Return to Learn
For our latest COVID-19 school updates, visit ReturnToLearn.BuncombeSchools.org.
Stay informed: Your BCS Notification Options
We're committed to bringing our community members the information they need, when they need it! In the event that school must be delayed or closed due to severe weather or an emergency situation, we rely on multiple outlets to give our families options. See below for the most current ways to stay informed.
Closing & Delay Information
Adverse weather conditions or other emergencies may require that schools be closed, delayed, or dismissed early. If announcements are not made via the channels below, buses will run routes on a regular schedule and schools will open at their normal times. Due to isolated inclement weather situations, BCS may also modify the schedule of schools according to their assigned district (Enka, Erwin, North Buncombe, Owen, Reynolds, or Roberson).
Learn more about the winter weather decision-making process, as well as the
2020-21 Weather Memo (November, 2020) regarding weather decisions during this unique season.
Help! Which District Am I In?
Learn more about assigned districts within Buncombe County Schools and weather instructions for specialty schools. This information is also located next to each school in our
school directory.
1-Hour Delay: School buses will pick up students one hour later than usual.
2- Hour Delay: School opening/bus routes will be delayed for two hours.
1-Hour Early Dismissal: All bus routes operate one hour earlier than the normal time.
2- Hour Early Dismissal: All bus routes operate two hours earlier than the normal time.
THE BCS MOBILE APP
Our mobile app is the best way to receive emergency and weather-related notifications about your school. On your iOS or Android device, simply download our official Buncombe County Schools app, enabling "push notifications." There is no login or password to remember and you can subscribe to each of your schools. These push notifications are only used for emergency and weather-related information.
BUNCOMBESCHOOLS.ORG
To find or verify a school weather/safety decision, visit our district website at
BuncombeSchools.org and look for the alert window to appear at the top of the page. (When minimized, an alert button is shown in the lower right.)
SOCIAL MEDIA
Like/Follow @BuncombeSchools on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
WEATHER/SAFETY HOTLINE
For the latest weather information, call our Weather Hotline at 828-255-5939 (English) or 828-255-5948 (Spanish).
LOCAL MEDIA
Stay tuned to local news, newspapers, and radio broadcasts for BCS weather and safety information. The following media outlets have expressed their commitment to keeping school families informed:
•
WLOS-TV (ABC 13) - wlos.com
•
WSPA-TV (7NEWS CBS) - wspa.com
•
Asheville Citizen-Times - citizen-times.com
•
News Radio 570 AM (WWNC) - wwnc.com
•
1310 AM / 9710 AM, WISE Sports Radio (WISE-AM) - wisesportsradio.com
•
ESPN Asheville 880 AM / 92.9 FM (WPEK) - espnavl.com
•
MIX 96.5 FM (WOXL-FM) - mymix965.com
•
Pure Oldies 97.3 FM (WOXL-HD3) - pureoldies973.com
•
97.7 FM The Brew (WKSF-HD2) - 977thebrew.com
•
98.1 FM, The River (WOXL-HD2) - 981theriver.com
•
99.9 FM Kiss Country (WKSF) - 99kisscountry.com
•
Alt 101.1FM (WQNQ) - altavl.com
•
Star 104.3 FM (WQNQ) - star1043.com
•
Rock 105.1 FM (WQNS) - 1051rocks.com
•
105.9 FM, The Mountain (WTMT-FM) - 1059themountain.com
Do you represent a local news/broadcast entity? We'd like to know that you are committed to helping us keep the public informed. Please email
communications@bcsemail.org and let us know your intentions.
PHONE & EMAIL
Under some circumstances, we may need to send you emails or recorded calls. This is based on the contact information you have provided to your schools. To ensure delivery of such messages, please keep your contact information up-to-date in the
Parent Portal, or call your school for assistance.
Custom Notifications may be set up from within the PowerSchool Parent Portal. (BCS staff may also update their contact info and learn about custom notifications at
buncombeschools.org/change.)
CHILD CARE RESOURCES
The following resources pertain to child care needs during inclement weather:
1) The
YMCA School’s Out Program for inclement weather is offered at five sites across Buncombe County: Hominy Valley Elementary (Enka District), Charles T. Koontz Intermediate (Roberson District), Haw Creek Elementary (Reynolds District), Black Mountain Elementary (Owen District), and the YMCA Youth Services Center (North Buncombe/Erwin Districts and Asheville City Schools; Beaverdam location). If you wish to use this resource, the YCMA asks parents to
register online prior to the day of closure. (Choose your School’s Out Site and register under School’s Out Program.) The daily fee is $40 per child. Please contact the YMCA Business Center for any questions at 828-251-5910. Program opening times will be posted on WLOS-TV.
2) The
Zaniac School Closure Day Camp is available to kindergarten through eighth grade students for half and full day programs during inclement weather, early dismissal days, teacher work days, and many scheduled breaks. Visit the
Zaniac website for more information or call 828-575-0355.
3) Inclement weather care ("Snow Care") is offered by the
City of Asheville Parks & Recreation during weather-related school closures at the Tempie Avery Montford Center (34 Pearson Drive, Asheville, NC 28801). The service is open to kindergarten students through fifth-graders from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. for only $5. Students should bring a lunch, snack, and water bottle. See WLOS or the
Parks & Recreation Facebook page for scheduling changes. First-time participants are encouraged to call 828.253.3714 before arrival.
Does your community organization offer child care and activities during inclement weather? Send details to
communications@bcsemail.org.