Statement from Henderson County Public Schools:
This is Mark Garrett, Superintendent of Henderson County Public Schools, with an important update for our community. This will be a lengthy message, so please take the time to listen all the way through. We want everyone to have the information on our return to school plan following the impact of Hurricane Helene.I want to take a moment to express my gratitude to our Henderson County Public Schools staff. Over the past 13 days, they’ve shown remarkable dedication—checking on students, staff, and families, working at distribution centers, and offering their support wherever it was needed. Their work behind the scenes, from cleaning up storm damage to preparing our schools for reopening, has been inspiring. It is thanks to their hard work that we’re able to move forward, and I know our schools will feel the love and care that went into making them safe and welcoming once again.That being said, I am happy to share that schools will open for students on Tuesday, October 15th. Friday, October 11th is an optional teacher workday, and Monday, October 14th is a required teacher workday. This schedule gives our families and our educators time to prepare for the return to school while also allowing a few more days for the county’s infrastructure to improve after seeing the great strides that have been made over the last few days.We understand transportation is a priority for many families, and bus routes are being adjusted based on the accessibility and conditions of the roads. We will run as many roads as we safely can with a bus, but there will be the need to employ some community stops in order to provide transportation to as many students as we can. Schools will be sharing bus route information in the coming days, so please be on the lookout for a communication before the buses roll on Tuesday morning. We ask for your patience as we work through any adjustments that may be necessary in the first few days of school.If your family needs supplies or any assistance, please reach out to your child’s school. We are here to help you. The support will continue as long as our families and staff need it. You can also access a list of support services for families at www.hendersoncountync.gov under Emergency Information. This page is frequently updated by the county.We are grateful for our community and the tireless efforts of our first responders, power companies, and everyone who has contributed to recovery efforts. Their dedication has ensured that our schools can reopen, and we are thankful for the support these unsung heroes have provided to our students, staff, families, and Henderson County community. Finally, I want to let our students know that we have missed them and cannot wait to see them back on campus come Tuesday morning. Our buildings are just not the same without their energy.Please continue to stay safe and we look forward to seeing everyone again very soon. “
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