There are a lot of factors that attract people to western North Carolina. People move to Waynesville and surrounding areas for the excellent housing market, the beautiful mountains, the wonderful people, an abundance of career options, and a variety of incredible restaurants. Additionally, western North Carolina residents enjoy some of the best weather in North Carolina. The summer offers warmer weather, but it is not nearly as hot as other parts of the state. Spring and fall bring mild, cooler temperatures that allow for a spectacular display of changing colors and pleasant weather for various outdoor activities. Temperatures through the winter are relatively comfortable compared to other high elevation cities; however, it is by far the coldest season. Millions of tourists visit the area for these very reasons. For parents of students in Haywood County, options are abundant for activities to do together as a family.
Parents, students, and teachers alike have been looking forward to the holiday season this year. For people in Haywood County, and throughout Western North Carolina, it has been a difficult and challenging year. From the sudden ending of the school year in spring to navigating remote learning to working from home and ever-changing schedules, parents are looking forward to a break and a chance to recharge. Students have had all of the typical challenges of academic education, while also navigating life during a pandemic. While our school has been blessed to be able to open for in-person learning throughout the fall semester, we still recognize that there have been additional and unexpected stress and anxiety for our students.
While this has been a dark time for many, the story of Advent demonstrates that the light is the brightest when things seem darkest. As we enter the Advent season, parents have an opportunity to remind their children and students of the story of Christ and the Gospel.
It is hard to believe we are finally nearing the holiday season. This has been a difficult and challenging year for students, parents, and educators in Haywood County. We have faced challenges we never anticipated and are still trying to figure out how to make school, working remotely, family time, church, and every function of society work safely.
Whether they are in private or public institutions, teachers and administrators are working hard to ensure the best and safest possible environments for their schools. Nevertheless, it has been challenging to get students into a routine. And now, especially for public school students, just as soon as routines have been established they are going to be tested with the holidays.
It has been a strange start, to say the least, for many students returning to school in Haywood County. Even those who have returned to campus have experienced unusual circumstances like athletes who are competing without fans in the stands and socially distanced lunchrooms. While this has certainly been a very unusual junior year for your teenager that does not change the fact that they are entering one of the busiest and most important periods of high school. Juniors are scrambling to complete rigorous academic work, take SATs, fill out college applications, and participate in all the extra-curricular activities they can.