Mason Minute- September 2, 2026

September 2, 2026

The Bulldog Bark Squad welcomed back students and staff for the start of the 2026-27 school year! Lewis, Sully, Willow and Coco are trained to help students and staff across the district and provide social emotional, academic and overall support and positivity to everyone they meet! We can't wait to see what our four legged friends have in store for the new school year!

Mason Public Schools will be closed Friday, September 4 and Monday, September 7. Childcare and the Mason Aquatic Center will also be closed Friday and Monday. Enjoy the long weekend!

Can't make it to tomorrow's varsity football game? You can still check out the Bulldogs through an online livestream. Don't miss a minute of the action! Kickoff is at 7 PM on Thursday, September 3 against Dewitt.

Capital Area District Libraries (CADL) partners with Mason Public Schools (MPS) 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/digital collections. This card is FREE TO ALL STUDENTS no matter which county they live in, even those who already have a regular CADL card.

Having a Student Success account requires release of directory information to CADL, and gives students access to all CADL's online resources. Any parent/guardian who does NOT want their student to have an account MUST OPT-OUT by completing the MPS Student Success Initiative Opt Out Form by September 4, 2026. Please complete one form for each student you wish to opt out.

Students in all grades have the chance to get involved with Unified Sports, a program built on inclusion, teamwork and fun. Whether you're interested in participating in Unified Sports, helping teammates on the field, or joining one of the district's Unified Clubs to help organize and host inclusive activities, there's a place for you.

Interested students should contact their building's Unified coordinator, listed below, or reach out to Cindy Hyaduck, district coordinator for Special Olympics/Unified Sports.

Mason High School - Rachael Feskorn and Jodi DeRoshia

Mason Middle School - Cindy Hyaduck

Steele Elementary - Sara St. Pierre

North Aurelius Elementary - Allison Altenberger

Alaiedon Elementary - Nicole Gray

The 2026-27 state school budget again includes funding for free meals for all public school students. This means all Mason Public Schools (MPS) students will continue to receive free breakfast and lunch for the 2026-27 school year.

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 Service's office at 517.676.6529. A list of a la carte pricing is available on the Food Service website.

Families are also reminded to please take a moment to complete the 2026-27 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 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

There's still time to register for Mason's PreK for All preschool program this fall! Classes begin September 8, 2026, and are held at the Harvey Education Center (HEC).

Families who have already enrolled will receive information from their child's teacher via email. An Open House for PreK for All students will be tomorrow, Thursday, September 3, from 10 - 11 AM. Families should enter through door 20 at the HEC.

PreK for All is Michigan's free, high-quality preschool for all 4-year-olds. Children who turn four by December 1, 2026, are eligible for this school year. Through play-based learning, children build early math, literacy and social skills to help prepare them for kindergarten.

To enroll, go to InghamPreschool.org and select Mason Public Schools - Harvey Education Center on the enrollment form. If you have already enrolled, please email preschool@inghamisd.org with questions.

The Mason Community Education Fall Enrichment Guide is now available and enrollment is open. Check out the guide for classes and programs happening this fall.

Schedule for August 26 - December 18, 2026

Family Open Swim

• Fridays: 7 - 9 PM
• Saturdays: 1 - 3 PM
• No Open Swim: September 4, 5, 12, 18, 25 and 26; October 2, 9, 16 and 23; November 27 and 28; December 12
• Cost: $4/adult, $3/student or senior, punch cards available
• Note: Open Swim will close after one hour if there are less then five participants

Water Fitness (ages 14 and up)

• Monday and Wednesday: 7:15 - 8:15 PM
• Shallow water class only
• No class: September 7, 9, and 30; October 14, 19 and 21; November 25
• Cost: $7 at the door, punch cards are available

Adult Lap Swim (ages 18 and up)

• Tuesday- Friday: 6 - 7:30 AM
• No lap swim: September 4; October 9; November 25-27
• Monday and Wednesday: 7:15 - 8:45 PM
• No lap swim: September 7, 9 and 30; October 14 and November 25
• Cost: $6/person, punch cards are available
• Saturday: 7 - 8:30 AM
• No lap swim: September 5, 12 and 26; November 28 and December 12

Mark your calendars for upcoming events and activities. A full calendar of district happenings is available on the Mason Public Schools website. Additional Board of Education (BOE) meeting information is available on the Board of Education website.

• Thursday, September 3- BOE Finance and Property Committee Meeting, 5:15 PM
• Friday, September 4- No School
• Monday, September 7- No School, Labor Day
• Thursday, September 10- Regular BOE Meeting, 7 PM
• Friday, October 9- No School

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.