Federal funding that allowed schools to provide free breakfasts and lunches to all students ended last year. Now, area families face rising meal costs and tight subsidy restrictions.
Schools address student anxiety over mass shootings
Technologically-connected students and their peers can be exposed to any tragic occurrence at any time, so a mass shooting at a faraway school can create terror and panic all the same.
In Photos: ‘Our kids can’t wait’
Dozens of teachers, parents, school staff and supporters gathered in Pack Square Park on Monday, March 20, to demand higher pay for Asheville City and Buncombe County schools employees and deliver a petition to elected officials.
No ‘cookie cutter approach’ for students with autism
“It takes resources to serve kids [with autism],” notes David Laxton, spokesperson for an advocacy organization called Autism Society of North Carolina. “It also takes training for the teachers and collaboration with families and other folks that are involved in those students’ lives.”
Kids stuff: A safe space to create, grow and learn
Lauren Rogers Hopkins, education programs manager at Flat Rock Playhouse, discusses helping kids find their creatives voices.
Kids stuff: Taking risks and persevering
Robin Skeen, Odyssey School’s elementary program director, discusses the anxiety young students face and the misconceptions people have about teachers.
Kids stuff: Make reading fun!
Kate Spratt, Buncombe County Public Libraries youth services specialist for the Preschool Outreach Program, discusses trends in children’s literature and ways parents can make reading fun.
Kids stuff: Safe, engaging and fun experiences in nature.
Rich Preyer, on-site program coordinator at The N.C. Arboretum, discusses outdoor education, community collaborations and the return of the Wee Naturalist program.
Girl Scout delivers on baked goods to MANNA FoodBank
Girl Scout creates cake kits to provide ready-made celebrations for MANNA FoodBank. And that’s when she’s not acting, playing saxophone or learning French.
Kids stuff: Build early literary skills
Jacquelyn Hall, co-executive director of Read to Succeed Asheville/Buncombe discusses the importance of reading to children from a young age and the how everyone in the community can play a role in promoting literacy.
Kids stuff: The beauty of mistakes
Amy Chambers, art teacher at Glen Arden Elementary, discusses the benefits of the arts and the dedication teachers bring to the profession.
Kids stuff: The power of music in the digital age
Lyndsay Pruett, member of the Jon Stickley Trio and a teacher at Academy for the Arts, discusses the surprises that come with teaching kids to play the fiddle.
Kids stuff: The importance of silent reflection and observation
Chehala Andriananjason, WNC program manager at Muddy Sneakers, discusses the benefits of small group learning, taking in the natural world and the best places to hike.
Signing off: Local teens ghost social media
Area teens choose their mental health, jobs and hobbies over participating on social media.
Kids stuff: The integration of many disciplines
Sara Sanders, director of STEAM Studio, discusses the benefits and misconceptions about STEAM programs.
Kids stuff: The impact of social media on today’s youth
Jocelin Rosas, United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County community school coordinator at Erwin Middle School, discusses student resiliency, social media and the importance of mentorships.
Kids stuff: The perks of native wildlife education
Jordan Rutherford, the guest services coordinator at the WNC Nature Center, share his thoughts on the benefits of outdoor education and the center’s most popular exhibits for kids.
Kids stuff: Peer-to-peer mentoring
Jasmine Middleton, head of sustainability at OpenDoors Asheville, discusses the launch of AVL Rise, the compassion that tutors bring to their work and the importance of exposing young children to role models that look like them.
Kids stuff: Positive food experiences
Debbi Timson, Growing Minds Program Coordinator at ASAP, discusses healthy eating habits, local foods and the positive results that come when families cook together.
Kids stuff: Fostering curiosity
Millad Nooraei, YWCA Director of Early Childhood Education, discusses his organization’s history, the challenges it faces and ways parents can be involved in their child’s development.
Kids stuff: Respect the youths
Ellen Bowditch, a retired elementary school teacher and volunteer tutor with Literacy Together, discusses her work with the local nonprofit, the importance of community involvement and the need to show care and respect to our area’s youth.