ASHEVILLE, N.C. — When schools here reopen for the first time since Hurricane Helene unleashed a frightening deluge on western North Carolina, teachers won’t simply pick up where they left off in their lesson plans. While all Asheville City Schools students and staff members have been accounted for, they are grieving the deaths of other members of their community. “We’re not going to be able to just jump right into academics,” Asheville City Schools chief of staff Kim Dechant said. The city has restored water for toilets and handwashing at all other district schools, Dechant said. And with schools being closed for over a month, teachers will inevitably have to account for students’ learning loss.

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Persons: Hurricane Helene, won’t, They’ll, We’re, Kim Dechant, “, Dechant, Maggie Fehrman, “ It’s, ”, Trenton Williams, Rosalyn, Elzy Lindsey, Kathy Park, Elizabeth Chuck Organizations: Asheville City Schools, Schools, Asheville, River Arts Locations: ASHEVILLE, N.C, —, North Carolina, Asheville, Asheville’s, River Arts District, New York