Asheville Community Pitches In To Reunite Teacher With Family In Philippines

When Anabelle Marasigan followed her dream to be a special education teacher in the U.S., she had to leave behind her husband and four-year-old daughter in the Philippines. According to WLOS, her fellow teachers at Ira B. Jones Elementary School in Asheville, North Carolina, soon learned about Marasigan being separated from her family and were moved to help her.

What a Christmas Hallmark movie plot! This one is for sure a feel good story you need in your life!

Kindergarten teacher Dina Wilson, along with other staff members, started a fundraising effort to help Marasigan’s family's move to the United States. A few months later, they’d raised enough to pay for the move and after a 24-hour journey, Marasigan’s husband and daughter arrived in Asheville. The teacher expressed her joy and disbelief at being able to finally reunite with her family.

Now back together, Marasigan’s family plans to stay in Asheville for at least three years. They’re excited about exploring the city and meeting the community members who supported their reunion. The teacher feels fortunate for the opportunity to be with her family in Asheville, and is grateful for the community's help in making it possible.

Yesterday 8 North Carolina schools were named National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education. According to the Department of Education, "the recognition is based on a school's overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student groups on assessments. These schools demonstrate what is possible to make an enduring, positive difference in students' lives." A total of 353 schools nationwide received this distinction, this included 313 public schools and 40 private schools. Each of the 8 North Carolina schools recognized was a public school.

The award-winning schools will be formally recognized at an awards ceremony on November 16 and 17, 2023 in Washington, DC. This is the 40th year the Department of Education has selected the National Blue Ribbon Schools. According to the department the criteria for public schools are as follows:

Performance Award Criteria for Public Schools: In order to be eligible for nomination, a school must meet several criteria based on the performance of its students on state assessments in reading (or English language arts) and mathematics or a composite of performance on these assessments with other measures of student performance (e.g., student growth on state assessments, performance on state assessments in other subjects, graduation rates, or other indicators in the state’s accountability system).

You can read more about the eligibility requirements here. Congratulations to each of these eight North Carolina Schools that received the National Blue Ribbon Schools recognition. They represent elementary, middle, and high schools across the state. In fact, there are 7 different school districts represented with the remaining school being a charter school. Keep reading to see and learn a little more about each of these schools. Congratulations and thank you to the teachers and staff of these schools for giving your best to the children of North Carolina!

Location: 5337 Highway 264 East, Washington, NC

District: Beaufort County Schools

Public

Beaufort County Early College High School exists in coordination with Beaufort County Community College where students can earn college credits while in high school. It's one of only two high schools that made this list.

Location: 1355 Charlotte Highway, Fairview, NC

District: Buncombe County Schools

Public

There are actually several Fairview Elementary Schools in Charlotte. This one though is in Buncombe County and has approximately 660 students in Kindergarten through Fifth grade.

Location: 4049 Battleground Avenue, Greensboro

District: n/a

Public

Greensboro Academy is a charter school in Greensboro. Charter Schools offer a private school quality eduction but for free. Students simply have to apply for admission which is available to any student in NC. Greensboro Academy serves grades K-8.

Location: 70 Sanders Road, Wilmington

District: New Hanover County Schools

Public

Known as Bellamy Elementary School, this award-winning school serves students in grades 1-5 in Wilmington, NC.

Location: 1600 N Morris Street, Gastonia

District: Gaston County Schools

Public

Our second and last high school on this list, is Highland School of Technology in Gastonia. Highland is the first magnet high school in this district. Students complete courses in one of three academies: Health Sciences; Business, Legal, and Information Sciences; and Manufacturing/Engineering Technology and Graphics. 

Location: 5925 Ballantyne Commons Parkway, Charlotte, NC

District: Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools

Public

Jay M Robinson is a 6-8th grade middle school in the Ballantyne area of Charlotte. It's home to the Chargers!

Location: 6260 E Blalock Road, Lucama NC

District: Wilson County Schools

Public

Lucama serves students in Wilson County in grades K-5. They state the school's purpose is to develop each student to their fullest potential.

Location: 1885 Odell School Road, Concord, NC

District: Cabarrus County Schools

Public

Odell Elementary is a grades 3-5 elementary school in Concord, NC.