As you may know, a number of towns in the southern and western areas of Valencia experienced historical weather conditions or DANA (a Spanish acronym for depresión aislada en niveles altos, meaning upper-level isolated atmospheric depression). This extreme weather was the cause of massive floods on Tuesday evening in a few districts, or pedanias, in Valencia and towns like Torrent, Paiporta, Picanya Alfafar and Sedaví. The latest official reports indicate there are 155 storm-related deaths, 3,500 people who were rescued, 5,000 cars trapped in the roads and highways, and countless other property and material damages. Sadly, these numbers may escalate as local and civil authorities continue to uncover the devastation caused by this DANA.
While the DANA had a moderate impact in Puçol and the school, the loss of life, home, and a lifetime of personal possessions and memories is heartbreaking. Some ASV families and faculty-staff have been more intensely impacted, and we are mindful of their challenges and suffering.
Impact on ASV Activities
Since Tuesday, the ASV staff has been monitoring the situation and official information sources of the Generalitat Valenciana, the Valencian Emergency Agency, and the Conselleria d’Educació. Based on all of these sources, ASV classes and activities were canceled on Wednesday and Thursday, October 30-31, 2024.
Many other schools, as well as public and private universities, canceled classes and activities while essential services for daily mobility (such as school transportation, regular road transit, RENFE and MetroValencia) were unable to operate normally.
ASV empathizes with the enormity of this situation and the disruption in the daily lives of our fellow families and citizens. ASV has focused on and prioritized the safety and security of the school community, as well as compliance with the official requirements and requests in this extraordinary situation.
The magnitude of the DANA has had a major impact on the Valencian Community, Spain, as well as those connected to the region from abroad. The Spanish Government and the Generalitat Valenciana have established three days of official mourning on October 31, November 1 and 2, 2024, and many towns, like Puçol and other institutions, have followed this decision.
It has also been heartening to receive the thoughtful well-wishes of current and former families, alumni, schools connected to ASV through the numerous professional organizations (AISiS, MSA, IB, AAIE, AISH, AMLE, U of Kentucky, etc.), along with many international schools who have expressed their sympathy, solidarity, as well as offers of assistance. Additionally, the generosity of families and faculty-staff offering shelter and assistance to others who may be in need says volumes about ASV as a caring community.
Class Resumption and Halloween Celebrations
Based on the breath of this natural disaster, ASV is planning in earnest to resume normal school classes and transportation services on Monday, November 4, 2024, as long as safety conditions and governmental authorities allow the return to school.
Due to the gravity of this situation and to sympathize with the victims and families affected by this natural disaster, the PS-ES and MS-HS Halloween celebrations have been postponed until Friday, November 8, 2024.
ASV endeavors to provide all members of our school community with the latest information available to us through multiple sources and governmental authorities. If there are any further unforeseen circumstances that may change school operations, please stay connected to the ASV App and your email of record.
ASV Supports our Community
In the coming days and weeks ahead, ASV will explore how it can help our school community and the Valencian community at-large through social-emotional support, community outreach through donations and volunteerism, as well as other support from our generous and altruistic community.
Most immediately, if there are any ASV families who have been adversely affected or need social-emotional support, the ASV Counseling Team has offered its assistance. Additional information may be accessed through this ASV Counseling Team letter.
In closing and once again, please allow us to thank you for your patience, understanding and cooperation as our families and communities recuperate from these recent natural disasters. We hope that those affected by this storm will recover quickly.
