/19, 9/26, and 10/3 airing in Channel 6 news at 5:30 news.

Kimberly Dennis - Jefferson Elementary
Amber Rahman - Midland Valley
Clyde Davis - Career Center

Thank you Jimmy Rooney State Farm for being a good community partner!

Congratulations to our Teacher of the Month, Ms. Buckheister, and our Staff of the Month, Mrs. Blackburn. Thank you to Rooney State Farm and our LBC PTO for sponsoring these monthly nominations.

Congratulations Mr. Cora and Mrs. Craig! Thank you for your commitment to the students at Graniteville Elementary. Mrs. Padgett is lucky to have you on her team!

Welcome back!

Congratulations MV Class of 2023!

Much Love to our ACPSD teachers! Take time to tell a teacher how much you appreciate them next week. Their dedication and passion to educate our children in the face of so many challenges is un-matched and deserving of a BIG THANK YOU. What teachers made a positive impact on your life? For me - Mrs. Townsend (Clearwater Elem), MVHS: Carol Armstrong, Amy Staubes, Jean Johnson, Joe Padgett, Mr. Bell, to name just a few. To Ms. Glover at MVHS: On behalf of our Chemistry class, I apologize for how hard we must have made your life as a first year teacher.

THANK YOU TEACHERS !!!!

TRUSTEES IDENTIFY HIGHLAND SPRINGS STUDENT ZONES FOLLOWING COMMUNITY INPUT

School Board representatives identified the attendance lines for the District’s newest campus last night, March 7, 2023. The Highland Springs school zone decision followed several opportunities for community input and was made with thoughtful consideration of the feedback received during the Town Hall Meetings held in February, as well as the input survey.

Overwhelmingly, feedback from the hundred or so families that attended the two Town Hall Meetings and the 300 plus respondents to the survey suggested that Highland Springs’ student body would be comprised of students from both Area 2, North Augusta, and Area 3, Midland Valley/Graniteville. The board’s decision last night of Scenario One reflects the feedback that was collected, and for the first time in district history, unifies students across area lines.

“I am so pleased to see the ACPSD Board decision which unifies areas 2 and 3, Paige Day, Highland Springs Middle School’s (HSMS) Principal stated. “This decision will allow HSMS to move forward with competitive programming and to serve the needs of all of the families surrounding our school. I look forward to meeting all of our new students and families as we work together to develop a culture and traditions that respect the values and histories of all our stakeholders.”

Families in Area 2 and 3 who are zoned for the Highland Springs Middle School will receive a welcome letter from HSMS’ Principal Paige Day in the coming days, and will soon be invited to participate in selecting a school mascot, along with other engagement activities as construction schedules allow.

All feedback collected during this process is available on the District’s website by visiting, www.acpsd.net/HighlandSprings . That webpage also has a link to a Highland Springs Attendance Zone Locator which allows families to type in their address and see the impact of this decision, if any, on their school zone.

Recognizing that some rising eighth grade students may wish to remain on their current campus for their final year of middle school, priority will be given to rising eighth graders requesting a school transfer to remain at their current middle school. Transfers in that circumstance should be requested through the regular school choice application, which will be extended for families impacted by Highland Springs zoning from the regular deadline of March 24 to March 31. School Choice applications are available online by visiting www.acpsd.net, I Am…>A Parent Guardian > School Choice. Please note that transportation is not provided for transfer students.

“We thank all of the parents, students, and employees who have participated in this process,” District Superintendent King Laurence commented. “It’s an exciting time in Aiken County Public Schools and we appreciate the passion and commitment to doing what’s best for students that has been evident.”

To read the full press release, please visit the District website at www.acpsd.net and click on the Highland Springs Attendance Zone banner.

Leavelle McCampbell Middle School students leading by example today holding a silent auction and Valley Empty Bowl fundraiser serving soups and sandwiches. Some proceeds going to less fortunate through ACTS. A good turnout from the community. All attendees received a ceramic bowl made by students. Great job today Rocks!

ATTENTION Area 3: It is time decide attendance zones for Highland Springs Middle School and your voice needs to be heard.

Two Town Hall meetings will be held. Wednesday Feb. 8th at 6:30 at MVHS and Thurs. Feb. 9th at NAHS. Wed. is not ideal but with other schedule conflicts, the best option. If you are in church Wed. then come to NA on Thursday.

We are all very busy, but this is an important decision that will affect our community and your children, so please take some time to come let your voice be heard.

There are 4 options on the table. Two options will NOT touch school zones for Area 3 with all students being pulled from Paul Knox and NA Middle to Highland Springs. Two other options will move the zones for LBC and Leavelle, along with PK and NAMS.

To see the proposed maps, as well as current and proposed student populations for each option, click on the following link OR go to the district website and look under the community tab for Highland Springs. www.acpsd.net/highlandsprings

Please take the time to look at the options and come to the meeting to share your thoughts with the school board and district admin. Also, continue to check the ACPSD website as it will be updated as more information is available.

Thank you for participating in this very important matter.

Highland Springs / Building The Future As our district prepares to open the new Highland Springs Middle School, an important determination remains...who will be zoned for this new campus. Please see a timeline below and join us at upcoming Town Hall Meetings to share your input. 

Unfortunately I could not attend, but have a good source that tells me Dr. Hall and her students representing well at the GP Leadership Breakfast. A good example of school and community engagement.

It’s Christmas in THE VALLEY! The only place orange is acceptable…

Thank you to Aiken High culinary students for providing a yummy dinner before our school board meeting this week. Aptly named “The Nest Cafe”. Well done…

"It's Time for Brian" - Again!

With your support, I would be honored to represent Area 3 -District 3 again. We still have work to do and ensuring we respond to the tremendous growth in THE VALLEY with facility improvements will be just one of my priorities should you elect me to represent you again. I need your help again to be elected! Between now and the election on November 8th please tell everyone you know to support me on November 8th and call them to remind them to vote the day before. I look forward to your continued support! Share the attached flyer now and often between now and November 8th. We have to turn out the vote to win!