Asheville City Schools extends holiday closure; athletic events will continue as scheduled

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Close to 5 p.m. on Nov. 20, Asheville City Schools made the announcement that all ACS school buildings will remain closed for the entire week following the Thanksgiving holiday break.

Remote instruction will continue with the regular school day schedule during that week, Nov. 30-Dec. 4, with educators carrying out remote instruction from the safety of their homes.

Dr. Gene Freeman, superintendent of Asheville City Schools, made the decision to close school buildings in response to the sudden increase in COVID-19 cases across the state and community.

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"Knowing many students and staff will be traveling next week, (Dr. Gene) would like the entire Cougar Family to have the opportunity to quarantine," wrote Ashley-Michelle Thublin, executive director of communications for ACS, in a "Return to Learn" update to students, staff and families.

"As you can see on our COVID-19 dashboard, this decision is NOT driven by a COVID cluster anywhere within our district. It has simply been made with your safety in mind," Thublin continued.

Community-based PODS will be closed for in-person instruction, and afterschool programs through the City of Asheville's Parks and Rec will not occur. The ACS preschool program will also be closed for in-person instruction that week.

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Children scheduled to begin in-person elementary school small groups on Nov. 30 will have their start date pushed back one week to Monday, Dec. 7.

ACS food distribution sites will also not be serving meals Nov. 30-Dec. 4, but families in need of additional resources that week are directed to reach out to their school social worker.

Despite school buildings remaining closed, middle and high school athletics will continue as scheduled the week of Nov. 30-Dec. 4, at the discretion of coaches as long as the NCHSAA and CDC guidelines can be followed.