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According to a press release from the North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE), as the N.C. General Assembly convenes on Wednesday, educators are holding “Schools Stand Together” events at schools statewide, urging lawmakers to provide relief for educators and schools impacted by Hurricane Helene.
With entire communities dealing with the aftermath of Helene, 25 events will be held across North Carolina, asking educators to share video and photos online using the hashtag #SchoolsStandTogether to amplify calls for critical support where it is needed most.
NCAE is urging the legislature to act on five urgent needs, according to the press release:
1. Protect all public-school staff from pay and leave reductions for the duration of the crisis ensuring no educator suffers unnecessary financial hardship.
2. Provide calendar flexibility for impacted schools districts through the end of this school year, recognizing the immense disruption communities will face.
3. Ensure school districts are not penalized for student enrollment declines due to temporary relocations, safeguarding vital funding during this transition.
4. Meals for students in the Western counties hit by Helene so no child goes hungry while families work to rebuild their lives.
5. Rebuild safe and sturdy schools across the state.
“Public schools are the cornerstone of our community, evermore so when natural disaster strikes,” said NCAE President Tamika Walker Kelly. “We’re calling on lawmakers to pass legislation, as they have in the past, to support our teachers and public-school workers during this critical time. By taking quick action our state lawmakers can ease the burden on our educators, students, and families — many of whom may have lost everything,”
The events will be held at 7:45 a.m. on Oct. 9, 2024 at the following schools:
- Brunson Elementary, Winston-Salem
- Carver Elementary, Henderson
- Chatham Early College, Siler City
- Chatham Grove Elementary, Pittsboro
- Enloe High, Raleigh
- Fuquay-Varina Elementary, Fuquay-Varina
- Garinger High, Charlotte
- Hoggard High, Wilmington
- Hunters Creek Elementary, Jacksonville
- JC Tayloe Elementary, Washington
- Lowrance Middle, Winston-Salem
- Mount Tabor High, Winston-Salem
- Murray Middle, Wilmington
- North Davidson High, Lexington
- Northeast Guilford High, McLeansville
- Northwood High, Pittsboro
- Olympic High, Charlotte
- Perry Harrison Elementary, Pittsboro
- Phillip O. Berry Academy, Charlotte
- Princeville Elementary, Princeville
- Reedy Fork Area Elementary, Greensboro
- South Creek Middle, Robersonville
- South View High, Hope Mills
- Southern Lee High, Sanford
- White Oak High, Jacksonville
