Notes From Mrs. Dixon Happy Spring and Happy Spring Break! Please enjoy the next week off with your wonderful children. We will miss them. Our office will be open on Friday, March 14th and Monday—Thursday, March 17th — 20th. Office hours are 8am—4pm Although teachers and support staff are not at school, our office staff is available to assist with any questions or registration. All school and district offices will be closed on Friday, March 21st. Students return to school on Monday, March 24th. Have fun and be safe! This past Tuesday evening our PreK – 2nd grade teachers hosted a Family Literacy Night at Mason. As parents YOU are the most important teachers in your child’s lives. The goal of the Literacy Night was to support families in helping their children learn to love reading and develop communication skills, all while growing their passion for learning! It was heartwarming to see the families who turned out for this event and a special thank you goes out to all our wonderful staff for putting together this successful evening. Report cards will be issued on Thursday, March 27th. Please be sure to ask your students for their report card and any accompanying information. Honor Roll assemblies will be: 3rd Grade – Wednesday, April 2nd at 9:30am, 4th Grade – Tuesday, April 1st at 9:20am and 5th Grade – Thursday, April 3rd at 10am. Remember you must be approved for school access to attend these events. Kindergarten registration is taking place NOW so PLEASE help us get the word out to all your friends and neighbors! They may come in to school and register anytime. We hope to get most of our new students enrolled before summer. We are forming classes now. Mason Manatees Rock! We raised $11,500.00 this year for our Jump Rope 4 Heart Campaign!. Special thanks go out to Coach Hollister for taking the initiative and getting everyone out jumping and to Mrs. Cope, Mrs. Peterson, Mrs. Newland, Mr. Waddle, Mrs. Leblanc, and Mrs. Benchoff for your help in coordinating the event. We also want to thank Mr. Norm for all that he does for our Manatees each and every day. Way to go guys! Manatees: Respectful, Responsible and Safe and Don’t Forget To Read! Character Counts at Mason! March 13, 2014 www-mes.stjohns.k12.fl.us OTIS A. MASON NEWS Otis A Mason Elementary School 207 Mason Manatee Way St Augustine, FL 32086 Phone—904-547-8440 Fax—904-547-8445 “Where We Educate The Future” Kim Dixon—Principal Pae Foulk—Assistant Principal School Office Hours: 8am to 4pm School Hours: 8:30am to 2:50pm Early Release every Wednesday at 1:50pm Newsletters will always be available online on our school homepage. If you do not have internet access, please let your child’s teacher know that you need a printed copy! IMPORTANT DATES March 14th—Teacher Planning Day—No School March 17th-21st—Spring Break—No School March 24th—Classes Resume for Students March 25th—Tropicana Speech Contest 9:30am March 27th—Report Cards Issued April 1st—Final day of FCAT Prep April 4th—Fund Run April 9th—Volunteer Work Day April 11th—SAC Meeng 3:15 April 18th—Good Friday—No School April 21st-May 7th—FCAT Tesng May 5th—K-2nd Field Day 9:30-11:30 May 6th—3rd-5th Field Day 9:30-11:30 May 8th—5th Grade Open House 6-8 @ Gamble Rogers Middle School May 14th—Volunteer Work Day May 17th—STEM Fair at Palencia Elementary Dr. Joyner’s Corner The Superintendent's Weekly Review for this week is now posted at http://blogs.stjohns.k12.fl.us/supt/ The newsletter can also be found on the home page of the St. Johns County School District website at http://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/ VPK Round-up The Registration process for our 2014-2015 VPK classes begins with the VPK Round-up. You must attend one of the workshops and obtain a voucher to be accepted into the VPK program. A complete list of these workshops can be found by clicking here http://www.ecs4kids.org/vpk_round_ups or call 904-726-1500. VPK Registration is happening NOW ! Our classes fill up fast and there is always a waiting list. If you need more information, call 547-8436 and ask for Ms. Lebon. Reserve your 2013-2014 yearbooks now. We only have a limited supply ordered. The cost is $20. St Johns County Fire Rescue is now offering Free Smoke Alarms to St Johns County Homeowners or Renters. Offer ends April 15th. Please call 904-209-0340 to schedule an appointment.
Transcript
Notes From Mrs. Dixon
Happy Spring and Happy Spring Break! Please enjoy the next week off with your wonderful children. We will miss them. Our office will be open on Friday, March 14th and Monday—Thursday, March 17th — 20th. Office hours are 8am—4pm Although teachers and support staff are not at school, our office staff is available to assist with any questions or registration. All school and district offices will be closed on Friday, March 21st. Students return to school on Monday, March 24th. Have fun and be safe!
This past Tuesday evening our PreK – 2nd grade teachers hosted a Family Literacy Night at Mason. As parents YOU are the most important teachers in your child’s lives. The goal of the Literacy Night was to support families in helping their children learn to love reading and develop communication skills, all while growing their passion for learning! It was heartwarming to see the families who turned out for this event and a special thank you goes out to all our wonderful staff for putting together this successful evening.
Report cards will be issued on Thursday, March 27th. Please be sure to ask your students for their report card and any accompanying information. Honor Roll assemblies will be: 3rd Grade – Wednesday, April 2nd at 9:30am, 4th Grade – Tuesday, April 1st at 9:20am and 5th Grade – Thursday, April 3rd at 10am. Remember you must be approved for school access to attend these events.
Kindergarten registration is taking place NOW so PLEASE help us get the word out to all your friends and neighbors! They may come in to school and register anytime. We hope to get most of our new students enrolled before summer. We are forming classes now.
Mason Manatees Rock! We raised $11,500.00 this year for our Jump Rope 4 Heart Campaign!. Special thanks go out to Coach Hollister for taking the initiative and getting everyone out jumping and to Mrs. Cope, Mrs. Peterson, Mrs. Newland, Mr. Waddle, Mrs. Leblanc, and Mrs. Benchoff for your help in coordinating the event. We also want to thank Mr. Norm for all that he does for our Manatees each and every day. Way to go guys!
Manatees:
Respectful, Responsible and Safe and Don’t Forget To Read!
Character Counts at Mason!
March 13, 2014
www-mes.stjohns.k12.fl.us
OTIS A. MASON NEWS
Otis A Mason Elementary School
207 Mason Manatee Way
St Augustine, FL 32086
Phone—904-547-8440 Fax—904-547-8445
“Where We Educate The Future”
Kim Dixon—Principal
Pattie Foulk—Assistant Principal
School Office Hours: 8am to 4pm
School Hours: 8:30am to 2:50pm
Early Release every Wednesday at 1:50pm
Newsletters will always be available online on our
school homepage. If you do not have internet
access, please let your child’s teacher know that
you need a printed copy!
IMPORTANT DATES
March 14th—Teacher Planning Day—No School
March 17th-21st—Spring Break—No School
March 24th—Classes Resume for Students
March 25th—Tropicana Speech Contest 9:30am
March 27th—Report Cards Issued
April 1st—Final day of FCAT Prep
April 4th—Fund Run
April 9th—Volunteer Work Day
April 11th—SAC Meeting 3:15
April 18th—Good Friday—No School
April 21st-May 7th—FCAT Testing
May 5th—K-2nd Field Day 9:30-11:30
May 6th—3rd-5th Field Day 9:30-11:30
May 8th—5th Grade Open House 6-8 @ Gamble
Rogers Middle School
May 14th—Volunteer Work Day
May 17th—STEM Fair at Palencia Elementary
Dr. Joyner’s Corner The Superintendent's Weekly Review for this week is now
posted at http://blogs.stjohns.k12.fl.us/supt/ The newsletter can also be found on the
home page of the St. Johns County School District website at
http://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/
VPK Round-up The Registration process for our 2014-2015 VPK classes begins with the VPK
Round-up. You must attend one of the workshops and obtain a voucher to be accepted into
the VPK program. A complete list of these workshops can be
found by clicking here http://www.ecs4kids.org/vpk_round_ups
or call 904-726-1500.
VPK Registration is happening NOW ! Our classes fill up fast
and there is always a waiting list. If you need more information,
call 547-8436 and ask for Ms. Lebon.
Reserve your 2013-2014 yearbooks now. We only have a limited supply ordered.
The cost is $20.
St Johns County Fire Rescue is now offering Free Smoke Alarms to St Johns County Homeowners or Renters. Offer ends April
15th. Please call 904-209-0340 to schedule an appointment.
Kindergarten and School Registration Information for 2014-2015
The St. Johns County School District (SJCSD) will hold pre-registration for children entering kindergarten and
students new to St. Johns County and/or public schools on Thursday, April 17th, from 9am-1pm; and Tuesday,
and May 6th, from 1pm-5pm.
To be eligible for public kindergarten in St. Johns County, children must be 5 years old on or before September
1st and must reside in St. Johns County. To register for first grade, children must be 6 years old on or before September 1st and have documentation of successful
completion of kindergarten.
Parents must register children at the school where they are zoned for the 2014-2015 school year. Three proofs of residency must be provided such as a current
mortgage statement, lease or rent agreement and two other forms of residency documentation such as a current electric bill, car registration and/or driver’s li-
cense. Additional information on residency and guardianship as well as a link to the Attendance Zone Locator can be found on the website at www.stjohns.k12.fl.us
under “Featured Links.”
Florida law requires any student entering a Florida school for the first time to show proof of required immunizations documented on the HRS Form 680. Proof of a
physical examination that has been obtained within one year prior to enrollment in school is also required. Physical examinations can be performed by either a
private physician or by the county health department.
Voluntary Pre-kindergarten (VPK) pre-registration will also take place at select schools on the above dates and times. Children applying for the VPK program must
be 4 years old on or before September 1st. The SJCSD offers full day VPK at the following locations: The Webster School, John A. Crookshank, Cunningham
Creek, Ketterlinus, Otis Mason, Mill Creek, Ocean Palms, Osceola, PVPV/Rawlings, South Woods, Timberlin Creek and Wards Creek elementary schools. For addition-
al information on the SJCSD VPK program, please contact Early Childhood Services at 547-4899.
Students can be registered during the spring and summer for the 2014-2015 school year, however; parents are encouraged to register during the designated dates
above so that schools can adequately prepare for the new school year. Additional information regarding registration and school attendance zones may be obtained
from the Student Services Office at 547-7598.
Nurse’s Station…
Studies show that 80-90% of children are not getting the water their growing bodies need! Please send your manatee in with a reusable water bottle. Maintaining proper hydration is essential for digestion, proper bowel function,
flushing toxins and fighting infection.
Thanks—Nurse Johna
The Gifted Parent Advisory Council meets four times per year to inform the school district about ways in which we can improve our efforts in serving our gifted students. The next Gifted Parent Advisory Council meeting will
take place March 25th from 5:30-6:30pm in the Media Center of Ocean Palms Elementary School.
SAC Parent Survey -
Otis Mason has begun its parent survey to gather
input pertaining to your child’s education. The
survey link is below and will also be available on our
school website. Please complete the survey at your
Chorus will start on Wednesday, March 26th and will be held from 7:30am - 8:10am in the Music Room. Letters with information regarding this club will be sent home with students who have indicated an interest in participating. Please contact Mrs. Regan at 547-8440 or [email protected] for additional information.
Otis Mason Elementary was recently
awarded a $500.00 grant from the Exxon
Mobil Corporation.
Thank You Exxon Mobil !
More School News and Happenings !! 4-H Tropicana Public Speaking Contest
4th and 5th Graders have been working hard on their
speeches to prepare for the School Wide contest on
March 25th at 9:30am.
One student will be chosen from this contest and move
on to represent Otis Mason Elementary at the County Wide competition on April 28th.
The winner of the County Competition wins a Scholarship to a 4-H Summer Camp!
Mason Elementary wants all
of our Manatees to
Read! Read! Read!
this Summer!
Please send in your gently used books and we will donate
them to selected students and keep some for our Cafeteria
Reading project. Your books will not be returned but will be
gifted to the school.
Please send in books by
Monday, May 12, 2014 so we can distribute
them before the summer break !
Students enrolled in the PreK program
recently participated in a week-long
celebration of Dr. Seuss! Some of the
learning goals related to stories included:
word families, rhyming, patterns, number and color words. On Friday,
MANATEE CAFÉ Breakfast is $1.25; lunch is $2.35 & comes with fruit, or assorted fruit juice & choice of milk
Please help us keep the cafeteria clean and safe.
If you are sending your child to school with a
drink from home, please do NOT send glass
containers .. Only plastic bottles or a
metal thermos please.
Important Reminder All children who arrive via parent drop off must arrive
before 8:20 to eat breakfast in the Manatee Café. All children
dropped off after 8:20 must report directly to class.
Please help your child by adding
powdered drink mixes to their bottled
water before coming to school.
Many of their little fingers have trouble
opening the packets and getting the mix
into the bottle !!
Our Mason Manatees are Respectful, Responsible,
and SAFE in the Manatee Café.
Keep sending in your labels, box tops, and soda tops. We are
collecting for the next contest and YOU could be the winner !!
Volunteer Corner A special thanks to all of you who have volunteered this week! Your dedication is truly appreciated. Below are new volunteer opportunities, as well as special events for our Manatee families to enjoy. Please let us know if you are interested in helping. We hope to see you!
TIDE: Every morning students have a focused instruction session called TIDE where they work in specific areas of need or enrichment. We need help to assist students with these activities. Volunteers are needed to dedicate 30 minutes every morning from 8:45am-9:15am. Training is provided.
MEDIA CENTER: The Media center needs an eager bookworm to volunteer just 30 minutes to an hour once a week laminating, cutting materials, restocking books, etc.
VOLUNTEER WORK DAYS: Come help our teachers. We have two remaining Volunteer Workdays this year on April 9th and May 12th, from 9:15am-1:30pm. Come in anytime throughout the day and stay as long as you can. You will need to sign in at the front office and be approved for school access. If you have any questions, you can email Erin Powell at [email protected]
MANATEE MALL: When we catch our Manatees being Respectful, Responsible, and Safe we REWARD them with “Manatee Dollars,” and they are then given the chance to spend their reward money at our Manatee Mall. Every Friday we need volunteers to help us pick up items, man the booth, and organize this fun event. If you would like to volunteer, please contact us at 547-8440.
BOOK ROUNDUP 2014: We are going to need some volunteers on May 12th to help sort books for the summer reading program. Please call Cindy Grotz at 904 547-8440 if you can help with this fun project.
Are you living in a shelter, motel, vehicle, campground, on the street, in an abandoned building, or living with friends or relatives due to an economic hardship? Are you a
teenager and living independently or with someone other than a parent or legal guardian? Then you may be eligible to receive services provided under the
McKinney-Vento Act. Contact Marie Lebon @ 547-8436 for more details. You may also visit: http://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/depts/student/homeless/
St Johns County Area Youth News and Opportunities Grab your passport and join us for a
great trip! World of Nations
Celebration takes place May 1st—
May 5th, from 9am to 2pm, at
Metropolitan Park, 1410 Gator
Bowl Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32202. To learn
more about this exciting event, to purchase tickets,
or get more information CLICK THIS LINK
As you travel through the World of Nations
Celebration, you experience the cuisine, artistry and customs from lands
near and far, seizing the opportunity to experience more than 30 cultural
destinations. Admission is $5 (One Day Ticket) or $8 (Two Day
Ticket). Children ages 3 and under are free.
Are you interested in planting a garden this spring ? Wouldn’t it be awesome to have a checklist ? Did you know that the St. Johns County Agricultural Center will check the pH of your soil for free? You can get all the help you need by following these links to their website which is packed with information to help your Manatee grow amazing gardens! 2014 Garden Guide and Calendar St Johns County Extension Office
Click here to view past and present issues of the Horticulture News 4-H Youth Development
What would it be?? What would YOU invent?? Draw a doodle about it and send it to Google. You could win a $30,000.00 college scholarship and $50,000.00 grant for your school !! Click here to view the rules and to enter. The deadline is March 20th.
ADVENTURES IN THE ESTUARY SUMMER CAMP—Adventures in the Estuary
Camp is a fun and educational way for your child to discover the importance of the coastal
community, explore the many habitats found at the GTM Research Reserve, and even
participate in research projects just like the biologists who work there! All sessions will be
balanced with camp games and crafts that support the learning themes! This year they are
dividing age groups into separate months. June is for 7-10 year olds and July is for 10-12 year olds. Each week will focus
on a specific habitat that comprises the estuarine ecosystem (Beach, Estuary, and Uplands). Click here or click on the
picture to learn more or to reserve a space for your manatee.
Summer Marine Science Program—Applications for the summer
Marine Science Program were passed out to our 5th graders the week of February 17th and were
due back to teachers by February 28th. Applications can still be downloaded at any time from
the website prior to April 15th at http://www-grms.stjohns.k12.fl.us/ and click on the Marine
Science link. The link
will also have a complete day by day curriculum for each grade level, parent
information and a video from last year’s program. For more information about the
Robert Laryn Skate Park at Treaty Park – Robert Laryn Skate Park at Treaty Park re-opened Saturday, February 8th. To learn more about news and events, they recommend you check out their facebook page.
Pickleball – The St. Johns County Recreation & Parks Dept. is proud to announce open courts for
Pickleball. Our plan is to develop and promote this great sport at Treaty Park. Open play will be Monday
and Saturday mornings from 9am to 11am, and Wednesday evenings from 6pm to 9pm at Treaty Park,
and Thursday evenings from 6pm to 9pm at Ron Parker Park.
If you are interested in playing or want to learn a new game
just show up. If you do not have your own equipment, some will be available. Make
sure you wear proper attire and bring your own refreshment. For more information,
time. Read your favorite stories to these clever canines and
become a member of the Read to Rover Frequent Reader Club.
Don't miss this great experience. Come visit with Maddie,
Clifford, Cookie, or Oscar. Read them one of your favorite books
or one of the many doggie tales we have at the Southeast
Branch library.
Bedtime Storytime—Tuesday, March 18th @ 6:30pm
Wear your PJs to this special session at the Southeast Branch where we do storytime backwards. Arts and crafts come first and then we will wind down with some favorite stories. This is a family program that is suitable
for all young children. We’ll be reading about some real hairy situations including Mo’s Mustache and Moosetache.
Knotty Knitters—Friday, March 14th and 21st @ 3pm
Everyone is welcome to join the
Southeast Branch's Knitting Club: The
Knotty Knitters. All ages and abilities
are encouraged to join and instruction
can be provided to beginners. Make
new friends and learn a new craft.
Movie Night —Thursday, March 20th @ 6pm
Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson
bring to life the untold, true story
about the origins of one of the
most treasured Disney classics of
all time - Mary Poppins. Join the
Southeast Branch staff for a night out. Snacks
and light refreshments will be provided.
Friday, March 14th @ 10am - 6pm
Saturday, March 15th @ 10am - 5pm
Do you love books and suffer from an
overwhelming desire to read as often as
possible? Fulfill your desire and support the
Anastasia Branch library at the same time. Come to the
Anastasia Branch Library this weekend and pick out a book or
two or twenty. On Saturday only, prices will be reduced by 50%
and you can even fill a sack with dollar books for seven dollars.
Could your child be a victim of cyberbullying or bullying? Do you need
guidance discussing topics such as stranger danger, body image, and
cybersafety with your child? You are invited to join 5 nationally
recognized speakers at St Augustine High School on Saturday, March
29th for an educational event presented by The Dance Company.
Register online at www.CommunityEmpowermentSeries.com
