Schools in McDowell County closing in on return to normalcy

Yahoo

27-03-2025

WELCH, WV (WVNS) – McDowell County Schools are about to be one step closer to a return to normalcy.
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When students originally returned to school after the February flooding, school schedules and bus schedules were delayed by an hour each day to accommodate the time change and less lighting early in the morning.
Amanda Peyton is the assistant superintendent of McDowell County Schools.
Peyton told 59News beginning March 31, all schools and buses will go back to normal schedules throughout the county.
'Some families have had to get child care. If an elementary school did not open until 9:15 a.m. and families had to be at work at 8:00 a.m., then they were having to try to get child care. We are very cognizant of that. We know that it has been hard for families but we knew safety was the most important [thing]. We are getting back a minute of day like every morning. So we just come together to decide we are still in a good place. Road conditions are improving and we add back stops and bus rides every day as those are being approved,' said Peyton.
Peyton told 59News they are also doing what they can to help students with their mental and emotional health.
'The research shows us that when students can have that normalcy and that routine, that it really helps with their mental health and their emotional health. and Students are resilient anyways,' added Peyton. 'Our counselors and our Communities in Schools facilitators, they have care closets in every school. So, what a care closet is – is I can come to you and say that I need toothbrushes, toothpaste, shoes, or I need some extra food. Our facilitators help with those requests if they do not have what they need at their school, then they are contacting the board.'
McDowell County Schools received a generous donation that is helping them purchase items for students who might need some help after the events of the flood. Peyton said every donation they have gotten goes straight back to assisting their students.
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'We have less than five students that are having to have virtual learning and some of those are logging in live and watching their classroom teachers teach. So we are really proud of families for putting children first and making sure they are back in school,' said Peyton.
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