A unique and exciting component to the FLA program will include an ongoing partnership with Mount Airy Parks and Recreation. This partnership will provide a recreation staff member at each site to support the creative weekly schedule and ongoing enrichment opportunities for students. In addition, this partnership will include a certified fitness trainer to work with students two times per week, encouraging students to develop a healthy lifestyle. The grant will provide materials to support overall physical fitness and empower students through experiences with organized play, Yoga, Zumba, and weight lifting. Catrina Alexander, Director of Mount Airy Parks and Recreation states, “Mount Airy Parks and Recreation is excited to be a community partner with the Mount Airy City Schools’ 21st Century Community Learning Center grant. We commend the Mount Airy City Schools for recognizing the importance that recreation and wellness play in a child's ability to succeed in the classroom. Mount Airy City Schools and The Mount Airy Parks and Recreation Department have a tradition of collaboration that will be even further enhanced by this partnership.”
The district is also elated to announce that CCLC funding will provide opportunities for family engagement and summer camp opportunities for students across the district beginning with the 2017-2018 school year. We are eager to serve our students and provide continued learning opportunities that support families, which allows us to build stronger school and family partnerships.
Dr. Phillip Brown, Executive Director for Teaching and Learning states, “A strong community learning center after school program is a game changer for many of our students. Access to a high quality STEAM curricula, our community partners, and rigorous physical fitness is a recipe that will make our program stand out above the rest.”
The collaborative partnership and services will begin in schools in October 2017 and MACS is extremely proud to have the opportunity to serve students outside of the regular instructional day. Dr. Kim Morrison, Superintendent states, “We are excited to be one of a few grants that were funded in North Carolina. These funds provide personnel and resources that will help make our programs successful. I am thankful for Phillip Brown, Penny Willard, and the team of administrators that were able to successfully receive this grant that supports our youth.”