FAQs

You can add your information to the Mason-Rice Directory by clicking this link or copying and pasting the following link into your browser:  https://masonricepto.membershiptoolkit.com

One of the primary ways the PTO communicates are through the home page of its website, including events on the calendar.  We encourage you to check masonrice.org and its calendar listings regularly.

The second way that the PTO communicates is through its newsletter, and other email blasts.  We strongly encourage you to read all emails from the PTO so that you can stay informed.  All parents should sign up for the relevant group lists by registering for a Membership Toolkit account and making sure your contact information is correct. Room parents also use these lists to update parents on their child’s classroom happenings.

Mason-Rice PTO is on the socials! Join our private Facebook group or follow us on Instagram. See page bottom for links.

If you are have completed the signup form but are not receiving any emails, please email masonricedirectory@gmail.com.

We love parent volunteers at Mason-Rice. We welcome all parent volunteers. Volunteers who fulfill their role on school grounds or on field trips must have a current CORI form on file at the main office.

Progress Reports are posted in the Aspen system two times per year. You will receive a notification when your child’s Progress Report is available.

School instruction begins at 8:10am for all students. The first bell will ring at 8:10AM.  The second bell will ring at 8:20AM.

Children who arrive late (after 8:20 AM) must check-in with the main office before making their way to the classroom. See map below for where to line up for each classroom.

Students are released at 2:50pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. All elementary students get out at 12:20pm on Wednesdays. In addition, the day before Thanksgiving and the last day of school are a 12:10 release time. Check the PTO calendar for any additional early release days.

We strongly encourage walking at Mason-Rice.  Mason-Rice is lucky to be a very walkable neighborhood.  85% of children live within a mile of the school. There are 5 crossing guards to make certain that the major crossings are safe.  The sidewalks from these crossing guards all the way to school are shoveled by the city to make certain they are passable year round.

Other options:

• Children may be dropped off and picked up by car. Read more on parking around Mason-Rice as well as The Blue Zone below.
• Children who live further than a mile or in a safety zone can ride the bus for FREE.

The Transportation page on the Newton Public Schools website has extensive information about the bus system and any applicable fees. Click here for more information.  The Mason-Rice bus schedule can be found here.  Children who take the bus to school are kept on the bus until the bell rings at 8:20am.

Children who take the bus home from school report to the Centre after school and are then escorted to the bus by a teacher.

The Blue Zone is the blue curbed areas directly in front of the school on both sides of Pleasant St. These are areas for a QUICK drop-off or QUICK pick-up of your child.  THERE IS NO PARKING. Drivers should turn off their cars when waiting at pick-up but not get out of the car. Children need to be able to independently enter and exit the cars from the sidewalk. If you child needs a hand-off from a teacher or needs help getting in, you should not use the Blue Zone. For a full overview of the Blue Zone rules, check out the Blue Zone page.

We are lucky that Mason-Rice is surrounded by many places to park all within a few blocks of school, including Tyler Terrace, Chapin St., Park Lane, and Hancock St.

There is NO PARKING in the school parking lot during school hours. It is for staff only.

For dismissal, all classroom teachers at all grades will be walking their class outside to their designated spot to dismiss them at 2:50PM (12:20PM on Wednesdays).  Mason-Rice staff and/or classroom teachers will provide additional details before the beginning of the school year about the dismissal location for your child’s class.  If you are picking up from the main doors, parents and caregivers are asked to stand on the grass across the driveway from the main door to leave room for children to exit. If you are picking up from the main doors, parents and caregivers are asked to stand on the grass across the driveway from the main door to leave room for children to exit.

A full-size backpack is needed by most children, including Kindergarten. A backpack is helpful to carry books, a lunch box, folders, and winter clothing. Every child should bring a snack, and a lunch if he/she is staying until 2:50pm and is not getting a lunch from the school lunch program.

Yes, your child should have a nut-free snack every day.

Go to the Newton Food Services website for all the information on school lunches, including information on menus, ordering information, nutrition, and reduced-price lunches.

School lunch payment is handled through MySchoolBucks. Click here to create an account.

Many children at Mason-Rice have severe nut allergies. As a result, we are a nut-free school. Please do not pack products with nuts in your child’s lunch. Please read the Mason-Rice Parent Allergy letter 20-21.

In addition, Mason-Rice school maintains a “no sharing/no trading food’”policy, including eating utensils. Except in certain limited situations related to the class curriculum, food is not allowed for class celebrations including birthdays, holidays and the last day of school.  When used as part of curriculum instruction and holiday celebrations, food is used judiciously. Parents are to be advised of any school activity that requires the use of food well in advance of the project or activity.

Please contact the MRASP (Mason-Rice After School Program) Office for more information. After School programs are offered for all grades Kindergarten to Grade 5. Contact MRASP at 617-244-7260 or contact Joshua Friedman.

Newton Community Education, part of the Newton Public Schools, hosts many classes at Mason-Rice and many other Newton elementary schools.  Check out the NCE website.

If your child will be absent or late, call the Late Arrivals/Absence number at 617-559-9580 before 8:20am. If your child is not in school and you have not called or contacted your teacher, the front office will contact you to confirm your child’s absence.

If you have a planned absence, please notify your child’s teacher in advance. You may also leave a message on the Late Arrivals/Absence voicemail before the date of the absence.

Tell your teacher in advance that your child will be picked up early and work with the teacher to determine a time that would work best for pick-up.  When picking up your child, sign him/her out in the Sign-Out Log. The front office will call your child’s classroom to tell them you have arrived.

Becky Brooker is Mason-Rice’s nurse. If your child becomes ill at school, he or she will go to the nurse’s office. If Becky determines that your child is too ill to stay at school, you will be called and asked to pick up your child.

Yes, utilizing the SchoolMessenger communication system. SchoolMessenger utilizes data (phone and email address) entered into the district’s student information system (Aspen).  Please make sure your home, office and mobile numbers are up to date in Aspen.  See the NPS website for additional information. 

Cancellations are made by 6:00am by the Superintendent, although there may be times when decisions can be made the previous evening.

Newton utilizes a telephone and email communication system to notify parents of cancellations, delays or other issues. In case of a school closing or a delayed opening due to the weather, the district will call the number(s) designated by you in Aspen and send a message to you via email as well. Cancellations or delays will also be posted on the district website — www.newton.k12.ma.us — as well as major TV and radio stations for their lists of cancellations.