1000 x 90

Avery County Schools News For The Week

Flag at Schhol Gym

Jan. 28, 2013. Avery County Schools new for the week…

Avery County Schools to Host a Safe Schools Summit in March

Avery County Schools will host a two day Safe Schools Summit on March 14 and 15 with guest Michael Dorn,  an international authority on school safety.  Mr. Dorn will address the topic of school safety with power, passion, and conviction. He serves as the Executive Director of Safe Havens International, Inc., a global non-profit school safety center.  During his 25 year career in public safety he has worked as a School District Police Chief, School Safety Specialist for the Georgia Emergency Management Agency-Office of the Governor, Lead Program Manager of the Terrorism Division of the Georgia Office Homeland Security and Senior Analyst for School Safety and Emergency Management.  He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and has received extensive anti-terrorism training in the United States and in Israel.  Having authored and co-authored 26 books on school safety, Mr. Dorn’s work has taken him to Central America, Mexico, Canada, Europe, Asia, South Africa, and the Middle East.  

Day one of the Safe Schools Summit, will target school leaders, law enforcement, school resource officers, emergency medical specialist, firemen, and others that are involved in keeping our children safe.  Training for these specific groups will take place in the Avery High School Mini Theater and is free to all Avery County participants. Please register by March 8 if you plan to attend. Contact Leslie Laws at 828.733.6006 or  leslielaws@averyschools.net

Morning sessions will begin at 8:30 am until 12 noon and will consist of the following presentations: 

School Safety Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow 

This dynamic, informative session will help dispel many of the school safety myths that dominate the American media and popular perception of school staff, students and parents.  Attendees will hear a brief historical overview of major school safety incidents starting with the nation’s first mass casualty attack at a school in 1764 followed by tangible and practical real world action steps to make school a safer place where children can learn more effectively. This session will demonstrate that problems with safety, discipline and order directly affect test scores.  

Weakfish – Bullying Through the Eyes of a Child.

This powerful and thought provoking presentation uses the case study of a real child who was chronically bullied in school. This presentation will also examine the critical role that educators, mental health professionals, law enforcement officers and others play as role models for children who face extreme challenges. 

The afternoon session will begin at 1:15 pm. until 4:15 pm., and is especially for school leaders and anyone who might respond to a school emergency. 


Permission to Live – Making Schools Safer Through Planning, Preparedness and Empowerment

This highly interactive session will utilize a series of realistic school crisis scenarios depicting a wide range of different types of school crisis scenarios.  This session will focus on research-based and assessment-based approaches as well as on forensic evaluations of a number of school crisis events by the presenter.

The community is invited to attend an open session昀 or School Safety at the Avery High School Gym beginning at 6 pm.  Mr. Dorn will provide proactive ways that parents, students and the community as a whole can join together to keep our schools safe.

Day Two of the Safe Schools Summit will be focus on each individual school in Avery County.  Each school will be evaluated to provide feedback and suggestions on how to make our schools as safe as possible. During this time, training will take place for school personnel targeting those concerns for school safety.  “One of the most important issues we deal with on a daily basis is the safety and well being of our students and staff.  After the recent acts of violence in many schools around our country, the issue of school safety remains on everyone’s mind.  We do take school safety very seriously and work diligently to make our schools as safe as possible.”  state Mr. Burleson.   


Avery High School coaches joined the Coaches vs. Cancer American Cancer Society campaign to make a difference and fight against cancer last Friday night during the Viking basketball games.    This nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) empowers coaches, teams and local communities to make a difference in the fight against cancer and to raise awareness for the importance of cancer prevention, early detection, and making healthy lifestyle choices. 


Avery Schools Know It Calendar Events

9th-11th Grade Parent Night Thursday, January 31@ 5:30- to explain registration and make appointments to review courses selected by student: (There are no high school  athletic events scheduled for this day)
(Snow make up date: Thursday February 7 at 5:30)

Senior Night – Monday, February 4, Two sessions starting at 5 pm and 6:15pm. Parents and students only need to attend one. Student services will discuss details involving graduation and finishing our seniors’ final semester as well as the local scholarship process and financial aid for college.

February 7th McArt Night at McDonald’s, Tynecastle, Banner Elk from 5 to 8 pm. Enjoy a student art gallery, art demonstrations, free face painting and great food!   Proceeds will go to supportive the Avery Highs School art department. 


February is “Love Your Bus Driver Month”

Attention all bus drivers!!


February 1 ACS Science Fair at Avery High School, 9:30 am

February 5 Pink Night for breast cancer awareness Viking basketball vs. Madison, games 4 pm

Fans are invited to donate or match a game for the night! 

February 8 ACS 2013 Spelling Bee-WECR Radio Station- 9 am

February 12 Board of Education monthly meeting, 5:30 Commissioner’s Meeting Room

February 18 Regular school day-make-up day from October 31

March 8 Regular school day-make-up day from January 18

March 18 EC Parent and Community Information Night-6 pm


2013 Kindergarten Registrations: 8:30 am

April 4 NES
April 9 BES
April 11 CES
April 16 FTES
April 17 RES


 The 2011-12 Avery Schools Be in the Know Annual Report is available.  The report contains information about our school district from every department including finance, testing/ accountability, programs, services and highlights from each school.  To view the Annual Report visit www.averyschools.net