Mason Moose Minutes October 16th!

Dearest Mason Families,

What a busy and exciting week at Mason! From purposeful collaboration and meaningful learning experiences to an incredible celebration with our Mason family, this week was a wonderful reminder once again of what makes our school community so special!

Working Together to Support Every Student

This week, our Mason team worked closely together during our districtwide MTSS Data Day, focusing on what matters most...our students! Our conversations were intentional, data-informed, and student-centered as we reviewed student progress, identified individual needs, and explored specific interventions, resources, and strategies to support continued growth. We believe that every student deserves the opportunity to succeed, and these collaborative conversations allow us to reflect on our practices, make thoughtful decisions, and determine how best to meet the academic, social, and emotional needs of our learners. It takes a team committed to learning, growing, and working together to ensure that every child has the support and opportunities they need to thrive!

A Special Visit from Officer Duncan Gill and Arcos!

Our fourth-grade students also had an exciting opportunity this week to meet Officer Duncan Gill from the Grosse Pointe Woods Police Department and his specially trained K9, Arcos! Students learned about Arcos's training, his important role in supporting law enforcement, and how he helps keep our community safe. They explored how trained K9s can assist officers with locating missing adults and supporting a variety of safety-related situations. What a valuable learning experience for our students! We are grateful to Officer Gill for taking the time to share his knowledge and expertise and for helping our students better understand the important work our local law enforcement officers do to protect and serve our community.

What a Way to End the Week—Our PTO-Sponsored Fall Festival! 🍂🎉

Our PTO-sponsored Fall Festival brought so much excitement, laughter, and fun to Mason! Seeing our students enjoying the festivities, spending time with friends, and celebrating together was truly a joy. Even more exciting, our Mason family came together to reach our fundraising goal! This accomplishment reflects the incredible generosity, enthusiasm, and support of our families and community. Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who made this possible!

A HUGE shoutout to our amazing PTO for the tremendous time, creativity, planning, and energy they continue to pour into making these experiences possible. A special additional shoutout as well to Mrs. Dollete and Mrs. Klotz who led the way making this Mason Fun Fair possible with the help of all others and our sincere volunteers! From organizing events and coordinating details to finding new ways to bring our community together, their dedication makes such a meaningful difference in the lives of our students. We are so fortunate to have a PTO and parent volunteers that continually show up for Mason with such heart!

To every family member, volunteer, donor, and supporter who contributed to our fundraising efforts and helped make the Fall Festival such a success...THANK YOU! Your partnership allows us to create meaningful experiences and opportunities for our students while strengthening the connections that make Mason feel like one big family.

Thank you for being such an important part of our Mason family and for continuing to partner with us every step of the way. Thank you for your continued partnership and for trusting us with your most precious gifts. I am so proud of our Mason Moose and our amazing Mason team! Teamwork it is! Let’s keep going for GOLD! 🥇🫎💙 One Mason. One Family. One Team. 🫎💙 I am honored to serve your student and your family as the principal of this wonderful school! I truly consider each one of our dear kiddos at Mason a member of my own family. Mason is more than just a school, it is a home away from home, and our Mason team is a family away from family during the school day. Every child who walks through our doors is known, cared for, and valued. I sincerely appreciate and welcome direct communication with me and am committed to maintaining open, collaborative conversations with my families. Please know that I welcome your questions, ideas, and feedback, and I will always appreciate opportunities to communicate and work directly with you to address any needs.

With sincere excitement, care, respect & appreciation,

Mrs. Anita Hassan
Principal
Stevens T. Mason Elementary School

Specifically, smartwatches (Apple, Google, Samsung, etc.) and AI glasses (Ray-Ban, Meta, Oakely, etc.) are considered personal communication devices and fall under the Off and Out of Sight policy. Also note, the College Board does not allow AI glasses (Ray-Ban, Meta, Oakely, etc.) in testing. Please be aware of the district technology guidelines before purchasing for your student.

A selection from the full GPPSS Board Policy on Personal Communication Devices is copied below:

4.21 Personal Communication Devices

A “personal communication device” is a privately-owned device that is used for audio, video or text communications. “Personal communication device” includes, but is not limited to, computers, tablets (e.g. iPads and similar devices), electronic readers (“E-readers,” e.g. Kindles and similar devices), cell phones (e.g. mobile/cellular telephones, smartphones (e.g. iPhone, Android devices, Windows Mobile devices, etc.), telephone paging devices (e.g. beepers or pagers), and/or other web-enabled devices of any type.

Kind Reminder - all recess gates must remain closed during the school day and will not open until 3:30 p.m.

We kindly ask families picking up your students at dismissal to please not open or enter through the recess gates before 3:30 p.m. on school days.

Monday (late start) 9:05 a.m. - 3:38 p.m.

Tuesday - Friday 8:20 a.m.- 3:38 p.m.

Half Days end at 11:36 a.m.

Late Arrivals - If students are arriving late, they will need to enter through door A (secure entrance) and kindly sign in with the office staff.

As we get closer to the first day of school, families are encouraged to take some time to review the GPPSS Elementary Handbook and the Mason Elementary School’s Parent Reference Guide. These resources help establish a shared understanding of what it means to be a member of our Mason family, how we lead by example to "Be Respectful, Be Responsible, & Be Safe," along with reminding our students that we all play an important role in creating a school community where everyone feels safe, respected, included, supported, and valued.

Parents know your child is in great hands! We are committed to providing our students with a quality education and maximizing the safety of all.

To assist us with this, anytime your student will be absent or late to school, please call by 9 a.m. our attendance line at

313-432-4401

or email masonatt@gpschools.org

Please know this is a direct to voicemail line and you will not be connected with a staff member.

If you need to speak to someone in the main office please use one of the following numbers:

(313) 432-4403

(313) 432-4411

Your student will line up with their class each morning at the assigned number that is painted on the blacktop. Teachers will greet students and walk them into school. Once you receive the teacher assignment, you are able to determine the number on the blacktop which your student should line up behind using the visual provided below.

Students should arrive at Mason

• Mondays (late start) at 9:00 a.m.

• Tuesday-Fridays at 8:15 a.m.

Teachers will walk their students into the school building at the following entry times:

• Mondays at 9:05 a.m.

• Tuesday-Fridays at 8:20 a.m.

Students are NOT permitted to play on the playground during arrival.

Please ensure students are not dropped off before these designated times. The staff supervision, breakfast services, and the building itself may not be available prior to these times, so adhering to this schedule is important for the safety of all students.

IMPORTANT: Breakfasts and lunches for all students remain FREE for the 2026-27 school year.

It is still critical that families who believe they may qualify for free or reduced lunch fill out that application in the K12 annual forms that open Tuesday August 18th or by clicking the above link.

Why should I complete the Free/Reduced Lunch (FRL) application if my child doesn't eat school meals?

To help your family qualify for additional assistance (ex: reduced testing or athletic fees) and for Grosse Pointe Public School System secure critical state and federal funding, we need ALL families that think they may qualify to complete the Education & Nutrition Benefits Application (formerly known as the Free & Reduced Meals Application).

Why it matters:

• Your application helps ensure we can continue to provide nutritious meals to all students.
  

• Funding tied to our free/reduced rate supports far more than meals; it impacts academic programs, athletic programs, technology, and student services.
  

• Even if you think you may not qualify, completing the form still helps the district.

Even if your child brings lunch from home or does not participate in the school meal program, completing the FRL application helps our school district qualify for important state and federal funding. These funds support educational programs, instructional staff, technology, academic interventions, mental health services, and other resources that benefit all students. Since Michigan started funding breakfast and lunch, our applications have decreased, impacting our eligibility for grants and other funding sources.

Completing the application may also qualify your family for additional benefits, such as reduced fees for certain programs, discounted internet services, college application fee waivers, reduced fees for AP/SAT/ACT exams, and other assistance for which you may be eligible. The form is confidential and directly benefits your family and our schools.

Parents who wish to have the teacher release their child at dismissal time without adult pick up, will need to print and have the Parent Permission to Release Child During Dismissal Without Adult Pick Up form signed and returned to the teacher.

Each year we ask families to update important forms including emergency contact information, review of our code of conduct, and specific information for each school community. It is critically important that you take the time please to review and update this information! Please find the link to compete here.

As we begin the new school year, families of students with dietary needs or restrictions are asked to complete a Special Diet Statement Form. This form must be completed and submitted before special dietary accommodations can be officially recognized and put in place.

Completed forms should be returned to Mrs. Lyon in the office. The information will be shared with the school nurse and Food Service to help ensure your child’s dietary needs are safely and appropriately accommodated.

Thank you for helping us prepare to support your child this school year.

Indoor lunch recess will be held on days where rain or cold weather require students to stay indoors during their lunch recess time. Please let us know if you would be willing to volunteer to supervise a classroom during indoor lunch recess by filling out this volunteer form.

If your student is on medication that needs to be taken during school hours, Michigan Law requires a Medical Authorization Form to be completed by your physician. Once completed, please bring this form to the main office with medication for safe storage. Kindly note that medications can not be held by students at any time at school.

Board Policy provides for transportation services to all eligible students attending the school serviced by their attendance boundary. A student who lives beyond 1½ miles from the resident elementary school is considered eligible for transportation services. Board Policy does not allow bus transportation for In-District Transfers; you will be responsible for your own transportation to and from school.

We understand that not all students who are eligible for Transportation Services will choose to take advantage of those services; therefore, in order to create the most efficient bus routes, it is critical for us to know which eligible students will be riding the bus. You will not be scheduled to receive transportation services if you do not submit this form. Please fill out one form per child.

We take pride that Mason is a Title I school! Kindly review this Mason Title I Family-School Compact which reflects important information for all stakeholders. It will be sent home with students for families to sign and return back to the classroom teacher.

Feel free to follow the Mason PTO Webpage for up to date info and PTO happenings!

Grow your own pumpkin patch on your kid's locker to cheer them on during our Fall Fun Fair fundraiser. Locker Pumpkins will be hung up by PTO members on your kid's locker starting next week. You can also get them a personalized lawn sign to display during the Fun Fair that they can take home afterwards. All proceeds from these sales count towards your kid's total for the fun fair (i.e. may earn them more raffle tickets or school incentives).

Buy your pumpkin patch buddies and signs here!

Oct 18 - Mason Night at Haunted Garage

Oct 20 - PTO Meeting 6:30 - 7:30pm

Oct 23rd - Fun Run rain date

Oct 30th - 1/2 Day for School 11:36 dismissal

Oct 30th - Mason Truck or Treat (info to come)

Nov 3rd - No School

Nov 17th PTO Meeting 6:30 - 7:30pm

Dec 12th - Merry Mornings @ Mason (info to come)

Jan 19th - PTO Meeting 6:30 - 7:30pm

Feb 23rd - PTO Meeting 6:30 - 7:30pm

March 16th PTO Meeting 6:30 - 7:30pm

March 26 - April 4th Spring Clothing Drive

April 20th PTO Meeting 6:30 - 7:30pm

May 18th - PTO Meeting 6:30 - 7:30pm

Teamwork it is! One Mason, One Family, One Team!

Email: hassana@gpschools.org
Website: https://www.gpschools.org/Domain/1501
Location: 1640 Vernier Road, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI, USA
Phone: 313-432-4400