Mason Minute- November 5, 2025

November 5, 2025

There were no plain pumpkins to be found at the 15th Annual North Aurelius Elementary Principal’s Pumpkin Decorating Contest! Students, staff and families entered pumpkins in a variety of categories, including hand drawn pumpkins. Check out some of the amazing artwork from the contest!

Tickets are on sale now for the fall musical, "Annie." The Mason High School production will run November 13-15, with four shows. Tickets are available online. Don't miss it!

Mason Community Services, Inc. is partnering with Mason Public Schools for a Christmas Toy Drive for the second year in a row!

Donation bins have been placed in local businesses around Mason to accept new and gently used toys and gifts for children and teens of all ages. Gifts must be unwrapped and donations will be accepted through December 13.

Donation boxes are available at Howard Hanna Real Estate- Mason & Holt offices, Big Boy Restaurant, A&W Restaurant, Boss Cider, Envy Nails, Midwest Hair Lounge, Five Lakes Therapy of Mason, Kiwanas Village, Sheridan Realty and Auction Company, Hair & Company on Ash, Mason Depot Diner, Kean's Store Co., Michigan Barn Wood & Salvage LLC, Jefferson Street Square, Edward Jones downtown Mason, Family Farm and Home - Mason, Simply Vintage Marketplace, Family Dollar and Commercial Bank of Mason.

Congratulations to Mason Middle School students Jayda Benson, Kinsley Campbell, Gemma Izzo, Norah Jean, Charlie McCully, Bella Sauceda, Ya-Ya Smith, Emmerson Whitehill, Tristan Burt, Hayden Doyle, Cooper Green, and Robin Schorsch who have been selected to be a part of the State Honors Choir! They will perform on the Devos Performance Hall stage in January. Congratulations!

The state school aid budget, signed in October, included continued funding for free meals for all public school students. This means all Mason Public Schools students will continue to receive free breakfast and lunch for the remainder of the school year with no changes or interruptions to meal service.

A reminder, while meals are free, students must purchase milk (when sold separately from a meal), any a la carte items and extra main entrees. Please check your student’s lunch account often to ensure adequate funds are available for these purchases. If you have questions about lunch options or adding money to your student’s account, contact the Food Services office 517.676.6529. A list of a la carte pricing is available on the Food Service website.

The Mason Optimist Closet (MOC) at Mason Middle School (MMS) is in need of donations to help support students and families across the district. The closet houses a collection of food, school and personal hygiene supplies students can access by request.

Donations can be dropped off at MMS in the boxes in the main office. Requested items include: toilet paper, paper towel, baby wipes, backpacks, bags, lip balm, hand sanitizer, bandages, pencils, pens, folders, binders, notebooks, body wash and soap, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, feminine hygiene products, lotion, toothpaste, hair ties, razors and shaving cream.

In addition, requested food items include ready to eat meals, packaged snack items, soup, boxed rice, boxed potatoes, pasta, pasta sauce, macaroni and cheese, cereal and other non-perishable items.

All middle school students and their families are eligible to receive items from the MOC without meeting any income or housing requirements. Requests can be made by completing the MOC request form available in the MMS office. Please contact Tiffany Henfling with any questions.

The Mason Area Swim Club (MASC) Winter 1 session begins December 1 and goes through February 6. Registration is open now and available online.

Sixth through eighth grade students interested in competing in middle school swim meets must be enrolled in the Winter 1 session of MASC with the MASC - GOLD group to participate. Students must also have a sports physical on file in order to participate in middle school swim meets.

Mason Public Schools (MPS) is accepting applications from parents and other community members interested in serving on the Sex Education Advisory Board. This required committee is made up of district stakeholders who review the sex education program, establish goals and make recommendations, as necessary, to the MPS Board of Education.

Membership requirements are established by law, and at least one half of the members of the Sex Education Advisory Board must be current MPS parents. The Sex Education Advisory Board may also include students of the district, educators, local clergy and community health professionals.

The full scope and responsibilities of the Sex Education Advisory Board are outlined in MPS Board of Education policies ag2418 and po2418.

Those interested in serving on the Sex Education Advisory Board can complete the Sex Education Advisory Board Application online or return it in person to Randy Barton at the Mason Public Schools' office, 201 W. Ash Street, Suite 2A, Mason, MI 48854. Paper copies of the application are also available at the Mason Public Schools' office.

All applications must be received by November 28, 2025, for full consideration.

Questions about the Sex Education Advisory Board and the application process can be directed to Randy Barton.

Mason Aquatic Center Fall Community Events (schedule through December 20, 2025)

Open Swim

• Friday: 7 - 9 PM
• Saturday: 1 - 3 PM
• No Open Swim: November 28, 29
• Cost: $3/adult, $2/student or senior, $8/family of four

Water Fitness (ages 14 and up)

• Monday and Wednesday: 7:15 - 8:15 PM
• Shallow and deep water classes
• No Water Fitness: November 26
• Cost: $6 at the door, punch cards are available

Adult Lap Swim (ages 18 and up)

• Tuesday-Friday: 6 - 7:30 AM
• No Adult Lap Swim: November 26, 27, 28
• Saturday: 7 - 8:30 AM
• No Adult Lap Swim: November 29
• Monday and Wednesday: 7:15 - 8:45 PM
• No Adult Lap Swim: November 26
• Cost: $5/person or $35 per punch card of 10

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, November 13 - Half Day for Students
• Friday, November 14 - Half Day for Students
• Wednesday, November 26 - Friday, November 28 - No School (Thanksgiving Break)
• Monday, December 22 - Friday, January 2 - No School (Winter Break)

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.