The Department of Education Deputy Secretary, Cindy Marte, virtually visited Asheville (and the rest of the country) last week for a webinar to launch Community Schools Forward, a new task force working to strengthen community schools across the country.

(Find links to the Community Night schedule and
Volunteer Sign Up at the bottom of this page.)

As the community of Asheville and Buncombe County looks forward to the near completion of a beautiful 16-panel mural on the United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County building, we are filled with excitement and pride.

Asheville High School's Community School Coordinator, Tatyana Barrett, recently, with the help of the administration and staff of Asheville High School, organized a gift drive for high school students that was a resounding success.

The benefits of the Community Schools approach are numerous. By providing a range of support services such as health care, counseling, and after-school programs, schools can address the non-academic barriers to learning that many students face.

Living in Asheville, especially during the summer and fall seasons, we are no strangers to tourists filling the streets, parks, restaurants, and breweries. Of course, who wouldn’t want to enjoy a brew against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains?