<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0WO6Zb_0vjdcpF500" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0WO6Zb_0vjdcpF500" width="1200" height="768" ><figcaption>Asheville's 828NewsNOW 828newsNOW school districts in Haywood, Swain and Graham counties announced closures because of the storm.</figcaption></figure>ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — With Hurricane Helene barreling toward the Florida coast, school officials in Western North Carolina are taking no chances on what may come this way.On Wednesday afternoon, school districts in Buncombe, Haywood, Swain and Graham counties announced closures because of the storm, which is expected to dump several inches of rain in the area. Buncombe County Schools will be closed Thursday and Friday. Both days will be optional optional teacher workdays. Haywood County Schools officials said Thursday and Friday will be remote learning days. Asheville City Schools has made Thursday and Friday optional workdays in order to ensure the safety of students and staff. Swain County officials said schools will be closed for students on Thursday and Friday. Thursday will be a teacher workday and Friday will be annual leave, a statement from district officials said.Graham County Schools is implementing a safety plan, district officials said in a statement. Thursday and Friday will be remote learning days. Students should not report to campus. “Given the potential for strong winds and power outages, assignments will not require heavy use of Chromebooks,” the statement said. </div></body>

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School closures announced ahead of storm

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — With Hurricane Helene barreling toward the Florida coast, school officials in Western North Carolina are taking no chances on what may come this way. On Wednesday afternoon, school districts in Buncombe, Haywood, Swain and Graham counties announced closures because of the storm, which is expected...