Good afternoon YCS Families,
I want to personally thank all of the many working groups that are here in our community to assist us with the recovery process. All of the linemen, NCDOT and road crew workers, Samaritan's Purse, FEMA employees, our local churches and all of the YCS employees who continue to assist our students, families and our community. Together they are helping us to get our community back on track. We know this will take time, however each week we continue to see progress being made in Yancey County.
An update on our schools:
We have consistent electricity, water and sewer at the majority of our schools. We continue to work on the water and gas line to Blue Ridge Elementary and Cane River Middle School. We have requested funding from the state and FEMA to assist with hand washing stations, water and sewer needs.
Our schools are transitioning from shelter and donation sites so we can begin to focus on cleaning and our future inspections soon as we prepare for a reopening date in the future. The National Guard is moving from the high school to another location in the county so they can continue their service to our community. We appreciate the Guard for moving the generous supplies to the churches and to Freds. We encourage our community members to stop in at the shopping center and pick up any items that your family needs as we recover.
We are working with the NC Department of Public Instruction and our local representatives - Senator Hise, Dudley Greene and Mark Pless to secure funds to support our students and employees. The General Assembly convenes this morning in Raleigh and we appreciate them listening to our requests so we can reopen our schools safely.
Due to the continued work on the infrastructure, Yancey County Schools will remain closed for students next week October 28 - November 1, 2024. The faculty and staff will continue with modified workdays.
We encourage our students and families to check in with their teachers and principals so we can assist your family needs.
Students, we thank you for volunteering, helping your family and neighbors as we continue to clean up.
Our FFA students are at the National Convention this week and representing our county well.
Our freshman Mallie Mae Buchanan is headed to the State 1 A Golf Championship next Monday and Tuesday.
Our soccer team plays at 10:30am and our football team plays at 1:00pm, both at Madison High School this Saturday.
Our Career and Technical Education (CTE) students have finished #1 in the state for the number of credentials earned. Congratulations to Cynthia Deyton, the CTE students and teachers for their hard work last school year.
Plus, construction and renovations continue at Cane River Middle School, Burnsville Elementary School and Blue Ridge Elementary School.
I encourage everyone to keep holding on as progress is made each week on our infrastructure. Thank you for being patient with us as we are all working together to get our kids back in school one day soon.
Superintendent Kathy Amos