February 16th, 2024

a message from principal Jay Reutter

Congratulations to Mason Middle School's Power of the Pen team! Both the seventh and eighth-grade teams placed first at the District Tournament on Feb. 10 at St. Bernard Elmwood Place High School. Thirteen districts in Southwest Ohio participated in this tournament.

Individual seventh-grade winners include Seva Radjabova,(12th), Addie Kemper (5th), and Akshaj Kulkarni (4th) with Suhani Datta, Claire Liu, and Kaho Asai completing the team and helping earn the first place grade level team award.

Individual eighth-grade winners include Merrick McClure (12th), Ellen Yin (6th), and Michelle Zuo (2nd) with Pooja Narayana, Malissa Li, and Riley Chiu completing the team and helping earn the first place grade level team award.

The team's success earned them the opportunity to compete in the regional Power of the Pen tournament at Cincinnati Country Day School on March 2.

Congratulations to our 7th Grade Boys basketball team on their GMC title. We are proud of you.

We were also blessed with a visit this week from John Sadak who does play-by-play for the Reds. He was able to speak to a few of our Mason In The Middle classes. His insight into the sports broadcasting field was so interesting to hear.

Congratulations to Haasini Mendu (Grade 11) and Samhita Paranthaman (Grade 8) who have been named 2024 STEM champions and they will be representing Ohio at the National STEM Festival in Washington DC from April 11-13. This is based on 2 rounds of judging which looked for Innovation, Creativity, and the project's potential for positive impact on people or communities.

I did hear from a parent this week that a link to the yearbook ordering sight would be more helpful than a QR code for those who check email on a phone. Makes total sense. I have included that link below.

Yearbook Code

I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Go Comets!

8th grade Families

ALL rising 9th grade students must complete the William Mason High School Bus Registration for the 2024-2025 school year. Please indicate if you will be a DAILY bus rider, EMERGENCY USE only bus rider, or if you will not use bussing at all next school year. If you select emergency use only, you will have a place on a school bus when needed. This information will help transportation accurately assign bus routes.

7th Grade Families

Thank you to the 7th-grade families that were able to attend our meeting this past Monday. Linked below is the information needed for scheduling. Students have been given their 8th-grade course selector sheets to help organize their thoughts. The course descriptions can be found in the linked document as well as on your child's Crew Schoology page. During the week of February 26th, students will complete their requests at school in their math class.

Scheduling Information

MMS Spring sports information

MMS Athletics - SPRING Sports Information & Details are Available

If your student is interested in participating in spring sports, please take time to review the Spring Sports Information document now posted on our MMS Athletics website - linktr.ee/MMSathletics.

The contact information for coaches is linked in the document & on our Coach Directory so feel free to reach out to coaches directly for sport-specific questions.

Please pay special attention to page 1 of the 2024 Spring Sports & Information Details document to ensure your student has everything they need to participate.

Go Comets!

sumer credit flex

Summer 2024 Credit Flexibility Application is now OPEN!

Please review ALL information on the MHS Credit Flexibility site before submitting your application. The application can be found on the Credit Flex site and the deadline to submit is May 1, 2023.

Please contact your school counselor with any questions.

prevention and wellness

Hamilton County Suicide Prevention Coalition Campaign: Life Is Better With You Here

Life is Better With You Here stives to eliminate the stigma around suicide and mental health disorders in the Black community and provide culturally appropriate support and resources. They help to build a bridge inside the community and create a safe space for the conversation around suicide and mental health. The goal of the Hamilton County Suicide Prevention Coalitiokn Campaign is to prevent suicide in the Black community and to normalize talking about mental health, self-love, and self-care. Crisis and ongoing resources are available for you to use and share, because life is better with you here.

LinkingTogether: 4th Annual Mental Health Summit

This two-day mental health summit will be held on Friday, February 23rd, from 6:00 pm - 9:30 pm, and Saturday, February 24th, from 8:00 am - 1:30 pm. Both days will include a meal, a keynote speaker, and various workshops and seminars, led by national, state, and local experts in the areas of youth mental health. Session topics will include Emotional Regulation Coping Strategies, Empowerment Self-Defense, Social Emotional Learning, Suicide Prevention, Vaping Prevention, Mindfulness and more. The goals of the Summit are to increase mental health literacy, to reduce the stigma associated with mental health disorders in our community and to strengthen community response to youth development through awareness, knowledge, connectivity and access.

Ask a Therapist - LIVE with Dr. Skinner

Support your child’s mental health and wellness by joining Cook Center for Human Connection and ParentGuidance.org for an informative event for parents and educators. Ask questions of leading family therapists and take advantage of a free resource to help parents with important topics such as identifying anxiety, depression, grief, suicide ideation and parenting with purpose. Registration is first come first serve with 500 available participant slots. REGISTER HERE. Even if you can’t attend, registering will ensure you get access to recorded content.

If you would like more information on mental health and wellness or would like to get connected to mental health resources, check out the Resources for Mason Families page and reach out to [PWD] or your child’s school counselor.

mms pto updates

PTO at MMS Updates:

Please be sure to check out our page on Facebook for our latest updates: Mason Middle School Parent Teacher Organization and follow us on Twitter @MMSPTO2!

MMS PTO January Staff/Teacher Luncheon- THANK YOU!

Thank you, thank you to EVERYONE who donated towards the MMS PTO Staff/ Teacher luncheon! We appreciate your flexibility as we navigated the reschedule date due to the winter weather! The MMS Staff/Teachers had a wonderful lunch all thanks to our great MMS Community!

MMS Girls/Boys Basketball, MMS Dance and MMS Cheer- Thank you!

We loved supporting our Comets at many of the MMS Boys/Girls Basketball games! The concession stand was always busy, and we loved getting to know all the parents, families and friends of the Comets who participate in basketball, dance and cheer at MMS! We will see you next season!

Support the MMS PTO through the Comet Chip-In Fundraiser

If you would like to donate to MMS PTO at any point throughout the year, please do so here: MMS PTO Comet Chip In 2023-2024

Your kind donation goes to support all members of the MMS Community- teachers, staff and students!

2023-2024 MMS PTO Executive Board

Tracy Athan- President

Marisa Scagnelli- Treasurer

Carrie Upchurch- Vice President

Zahirah Goines- Publicity Secretary

Kelly Howe- Recording Secretary

Amy Davidson- Fundraising Coordinator

Kathy Stevens- Community Coordinator

Joy Fowler- Community Coordinator

mcs things to know

Get Ready for an Out-of-This-World Experience:

Mason City Schools Prepares for April 8 Solar Eclipse

On April 8, 2024, for the first time since 1806, Ohio will play host to a total solar eclipse. Here in Mason, we'll witness an awe-inspiring 99% coverage of the sun during this celestial event. For most of us, and many of our Comets, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience - the next total solar eclipse in Ohio won't occur until 2099!

We're eager to make this day memorable for our entire school community, fostering a sense of unity and excitement. The solar eclipse offers a unique opportunity to come together, appreciate the universe's wonders, and create lasting memories as Mason Comets! As a Comet commUNITY, we are thrilled to safely celebrate this extraordinary event together. Here are some key preparations and details:

Dismissal Schedule Adjustments

To allow everyone the opportunity to witness this remarkable event safely, we are making some adjustments to our dismissal schedules on April 8. In Mason, the Solar Eclipse begins at 1:52 PM, the Solar Eclipse maximum will be at 3:10 PM, and the Solar Eclipse will end at 4:25 PM.

MHS: All Mason High School students will be dismissed early at 2:05 PM. Students who ride the bus will be transported home but will arrive home earlier than on a typical day. MHS students who wish to stay at school to witness the eclipse with classmates and staff will be able to do so, but they will not be transported home by bus, and drivers may have roads blocked for a period of time.
MMS: All Mason Middle School students will be dismissed early at 2:00 PM. Students who ride the bus will be transported home but will arrive home earlier than on a typical day. Students who are car riders will be dismissed earlier than their typical time so that families may watch the eclipse together. MMS will share more information in the coming weeks for car rider families about pick up procedures.
ME/MI: Mason Elementary School and Mason Intermediate School students will be dismissed late at 3:25 PM. Students who ride the bus will be transported home but will arrive home later than on a typical day. Students who are car riders will be dismissed slightly earlier than their typical 3:00PM so that families will have time to watch the eclipse together. Schools will share more information in the coming weeks for car rider families about pick up procedures.
MECC: Mason Early Childhood Students will be dismissed late at 4:10 PM. Students who ride the bus will be transported home but will arrive home later than on a typical day. Students who are car riders will be dismissed at their regular time of 3:40PM-3:55PM.

Safety First – Eclipse Glasses Provided by the Mason Schools Foundation

Student and staff safety is our top priority. Thanks to the generosity of the Mason Schools Foundation, each student and staff member will be provided with certified solar eclipse glasses. These glasses are designed to protect your eyes while allowing you to fully enjoy the breathtaking spectacle in the sky. To ensure that glasses are not damaged and are available for each student and staff member, we are not able to provide glasses to go home with students before the event, or to provide glasses to families. The Mason Public Library will have a limited number of glasses for families with a Mason Library Card.

Comet Eclipse T-Shirts – Preorder Now

Commemorate this historic occasion by preordering your limited edition Comet Eclipse t-shirt, which was co-designed by Mason Elementary School 4th grader Natalie Smith and MHS Comet Zone students led by Senior Ella Rumpke. These specially designed shirts will serve as a fantastic memento for years.

The Comet Zone is partnering with the Mason Schools Foundation for an OUT OF THIS WORLD t-shirt sale! Gear up for the April 8th eclipse in the NEW Solar Eclipse GALAXY Mason Comets t-shirt! And a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Mason Schools Foundation!

Shirts are on sale for $15 + tax and there will be 4 colors offered: Cobalt, Iris, Purple, and Sky Blue!

Sizes YS-YL and Adult S-XXXL will be offered.

Step 1: Purchase your shirts online and in the Comet Zone NOW and orders will be accepted from 2/13-3/8.

Step 2: Fill out THIS Google form for EACH t-shirt you ordered so we know where to deliver it.

Support the MSF in Comet and Cosmic style!

**All sales are final and no exchanges can be offered**

upcoming events

PRESIDENTS’ DAY - NO SCHOOL, February 19

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION PARENT/CAREGIVER MEETING
Wednesday, February 21 |6:00-7:00 PM | Mason Early Childhood Center
Families with children who will turn 5 by August 1, 2024 won’t want to miss coming to this important informational meeting on Feb. 21st. Get your free “A Class of 2037 Comet Lives Here” yard sign to proudly display when you COMPLETE registration! MECC Kindergarten is a ½ day program. PARENTS ONLY please at the meeting due to limited seating.

MI BLACK HISTORY BOWL COMPETITION FINALS
Friday, February 23 |1:00-3:00PM | Mason Intermediate School
Mason Intermediate School's beloved Black History Bowl, which was started in 2007 by Mr. & Mrs. Handy, has become an important #MasonMoment for fifth grade students and our community.

BLACK HISTORY FEST: a Comet CommUNITY Mirrors & Windows Experience
Thursday, February 29 |6:00-8:00PM | Mason Intermediate Cafeteria & Gym
MCS DEI Council is partnering with the Mason Schools Foundation, MECC PTO, ME/MI PTO, MCS Inclusive Excellence Teams, and the MMS Black Student Union to celebrate Black History month as part of our Comets Connect Mirrors and windows series. This event will include music, food sampling, a Black-Owned Business Showcase, a picture book tasting, STEAM challenges, a family Black History Bowl, and more! During the event, there will be a special recognition ceremony for the 2024 MI Black History Bowl winners, the Mason Elementary Black History Bowl float entries, and a Scavenger Hunt!

Learn more about the “Your Story Matters” Featured Citizens: Mr. Terry Killens and Dr. Purcell Taylor, Jr, Black-Owned Business Showcase, and entertainment featuring Comet staff and the YOLO Band!

TASTE OF MASON: a Comet CommUNITY Mirrors & Windows Experience
Wednesday, March 6 | 5:00-8:00PM | Mason High School Large Commons
At the Taste of Mason you can sample a new dish, catch up with friends, and be mesmerized by incredible talent! Enjoy exciting offerings from many ethnic and independent Mason restaurants. Watch multicultural acts perform. Children can enjoy a global carnival hosted by MHS World Language Societies, and get their passports stamped while purchasing items at the Comet Zone with global currency from the Comet Savings & Loan. Don't miss this incredible cultural community event!

COLLEGE FAIR
Thursday, March 7 l 6:00-8:00 PM l Mason High School | REGISTER

Students and Families, your opportunity to talk to over 100 college admissions reps is coming soon! We will be using StriveScan, which will create a barcode specific to you so that colleges can scan and send you more information. This is an important aspect to the College Fair so be sure to SIGN UP HERE!

5TH GRADE INSTRUMENT FAIR

Saturday, March 9, 2024 | 9:00 AM - 3:00PM | Mason Intermediate Gym, Mason Elementary Cafeteria

Play & try out every instrument! Meet the teachers & ask questions. Get information from local rental shops.

Mason Band - Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Baritone, Tube - Located at ME Enter at ME Cafeteria Doors

Mason Orchestra - Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass - Located in the MI Gym, Enter at MI Main Entrance

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS

Sunday, March 10, 2024

MEAN GIRLS JR.: a Middle School Production

March 15,16, 17 | 7:30 PM | Mason Middle School Auditorium | Purchase tickets

Mason Middle Theater invites you to back-to-school when students present the smart and ferociously funny musical Mean Girls JR. beginning March 15 at Mason Middle School. Adapted from the hit movie written by Tina Fey and starring Lindsay Lohan, Mean Girls JR. tells the story of student Cady Heron who must learn to navigate the treacherous social hierarchy of high school when her family moves to suburban Illinois from Kenya.

Show times are March 15-16 at 7:30 pm and March 16-17 at 3:00 pm

Tickets are $10 in advance, and $15 at the door.