Our Work Continues
Our leadership team, central office staff, school staffs, and educators have been quite productive this summer! Summer schools, academic and athletic camps, planning meetings, and process reviews have been taking place. We are excited about the work that has been accomplished and are looking forward to the work ahead.
We Lead
Our average daily membership (ADM) grew by 45 students last year and we believe that this number has grown over the summer. Current numbers we have over 1680 students joining us daily.
The fourth dual language immersion (DLI) cohort has entered kindergarten at Tharrington Primary while the first DLI cohort has arrived at Jones Intermediate! These third graders will be receiving instruction in a 50/50 model where half of their day is Spanish and the other half English. Their teachers are Nora Santillan and Ronalda Parries.
Special classes for elementary students have grown tremendously! They now include: Music, Art, PE, STEAM, and Spanish WEEKLY! K-5 students will get face-to-face Spanish weekly and no longer have a two-week rotation for special areas.
We Innovate
Career-based learning is increasing thanks to the work of CDC (career development coordinator) Catrina Alexander and CTE (career and technical education) Educator Jennifer Epperson who are continuing to expand offerings for students as well as accessibility to career-based experiences.
The central office community center is due to be ready in December. We are currently under roof and collaborative spaces are coming together that will allow for trainings, meetings, and space for our community to use.
We Serve
Social Emotional Support has grown through partnerships and positions: K-5 Alternative Learning Center headed by Justin Moore as students are referred by principals (Housed at Jones) and 6-8 Alternative Learning Center headed by Shane Compton as students are referred by principals (Housed at MAHS). Dr. Sandy George will be coordinating intense discipline plans and alternative learning support.
Additional personnel provided by partners: Partners Behavioral Health Provider, Kini Brindle (EC Lead Teacher/Behavioral Support), Shari York (½ time person and full team support for in school behavior treatment through Daymark) will have an office at each campus and this position could grow based on student needs.
Over the summer, each campus made improvements for safety. These upgrades included exterior and interior changes.
Beginning of the year publications and processes received a lot of attention over the summer. Our district handbook was streamlined and translated into Spanish, our process and forms used for enrollment were loaded to our website in two languages and made consistent across all campuses. Our handbook, student code of conduct, and various forms (medical forms, family trip, etc) can be found on our website.
Not only did students attend various campus around academics and athletics, they learned more about careers. Check out this video from Dream It Do It Camp. Video
Free transportation to summer schools and academic camps were provided as well as breakfast and lunch through the summer feeding program. Our School Nutrition program doesn't stop when school ends. They work tirelessly all summer to provide meals to students in our community.
When students aren't roaming the halls daily, our custodians and maintenance workers spend the summer preparing buildings for the fall. These folks do an amazing job of taking care of our campuses!
Every Child, Every Day
Mount Airy City Schools strives for excellence and that is for all students. Check out this new magazine around accessibility, compliance, and equity.
Welcome Aboard!
Upcoming Events
Family Calendars
In your beginning of the year packets, you received a Family Calendar. This calendar has all activities planned for the 2018-2019 school year as of July 2018. Any changes made to the calendar will be posted on our website. You will find three changes on the website, so take a peek.
Labor Day Holiday - No School
Parents kNOwMORE
Do you know what your children are doing online today? How well do you understand the ever-changing social media platforms that our children are using today – Snapchat, Instagram, Vine, Twitter, YouTube, Tumblr? Do you really know what your kids are viewing on these apps/sites? What steps can you take to ensure your child is safe, personal material/content is kept private and protective measures are established?
Do you have a child between the age of 5 and 18? You don’t want to miss this seminar presented by Susan Wind from Parents kNOwmore! Parents will be educated on the latest trends that adolescents are using to communicate electronically. She offers a vast amount of advice, education and resources that parents will find helpful as they deal with these serious issues they are faced with daily. Visit our Facebook event to learn more!
5K on the Greenway (5KOTG)
Did you know that Mount Airy City Schools and the Reeves Community Center Foundation partner together for the 5KOTG? This race provides MACS with funds for technology and provides students in our community with scholarships for Reeves Community Center. The race takes place annually on the weekend of the Autumn Leaves Festival. Register online by clicking here.
Highlights
Convocation
We are always excited when staff returns. Check out the fun we had at Convocation!
Brandon Helton, 2006 MAHS graduate, gave our Convocation speech. Check him out!
#MAfirstday
#MAfirstday was a great day! Check out the sweet moments shared with us on social media with folks used our hashtag. Video
Credits:
Created with images by Christopher Burns - "Clean lines"