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Join the Masons of California in Celebrating Public Schools Month

This September, after a two-year pandemic-caused hiatus, California Masons’ Public Schools Month celebrations return with a focus on the fraternity’s historic support of education. During Public Schools Month, the Masons of California, led by our local Public Education Advisory Committees, will host celebrations in communities statewide to show support of our local schools, teachers, and students, and to help champion the importance of child literacy and college success. All Masons are invited to attend these events.


Started 102 years ago by Grand Master Charles Adams, Public Schools Month is one of the fraternity’s oldest and longest-running public campaigns. What began as a way for local Masonic lodges to support schools in the wake of the first World War, when teachers were in short supply, has evolved over the years into a constellation of programs to support childhood education. Among them are partnerships with the national literacy nonprofit Raising A Reader, which provides expert-vetted and age-appropriate reading materials to students in the lowest-performing classrooms in the state, and the annual Teacher of the Year Awards, recognizing standout teachers from around the state. The California Masonic Foundation’s Investment in Success and Masonic Youth Leadership Award scholarships make college accessible to deserving high school students who are typically ineligible for other such awards; while the newly launched Working Tools scholarships offer students a pathway to a livable wage through vocational education.  Additionally, lodges throughout the state support students through a range of local programs and scholarships.


Join us in celebrating Masons’ historic bond with—and ongoing support for—public education. Details and RSVP forms are below. All events are open to the public and free to attend.

Southern California Public School Celebrations

Gold Coast Celebration

Monday, September 26, 8:30–10:15 a.m.

Mar Vista Elementary School
2382 Etting Road, Oxnard, CA 93033
Ocean View Unified School District
Principal: Antoinette Dodge

Mar Vista Elementary School

Name(Required)

Inland Empire Celebration

Thursday, September 29, 8:30–9:30 a.m.

Sunnymead Elementary School
24050 Dracaea Ave., Moreno Valley, CA 92553
Moreno Valley Unified School District
Principal: Ambra Dodds-Main

Sunnymead Elementary School

Name(Required)

San Diego Celebration

Friday, September 30, 9–10:30 a.m.

Chollas-Mead Elementary School
401 45th St., San Diego, CA 92102
San Diego Unified School District
Principal: Kristi Hunter-Clark

Chollas-Mead Elementary School

Name(Required)

San Gabriel Valley Celebration

Thursday, October 6, 8:30–9:30 a.m.

Jackson STEM Dual Language Magnet School
593 W Woodbury Road, Altadena, CA 91001
Pasadena Unified School District
Principal: Rita Exposito

Note: This school currently has COVID-19 protocols which restrict guests from entering the building. This event may be held outdoors. More details to come.

Jackson STEM Dual Language Magnet School

Name(Required)

Orange County Celebration

Friday, October 7, noon–1 p.m.

Davis Elementary School
1405 French St., Santa Ana, CA 92701
Santa Ana Unified School District
Principal: Peter Richardson

Davis Elementary School

Name(Required)

Northern California Public School Celebrations

Sacramento Celebration

Wednesday, September 21, 5–6 p.m.

Sacramento Masonic Temple
Club Room, Third floor
1123 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95814

Parking available in City Hall Garage, 1000 High Street, one block from the event. $5 fee

Sacramento Masonic Temple

Name(Required)

South Bay Celebration

Thursday, September 22, 5:30–6:30 p.m.

Aptitud Community Academy at Goss
2475 Van Winkle Lane, San Jose, CA 95116
Alum Rock Union Elementary School District
Principal: Rebecca Jensen Williams

Aptitud Community Academy at Goss

Name(Required)

San Francisco Celebration

Thursday, September 29, 4:30–5:30 p.m.

Cesar Chavez Elementary School
825 Shotwell Street @ 23rd Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
San Francisco Unified School District
Principal: Lindsay Dowdle

Parking information: Street parking can be a challenge. Consider taking BART to 24th Street, then walk two blocks east to Shotwell, then two blocks north to the school.

Cesar Chavez Elementary School

Name(Required)

Oakland Celebration

Tuesday, October 11, 2022, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Oakland Durant Rockridge Lodge No. 188
5449 College Avenue, Oakland, CA 94618

Light refreshments will be served
Street parking is available; Rockridge BART station is 3 blocks from this event.

Oakland Durant Rockridge Lodge No. 188

Name(Required)

More Public School Celebrations Announcements to Come!