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Mason School Board reverses, relaxes Controversial Topics policy

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The Mason School Board reverses its policy on controversial topics Oct. 11, allowing employees to express their personal opinions as long as students are encouraged to reach independent decisions. The motion passed 5-2, with Michael Kelly and Patrick O’Connor voting against. 

Treasurer Steve Duane said this change takes away the question of what is and is not OK for teachers. 

“We don’t want the policy to be so restrictive that it creates questions, it creates doubt, in the minds of teachers,” Duane said.  

Policy 2240 originates from Neola, an organization that helps schools create board policies. This policy provides guidance for the instruction and discussion of controversial topics in school. 

Board secretary Liz Evans said the discussion stemmed from an individual situation, and the policy’s use is not common in the district. 

“The reality is it has not been an issue,” Evans said. “It’s in place so that teachers know what their boundaries are, parents know what teachers’ boundaries are.”

At the start of the meeting, a public comment was made in regards to Policy 2240.

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Teaching through COVID

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America’s teachers are bearing the burden of what is arguably one of the most challenging jobs right now, teaching students who haven’t been in a classroom for more than  a year. For most, this means a shortage of time and a mountain of work. 

Teachers are bearing the burden of staff shortages and lack of resources in the elementary, middle and high school level. Katie, a teacher in Okemos, lives in the Mason area and has a child who attends school there. As a mother and educator, she experiences the struggles that parents and teachers face. The main challenge: supporting every child in the return to in-person classes and making sure they are engaged and ready to learn. 

“It’s been rough.

News

Absentee voting increases Mason turnout

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Absentee voting might increase voter turnout in Mason’s November election, says Clerk Sarah Jarvis. On Nov. 2, residents of Mason will vote on the Park, Trailway, and Pathway Millage proposal. Jarvis said absentee voting boosts turnout for smaller elections, such as this. The City of Mason has a Permanent Absent Voter List, which allows people to automatically receive absentee ballot applications for every election. 

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Witch watch: 350 flying into Mason

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Those who are frightened of witches should avoid Mason on Oct. 23. Year four of the Witches On The Town event is set to take place in Mason this year. Tune up that broom and join hundreds of other witches as they glide through the downtown businesses.

East Lansing
Grand Ledge Public Schools, Hayes Middle School, COVID-19, mask mandate

Passions run high over COVID and schools, but debate remains civil

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Across the country, school board meetings have erupted as parents and sometimes students have clashed about COVID vaccinations and masking. Some meetings have turned raucous and personal. School leaders have resigned or been removed. In and around Ingham County, people report that while interest and passions have run high, the climate had been civil. East Lansing Public Schools

Shelley Davis Boyd, president of MacDonald Middle School’s parent council

Boyd said the parents’ council has a very close relationship with the school district’s administration and superintendent. 

“We’re constantly kept in the loop on what’s going on … the reaction has been very positive,” Boyd said.

News

Mason High School yearbook staff adapts to COVID challenges

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The Mason High School yearbook staff, and yearbook staffs across the country, have had to adapt to a new way of creating a book of memories amid being in a pandemic. With many school events and clubs being cancelled, it has been a challenge to chronicle this remote school year. Mason High School yearbook staff attends class over Zoom. Eric Haynie is the yearbook teacher at Mason High School. As a teacher, he has had to help his students find creative ways to create the yearbook.

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Building Twentyone hosts Comedy for a Cause fundraiser

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Building Twentyone in Mason hosted “Comedy for a Cause” on March 4. This was a fundraising event for the teen center to support its programs and help with the costs to run the organization. 

The event had a DJ, food, and the main attraction, comedian Joey I.L.O. The fundraiser was in-person, but people could also attend virtually. “You had so many different types of people in the room from different walks of life … to me, that’s what was so beautiful about the comedy that it was so organic and just all came together and there were so many people from different walks and to see them all laughing together, man, it was beautiful,” said I.L.O.

The fundraiser was bigger than what Building Twentyone Director Benjamin Schartow was expecting. There ended up being around 120 people in-person, and at least 30 people virtually. The event raised more than $17,000, according to the Building Twentyone website.

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Mason students, teacher compare on in-person, online instruction

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With the return to some in-person instruction, some Mason High School students cho0se to continue learning from home. “I just think it really depends on the person. Some people are doing better online,” Mason senior Lauren Pekrul said. “That’s why I stayed online, because I thought I was more productive. And then I think a lot of people needed to be in person to really get a good education.

Business & Economy
Ice cream service area at The Daily Scoop

Mason restaurants adapt to increased capacity allowances

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After Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order earlier this month allowing restaurants to operate at up to 50% capacity, Mason restaurants have been trying to make back what they’ve lost due to the pandemic. 

Griffin WilesThe Daily Scoop in Mason was hit hard in the 2020 ice cream season and is trying to make up for lost sales. Rob Hearit, owner of Darb’s Tavern and Eatery, said his restaurant opened at 50% capacity as soon as the governor allowed it. “That was pretty much the driving force,” Hearit said. “We were just gonna do whatever the guidelines were. … We followed all the safety protocols, so we felt good about it.”

Due to another order from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, businesses are required to enforce mask wearing. 

Hearit said 95% of customers wear their masks, and those who refuse are not allowed in.