Safe Routes to School Grant
In partnership with the North Carolina Department of Transportation, Mount Airy City Schools (MACS) aims to support safe and healthy methods for traveling to school through the Safe Routes to School Grant. This two-year grant allows the district to prioritize staff to support these projects for our students. Most importantly, our students are gaining opportunities for physical activity while developing strong relationships with school and district staff, as well as community members. We appreciate the consistent support of the NCDOT for this grant-funded opportunity to serve our students better.
UPDATE- We most recently learned that we have been approved for an extension to our current grant, allowing us to continue this awesome programming for the 2025-2026 school year!
We welcome our students, parents, and families to participate in this unique programming that is another example of how Mount Airy City Schools aims to provide every student with innovative learning experiences while also prioritizing the school-to-home partnership.
Walking School Bus
Through this project, we have aimed to continue our highly popular Walking School Bus (WSB) with BH Tharrington (BHT) Primary School. During the good weather months of September, October, March, April, and May, our BHT students, staff, and parents travel to school by walking the Granite City Greenway. Student groups, chaperoned by staff and parents, start at Chase and Charli's restaurant. We then travel along the greenway until we reach BHT Park and make the final steps up the hill, arriving along the sidewalk of Spring Street, which provides a direct path to our school's front sidewalk along the playground. This opportunity is available to both car and bus riders with parent permission. Our district is grateful for the opportunity to take our students out of the traditional classroom setting and allow them to experience real-world learning that promotes overall health and well-being, while also ensuring they understand our valuable community resources.
Bike to School
MACS was beyond excited to have the opportunity to revisit the Bike to School programming with our Mount Airy Middle School (MAMS) students, staff and community members. In the past, we held this event only a few times, but through our Safe Routes to School grant we are able to offer it each fall and spring for multiple days. Through our consistent and strong partnership with Mount Airy Parks and Recreation (MAPR), we can access approximately 30 bicycles every Thursday, this event is held; this helps us to ensure equity for all students wanting to participate. MAMS students roll along the Granite City Greenway from Riverside Park until they reach direct access to their school campus at the backside of the baseball and softball fields. This quick but fun and engaging bike ride is led by trained Mount Airy Police Department (MAPD) Officers and our Safe Routes to School Coordinator, Justin Combs. We are especially thankful for the consistent support of both MAPR and MAPD.
For questions, please contact:
Dr. Penny Ballin, Executive Director of Innovation
336-786-8355
or
Justin Combs, Safe Routes to School Coordinator
336-786-8355
