The Transportation District 7 Western Region Bus Rodeo had a triumphant return yesterday! The NC School Bus Rodeo is a test of both the skill and knowledge of local drivers. This year, ACS was proudly represented by bus drivers Glenn "Bear" Goldthwaite, Chris Sexton, and the returning champion, Rick "Big Rick" Stevenson! "We haven't had the rodeo since 2015 and it's a special event that shows off the skills of a bus driver. The rodeo shows off how drivers maneuver the obstacle course and we get to see the abilities that an individual has driving those buses that weight about 2,400-2,600 lbs. They are the best trained bus drivers. I love them all so much; they really are like my family." - Amanda Rigsby, ACS Transportation Director "Big Rick takes a lot of pride in driving a bus. If you ever get in a situation, the knowledge that he has is just incredible. If I have a driver out and ask him how to reroute things, he just instinctively knows. He knows roads, he knows kids, he knows their families. He knows it all inside and out and it's one of the best parts of getting to work with him." - Nae'em Akbar "I always wanted to drive. I wanted to do something that was important and needed, and my two jobs as a bus driver and custodian are both very needed." - Chris Sexton Not only did all three ACS drivers demonstrate great skill, we also took home 1st and 2nd place out of 27 drivers! Congratulations Chris Sexton and Big Rick Stevenson! Chris will compete in the State Bus Rodeo Competition in Raleigh, NC on June 12th. Go Chris! The Bus Rodeo is part of the North Carolina Association of Student Transportation and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #ibelonginACS #asheville #ibelieveinpubliceducation #supportstudents #supporteducators #EquityInEducation #acscougarprideamplified #828isgreat
As we count down to Graduation on June 8th, join us in celebrating the hard work, dedication, and outstanding accomplishments of the Class of 2024 in our Senior Spotlights! Fernanda Glagau Do Espirito Santo will be graduating from the School of Inquiry and Life Sciences at Asheville (SILSA) this spring. Throughout her time in ACS, Fernanda has been a leader in the UNIDOS student club, the Racial Equity Ambassador Program of the Asheville City Schools Foundation, and ITS. Fernanda has also volunteered in the Ecology Club and at the ACS preschool on campus. One of Fernanda's favorite memories was junior year before winter break when her chemistry teacher brought a waffle machine and the class made waffles and watched movies together to celebrate the upcoming holidays. "I would like to say thank you to Ms. Byron, Mr. Fritz, Mr. Norris, and Mrs. Hilliard for always supporting me in my endeavors and always making me feel welcomed and seen in class." - Fernanda Fernanda will be attending college in Boston, MA on a pre-med track and plans to major in Biology. We can't wait to see what the future holds for you! CONGRATULATIONS, FERNANDA!!! P.S. Seniors, to be featured in a Senior Spotlight, click the link in our bio for a quick survey! #ACSCougarPride #classof2024 #collegebound #acscougarcountry #ibelonginACS #asheville #ibelieveinpubliceducation #EquityInEducation #acscougarprideamplified #828isgreat #supportstudents
CONGRATULATIONS to Asheville City School's 2025 Teacher of the Year, Ms. Kelli Madkins!!! Yesterday afternoon, students, school and district leadership, and community partners surprised Ms. Madkins with the award! Ms. Madkins teaches 8th grade English Language Arts. When you see her in hallways of Asheville Middle School, you see an educator who truly makes students feel seen and loved. “I’ve had the opportunity to be in her classroom,” Dr. Fehrman said. “I’ve seen how she challenges her students, holds them to high expectations, and expects nothing but the best. To see her work that magic in the classroom is like an artist painting a beautiful portrait.” “It means a lot,” Ms. Madkins said. “I really try to give my best. My students push me to rise to the challenge and I do the same. To be honored in this capacity is just fantastic.” Ms. Madkins, there is no accolade high enough to fully recognize the impact that you have on our education community. You inspire the best from students and colleagues alike and we are so deeply grateful for you. Congratulations!!!! #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #ibelonginACS #asheville #ibelieveinpubliceducation #supportstudents #supporteducators #EquityInEducation #acscougarprideamplified #828isgreat
As we count down to Graduation on June 8th, join us in celebrating the hard work, dedication, and outstanding accomplishments of the Class of 2024 in our Senior Spotlights! Elle Lutkowski will be graduating from Asheville High School this spring. Elle first joined ACS as a middle school student at Montford North Star Academy! Elle joined the dance team sophomore year and was named captain by senior year. Elle's favorite memories involve the dance team, which became a family. After graduation, Elle plans to take a gap year and use that opportunity to travel the world. We can't wait to see where Elle's path leads to next year and beyond! CONGRATULATIONS, ELLE! P.S. Seniors, to be featured in a Senior Spotlight, click the link in our bio for a quick survey! #ACSCougarPride #classof2024 #collegebound #acscougarcountry #ibelonginACS #asheville #ibelieveinpubliceducation #EquityInEducation #acscougarprideamplified #828isgreat #supportstudents
✨🌟 ACS staff, save the date! The Asheville City Schools Foundation's annual Celebration is scheduled for Friday, May 31st from 4:00-6:00 PM 🌟✨ This event is always a wonderful opportunity to unwind and have fun with friends and colleagues from across the district (and a free massage isn't bad either)! Thank you @acsf828 for celebrating our educators and staff with this fantastic event each year! #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #ibelonginACS #asheville #ibelieveinpubliceducation #supporteducators #EquityInEducation #acscougarprideamplified #828isgreat
As we count down to Graduation on June 8th, join us in celebrating the hard work, dedication, and outstanding accomplishments of the Class of 2024 in our Senior Spotlights! Trayson Akbar will be graduating from the School of Inquiry and Life Sciences at Asheville (SILSA) this spring. He first joined ACS as a student at Asheville Middle School! Throughout his time in ACS, Trayson was an integral part of the Football and Robotics teams. Trayson's favorite memory from his time in ACS was getting to see all of his friends and classmates in person again after remote learning freshman year. He would like to give a special shoutout to Mr. Hughes and Mr. Ulmer for all of their support! Trayson will be attending the University of North Carolina Charlotte in the fall where he will study mechanical engineering. We can't wait to see what Trayson creates on the UNCC campus! CONGRATULATIONS, TRAYSON! P.S. Seniors, to be featured in a Senior Spotlight, click the link in our bio for a quick survey! #ACSCougarPride #classof2024 #collegebound #acscougarcountry #ibelonginACS #asheville #ibelieveinpubliceducation #EquityInEducation #acscougarprideamplified #828isgreat #supportstudents
In honor of Educator Appreciation Week, we'd like to share the message that Superintendent Fehrman sent: Dear Cougar Crew, As we near the end of the school year, I want to take a moment to express my deep appreciation and admiration for the educators, administrators, and staff members who make our school district truly exceptional. Each and every one of you are an integral member of Asheville City Schools. In my first year as your Superintendent, I have witnessed firsthand the profound impact that you have on the lives of our students and the overall fabric of our Asheville community. Your impact extends beyond the walls of our classrooms and schools; you are shaping the future of generations to come. I have watched day-in, day-out as you go above and beyond your job descriptions, serving not only in your specific positions, but also acting as mentors, counselors, and role models for our youth. Each of you serve as beacons of hope and stability for our students. What sets us apart is not only our collective expertise in our respective subjects and departments, but also our ability to create inclusive and supportive learning environments where every student is valued, heard, seen, and respected. We are not without our flaws and challenges, yet we are not called upon to be perfect; rather, we are called upon to show up each day committed to doing better than the day before. We are charged with seeing and cultivating the innate genius, talent, and joy of every student who walks through our doors. Just as our students belong, I want you to know that each of you belong in Asheville City Schools. I can never truly express the depth of my gratitude. You are the reason why I chose Asheville City Schools as my home. Please know that my door is always open. Thank you all. COUGAR PRIDE, Dr. Maggie Fehrman P.S. In recognition of Educator Appreciation Week, all staff will receive a COUGAR PRIDE t-shirt! #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #ibelonginACS #asheville #ibelieveinpubliceducation #supportstudents #supporteducators #EquityInEducation #acscougarprideamplified #828isgreat
As we count down to Graduation on June 8th, join us in celebrating the hard work, dedication, and outstanding accomplishments of the Class of 2024 in our Senior Spotlights! Paiden Castelblanco will be graduating from Asheville High School this spring. A proud student advocate for educational equity, Paiden serves on the Asheville City Schools Foundation Board of Directors, delivers equity-focused professional development to ACS educators through the Racial Equity Ambassadors Program, and volunteers as an assistant in the AHS Exceptional Children’s classroom. She also maintains leadership roles in SGA, MEDLIFE Club, Climbing Club, and more! Beyond the school building, Paiden is a student-athlete, ranking top 10 in the state for Pole Vault. Incredible!! Paiden's most treasured memories in ACS come from her time spent at Claxton Elementary, where she gained invaluable teaching experience during her Introduction to Socially Just Education class. Paiden would like to give a special shoutout to Ms. Jessica Williams for all that she's done to support and inspire her as a student. Paiden plans to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she'll pursue her Bachelor's in Public Policy, Global Studies, and Education. We have no doubt that Paiden's unwavering advocacy and incredible leadership will continue to make an impact on the Tarheel campus! CONGRATULATIONS, PAIDEN! P.S. Seniors, to be featured in a Senior Spotlight, click the link in our bio for a quick survey! #ACSCougarPride #classof2024 #collegebound #acscougarcountry #ibelonginACS #asheville #ibelieveinpubliceducation #EquityInEducation #acscougarprideamplified #828isgreat #supportstudents
Last week, student talent was on full display at the ACS district-wide art show where almost every medium and style imaginable was represented. We have some of the most incredible art instructors who not only teach our students techniques, but who encourage them to explore, experiment, and express their authentic selves. Our students amaze us everyday with their talent, creativity, and unique perspective on the world. We are so proud of each and every one of these Cougar artists! #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #ibelonginACS #studentartists #artforartssake #asheville #ibelieveinpubliceducation #EquityInEducation #acscougarprideamplified #828isgreat #supportstudents
Asheville City Schools 2nd graders rocked the Orange Peel this morning during their Dr. Bob's SoundSchool performance! Students showed off their musical talents while demonstrating how much they've learned about the physics of sound this spring. Too cool! Dr. Bob’s SoundSchool, the hallmark educational project of The Bob Moog Foundation, is an innovative, experiential 10-week curriculum that teaches 2nd grade students the physics of sound using both acoustic and electronic musical instruments including the theremin (pictured here), and technological tools, like oscilloscopes. A huge thank you to the Bob Moog Foundation for their partnership, the Orange Peel for hosting us, our music teachers and educators who love and inspire our students daily, our department of transportation who ensure our students get to and from school safely, and all of the families who came together to make this such a memorable experience for our 2nd graders! #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #ibelonginACS #asheville #ibelieveinpubliceducation #supportstudents #supporteducators #EquityInEducation #acscougarprideamplified #828isgreat
As we count down to Graduation on June 8th, join us in celebrating the hard work, dedication, and outstanding accomplishments of the Class of 2024 in our Senior Spotlights! Cassie Sweetland will be graduating from School of Inquiry and Life Sciences at Asheville (SILSA) this spring! During her time in ACS, Cassie completed over 3,000 volunteer hours at a wildlife refuge, was a member of the track team, served as the Ecology Club Co-President, was a member of HOSA (Future Health Professionals), led as the Science National Honor Society President, was a member of the National Honor Society, AND was a member of Mu Alpha Theta! Wow! One of Cassie's favorite memories has been hearing where her peers are going to school next year. Cassie herself will be attending the University of Georgia in the fall and plans on pursuing Veterinary Medicine after she receives her undergraduate degree. Cassie would like to give a special shoutout to Mr. Robinett who has always supported her scientific endeavors! CONGRATULATIONS, CASSIE! We are so proud of you! P.S. Seniors, to be featured in a Senior Spotlight, click the link in our bio for a quick survey! #ACSCougarPride #classof2024 #collegebound #acscougarcountry #ibelonginACS #asheville #ibelieveinpubliceducation #EquityInEducation #acscougarprideamplified #828isgreat #supportstudents
Today is National School Lunch Hero Day! When we say school nutrition professionals are heroes, we mean every word. Between preparing healthy meals for students, adhering to strict nutrition standards, navigating student food allergies, and greeting every Cougar with kindness and care, our school nutrition professionals are truly outstanding. School Lunch Hero Day is the perfect opportunity to recognize the hard working professionals in our school cafeterias. Please join us in celebrating these exceptional members of our school nutrition teams: Keva Bates, Jessica Barnes, Pat Griffin, Michelle Harrison, Linda Wulff, Tracey Hollingsworth, Floyd Gill, Gloria Hosley, Tabatha Little, Kecia Ray, Kelly Angel, Patricia Burton, Cathey Durant, Bethany Hutton, Deborah Jones, Esther Barba, Martha Perry, Virginia Sibert, Effie Williams, Pearly Hampton, Dominique Thomas, Betty Foster, Otilia Harris, Travis Holt, Carl Brown, Dawn Debow, Pat Irby, Jason Murray, Brenda Ray, Utina Ward, Melissa Jones, Rosalind Campbell, Melissa Bates, Nick Bobotas, and Taletha Roseborough. Thank you all for going above and beyond to ensure that our students are nourished and loved each and every day. You are a part of what makes ACS so special. #ACSCougarPride #schoollunchheroday #acscougarcountry #ibelonginACS #asheville #ibelieveinpubliceducation #EquityInEducation #acscougarprideamplified #828isgreat
What an amazing, beautiful day. Yesterday's Special Olympics was the place to be! Join us as we celebrate these amazing athletes who inspire us every day with their kindness, determination, and spirit. We are so proud of our Cougars and were so grateful to join in on the fun and celebrations. 🌟 Thank you so much to our outstanding Exceptional Children Department and everyone who made this such a memorable day for our students. COUGAR PRIDE! 🌟 #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #ibelonginACS #specialolympics #asheville #ibelieveinpubliceducation #EquityInEducation #acscougarprideamplified #828isgreat
Rain, rain go away! The ACS yard sale originally scheduled for tomorrow the 4th has been postponed due to weather. Join us next Saturday, May 11th from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm for our multi-family yard sale! Head over to Asheville City Schools Central Office to see what treasures you can find at great deals! See you there! 📚🖼🏀🧩👕 #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #ibelonginACS #asheville #ibelieveinpubliceducation #EquityInEducation #acscougarprideamplified #828isgreat
As we count down to Graduation on June 8th, join us in celebrating the hard work, dedication, and outstanding accomplishments of the Class of 2024 in our Senior Spotlights! Imani Banks will be graduating from Asheville High School this spring. She first joined ACS as a student at Lucy S. Herring Elementary School! Throughout her time in ACS, Imani cheered, was a member of the Racial Equity Ambassadors for all four years of high school, led in the Black Student Union for two years, volunteered to tutor AVID 8th graders, was a member of Cougar Nation and the prom committee her junior year, AND was a member in Glitter Sisters! Imani's favorite memories as a student were the Friday night football games. "I loved cheering during football season, it was always the highlight of my week." Imani will be attending NCCU in the fall where she plans to major in Psychology. We have no doubt that Imani's incredible leadership will continue to shine on the NCCU campus! CONGRATULATIONS, IMANI! P.S. Seniors, to be featured in a Senior Spotlight, click the link in our bio for a quick survey! #ACSCougarPride #classof2024 #collegebound #acscougarcountry #ibelonginACS #asheville #ibelieveinpubliceducation #EquityInEducation #acscougarprideamplified #828isgreat #supportstudents
This spring, ACS Pre-K classrooms are experiencing a beautiful, interactive puppetry performance thanks to a TAPAS grant from the Asheville City Schools Foundation! 🐚 SHELL is a bilingual (Spanish and English) performance that begins when a snail, Jauncito, arrives in the garden looking for a new shell. Slug is unsure of this new visitor, but during the course of helping Juancito search, everyone in the garden learns that “home” is much more than a house…it is community. 🐌 Thank you so much Asheville Creative Arts for sharing this heartwarming tale and your talent with our ACS students! An extra special thank you to Polly Bolding, Preschool Enrollment and Engagement Coordinator, and Susanna Smith, Preschool Program Director, who work hard every day to provide opportunities like this to our students! #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #ibelonginACS #asheville #ibelieveinpubliceducation #EquityInEducation #acscougarprideamplified #828isgreat #supportstudents #ashevillecreativearts
When we say ACS has some of the best educators in the country, we mean it! School of Inquiry and Life Sciences at Asheville (SILSA) recently earned high national and metro-area rankings in the 2024 Best High Schools by U.S. News! SILSA educators earned a ranking of 1,474 out of 17,655 nationally ranked high schools based on a variety of factors including math, science, and reading proficiency, AP exam completion rate, and graduation rate. Huge congratulations to Principal Nicole Cush and the entire SILSA team for this incredible recognition!! #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #ibelonginACS #asheville #ibelieveinpubliceducation #EquityInEducation #acscougarprideamplified #828isgreat #supportstudents
There is no place like Asheville City Schools! Did you know that Asheville High School's Chinese Language and Culture class has been offered to 9th-12th graders since 2010? Taught by the truly incredible Ms. Chunna Liang, our ACS students have the opportunity to learn Chinese and experience Chinese culture! Ms. Liang and her Chinese classes of all levels had so much fun in cultural activities this semester. Pictured here: cultural educational field trip to the Atlanta Zoo to see the pandas, students enjoying Chinese tea, playing Chinese yo-yo, and making delicious Chinese food! Thank you so much for going above and beyond to provide opportunities such as these for our students, Ms. Liang! ACS is so fortunate to have talented educators such as yourself! #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #ibelonginACS #asheville #ibelieveinpubliceducation #EquityInEducation #acscougarprideamplified #828isgreat #supportstudents
🎵 You don't want to miss this! All Asheville City Schools 2nd grade students will be performing in Dr. Bob's SoundSchool performance on Monday, May 6th, at the Orange Peel! Doors open at 9:00 am and performances start at 9:30 am (admission is free). We can't wait to see you there! 🎶 Thank you so much @bobmoogfoundation for making this special experience possible, and thank you @the_orange_peel for hosting us! #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #ibelonginACS #asheville #ibelieveinpubliceducation #EquityInEducation #acscougarprideamplified #828isgreat #supportstudents
HUGE congratulations to Principal Ruafika Cobb who was awarded the Black Wall Street Asheville 2024 Educator of the Year Award! The Black Wall Street 2024 Legacy Awards not only celebrated the achievements of remarkable individuals and organizations, but also served as a powerful reminder of the enduring legacy of Black excellence. Principal Cobb's passion for knowledge, unwavering commitment to her students, and innovative teaching methods have not only transformed lives but have also ignited a lifelong love of learning in those she inspires. Congratulations Principal Cobb! We love you! #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #ibelonginACS #asheville #ibelieveinpubliceducation #EquityInEducation #acscougarprideamplified #828isgreat #supportstudents
From the lighting and set design to the costumes and talent, this afternoon's dress rehearsal of A Midsummer Night's Dream was astounding! Come see Shakespeare as you have never witnessed before, with a 1950's twist and the hard work of over 50 Asheville High School and School of Inquiry and Life Sciences at Asheville (SILSA) students. We can't wait for opening night! Don't miss this opportunity, May 1st-4th, at 7:00 pm in the Arts Theatre at Asheville High and SILSA. For tickets, click the link in our bio! #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #ibelonginACS #asheville #ibelieveinpubliceducation #EquityInEducation #acscougarprideamplified #828isgreat #supportstudents #supportteachers
Save room in your garden for the Lucy S. Herring Elementary School Spring Plant Sale on Friday, May 10th from 8:00 am- 5:00 pm in the Peace Garden! 🌻🌺🏵 LSH will have a variety of hanging baskets, ferns, annual flowers from First Step Farms, as well as herbs and summer veggie starts! All plants will have a posted suggested donation, which can be made with PayPal, Venmo, or Cash. All donations go towards supporting the Peace Garden at Lucy S. Herring and the FEAST program of Bountiful Cities. Volunteers are also needed to support the Plant Sale on May 10th. Sign up to volunteer by visiting the link on our bio! #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #ibelonginACS #asheville #ibelieveinpubliceducation #EquityInEducation #acscougarprideamplified #828isgreat #supportstudents
Yesterday afternoon, the In Real Life After-School Celebration at Asheville Middle School showed our community what an event that centers student joy and authentic connection looks like. Thank you so much to the Asheville City Schools Foundation board and staff, especially the IRL After-School team, for doing Whatever it Takes to magnify the genius, encourage the curiosity, and celebrate the joy of our students. We are so grateful for our partnership and all that you do for students and educators. A special thank you to our community partners and Mayor Esther Manheimer for joining in on the fun yesterday. Check out our Facebook page (link in bio) for more photos. There's no place like ACS! #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #ibelonginACS #asheville #whateverittakes #liveacuriouslife #ibelieveinpubliceducation #EquityInEducation #acscougarprideamplified #828isgreat #supportstudents
A rainy morning is the perfect time to share a good book with a friend! This morning, Ms. Jasperina Whiteside's kindergarten class at Ira B. Jones Elementary spent their recess exercising their imaginations and bodies by reading and playing together indoors. Rain clouds can't dampen these smiles! 🌦📘 #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #ibelonginACS #asheville #ibelieveinpubliceducation #EquityInEducation #acscougarprideamplified #828isgreat #supportstudents
What an amazing night celebrating our Latin-Hispanic community at Lucy S. Herring Elementary School with dance, music, and food!! Thank you so much to everyone who performed and joined us at LSH last night! #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #ibelonginACS #asheville #ibelieveinpubliceducation #EquityInEducation #acscougarprideamplified #828isgreat #supportstudents
On Earth Day, students at Isaac Dickson Elementary School planted these cute reminders at the entrance of the school to remind us to take care of the Earth. Thank you students for using your talent to create these wonderful reminders for us all! #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #ibelonginACS #earthday2024 #asheville #ibelieveinpubliceducation #EquityInEducation #acscougarprideamplified #828isgreat #supportstudents
🎓 Asheville High and SILSA Class of 2024! 🎓 As we count down to Graduation on June 8th, we want to honor each of you by celebrating your hard work, dedication, and outstanding accomplishments in our Senior Spotlight! Senior Spotlights will be featured on the ACS social media pages during the months of May and June. Click the link in our bio to complete a short survey for your Senior Spotlight! #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #ibelonginACS #classof2024 #graduatingcougars #asheville #ibelieveinpubliceducation #EquityInEducation #acscougarprideamplified #828isgreat #supportstudents
The beautiful thing about glitter is the more you have, the brighter it shines. This week, the Glitter Sisters at Asheville High and SILSA met for their regular club meeting and discussed invaluable topics such as time management strategies. Glitter Sisters is led by Principal Nicole Cush and has been serving young women in our high schools since 2018. Glitter Sisters is a uniquely situated program which successfully supports and ushers young women to college while providing continued support during their pursuit of higher education. “Being a part of Glitter Sisters has helped me find my true identity. I’ve never been in a girl group where I felt more comfortable and confident.” - Glitter Sisters student member Thank you Principal Cush and Coach Washington for providing such a welcoming and supportive space that authentically celebrates our students and encourages continued growth and excellence. You make such a difference! ✨✨✨ #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #ibelonginACS #glittersisters #asheville #ibelieveinpubliceducation #EquityInEducation #acscougarprideamplified #828isgreat #supportstudents
AND THEY'RE OFF! Our incredibly talented Asheville High and SILSA Culinary and Management teams are headed to Baltimore, Maryland this morning! After placing 1st at the NC State competition, these young chefs will be competing in the Culinary Nationals in Baltimore. Led by the amazing Mrs. Sara Monson, these teams have poured their hearts and souls into their dishes and restaurant concept. We are beyond proud of them and know that they will continue to shine at nationals! GO COUGARS! #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #ibelonginACS #cougarchefs #futurechefs #asheville #ibelieveinpubliceducation #EquityInEducation #acscougarprideamplified #828isgreat #supportstudents
Tickets are on sale now for the theatre production of A Midsummer Night's Dream! Come see Shakespeare as you have never witnessed before, with a 1950's twist and the hard work of over 50 Asheville High and SILSA students (plus a bonus cameo appearance by George Sieburg, ACS Board Chair)! Don't miss this opportunity, May 1st-4th, at 7:00 pm in the Arts Theatre at Asheville High and SILSA! For tickets, click the link in our bio! #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #ibelonginACS #asheville #ibelieveinpubliceducation #EquityInEducation #acscougarprideamplified #828isgreat #supportstudents #supportteachers
Join us next Saturday, May 4th from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm for our multi-family yard sale! Head over to Asheville City Schools Central Office to see what treasures you can find at great deals! Our rain date is the following Saturday, May 11th. See you there! 📚🖼🏀🧩👕 #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #ibelonginACS #asheville #ibelieveinpubliceducation #EquityInEducation #acscougarprideamplified #828isgreat
Our Lucy S. Herring Elementary School Parent Team was excited to kick off the Monarch Run Annual Fundraiser on April 15th! Our amazing LSH parents planned 3 weeks of excitement, fundraising, and celebration of our school community. We are so excited to have a community organized event that prioritizes inclusion, physical activity, and the Lucy S. Herring Ecology theme while raising funds for our school. To culminate their fundraiser, all students will participate in a fun run on May 3rd! Go Lucy S. Herring Elementary School!! To support the LSH fundraising goal, click the link in our bio! #monarchrun #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #ibelonginACS #asheville #ibelieveinpubliceducation #EquityInEducation #acscougarprideamplified #828isgreat #supportstudents
Today is National Bus Driver Appreciation Day, but our gratitude for the ACS Department of Transportation lasts all year long. Our bus drivers are crucial members of our education community who ensure that ALL students have access to a high-quality education. Bus drivers are among the first people our students see everyday, and their commitment, kindness, and passion for supporting our youth is nothing short of inspiring. We are so thankful for the following members of our Fleet Support team: Nae'em Akbar, Carluse Baird, Chris Bickhart, Zay Cannady, Bonnie Coggins-Jones, Critney Crowder, Nancy Durham, Tiny Finley, Glenn Goldthwaite, Gwenn Goldwaithe, Whittni Griffin, Gina Groome, Michelle Harrison, Paul Hotl, Abby Hubbs, Ashley Jacobs, Devin Jacobs, Casey Jeter-Jones, Craig King, Carmen Mangum, Whitney McGrath, Lisa Mills, Tim Proctor, Jenny Rice, Amanda Rigsby, Chanda Robinson, Clark Robinson, Damath Sandord, Chris Sexton, Keith Stevenson, Rick Stevenson, Angela Talford, Shyquilla Underwood, and Cassandra Wells. Thank you all for being the wheels that keep ACS moving forward! #SchoolBusDriverAppreciationDay #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #ibelonginACS #asheville #ibelieveinpubliceducation #EquityInEducation #acscougarprideamplified #828isgreat #supportstudents
What an amazing field trip! Earlier this month, Montford North Star Academy 8th graders traveled to Raleigh and the Triangle! Students visited the History and Science Museums, Capitol and Legislative Building, UNC Chapel Hill, the International Civil Rights Museum, and NC A&T University. Thank you so much to all of the MNSA educators and families for all that you did to make this such a special trip for our 8th graders! #MontfordNSA #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #ibelonginACS #asheville #ibelieveinpubliceducation #EquityInEducation #acscougarprideamplified #828isgreat #supportstudents #supportteachers
In ACS, Earth Day isn't just a date on the calendar. Yesterday morning, approximately 20 Asheville High School and School of Inquiry and Life Sciences at Asheville (SILSA) students volunteered to clean up the campus gardens and pick up trash. We are so grateful to these students who spent their weekend beautifying our high school campus. Thank you so much to the Garden Club and Joe Hooten, our AHS Junior Class President, for organizing this wonderful effort. This is what Cougar pride is all about! #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #cougarearthday #ibelonginACS #asheville #ibelieveinpubliceducation #EquityInEducation #acscougarprideamplified #828isgreat #supportstudents #supportteachers
Asheville High School and School of Inquiry and Life Sciences at Asheville (SILSA) Prom 2024, The Enchanted Forest, was a beautiful night! Thank you so much Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College for hosting us, and thank you educators and staff for working so hard to make this such a memorable night for our students! Check out our Facebook page (link in bio) for more photos! #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #cougarprom2024 #ibelonginACS #asheville #ibelieveinpubliceducation #acscougarprideamplified #828isgreat
During the month of February, Claxton Elementary School students participated in the 15th annual MANNA Student Food Drive program and won the Most Improved Award! The Student Food Drive is an annual competition among schools in Western North Carolina to support MANNA FoodBank and their 200+ dedicated partner agencies. In 2023, Claxton Elementary students received 1,041 points for collecting 1,041 lbs of food. This year, students accumulated 1,983 points by collecting 543 lbs of food and raising $300! In recognition of this wonderful accomplishment, MANNA presented the Full Plate Award to the Claxton leadership team on April 17th. Amazing job, Claxton Elementary! #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #MANNAfullplate #MANNAstudentfooddrive #ibelonginACS #asheville #ibelieveinpubliceducation #EquityInEducation #acscougarprideamplified #828isgreat #supportstudents #supportteachers
Remember how special it was when you were in school and a guest would visit and read a book to your class? This morning, students at Ira B. Jones Elementary had several special guests for IBJ Read Together Day including Principal Ruafika Cobb, Marta Alcalá, Dr. Kim Dechant, and Kristen Suarez (pictured here). Read Together Day also perfectly coincided with Pajama Day! Thank you to Courtney Booth, Leo Ott, Eva Page, John Pruett, Jenni Park, and Janet Carson for also sharing some of your favorite books with our students today! #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #readtogether #readingisfun #ibelonginACS #asheville #ibelieveinpubliceducation #EquityInEducation #acscougarprideamplified #828isgreat #supportstudents #supportteachers
Get ready to be amazed! During spring break, 16 Asheville High School and School of Inquiry and Life Sciences at Asheville (SILSA) students spent their week working with researchers at the Pacuare Reserve as part of their international sea turtle monitoring program on the east coast of Costa Rica! Students spent their nights, 8:00pm-4:00am, working directly with the Pacuare Reserve biologists as they monitored female leatherback sea turtles' nesting behaviors, collecting biometric data (size, general physical health, and tagging), as well as collecting over 10 clutches of eggs (70-120 fertilized eggs per clutch) to move into the protected beach hatchery. This amazing opportunity provided students with firsthand experience in data collection, data recording, and foundational methods of environmental field research. Throughout the week, the students completed more than 40 hours of education and research on the following topics: rainforest ecology, sea turtle biology and adaptations, impacts of invasive species, and conservation. Pacuare Reserve recently released conservation impacts related specifically to our students' trip which included: 4 nests monitored, 5 turtles worked, and 4 taxonomic groups researched. The 4 nests were ones that our students worked from start to finish, whereas the 10 clutches of eggs included nests that were found mid or post laying (or just outside of their transect section) that students moved to the hatchery. We are so proud of our high school students and their commitment to protecting our ecosystems. A huge thank you to Dacia Harris, our AHS Science Teacher, and David Kotchmar, ACS IT, for all of their hard work organizing this trip and for inspiring the next generation of environmental scientists. Cougar pride! 🐢🥚🐢 #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #ibelonginACS #asheville #ibelieveinpubliceducation #protectseaturtles #futureenvironmentalscientists #acscougarprideamplified #828isgreat #supportstudents
If you've been to the CTE (Career and Technical Education) building at Asheville High School and School of Inquiry and Life Sciences at Asheville (SILSA) recently, you've probably seen the newest creation from the Mural Club! Thank you students for using your creativity and talent to make our campus even more beautiful! #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #ibelonginACS #asheville #ibelieveinpubliceducation #studentartists #acscougarprideamplified #828isgreat #supportstudents #supportteachers
A true battle of the literary minds! Yesterday morning, Lucy S. Herring Elementary School hosted all 5 of our elementary school teams for Battle of the Books! All of our Cougars demonstrated amazing teamwork, fair play, and spirit. Congratulations to the Claxton Elementary School team for placing first! The excitement of our students during Battle of the Books is a direct reflection of the hard work, passion, and wisdom of our Media Center Coordinators. Thank you Crystal Hendrix, Janna Hoekema, Kirsten LeClerc, Baily Griffith, and Eva Page for inspiring a love of reading and opening our students up to new worlds and perspectives. You are a crucial part of what makes our district so special. #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #loveyourmediacenter #ibelonginACS #asheville #ibelieveinpubliceducation #EquityInEducation #acscougarprideamplified #828isgreat #supportstudents #supportteachers
*An important reminder for our Asheville community* ACS has the best trained Department of Transportation that you can find. While school buses remain incredibly safe, students are most vulnerable outside the bus in the “danger zone" on streets and roads. Red flashing lights and extended stop arms on buses indicate the bus has stopped and students are getting on or off. Drivers must stop their cars and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop-arm is withdrawn, and the bus begins moving before they can start driving again. Thank you for your diligence in ensuring the safety of our ACS students! #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #ibelonginACS #asheville #ibelieveinpubliceducation #EquityInEducation #acscougarprideamplified #828isgreat #supportstudents #supportteachers
Asheville City Schools is overflowing with talent! Nine 5th graders from Isaac Dickson Elementary School were recently chosen to have their work published in the Mountain Xpress Kids Editions! Isaac Dickson had many 5th graders submit work for the contest and we are so proud of each and every one of them for their hard work in ELA (English Language Arts). Our students' work is beautiful and is guaranteed to make you smile: - My Dream for the World by Aliza Gittens - A Dreamy Land with Hope by Cora Danh - Equal Rights Matter by Anna Stein - A Great Woman by D'Marcus Blaze Dixon - My Dreams by Oliver Cherry - Dreams and Hopes by Camerian Blair - The Land of the Gnomes by Alice Lane - LaMar's Comfort Kitchen by LaMar Greenlee - My Dreams by Fain Burgess To read our students' work, click the link in our bio. Congratulations students and their amazing ELA teacher, Ms. Monica Blozy! Go Cougars! #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #acscougarprideamplified #asheville #avlnc #ibelieveinpubliceducation #supportstudents #supportteachers #828isgreat #MountainXpress
On April 13th, 100 years of history came alive at Claxton Elementary School as the school community gathered to commemorate a century of excellence in education! In partnership with Dr. Nava Eggett and the UNC Asheville Center for Diversity Education, Claxton's Centennial event was a momentous occasion filled with speakers, performers, and a captivating historical gallery walk, all highlighting the rich legacy of Claxton Elementary. In addition to the speakers and historical exhibits, the Centennial event featured student showcases that were a testament to Claxton's commitment to honoring its history. Each grade had worked diligently on projects that paid homage to the school's heritage, showcasing their creativity and dedication to preserving the spirit of Claxton through art, poetry, and multimedia presentations. From timelines documenting key moments in Claxton's history to artistic interpretations of its founding principles, the student showcases were a poignant reminder of the enduring legacy that Claxton continues to uphold. The Centennial event was not only a celebration of Claxton's illustrious history but also a reaffirmation of its enduring commitment to excellence, community, and the transformative power of education in Asheville City Schools. GO COUGARS! Photo credit: WLOS #claxton100 #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #acscougarprideamplified #ibelonginACS #asheville #avlnc #ibelieveinpubliceducation #supportstudents #supportteachers #828isgreat
Today was Bring Your Legislator to School Day! ACS was honored to host Representative Eric Ager, Representative Lindsey Prather, and Senator Julie Mayfield. Our legislators toured Ira B. Jones Elementary, Asheville Middle School, Asheville High School, and School of Inquiry and Life Sciences at Asheville (SILSA). Legislators had the opportunity to visit classrooms, speak with students and educators, learn about community partnerships, and see first-hand the amazing things happening in our district. We are deeply grateful to Rep. Ager, Rep. Prather, and Sen. Mayfield for their time and support of public education in NC! #NCGASchoolDay #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #acscougarprideamplified #asheville #avlnc #ibelieveinpubliceducation #supportstudents #supportteachers #828isgreat
ACS has the most outstanding band program! The Asheville High and SILSA Band recently performed at the National Band and Orchestra Festival at Carnegie Hall in New York City! The band performed for a panel of nationally recognized collegiate adjudicators along with 10 other select ensembles from around the country. The 8pm Saturday night performance was well attended and received the highest marks from the panel of adjudicators. While in NYC, the band also had time to see Hadestown on Broadway and spent 2 days touring the city. Congratulations to these exceptionally talented students and their amazing instructors, Mr. Rodney Workman and Mr. JaQuan Wiley. You make our Cougar family incredibly proud! #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #acscougarprideamplified #asheville #avlnc #ibelieveinpubliceducation #equityineducation #supportstudents #makeadifference #828isgreat
🛩 ACS Cougars visit the Big Apple! 🍎 The School of Inquiry and Life Sciences at Asheville (SILSA)'s Juniors and Seniors visited New York City March 14th-17th! ACS and our SILSA students would like to shout out Ms. LeVette Campbell for all of her hard work securing funding to ensure that every student who wanted was able to attend this trip. We also want to extend a huge thank you to Principal Nicole Cush, Ms. Pamela Washington, Mr. Scott Johnston, and Mrs. Ariel Robinson for ALL of the hard work they put in before and during the trip. These are the memories that will last a lifetime! Go Cougars! #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #acscougarprideamplified #asheville #avlnc #ibelieveinpubliceducation #equityineducation #supportstudents #makeadifference #828isgreat
Calling all Cougar poets! The Hop Ice Cream, in partnership with the North Carolina Poetry Society, is looking for poems from students to celebrate National Poetry Month in April and Poem in Your Pocket Day. Poems can be little or big! Submissions are due by Monday, April 22nd. Click the link in our bio for guidelines and more information. For questions, contact [email protected]. Thank you so much to The Hop Ice Cream for uplifting the creativity and genius of our young writers! #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #acscougarprideamplified #unitedforyouth #asheville #avlnc #nationalpoetrymonth #poeminyourpocketday #ibelieveinpubliceducation #equityineducation #supportstudents #makeadifference #828isgreat
Celebrating math leadership, building community, and expanding horizons are all part of a day in the life of Marvelous Math Club! Marvelous Math Club is an after-school club directed by our incredible Executive Director of Equity, Marta Alcalá, and UNC Asheville Professor, Dr. Sam Kaplan, that uses a unique model integrating math and psychology. The Club centers the experiences of students and their families at Pisgah View Community Center and celebrates its K-5th graders (referred to as Math Leaders). Marvelous Math Club creates a space where Math Leaders feel safe physically and emotionally. Older students and adults (referred to as Math Champions) support Math Leaders with homework completion, math games, and demonstrate leadership. You can become a Math Champion too! Contact Marvelous Math Club at [email protected] to learn more, support our students, and live your values! Thank you Ms. Alcalá and Dr. Kaplan for all that you do to foster a sense of belonging and a love of learning in our students. We are so grateful for you both! #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #acscougarprideamplified #unitedforyouth #asheville #avlnc #marvelousmathclub #ibelieveinpubliceducation #equityineducation #supportstudents #makeadifference #828isgreat
We'd like to extend our deepest gratitude to all of our ACS educators, staff, and bus drivers for making the eclipse experience out of this world for our students! Your commitment to safety and experiential learning opportunities for our youth is part of what makes our district shine so brightly. THANK YOU!!! #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #acscougarprideamplified #AVLCougarEclipse2024 #asheville #avlnc #ibelieveinpubliceducation #equityineducation #828isgreat
Welcome to the Zen Den at Hall Fletcher Elementary! The Zen Den is Hall Fletcher's newest addition aimed at enhancing wellness for our educators. A HUGE thank you to Erica Engle (Hall Fletcher's Academic Coach whose leadership made this vision come to life), the Asheville City Schools Foundation, Dwellings, and our incredible Hall Fletcher PTO for making this beautiful and peaceful space for our educators possible! #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #acscougarprideamplified #asheville #avlnc #ibelieveinpubliceducation #equityineducation #supportteachers #makeadifference #828isgreat
From elementary to high school, our ACS Cougars experienced a true planetary marvel this afternoon! The learning opportunities provided by a solar eclipse are engaging and multifaceted. ACS students of all ages deepened their understanding of the universe while witnessing real life applications of science, geography, and mathematics! To view more photos from this afternoon, visit our Facebook page (link in bio)! #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #acscougarprideamplified #AVLCougarEclipse2024 #scienceiscool #futureastronauts #futureastronomers #futureengineers #asheville #avlnc #ibelieveinpubliceducation #equityineducation #828isgreat
Monday, April 8th is an exciting day to return to school! Our ACS community will have the opportunity to witness a partial solar eclipse! 🌖 🌗 🌘 According to NASA, the eclipse will begin at 1:51 pm with maximum coverage taking place at 3:09 pm when the moon will cover most of the sun’s disk in the Asheville area. We'll be taking photos across the district on Monday, and we'd love to see your photos of students experiencing this fascinating astronomical event. Use #AVLCougarEclipse24 to share! Stay tuned for more information on how ACS will be providing opportunities for students to safely learn from this real life planetary occurrence. #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #acscougarprideamplified #AVLCougarEclipse2024 #asheville #avlnc #ibelieveinpubliceducation #equityineducation #828isgreat
As we conclude national Social Worker Month, we want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to Ms. Jordan Mayhew, our ACS McKinney-Vento and Foster Care Coordinator. The tireless efforts and unwavering commitment of our school social workers and Student Services Team make a profound difference in the lives of students and families: "Jordan joined the ACS Student Services Team during the 2022-23 school year. She oversees the McKinney-Vento program and staff to ensure that all 160+ students identified as experiencing homelessness have equal access to education and services. She also serves as the Foster Care point of contact for the district. Jordan has been a tremendous asset to our team! We are so proud of her advocacy and the selfless work she is doing!" - Kim Robinson, Executive Director of Student Services Please join us in celebrating this amazing colleague whose commitment to our students knows no bounds! Thank you so much for all that you do, Jordan! You make such a difference. #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #acscougarprideamplified #socialworkermonth #unitedforyouth #asheville #avlnc #ibelieveinpubliceducation #equityineducation #supportteachers #supportstudents #makeadifference #828isgreat
During national Social Worker Month, we want to express our deepest gratitude to Ms. LeVette Campbell, our District Lead School Social Worker and school social worker at Asheville High School and School of Inquiry and Life Sciences at Asheville. The tireless efforts and unwavering commitment of our school social workers make a profound difference in the lives of students and families: “Ms. LeVette Campbell, mere words could hardly begin to describe the depth and magnitude of the work you do for our scholars here in the city of Asheville. Thank you for the incredible work that you do. Your brilliant ability to raise funds while holding space with great compassion is what keeps us moving forward! I am honored to serve with one of the best social workers in the business.” - Principal Nicole Cush, SILSA "I've known Ms. LeVette for a very long time, she started working in ACS when I was still teaching at Randolph. Ms. LeVette is very student-centered and passionate about supporting students with whatever challenges or barriers they may be facing. She works tirelessly to make sure all students have what they need to thrive. It's anything and everything you could imagine from shoes, socks, clothing, it's packages when they go off to college so that they have everything they need to continue their education, it's meals and gifts for students during the holidays, it's prom dresses and suits. Anything our students need, she works to make sure they have it. You make such a difference. Thank you so much, Ms. LeVette." - Principal Derek Edwards, Asheville High Ms. LeVette, you inspire students and colleagues alike with your passion for supporting the youth in our community. You are a fierce change-maker whose dedication, empathy, and presence truly changes lives. We can never fully express our gratitude for all that you do and give day-in, day-out. THANK YOU!! #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #acscougarprideamplified #socialworkermonth #socialworkheros #unitedforyouth #asheville #avlnc #ibelieveinpubliceducation #equityineducation #supportteachers #supportstudents #makeadifference #828isgreat
Happy Spring Break!!! Friendly reminder that Asheville City Schools will be on spring break next week, Monday, April 1st-Friday, April 5th. Wishing everyone a fantastic and restful break and we look forward to seeing our Cougar family return on Monday, April 8th! #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #acscougarprideamplified #unitedforyouth #asheville #avlnc #ibelieveinpubliceducation #equityineducation #supportteachers #supportstudents #makeadifference #828isgreat
It can be rare to have a public school foundation as innovative, robust, and committed as the Asheville City Schools Foundation. This month, ACSF connected teaching artist Ginger Huebner with our high school students as part of their Teaching Artists Presenting in Asheville Schools (TAPAS) program. Ginger worked with our 11th graders in a classroom residency as students wove their creative voices into a unit about IDENTITY during ELA class. Thank you @gingerhuebnerart and @acsf828 for providing such powerful opportunities for our students! #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #acscougarprideamplified #creativityinschools #powerofart #equityineducation #asheville #avlnc #artseducation #ibelieveinpubliceducation #supportstudents #supportteachers #investinpubliceducation #investinpublicschools #828isgreat #artseducationmatters #partnerineducation #teachingartist #ashevillearts #ashevilleartist #gingerhuebnerart
Save the date! Don't miss Claxton Elementary School's CENTENNIAL Celebration Saturday, April 13th! With gallery walks, oral history presentations, live music performances, and wonderful food trucks, this event is a guaranteed good time for the entire family! Click the link in our bio to preorder your tickets today! #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #acscougarprideamplified #unitedforyouth #asheville #avlnc #ibelieveinpubliceducation #equityineducation #supportteachers #supportstudents #makeadifference #828isgreat
During national Social Worker Month, we want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to Ms. Abigail (Abby) Owolabi, our ACS school social worker at Ira B. Jones Elementary and Claxton Elementary. The tireless efforts and unwavering commitment of our school social workers make a profound difference in the lives of students and families: "First and foremost, Ms. Abby is a relationship person. That piece is important to her to establish because it then strengthens her ability to work with families in tough situations. Ms. Abby will go above and beyond for any family, anything that they need. Our families listen and work in partnership with Ms. Abby to support their students. They know that they can always call our school and ask for Ms. Abby and she will be responsive. We have a saying here at Jones, 'Ms. Abby gets things done.' If we call her and say, 'Hey Ms. Abby, we need your support with this,' she gets it done. Our staff knows that about her and our families know that. Most importantly, our school community knows that they can trust her. Ms. Abby cares very deeply and we can always depend on her to go out and do whatever it may be to support families, whether it's connecting them with community resources or mitigating barriers so that children can come to school. WE LOVE YOU, MS. ABBY!" - Principal Ruafika Cobb, Ira B. Jones Elementary Please join us in celebrating this amazing social worker whose commitment to our students knows no bounds! Thank you so much, Ms. Abby! #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #acscougarprideamplified #socialworkermonth #unitedforyouth #asheville #avlnc #ibelieveinpubliceducation #equityineducation #supportteachers #supportstudents #makeadifference #828isgreat
This is Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) in ACTION! A peace path is an interactive restorative process for working through conflict. Each step of the path gives prompts for how to discuss conflict and hear the other person's point of view. While in our schools, you may see paths on the sidewalks, in the hallways, on posters by doorways, and tucked inside our name badges. This gives students access to the peace path reminders for how they can talk to each other and solve disagreements or conflicts that arise. Practice at resolving differences, with a caring adult nearby for support, is a great way to increase responsible decision making, social awareness, and self management. #SEL #socialemotionallearning #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #acscougarprideamplified #asheville #avlnc #ibelieveinpubliceducation #equityineducation #supportteachers #supportstudents #828isgreat
During national Social Worker Month, we want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to Ms. Kim Robinson, our Executive Director of Student Services. The tireless efforts and unwavering commitment of our school social workers make a profound difference in the lives of students and families: "Kim Robinson's student-centered leadership approach continually focuses the work of our school system on doing what is best for students. Her deep knowledge of our community and strong ties with the families in Asheville are a true gift." - Superintendent Dr. Maggie Fehrman Kim Robinson is a lifelong employee and a genuine product of Asheville City Schools. She is a 1988 graduate of Asheville High School and has served our school district since 1993 starting as a classroom Instructional Assistant at Hall Fletcher Elementary School. For over 20 years, Ms. Robinson worked as a school social worker on various ACS campuses. Ms. Robinson has impacted countless student lives and words fail to express the gratitude that we feel for all that she has and continues to do for our school district. Thank you, Kim Robinson! ACS is stronger because of you! #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #acscougarprideamplified #socialworkermonth #unitedforyouth #asheville #avlnc #ibelieveinpubliceducation #equityineducation #supportteachers #supportstudents #makeadifference #828isgreat
Our Asheville City Schools alumni go on to do incredible things! Don't miss the musical performance by Asheville High School Class of 2017 graduate Jake Lenderman on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert TONIGHT! We are so proud of you, Jake! Go Cougars!!! #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #acscougarprideamplified #unitedforyouth #asheville #avlnc #ibelieveinpubliceducation #equityineducation #supportteachers #supportstudents #makeadifference #828isgreat #mjlenderman
🎺 🎵 Happening TODAY! 🎷🥁 Attention all rising 6th grade students and families! The Asheville Middle School Band Program will be hosting a "Beginning Band Blast Off" today, March 26th! This event is for any rising 6th grade student interested in joining the Band at Asheville Middle. Students will be provided with an opportunity to test out beginning band instruments, ask questions about the band program, register for the 2024 Band class, and meet the ACS Band Program teachers. There will also be a music dealer on-site to inquire about school band instrument rentals/ purchases. Join us anytime between 4:00-7:00 PM for our Beginning Band Blast Off! Click the link in our bio for more information on Beginning Band registration. #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #acscougarprideamplified #futuremusicians #asheville #avlnc #ibelieveinpubliceducation #equityineducation #828isgreat
During national Social Worker Month, we want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to Ms. McKenna Casey, our ACS school social worker at Montford North Star Academy. The tireless efforts and unwavering commitment of our school social workers make a profound difference in the lives of students and families: "Miss Casey is an amazing asset to the Montford team. From her very first day, she has jumped right in to support students , families and staff. Her ability to build positive relationships has been tremendous. Miss Casey is a problem solver and works quickly to come up with the best solution for whatever need may arise. We are so happy to have her as part of our Montford family." - Miranda Wheeler, Montford North Star Interim Principal Please join us in celebrating this amazing social worker who does whatever it takes for our ACS students and families! Thank you for all that you do, Miss Casey! #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #acscougarprideamplified #socialworkermonth #unitedforyouth #asheville #avlnc #ibelieveinpubliceducation #equityineducation #supportteachers #supportstudents #makeadifference #828isgreat
Memories that will last a lifetime! 🐟🐠🦈🐳 As part of their fifth grade overnight trip to Atlanta, students at Ira B. Jones Elementary got to explore the Georgia Aquarium and spend the night under the Ocean Voyager tank! Thank you to our amazing educators and chaperones for all their hard work that made this trip possible! #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #acscougarprideamplified #unitedforyouth #asheville #avlnc #ibelieveinpubliceducation #equityineducation #supportteachers #supportstudents #makeadifference #828isgreat
During national Social Worker Month, we want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to Ms. Fredericka Pasley, our ACS school social worker at Asheville Middle School. The tireless efforts and unwavering commitment of our school social workers make a profound difference in the lives of students and families: "Ms. Fredericka brings warmth and grace to her role as a social worker at AMS. She naturally forms relationships with students and families who in turn trust her to provide guidance and support when opportunities and challenges arise. Her positive presence and proactive approach ensure that our students are supported and feel a sense of belonging here at AMS." - Blair Johnston, 8th Grade Assistant Principal and AMS Athletic Director Please join us in celebrating this amazing social worker whose commitment to our students knows no bounds! Thank you so much, Ms. Fredericka! #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #acscougarprideamplified #socialworkermonth #unitedforyouth #asheville #avlnc #ibelieveinpubliceducation #equityineducation #supportteachers #supportstudents #makeadifference #828isgreat
In Asheville City Schools, even our kindergarten students are published authors! Ms. Shelley Haney's kindergarten class at Hall Fletcher has been busy writing and illustrating their very first book! Ms. Haney shared her inspiration for the project and some of the skills that students got to practice during this experience: "I decided to do this project to encourage and motivate students to write for an audience and to read their writing and that of others! Students came up with the topic as a class, chose an animal, and then we went through the writing process. Students drew a picture and wrote a rough draft of their book pages. We met and discussed their writing to make sure they could read it back, used neat handwriting, capital letters, punctuation marks, and finger spaces. Students were encouraged to sound out their words while writing as this is appropriate for where they are in the stages of writing. The final book will be sent to publisher, Student Treasures, who will publish the book and send a class copy in a few weeks. Students will have a book premiere party once we get the book back." Thank you, Ms. Haney, for all that you do to provide creative opportunities such as this for our students! We can't wait to see the published book! #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #acscougarprideamplified #asheville #avlnc #ibelieveinpubliceducation #equityineducation #supportteachers #supportstudents #828isgreat
Congratulations to Isaac Dickson Elementary's 2025 Teacher of the Year, Ann Fisher, and Instructional Assistant of the Year, Carmen Mangum! These amazing educators give their all each and every day and we feel so fortunate to have them in ACS! ... Congratulations to IDES Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Ann Fisher and Instructional Assistant of the Year, Ms. Carmen Mangum. We are so lucky to have them both! 🥳 #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #acscougarprideamplified #whateverittakes #unitedforyouth #asheville #avlnc #ibelieveinpubliceducation #equityineducation #supportteachers #supportstudents #makeadifference #828isgreat
Amazing things are happening in Asheville City Schools! Our district had the distinct honor of hosting Governor Roy Cooper this afternoon at Hall Fletcher Elementary School. Governor Cooper visited classrooms and spoke with students and educators about the incredible opportunities happening in our public schools. Thank you, Governor Roy Cooper, for visiting our district and for declaring 2024 The Year of Public Schools. We are so grateful for your support of public school students and educators, not just here in Asheville, but across our great state. Thank you!! #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #acscougarprideamplified #asheville #avlnc #ibelieveinpubliceducation #supportpubliceducation #SupportPublicEd #supportteachers #supportstudents #828isgreat
During national Social Worker Month, we want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to Ms. Shauntey Jives, our ACS school social worker at Hall Fletcher Elementary and Lucy S. Herring Elementary School. The tireless efforts and unwavering commitment of our school social workers make a profound difference in the lives of students and families: "Ms. Jives, your dedication is the driving force behind the positive changes we see everyday. Your compassion, empathy, and commitment to creating a supportive environment are invaluable to our community. Thank you for being the guiding light that supports our students as they overcome obstacles and thrive." - Principal Sonna Jamerson, Lucy S. Herring Elementary "Ms. Shauntey is a true gem at Hall Fletcher. Her diligent work with students and families has created a positive impact for our school community. Her genuine care for our community shines each day. When she is not supporting families, she is working in small groups with students, leading lunch groups, and working at our after school program. We love Ms. Shauntey!" - Principal Carrie Buchanan, Hall Fletcher Elementary Please join us in celebrating this amazing social worker whose commitment to our students knows no bounds! #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #acscougarprideamplified #socialworkermonth #unitedforyouth #asheville #avlnc #ibelieveinpubliceducation #equityineducation #supportteachers #supportstudents #makeadifference #828isgreat
It was a beautiful day on the Asheville High and SILSA campus for the 8th annual Sidewalk Chalk Celebration! Our high school visual arts instructor, Kristina Shriver, shared the history and intention behind today's creativity: "The origins of the Sidewalk Chalk Celebration derived from a community sidewalk contest. The contest invited all ages and levels to campus to share and celebrate our diverse artistic talents, and to promote visual art in schools. After Covid, the National Art Honor Society and I agreed that we needed to shift the focus to purely celebrating community and everyone's talent. Having the preschool, AHS and SILSA students, and teachers all creating different works of art was magical. I hope it made a lot of people smile and recognize the beauty of differences." Thank you, Ms. Shriver, for cultivating and celebrating the talent and genius in our students! #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #acscougarprideamplified #artseducation #weareallartists #asheville #avlnc #ibelieveinpubliceducation #equityineducation #supportteachers #supportstudents #828isgreat
This is Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) in action! Students at Lucy S. Herring Elementary School are working together to create their own stop action films. The use of interactive hands-on materials and technology can be seen across our district. Students are learning to plan and create together as a team using skills for communication, social awareness, self management, and decision making. Thank you, Ms. Hinesley! 🎥 #ACSCougarPride #acscougarcountry #acscougarprideamplified #futurefilmmakers #socialemotionallearning #whateverittakes #unitedforyouth #asheville #avlnc #ibelieveinpubliceducation #equityineducation #supportteachers #supportstudents #makeadifference #828isgreat