Back-to-School Hub

Students in grades K-12 will begin the new school year with a staggered start over a two-day period.

• Thursday, Aug. 17 - students with last names A-L
• Friday, Aug. 18 -  students with last names M-Z
• Monday, Aug. 21 - all students together

Staggering our start helps teachers put students in a smaller group setting to accelerate relationship building while learning routines.

Families with children who have different last names and would like their children to attend school on the same day are able to do so. In K-6, share that information with your child's teacher. In 7-12, share that information with your school. 

MECC Preschool students 1st day is Wednesday, Aug. 23

• Tuesday, August 1, 2023, at 4pm

  • Grades K-6 Teacher/Team Notification and Welcome Letter with School Supply List links emailed to families. 

  • Grades 7-8: MMS schedules available in Mason Connects

  • Grades 9-12: MHS schedules will be available in Mason Connects

Join us for an unforgettable Family Welcome Day at ME on August 14 and MECC, MI, MMS, and MHS on August 16. Get everything you need to ensure your Comet is ready and excited for #MCSday1! Don't miss this opportunity to make the first #MasonMoment of the 2023-2024 school year.

Mason Elementary School - August 14
Families of students in grades 3-4 will have opportunities to visit the school together and meet teachers on Monday, August 14, 2023. Sign-up information is included in 3rd Grade & 4th Grade teacher's Welcome Letters on August 1.

MECC, MI, MMS & MHS - August 16
Families of students in grades K-2 & 5-12 will have opportunities to visit the school together and meet teachers on Wednesday, August 16, 2023.

Students with last names M-Z:  1st Grade, 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.; AM Kindergarten, 1:30 - 2:00 p.m.; PM Kindergarten, 2:00 - 2:30 p.m.; 2nd Grade, 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Why is ME's Orientation Day different than other schools this year?
We recognized that having Mason Elementary and Mason Intermediate School's Family Orientation Day on the same day created parking issues, and other logistical challenges when having both schools' families all on the campus together at the same time. We adjusted and adapted, and it was a better experience for families who were eager to participate in all the welcoming activities that our staff planned. 

Back-to-School Gateway

Back-to-School Gateway is a paperless, online verification system for students already enrolled in Mason Schools. The system will open Tuesday, August 1, giving families time to update emergency medical information (including allergy or medicine needs), and emergency contact information.

Families will only need to confirm the accuracy of the information. 

Parents or Guardians must complete the following forms in Gateway:

• Emergency Medical Authorization Form  - Authorizes the provision of emergency treatment for children who become ill or injured while under school authority when parents or guardians cannot be reached.  PLEASE NOTE: updating contact information in Gateway does not update information in Home Access Center.
• Handbook Receipt Signature Form - Indicates that parents or guardians have received, read, understood, and agreed to abide by the policies and procedures contained in this school handbook.
• Network Agreement - Indicates that parents or guardians have received, read understand and agree that their child shall comply with the terms of the District's Agreement for student's access to the District Computer Network and the Internet.  In accordance with COPPA, the district may act as the parent agent to allow students to access education-specific resources.

2023-2024 School Fees

• MECC Fees
• ME Fees
• MI Fees
• MMS Fees
• MHS Fees

Families will be able to pay school fees on EZ Pay.  MHS families will be notified in September when fees are available to pay in EZ Pay.

MECC

ME

MI

MMS

MHS

MECC: Backpack & a folder.
Students use community supplies that are paid for by school fees. 

ME: Backpack & a folder. 
Students use community supplies that are paid for by school fees. 

MI: School supply lists are included in teacher welcome letters that families will receive on Tuesday, August 1st at 4:00PM

MMS: Paper, students' organization preference, and something to write with.
Any special supply requests will be communicated from the classroom teacher to the students once school begins. 

MHS: Paper, students' organization preference, and something to write with.
Any special supply requests will be communicated from the classroom teacher to the students once school begins. 

ME

MI

Parents may access their child’s bus information via Stopfinder. 

• Friday, July 14, tentative bus stops and pick up/drop off times will be available.

It is important to check your child's transportation information again before school begins.  Changes may occur due to processing family change requests and new family move-ins.

Install the StopFinder App (Apple) 
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stopfinder/id1038063658

Install the StopFinder App (Google Play)
https://play.google.com/store/search?q=Stopfinder&c=apps

What the App Can Do

• View your student’s daily transportation assignments – including transfer trips and stops
• Securely share your student’s schedule with caregivers. The primary parent/guardian is the only contact able to share student schedule information. 
• Receive notifications and updates related to transportation

Thursday, August 3, bus numbers will be available.

It is important to check your child's transportation information again before school begins.  Changes may occur due to processing family change requests and new family move-ins.

Install the StopFinder App (Apple) 
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stopfinder/id1038063658

Install the StopFinder App (Google Play)
https://play.google.com/store/search?q=Stopfinder&c=apps

Every attempt is made to place a student at a stop closest to his/her residence.  However if a parent chooses to have their student utilize a different stop, parents may submit a Transportation Change Request Form to a different, existing stop.  A new stop will likely not be created on an existing route.

TRANSPORTATION CHANGE REQUESTS TAKE 3 BUSINESS DAYS FOR PROCESSING.
(does not include newly enrolled students)

In order to ensure that bus drivers can successfully and safely drive their routes at the beginning of the year, drivers receive routes ahead of time to practice. Consequently, it is important to have all changes in our system at least two weeks before school begins so that routes are properly built and practiced.

If parents know that they will be utilizing child care outside the home, a Transportation Change Request Form must be submitted to the Transportation office. These forms are also available online and may be submitted via mail, dropped off in person, or emailed to MCSTransportation@masonohioschools.com

Safe Rider Orientation Program

WHEN: Wednesday, August 9 from 8-11 AM

WHERE: MCS Bus Garage, 5025 Enterprise Dr., Mason OH 45040

There will be a chance to get on and off the bus, learn about bus safety, and play carnival games. We hope you'll join us!

View procedures and maps for occasional and regular car riders at MECC, ME, MI, MMS and MHS.  

Stopfinder is the easy-to-use, all-in-one app that allows you to have the most accurate information about your student's bus schedule at any time from anywhere.

The email address that is currently on file with the district will be used for Stopfinder setup.  If you need assistance with your log in please contact Transportation at mcstransportation@masonohioschools.com and a team member will assist you.

Stopfinder requires an invite and registration through the district prior to accessing your student's transportation schedule.  Please watch for your Stopfinder invitation, which will be sent to your primary email address.  NOTE - If you don't receive the invitation email, please check your SPAM/Promotions folder.  If you can't find the email or the link inside the email expired, please send an email to mcstransportation@masonohioschools.com and we will send a new invitation email.

Please email mcstransportation@masonohioschools.com if you need help accessing the information on the app.  In your email, please describe the issue you are encountering and we will work with you to solve the problem.  We want you to have the convenience of seeing your student's bus information throughout the year, especially if we need to send you notifications if bus changes occur.

If you recently moved to a new location in Mason, you will need to make sure the address change is done through the registration office before we can make changes to your student's transportation.  You must submit proof of your new residence via email and complete the forms necessary to change your address and bus schedule.  We are not requiring a notary for the Affidavit at the time; however, please sign the Affidavit and return it with the following:

• Proof of new Mason residence
  • Deed, Settlement Statement or
  • Warren County Auditor's Property Summary or
  • Signed Lease Agreement in your name
• Copy of Parent ID

Please submit your change of address to registration@masonohioschools.com and we will be happy to update our records with your new address.

Please complete the 2023-2024 Transportation Change Request Form.  We will update the transportation and send you an email with the updated changes.

When viewing your student's stop locations and times on Stopfinder, check each day of the week to view the scheduled locations, making sure they are correct.  If their scheduled locations or days have changed, please complete the  2023-24 Transportation Change Request Form.

Please complete the 2023-24 Transportation Change Request Form.  We will update the transportation and send you an email with the updated changes.

In the Extended Care program, children have the convenience of care right in their elementary schools, allowing them to easily participate in developmentally appropriate school activities. Each school site is equipped with toys, games, arts and craft materials and homework supplies.

Experienced staff members will provide students with a variety of planned activities, special projects and enrichment opportunities. 

The Extended Care days of operation coincide with the Mason City Schools calendar.  The Extended Care program opens at 6:15am until school begins (session one) and after school ends until 6:00pm (session two). Daily snacks are provided in the morning and afternoon.

Click Here to register

The Extended Care Program is $7 per hour per child for MECC, Mason Elementary and Mason Intermediate. There is a six hour minimum for each session - morning (session one) and afternoon (session two). There is an annual registration fee of $70 per family, and a supply fee of $25 per student. A refundable deposit $100 fee per student for one session or $150 fee per student for both sessions is due upon registration. This refundable deposit will be used to cover any unpaid fees at the end of the school year or when your child leaves the program.

Click Here to register

Mason City Schools Menus

**August menus will be loaded by Friday, July 28

Families who may qualify for free and reduced meals based on income or other qualifying factors will need to complete the free & reduced lunch application form

Regardless of previous qualifications, the meal benefits application must be completed on an annual basis. 

MyPaymentsPlus is available for families to prepay children's meal accounts on Thursday, July 13, 2023.

(Free & Reduced Meal Applications available in schools and online now. 

Ohio law requires children to have certain immunizations to attend school.  View the Immunization Requirements.

All immunization records must be provided to your school nurse before the 14th day of school (Sept. 6, 2023) to ensure your child can continue attending school. Records can be provided on Back-to-School Gateway, in a paper format or emailed/faxed from you or your doctor's office to your school nurse. 

Incoming 7th Graders: All incoming seventh-graders are required by law to have one dose each of the MCV4 (Meningococcal) vaccine and Tdap (Diptheria, Tetanus & Pertusis) booster vaccine. 

Incoming 12th Graders: All incoming seniors are required by law to provide an updated shot record showing proof of two doses of the MCV4 (Meningococal) vaccine. If the first dose was given on or after the 16^th birthday, a second dose is not required. A record of these updated vaccines must be sent to your school’s main office before the start of the new school year. 

COVID-19 Vaccination: Mason City Schools does not require staff or students to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. If your child has received the vaccine, you can submit a copy of the vaccination record to your school's nurse to have on file.

Warren County Immunization & Child Health Clinic

According to the Warren County Health Department guidelines, if your child was born outside of the U.S., has been in the country for less than five years, and is coming to Mason City Schools from a country or area identified by the Ohio Department of Health and/or US Centers for Disease Control as an area of a high incidence of tuberculosis, they must submit proof of negative tuberculosis skin test. This requirement also applies to a student returning from travel to a high-incidence region if the travel duration is two months or longer. If submitting a TB skin test with a positive result, a negative chest e-ray or QuantiFERON test result proving the non-existence of active tuberculosis must be submitted before the student may attend school. 

Kindergarten Students
Families of kindergarten students need to share proof of an updated physical within the last year through Back-to-School Gateway or with MECC nurses Patty Gast, RN & Sally McDonald, RN. 

New to Mason Students
New Comet families need to share proof of their children's updated physical within the last year through Back-to-School Gateway or with their school nurse. 

Athletes
Comet athletes need a current (within the last year) physical on file. Log into FinalForms to ensure your athelte's physical is updated.  
 

We're so glad you've joined our Comet Family! Visit the New Family Welcome Center.

We hope you're getting all settled into your new home! 

Permanent changes due to change of address need to be shared with the Central Registrar, 513.398.0474 ext. 20141 or email hillja@masonohioschools.com  

Schedules will be visible within Mason Connects by August 1st.

Email support@masonohioschools.com and be as specific as possible. Also, please whitelist support@masonhioschools.com, so you don't miss our response to you.

Please add support@masonohioschools.com to your contact list. We have found that when our support specialists reply to your ticket, the response often lands in Spam or Junk Email due to using an external ticketing system.  Even if the initial email is received, replies tend to be problematic.