Mason Gazette
January 12, 2018
Dear Mason Families,
I was reminded by a colleague this week that one of the hardest jobs in the word is being a parent/guardian. There are times of uncertainty, worry, frustration, pride, and love. Together we can help any child rise to their maximum potential. Please know we appreciate your patience, understanding and willingness to help your child understand that Being a Learner, Being a Leader and Being Kind are fundamental skills that will help them successfully navigate through not only school but life. Thank you for not only instilling this same message into your learner at home but for also modeling this for them as well.
Last but not least, I would be remiss if I didn't invite everyone, during our three-day weekend, to take an opportunity to reflect on the teachings from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His passion for human rights and justice for ALL continues to be a resounding message that we all embody as a society. In the excerpt below from Dr. King's famous "Letter from a Birmingham Jail," Dr. King speaks of a society free from injustice. As a school community, we strive everyday to continue to create a learning environment that sees our diversity and differences as one of our greatest strengths as a community of learners.
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. Never again can we afford to live with the narrow, provincial “outside agitator” idea. Anyone who lives inside the United States can never be considered an outsider anywhere within its bounds.
Thanks for your dedication to Mason,
Roy Bishop, Jr.
Principal
Girl Power/Boy Power
Attention all 5th-grade girls and boys! Starting in January Mr. Bishop and Mrs. Fox will be resuming Girl Power and Boy Power. The meetings will likely be held during lunch and a commitment to attend these meetings is expected.
If you are interested, please write a paragraph that contains 3-5 sentences and details your reasons for wanting to be part of this initiative. Submit your paragraph to either Mr. Bishop or Mrs. Fox before Jan. 18th.
Watch for further details on future announcements!
Mr. Bishop and Mrs. Fox
Dinner Conversations:
-What does Many Hands, One Mason mean to you?
-What does it mean to have empathy for someone else?
-What can you tell me about Dr. King?
January's Character Word of the Month: Patience
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
-following us on Twitter (@masonelemgp) and FaceBook (@masonparents)
Parking Enforcement Updates
Please also note that handicap parking spots are only to be used by those with a handicap parking permit. Please do not use those spots for drop off or pick ups without having the permit. Violators of our parking rules will have their license plate recorded and the registered owner(s) will be issued a ticket via mail by the police department. NO parking in staff spots please.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PkAbOm7GSqkz0dUpoaPlK5jYrhICcsdY_O9jv7qvnGI/edit?usp=sharing
Notes From The Office
January Office Challenge: Happy New Year! Let's work together to start the year off with a bang. Getting to school on time will help students start the day off on the right foot. Students that go without having a tardy will be a special tag from the office.
Medications: All medications are to be brought to the school by the parent- do not send medications with your student. All medications must be stored in the school office. No medication is to be taken independently by the student. Please refer to the Elementary School Handbook for more information or contact the school office.
Brrrrrr.......it's cold out!: When the temperatures are below zero (with windchill), the students will not wait outside in the morning. Also, outdoor safeties should not report to their posts. On these cold days that the students wait indoors in the morning, please keep in mind that the bell rings at 8:20 and do your best to send your children as close to the bell time as possible. The hallways can get crowded very quickly. We have adults inside supervising the children as they wait, so we ask that parents to not enter the building to wait with your children. This just contributes to the already crowded hallways.
Also, when the temperatures are below zero (with windchill), the students will not go outside for recess. However, please send your children to school with all of their winter weather gear, so they can be prepared for all conditions. When the temperatures are above zero (with windchill), we do send the children outside at recess time for fresh air and exercise.
Parents For Unity in Diversity
Parents for Unity in Diversity meeting
January 18 is a Parents for Unity in Diversity meeting. 6:30 pm at Maire School in the library. Host Ginni Winters will be leading the meeting: “Having the Courage to have a Difficult Conversation”
Child Care will be provided.
Mason Elementary Community Diversity Group starting soon!!
Dear Mason Parents and Guardians, We are in the beginning stages of getting a school community diversity group started at Mason. We would like your support in this work. If you are interested or passionate about this need and want to help form how a group like this might look please join us on Jan. 22nd at 6:30 pm in Room 201.
January Dates To Remember
Jan 15 - MLK day - NO SCHOOL
Jan 16 - Parent meeting for 5th graders going into 6th grade - 6:30 PM at Parcells
Jan 18 - Parent-signed 2018-2019 5th Grade registration forms due to teachers
Kindergarten and Young 5's Information Night at 7:00 PM
Parents for Unity in Diversity 6:30 @ Maire Elementary in the library
Jan 19 - 1/2 day AM only - 11:36 dismissal - Records Day
Jan 24 - 5th grade registration PM
Jan 25 - Blood Drive 2-8 PM in the gym
Mason Elementary
Website: https://mi01000971.schoolwires.net/gpmason
Location: 1640 Vernier Road, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI, United States
Phone: (313)432-4400
Twitter: @MasonelemGP