Support in Western North Carolina is growing for those with autism spectrum disorder and sensory processing disorder as nonprofits, mental health organizations and neighborhood businesses strive to provide sensory-friendly environments. “Children can have sensory processing disorder or sensory integration issues all by themselves and not have autistic behaviors, but it does flip. If a child has […]
Where do movement and mindfulness meet? Asheville-based organization Slack-Librium instills kids with confidence and inspires the art of balance.
Cyberbullying is an issue that comes up all too often. It can include any type of intimidation with electronics or internet use, from texting to posting on social media. Research shows that it has doubled among middle and high schoolers in the U.S. from 2007 to 2016 — from 18 to 34 percent. But research also shows that North Carolina has the second lowest rate of cyberbullying — 30 percent, higher only than Massachusetts at 23 percent. Since October is National Bullying Prevention Month, Asheville City Schools held a rally to create awareness of the issue.
“She understands what has occurred and what kinds of economic and social steps can help Asheville move forward versus being static or moving backward.”
Denise Patterson has already begun her work as the new superintendent of the Asheville City Schools. A native of North Carolina, Patterson says she is looking forward to becoming a part of the Asheville community.
A two-day conference Friday and Saturday, Sept. 14 and 15, in Mills River offers farmers an opportunity to take part in training on a wide range of topics. Sponsored by the N.C. Farm School, the conference takes place at a different location each year.
Sally Reeske has been teaching horticulture at the Swannanoa Correctional Center for Women, a minimum-custody prison, for the past two years. While the vocational course through A-B Tech offers inmates hands-on learning and training opportunities via an instructional plot, Reeske wondered if she could do even more for the incarcerated women and the community at […]
“Our local businesses rely on quality child care — many can’t do their job without it. Without safe, affordable options to care for their young children, parents may leave their jobs, which costs businesses in recruitment, retraining and the loss of skilled workers.”
Substance abuse programs in WNC focus on education and collaboration, spreading the message of hope and encouragement while acknowledging that much work remains to be done.
Before taking the stage at a local middle school to talk about HIV/AIDS prevention, Michael Harney overheard one pre-teen boy offer a preview to another. “He’s going to pray to the vagina,” one boy said. Apparently, word gets around, says Harney. “I fall on my knees and offer thanks for vaginas because none of us […]
Rainbow Community School’s “More than Mindfulness” conference explored ways to make education a sacred experience and assist children in developing their spiritual identities. Event coordinator West Willmore announced the formation of the new Rainbow Institute, which will promote holistic education.
Something sweet is in the air. The seventh annual sweet potato cooking contest and fundraiser is happening Saturday, Oct. 1. This event will also double as the fall open house for the new Homegrown Families Health and Education Center at 201 Charlotte St. The center houses a variety of integrative family health services, including licensed […]
A love of science and dinosaurs prompted brewer Tim Weber to craft two Tyrannosaurus Rex-themed beers to raise money for the Asheville Museum of Science’s relocation efforts.
Earlier this month, survey company WalletHub marked Asheville as one of the “Fattest Cities” in the country. Asheville ranked No. 43 among the 100 most populated U.S. metro areas for obesity levels, weight-related health problems and environmental factors. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, meanwhile, reports that the South has the second-highest regional rate […]
Leisure sport enthusiasts will have the chance to be king of cornhole, dominator of disc golf or the beast of bocce ball. Hall Fletcher Elementary will transform its space into the West Asheville Leisure Olympics on Saturday, April 23. WALO is open to the public as a fundraiser for the school and offers you a chance to solidify your presumed dominance in the competitive field of leisure sports.
A recent Forbes magazine article asked whether Asheville could be “an emerging Silicon Valley.” And while some locals might wonder where the jobs that one might expect to come with such a claim are to be found, there’s little debate about the importance of getting young students interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics — […]
This spring, a 10th-grade honors English class was supposed to be studying Khaled Husseini’s acclaimed novel about two boys from different social classes growing up in 1970s Afghanistan. On April 27, teacher Brooke Bowman sent a letter to parents explaining the value of the 2003 best-seller as a teaching tool while warning of its mature content. In the scene in question, a servant boy is beaten and sexually assaulted by an older boy from a wealthier family.
From the Get It! Guide: Asheville GreenWorks’ new executive director may be new to Asheville. But her roots in environmental education go all the way back to childhood exploration in NYC.
Have you noticed that prices are dropping and you can get more for less these days? We haven’t either, but our lawmakers are acting as if this were true. Our current state budget touts a $1 billion increase in educational funding, but little is said about how much of that money actually reaches classrooms. In […]
“Over the past two years, I’ve come to know James Lee III as one of the most dedicated and passionate organizers for social justice in the city of Asheville.”
Locally, Smart Start of Buncombe County is leading the First 2,000 Days campaign and engaging our community in a conversation around the importance of investing our time and resources in the county’s youngest children and their families.
