Governor Pritzker announced a new mask mandate on August 4th 2021.  This mandate will require all PreK - 12 schoolchildren in both public and private schools to wear masks while in school all day for the upcoming school year.  The Mount Zion Board of Education approved a ‘Return to School’ plan in July which ‘recommended’, but did not ‘require’ masks in school.  This plan allows for children to safely return to school while allowing the parent(s) to make the decision that best meets their child’s health needs.  Unfortunately, due to the recent mask mandate, the school board members will have to vote this Tuesday, August 10th @ 6:30 to amend their previous plan.  This will include language enforcing the mask mandate. If you reside within the Mount Zion, IL school district, please sign the petition urging our school board members to not approve this new mandate and to instead maintain their previous, well thought out return to school plan.