This week does bring the implementation of Tri-County Health's mask requirements. I know that this decision is controversial for many of you. Please understand that we are responsible for implementing this requirement just like any other health requirement issued by Tri-County Health. Just like we are required to ensure that our kitchen meets certain requirements in order to serve food to students if we want to operate as a school, so too are we required to ask students to wear masks. Here's what to expect starting on Tuesday:

• Students inside the building will be asked to wear masks
• Students do NOT have to wear a mask outside (i.e. recess)
• Students do NOT have to wear a masks when eating or drinking (i.e. at lunch, at snack time, when drinking water, etc.)
• Teachers will implement mask breaks for students throughout the day so that students receive a break from wearing masks
• Adults (staff and visitors) in the building will be required to wear masks
• Vaccinated staff members do NOT have to wear masks when outside

Regardless of whether or not students have to wear masks, I believe the quality of staff that we've hired means that the learning experiences and learning environments that students get at Padilla, along with the wrap around services like social emotional learning, mental health support, special education services, social times like recess, and many other things make the experience of school for our students some of the best out there. We've worked hard to lay the foundation for excellence at Padilla into the future, and look forward to continue to build on that foundation into the future!

• Wednesday, August 25th - First day of school for Preschool students
• Tuesday, August 31st - First (Rescheduled) PTO Meeting
• Thursday, September 23rd - Picture Day!