RESOURCES
Special Announcements...
The basketball coaches will be sporting sneakers and pink shirts on Friday, January 27th in Mason City High School’s 4th annual Coaches vs. Cancer event at the Mohawk Gym. The boys and girls basketball teams along with the cheerleaders will also be wearing pink and using pink pom-poms during the games against Marshalltown to raise awareness in the fight against cancer. They ask that the community assist in raising awareness by wearing pink to work on Friday as well, creating a community-wide “PINK OUT” in Mason City! Click here for details on how you can participate in this great event! Click here to view information about ordering T-shirts at any of the schools. Visit us on Facebook -- Coaches vs Cancer Facebook Page.
A year after the closing of the cafeteria due to construction and meals being trainsported in from other facilities in the district, John Adams Middle School students enjoyed a meal in the new cafeteria that opened on Tuesday, January 24, 2012. Students are excited about their new "hang out" for lunch and district staff are excited about the new "state-of-the-art" kitchen and the possibilities it offers. Click here for first day pictures of students in the new cafeteria. The article published in the Globe Gazette about the cafeteria opening can be found on the Globe Gazette website at www.globegazette.com (click here).
The ESEA (Elementary and Secondary Education Act) in in the process of being reauthorized and states are allowed an opportunity to request a waiver from the NCLB (No Child Left Behind) Requirements. The Iowa Department of Education is gathering input and feedback on the proposed waiver request for the ESEA for NCLB. The Area Education Agency is assisting with gathering this information and an opportunity to provide input is being held on Wednesday, January 31, 2012 from 6:00-7:45 p.m. for parents, community members, SES providers and community organizations/business. Locally this meeting is being held at AEA 267 Clear Lake Office, 9184 265th St., Ste. B, Clear Lake (out by the airport). Information can be accessed on the Department of Education web site, http://educateiowa.gov/, which includes a video from Iowa Department of Education Director Jason Glass. Click here to view the No Child Left Behind Invite.
Click on the link below to access information on the make-up days schedule for school cancellations that occurred on January 20 and January 23 due to weather. 2011-21012 Snow Days Make-up Schedule
The YMCA is sponsoring this workshop about a system designed specifically for the intense, difficult child. Not only does this approach hold up to extremely challenging behaviors, itworks beautifully at the other end of the continuum. It also helps the average child to thrive. Click here for information about dates, times, costs and sign-up.
Regulation: Effective July 1, 2011, section 205 of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 requires school food authorities (SFAs) participating in the National School Lunch Program to provide the same level of support for lunches served to students who are not eligible for free or reduced price lunches (i.e., paid lunches) as they are for lunches served to students eligible for free lunches. In numbers this focuses on the difference between the reimbursement to a district for a free meal and the reimbursement for a paid lunch or $2.46. This section is trying to be sure that the federal government is not inadvertently subsidizing the paid student more than the current reimbursement rate. Therefore, Mason City Community Schools is raising the price for breakfast and lunch $.10 each. This increase goes into effect on January 1, 2012. Go to the Cafeteria/Food Service web page for the meal price schedule effective January 1, 2012. For information about the application process and requirements and to download Free & Reduced Lunch Forms, click here.
Mason City High School Instrumental Music Department students and staff shared holiday music with their fellow staff and students during instrumental music classes on Thursday, December 22. Orchestra and band students played holiday music for the office staff and in the commons area. Click here to view photos of this festive event at MCHS.
Mason City Community School District showed support for the city wide "Blue Zone" Project in many ways today, December 22. Many participated by walking to show their support and students joined in on this healthy lifestyle activity (Blue Zone Walk Video). Staff wore "blue" through out the district to show their support. The MCHS staff in these pictures (click here) were not having a "Blue Christmas" but were sharing in their own special way their support for the "Blue Zone Project."
The Mason City Community School District will be offering a preschool program for 2012-2013, at no charge to families, for children that will be four years of age prior to September 15, 2012. Families desiring to enroll their child should contact the school district. For further information, or to begin the enrollment process, please call 421-4400. Click here for a 2012-2013 preschool application form. Completed form should be forwarded to Lisa Christianson, Mason City Community School District Administration Building, 1515 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Mason City, IA 50401-6053.
The Walking School Bus is a program that provides a safe, consistent way in which children can walk to school as a group under the supervision of trained adults. Click HERE for more information.
Click here to view the 2010-2011 Annual Report to the Community or it also can be found on the "District Information" web page by clicking on "Annual Report to the Community." If you would prefer to have a hard copy of the annual report, please contact the office of the superintendent at 641-421-4401 to request a copy.
Our web store, which is accessed by going to Parent Portals and selecting web store, may have an issue if you are using internet explorer 7. If you use our web store and have internet explorer 7, please click HERE to read a document that will help you address the issue.  Mason City High School English Classes Receive Kindles Wednesday October 12th, 2011 Click here to access the Globe Gazette news article, Technology kindles class effectiveness, published in the Wednesday, October 12, 2011 edition. Also check out the related video, Kindles arrive at MCHS.
The Mason City Community School District utilizes a variety of educational services through the Area Education Agency 267. These services provide many of the education supports needed for our students PK-12. Click here to learn more about the services the AEA provides to our district. Visit the AEA267 website.
Mason City Schools students will have the opportunity to have their school portraits captured by Skarpness Photography Studios. Click here to find information related to schedules, order forms and a school portrait guide.
Parent and student access to Powerschool is now available (grades 7-12). If you have an email address on file with MCCSD, you should receive an email today with information regarding parent and student access. If you do not receive an email by the end of the day today or you do not have an email address on file with MCCSD but would still like Powerschool access, please come to your student's building office to receive login information. Parents should click HERE for information about parent and student account access to Powerschool. We thank you for your patience.
Click here for the start and dismissal times for students for the respective grade levels/buildings.
Click here for information related to an exciting new program "Breakfast in a Bucket (BIB)" beginning the 2011-2012 school year at Roosevelt Elementary.
We use the rSchoolToday Activity Scheduler from rSchoolToday as our School Calendar. A parent guide is now available to assist you in accessing this Web-based calendar providing you with the most up-to-date information. CLICK HERE to access this New Parent Guide. If you have any questions, please contact the Athletic and Activities Office at 641-421-4433.
The Iowa Legislature passed a new law, effective July 1, 2011, regarding students in grades 7-12 who participate in extracurricular interscholastic activities. Click here for important information and a required form from Iowa Code Section 280.13C, Brain Injury Policies and the requirements related to this new law. This information and the form required to be completed by students participating in interscholastic athletics, cheerleading and dance; and their parents/guardian; must sign and return to their school may also be found on the "Athletics" page of the district's website under "Forms". Students cannot practice or compete in those activities until this form is signed and returned. For questions related to this procedure, please contact the Mason City High School Athletic Director's Office at 641-421-4433.
This year Mason City High School witnessed some of the highest scores in school history for the Iowa Test of Educational Develeopment (ITED). Click here to access a press release related to information about ITED improvement as well as other areas also seeing improvement at MCHS .
The Forthman family - Linda, Charles, Michael and Jennifer (Gunderson), owners and operators of the Floor to Ceiling store, suruprised the Hoover staff by announcing that they are going to totally renovate the staff lounge at Hoover Elementary. The family . . . Click here for more information
Mason City Schools would like to thank all parents and guardians who have provided us with their e-mail addresses. If you have an e-mail address and have not shared it with MCCSD, we encourage you to do so. We plan on continuing e-mail communication with parents and guardians into the future and want to make sure no family is left out. Please be aware MCCSD NEVER shares e-mail addresses with anyone. Click HERE to for details on how to proceed with providing MCCSD with your e-mail address.
National Volunteer Week, 2011 is a time for all of us to remember and thank those who put themselves out there to help others. (Click here to read the Presidential Proclamation--National Volunteer Week.) Students, staff, parents and community members volunteer thousands of hours each year to assist the school district in its mission "To provide quality education for all in a caring and responsive environment." We want to say a big "Thank You" to all who volunteer for the Mason City School and by recognizing and providing information regarding various volunteer opportunities in our schools. Click on one of the links below to see volunteers in action and to learn more about these specific opportunities. Check often as new pictures and information will be posted often. If you would like to join your friends and neighbors who are volunteering in the schools, please contact the Administrative Offices at 641-421-4401 or if you would like to volunteer in a specific building, call the office of the building and ask to speak to the administrator of that building.
The Education Foundation of Mason City Public Schools is now able to accept donations to the foundation on-line. Just Click Here to visit the Foundation's on-line donation site. You can also learn more about the Foundation by clicking on the "Education Foundation" link above. Thank you to all donors who have helped the Foundation in their mission to provide extended learning opportunities, supplemental funding, scholarships and a tax-deductible means for alumni to donate.
The Mohawk Booster Club is please to announce that they now have two options for fans to purchase spirit wear/items while also supporting the Booster Club! Besides the on-line Mohawks Shop be sure to stop in at the Mohawk Spirit Store. Different items are carried in each so be sure to visit both. GO MOHAWKS!!!
At the November regular meeting of the Board of Education, Superintendent Micich shared information with the Board about Iowa schools and tobacco-free campuses. In April 2004, the Mason City Community School District Board of Education approved Board Policy 905.2 - Tobacco Free District. Click here to view a video about Tobacco-Free Campuses for Iowa's Schools developed in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Education Iowa Department of Public Health and Recovery.Gov. John Adams Middle School Co-Principal Kristy Wagner is a participant in this video. For further information regarding tobacco use please view the following also provided by the Iowa Department of Public Health: Tobacco Use = Poorer Academic Performance
The Distinguished Alumni committee recently met and made the decision to postpone this year’s Distinguished Alumni ceremony for one year to next November because of a need for more committee members, more Distinguished applicants, and because of the short turn around time to make this year a more memorable event. If you would like to join the Distinguished Alumni selection committee please contact T.J. Jumper, Director of Secondary Programs at Mason City High School at (641) 421-4431. There will be 3 – 4 committee meetings in the evening this spring to hopefully prepare for a Distinguished Alumni ceremony next November. If you know of someone who is deserving of this award please fill-out an application and send it in to T. J. Jumper, Director of Secondary Programs, Mason City High School, 1700 4th St. SE, Mason City, IA 50401. This committee and ceremony is extremely important as it allows us the opportunity to recognize those alumni who have gone on to demonstrate the tradition of excellence that Mason City High School is known for. It also helps serve as an example to our current and future students as to what can be achieved after graduating from our educational system. Mental Health & Well Being
Click here for more information and resources on Mental Health & Well-Being. Operation: Military Kids/Families
Operation: Military Kids is funded by the U.S. Army's Child, Youth, and School Services in partnership with USDA/4-H National Headquarters and Iowa State University Extension. OMK's mission is to support the children of Iowa's Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines throughout the deployment cycle.
The Education Foundation of Mason City Public Schools offers many scholarship opportunities for students and graduates of Mason City City Community School District. For further information regarding scholarship opportunities click here and follow the links on the Education Foundation page of the Mason City Community School District web site.
Click Here to access information regarding early dismissals or cancellation of school due to weather or other circumstances. Hawk-I (Healthy and Well Kids in Iowa) Health care coverage for uninsured kids is more affordable than you think. Parents work hard to make ends meet. That's why Iowa offers hawk-i health care coverage for uninsured children of working families. No family pays more than $40 a month. For more information call 1-800-257-8563 or go to the hawk-i website at www.hawk-i.org. Public Notice - Open Enrollment
Parents/guardians considering the use of the open enrollment option to enroll their children in another public school district in the state of Iowa f should be aware of the following dates: March 1, 2012 – Last date for regular open enrollment requests for the 2012-13 school year. September 1, 2012 – Last date for open enrollment requests for entering kindergarten students for the 2012-13 school year. A timeline waiver may be considered for those students falling under the “good cause” definition for the 2012-13 school year. Parents/guardians of open enrolled students whose household income is at or below the federal poverty guidelines for household size are eligible for transportation assistance. This may be in the form of actual transportation or in the form of a cash stipend. Parents should be aware that open enrollment may result in the loss of athletic eligibility. Parents have a right to appeal to State Board if an original request to open enroll was based on repeated acts of harassment or serious health condition of the student. For further details, contact Hal Minear, Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services, Mason City Community Schools. |
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