PTO Notes 09-19-2021
Introducing…Mason-Rice Outdoors!
Our initial build of Mason-Rice Outdoors took place this weekend. Major thanks to everyone who helped: local arborist, Dave Snyder, for donating the logs; Mason-Rice dad, Ollie Childs, general contractor of Downtown Abbeys, for cutting the logs into stumps; and all the families who came out to set up the stumps, sand them, and get the first phase of Mason-Rice Outdoors ready for use! We cannot wait to see how this space evolves.
In This Edition
- NEW & UPCOMING:
- REMINDERS & UPDATES:
- SUPPORT:
- Fundraising Promotions: Mabel’s Labels, Minted, AmazonSmile
New & Upcoming
M-R Family Picnic: THIS Wednesday (9/22)
When: Sept. 22 (K-2nd: 5:30-6:30pm and 3rd-5th: 6:30-7:30pm). If you have kids in both – come whenever. (Note: Time slots are suggested in order to help create spacing for everyone; but families should come whenever they’re able to join the fun!)
Where: M-R hill by the playground. Look for marked areas for each grade to easily find classmates and their families.
Food: Pre-order pizza (by Sweet Tomatoes – see below) through the PTO and pick up your pie & drinks at the picnic or bring your own picnic food. Save room for Richie’s Italian Ice that the 5th grade will be selling as their first fundraiser of the year (Cash Only).
Remember: A blanket to sit on! Your own food if you do not order through the PTO (below). Cash for tasty Italian Ice provided by the 5th graders as a fundraiser.
*Rain date is September 29th.
Make it a Pizza Picnic!
Pre-order your Sweet Tomatoes pizza NOW thru noon on Tuesday 9/21, and pick up your meal at the picnic.
Click Here to Pre-Order Your Pizza!
New Family Coffee with Jake Bultema – 9/23, 8:20am
Attention New Families! Join Jake on the 23rd!
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!
Virtual Curriculum Night: 9/28, 6:10pm
Our Curriculum Night will be held on Tuesday, September 28th.
6:10-6:40pm Welcome address by PTO Presidents, Jake, Lisa
Zoom link here (Meeting ID: 878 4146 0424, Passcode: [see e-mailed PTO Notes)
Specific class Zoom links will shared out by teachers.
Gr 3-5 6:45-7:25pm
Gr K-2 7:30-8:10pm
5th Grade Event Planning Mtg: 9/30, 7:30pm
5th grade families are invited to kick off event planning and fundraising by attending an organizational meeting on September 30th at 7:30pm via Zoom. Each 5th grade class is charged with determining graduation activities and fundraising goals and must raise funds independent of the PTO budget. If you are the parent of a 5th grader and are able to attend, or cannot attend but are interested in learning more, please RSVP here.
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.
Reminders & Updates
Respect the Zone: The BLUE ZONE!
The Blue Zone (curbs painted blue on both sides of Pleasant Street) are strictly for drop-off/pick-up.
Drivers MUST remain in the car at all times.
Students must be able to enter/exit the car independently (on passenger side).
Parents/Guardians, please watch this video made by the PTO, which highlights all the info you need to know about the Blue Zone. Please share this link with any caregiver who will be picking your child up during the year.
Keep Students IN and Covid OUT!
Two thirds of our M-R community have already signed up for the Covid testing program (Thank you!). If you have yet to do so, we strongly encourage you to sign up; you can read more about it here.
Last year M-R 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 the 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.
Get Your Spiritwear! Store open until 9/30
Mason-Rice has a new spiritwear store with lots of great gear! Visit the store now through September 30th to get your own Mountain Lion wares!
20% of all sales go to support the Mason-Rice PTO.
Volunteers Needed for the Directory Team
The Directory Team helps administer the PTO’s online directory and is seeking 1-2 volunteers.
To volunteer or to learn more, email the Directory Team today.
Free and Reduced Meal Program
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.
Calendar Reminders
Support the Businesses that Support Us
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!
Note that these programs/partnerships, below, run year-round!
- Go to Mabel's Labels homepage and click "Support a Fundraiser"
- Type and select "Mason-Rice Elementary School PTO" in the menu
- Shop your order and check-out as usual
- Mabel's Labels will automatically donate 20% of the order back to the PTO
Enjoy 20% off Minted cards & gifts with promo code [see e-mailed PTO Notes]. 15% of each order will be donated back to the PTO.
Stay in touch. Stay informed. Get involved!
