The PTO was delighted to meet so many new and returning families at last Friday morning’s coffee. Thanks to all who stopped by, it was a great start to the year!

Among the best activities the PTO sponsors throughout the year are efforts intended to ensure our beloved teachers feel appreciated. Last Thursday, on the first day of school, teachers were greeted with surprise treats in the teachers lounge. Thanks to donations and support from parents in our community, the PTO is able to make this and other similar efforts possible.

Save the Date! Back to School Picnic – Sept 22nd

The Mason-Rice Back to School Picnic is back!

Please save the date September 22nd from 5:30-7:30pm*. We are excited that we can gather once again on the hill by the playground. We are encouraging families with K-2nd graders to come from 5:30-6:30pm and families with 3rd-5th to come from 6:30-7:30pm. If you have kids in both – come whenever. These are just guidelines to make the event Covid safe.

The 5th grade will be selling Richie’s Italian Ices as their first fundraiser of the year.

Stay tuned for info on dinner options.
To celebrate being together we will even have a DJ!

*Rain date is September 29th.

New Family Coffee with Jake Bultema – Sept. 23rd

Attention New Families! Save the Date!

What: Welcome Coffee for our New Mason-Rice Families
Date: Thursday, Sept. 23rd
Time: After drop off
Where: Under the tents behind the school
Bonus: Pick up your child’s school spiritwear t-shirt!

Volunteer as a Parent Rep for Your Child’s Class!

If you are interested in volunteering as a Parent Rep (aka Room Parent) for your child’s class, please sign up here by Friday, September 17th. (We need at least one Rep per class; if there are multiple volunteers we will pick names from a hat.)

If you are not sure but would like to learn more, there will be an optional Zoom info session on Wednesday, September 15th, at 7:30pm (Zoom meeting ID: 91000257578; Passcode: see emailed notes).

If you can’t make the session and have questions, feel free to email Molly Stearns, this year’s Parent Rep Coordinator.

Thank you for considering this volunteer opportunity. It’s a great way to meet other parents and support our school community!

Mystery Mini Fall Socials

Hey M-R parents, welcome back to school! Are you ready to sit outside in the beautiful Autumn air while conversing with a small group of M-R parents? If so, would you be interested in HOSTING one of the many small and casual gatherings?

The Social Committee is organizing Mystery Mini Fall Socials by grade-level and we are looking for HOSTS (preferably 3-4 per grade level) to hold small outdoor gatherings (10-20 parents) in their yard/patio/outdoor space for other parents in their child’s grade. These Fall Socials will be held during the month of October. Time and date will be determined by YOU! You can choose to host a late-night marshmallow roasting around the fire, a mid-morning bagel and coffee picnic, a Friday Cocktail … the options are endless. The invitations will be organized and sent by the Social Committee. These events will be for M-R parents only.

If you are interested in being a Host/Hostess please contact your grade-level organizer below: 

     K  : Kate Daniels
     1st: Molly Stearns or Kate Cook
    2nd: Celia Ivanov
     3rd: Shelley Morgenstern
     4th: Lucy Ewins
     5th: Stephanie Camargo

Once hosts have been determined, sign-ups will be sent out to M-R parents to sign-up to attend one of the Fall Mini Socials without knowing who their host or hostess will be! More details to follow.

Keep Students IN and Covid OUT!

NPS shared information on Thursday about their free COVID testing program. We strongly encourage you to sign up – you can read more about it here. Last year Mason-Rice had more than 70% of families enrolled in this program and it was a great success in keeping our kids and community safe, healthy, and IN SCHOOL! These at-school tests will allow our children to safely stay in school this year. Here are the instructions for how to enroll.

Scan this QR code to link to Aspen and sign the consent form today!

Download the App!

As new friendships are formed, your child(ren) may be asking for playdates. The easiest way to find names and contact info is through the MTK app!

Make sure to download the MTK app to your phone/mobile device so that you always have the directory and class lists with you! And if you haven’t done so already, update your child’s classroom teacher so that others can also contact you.

Volunteers Needed – Join the Directory Team

The Directory Team helps administer the PTO’s online directory–a tool that nearly everyone utilizes and is the heart center of our ability to stay connected as a community. As we begin the new school year, we are seeking 1-2 volunteers for this team.

Directory Team members work remotely. What is required of Directory Team members?

• learn how to use the MTK app and help users do the same
• manage user accounts
• manage the mail lists (e.g., resolving issues like, “why don’t I get a newsletter for my grade?”)
• general troubleshooting of user issues/challenges

To volunteer or to learn more, email the Directory Team today.

Get Your Spiritwear!

Mason-Rice has a new spiritwear store with lots of great gear!  Visit the store between now and September 30th to get your own Mountain Lion wares!

20% of all sales go to support the Mason-Rice PTO.

Free: Breakfast and Lunch for Families

For 2021-22, all NPS students will receive school meals free of charge. However, qualified families are asked to complete the Free and Reduced Meal Application. By completing the application, your student and family may be eligible to receive additional benefits beyond the free and reduced meal program.

NPS Calendar Reminders

At any time, you can access NPS’ calendar, updated regularly, here.

Your usual shopping can support PTO-funded activities (such as teacher classroom allowances, appreciation lunches, and curriculum-enhancing programming for all our students). 

Last year, the Mason-Rice community shopped with our partners and raised nearly $1500 while participation in our Spring ’21 Restaurant Series raised an additional $1100! 

Remember: these programs/partnerships, below, run year-round!

Stay in touch. Stay informed. Get involved!