Dear Christ School community,
Over the last three days, Christ School has demonstrated the same grit and character that have defined us for 125 years. Our entire school community has come together. Alumni, faculty, staff, and parents from all over the world have gone to exceptional lengths to support and care for our students in a challenging time. The Long Green Line is enduring and strong.
In this natural disaster, there is much for which to be grateful. We are proud of the ways our boys responded to Hurricane Helene. From volunteering to wash dishes in Stolz to organizing field games on Fayssoux Field, Christ School’s brotherhood is unwavering. We are grateful for the incredible support and care our faculty, staff, and parents have shown our students and school.
I write to provide you with an update on Christ School’s operations. Campus remains without power and without water. Thanks to the tremendous generosity of the Brouse family, we now have Wi-Fi through a Skylink system in Stolz. By tonight, all of our boarding students will have safely left campus to reunite with their families or stay with other Christ School families.
Christ School will begin Fall Break early, effective Monday, September 30. Classes will resume on Tuesday, October 15, with boarding students returning at the scheduled time on Monday, October 14. We will work with local authorities to repair campus and regain our power, water, and internet infrastructure in the time we are closed.
Here are important things to note:
While teachers, students, coaches, advisors and dorm heads will be off for the break, our year-round staff will work as able within regional and campus infrastructure conditions.
There will be an AOD available every day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for questions or information. The AOD may be reached at (828) 242-8114.
Teachers will send enrichment packets to students over the break. They are not meant to be graded or urgent assignments as we know conditions will vary for everyone, including access to power and internet. We hope students will enjoy staying in touch with their teachers and classmates when possible.
We will, in the days ahead, consider ways Christ School will make up class time lost due to our extended Fall Break. We will share additional information on the school calendar as decisions are made. Athletic events and practices are suspended at this time. A makeup date for the Asheville School football game and other rescheduled games are not yet determined.
Our counselor, Dr. Lisa Garner P’24, is available by phone or Zoom throughout this extended break. Please reach out to Dr. Garner by e-mail (lgarner@christschool.org) or (828) 684-6232 (ext. 114) to schedule an appointment.
Mr. Hartwig and Mr. Cassarino led an Evensong service this evening for faculty and staff families who remain on campus. We prayed for all those in Western North Carolina and beyond affected by Hurricane Helene. We prayed for our Greenies: to stay safe, make good decisions, and enjoy this unusual and precious time. We will be together again as a school community to enjoy the rich experience of Christ School. May God bless and keep you, and may God bless and keep Christ School.
Sincerely,
Sean K. Jenkins
Head of School