PTO Notes 05-30-21
Did you miss the last PTO board meeting? Read the recap here.
Save the date for our next PTO board meeting: June 10, 7:30p. All are welcome!
In This Edition
New & Upcoming
5th Grade Talent Show Spectacular!
All are invited!
The 2021 Mason-Rice 5th Grade Talent Show will be broadcast next week! Tune in on zoom (passcode: see emailed notes) on Friday, June 4th at 7:30p to see musical performances, skits, artwork and athletic feats!
Deadline Friday, 6/4! Seeking 100% Participation from Students!
Deadline Friday, 6/4! Seeking 100% Participation from Students!
A+ is Mason-Rice’s annual publication showcasing our students’ talent! We would love for every student to have at least one entry in this year’s magazine! But Friday, June 4th is the last day to submit your child’s creation(s) to be included in this year’s publication!
All families will have access to the online publication. Wouldn’t your child love to see his/her work showcased in this year’s edition?
How should you submit? Submissions can be turned in two ways:
1. Students can leave submissions in main entryway of school.
2. Students or parents/caregivers can submit via email here.
Questions? Email the A+ Magazine team here.
Sign up! STEAMfest is next Saturday, 6/5
We hope all families will attend STEAMfest, a family gathering to enjoy STEAM-based activities and celebrate the end of the school year!
When: Saturday, June 5th
Where: The field behind Mason-Rice
Time: 1:00pm – 3:00pm or 3:00pm-5:00pm
There will be bubbles, art, explosions, and so much more! Sign up to attend one session (1-3p or 3-5p). During each session, groups (designated by color) will rotate through all stations. Please sign up for a session so that we can keep an accurate headcount.
Also, we need parent volunteers to help! Please consider participating and sign up here.
Honoring and Thanking our Teachers
Most Parent Reps have emailed their classrooms and are collecting contributions toward a year-end class gift for teachers. If you haven’t heard from your Parent Rep already, be sure to reach out and ask if your class is organizing a gift. As a reminder, NPS’s gift-giving policy sets a $150 capacity on any group gift; remaining funds collected may be used to purchase supplies for the classroom.
For those who wish, there are two additional methods of recognizing teachers:
1) donate a book through the Mason-Rice Gift Book Program in honor of a teacher;
2) make a donation through the Newton Schools Foundation in the teacher’s honor. Details can be found at on NSF’s website.
As always, individual gifts of appreciation in the form of sentimental tokens are welcomed and encouraged. Gifts of commercial value are not permitted.
METCO Scholarship Appeal
The Newton METCO Community Scholarship Fund (NMCSF) provides financial assistance to deserving METCO seniors seeking to pursue a college education. This June, thirty-four Newton METCO Seniors will graduate from Newton North and Newton South high schools. Newton families are invited to contribute to the scholarship fund that will support ongoing opportunities for these students. Click here to learn more about donating.
Reminders & Updates
Have Something to Advertise to our Community?
Do you have a business you want to advertise? Do you know someone in the Mason-Rice community who might? Or maybe there’s a house in your neighborhood that’s coming up for rent? Is someone you know available to babysit?
If you have an advertisement, the Notes Team wants to help you spread the word.
Email your ads to M-R Notes Team and we will include your advertisement in our new-to-launch, once-monthly Community Classifieds blast email.
Instructions:
Send an email to M-R Notes.
Email’s subject should read: Community Classified submission
Content to include: exact text and any photos/logos
Note: Submissions will be accepted if they are for opportunities owned by, led by, or intended exclusively for Mason-Rice community members.
This Week: SpiritWear for Sale at School Pick Up
PTO representatives will be selling spiritwear outside of Mason-Rice this week at school pick ups. Stop by and purchase or restock your Mason-Rice logo gear!
T-Shirts @ $15: 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. Available sizes include:
Kids sizes S, M, L
Not at pick up? That’s okay! You can email Katie Gaines to place an order. All proceeds go to the Mason-Rice Fifth Grade Graduation Fund.
Sign Up & Keep Our Community Healthy
Will you help us keep our students and staff safe? NPS STRONGLY ENCOURAGES families whose students are participating in in-person learning to enroll their student(s) in the COVID-19 testing program. Testing is one of the best ways we have to quickly identify infection and reduce the possibility of in-school transmission. Testing is ongoing at Mason-Rice, it’s not too late to join!
It’s easy to sign up! Complete the Consent Form in the Aspen portal for your child to participate (here are instructions).
Note: Once you enroll, it may take a week for your child to receive their first Monday kit. The asymptomatic pooled testing is a separate consent process from giving consent for Nurse Becky to administer a rapid Covid test in school should your child becomes symptomatic at school.
Thank you all for doing your part to keep our kids, teachers, and community safe!
2021-2022 School Supplies
For the 2021-2022 school year, Mason-Rice will be using the services of 1st Day School Supplies again.
This program is not a fundraiser and the prices are competitive. It’s easy and convenient – order today!
ALL orders must be placed ONLINE by Thursday, July 1.
- Just click here, enter the school zip code 02459 and select Mason-Rice.
- Choose your kit(s) for your child(s) grade(s) next year.
- Enter your child’s name and Add to Cart.
- Complete the shipping and payment information.
- The kit will arrive at your house. Please look out for communication in August about what to bring in on the 1st day of school.
If you have any questions about ordering, please contact Sylvia Eng. Our PTO willingly supports those families who might benefit from a scholarship for school supplies. Please contact Jake Bultema for assistance.
NPS Calendar Reminders
June 14-18: Virtual Color Day WEEK! More info coming from our PE teacher. Stay tuned.
Friday, June 18: The City of Newton is observing Juneteenth on Friday, June 18. The Newton Public Schools will be doing the same to observe this important day in our history with no school on this day.
Tuesday, June 22: Last day of school for students.
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.
Support the Businesses that Support Us
Give Back Business
Exxcel Gymnastics & Climbing has been the premier gymnastics school in the area for over 20 years. We host 15,000 square feet of gymnastics and fun, including trampolines, foam pits and Olympic-level gymnastics equipment. We offer 10 weeks of boys and girls recreational gymnastics and rock climbing summer camp with a variety of activities including waterslides, outdoor games and zipline.
Call 617-244-3300 or visit us online at to enroll today!
Shop with these partners and a portion of the sale will be donated to the PTO:
Mabel's Labels: Just follow these simple steps and Mabel's Labels will donate 20% of sales from your order to the PTO!
1. Go to Mabel's Labels homepage and click "Support a Fundraiser"
2. Type and select "Mason-Rice Elementary School PTO" in the menu
3. Shop your order and check-out as usual
4. Mabel's Labels will automatically donate 20% of the order back to the PTO!
Minted: Enjoy 20% off Minted cards & gifts throughout the year when use unique promo code [see e-mailed PTO Notes] at checkout, and 15% of each order will be donated back to the PTO.
Disclaimer: this is a special code created exclusively for fundraising for M-R PTO community and is not meant to be shared publicly with coupon or deal sites.
AmazonSmile:
1. Visit AmazonSmile and sign in with your Amazon.com credentials.
2. Choose and select Mason-Rice Elementary School PTO as the charitable organization to receive donations.
3. Start all of your Amazon shopping at the Smile homepage, versus amazon.com. The shopping experience is the exact same, but your purchases will qualify for Smile commissions to the PTO.
To turn on AmazonSmile in the Amazon Shopping app:
1. Make sure you're signed up for AmazonSmile in web browser.
2. Open the Amazon Shopping app and find “Settings” in the main menu (☰).
3. Tap on “AmazonSmile” (under "Programs & Features") and follow the on-screen instructions to turn on AmazonSmile in the app.
4. Shop as usual!
Stay in touch. Stay informed. Get involved!
