Plus, college students bridge political divides

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Liz Willen
When Hurricane Helene swept through McDowell County, North Carolina, in late September, it crushed homes and sent mud pouring through the halls of an elementary school. It also flooded the factory of Baxter International, a company that produces most of the nation’s intravenous fluid.

Almost immediately, the county school system stepped in ([link removed]) to become the only source of fuel for emergency vehicles and generators in the area, distributing thousands of gallons from its reserves. For weeks after the storm, its bus drivers transported Baxter employees to work.

And the school district managed to resume classes a little over a week later, providing child care for parents and routine for students in a community dealing with enormous destruction, Hechinger’s Ariel Gilreath reports.

From Kentucky, Hechinger’s Javeria Salman brings us another hopeful tale: This fall students from four universities in the state — a mix of secular, religious, urban and rural institutions — came together to discuss their differences ([link removed]) as part of a course on developing ways to communicate with people of different backgrounds. Salman shares participants’ experiences and notes how fragile gatherings like these are at a time of growing backlash against diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

Finally, our early childhood reporter Jackie Mader has an exhaustively reported look at how states are loosening their child care rules ([link removed]) to cut costs — and the safety risks that poses to kids.

Liz Willen, Editor

P.S. Our tiny staff reports deeply and widely to bring you these stories. As a nonprofit news outlet, we rely on our readers' generosity to keep running. Consider donating any amount ([link removed]) today.

Main Idea


** School buses came to the rescue for a hurricane-battered health company and the parents who work there ([link removed])
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McDowell County schools helped Baxter International at the same time it worked through its own recovery from Hurricane Helene
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Reading List


** The dark future of American child care ([link removed])
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States are loosening their child care rules to cut costs — in ways that could harm young children



** Native American students miss school at higher rates. It only got worse during the pandemic ([link removed])
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Many schools serving Native students have been working to build stronger connections with families, who often struggle with higher rates of illness and poverty



** ‘Why is the sky fuzzy?’: Climate change lessons need to start as early as preschool ([link removed])
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Young kids can learn to appreciate the natural world and to problem solve around climate change



** Facing legal threats, colleges back off race-based programs ([link removed])
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College programs designed to give students from underrepresented groups a foothold in careers are being reframed or disappearing



** OPINION: Our system steers most students toward attending college, but it is not realistic or even desirable for everyone ([link removed])
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Schools can and should do more to help students prepare for jobs that don’t require a college degree



** ‘I can tell you don’t agree with me’: Colleges teach kids how to hear differing opinions ([link removed])
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The work of a Kentucky program to bridge political, racial and religious divides feels both more urgent, and under threat, after a divisive presidential election



** These Native tribes are working with schools to boost attendance ([link removed])
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At Oklahoma’s Watonga High, efforts to reduce absenteeism include helping Native American students with school expenses and promoting conferences for tribal youth



** ¿Planeas ir a la universidad? Nuestras herramientas te pueden ayudar a elegir una escuela y planificar los costos ([link removed])
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Todo lo que necesitas saber para tomar una decisión universitaria informada

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