Schools in Asheville are reopening after Hurricane Helene

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As communities in western North Carolina recover from the devastation caused by Tropical Storm Helene, students in the Asheville area are returning to classrooms.

Asheville City Schools district is reopening on a modified schedule, focusing on mental health support for students. Despite the storm’s impact, none of Asheville’s schools were damaged, but clean water remains a concern.

Asheville City Schools Superintendent Maggie  Fehrman said all have electricity, internet, and running water. But the water from the pipes hasn’t been deemed drinkable, so the school system has partnered with an aid organization to provide clean water.

Despite the progress, Fehrman said many students are still struggling.

“We have several students that lost family members. We have staff members who lost family members,” Fehrman said. “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, but many of our students are still struggling to fill basic needs with their families.”

Buncombe County Schools have also reopened with a two-hour delay to accommodate storm-damaged roads. Student support services are a key part of the reopening plan to ensure the emotional well-being of students and staff.