Mitchell County Schools

We are looking forward to 2025!

Hurricane Helene: This Is Our Story Submission by Shana Cook, Technology Director for MCS I had a bad feeling about this storm on Wednesday, September 25th. We had gotten a few warnings at the Central Office about how this storm was hitting our area unlike anything we had ever seen. I had a tingly feeling in the back of my mind that kept saying, “Shana, you just might be pulling out all your prepping equipment for this one.” But no one, nothing, could ever have prepared for the devastation Helene would truly bring on us. I woke up on Friday morning to the rain and wind hitting my front windows. The power was off and I was glad I had filled the bathtubs with water. We spent the next few hours listening to an old radio scanner. Hearing all the commotion going on, it was evident there was going to be a lot of damage. A passage in the Bible (Job 38) came to mind and I read it to Ryan and Piper while we watched the rain coming down sideways. At that point, I tried to let go of any anxiety I had in my mind and let God have it. If Job had to humble himself before God at these questions, I sure had to too! After the sky started to clear, Kasey came up to the house and told us that trees were down everywhere in the road and he couldn’t get to work. We put on our work clothes and got our chainsaws and started down the driveway. You couldn’t travel through Red Hill in either direction 100 yards without a tree across the road. Thankfully all our neighbors and the workers from Unimin had the same idea. We were going to have to cut out ourselves. I drove our side by side to the top of the hill at Kat Byrd’s. When I saw the woods by her house, I first thought, “Well, that’s a strange way to log!” But then I realized that those trees were not logged, they were all snapped off and laying in the road from the wind that had just gone through. That’s the moment when it all started to hit me. The flooding I heard going on in Bakersville. The winds that downed trees everywhere! No power. No cell service. What in the world had just attacked Mitchell County? We worked all evening to clear the trees and thank God, each community did the same. I wanted to check on my mom and dad and the rest of my family in Snow Hill. So we hopped in the old trusty Jeep and made it all the way. I will never forget seeing the train tracks in the river for the first time or the canopy of trees that we had to inch through to get there, or my sister’s and mom’s faces when I drove up to their houses. My family was all ok. When we got back home, I told Ryan and Piper that we would have goals everyday. They really got sick of hearing that lol. Our next goal was to get Piper’s boyfriend, Jaxon Rohr, home safely in Poplar from Spruce Pine. The next day, we set out in the Jeep and headed to Spruce Pine. Again, the devastation was overwhelming. Jaxon had been at a friend’s house but had to move out because of trees and wind. I knew his mom and dad were worried about him, not knowing where he was and not being able to call him, and that’s all I could think about. We were able to track him down through the SPPD. We found him at the golf course and, after driving around Spruce Pine and trying to process all of the damage, we took him to Red Hill. Piper and I painted a zombie-apocalyptic sign letting Amberly know he was at our house in case she went out looking for him. Goal for the day achieved. The next day (Sunday) our goal was to get Jaxon home to Sam’s Branch. I had heard the road near the river was gone so before we set out, I said a prayer asking God to let there be a railroad left. If not, we were prepared to walk through the woods. We were going to get there somehow, some way. We drove the jeep all the way to the train trestle at Relief and started walking. The railroad was intact all the way to the road turning to Poplar, the road beside it was completely gone with just a few feet of pavement left here and there. We walked two and a half miles and thanks to a sweet neighbor who drove us the rest of the way to Jaxon’s, we made it. I will never forget Jaxon’s mom and dad’s face when we got there. The joy in seeing each other after all the worry and no communication. It still brings tears to my eyes and I’m thankful for moments like those. The days after were filled with checking on our kids and families in the schools, making sure communities like Bailey Settlement and Poplar had supplies, setting up Starlinks, meeting wonderful volunteers and just trying to be a helping hand. I never knew what I would be getting into each day. I knew God would lead me to the place I needed to go…I just needed to show up each morning. I want to remember that for the rest of my life. We don’t know what the future holds, but we’ve all got to remember to just show up for each other and we will always be #MitchellStrong.

Merry Christmas from Mitchell County Schools! We wish you a happy holiday season and will see you January 2, 2025! Our card design winners this year are: Lincy- Greenlee Primary; Ella- Mitchell Middle; Sadie- Mitchell High; Salvador- Mitchell High

Mitchell County Schools will dismiss one-hour early today, Friday, December 20. We have been monitoring the weather throughout the day and anticipate snow arriving by 4:00pm this afternoon. We want to make sure all students are home safely. We hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday and look forward to seeing students again on January 2.

Mayland Early College students enjoyed a festive Christmas lunch before starting their final exams next week.

Mitchell High & Mitchell Middle Band Christmas Concert December 19th @ 6:00 pm at the Mitchell High Auditorium

This afternoon, Friday, December 13, a student on one of our middle/high school buses made a statement about a weapon. The incident has been thoroughly investigated and there was no weapon on the bus and no intent to harm a student(s). If you have any additional questions, please contact your child's principal.

Hurricane Helene: This Is Our Story Submission by Ashley Davis, Exceptional Children's Teacher After decades working in a neighboring county, my family and I moved to Mitchell last school year. While I was reluctant to uproot and relocate my family, God has and continues to make it abundantly clear His plan for us exceeds anything we could have imagined. I was blessed to have witnessed the homecoming festivities on the evening of Wednesday, September 25th, including our amazing and resilient band. Although I left immediately afterward (our “new” home had flooded a month prior, so when the heavy rain began, I knew we needed to get back to continue the preventative measures started that morning), there were so many that stayed. While the rainwater began filling in our basement (our bedroom!), I saw that so many others rushed to help mitigate the waters coming into the school gym that I had left only moments prior. We were blessed to have been home this night, in time to see exactly where the leaks in the basement were originating, along with access to open stores to purchase a LOT of sealer! (Ask my husband about me also buying Duct Tape. Haha!) Everyone in the county and farther out has their own story about the storm, and the damage it produced…physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. The news was (and is) full of the devastation Helene produced, so I won’t share any more of that here. Fast forward to early Saturday morning. As neighbors began tree and debris removal to cut a path on the roads, we were being drawn to head to the high school. With no communication, power, or water, we started toward the only normalcy and consistency in our lives the past few years…school! As we caught up with our school resource officer and a few familiar faces, supplies from the community immediately came pouring in. While my husband left with a group of men to get donated supplies from Ingles, people from local restaurants and stores began showing up continuously. The cafeteria became the new community warehouse, while the gym became the new community housing. Each day, when we would wake up, the kids would immediately jump up ready to go back to see the people at the shelter and be at a community location that would allow them to be in contact with people. The days are honestly a blur, but here are a few things I will never forget: - As much as people individually lost, everyone in the community made it a priority to check on others and share their resources. It didn’t matter that we hadn’t bathed or were in the same clothing everyday…people kept showing up with helpful hearts and hands. When we had no communication, Dan Hopson and a group of STEM kids collected materials to make their own radio, which allowed access outside to emergency personnel. These students manned the radio, allowing for road and support updates that they could pass along to the community. The hands-on learning that happens in MCS is invaluable in the real world! - Everyone waited patiently for the National Guard to arrive. At first, the drops were people who needed additional care or people who needed a location with power due to oxygen tanks, as the hospital was full. This was a challenge, but everyone jumped in to change wound dressings or take elderly residents to the bathroom. It was all hands on deck. When the National Guard did arrive with supplies, we all cried as we unloaded. We knew at that moment, we would be okay and that the rest of the world did not forget about our town. I will never take for granted the safety of my family, communication with others, or the normalcy of the school day, traveling outside of my home, access to supplies, or fresh drinking water. - Showing up to “work” on a Saturday after a natural disaster would not have been a calling in my previous role, not only for me, but my kids as well. I LOVE my job, my co-workers, administrators, students, their parents, and the community. My kids love their teachers and peers. Although there is much recognition about volunteering, the truth is that through this, my own family was warm, fed, had plenty of water, and were able to see or communicate with people they love. The support of the community was felt and so appreciated by our family, in ways that we will never be able to return. - I met people who I never would have otherwise. We met a wonderful lady, who we were able to visit in the shelter, then at the hospital prior to her moving. She prayed with my son every night before bed and my kids and I grew to love her like our own family. (Miss Buchanan…I still owe you! I promised to come get you to see the band perform!) - God had a plan for this. He knew we needed the old school buildings. He knew we needed the gym at the high school. He knew we needed our community, then resources from far and wide. Although we saw the worst in nature, we saw the best in Mitchell County, and beyond. From my family, my home, my school, my soul…”Thank You”!

Mitchell County Schools will be back to a 1 hour delay schedule tomorrow, December 12th. There is a chance of more light snow showers tonight. We will check again in morning and if a further delay or change in schedule is needed, a decision will be made before 6am.

GoGuardian Filtering and Alert System on School-Issued Student Devices Update: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1I5dXkMzzbmDDS2Hs_98XhsC4YD-PJ0VrR6ayijurQhc/edit?usp=sharing

Hurricane Helene: This Is Our Story Submission by Stephanie McClellan, MHS FCS Teacher/Middle School CDC I wanted to share a GOD moment that happened after the devastation of Hurricane Helene brought flood waters into our home in Avery County. My husband, daughter and I had hunkered down at my Mom's House after leaving our home at 5 am on Sept. 27th. We returned to find that we had 8 inches of mud left from flood waters in our driveway and yard. The lower level of our home, our detached garage and our camper had all been under 7+ feet of water. We began trying to find personal belongings and keepsakes we felt could be salvaged. The task was overwhelming to say the least. Watching my 16 year old, look through the muddy, upended contents of the only home she has known was gut wrenching. We had family and friends help at different points with this task. But thinking about removing all of the contents, sheet rock, flooring, etc...was just impossible. I made my way to First Baptist in Spruce Pine on Mon 10/14 to fill out a work order for NC Baptists on Mission Disaster Relief. On Wednesday, a crew of 29 volunteers mostly from Martin County, NC made their way to our home to help with this impossible task. This group of loving, kind and compassionate individuals began to complete a task that I dreaded to see happen that day. We have lived in this home for 19 years, bought right be we got married, Shane and I had renovated almost all of the rooms ourselves, brought our new born baby home to it, and put blood, sweat and tears into this making this a joyful home of comfort and rest for our family. Seeing almost all its contents emptied onto your front lawn is a gut check for sure. But at end of this long day, I was filled with joy and peace. It was because the precious NC Baptists on Mission volunteers prayed with us, hugged us and comforted us during this time. Truly being the hands and feet and Jesus during this difficult time. I will never forget the events of that day and how that during dark times in our journey, God sent hope so we know that He is with us ALWAYS!!

Community Food Distribution Tomorrow

Mitchell County Schools will be back on a one hour delay schedule tomorrow, Friday, December 6.

Hurricane Helene: This Is Our Story Story Submission by Regina Moore, Teacher Assistant at Greenlee Primary Working for Baptist Mission, Grassy Creek Baptist, and also First Baptist has been such an encouragement to me. The people that I have met, seeing how other states come together to help ALL of us. Of course, I can't forget Greenlee Primary. I have always felt like we were a close knit school but OH how we are truly one big family that's loves and cares for each other. If one employee hurts, we all hurt and then seeing the kids for the first time, the hugs, knowing they were safe.

School Closing Statement from Mitchell County Schools Superintendent, Chad Calhoun https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WMjDnzGP1nv_VcKYWjrGgbtK1k6Lw36B1xlFApVtROM/edit?usp=sharing

Mitchell County Schools will be on a 3 hour delay tomorrow, Thursday, December 5. Buildings will open at 8:30am.

Mitchell County Schools will have a remote learning day tomorrow, Wednesday, December 4, due to snow and ice covered roads in areas of the county. Students, please follow instructions given by your teacher for a remote learning day.

Hurricane Helene: This Is Our Story Story submission by Anthea Biddix, PreSchool Director for Mitchell County Schools On September 27th, I sat in my living room, eyes squeezed shut, fearing the windows would blow in. I watched waves of rain sweep across the mountain before us, listening to the sounds of snapping trees, praying none would fall on our house. At one point, our utility trailer was starting to be pulled away by raging water flowing down our property, so Justin and I rushed outside to move it before it slammed into the barn. After securing the trailer, we decided to walk down our driveway to see the extent of the damage and check on our neighbors. All we could say was, “It’s bad, so bad,” as we looked around at our property, driveway, and our neighbors’ places. There was water everywhere—raging, roaring water. I’ll never forget that sound. My husband and I had to shout just to hear each other over the noise. Our two ponds at the end of the driveway had turned into a torrent, sweeping everything in its path. We could hear rocks tumbling down the creek beds, and we watched in fear as water rushed under a neighbor's barn, certain it would give way any moment. Thankfully, our neighbors were safe, so we returned home to wait out the storm. Around 2:00 pm that afternoon, the rain finally slowed, and the wind began to calm. We cleared a path through my aunt and uncle’s yard with the side-by-side because there was no way any other vehicle could get through. We made it to the main road, trying to check on others, but couldn’t get far—there were trees down everywhere, and it would take heavy machinery to clear them. After the roads were passable, we went to the high school to help others. Honestly, the first few days are a blur. I remember grabbing flashlights from backpacks, checking the school for damage, and setting up a supply area in the cafeteria. Later, we moved donations to the new school, and from there, it was boots on the ground. For the first few days, it was disheartening because we didn’t see many people, and we wondered if others knew just how bad things were. Seeing familiar faces was overwhelming—we hadn’t heard from each other and couldn’t call or text. When we finally saw each other, we just hugged, grateful for their safety. Then support started flooding in: trailers, trucks, semis, carloads, and helicopter drops. People came from everywhere, some we’d never met. They’d drop off supplies and hug us, not knowing how much that hug meant. Soon after, the Virginia Task Force arrived, setting up outside the school. They praised this community’s strength, thanked us, and sought no recognition—they just wanted to help us rebuild. Supplies kept coming, sometimes until 10 or 11 at night, from New York, Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, Virginia, California, eastern North Carolina, and beyond. Troyer’s brought in hundreds of Mennonites and Amish volunteers from all over, and they were incredible. They thanked us for letting them serve, providing three meals daily and staying for three weeks to make sure people in our community were fed. One thing I will never forget is how God showed up. He provided everything we needed to care for everyone. He connected us with people we could call if we needed a camper for a family or if someone’s home or business needed cleaning out to start over. These people didn’t hesitate to help; campers came from all over, and support arrived from many states and all walks of life. While feeding the community, there were moments when we thought we’d run out of food, only to find six more trays in the oven or warmer. It was incredible. My family has been so blessed through all of this, and our children have had the chance to serve our community in ways they’ll remember for the rest of their lives. I know this won’t be “over” anytime soon, but I’ve never been more proud to say I’m from Mitchell County. This community came together like I’ve never seen before. #MountaineerStrong

Mitchell County Schools will have a remote learning day tomorrow, Tuesday, December 3. Snow has started to fall in areas of our county and is forecasted to continue throughout the night. Students, please follow instructions from your teacher for remote learning.

Mitchell County Schools will be have a remote learning day on Monday, December 2 due to snow in areas of our county last night. Students, please follow the instructions your teacher has given you for remote learning.