Mason Gazette
April 21, 2017
Dear Mason Families,
Thanks,
Your Wonderful PTO
Stay Informed by …
-regularly checking our Mason Elementary School webpage
-signing up for for Mason Elementary Community Remind text messages by texting the message @f69f4d to 81010 from your mobile device
-receiving and reading Mr. Bishop ’s Weekly Update email (click here to subscribe)
-following us on Twitter (@masonelemgp) and FaceBook (@masonparents)
Character Word for the Month of April:
Honesty:
Being truthful in what you say and do
Dinner Conversation Starters:
- What is your personal definition of Honesty?
- How can you be a better person next week?
Fun Writing Opportunity for April: We are doing this again in the month of April because we had over 40 students complete the March Writing Activity.
Mr. Bishop is going to give a special prize to anyone who is able to give him one or more paragraphs about one of the topics below: Please turn your writing assignment into the office before April 28th for your special prize.
1. If you could do anything you wanted to this summer, what would it be?
2. Who do you consider to be your hero?
3. What does it mean to be kind?
4. If you could have one famous person come to Mason, who would it be and why?
Fifth graders have done a fantastic job with the M-Step State testing. Third and Fourth graders will start on May 2nd. M-Step replaced the MEAP State testing last year. Testing runs through May 20th. Please make every effort to avoid appointments during test times. Make sure your child gets a good night's sleep, breakfast, and arrives at school on time!
The schedule is:
- April 11-13 - 5th grade ELA
- April 18-19 - 5th grade Math
- April 20 - 5th grade Social Studies
- May 2-3 - 3rd & 4th grade ELA
- May 9-10 - 3rd & 4th grade Math
- May 11 - 4th grade Science
It's getting warmer
What is Autism?
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disability; signs typically appear during early childhood and affect a person’s ability to communicate, and interact with others. ASD is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a “spectrum condition” that affects individuals differently and to varying degrees. There is no known single cause of autism, but increased awareness and early diagnosis/intervention and access to appropriate services/supports lead to significantly improved outcomes. Some of the behaviors associated with autism include delayed learning of language; difficulty making eye contact or holding a conversation; difficulty with executive functioning, which relates to reasoning and planning; narrow, intense interests; poor motor skills’ and sensory sensitivities. Again, a person on the spectrum might follow many of these behaviors or just a few, or many others besides. The diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder is applied based on analysis of all behaviors and their severity.
In 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued their ADDM autism prevalence report. The report concluded that the prevalence of autism had risen to 1 in every 68 births in the United States – nearly twice as great as the 2004 rate of 1 in 125 – and almost 1 in 54 boys. The spotlight shining on autism as a result has opened opportunities for the nation to consider how to serve families facing a lifetime of supports for their children. In June 2014, researchers estimated the lifetime cost of caring for a child with autism is as great as $2.4 million. The Autism Society estimates that the United States is facing almost $90 billion annually in costs for autism. (This figure includes research, insurance costs and non-covered expenses, Medicaid waivers for autism, educational spending, housing, transportation, employment, related therapeutic services and caregiver costs.)
Know the signs: Early identification can change lives
Autism is treatable. Children do not “outgrow” autism, but studies show that early diagnosis and intervention lead to significantly improved outcomes. For more information on developmental milestones, visit the CDC’s “Know the Signs. Act Early” site.
HERE ARE SOME SIGNS TO LOOK FOR IN THE CHILDREN IN YOUR LIFE:
- Lack of or delay in spoken language
- Repetitive use of language and/or motor mannerisms (e.g., hand-flapping, twirling objects)
- Little or no eye contact
- Lack of interest in peer relationships
- Lack of spontaneous or make-believe play
- Persistent fixation on parts of objects
Source: www.autism-society.org/what-is/
April/May Calendar
Apr 24 - Spring Instrumental Concert @ 7PM @ Poupard Elementary school
Apr 26 - Mason Buffalo Wild Wings night - Mason gets 20% of purchase with flyer
May 9 - Mason Jets Pizza Night
May 13 - Spring Fest 3-6PM Auction starts at 6:30PM
May 20 - Dad's club Grounds Day
May 22 - Spring Vocal Concert
Mason Elementary School
Website: http://gpschools.schoolwires.net/Domain/1501
Location: 1640 Vernier Road, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI, United States
Phone: (313) 432-4400
Twitter: @MasonelemGP