Asheville Students Begin to Return to Classrooms After Devastating Storm

Asheville Students Begin to Return to Classrooms After Devastating Storm

In the heart of Asheville, North Carolina, the echoes of Tropical Storm Helene still linger in the minds and hearts of many. The storm, which pummeled the region nearly a month ago, caused unprecedented damage, leaving communities grappling with loss and destruction. As these neighborhoods work towards recovery and a hopeful return to normality, students in the Asheville area have started to step back into classrooms.

Returning to School with Care

Asheville City Schools reopened on a modified schedule just this past Monday, while neighboring Buncombe County Schools welcomed students back last Friday. According to Kimberly J. Dechant, chief of staff of Asheville City Schools, the atmosphere on the first day back was one filled with warmth and care. “Today has been a great start,” she shared. “Teachers were engaged in lessons where students had the opportunity to circle up and talk about what they experienced and process all of those emotions together.”

A Focus on Mental Health

Understanding the emotional toll the storm has taken on both students and staff, Superintendent Maggie Fehrman emphasized the district’s commitment to mental well-being. “We learned from Covid that we can’t just jump back in like everything’s normal,” she explained. The district has rolled out lessons that allow students to express their feelings and discuss their experiences from the storm. This focus on mental health is crucial, as many in the community are still reeling from the impact of Helene.

The Impact of Tropical Storm Helene

Helene was not just any storm; it brought about a catastrophic rainfall event for the southern Appalachians, with reports indicating up to an astonishing 30 inches of rain in just three days. This overwhelming deluge resulted in swollen rivers and catastrophic flood damage, leading to losses of life and property. Tragically, in Buncombe County alone, authorities have confirmed that 42 people died, with others still unaccounted for.

Safety First: Schools in Good Shape

Fortunately, the Asheville City Schools district fared well during the storm. All of its nearly 3,900 students and staff members are accounted for, with no deaths reported within the school community. Fehrman noted that all schools have functioning electricity, internet, and running water, although the water is currently not safe to drink. In a show of solidarity, the school district has partnered with an aid organization to deliver clean drinking water to staff and students.

Supporting the Community’s Needs

Even as classes resume, many students and families are facing challenges. “We have several students that lost family members,” Fehrman revealed. “We really stick together in Asheville City Schools; we’re a smaller district, and it’s nice that we all know each other and can lean in and support each other.” The district has a resource center that still assists between 15 and 20 families in fulfilling their basic needs since the hurricane hit.

Classes Resuming with Adjustments

Meanwhile, Buncombe County Schools are operating with a two-hour delay on their reopening day, allowing bus drivers to navigate around washed-out roads and bridges. Superintendent Rob Jackson expressed gratitude for the chance to reunite students with their school staff. “Our teammates will reassure them, make them feel safe, and help them reconnect with their school family,” he said. Still, some parents like Candace Duke feel mixed about the timing of the return. “Yeah, school’s important…but I feel like they’re rushing into things,” she remarked.

A Community Coming Together

While not everyone is sure returning to school is the right move, many are finding comfort in the presence of familiar faces. “We started back to school on Friday. It was great to see all the students and staff again,” mentioned Robby Parker, a teacher at North Buncombe High School. The stories from students and the emotional healing that’s underway highlight the shared experience that binds the Asheville community even closer—you can really feel the support radiating from within this resilient district.

With the reopening of schools in Asheville, there is a collective hope that students will not only regain a sense of normalcy but also find the emotional support they need to heal from their experiences during the storm.