Asheville Community Resilient as Families Navigate Challenges Post-Hurricane Helene

Asheville Families Adjust Post-Hurricane Helene

Asheville, North Carolina, is currently navigating the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which has left residents grappling with unexpected challenges. Families, especially parents and students, are finding themselves at home for an extended period of time, with some days slipping by without any assignments or classroom activities. It’s a tough situation, and questions are swirling among concerned parents.

A Parent’s Concern

Parent Maria Canales shared her worries, saying, “I started to think about their education, and if I have enough food and water for them.” With school buildings temporarily closed, she remarks how they’re keeping busy at home by diving into their collection of books. “We have a few books at home. So, we’re reading those. We also have some books from the library. We’re reading those, too. That’s helping her at least with her reading.” Maria’s story reflects the creativity and resilience of many local families who are making the best of a tough situation.

Schools Hold Up, Challenges Persist

On a more positive note, local school officials have confirmed that their buildings experienced minimal damage from the storm. The superintendents for both Buncombe County Schools and Asheville City Schools provided assurances that the educational structures are safe. However, the bad news is that there is currently no clear timeline for when students will return to classrooms.

“The biggest issue is water,” said BCS Superintendent Dr. Rob Jackson. Many educational facilities are still without power, which is a major hold-up for reopening. Even when the schools are ready, they’re serving a different purpose entirely. “We are housing one of the rescue teams and all of their staff,” mentioned Dr. Fehrman, highlighting how some schools have turned into temporary hubs for rescue operations, communication, and shelter.

The Schools as Community Hubs

In total, it’s reported that “just about all 45 of our sites are at work today for some purpose,” Dr. Jackson noted. Schools that typically provide learning and growth are now adapting to fulfill critical needs in the community, assisting local responders, law enforcement, and even providing resting spots for power crews. “None of which they were designed for,” he added, underscoring the unexpected ways in which the education system is stepping up.

Learning Resources for Families

In the meantime, school officials are focused on encouraging families to utilize available resources and maintain their children’s educational progress despite the disruptions. “One great way to keep our students learning when they don’t have access to the internet or our great teachers is to read,” Dr. Jackson said. Families are being reminded to take advantage of this quiet time at home for reading and engaging in learning activities that don’t require formal schooling.

What Lies Ahead

As residents await further updates, school officials stress the importance of communication. “We are going to do a great job of communicating when we’re ready to reopen,” Dr. Jackson reassured. This ongoing dialogue will be vital for those who may have temporarily left the area and wish to return once schools are back in session. “If a family left and came back, we will immediately re-enroll them and get them right to work,” he promised.

Families can take comfort in knowing that education remains a priority in Asheville. News on the timeline for resuming classes will be shared with the community, and excitingly, students will have the opportunity to return to school regardless of when they were able to show up.

As Asheville continues to recover, community spirit and resilience shine through the challenges brought by Hurricane Helene. The journey may be slow and unpredictable, but families are finding ways to navigate through this together.