Health & Wellness
Mason Public Schools has a multidisciplinary team of professionals whose mission is to create and promote a sustainable culture of health & wellness for Mason students, staff, and the community. This team is made up of individuals who work at each building site as well as across the District.
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When to Stay Home for Students and Staff of Mason Public Schools & Mason Child Development Services
(Note: The following school health procedures and guidelines support MPS Board policy po8450; po 8453; and all MPS Handbooks.)
Please help us in our efforts to keep everyone in Mason Public School buildings healthy by keeping yourself or your child home if they are ill. A child or staff member should not report to any Mason Public Schools building when they have:
- A fever >100 degrees; A person MUST be free from a temperature for 24 hours without medication before returning.
- Vomited or had diarrhea in the past 24 hours.
- Severe eye drainage or red swollen eyes.
- A severe or croup sounding cough.
- Severe cold symptoms or constant thick nose drainage.
- Rash of unknown origin.
Remember, not everyone experiences the same symptoms. You can use this quick chart as a starting point only. If you or your child are sick, be sure to contact your building office to report illnesses and absences and to receive guidance on a date for return to school. Please talk with your pediatrician and ask about getting tested if needed.
A note about wording in this chart: Though terms like “the common cold,” “the flu,” “colds” and “cold viruses,” are often used interchangeably, remember that there are many viruses that cause respiratory symptoms in children. Even when we aren’t facing a pandemic, the severity of and treatments for these illnesses vary, which is why asking an expert is always recommended.
Be Well!
Nurse Epling
Mental Health Resources
If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please call 911 immediately.
If you would like to report an immediate mental health concern, please call OK2Say at 855-565-2729.
Mason Public Schools works to provide mental health supports for our school family. County-wide Resources for families and educators can be found on Ingham ISD’s website.
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Resources
Tri-County Community Health Guide (Ingham, Eaton, and Clinton)
Community Mental Health Provider List
PreK-12 District-Wide Supports Available
Mason Public Schools currently partners with the Ingham ISD to provide Mental Health Specialist services. That specialist and our district team of mental health professionals (school social workers and counselors) provide the following K-12 mental health services:
Mental Health Specialist Services
Individual Students
- Time-limited individual therapy
- Case consultation and collaboration
- Triage and referral
Groups of Students
- Group services will be determined by district needs and could include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Anxiety, Depression, Social-emotional well being (friendship groups), coping skills
Families & Caregivers
- Skills training/coaching
- Time-limited family therapy
- Consultation & Referral
Staff to Assist Students
- Mental health and emotional wellness, professional development training/counseling
- Long or short-term support
Please contact your student’s building if you would like to coordinate non-emergency mental health support. Numbers are listed at the end of this document. For emergencies, please call 911.
All staff have participated in a Mandatory Reporter training.
All staff are or have engaged in learning about trauma-informed instruction and behavior systems.
Immunization Information
Since 1978, Michigan law has required that every student have an up-to-date certificate of immunization at the time of registration (or no later than the first day of school) for entry into kindergarten and 7th grade, and for enrollment into a new school district, grades 1-12.
Guidance from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services outlines the Michigan Public Health Code which requires a parent or legal guardian to have one of the following on file with the school:
1. A valid, up-to-date immunization record. Acceptable immunization documentation for school includes:
- An immunization record from a provider Electronic Medical Record (EMR).
- An official Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR) immunization record.
- A state Immunization Information System record.
2. A medical doctor’s (MD/DO) signed State of Michigan 2024 Medical Contraindication Form, which states the medical contraindication(s), the vaccines involved, and the time during which the student is not able to get the vaccines.
3. A current, certified State of Michigan 2024 Nonmedical Immunization Waiver
Locations for Immunization or Waiver Appointments for your student:
Your Primary Care Physician by appointment:
Please note that many family physicians and pediatricians have immunization days that are available every week for their patients to walk in or schedule. (If your child's annual well child visit or vaccine next dose date is scheduled after the first day of school you are required to get a letter from your physician, as noted in the memo from the State of Michigan, on the planned date of immunization that is after the first day of school.)
Ingham County Health Department:
Located at 5303 S. Cedar Street, Lansing MI 48911; Entrance 3 Second Floor, the Ingham County Health Department has walk-ins immunizations available on a first come, first served basis. ALL are encouraged to make an appointment, please call the number 517.887.4316 and leave a message to schedule.
Immunization hours:
- Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays from 9:30 AM - 4 PM
- Wednesdays from 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
- Thursdays from 1 - 4 PM
Walgreens, Meijer and other local pharmacies have immunizations available upon request.
Please contact District Nurse Emily Epling with questions or call the MPS Health Team at 517.883.8115.
Health and Wellness Resources
Office of the School Nurse
School policy regarding medication taken at school is designed for the safety of all students. When a student is required to take medication at school, any and all medications must be delivered to the school office by a parent/guardian or an adult parent representative – not by students. In accordance with current policies and guidelines, any medication transported by a student without prior authorization will be confiscated.
Whenever possible, please arrange to have medication given at home. Based on condition and severity students will be allowed to carry inhalers and/or emergency medical kits with them while at school, as long as the authorization form is on file at the school. Please contact the main office of your building to coordinate.
You will need to complete the necessary form(s) below, print them out to obtain the physician's signature and then return the completed form to the school before any medication will be given at school.
If you have any questions, please contact your building main office or the school nurse at eplinge@masonk12.net; (517) 883-8115.
Forms for medication while at school are also available in your building main office.
Harvey Education Center
Students and families may work with a Counselor, School Psychologist, Social Worker, or Registered Nurse to determine what ongoing health supports are best.
Contact
Laura Billow
billowl@masonk12.net
Elementary School Counselor
Emily Epling
District Nurse
eplinge@masonk12.net
Elementary Buildings
Students and families may work with a Counselor, School Psychologist, Social Worker, or Registered Nurse to determine what ongoing health supports are best.
Contact
Madeline Gazarek
Social Worker, Alaiedon Elementary
gazarekm@masonk12.net
Mindy Wood
Social Worker, Steele Elementary
Janelle Briggs
School Counselor, Alaiedon and Steele Elementary
Kimberly Battjes
Social Worker, North Aurelius Elementary
Laura Billow
School Counselor, North Aurelius Elementary
Emily Epling
District Nurse
eplinge@masonk12.net
Mason Middle School
Students and families may work with a Counselor, School Psychologist, Social Worker, or Registered Nurse to determine what ongoing health supports are best.
Contact
Jen Hamers
Counselor, Mason Middle School
hamersj@masonk12.net
Erinna Toodzio-Hook
Social Worker, Mason Middle School
Danielle Ziehmer
Counselor, Mason Middle School
Emily Epling
District Nurse
eplinge@masonk12.net
Mason High School
Students and families may work with a Counselor, School Psychologist, Social Worker, or Registered Nurse to determine what ongoing health supports are best.
Contact
Kim Dickinson
Social Worker, Mason High School
dickinsonk@masonk12.net
Elizabeth Conroy
Counselor, Mason High School
conroye@masonk12.net
Katherine Oakes
Counselor, Mason High School
oakesk@masonk12.net
Miles Warren
Counselor, Mason High School
Emily Epling
District Nurse
eplinge@masonk12.net
