Avery County Schools

This is Dr. Terry Worrell, Interim Superintendent of Avery County Schools. Due to high winds expected overnight and snow showers moving in tomorrow, we will not have school on Thursday, November 21st. It will be an optional workday for employees. Please only report to the building if it is safe to do so. I hope you have a great evening.

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Students, We are excited to welcome everyone back to school next Wednesday, November 6th, after Hurricane Helene. We understand this transition may be challenging, and we want to assure you that our faculty and staff are here to support all students as they adjust. We appreciate your patience and cooperation during this time. Together, we will ensure a positive and productive return to the classroom. Tentative Schedule: Wednesday, 11/6: Two-hour delay Thursday, 11/7: Two-hour delay Friday, 11/8: Two-hour delay Monday, 11/11: No school in honor of Veterans Day Tuesday, 11/12: Return to regular schedule We will continue to reevaluate for safety concerns. We are looking forward to seeing everyone back!

Avery High School Bookmobile - Free books for all ages! Monday, October 21st at Riverside Elementary School 1-3PM Wednesday October 23rd at Spear Country Store 1-3PM.

Book Mobile - Serving Avery County Students Tuesday October 15, 1-3pm Newland Elementary School Parking Lot Wednesday October 16, 1-3pm Banner Elk Elementary School Parking Lot

Attention Parents and local residents, Please help to spread the word. The sign up period is short. For more information contact the Avery County Department of Health and Human Services regarding Disaster-SNAP benefits.

October 7, 2024 Dear Avery County Students, Faculty, Staff, Parents & Guardians, I hope this message finds you all safe and in good spirits as we continue to navigate the challenges caused by the recent catastrophic flooding. Many families throughout our county have lost loved ones and homes. We will continue to keep each of you in our thoughts and prayers during the days and weeks ahead. Over the past few days, I’ve seen firsthand the strength and resilience of our Avery County community, and I am proud of how we have come together to support one another during this difficult time. I want to update you on the significant progress being made across the county. All students in the Avery County Schools have been accounted for. Restoration efforts are moving forward swiftly, with power, water, and sewer services gradually being restored to many areas. Our roadways are also being repaired, ensuring that essential routes will soon be fully operational. We understand the disruption this situation has caused for families, schools, and businesses, and we are working closely with emergency management teams, local officials, and utility companies to expedite the restoration process. As of Monday, October 7, thirty-four percent of citizens in Avery County remain without power. Numerous homes, businesses, and schools are still without water or power. Banner Elk Elementary School is currently without water and sewer. Newland Elementary School has power but is without water. Avery Middle School and Avery County High School have power but remain without water and sewer. Crossnore Elementary School is without power. Cranberry Middle School and Freedom Trail Elementary School have power and water, with the water line exposed but working. Riverside Elementary School has power, water, and sewer. Once power, water, and sewer are restored at each facility, we will have a better estimate of when we can reopen our schools. However, even after we reopen, bus travel will likely be a challenge due to the significant damage to numerous roads and bridges throughout the county. Rather than providing door-to-door bus service, we may need to designate pick-up and drop-off points within each district or community. Our voices have been heard, and the needs of our community are being addressed at the highest levels of government. I am pleased to share that the North Carolina General Assembly has announced a special one-day session to take place on Wednesday of this week. During this session, state leaders will confirm their support for areas impacted by the flooding, including Avery County. We are hopeful that this session will result in vital resources and funding for long-term recovery efforts, including faculty and staff compensation. As we continue on this road to recovery, I want to encourage all of us to remain patient, hopeful, and connected. Our schools and district staff are working diligently to ensure a smooth transition as we rebuild. In the meantime, we are here to support students and families in any way we can—whether it’s providing meals, mental health resources, or simply being a point of contact for questions and concerns. Thank you for your continued resilience and support. Together, we will overcome this and emerge stronger as a community. Please continue to look after one another, and don't hesitate to reach out to your school or our district office if you need assistance. Stay safe and stay strong, Avery County! Sincerely, Dr. Dan Brigman Superintendent Avery County Schools

Dear Families, We pray that you are safe and secure. Thank you for all efforts in recovery from the devastation in our area. There are a variety of services available in our area if you or someone you know is in need. Please check the Avery County government communications for updates on locations of supplies and assistance. Avery County Schools will remain closed until it is safe to return. Although we do not have a set timeline, our goal is to reopen as soon as possible. Our administrators will provide staff, parents, and students with a 72-hour notice of reopening to give everyone time to prepare. Any students taking Mayland Courses, please be on the lookout for communications from your instructors as to when those classes will resume. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Please continue to take care of yourself and your family, and we hope to see you very soon.

Avery County Schools will be CLOSED for the remainder of this week & until further notice. We understand the impact this has on our students, families & staff. We are committed to keeping you informed with updates as they become available. We continue to remember & pray for our affected community & for those who have come together to help us recover from this devastating storm. Please stay safe.

Update: Due to significant damage from the recent hurricane, Avery County Schools will be closed on Monday, September 30 and Tuesday, October 1, for students and employees. The safety of our students and staff is our top priority. We will provide more information as it becomes available and as communications are restored. Thank you for your understanding, and please stay safe.

**Announcement: School Closure in Avery County** Due to significant damage from the recent hurricane, Avery County Schools will be closed on Monday, September 30, for students and employees. The safety of our students and staff is our top priority. We will provide more information as it becomes available and as communications are restored. Thank you for your understanding, and please stay safe.

Good afternoon Parents, Guardians and Staff. The Avery County School System will be CLOSED tomorrow, Thursday September 26th and Friday September 27th due to the severe rain and wind event predicted to hit our area. Tomorrow and Friday will be OPTIONAL TEACHER WORKDAY. We are forecast to receive up to 15+ inches of rainfall and sustained winds of 50 mph+. Rainfall is predicted to become heavy after midnight tonight. Please stay safe and use caution if you must travel during these questionable conditions!

Good afternoon Parents and Guardians, Next week, September 23rd-27th is School Bus Ridership Week across school districts in North Carolina. The funding we get for transportation depends on the number of students who ride a school bus during this week. This funding provides the fuel, repair parts, and everything essential to providing safe transportation for our children to and from school, so even if your child only rides the bus occasionally, we ask that they please ride at least one day next week. Please help us to spread the word and have those students ride the bus! Thank you for your support of the Avery County Schools Transportation Department.

Freedom Trail had an exciting day with their Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Grant Kick off with Fresh NC Grown Watermelon and it seems that even SUPER HEROS enjoy watermelon too! Growing Super Heros at Freedom Trail Elementary one fruit and veggie at a time!

Avery County Schools would like to announce that all our Elementary schools were awarded the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Grant Program for the 2024-25 school year. This will allow the School Nutrition department to provide each child with additional fresh fruit and vegetable snacks throughout the week, experience new and unusual produce products, and nutritional education. Newland Elementary got to kick off their Fresh Fruit and Vegetable grant on Friday with Fresh NC Grown Watermelon provided by the Farm t o School program through the NC Department of Agriculture. Pictured: NES manager Bobbijo Clark cutting watermelon and Mrs. Whitney Carver's class enjoying the fresh watermelon.

Avery County High School would like to invite all First Responders and our Military Veterans to come and watch our Avery Vikings take on the Bessemer Yellow Jackets. The game will be held on a Friday Night, under the lights, on September 6 th , 2024. All First Responders and Military Veterans will receive free admission, a meal provided with the help of our Avery High School JROTC and Hospitality / Culinary departments, as well as being recognized at center field, presenting our new giant 50’ by 30’ American flag during the playing of the National Anthem. Time-Line: 5:30pm : Meals being served (Chicken, Hamburgers and Hotdogs, 3 sides will be served as well as a variety of deserts) 6:45pm: First Responders and Veterans who are willing and able, are invited to be a part of the playing of the National Anthem and will be recognized at center field 7:00pm-10:00 pm: Kickoff Please come and help support our Avery Vikings in allowing our community to celebrate your service.

Avery County Schools would like to Congratulate Miss Ava Trice, a Senior at Avery High School, for being chosen for the National FFA Chorus for the 2nd year in a row! We are so proud of you Ava! She will be performing at the 97th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana on October 23rd-27th, 2024.

We are hiring! Full time with benefits Child Nutrition Assistant Cafeteria worker and a Full time with benefits Custodian. Competitive Pay, Insurance benefits and more. Apply Today!

Registration is open for all YMCA fall youth recreation programs for students in grades pre-K – 5th grade. Fall Recreation programs include rec soccer, swim team, SPIRIT dance program and club basketball. Monday, August 26th is the last day to sign up for some of these programs. For more information and to get registered, please visit www.ymcaavery.org.

Good morning, Parents and Guardians, We would like to make you aware of an exciting opportunity available to our families celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. Avery Latine Fair happening at the Avery YMCA, Blackburn building on Saturday, September 21st, 2024 from 5pm-7pm.

We hope you plan to attend the varsity football game versus Cherryville on Friday August 23. Please be aware that no bags will be allowed in the stadium.