Last Updated on October 15, 2024 4:08 pm
Good afternoon, Ashe County Families. We hope this message finds you safe and well during this unprecedented time. We are inspired by the strength of our community as we continue to rebuild and support our families, friends, and neighbors. Daily, we see progress with our roads and bridges being rebuilt and nearly all power and most internet restored. Our Ashe County Schools team is working hard to support our community and return to school.
As part of this effort, we want to share some important updates:
- Extracurricular Activities: Yesterday, Monday, October 14, 2024, we resumed high school sports, band activities, and optional middle school sports practices. Our seniors are experiencing their final opportunities to compete in fall sports and participate in Marching Band competitions. Last week, the NCHSAA provided an updated competition schedule. For our students to participate in the remainder of the fall sports season and have the opportunity to compete in playoff competition, game play had to start yesterday. We recognize that some families are still recovering, so participation is voluntary.
- New Bus Routes: Our transportation team is collaborating with the NCDOT to plan new bus routes that ensure students can safely return to school. Yesterday and today, bus drivers and administrators surveyed the roads to identify community stops and safe turn-around points. Our goal is to complete all route assessments by Wednesday, October 16, accounting for long-term closures and places where buses cannot travel. This is a crucial step in our return to school, and we expect to announce the full plan, including new bus stops and schedules, later this week.
- Shelter Transition: We are working closely with DSS to transition the temporary shelter from the high school gym to more sustainable arrangements by October 17.
- Laundry POD: The laundry POD located at Blue Ridge Elementary will remain open through next week.
- Donated Supplies: Since the start of the storm and recovery efforts, our elementary schools have served as hubs for supply delivery and distribution. As we prepare to return to school, we will shift our focus toward providing more personalized support. Beginning this week, we will use the generous donations to directly assist families most impacted by the storm, prioritizing their individual needs and those of our broader community.
- Emergency Childcare Camps: Our childcare camps at Westwood Elementary and Mountain View Elementary will remain open until school resumes to support families during this transition period.
- Feeding Our First Responders & Volunteers: For the past three weeks, we have worked alongside our community to ensure that first responders and volunteers are well-fed and supported during this critical time. Tomorrow, Wednesday, October 16, at the Blue Ridge Elementary School, volunteers and friends from Raleigh will serve BBQ chicken, pork, and sides starting at 11:00 a.m. The event is open to all, with plans to serve 800 meals.
- #AsheStrong Youth Festival: On Saturday, October 19, 2024, from noon to 5 PM at Ashe Park community members have organized the #AsheStrong Youth Festival. This event is dedicated to supporting the well-being of our children, with activities, food, and entertainment for the whole family.
Together, we are making steady progress toward recovery, and the return to school marks another important step forward. Thank you for your continued patience, support, and care for one another during this time. We are #AsheStrong, and with your help, we will come through this stronger than ever.
Stay safe, and we look forward to welcoming our students back soon.
Dr. Eisa M. Cox, Superintendent
