MACS Micro-School
August 2021
Our Partnership- We Are in This Together!
I am grateful for the opportunity to support your child and family this year. We anticipate the new MACS Micro-School will serve as an innovative way to help your child reach their personal goals. The Micro-School concept allows us to deliver learning in a way that is non-traditional and allows for more flexibility and design. We are excited to kick-off the new school year with your family.
Please follow our new Micro-School work by following #MACSmicro
First Day of Micro-School Kick-Off with Ms. Willard
Date: Monday, August 23 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm
Location: Mount Airy City Schools Community Central Office (351 Riverside Drive- directly across from Riverside Park)
This event will help me get to know your child. Our plan is to remain outside for these activities, but in the case of inclement weather, we will provide masks and move indoors. Families may drop off students in the circle entrance and I will be waiting by the picnic tables. Students should be picked up in the circle by 3:10 pm.
Hands-On Science Lesson- Planting Day
Date: Tuesday, August 24 from 1:00 to 3:30 pm
Location: Mount Airy City Schools Community Central Office (351 Riverside Drive- directly across from Riverside Park)
This event will be hands-on engagement activity for students. I recommend students wear comfy clothes and shoes, as we will be outside digging in the dirt, planting flowers and learning how to grow our own tomato plants. We will provide gloves to protect all little hands. Students will receive their paper learning packets before going home. Students should be picked up in the circle by 3:40 pm.
Family Fitness and Fun on the Greenway
Date: Wednesday, August 25 from 8:00 am to 9:00 am
Location: Riverside Park- we will meet at the playground
Families are invited to join us in active fun and fitness by utilizing our local greenway system. This event will help us learn about our bodies, engage in fitness, set personal health goals and access our local parks system.
Micro-School Family Meeting, Device Distribution and Picnic
Date: Friday, August 27 from 10:30 to 11:30 am
We will meet at the Mount Airy City Schools Community Central Office for our device pick-up. During this time all students will be given their iPad for the year. We will also work with our Digital Learning Coach, Brittany Branch, who will help us learn about all the digital tools our students will use this year. This meeting will be held inside our office, therefore, all students and family members must wear a mask for the meeting.
Micro-School Family Picnic- 11:30 am to 12:30 pm
(Bring your own sandwich and snacks/water will be provided)
We will travel across the street for this activity.
Location: Riverside Park- picnic shelter on the left side of the park
We will have time for the students to interact, get to know each other better while outside, and have our first Micro-School parent/family meeting.
Penny Willard
My name is Penny Willard and I currently serve as the Director of Innovative Programming & Federal Programs for Mount Airy City Schools (MACS). I am beginning my 18th year in education and have served as a classroom teacher, school library media specialist, assistant principal, and grant coordinator before moving into my current role. Over the last 9 years, I have been privileged to get to know and serve so many of our MACS families. Prior to MACS, I worked for Stokes County Schools for 8 years but was happy to return home to the town and district that raised me.
I love being a member of the MACS family because I get to serve in a school district that consistently thinks differently about education and thrives on new challenges. This year I have been given the opportunity to kick off our new MACS Micro-School and I am thrilled to work with your family!
My Educational Background:
Lees McRae College - 2004 - Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education K-6
East Carolina University - 2010 - Master of Library Science
National Board Certification - 2011- School Library Media
Appalachian State University - 2013 - School Principal licensure
Appalachian State University - 2017 - Advanced Master - Education Specialist (EdS)
Appalachian State University - Currently enrolled in Educational Leadership doctoral program
A Little About Me
When I am not working I enjoy cooking for my family and trying out new recipes. I also have 13 chickens that keep me busy, as they lay 13 eggs every day. My family is currently renovating our old farmhouse, which has most recently given me the opportunity to learn how to install ceramic tile on the walls and floor. I also enjoy planting all kinds of flowers and succulents are my favorite. The pictures below show you some recent pics of my awesome family.
Penny Willard
Director of Innovative Programming- Mount Airy City Schools
I support a variety of areas for our district including: Micro-Schools, Federal Programs, After-School and Summer Programming (21st Century), Academically and Intellectually Gifted (AIG), Beginning Teachers and Mentors, Grant writing and management, Digital Teaching and Learning, School Media, and overall Teaching and Learning K-12.
