Mason Elementary

We at Mason Elementary value belonging, joy and respect. Everyone will recognize strengths in themselves and others. They will show respect for individual differences, so that all students can feel understood and accepted. Equitable opportunities will help students learn and grow.

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

The end of the marking period is Friday, November 1, 2024. During this time, teachers will be preparing final grades, so parents will not be able to see students’ grades or report cards on Jupiter from November 1 to November 8. Parent-Teacher Conferences will occur the week of November 11. Please schedule a conference to discuss your child’s progress with their teacher. In addition to attending conferences, stay connected with your child’s academic journey by checking Jupiter and Renaissance Home Connect.

As we approach Thanksgiving, I encourage you to embrace the spirit of gratitude. Take 10 minutes before or on Thanksgiving to reach out to someone who has made a positive impact on your life and let them know how much you appreciate them.

We are excited to announce the Grand Blanc Elementary Basketball League for 3rd to 5th grade boys. This initiative invites all Grand Blanc elementary schools to participate in a competitive basketball league. Our aim is to foster a friendly yet competitive environment where students can learn fundamental skills, sportsmanship, and knowledge of the game from our players and coaching staff. Please watch your email for a flyer coming soon.

Additionally, we have many clothing items in our Lost & Found. If your child is missing shoes, sweatshirts, or jackets, please encourage them to check the table.

We are also launching a school-wide community Food Drive to support our adopted families. A letter will be sent home soon with details about food and clothing donations.

As winter approaches, please note that students will continue to go outside for recess as long as the temperature exceeds 10 degrees. To play in the snow, students must wear boots and snow pants.

Students will have holiday vacation beginning Monday, December 23, 2024, and will return to school ready to learn on Monday, January 6, 2025.

Wishing all Mason families, a blessed and joyous holiday season!

In the Interest of Our Children,

Mrs. S. James, Ed.S.

Please help your students to be good book citizens. Could you explain the proper way to care for and read a book? Our library books are coming back damaged and fines will be assessed.

We will be hosting an online and in-person book fair. Our in-person fair will be during the week of conferences in the library. You can shop online at https://www.scholastic.com/bf/masonelementaryschool7

You can use the link above to set up an e-wallet for your student to shop in person at the book fair. You can share the e-wallet link with friends and family who can add money to your student's e-wallet.

Classroom teachers will be sending out information to sign up for conferences. Our Conferences will be at the following times:

• Tuesday, November 12 from 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
• Wednesday, November 13 from 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
• Thursday, November 14 from 1:10 pm - 4:10 pm

Breakfast and Lunch are FREE for all students. If your student would like to purchase snacks, water, and/or extra entrees, please put money in their account using Meal Magic at https://grandblanc.familyportal.cloud/.

Mason Picture Retake Day will be Wednesday, December 4, 2024. The photographer will be here at 9:00 am once students needing pictures taken have been photographed they will leave.

We have a ParentVue app feature that you can use to report your student's absence from school. The picture below shows the steps or you can call the Mason Attendance Hotline at 810-591-7885. Remember, absences must be to be reported daily to the office.

If your student arrives at school after 8:45 am, please bring them to the office and sign them in at the office.

Due to the large number of students receiving lunch this year, any student arriving after 10 am will receive a grilled cheese sandwich as a hot lunch.

If you are picking up your student early please call the office at 810-591-7840 we will try to have your student waiting for you. Students must be signed out and show ID.

Students should dress for the weather.

Students will go out for recess as long as the temperature is greater than 10 degrees. Students must have coats, boots, and snow pants to play in the snow.

The holiday season from now through the new year poses threats to kids trying to manage food allergies. We would like to increase awareness about food allergies by reminding students and parents of the following:

• Food allergies are very serious. It is not a joking matter.
• Reactions can be life threatening
• Preventing exposure is crucial
• Don’t share food, forks, knives, spoons, or straws with friends
• Wash hands before and after eating. Some people with food allergies can get sick even if they are touched by something that has a tiny bit of food on it
• If a friend with allergies is sick, tell an adult right away. This will make sure that your friend gets help and gets the medicine they need to feel better
• Food allergies can make Halloween even scarier. Please remember not to bring anything with nuts into the classroom

Many illnesses do not require exclusion. However, children may be excluded if the illness prevents the child from participating comfortably in school activities or if there is risk of spread of harmful disease to others. These criteria also apply to when staff should be excluded. Criteria include:

• Severely ill – lethargic, difficulty breathing, or rapidly spreading rash
• Fever 101F or greater AND behavior change or other signs of illness

• Staff can use their best judgement if the child does not have a fever of 101F or greater, but still appears significantly ill with symptoms such as glassy eyes and lethargy
• The child should not return until there is no fever for 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing medications

• Diarrhea – 2 or more loose watery stools

• The child should have no loose stools for 24 hours prior to returning to school unless health care provider determines it’s not infectious.

• Vomiting – vomited 2 or more times

• The child should have no vomiting episodes for 24 hours prior to returning unless health care provider has determined the vomiting is not due to an infectious condition.

• Abdominal pain – abdominal pain that continues for more than 2 hours or intermittent pain associated with fever or other symptoms
• Rash – rash AND a fever or change in behavior
• Respiratory symptoms - Worsening or not improving, and not explained by another cause (e.g., allergies)

Skin Sore – weeping sores on an exposed area that cannot be covered with a waterproof dressing

Tuesday, November 5

• Election Day
• No School for Students
• Professional Development for Staff

Tuesday, November 12

• Conferences in the Evening
• Scholastic Book Fair in the Library - Open during conferences

Wednesday, November 13

• 1/2 Day of School - dismissal is at 12:17 pm
• Conferences in the Evening
• Scholastic Book Fair in the Library - Open during conferences

Thursday, November 14

• 1/2 Day of School - dismissal is at 12:17 pm
• Conferences in the Afternoon
• Scholastic Book Fair in the Library - Open during conferences

Friday, November 15

• 1/2 Day of School - dismissal is at 12:17 pm

Wednesday, November 27 - November 29

• No School - Thanksgiving Break - Office will be closed.

Email: sschwegl@gbcs.org
Location: 4455 East Cook Road, Grand Blanc, MI, USA
Phone: 810-591-7840
Facebook: facebook.com/CookMasonElementary