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About » Helene Recovery - FAQ

Helene Recovery - FAQ

As ArtSpace prepares for reopening, these details may be useful for planning purposes. This information is available based on work with Buncombe County, NC Emergency Services, Department of Public Instruction, Department of Health, Division of Air Quality, Department of Transportation, and Division of Environmental Quality. 
 
This FAQ document will be regularly updated as we approach reopening. If you have a question that is not answered here, please reach out to us via the "Contact Us" tab.
 
WATER
Does the school have running water? Is it safe?
    • ArtSpace has running water. It is currently non-potable, but is safe for flushing, handwashing, and the sprinkler system. Bottled drinking water is available for students and staff. 
 
How many bottles of water will my child receive?
    • Our preparations were based on numbers provided by FEMA, which equate to roughly four 16.9 oz bottles per full day. Though our supply of water is calculated with these numbers, no child will be denied water should they request more. 
    • The school has a plan for labeling and recycling these bottles. Due to the challenges with washing and refilling bottles, using reusable water bottles is not recommended.
    • The water fountains at school are closed and shut off.
 
When will the water be potable?
    • The City continues to make great progress with treatment and repairs to the water system, but there is no date set for return to normal operations.
    • In collaboration with other school leaders, there is a plan to restock bottles of water until the system is restored and the water safe to drink.
 
Will you use porta-potties or handwashing stations?
    • No, the water is safe for flushing and for washing hands.
 
Are you sure?
    • Yes. We have sufficient water pressure and it is regularly tested by city officials.
 
SCHEDULE
Why half days? This is hard on families.
    • It is a challenge for everyone. The decision to start with half days was based on a number of variables. (1) The supply of water bottles per student per hour. (2) A consensus with area schools on a shared supply of water. (3) Transportation difficulties with closed roads countywide. (4) Staffing needs. (5) Need for staff to meet/assess/triage student needs and plan for well-rounded recovery.
 
Buncombe County Schools is doing something different.
    • Yes, they have departed from our agreed upon reentry plan. Ultimately, every school has to respond to the needs of their community and the available resources. ArtSpace has done that and we stand by the return schedule set in collaboration with the Incident Management Team and community partners.
 
Will we need to lose our holiday breaks or part of the summer?
    • No. The state has waived some requirements for making up time. We have also made adjustments to our calendar to add hours and days to the instructional calendar.
 
What about summer school?
    • ArtSpace is planning a robust summer learning program. It will be optional, not required. Our goal is to distribute information and open registration in March.
 
We missed Open House and Parent/Teacher Conferences. Will they be rescheduled?
    • Yes! We love welcoming families to school and collaborating on supporting student learning. The format may look different, as we try to make it work in our new calendar, but we are creative. Once we clear this hurdle, we will share out our revised plans.
 
ABSENCES/ RELOCATION
Our family has relocated temporarily. Can I enroll my child in another school and return later? Or will we lose our spot at ArtSpace?
    • Legally, charter schools are not allowed to "hold" seats, even in emergency situations. The current ArtSpace policy also does not allow for enrollment after the 20th day of school.
    • However, the Board has approved an emergency policy to lift the 20 day enrollment limit. The school can also add priority enrollment status to previously enrolled students. This emergency provision should allow temporarily relocated students to reenroll within this school year. 
    • For enrollment in the 2025-26 school year, there is a priority in the lottery for previously enrolled, emergency-displaced students. However, there are also priorities for siblings and staff children (in accordance with policy and NC charter school law). Reenrollment would depend on the number of open seats and is not guaranteed.
    • Individual circumstances may vary, however, so please contact the office or your grade level director to make plans together in advance of withdrawal or transfer.
 
We are out of town and will not return by 10/28. Will the absences be excused?
    • If your family's travel and subsequent absence from school is due to the impacts of Helene, direct or indirect, these absences will be excused. Send an explanation to [email protected].
 
Will you provide remote instruction/online school?
    • No.
 
AIR QUALITY
There is a lot of dust in the air. Is it safe to be outside?
    • Air quality is monitored by the county through the Air Quality Index (AQI), which is reported by the EPA and included in weather forecasts. (See AccuWeather) The AQI is generated from monitoring sites across Western North Carolina, focusing on ground-level ozone and fine particulates. A fine particulate monitor will be installed the week of October 21st in Swannanoa, .4 miles from the school. School officials will be monitoring this and would make adjustments to outdoor activities as needed (specifically, if it were measured to be "poor," "unhealthy," or beyond). 
 
My child has a health condition which has been aggravated by the dust. What do we do?
    • Be sure to communicate with our nurse ([email protected]) to be sure we have any necessary medication or health plans available. Together, plans can be made to provide accommodations or support for any conditions.
 
HEALTH & SAFETY
Many doctors offices and pharmacies are still closed. What about increased exposure to illnesses while at school?
    • Of course we cannot safeguard against all germs and illnesses, however, we believe that we can maintain good hand hygiene with handwashing as normal. The students' normal procedures for this will be unchanged. There is an abundance of hand sanitizer in each classroom as well. 
    • Our partners at MAHEC are available to help connect families with physicians and pharmacies that are open in the area. ArtSpace students and families also have access to Teledoc, which offers free virtual care appointments and can write prescriptions for anyone in need. 
 
Is the sprinkler system and fire alert systems operational?
    • Yes. Both systems will be inspected and tested the week of October 21st.
 
Is the school building safe?
    • Yes. Repairs and cleaning will be completed by October 26th, ready for student return on October 28.
 
TRANSPORTATION
Why isn't the shuttle running?
    • The shuttle stop location in Swannanoa is currently being used for emergency management and community support staging. We will resume the shuttle when the meeting space becomes available.
 
Are the roads around school open?
    • The immediate surrounding roads are open, yes. There is much work happening on Highway 70. It is recommended that you check your personal routes on NCDrive, which is maintained by DOT and is the most accurate way to check for road closures.
 
MENTAL HEALTH/ SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING
Details coming soon...