Mason Minute- August 20, 2025

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

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)

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 our school 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.

The Fall Community Education Enrichment Guide is now available on the website. Events for the school year will begin Wednesday, August 20. 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

Late Start Wednesdays will begin next week on Wednesday, August 27. The schedule for Late Start Wednesdays is below, please be sure to check with your students’ building about drop off procedures.

• Harvey Education Center: 9:40 AM - 3:47 PM

• Alaiedon, North Aurelius and Steele Elementary Schools: 9:40 AM - 3:47 PM

• Mason Middle School: 8:40 AM - 2:35 PM

• Mason High School: 8:40 AM - 2:40 PM

A reminder to all families to please be sure your student's immunization information is up to date in order to comply with Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) requirements. Since 1978, Michigan law has required every student have an up-to-date certificate of immunization at the time of registration (or no later than the first day of school) for entry into kindergarten and 7th grade, and for enrollment into a new school district, grades 1-12.

MDHHS requires a parent or legal guardian to have one of the following on file with the school:

1. A valid, up-to-date immunization record.
2. A medical doctor’s (MD/DO) signed State of Michigan 2024 Medical Contraindication Form
3. A current, certified State of Michigan 2024 Nonmedical Immunization Waiver

Learn more about immunization requirements on the Health & Wellness page of the website.

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.