An Employee Relations Newsletter
Human Resources
Let's Relate
FEATURED EMPLOYEE PERK
As an employee of Aiken County Public Schools, you are eligible for a discounted metro membership through our corporate partnership with the YMCA. This membership grants you access to all nine YMCA locations in the Greater Augusta area. Plus, when you join, the $100 joining fee is waived—making it even easier to start your fitness and wellness journey! Visit the links below for more information.
Visit ACPSD Employee Perks at www.acpsd.net > Human Resources > Benefits > Employee Perks for more information on many other perks just for ACPSD employees!
PEBA PERK
Why struggle with Type 2 Diabetes when you can reverse it?
Try a care option that uses food as medicine to help lower blood sugar.
Virta Health can show you how to lower blood sugar and lose weight naturally by putting a healthy spin on your go-to-meals. Virta is a virtual clinic that uses nutrition science and technology to reverse Type 2 diabetes and related issues in the body--no calorie counting or gym visits needed.
Get a custom food "prescription."
The America Diabetes Association believes that there's no such thing as a diabetes diet and Virta agrees. Each body is different, and this is why Virta participants get a custom plan to eat their way to better health. They also receive ongoing support from medical providers, coaches and digital monitors.
Participants can see results in weeks thanks to personalized care plans that keep unique health needs and lifestyles in mind.
Everything to gain and nothing to lose.
Virta is available at no cost to State Health Plan primary members (ages 18-79) who have Type 2 diabetes.
Learn more:
WHAT'S IN THIS MONTH'S ISSUE:
Featured Employee Perk
Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Developing Critical Thinking Skills
PEBA Perk
Employee of the Month
March Awareness
Upcoming Events
EAP FEATURED RESOURCE
Developing Critical Thinking Skills
The ability to make good decisions quickly and to creatively solve problems is what sets some people apart. In fact, for many employers, it is often the most sought after skill set. We all encounter a high volume of information every day. How do we know what is most important or reliable? Though most credit their ability to think critically with their experiences in school, can we cultivate this capacity in our daily personal or professional lives? The answer is yes!
Login using the information below to view the Developing Critical Thinking Skills webinar.
For this and other resources, ACPSD employees can access the Employee Assistance Program in the following ways:
Online: Via www.care.espyr.com. Enter the Password: Aiken
Via Phone: To request services, please call 800-869-0276
Via the App: Download Espyr Connect from Apple Store or Google Play. Password: Aiken
FOR MORE VISIT: ACPSD EMPLOYEE RELATIONS
Celebrating Excellence
February 2025
EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
Ms. Ruth Morris has worked for ACPSD for six years and is currently serving as the School Nurse at Midland Valley High School.
Nurse Morris is always diligent in her work and cares a lot for our kids. 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 saying 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 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!
March Awareness
National Girl Scout Day | March 12
National Certified Nurses Day | March 19
National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day | March 29
Women’s History Month
Music in Our Schools Month
Youth Art Month
Social Work Month
American Red Cross Month (Volunteer, Donate, Give Blood)
Upcoming Events
Women in Photography Exhibit | March 6 - 27
National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) Springfest! | March 6 - 27
Joye in Aiken Performing Arts Festival | March 7 - 14
Wine Tasting Wednesday, The Feed Sack, North Augusta | March 12
Good morning North Augusta | March 13
DASH Kids, Fleet Feet | March 13, 20, 27
Thursday Fun Run, Fleet Feet | March 13, 27
Aiken County Farmers Market | March 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 25, 27, 28
Redcliffe Plantation Historic Site Tours | March 13 - 17, 21 - 24, 27 - 31
Test & Tune - Carolina Dragway | March 13, 20, 27
Thursday Night Jazz at the Willcox | March 13, 20, 27
Live Music: Americana Women | March 13, 14
Breakfast at the Gallops | March 14
Storytime for ages 0 - 2 and Ages 3 and Up | March 14, 21, 28 (ages 0-2)
Live Music: Park Avenue Oyster Bar | March 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29
United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Hunters Jumper In & Out Series 2 | March 14 - 16
Aiken Coin & Currency Show | March 15
Holistic Wellness Fair | March 15
82nd Running of the Aiken Trials | March 15
Gaston Livery Stable Guided Tours | March 15
Take-a-Hike Guided Group Hike | March 15
Annual Sip & Clothing Swap | March 15
St. Patrick’s Day Scavenger Hunt | March 15
Annual Brats and Brews St. Paddy’s Day Bash | March 15
Shamrock Shuffle with Fleet Feet | March 15
Family Game Night, North Augusta YMCA | March 15
Historic Trolley Tours | March 15, 22, 29
Saturday Brunch with John Vaughn at the Willcox | March 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30
Live Music: Good Girl Brewing Company | March 15, 22, 29
St. Patrick’s Day Storytime & Craft | March 17
Walk Fit with Fleet Fit | March 18, 25
Art Reception, Sacred Heart Great Hall | March 18
Early Release Movie: Moana 2, Nancy Carson Library | March 19
Aiken in the Alley - Latin American Literature and Cultures | March 20
Thursday Fun Run - Trivia Night, Fleet Feet | March 20
Savannah River Smackdown | March 20
Southern Belle Classic Horse Auction | March 21, 22
Aiken Spring Steeplechase | March 22
Aiken Land Conservancy Public Hike Series | March 22
Local CSRA Author Storytime with Meet & Greet | March 22
Whiskey Run, Sharon Jones Amphitheatre | March 22
4th Annual Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Classic | March 23
Lafayette in Hamburg, North Augusta Municipal Building | March 24
Cultural Series - Dallas Brass | March 25
Main Gallery Exhibition: Upcountry Fiber Artists Present “The Tomato of Time” | March 27 - April 1
Hand Building Pottery Class - Garden Angel | March 28
Live at the Village: Country Music Night with Tim Barnett | March 28
2025 CSRA Heart Walk | March 28
Annual 109th Aiken Horse Show | March 28 - 30
Xtreme Xperience Car/Truck/Bike Show | March 29
Evening of Southern Gospel Music by Life FM, Victory Baptist Church, North Augusta | March 29
Pacers and Polo | March 29
Velcro Pygmies, Sharon Jones Amphitheatre | March 29
CONTACT:
Kayla Jordan, Employee Relations Coordinator
kjordan@acpsd.net | 803-641-2484