Dates of Note

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December 12th - Finance Committee
December 13th - Community Builders Gathering
December 18th - Winter Showcase Grades 5-8

December 19th - Winter Showcase Grades K-4
December 19th - Board Meeting
December 23rd- January 6th - Winter Break

Keep scrolling after the Director’s Letter, there’s more below!

Happy December, Evergreen families!

I don’t know about you, but I still feel like I’m in a bit of a time warp that started with the hurricane and is still lingering as we roll into the holiday season. I hope you all are finding ways to feel more settled and recovering some - I know that there are so many various levels of recovery needed across the area.

I want to send out a thank you to Lake Norman Charter School, whose students created “Brightness Bags” for our students and staff and delivered them to us last week. We were able to give each student and staff member a gift bag complete with a sweet handwritten note from one of their students. It was a great reminder that we are cared for!

Reminder as the weather changes: We do not automatically follow other schools’ calls for closings/delays. We make our own decisions but will send out a text and email and post on WLOS and our website when we delay or close school. Use your best judgment - if we are open and your roads are not safe to drive on, your child’s absence will be excused

We are looking forward to seeing you and celebrating student learning next week at our Winter Showcases on Dec. 18th and 19th. Students have been working hard since returning to school and are excited to share with you all before we wrap up for break.

Happy holidays to each of you - I hope you enjoy your winter break and all have time to refresh and spend time with family and friends before we return in 2025!

Take care of yourselves and each other!

We need GrandFriend Email Addresses!

With Grandfriends Day rescheduled for Valentines Day, we will need to get invites out just after the holidays, if you did not do so the first go-round, please include your guests’ info in the form linked below!

Invite My Grandfriend!

TOMORROW: Community Builders Gathering

Please join the Community Builders for Holiday Card Crafting!

Together we’ll make cards to be delivered to community elders in assisted living. We will provide hot chocolate, light snacks, and craft supplies! Everyone is welcome.

Friday, December 13, 4-6pm

East Asheville Library: Meeting room AB

We loved seeing so many of you at RAD Brewing this month. If you'd like to give us feedback or tell us what type of events you'd like to see, please fill out this short survey.

Join our Whatsapp group to get gathering invites and reminders, and connect with other Evergreen families through this QR Code.

Winter Showcase

You are invited into the classroom on December 18th and 19th, to celebrate achievements, view student work, and connect with your school community ahead of the winter break. These events will fold Fall Family Nights into our abbreviated fall/winter schedule, so that our students can still showcase the projects they have been working so hard on.

December 18th - 1:30pm - 5th-8th Grades
December 19th - 1:00pm - K-4th Grades

Look for more specific information, and ways to get involved in classroom newsletters.

We know that these daytime hours are not ideal for many parents. We apologize for the lack of evening options. If you cannot make it, consider sending a grandparent, friend, or neighbor in your stead.

On December 19th- The K-4 event will be combined with the Annual K-4 Winter Concert and will begin in the gym at 1pm.

We hope to see you on campus for these important Celebrations of Learning!

Sweet Gestures: Honey for the Holidays

We have Wildflower and Sourwood Honey from local apiary Haw Creek Honey for sale!

While you are here for the Winter Showcase, stop by the main office to buy honey for your family and friends.

Jars range in price from $7 - 22 and come in many sizes.

Calling all book lovers!

Reading Clubs and challenges for grades 3-5!

Based on student and family interest, we are planning to offer two reading extracurriculars for our upper elementary students in the new year. Our goal is to foster a love of reading and to create excitement around good books. Readers of all levels are welcome!
Third, fourth, and fifth grade students will have the option of attending "Book of the Month" meetups, which are intended to be flexible and casual times to come together after reading a common book. Fourth and fifth graders will have the additional option of participating in Battle of the Books--a higher commitment offering for those who are ready to take their reading to a competitive level! Flyers, permission slips, and additional information will be available around the school and at our Winter Showcase. Want to make sure you don't miss any details? Be sure to complete the Google Form in the embedded newsletter so that you can be added to our distribution list!

ATTN: MIDDLE SCHOOL

North Asheville Junior League is looking for middle school athletes (age 13-15) who want to develop their baseball skills.

Registration for the Spring 2025 Season is LIVE! Register at this link: https://tshq.bluesombrero.com/northashevillelittleleague

LAST CALL!
Love Capture the Hoops? Loathe Capture the Hoops? Want to do a dance-a-thon instead? Miss the Trail Run? Have your own ideas for a fun fundraiser? Make your voice heard!

ATTN MIDDLE SCHOOL
Love Capture the Hoops? Loathe Capture the Hoops? Want to do a dance-a-thon instead? Miss the Trail Run? Have your own ideas for a fun fundraiser? Make your voice heard!
Click the button to let us know what you would like to see this Spring!

Spring Fundraiser Survey

Like, Follow, Comment, Share

You can help be a fundraiser simply by boosting our signal! Follow us on Social Media. Like/Love/Wow our posts. Comment on posts. Share posts: in groups, on your page, in group texts with family. You may even see a familiar face in the posts!

Don’t use Social Media?

You can also ask folks to:
TEXT: WEARECREW to 53-555
or
Visit us on our website:
www.evergreenCCS.org/give

The Power of Giving: A Lesson in Resilience and Compassion

This year I am finding myself in deep reflection about what the holiday season truly means, and I would be willing to bet I’m not alone in this, especially as our community continues to recover from the impact of Hurricane Helene. During times of grief and uncertainty, it can be difficult to feel celebratory, but there is one gift that can bring light in even the darkest of times: the gift of giving.

Don’t forget our collection of family fundraiser links as you plan your holiday giving.

Research shows that acts of kindness and giving—whether through time, attention, or resources—are not only good for others but also benefit our own mental and physical health. Giving has been shown to reduce stress, increase feelings of connection, and even improve overall well-being. In a season when many of us are grieving what we've lost, it can be incredibly healing to focus on how we can bring hope and comfort to others, whether through a simple gesture or a more meaningful act of service.

This is an opportunity to model for our children the true spirit of the holiday season: not centered around gifts we can buy, but around gifts we can give with our hearts. It’s also a chance to show them that kindness doesn’t always require money. As parents, we may be facing the reality that this year’s holidays won’t look like they usually do, and that’s okay. Give yourself grace if things feel a bit different than expected—what matters most is the love and connection we share with those around us.

From the Desk of:

Annie Mast
NCC, LCMHC
(828) 298 2173 x1312

SCOOP Form

Name

First Name

Last Name

Subject

Message

Here are a few meaningful ways that families can give during the holiday season:

Volunteer Together: Many local organizations and shelters are in need of volunteers, especially around the holidays. Whether it's helping to pack food for those in need, delivering meals, or spending time at a senior center, giving your time can have a powerful impact on both the recipients and your own family. Hands On Asheville is a great place to start when looking for volunteer opportunities.

Acts of Kindness: Encourage your children to think of small, simple ways to give that don’t require money. Maybe it’s helping a neighbor with their yard work or providing a meal, offering to watch a friend’s children for a few hours, helping with errands, or writing cards to healthcare workers, first responders, delivery drivers, or other important community members. Even a smile or kind word can make a huge difference. There are some great ideas for spreading kindness on this 24 Acts of Kindness in December Calendar

Create Handmade Gifts: Whether it’s baking cookies, crafting a thoughtful card, or making holiday crafts & decorations, or crafting a thoughtful card, homemade gifts and holiday crafts can be a powerful reminder that the most meaningful gifts come from the heart, not the wallet.

Support Local Nonprofits: Many local nonprofits are doing amazing work in the community. Consider donating items like clothing or toys, or helping to organize a drive. It’s a great way to involve your children in giving back to those who are facing hardship.

This holiday season, let’s focus on the gifts that really matter—connection, kindness, and shared experiences. Remember, you don’t have to do everything “perfectly.” What matters most is the love you share and the example you set for your children. Take care of yourselves, and know that even the smallest act of giving can create endless ripples of hope and joy.

Here’s an opportunity! Support our Local Library! 
Are any of these books on your shelves?

Having a log accounting our community’s significant investment in our collective success helps us when we are applying for grants from other funding sources. Other funding sources = less need for monetary donations from families.
You can account for hours as you go, or collectively for a week, or month, or more!

VOLUNTEER LOG

Click here to become the our Staff’s Thursday Hero. And remember to log your hours! <3

Shine On, Shine On!

Ms. Mindy’s former school, Williams Montessori sent care packages and made paper cranes and a large poster full of encouragement for students.

After breaking the chart for number of water bottles left behind on Tuesday and Wednesday, Rachel and Sarah’s class have redeemed themselves on Wednesday! Let’s hear it for reusable water bottles and personal responsibility!

Connect With Free Resources for Families

BunCOmbe Public Library Events

Market Calendar

Buncombe County
Public Library

Buncombe County Library has such a rich calendar of free events for the community! Lego Clubs, Ukelele Lessons, Intro to Mindfulness, Book Clubs, Festivals, Watercolor Painting, Clothing Swaps, D&D!

Come find your community (and a good book) at the library!

Don’t forget to check out ZOOM Passes, your free ticket to local attractions.

Bounty & Soul Market

“We know our farmers and they know us. We honor their work as sacred.

Knowledge is power and communities are wise. Communities have the resources to care for each other.

Together we create a just and equitable food and health system.”

Use the button above to check out to find a pop-up market near you.

R4Resilience Offerings

Resources for Resilience

Resources for Resilience shares practical tools and research-based resources that people of all ages can use to manage stress and find compassion and connection. Our trainings and professional development workshops help participants work together to prevent future adversity and create healthier, more resilient communities.

Click the button above to learn more about their workshops, trainings, and listening circles.