A mandatory April 19 Asheville Middle School assembly that included religious content has school officials apologizing, and promising to be “a little more skeptical” in the future.
Tag: education
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Evergreen Charter School receives national green ribbon honor
Asheville’s own Evergreen Charter School is one of 78 “green ribbon” schools honored by the U.S. Department of Education for reducing environmental impact, promoting health and outdoor education.
Tacit approval? Minimal attendance for UNCA community meeting on proposed star lab
Not a soul turned out Thursday night, April 19, for an information session that was hosted by UNCA and meant to introduce the community to a joint plan with the Asheville Astronomy Club to build a new observatory on this south-facing hilltop on campus.
Two new: Commissioners take first steps to replace aging schools
Buncombe County Board of Commissioners March 20, 2012 meeting Environmentalists urge joining billboard lawsuit March 23 proclaimed Women Veterans History Day Two new school buildings are in the works for Asheville. At their March 20 meeting, the Buncombe County commissioners unanimously approved taking the first steps toward replacing the aging Asheville Middle School and Isaac […]
Commissioners take initial action to build two new schools in Asheville, vote to study construction
The board took the initial action needed to build two new schools in the city of Asheville, voting 5–0 to borrow $2 million from the School Capital Commission Fund to pay for studies and architectural plans.
Buncombe commissioners preview: Back to school
At its March 20 meeting, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will consider taking action that could eventually help pave the way for $30 million in capital improvements to Asheville Middle and Isaac Dickson Elementary schools.
Debate continues over religion policy for Buncombe schools
Pagan advocate Angela Pippinger provided Twitter-based coverage of the March 1 Buncombe County Board of Education meeting, where a revised religion policy was at the center of a heated debate.
Love Asheville
Dear Asheville, At the risk of sounding gushy, I want you to know that you’re amazing. Gorgeous, smart, lovable: in short, everything I could ever ask for in a town. I know I'm not the only one who feels this way. But while some may love you for your beauty (and your incredible food), I […]
Retreat and advance: Commissioners set priorities for 2012
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners huddled with staff Jan. 31 to discuss past accomplishments and current priorities. Here’s a look at some of the considerable ground they covered during their four-hour retreat.
(Photo by Bill Rhodes)
Pagan mom live-tweets Buncombe Board of Ed debate on religious activities in schools
Angela Pippinger, self-described “pagan and clergy-in training,” is live-tweeting tonight, Feb. 2, from the Buncombe County Board of Education’s meeting about county schools’ religion policy.
No Name-Calling Week is a nice gesture, but it won’t stop bullying
Buncombe County Schools is participating in No-Name Calling Week Jan. 23-27, a national campaign to reduce or eliminate bullying in schools. As a retired teacher, having put in 30 years in the public schools, I can't help but see this as another attempt by central office people to make themselves appear that they are on […]
Satellite image shows snow, clear skies for this eve’s orbit of the International Space Station
The above image was taken today, Jan. 5, at about 11 a.m. by the Terra satellite, part of NASA’s Earth Observing System. It shows a bit of snow in the high elevations outside of town, and clear skies for viewing the International Space Station, which will be visible over the region at 6:33 p.m.
Where there’s waste, there’s opportunity
I wanted to comment on Karen Hardison’s letter in the Dec. 21 Xpress, “Asheville City Schools Need to Smarten Up on Waste.” I am reminded of a bumper sticker: “critical thinking … the other national deficit.” Our children will tend to emulate adults in thinking and action unless something breaks the thought/action cycle currently in […]
Buncombe Commissioners pass quarter-cent sales-tax increase
Among other actions, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Dec. 6 to levy a quarter-cent sales-tax increase to fund capital improvements at A-B Tech.
Asheville “I Have a Dream” program prepares disadvantaged youth for their future
Guest contributor Leah Shapiro reports on the Asheville “I Have a Dream” program, which helps prepare disadvantaged youth for college. (photo by Elizabeth Ruf)
Senator says teacher cuts won’t be as bad as predicted; local district doesn’t concur
A state legislator says staff cuts will not be as severe as earlier predictions, but a Buncombe County Schools representative says that view doesn’t jibe with reality.
Candidates need to address poverty, affordable housing and homelessness
The future of Asheville’s success will depend largely on how well we can expand opportunity to all children and families and nurture their success. To realize such a vision, our city leadership will need to focus attention on low-income and working families. Too many families are experiencing poverty in Asheville — dramatically increasing their risk […]
Asheville City Schools offers a slideshow look at its students, programs, spending
Who are Asheville City Schools students? How are they faring? What is the school system doing to reduce achievement gaps? Here are some answers, via a slideshow presentation by and about Asheville City Schools.
Open thread: Do our schools make the grade?
Students headed back to school last week in the wake of an ABCs of Public Education report that gave local school systems mixed grades. What do you think of those grades? And what grade would you give your child’s school?
Only one Asheville school achieves Adequate Yearly Progress
The School of Inquiry and Life Sciences (SILSA), a small honors school serving 195 students on the campus of Asheville High, is the only Asheville City School that made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) under the state’s ABC program. However, city officials cite some improvements in other Asheville schools.
Camp HERO at A-B Tech gives youth an inside look at emergency responders
For a week in July at A-B Technical Community College, 13 youths investigated crime scenes, examined blood spatters, navigated their way through a smoke-filled apartment and practiced life-saving skills during the College’s Camp HERO (How Emergency Responders Operate). The camp, for ages 11 to 15, gave students an introduction into the lives and operations of firefighters, law enforcement officers and paramedics.