Mason Minute- August 27, 2025

Happy 2nd Birthday to Lewis and Sully! Our furry friends bring joy and comfort to our staff and students and make the days a little brighter.

This November, a bond proposal will be on the ballot for Mason voters. If approved, the bond would support key projects including:

• Major renovations at Mason Middle School

• Renovations at Mason High School

• Construction of a new transportation facility

A list of frequently asked questions is now available on the bond website and voters can learn more about the proposed bond in the informational brochure. Please feel free to reach out to Dr. Kinzer with questions about the proposed bond.

The Mason Bulldogs Varsity Football team kicks off the home season on Thursday against the Holt Rams!

Game night is an exciting time and fans are a great part of the experience. To ensure the health and safety of all spectators in attendance, please review the spectator expectations below with your family before attending home football games.

• No alcohol, drugs, tobacco or vaping on school property.
• All K-8 students must be accompanied and supervised by an adult.
• No horseplay or running around in any part of the stadium, including behind the bleachers.

The Mason Athletic Department and Mason Public Schools encourage fans of all ages to come cheer for their Bulldogs and look forward to seeing you at future events. For up-to-date scheduling information, please visit the Mason Bulldog Athletics website.

Thank you for your cooperation! Go Bulldogs!

Can't make it to the football game tomorrow? You can still check out the Bulldogs in action through an online livestream. Don't miss a minute of the action!

Mark you calendars and get your smiles ready for Picture Day! More information and ordering details will be provided by each building.

Mason Middle School: September 16

North Aurelius Elementary: September 16

Mason High School: September 18

Harvey Education Center: September 25 and 26

Steele Elementary: October 2

Alaiedon Elementary: October 6

Beginning in the 2025-26 school year, Mason Public School (MPS) will adopt the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) for school emergencies. Learn more by watching this short SRP video which explains the change in language for safety protocols.

Developed by the I Love You Guys Foundation and endorsed by the Michigan Office of School Safety, the SRP uses clear common language to explain five specific actions that can be taken during an emergency. The five elements of SRP are:

• HOLD - In your room or area. Clear the halls.
• SECURE - Get inside. Lock outside doors.
• LOCKDOWN - Locks, lights, out of sight.
• EVACUATE - A location may be specified.
• SHELTER - Hazard and safety strategy.

By standardizing the vocabulary, school district officials, staff, students and emergency responders can understand the actions being taken and status of the event.

The shift to the SRP aligns the actions and language we use during emergencies with other area school districts and law enforcement. This makes it easier for first responders to understand the type and status of the emergency, which results in better communication and quicker action.

Staff and students will be taking part in safety drills throughout the year utilizing the new SRP to ensure we are all comfortable. We will share more information with families throughout the year, and new posters and information will be shared in each of our buildings.

Learn more about SRP and the MPS Comprehensive School Safety Team on the new MPS Safety website.

Registration is now open for the 2025-26 FIRST LEGO League season for elementary robotics. The program runs from mid-September to December. At each level, students learn teamwork and problem-solving skills as well as engineering fundamentals.

Learn more and sign up on the Tractor Technicians Programs website. Enrollment for the Challenge program (4/5th grade) closes at 11:59 PM on Sunday, August 31, 2025, and enrollment for the Explore/Discover programs (PreK-3rd grade) closes at 11:59 PM on Friday, September 5, 2025.

The Fall Community Education Enrichment Guide is now available on the website. Check out the full schedule of classes and programs, including swim lessons and register online!

Mason Aquatic Center Fall Community Events (schedule for August 20-December 20, 2025)

Open Swim

• Friday: 7-9 PM
• Saturday: 1-3 PM
• No Open Swim: August 29, 30; September 12, 13, 19, 26, 27; October 3, 10, 31; 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: September 1; October 15; 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: August 30; September 13, 27; November 29
• Monday and Wednesday: 7:15-8:45 PM
• No Adult Lap Swim: September 1; October 15; November 26
• Cost: $5/person or $35 per punch card of 10

Mason Public Schools and the Capital Area District Library (CADL) partner on a project called the Student Success Initiative. It’s a way to help students easily access all the education and entertainment options available at CADL’s 13 branches, Mobile Library, and online and digital collections.

This card is FREE TO ALL STUDENTS, no matter where they live, even those who already have a regular CADL card. Having a Student Success account requires release of directory information to CADL.

Any parent/guardian who does NOT want their student to have an account MUST OPT-OUT by completing an opt-out form for each student by September 3, 2025. For more information, please read this info sheet or visit http://cadl.org/studentsuccess

Student home address changes must be made by contacting building secretaries or Central Office. Please contact your student's building secretary with questions or to request a change.

Mason Public Schools (MPS) will continue to provide free meals to all students through September 30, 2025. Funding for meals is determined by the State of Michigan School Aid Budget, which has not yet been finalized. At this time, we are unsure if meals will continue to be free for all students during the entire 2025-26 school year. We are keeping a close eye on what is happening with the budget and will provide information to families as soon as it becomes available to us.

Please remember to log into Skyward and check your family meal account balances and make deposits as needed. All à la carte purchases, extra main entrees, and milk-only purchases will need to be paid for and are not included in the free meal program.

Families are also reminded to please take a moment to complete the 2025-26 Application for Free and Reduced-Price School Meals. This form collects information needed to ensure MPS receives state and federal funding. In addition, based on the information you provide on your School Meals and Summer EBT Application, your student may qualify for other programs including:

• Summer EBT
• Pay to Play or Pay to Participate assistance
• Programs that provide food support
• Programs that provide field trip support
• Programs that provide school supplies or assist with school fees
• Programs that provide holiday support

Completing an application helps to ensure additional funding for the district is available to meet the needs of our students. All information on the application is confidential. Without your assistance in completing and returning the application, MPS cannot maximize the use of available State and Federal funds.

For the 2025-26 school year, medications can be dropped off during building open houses or on the first day of school by a parent or guardian, medication forms can be picked up in person or are available online. For questions, please contact District Nurse Emily Epling, RN. Medications must be in their original container with an expiration date, staff are not able to administer expired medication. If your child has medication needs during the school day, please remember:

• All prescription medication forms need to be completed and signed by the doctor and parent/guardian, this includes self-carry medications. (Examples: EpiPens, inhalers)

• All non-prescription (over the counter) forms need to be completed and signed by the parent/guardian. (Examples: Tylenol, Motrin, Benadryl and sunscreen)

Mark your calendars for upcoming events and activities. A full calendar of district happenings is available on the MPS website.

No School: Friday, August 29 and Monday, September 1

Homecoming: Friday, September 19

No School: Monday, September 29

Seventh Grade Mystic Lake Trip: October 13 -17

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.