Mason Minute- December 17, 2025

December 17, 2025

Four students from North Aurelius Elementary had the opportunity to perform and share their experience taking part in last year's production of Disney’s Aladdin Kids with Michigan State University (MSU) leaders and donors at the MSU Cowles House.

The students talked about the Disney Musicals in Schools program and their experience taking part in the production. The program, presented in conjunction with the Wharton Center for the Performing Arts, gives students and staff support and guidance as they rehearse and perform student productions of Disney musicals.

Last spring, students from North Aurelius Elementary and Alaiedon Elementary took part in the program and presented musicals to their fellow students, to the community on stage in the Mason High School Auditorium and had the chance to perform at the Wharton Center with other program participants from across the area.

December is a season of many celebrations around the world. While many families celebrate Christmas, others observe holidays that honor culture, history and faith.

Kwanzaa is celebrated December 26 – January 1, and focuses on family, community and culture through the Seven Principles. Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, takes place over eight nights and is marked by lighting the menorah, playing dreidel and sharing traditional foods.

Many countries have unique December traditions. In Germany and Austria, St. Nicholas Day on December 6 brings small gifts, while Krampus appears in folklore as his mischievous counterpart. Sweden, Finland and Norway celebrate Santa Lucia Day on December 13. Mexico honors the Virgin of Guadalupe on December 12 with national celebrations. In Greece, families decorate both trees and boats. In Iceland, children receive gifts from 13 Yule Lads before Christmas.

Our students and staff are taking time to learn about some of these traditions, and we encourage families to do the same at home, reminding us that December is a time of reflection, celebration and connection all around the world.

Winter Break begins Monday, December 22, 2025, and goes through Friday, January 2, 2026.

A reminder, child care will also be closed when school is closed for break.

Classes resume Monday, January 5, 2026! Enjoy a safe and restful break!

There will be no Open Swim on Friday, December 19. Open Swim will take place as scheduled on Saturday, December 20.

Join us over Winter Break for fun in the pool!

Open Swim

• December 22 and 26 from 7 - 9 PM
• December 23, 29, 30 and January 2 from 1 - 3 PM

Adult Lap Swim (ages 18 and up)

• December 23, 26, 29, 30, 31 and January 2 from 6 - 7:30 AM

Get ready to ring in the new year with the New Year's Swim Party at the Mason Aquatic Center!

Join us on Wednesday, December 31, 2025 from 5 - 7 PM for open swim and a movie. Gift bags will be available for the first 50 swimmers. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for students and seniors or $15 for a family of four, plus $1 for each additional family member.

During last week's snow day, our Skylert system, along with several other districts' systems, experienced technical issues which may have prevented some families from receiving messages. We are working to identify why this happened and how to prevent it form happening in the future.

A reminder, snow day messages are sent via email, text message and phone calls through the Skylert system. They are also posted on all local television station websites, shared over the air during local television broadcasts and shared on district social media pages.

Families can check their Skylert contact information by logging into their Skyward account to ensure phone numbers and email addresses are up-to-date. Users must opt-in to receive text messages by texting the word "yes" to 67587. (Standard message rates apply and will not be reimbursed by MPS.)

All Community Education programs and activities, as well as child care, are canceled on snow days. The decision to hold athletic events scheduled for the evening of a snow day will be made by noon on the day of the snow day and communicated to players and families.

The Winter Enrichment Guide is now available, and enrollment is open for all classes and activities.

The guide includes community education classes for adults and students, aquatic offerings, swim lessons and enrollment for the Elementary Dances. Check out all of the offerings and enroll online!

Mark your calendars for upcoming events and activities. A full calendar of district happenings is available on the MPS website. Additional board meeting information is available on the Board of Education website.

• Thursday, December 18- Board of Education Policy & Community Committee Meeting, 5:15 PM, Mason City Hall
• Monday, December 22- Friday, January 2 - No School (Winter Break)
• Thursday, January 8- Board of Education Meeting, 7 PM, Mason City Hall

Join the Mason Public Schools team and make a difference in the lives of our students each day! Check out our current job openings and learn more.