NEWLAND, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) – Students returned to school in Avery County, six weeks after Helene caused catastrophic flooding. The first day back was important to their education, but some say it is just as important to their psyche. “It’s better than just sitting home all day,” said Colt Austin, a 9th grader at Avery High who’s happy to be here. “I mean just getting back with all my friends and stuff.” His mom Julie Austin believes the kids are ready after a time that has tested the county’s togetherness. “It’s been emotional,” she told Queen City News. “Seen a lot, and I think it grew everyone closer in a lot of ways.” On Wednesday, the simple sounds of school were a meaningful step. From the sound of buses rolling to Avery High principal Jennifer O’Briant’s morning announcements that signaled the comeback of a much-needed routine. Avery County HS principal Jennifer O'Briant Avery County HS principal Jennifer O'Briant “We are here for you all, we want you to feel safe, we want you to feel welcome,” she announced using a front office microphone. “And Happy Birthday to all of our students who had birthdays in October, we weren’t able to recognize your birthday,” she told the student body. “Our main message is we are here for them,” O’Briant said. “We are here to support; we are here to help them any way we can. It’s not just about instruction but it’s about their emotional well-being.” O’Briant is keenly aware of her role moving forward. “It’s not just about instruction, but it’s also about their emotional well-being. We have students who have gone through great tragedies,” she says. Counselors are available to any student who needs someone to talk to. Bus driver Tony Luther is happy to see the kids again. “They just need to be back out and let people know that everything’s going to be okay, and that the world’s not going to come to an end,” said Luther. “Everything’s gonna be okay,” is a comforting refrain. After so much heartache and loss, they’re four words this close community needs to hear. “One of the positive things that I would say has come out of the storm, I believe that a lot of our students have a heart for giving back and helping others,” says O’Briant. “We want our students to have a normal high school experience,” she said. “I think we all learned from Covid, the ups and downs of that were difficult. One of our main goals is to not only make sure our students are, but to also return to normalcy from them.” “Let’s make it a terrific day at Avery High School,” she says, concluding the morning announcements over the campus loudspeaker. “Have a wonderful day.”