Today, Aug. 15, the end of summer became real for the nearly 4,000 students of Asheville City Schools.

Busses fired up, maps were checked, lists consulted. Schedules at Asheville Middle and Asheville High were getting second and third looks. Book-bags of all descriptions, loads of supplies and new clothes were all on display. As the fog began to lift and time marched on, it was back to routine for most, back to the school year.

Most of the students claimed to be glad to be back in school, and the year-round staff said it made the buildings feel more normal.

As you can see from the diversity of photos — and we only scratched the surface of the complex system — there is a lot going on at Asheville City Schools. Our thanks to all those who make this system special.

With a last wave, this boy heads into Hall Fletcher Elementary.


Donnell Burch, a teaching assistant for fifth-grade at Vance Elementary, gets ready for the first bus trip of the year.


5-year old Julie and 2-year old Evan Diefenbach leave the ACS Play & Learn program at the Early Learning Center


4-month old Sanijay Holloway will start at the Early Learning Center this week


What is your baby's name, I asked, "just baby, she is plastic does she need a name?" she said.


Reading The Gingerbread Man


This young man was very serious about his construction equipment.


APD School Resource Officers Joe Jones and Jason Gall (near) get in their car to go to another school.


At William Randolph School, Eric Howard with one of the new mission statement posters proclaiming Pride, Respect, Expectations, and Perseverance (PREP)


A William Randolph student doing writing exercises.


Tasting mint from the Randolph garden. A small raised-bed plot there sports several varieties of herbs, peppers, tomatoes, potatoes and grapes.


Keeping glass clean at Asheville Middle School is a big job, and takes a lot of time


George Clinkscales washes out garbage cans at Vance.


AMS and AHS strings teacher Ruben Orengo prepares a cello for a student to use.


In the AMS media center, instructors and students work together to bring Cougar Time to the CCTV system.


Katie King looks over student paperwork in a workroom at AMS.


Darren Barkett, Vice Principal for 8th grade, fields phone calls from parents about bus transportation and sports teams.


Physical Education instructors Jeanne Brown and Scott Buchanan lay out expectations for their classes.