Blue Jacket Buzz

Dates to Remember: End of Year dates

Important Testing Information

New & Current Student Registration Information

Kindergarten & 5th Grade End of Year News

PTO Volunteers needed for School Events

Afterschool Programs

Summer Camps

Safety/Security Information

Dear Parents and Students,

As we approach the SC Ready assessment, we want to remind everyone testing will begin daily at 7:30 and end at 2:30 and will occur on the following dates:

· Tuesday, May 20 - Math

· Thursday, May 22 - Science (4th Grade)

This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to showcase their hard work and determination! We encourage all students to give their best effort during the assessments. Remember, every test is a chance to shine and demonstrate what you’ve learned!

To help your child perform at their best, please ensure they:

· Enjoy a healthy breakfast on the morning of the assessment to fuel their brain.

· Get a good night's sleep the night before to feel refreshed and ready.

Believe in yourselves! We know you can do it! Let’s show everyone how amazing you are!

Thank you for your support in helping our students succeed!

Shamara Kinlaw

Principal

This years theme is "Turn Awareness into Action". This theme encourages individuals and communities to move beyond simply recognizing the importance of mental health but to take concrete steps to improve it. This includes practicing self-care, advocating for change, and seeking support. There are numerous things you can do to improve your mental health: exercise, deep breathing, gratitude journaling, spending time in nature, or connecting with others. Activities like these can help reduce stress, improve mood, and enhance overall well-being. Remember, your mental health is just as important as your physical health so take the time to take care of yourself.

KONA Ice will be at AES on Friday, May 30. Please see flyer for pricing.

Congratulations, Jennifer B- our first gift card winner!

Register your student by May 24, 2025 for another chance to win a $25 gift card.

All students registered by May 26, 2025 will be able to participate in End of Year Water Day celebrations. Each grade level with the highest percentage registered will win an ice cream party!

A great big thank you to all the students and parents for all their hard work during the Tech Fair. I have gotten MANY questions about awards, so I wanted to let you all know, awards will be announced on May 23. I will send out more information about our plans to announce.

Reading is a Game Changer! Summer Reading information will be coming home soon!

IMPORTANT DATES:

May 30: Kindergarten Awards Ceremony at 8:30am

June 2: 5th Gr Awards Ceremony at 8:30am

If you were unable to attend the 5th grade meeting on May 1 & 2, no worries!

Your student will select their AMS Electives during Guidance with Mrs. Hemingway.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Hemingway at ehemingway002@horrycountyschools.net

Kindergarten Families:

Join us on Friday, May 30 at 8:30am to celebrate our Kindergarteners!

Program Procedures:

All program visitors are to park in the bus loop and enter through bus entrance doors. Due to the morning bus drop off, please do not enter the bus loop until after 7:40 am. Doors will open approximately 15 minutes before start time.

A Friendly Reminder: All visitors are required to be screened by the metal detectors, therefore please leave any unnecessary metal items and bags in your vehicles.

Thank you for your cooperation.

We are creating a picture slideshow that will play during the 5th Grade Awards Program.

We are asking for TWO photos: an individual baby picture and an individual recent picture.

Please submit photos to your student's HOMEROOM TEACHER no later than Friday, May 23rd.

I am so proud of all the students who came to auditions!

While you are looking through the results sent home today, please remember, I only have a limited number of spots available for these groups every year.

If your student did not receive an invitation, there is the possibility that could change as forms are returned or people change their minds. Please continue to be patient in case spots open. The roster for these groups are not yet solidified!

If your student did receive an invitation, and you would like to confirm your students spot, please return the bottom portion of the invitation to the music room mailbox by Friday, May 23rd. After that, your spot may be forfeited. Also, please note, your student might have gotten an invitation to a group that was not their first choice, I still highly recommend you consider the group your student was invited to if it fits into their schedule.

Mrs. Christy

Music Teacher

Mark your calendars:

• May 23rd – Blue Pan Jam and D.R.U.M. Band combined in school performance
• Parents are invited from 11:00-12:00. Check the Remind group for more information!

SchoolStore Music Fundraiser

Thank you so much for all your support! Don’t forget to continue to support Music at AES by shopping online at your favorite stores through www.schoolstore.com!

Backpack Buddies believes that students who can go to school prepared will be more successful. Children should have the opportunity to grow, learn and be a child for as long as they can while receiving basic needs. If your family would benefit from the Backpack Buddies program, please email Mrs. Hemingway at ehemingway002@horrycountyschools.net for a form to fill out and return.

Elizabeth Hemingway, Aynor Elementary School Counselor, 3rd-5th

Erin Monday, Aynor Elementary School Counselor, CD-2nd

Are you interested in volunteering with the PTO? If so, please complete the google doc below.

AES PTO Volunteer Form

Please complete the form below if you are interested in volunteering with PTO events.

All volunteers must complete a background check and be approved through HCS.

VOLUNTEER AT HCS

If you have any questions, please reach out to us at: AESPTObluejackets@gmail.com

With the start of the 2024-2025 school year, Horry County Schools will use OPENGATE weapon detection scanners to screen all students and guests including all elementary schools.

CLICK HERE

Our #1 goal is to ensure that Aynor Elementary is a SAFE environment for our Blue Jackets. To do this, we hold a variety of safety drills throughout the year. Safety drills enhance school safety by allowing students and staff to understand proper emergency procedures outside of a crisis situation.

What drills will our Blue Jackets participate in throughout the school year?

Fire Drill: Students and staff practice exiting the building in case of a fire.

Tornado Drill: Students and staff take safety position lining up along an interior wall or the safest area, in case of a tornado.

Earthquake Drill: Students and staff DROP, COVER and HOLD ON, getting under a table or desk if one is near, in case of an earthquake.

Intruder Drill: Our school has adopted the “I Love U Guys” Foundation’s Standard Response Protocol (SRP). Students and staff will be training, practicing, and drilling the protocol.

Metal Detectors: Staff will use a metal detector to check students and their materials/backpacks as they enter the building.

Only bus riders will enter the bus entrance doors. Car riders will enter through the side entrance.

All students will go through metal detectors daily before entering the classroom each morning. Parents are not allowed to walk their student to class.

• Breakfast is served 7:00-7:25.
• Parents are not allowed to walk down the sidewalk where students are being dropped off.
• Only buses are allowed in the bus drop off zone. Parents do not walk or drive in the bus drop off zone during student arrival times.
  

• Do not drop children off in the parking lot for safety reasons.
• Please remain in your car during drop-off. Staff will be available to assist your student.
• Obey the directions of teachers on duty. We are working diligently to make drop-off efficient and safe for everyone.
• In order to help the line move safely and smoothly, have your student gather their supplies and be ready to exit the vehicle promptly.
• Students may only exit on the right side of the vehicle.
• If your child is having difficulties exiting the vehicle, you will be asked to pull to visitor parking.
• Wait until the car in front of you departs to exit. Do not go around vehicles.
• In order to unload the maximum number of students in the drop off zone, please pull up as far as possible when unloading your child.

• Afternoon dismissal begins at 2:30. Our campus will begin receiving parents and guardians of car riders at 2:00. Avoid parking or impeding traffic on Jordanville Rd. This area will be monitored by Aynor Police Department.

• Please remain in your car during pick-up.
• Display your student’s name (AES car tag) on the dash of your car so it is easily visible to teachers on duty.
• If you need additional car tags, please notify the front office staff.
• Students may only enter on the right side of the vehicle.
• Wait until the car in front of you departs to exit. Do not go around vehicles.
• In order to load the maximum number of students in the pick up zone, please pull up as far as possible when picking up your child.
• Obey the directions of teachers on duty. We are working diligently to make pick up efficient and safe for everyone.
• Only buses are allowed in the bus zone. Parents do not walk or drive in the bus zone during student dismissal times.

* To ensure the safety of all students, if you do not have a car tag, you will be asked to go to the front office to be verified.