NOVEMBER 2013
Name:
Grade:
Want to see your artwork in future issues of the Gazette? Then color this page, have your parents sign it and give it to your
teacher to give to the PTA. You just might find your artwork in the next newsletter, on an event program, or hanging up
around campus!
I give permission for my student’s work to be shown on campus as well as in school newsletters.
X_______________________________________________________
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Deidre Hardson-Head Lion
Dear Lion Families, In November, we practice gratitude and so I would like to say thank you for all that you do to help us create a positive learning environment for our children. We are pleased that so many of you have signed up to volunteer in classrooms or to help with projects. In addition, almost all classrooms have a room parent who can serve as the liaison between the teacher and the parents/PTA. We still need room parents for the following classrooms:
We have many events happening in November. On November 6th
we will have our Western BBQ during the school day. Please remember to RSVP if you plan to attend and eat lunch with your child.
Then, our PTA movie night is November 15th
. Eat dinner and enjoy popcorn while you watch a movie here with your LION friends. Movie night will be fun for the entire family and you will not want to miss it! Lastly, we end the
month by supporting our ASB food drive the week of November 18h.
Food will be donated to those who may be less fortunate that we are.
Remember, a strong parent teacher partnership will benefit all of our children. Parent conferences will take place November 18
th, 19
th, 20
th, 21st, and 22nd
(school will be dismissed at 12:15 everyday that week). These conferences will be informative and all parents are expected to attend one for each of their children. Parent-teacher conferences are an opportunity for you to
communicate with teachers about your child’s progress. We want all of our students to meet or exceed grade level standards. At the conference, the teacher will share your child’s work and what is expected to reach
proficiency. Here are some strategies for making the best use of this time:
BEFORE THE CONFERENCE Jot down questions and concerns you have about the teaching program.
Jot down any information about your child that might be helpful to the teacher. Talk to your child before the conference to find out about his or her perceived areas of strengths and challenges.
DURING THE CONFERENCE If you are unfamiliar with the report card, ask for a short explanation of how it works.
Ask the teacher to share examples of your child’s work. Ask the teacher to explain and give examples of “proficient” student work
so you will know what the grade-level expectations are. Don’t hesitate to ask for clarification if the teacher uses terms you don’t understand.
Ask how the teacher plans to support your child’s progress. Ask the teacher for specific suggestions about how you can support your child’s progress at home.
AFTER THE CONFERENCE Discuss the report card marks with your child.
Focus first on your child’s strengths and then highlight 1-2 areas for growth. Discuss the plan you have formed with the teacher to support learning at home.
The conference should not be the only conversation you have with the teacher about your child’s progress.
Another way to help our children meet/exceed grade level standards is to make sure that they are in school EVERYDAY6ON TIME! We cannot teach our children if they are not in school and early leave slips are a
disruption to the learning environment. So, PLEASE9 plan vacations/trips/appointments during the declared
breaks. LIONS MAKE ATTENDANCE A DAILY HABIT!
Have a restful Thanksgiving Season!
Wx|wÜx [tÜwáÉÇ - Principal
Grade Room Teacher Grade Room Teacher
Kinder 302 Olivares 3rd 602 Harnish
1st 402 Tse 4th 505 Exner
1st 403 Socito 5th 702 Charnley
1st 405 Barnett 5th 802 Wood
3rd 601 Martinez
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Hello Mason Lions,
As we practice gratitude this month I just want you all to know
how grateful I am for all the support our Mason families have
shown for the school. Our fall fundraiser was a huge success
thanks to you. We look forward to many great fieldtrips,
performances and programs for our students. Don’t forget to
volunteer your time, talent or continue to support us indirectly
with Boxtops, E-scripts, Labels for Education, and your Target
card. If you plan on attending an event lend us your talent and time. Just three hours a
year is what we ask for and there are many projects you can take home to finish.
Thank you for your continued support as we work together to make the future brighter for
all our students.
Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.-- Nelson Mandela
Stephanie Lawrence Mason Elementary PTA President
The Health Office has a CALL TO ACTION!!!
The Mason Health Office is currently asking for donations
of gently used clothing to be kept in the office in the event that a student might need a change of clothes.
They would like new/used pants and shorts, preferably with elastic waistbands. Sweat pants and basketball
shorts fit a multitude of sizes.
Dresses and skorts are nice for the girls.
Please drop off your donations to the Mason Office-Attention Health Office.
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Monday, November 4th
PTA Board Meeting
Wednesday, November 6th
ASB Western Day and BBQ
Come and enjoy a Western Barbecue Lunch with your student!
Monday, November 11th
NO SCHOOL-Veteran’s Day
Friday, November 15th
PTA Movie Night
Come and enjoy a FREE family movie in the multi-purpose room!
Popcorn and food will be available for sale, but to watch the movie is free!
Monday, November 18th to Friday, November 22nd
ASB Food Drive All Week
Parent Conferences All Week
School Out at 12:15 All Week
Friday, November 22nd
Spirit Day! Wear Your Mason Shirt!
Den Meeting followed by Principal’s Coffee in the multi-purpose room.
Have coffee with the Principal while learning about what’s new at Mason.
Get your questions answered and your comments heard!
Monday, November 25th to Friday, November 29th
NO SCHOOL-Thanksgiving Break
View Our Entire Calendar at http://masonpta.org/calendar
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Carson Tucker, 10, loves baseball, drumming, and
tae kwon do. What he doesn't love, he told TFK, is
"when I can't eat the same things my friends are eating."
That happens often, because Carson has food allergies.
He is one of an estimated 15 million Americans who
must be careful about the foods they eat. Carson must
stay away from eggs, shellfish, soy, and tree nuts. Even a
small amount of these could cause him to have a life-
threatening reaction called anaphylaxis (an-uh-fih-lak-
sis).
Food allergies are affecting more and more people.
Doctors are studying possible causes and searching for
treatments. The nonprofit group Food Allergy Research
& Education (FARE) aims to raise awareness and money for research. Carson takes part in FARE events.
ABOUT ALLERGIES Eight foods—peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, wheat, soy, fish, and shellfish—cause 90% of all food-allergic
reactions in the U.S. They cause some kids to itch, feel nauseous, and even gasp for air.
Why? An allergic reaction is a mistake of the body's immune system. The system protects the body from
infections. Reactions happen when the immune system identifies a food as something dangerous and releases
chemicals. The chemicals cause the symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Dr. Dale Umetsu of Boston Children's Hospital, in Massachusetts, is among the top doctors studying food
allergies. He believes that what we eat and what types of infections we are exposed to may affect our immune
system. "Fewer exposures result in an immune system that is less able to fight infections but more likely to
inappropriately attack harmless substances, such as food," he told TFK. Umetsu and others are looking for ways to
keep food-allergic reactions from happening.
ALLERGY-READY For now, kids with allergies need to avoid problem foods. They must also be prepared to deal with reactions.
About 20 states have passed laws allowing schools to keep lifesaving allergy medication on hand.
Carson always has his medication with him. He brings his own cupcakes to parties and is careful in the cafeteria.
"Food allergies are dangerous," he says. "But my friends take my allergies seriously and help keep me safe."
TOP 5 MOST COMMON FOOD ALLERGIES
A 2011 study found that about 5.9 million U.S. kids have food allergies. They are allergic to these foods.
Peanuts 25%
Milk 21%
Shellfish 17% (includes shrimp, lobster, and crab)
Tree nuts 13% (includes almonds, cashews, and hazelnuts)
Eggs 10%
Other 14%
What should kids know about food allergies, and how to best support friends who have them?
If you know someone with food allergies, please don’t treat them differently. Help them feel included in all activi-
ties. Remember that he or she is just like you, but just not able to eat everything you can eat. A food allergy is
nothing to joke about. It is serious and needs to be treated seriously. Please respect the fact that some things need
to be done differently in the classroom. Don’t make your friend feel bad about this; it is not your friend's fault.
Please help keep your friend stay safe by listening to your teachers when they ask that certain foods not be brought
to school for snack or lunch or parties.
All information taken from Time for Kids (www.timeforkids.com)
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If you are not already a Mason PTA member, please complete this form, include your $10 membership dues
and drop it off in the School Office in the PTA Mailbox.
If you are already a member...THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!
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Mason Elementary
History
Mason Elementary is
named after
Lowell Mason.
He was responsible for
bringing music education
into the public school
environment.
He is also know as the
“Father of Music
Education”.
One of his most famous
pieces of music is
“Joy to the World”.
He also was the reason
we can sing
“Mary had a Little
Lamb”.
He did so by setting it to
music which originally
was a poem.
Mason Lions
Cheer
We are the lions!
Mighty Mason Lions!
Everywhere we go
People want to know
Who we are.
So we tell them…
MIGHTY
MASON LION!
ROAR!!!
2013201320132013----2014 Mason Elementary 2014 Mason Elementary 2014 Mason Elementary 2014 Mason Elementary PTA BoardPTA BoardPTA BoardPTA Board
President: Stephanie Lawrence
Membership: Rebecca Gonzales
Secretary: Oran Houck
Treasurer: Jeanette Crutchfield
Newsletter: Jeanette Crutchfield
Webmaster: Brad Brockmeyer
Parliamentarian: David Keely
Fundraiser: Vacant
Historian: Greg Ferguson
Dad’s Club: Nick Crutchfield
and Eric Gonzales
Programs: Vacant
Hospitality: Kimberly Poole
Volunteers: Lisa Ferguson
Auditor: Jennifer Igmen-Hurtado
http://masonpta.org/
https://www.facebook.com/masonpta
http://masonpta.org/school-information/mobile-app for more information
