Asheville City Schools Reopen Amidst Recovery from Hurricane Helene’s Aftermath

Asheville City Schools Return to the Classroom After Helene

As the sun rose on a crisp morning in Asheville, N.C., excitement buzzed in the air as students returned to classes on Monday, October 28. It was the first day back since the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene, which left many in the community grappling with loss and hardship. Crossing through the school gates, a blend of joy and sadness mirrored the emotions of students and teachers, as they found themselves back together after a long break.

Mixed Emotions Fill the Air

Superintendent Maggie Fehrman expressed the complexity of feelings that filled the school buildings. “There’s been joy,” she noted, “students getting back into the building, seeing their teachers—lots of happiness. Yet, as we started talking with our students, there’s some sadness.” This return to school marks a critical time for many who have lost loved ones or whose homes have been damaged.

Fehrman highlighted the importance of community support during this challenging period, suggesting that being back at school provides students with the chance to connect with peers and begin to process the events of the last month. Nevertheless, the path to a smooth reopening was met with its share of obstacles, largely due to water shortages in the wake of Helene.

Water Woes

Before classes could truly resume, there was the pressing issue of ensuring that every child had adequate water. Initially, the goal was to provide every student with at least a liter of water for a four-hour school day. Fehrman pointed out the daunting logistics saying, “When we started calculating the number of pallets for the high school alone, it would be 30 pallets of water.” That’s a staggering amount—something that would take significant resources to organize.

Fortunately, a ray of hope emerged through collaboration with a nonprofit organization named Water Mission, which is dedicated to establishing water solutions in areas impacted by disasters. Thanks to their support, four state-of-the-art filtration systems were set up across the campuses, allowing students to refill their water bottles more sustainably and effectively. The schools benefiting from this incredible support include Asheville High School, Asheville Middle School, and both Isaac Dickson and Claxton Elementary Schools.

Filtration Systems to the Rescue

The new filtration systems are nothing short of a game changer, as they can process an impressive 10,000 gallons of water per day. This amount is more than sufficient to accommodate the entire student body for a full day’s activities. Tiger Norman, the assistant principal at Asheville High School, explained the mechanics behind this system and its importance in keeping students hydrated throughout the school day. “This system will provide plenty of water to drink, and it will be in place for as long as necessary,” he said, giving a sense of stability and reassurance to the community.

Transitioning Back to Normalcy

As the school day progressed on Monday, the district operated with a modified schedule, relying temporarily on bottled water. However, Norman announced that the filtration systems would be ready by Wednesday, October 30, ensuring a full return to normal operating hours. The schools will continue their modified hours on Tuesday, with elementary students attending from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and secondary students from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

By Wednesday, everything will fall back into routine, including after-school programs and sports activities. Additionally, the district maintains an active resource center located at 90 Montford Avenue, where they’re coordinating supply distribution and accepting donations from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. during the week. The community’s spirit is alive and well, as Fehrman mentioned a continued need for basic items like washcloths, wash towels, and clean-up supplies.

As Asheville City Schools settle back into their rhythm, the heartwarming camaraderie between students and staff shines through. It’s a reminder of how, even in the face of adversity, the strength of a community can pull everyone through the toughest of times.