Download - Important Reminder -
Character Counts at Mason!
September 6, 2013
www-mes.stjohns.k12.fl.us
IMPORTANT DATES
September 12—7pm-8:30pm—Boy Scout Roundup
September 13th—Teacher Inservice Day—No School
September 17th—Title 1 Open House 6-7:30pm
September 18th—Interims Issued
September 19th—Health Screenings
Grades K, 1st, 3rd
September 23rd thru October 11th—
Teacher Conferences
September 26th—Picture Day !!
PTA Meeting, October 8th, 4th grade @ 6pm
October 24th—End of First Quarter
October 25th—Teacher Planning Day—No School
October 31st—Report Cards Issued
November 5th—Picture Retakes
November 11th—Veteran’s Day—No School
PTA Meeting, November 12th, 2nd grade @ 6pm
OTIS A. MASON NEWS
Otis A Mason Elementary School
207 Mason Manatee Way
St Augustine, FL 32086
Phone—904-847-8440 Fax—904-847-8445
“Where We Educate The Future”
Kim Dixon—Principal
Pattie Foulk—Assistant Principal
School Office Hours: 8am to 4pm
School Hours: 8:30 am to 2:50pm
Early Release every
Wednesday at 1:50pm
The Administrative Corner
Hello Manatees, We have gotten off to a great start. I want to thank all the parents for getting your
children to school on time. Our tardy bell rings at 8:30 so all children who are not in
the building at that time will need to be escorted to the front office by their parents
for a late slip. With safety as our number one priority, be sure to read the “Manatee
Essentials” in your child’s notebook and on our webpage for information on policies
and rules for helping in our school. If you have any questions or concerns about our
policies, please call 547-8440.
We are so very proud of our Manatees as they show us their good character by being
Respectful, Responsible and Safe. Have you heard about our daily Words of Wisdom?
Each morning on WOAM, our morning news show, Mrs. Dixon and I share Words of
Wisdom with thoughts of the day based on becoming caring citizens. We end with
“make it a good day, or not, the choice is yours”. We want all our Manatees to be
the BEST that they can be every day!
Our Title 1/Open House will be held from 6:00-7:30 pm on Tuesday, September 17.
We are going to offer three different times to visit classrooms to accommodate our
families with multiple siblings. The times are as follows: 6:00-6:25, 6:30-6:55 and
7:00-7:25. This will be a time for you to visit your child’s classroom and sign up for a
Fall Parent Conference between September 23 and October 11.
I would like to encourage you to join our School Advisory Council team. Also known
as the SAC team, all parents and family members are welcome to join. Meetings are
usually 45 minutes in length and are held the 2nd Tuesday of each month. Members
of the SAC team also guide the decision making for our students and provide
valuable input to help us increase student achievement, recognize good character,
and provide parental involvement opportunities for all of our families. Our first
meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 8, 2013. We hope to see you at 3:15 p.m.
in the Media Center.
Finally, I would like to encourage you to not only check your child’s homework every
night, but also have them explain it to you. That way you can see their level of under-
standing of the concepts being taught. Remember, children should be reading or
“read to” every night. We want our Manatees to Read to Succeed!
Go READ Manatees! - Mrs. Foulk, Assistant Principal Newsletters will always be available online on our
school homepage. If you do not have internet ac-
cess, please let your teacher know that you need a
printed copy!
*If a student arrives late to school, he or she must
be walked in to the front office, accompanied by
an adult.
Mason Manatee Reminders
*Teachers and staff are not available for morning walk in conferences, so please schedule
conferences in advance.
*On Wednesdays, there is a different lunch schedule, so please check with your child’s teacher or with
the front office.
* Student checkouts or transportation changes are not allowed after 2:15pm, Monday, Tuesday,
Thursday and Friday AND 1:15 on Wednesday.
*AM/PM child care & after school programs are available through Extended Day. Call Melinda Stevens
at 547-8449 for information.
*Everyone visiting St. Johns County Schools are required to sign in at the front office to receive a
school access badge. Please be prepared to show a valid State issued ID, or Driver’s License. You must
also be approved for school access to eat lunch with your child or attend field trips.
Important Reminder All children who arrive via parent drop off must arrive before 8:20
to eat breakfast in the Manatee Café. All youth dropped off after
8:20 must report directly to class.
Student Belongings
Parents !! Please write your child’s name on
lunchboxes, jackets, backpacks, and any-
thing else they may be carrying to school.
ALERT NOW CALLS !!!
Important announcements and emergency information are provided to you via our
automated system. If you are not receiving Alert Now calls, please contact Mrs. Lebon at 547-8436 to
change the number that we are sending these calls to. Don’t miss any more announcements or PTA information.
Additionally it is VERY IMPORTANT that you return the BLUE card with emergency contact names and numbers
listed on the FRONT and BACK of the card.
Go Read Manatees !!
Nurse’s Station
Health Screenings for
grades K, 1st, and 3rd are
scheduled for September 19th. Any parent
who wishes to opt-out of this program must
submit a request in writing prior to
September 13th. THANK YOU !!
Students of the Week Aziah Agront, Kelsee Behnen
Tyler Binkley, Ashley Brock, Kailee Kent, Steven Battista, Kiara Tolbert
Avery Bailey, Brooke Biermann, C.J. Clark, Kalani Jones, Landon Ravan, Jayne Smith, Sierra Sutton, Lucas Zarr, Tristan Kyall
Jamarein Major, Kai LeBlanc, Landon Benchoff, Luke Lavana, Layla Thomas, Dayton Taylor, Zeni Barrett, Matthew Shaughnessy, Layne Fickert, Bryson Blalock, Ethan Sikes
Bailey Locklear, Nicholas Wiberly, Mary Avendano, Noah Brzinski, Cole Bokowski, Kylie Germany, Dae'Shaud Woodard, Summer Rynn
Wyatt Sexton, Olivia LeFors, Tara Robison, Gracie Merckling, Kendal Weber, Cali Lennon, Sydney Hinton, Jalyn Alcorn, Andi Barbour, Camille Hamblin, Brady Dugan, Megan Storms
Natalie Castillo, Brennan Powell, Taylor Bunnell, Keyon Edwards
Darrenizia Tobler, Sean O'Rourke, Ava Nemecek, Kyle Sikes, Naomi Mitchell, Dillon Anderson, Ava Webb, De'Andre Burks
Monday 9-9
Chicken Quesadilla or Max
Cheese Sticks w/ Marinara or
Taco Sauce
Mandarin Oranges
Steamed Broccoli
Tuesday 9-10
Grilled Cheese on Honey
Wheat Goldfish Bread or Beef
Taco w/ lettuce, tomato,
cheese cup & Taco Sauce
Baby Carrots with LF Dressing
dunk cup
Corn
Mixed Fruit
Wednesday 9-11
Chicken Nuggets or Chicken
Fajita Salad
Whole Grain Breadstick
Baked Beans
Cherry Tomato & Celery Stick
w/LF Dressing Dunk Cup
Fresh Apple Slices
Dipping Sauce Dunk Cup
Thursday 9-12
Pasta & Meatballs or Fajita
Chicken Wrap w/ taco sauce
Spinach & Romaine Salad
w/ LF Salad Dressing
Sweet Green Peas
Peach Cup
Friday 9-13
STUDENT HOLIDAY
TEACHER INSERVICE DAY
Monday 9-16
Honey BBQ Ribette Sandwich
or Macaroni & Cheese
Steamed Broccoli
Green Beans
Apple Sauce
Tuesday 9-17
Mini Corn Dogs or Cheese
Tortellini w/Marinara Sauce
Spinach / Romaine Salad w/
LF Dressing
Mixed Fruit
Corn
Mustard, Ketchup
Wednesday 9-18
Chicken Fajita Salad or Choice
of Pizza
Whole Grain Breadstick
Baby Carrots and Cucumbers
with LF Dressing dunk cup
Sweet Peas
Fresh Sliced Apples
Thursday 9-19
Hamburger on a Bun or
Home Style Chicken Sandwich
Lettuce, Tomato, Pickle,
Mustard & Ketchup
Peach Cup
Potato Wedges
Baked Beans
Friday 9-20
Chicken Nuggets or Hot Dog
w/ Mustard & Ketchup
Whole Grain Breadstick
Sweet Potato Puffs
Cherry Tomato & Celery Stick
w/LF Dressing Dunk Cup
Choice of 100% juice: Apple,
Apple Cherry, or Fruit Punch
MANATEE CAFÉ Breakfast is $1.25; lunch is $2.35 & comes with fruit, or assorted fruit juice & choice of
Remember to wear
your TEAL and GREY
every Friday for
SCHOOL SPIRIT
DAY !!
Go Manatees !!
St Johns County Area Youth Opportunities
International Day of Peace: Peace in the Park, Southeast Branch
Saturday, September 21 @ 10 am
Help build a compassionate community while having a great time
with your friends and neighbors! Be part of the 2013 human peace
sign, and enjoy music by Lonesome Bert & The Skinny Lizards.
Festivities will also include compassion games, the Blue Lotus Belly
Dancers, face painting, popsicles, and pinwheels. You can help to
make and share “peace soup,” a.k.a. “stone soup,” by bringing 1
cup chopped, raw veggie or 1 can of beans. Bring your own chairs
and meet at the Al Wilke Recreational Field at 6140 S. Main St.,
Hastings, FL. This free event is sponsored by Pie in the Sky, Island
Doctors, the Initiative for Compassion, Unity & Peace Saint
Augustine, and the St. Johns County Public Library.
Public Library Youth Events
National Library Card Sign-up Month:
Celebrate with the Bookmobile
Saturday, September 28 @ 10 am
Come to the library for a special storytime,
courtesy of the bookmobile. Kids will get a
special tour of the "rolling library" and will
do a craft, too.
Knotty Knitters Knitting Club—Saturday, September 14 @ 11am
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.
International Day of Peace: Let's Go Fly a Kite ! Southeast Branch
Saturday, September 21 @ 11 am
Release your wishes for peace on the tails of a
kite. To celebrate International Peace Day,
families are invited to come to the library to
create a kite, which will promote peace and
harmony. We will go outside and fly our kites
(weather permitting). This family program is geared toward all
ages and is sponsored by the Friends of the Southeast Branch
Library.
NATIONAL ESTUARIES CELEBRATION--Free and Open to the Public--
Estuaries have played a significant role in the rich cultural history found here in northeast Florida. What
are some ways you think estuaries have helped shaped our history? Come to our two-day celebration that
kicks off Friday evening with a Star Party and continues to Saturday where families can explore how
estuaries have shaped northeast Florida's human history. Friday evening's Star Party (September 27, 2013,
6pm - 10pm) is the perfect opportunity to bring the family, or that special someone, and look up at the beautiful night sky and
explore navigational history. Saturday (September 28, 2013, 10am - 2pm) is a family event showcasing northeast Florida
specialists that play a large role in restoring, researching, and teaching about the estuary. We'll have food, face painting, a Sea
Turtle obstacle course, fishing, hiking, biking, gardening, a plant sale,
and much more. Both events take place at the GTM Research Reserve’s
Environmental Education Center, 505 Guana River Rd., Ponte Vedra
Beach, Florida 32082. For additional information or questions please
visit www.gtmnerr.org or call 904-823-4500.
NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY VOLUNTEER PROJECT
Faver-Dykes State Park, September 28, 2013, 9:00 - 11:00
Join thousands of volunteers across the country and take part in the
20th Annual National Public Lands Day! Faver-Dykes State Park is one of
the many host sites for this national volunteer effort. The project will
involve raking, pruning, trimming, cleaning, and weeding the formal
gardens within the park.
Upon completion of the project, participants are welcome to explore
and enjoy the Park. We offer many activities for your enjoyment
including hiking, biking, fishing, a
playground, picnic areas, and boating in
Pellicer Creek. Please bring gloves, hat,
sunscreen, and comfortable working
clothes. Drinks and snacks will be
provided.
The Redirecting Children's Behavior Course
Course Content
The Redirecting Children’s Behavior course presents non-violent strategies that foster appropriate behavior in children. The following topics are explored: assessing and building relationships, styles of interaction and results to expect, handling emotions during heat-of-the-moment exchange, diagnosing motivations that lead to misbehavior, appropriate redirection strategies, improving self-esteem, fine-tuning communication skills, and creating problem solvers.
Details
The St. Johns County School District is offering the course free of charge. The 15-hour course is divided into a series of five 3-hour classes (one night per week). Participants must attend the first class to be eligible for the remaining classes. The course will be taught at the Fullerwood Center auditorium (10 Hildreth Drive, St. Augustine FL 32084). Participants must arrange for child care on their own. Special accommodations must be arranged with Nancy Morrison at 547-7672 the week before the first class session. Participants completing all 5 classes will receive a certificate from the International Network for Children and Families in collaboration with the St. Johns County School District.
Registration
The course is open to school district staff and to the public. Seating is limited. To register, please contact Jill Bullard at [email protected] 547-7712. If you leave a voice message, be sure to spell your name and provide a phone number or email address. Please be sure to indicate which session you would like to attend (Summer or Fall). Seats will be held until 5:45p during the first session – and then made available to those on the waiting list.
Fall Course Dates
Class 1…….. 530p-830p, Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Class 2…….. 530p-830p, Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Class 3…….. 530p-830p, Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Class 4…….. 530p-830p, Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Class 5…….. 530p-830p, Tuesday, October 22, 2013
About The Publisher
The Redirecting Children's Behavior course is published and monitored by the International Network for Children and Families in Gainesville, Florida (Kathryn Kvols, President).
About The Instructor
The certified instructor for the course is George Freeman who holds a masters degree in psychology and is certified in the state of Florida as a behavior analyst. He currently serves as a Program Specialist for the St. Johns County School District. He has taught the Redirecting Children’s Behavior course since 1999 and values its techniques and philosophy.
St Johns County News and Opportunities !!
Treaty Park
Your child can join a free tennis clinic to introduce young people to the “fun” of playing tennis - a true “lifetime” sport for your child.
Hosted by SJC Park & Recreation’s Coach Bobby, “free” kids tennis clinics are scheduled for Saturday Sept. 14 @ 12:30 pm for Ages 9 & under and for Saturday Sept. 28 @ 12:30 pm for Ages 10 & up.
Treaty Park is located at 1595 Wildwood Dr, St Augustine. To sign up for your free clinic, please contact Coach Bobby @904-471-2463 / [email protected].
Are you living in a shelter, motel, vehicle, or campground; on the street; in abandoned
buildings; 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/