Mason Moose Minutes Sept 25th!

Dearest Mason Families,

Can you believe how quickly these weeks are flying by?! It feels like we just welcomed our students back to Mason, and here we are already wrapping up another successful week! Our classrooms are buzzing with learning, and it has been wonderful to see our students and staff settling into the rhythm of the school year.

Across Mason, our students are diving into their curriculum and building strong learning routines. Our classrooms reflect whole group and small group literacy instruction, hands on math learning with manipulatives, meaningful discussions, problem-solving, and so much more! We are also incorporating morning meetings into our classrooms, creating intentional time for students to connect with one another, reflect on their learning and experiences, and think about where they want to grow. As a team, we will be working with our students to set goals for themselves, consider their progress, and take ownership of their learning throughout the school year. I love walking through our building and seeing students actively engaged, teachers thoughtfully guiding instruction, and our Mason team creating opportunities for every child to grow academically, socially, and emotionally.

🫎 Safety First at Mason!

One of the highlights of this week was our annual evacuation drill today from Mason to Parcells Middle School, and I could not be more proud of our students and staff! From the moment the drill began, our Mason Moose showed exactly what it means to be Mason Best. Students were calm, focused, and engaged. They listened carefully to directions, stayed with their classes, followed safety procedures, and demonstrated respect for one another throughout the entire process. I was especially proud to see how responsibly our students handled the experience. An evacuation drill is an important opportunity for us to practice what we would do in an emergency, and our students showed that they are capable of taking these procedures seriously while remaining calm and supportive of one another.

A HUGE thank you to our entire Mason team for facilitating such a smooth, organized, and successful drill. From our teachers and support staff to our office team and everyone who helped guide students along the way, it truly took One Mason, One Family, One Team to make it happen!

Most importantly, our students demonstrated our core expectations every step of the way:

Be Respectful.
Be Responsible.
Be Safe.

Safety is always a priority at Mason, and practicing together helps ensure that our students and staff are prepared to respond calmly and confidently should an emergency ever occur. I am incredibly proud of our Mason family!

💙 Parent-Teacher Conferences Are Around the Corner!

As we continue moving through this school year, Parent-Teacher Conferences are right around the corner! These conferences are such an important opportunity for families and teachers to connect, share information, celebrate student growth, and work together to support each child's continued success.

PTC Wizard goes live on Monday, September 28 at 6:00 a.m. Families will be able to schedule their conference times with their access.

Our conference dates and times are:

• Wednesday, October 7, 2026 | 5:00–8:00 p.m. — Virtual

• Thursday, October 8, 2026 | 1:00–4:00 p.m. — In Person

• Thursday, October 8, 2026 | 5:00–8:00 p.m. — In Person

We look forward to connecting with each of you and continuing the important partnership between home and school. Your insight, questions, encouragement, and partnership are an essential part of helping our students thrive.

As I reflect on another week at Mason, I am reminded once again of how fortunate I am to be part of this incredible school community. Our students are learning, our teachers are teaching with purpose and heart, and our entire team continues to show up each day ready to support, encourage, and lift one another. One Mason. One Family. One Team. 🫎💙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! 🥇🫎💙 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

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!

Oct 3-4th - Fall Clothing Drive (Drop off trailer in Mason parking lot)

Oct 16th - Fun Run (schedule to be shared at a later time)

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