New & Upcoming
M-R CAS AuthorFest Launched with Scott Magoon. Susan Tan coming next Wednesday!
Reminder: Have your kids submit questions for their author!
Scott Magoon joined the kindergartners virtually this past Wednesday for a read aloud of “Linus, the Little Yellow Pencil”, a drawing lesson, and lots and lots of Q&A. The presentation was a fantastic success, and we are looking forward to welcoming Susan Tan, author of the “Cilla Lee-Jenkins” series next Wednesday, March 10th! Third grade parents are organizing a book discussion group on Monday, Mar 8 — please contact Jenny Evans to help facilitate. Please remember to encourage your children to submit author questions in advance through our AuthorFest portal. As a reminder, upcoming AuthorFest events are:
* March 10, 3rd grade: Susan Tan
* March 17, 5th grade: Jerry Craft
* March 24, 4th grade: Eric Velasquez
* March 31, 2nd grade: Vita Murrow
* April 7, 1st grade: Brian Lies
Kindergarten student engaged during Scott Magoon’s presentation last week.
Lunch Bunch Dates
Ms. Becker’s drop in lunch bunches for DLA & Hybrid students are a great way for our students to connect! Dates and links for upcoming Lunch Bunches are below.
Remember: Lunch bunches are entirely optional, so no need to sign up in advance; just drop in!
Grades K & 1
Cohort A: Thursday, March 11th
12:35 – 1:05pm and 1:25 – 1:55pm
Grade 3
Monday, March 8th
1:25 – 1:55pm
(See emailed notes for links)
Grade 2
Cohort A: Friday, March 12th
1:25 – 1:55pm
Grades 4 & 5
Tuesday, March 9th
1:25 – 1:55pm
Upcoming Promo: Spring Tea School Days March 15-23
It’s almost time for the Spring Tea School Days promotion offered by Tea Collection, a globally-inspired children’s clothing company. For the week March 15-23, use our special promo code sent in the emailed PTO Notes for 15% off for you and 15% donated back to Mason-Rice PTO when you shop at their site!
Disclaimer: this is a special code created exclusively for fundraising for our MRPTO community, and is not meant to be shared publicly with coupon or deal sites.
“Crystal Lake” – A Special Presentation for K-5 students (and families)
Please join the Mason-Rice Green Team and guest speaker Crystal Lake Conservancy Co-President, Janice Bourque, for an interactive and educational presentation about our beloved lake. The meeting will be on Zoom, 4-5pm on March 11th.
RSVP and join us to learn and ask questions about all things relating to Crystal Lake, including: the history of the lake, how it formed, where it gets its water, animals in/around the lake, pollutants and how to keep it healthy. See blog to learn more about Green Team events.
Reminders & Updates
Reminder: Drop Off Your Teacher Wish List Books
Thank you to everyone who purchased books from a Teacher Wish Lists from the now-closed online Book Fair. Wish List books can be placed in the marked bucket outside of Mason-Rice; Book Fair volunteers will distribute the books to the teachers. Questions? Contact Lucy Ewins.
Green Team News: Mason-Rice to Participate in 4C Tree Project
Right now, 4C Tree is preparing to plant 170 trees across Newton this spring, including five trees in front of Mason-Rice. Each tree costs $150; can you help raise the money for the trees at Mason-Rice? Read more about the project and make a donation here.
Free: Breakfast and Lunch for Families
For the 2020-2021 academic year, FREE breakfast and lunch is available for ALL students. There are grab-n-go options for in-person pick-up or separate pick-up locations at the high schools for virtual learners.
See the City of Newton’s website for updated information on pickup locations and other important updates.
T-Shirts Showcase Your School Spirit!
The Mason-Rice Spirit Store is still open and stocked with t-shirts. We have t-shirts in two styles: navy with the Mason-Rice logo in color on the front or heather blue with the Mason-Rice logo on the back. T-Shirts are $15 in kids size S, M, L or adult S, M, L. Email Katie Gaines to place an order. All proceeds go to the Mason-Rice Fifth Grade Graduation Fund.
Community News
Bike Newton Petition
Bike Newton has created a petition for better, safer mobility with specific actionable items, several of which are routes to schools. Mason-Rice parents are encouraged to read the petition and sign and share if they agree. Click here to view the petition.
To join Bike Newton’s email list click on the green “Join Us” box on their website.
Student-led Classes/Tutoring
Are your K-3 kids looking for a new way to have some fun after school? Bessie and Emma, two Mason-Rice 5th graders have started a business as a Girl Scouts project to earn their Business badge.
E&B Classes does both classes and tutoring for K-3 kids at Mason-Rice. Arts and craft classes include finger knitting, friendship bracelets-making, and Legos. School-related tutoring in ELA or Math are also available. Each session is only $5! Materials will be delivered to your home and classes will be held over zoom. Any leftover materials are for you to keep!
See your emailed PTO Notes for more details.
Support the Businesses that Support Us
O’Hara’s
O’Hara’s has been a local favorite in Newton Highlands for almost 36 years. We are proud to be part of this vibrant community! During the current health crisis, we remained open for curbside pick-up from the very beginning, while doing everything possible to protect our family of customers, friends, and our hard working and loyal staff. With our matching donations campaign during the shutdown, we were pleased to deliver meals to many hospitals, nursing homes, police and fire stations to nourish our brave essential workers.
In the spring we were thrilled to welcome patrons to our outdoor patio, and even more thrilled to welcome guests back for inside dining in June. We have been blessed with a very loyal and committed customer base that show constant support and generosity throughout these uncertain times.
In addition to our usual standards of cleanliness and safety, we are following CDC guidelines to ensure everyone’s safety.
Visit O’Hara’s at 1185 Walnut Street, Newton or order online.
617-965-6785
Shop with Amazon & help the PTO
As an Amazon affiliate member, the PTO is able to earn commissions from your everyday purchases! Before you shop, simply click through the logo above and then go about your shopping as normal. You won’t see anything different, but the PTO will earn commissions from your purchase. (Purchases are aggregated and individual buyers are not reported by Amazon to the PTO.)
Stay in touch. Stay informed. Get involved!
