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After weeks away from school, today, thousands of Western North Carolina students return to the classroom, the first time since Helene ripped through the region.

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A lot of people was real happy. They were crying from happy tears because they got to see their friends after a month.

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Power, Internet, and non-potable water were back up and running at all 45 schools in Bunkum County, one of the largest districts with more than 25,000 students and staff.

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It was a massive, massive undertaking. Then when we knew that they were safe, then we could start doing the of, Okay, what do they need?

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Administrators prioritized getting kids to school safely, creating new bus routes after bridges and roads washed away. We found parents like Jamie Canton dropping off his ninth grader.

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I'm just glad that the kids get back to some normalcy Hopefully, they don't experience too much trauma.

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Making sure mental health needs are met, Superintendent Dr. Rob Jackson says hundreds of counselors and social workers traveled in from across the state to help with the transition.

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The biggest Our focus for our school system is grace because we still have students who do not have power or do not have water. We have students who don't have Internet access at home still.

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The healing coming in all forms, even outside the classroom. Reengaging and getting back to the routine after so much loss.

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I think being back in school will definitely make everything feel a little bit more normal.

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Some of these disaster relief centers once located inside the schools have shifted operations outside The new normal as a recovery continues.

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Thanks for watching. Stay updated about breaking news and top stories on the NBC News app or follow us on social media.