ERWIN, Tenn. — Director of Schools John English reported a smooth first week back for students in Unicoi County, emphasizing the much-needed return to normalcy.
"It's the most normal I've felt in over a month," English said. "Just having kids back in the buildings, the energy they bring—it's been a really, really great three days."
The transition to temporary classrooms has also gone well, with students from Temple Hill Elementary School relocating to the middle school. So far, English has not encountered any major issues.
"It was a super smooth transition," he noted. "I haven't had the first conversation yet with a parent or staff member who wasn't happy with things."
While it has been a month since the floods, English stated that students have returned sooner than expected.
"The day of the flood, I honestly thought we might not make it back until Thanksgiving, or even Christmas. So, to be here by October 28th… I couldn't be prouder of everyone who helped."
However, challenges remain. English explained that teachers are now focusing on addressing lost instructional time, particularly at the high school level, where every semester is critical.
"Teachers are condensing lessons. If a unit used to take seven days, now it's four or five," he said.
With winter approaching, English expressed hopes that in-person learning can continue throughout the season.
"In-person learning is our priority. We'll keep an eye on snow days and, if we need to, make adjustments later on. But right now, we're crossing our fingers for a mild winter."