The Very Hungry Caterpillar Comes to Harvey
The preschool playground at the Harvey Education Center (HEC) has a new visitor- The Very Hungry Caterpillar!
Three teachers, Krystal Hodge, Jena Krumm and Stacey Somerville, wanted to jazz up the play area used by their students and create something functional as well as decorative at the same time.
Working with the Mason Middle School Unified Club advisor, a plan began to emerge to develop an outdoor area with a chalkboard surface for the students to write on during recess.
The teachers and advisor took the idea to the MMS Unified Club members who decided to theme the project based on the book, "The Hungry Caterpillar" and its artwork. The idea took off and became a community collaboration.
Ray Rustem, a community member and scout leader with a knack for woodworking, cut out the caterpillar and food pieces from patterns drawn by members of the Unified Club. Then the pieces were then given to Marty Frew’s eighth grade WIN class to be painted! They did an amazing job and worked together to bring the pieces to life.
For the installation, Jerry Lawson, the MMS building engineer, volunteered to drill the holes needed to attach the pieces to the fence and then, the pieces were taken to the HEC by a group of students from the MMS Unified Club to be installed.
The club members worked as a team to position and hang the pieces along the fence in the preschool play yard making sure they were secure and safe for the preschool students to use. Now, The Very Hungry Caterpillar has a new home at the HEC. It was a hit with both the preschool and middle school students who tested it out together! The MMS Unified Club is looking forward to planning their next project to help improve our schools or enrich our community.
Thank you to Cindy Hyaduck, MMS Unified Club Advisor for the article and photos!
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Wednesday, August 26, 2026, is the first day of school for all students. The first day is a half day following the schedule below. We can't wait to welcome students back for a great school year!
The half day schedule is:
- Harvey Education Center: 8:40 AM - 12:07 PM
- Alaiedon, North Aurelius and Steele Elementary Schools: 8:40 AM - 12:07 PM
- Mason Middle School: 7:40 - 11 AM
- Mason High School: 7:40 - 11 AM
Mason Public Schools (MPS) Board of Education (BOE) has selected Matt Hall to fill the vacant BOE position. Four individuals, including Hall, were interviewed for the position which will serve through the remainder of the current term and through the next regular school election cycle, ending in 2028. 
Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, Erica Francis will serve as the assistant principal at Mason Middle School (MMS). A familiar face around the district, she has taught math at MMS for more than 20 years and brings a wealth of experience along with a reputation for building strong, positive relationships with students.
The first issue of the Mason Minute for the 2026-27 school year is full of information and updates for back-to-school. Please check the newsletter for answers to questions you may have about the new school year.
There's still time to register for Mason's PreK for All preschool program this fall! Classes begin September 8, 2026, at the Harvey Education Center.
