ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Three weeks after schools were forced to close due to the destruction from Hurricane Helene, Buncombe County Schools plan to come back strong.

Buncombe County Schools announced a back-to-school agenda today, Friday, Oct. 18.

“This morning, our Board of Education approved a reopening plan for Buncombe County Schools,” BCS Chief Communications Officer Ken Ulmer said in a press release. “Wednesday, Oct. 23 and Thursday, Oct. 24 will be Return to Work days for teachers and staff, including bus drivers, TSAs, and nutrition team members. The first student day will be Friday, Oct. 25.”

Student schedules will operate on a two-hour delay schedule from Oct. 25 to Nov. 1.

This means Halloween, Oct. 31, has been changed from an early dismissal to a two-hour delay.

Another change to the academic calendar is that the first semester now extends to Jan. 24, 2025.

For students that rely on riding the bus to get to school, new bus routes are being drawn around Helene’s infrastructural damage to ensure students will arrive safely. Information about the new routes will be administered by schools early next week.

“The two-hour delay schedule will allow our bus drivers to get accustomed to these new routes after sunrise,” Ulmer said in the release.

Each of the schools in the county has had their utilities restored in preparation for staff and students to return.

“Non potable water service, power and internet are restored to all 45 schools,” Ulmer said. “We have started delivering drinking water for staff and students to all schools. Maintenance crews are finishing repair and restoration work, and Technology teams are reconnecting security and communication systems.”

Ulmer also extended gratitude to families for keeping the community together in the absence of open schools and the wake of Helene.

“As our area continues to recover, our hearts remain with you, our students, and our community, who have suffered loss,” Ulmer said. “Although all families have been affected in some way, so many have been helping across the area. Thank you for volunteering and serving our community.”

Ulmer encouraged families with further questions or concerns to reach out to their school principals for more information.