Experience Mason: Where YOUR Character Counts!
In November, we celebrate CITIZENSHIP. Check out this month’s resources.
At Otis A. Mason Elementary School, we believe education is a community commitment. Click here for our VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES. All volunteers must be background checked in Raptor.
Student Government Elections Coming Soon!
Election Day is November 4th and 5th
Please take a moment to connect our local, school elections to the importance of the democratic process in our country! Use the following tips to talk to your children this election season with a character-focused approach:
- Always model civility and an open mind: Your children are watching and listening to how you view the election. It is important to model approaching conversations with an open mind, respect, and civility. These are the discussions and conversations that we support regarding student elections at school.
- Create expectations for respect: If you are engaging in conversations around any election, set expectations for how everyone will treat one another. Regardless of opinions, your children should still speak respectfully to their peers. Remind them that it’s okay to disagree with one another.
- Encourage questions: Lean into your child’s questions about issues and elections. They may have questions about the voting process, the electoral college, or other logistics about how an elected official takes office. You may also get questions about different candidates. Help your child find the facts through reputable sources.
- Teach the differences between fact and opinion.
- Explain the voting process: Walk your child through what voting looks like and why voting is an important responsibility.
Home-School Connection:
Music and Character Lessons
5th Grade Book Study:
Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea
5th Grade students will be reading the book, Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea. This is the first book of a series (that we hope students will continue to read).
The book is written from the perspective of seven different students and how they are influenced by their teacher.
Discussion question:
People say you cannot truly appreciate something until it’s gone. Do you agree with that belief? What creates true gratitude? How can we foster gratitude?
5th Grade: Holocaust Education Week
This week, November 3rd through 7th is Holocaust Education Week. This difficult, but necessary, topic in history can be approached in many age-appropriate ways. As always, please pre-view sources to see if they are right for your family. Here are some resources for your family:
U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
Yad Vashem: World Holocaust Rememberance Center
5th Grade: OMES Spelling Bee 11/14
We are so excited to announce that the winners of the classroom Spelling Bee will compete at the schoolwide level on November 14th. Congratulations to:
Mrs. Barricklow’s Class: Aiden Johnson & Lucy Sweeney
Mrs. Jaffa’s Class: Israa Barakat & Brayden Forrester
Mrs. Thompson’s Class: Poppy Conlon & Otto Compton
Mrs. Steen’s Class: Sarah Bentley & Gretschen Bender
Mrs. Byrd’s Class: Sophia Pupillo-Bonilla & Ryan Xu
Square 1 Art: Order your Child's Art this Month!
Coming home soon: the Square Art Fundraiser catalog! Get your child’s art custom made into gifts and keepsakes to cherish. Perfect for holiday gifts or to upgrade simple items to unforgettable memories.
Find your child’s art using this link. Order by 11/26/2025.
New Clubs Starting Soon at OMES:
Ancient City Road Runners presents FREE Cross Country Races for all K-8 students in our zone. Manatees are encouraged to participate and learn all about the sport. Races will be Saturdays, December 6th & 13th at Treaty Park. Please contact he ACRR Youth Program Director with questions: [email protected]
Manatee Basketball and Cheerleading is ON FIRE!
Season Tournament to be Hosted at SAHS!
Fall Picture Retakes will be Wednesday 11/12
Fall picture retakes will be Wednesday, 11/12. Retakes are for new students, students who were absent on the original picture day, and students whose families would like to retake their fall photos (please return original photographs). Let your child’s teacher know if you would like them to participate in retakes.
Your Voice Matters: All are Welcome at SAC & PTO
Congratulations to our 2025 Employees of the Year
2025 School Employee of the Year: Ms. Heather
2025-2026 Rookie Teacher of Year: Ms. Sadler
2025-2026 Teacher of the Year: Mrs. Tatman
The 2025-2026 SSYRA Book List is HERE!
A la escuela de Otis A. Mason, se habla espanol. Si necessitas hablar con un membiero de este escuela en espanol, llamanos, por favor, a 904-547-8440.
Core Values
Our Mission
At Mason Elementary, we believe student success is fostered by a continuous commitment to improvement, which ensures well-rounded and motivated learners. We do this by maintaining a safe and dynamic learning environment, promoting high expectations for all students, nurturing determination, developing personal relationships, and involving our community.
Our Vision
The “Mason Way” is one that nurtures a passion in every child for personal success, good character, and a desire to learn, explore, and better themselves as they grow to be responsible members of our community.
Schedule
School Information:
M-F 7:55am–3:45pm
Main Office: (904) 547-8440
Clinic: (904) 547-8444
Registration: (904) 547-8436
School Hours:
- Arrival – 8:00am
- Classes Begin –8:25am
- Dismissal –
- 2:45pm – Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri
- 1:45pm – Wed (Early Release)
Policies & Procedures
Attendance & Tardies
Attendance is extremely important for students to be successful at our school. It is also important that students arrive at school on time, and ready to learn! Parents are encouraged to utilize school bus transportation. Daily drop off begins at 8:00am. Families should utilize the parent drop off line and remain in the car until school staff are outside to welcome students for the day (after 8 am). If your child arrives after 8:25am, you will need to come inside the school to sign them in.
Absences from School
If your child is absent from school, a parent/guardian must turn in a written signed note or a doctor’s note within 48 hours for the absence to be considered excused, upon the students return to school. Phone calls will not be accepted. We appreciate your support.
Early Dismissal & Dismissal Changes
- For the safety of all students, children may not be checked out of school after 2:15pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday and 1:15pm on Wednesday.
- If you need to change the way your child goes home in the afternoon or for an early dismissal, please complete our Dismissal Change Request Form. Handwritten notes are no longer accepted.
- Please Note: Early Dismissals – We do not send children to the front office until you have arrived and shown your photo ID to the front office staff. Dismissal Changes – Can only be accepted before 2:10pm (1:10pm on Wednesdays).
- We cannot accept phone calls for those changes. Changes in afternoon transportation should only be for emergency situations. Thank you for your understanding.
Featured Links
Parent & Student Information
Parent Access to Student Score Reports in HAC
How to Access the FL Assessments Portal
School District News
ParentSquare
Guidelines for Generative AI
Instructional Materials Review - Grades 9-12 Health and Physical Education
Instructional Materials Review - K-12 English Language Arts
FortifyFL
School Access
Meet our Adopted Manatee, Whiskers!
