School starts in 10 days. While we have a mask mandate in place for TESD, the devil is in the details. Unfortunately, the anti-mask faction is loud (an anti-mask protest is planned in TESD at our next school board meeting), so we must continue to strongly show our support for mask mandates and COVID mitigation strategies in our schools. 

Some things you can do...

• Email schoolboard@tesd.net, gusickr@tesd.net and groppec@tesd.net and let them know of your continued support for mask mandates.
• Ask them the specific details for mask mandate enforcement during the school day, the plans to socially distance students during lunches and gym when students are not required to wear masks. Currently, the wording on these issues is vague, which is concerning and a major gap.
• Continue to gather signatures for this petition by sharing it widely.

A few additional notes:

• There is a live, virtual learning information session scheduled for tonight, Thursday 8/19, at 7 PM. Even if you're not seriously considering virtual options for this year, unfortunately, it could become necessary. So, if you're available, please attend (it's virtual) and show your support and ask any questions. The information session will be held virtually and the link to the meeting will be available on the TESD website by 5:00 PM on August 19.
• Even though it can be upsetting, please keep yourself up-to-date with what is going on locally, as it pertains to our schools.  Here are a few articles:
  • https://pattyebenson.org/2021/08/18/te-school-district-says-yes-to-mask-mandate-but-wheres-the-vaccine-requirement-for-employees/
  • https://patch.com/pennsylvania/westchester/threats-force-west-chester-school-board-meetings-go-virtual
• Lastly, there is an upcoming school board meeting scheduled for this Monday, August 23rd at 7:30 PM at VFMS. Sadly, there are plans for anti-mask protest that night. The school district has not addressed plans to livestream this meeting, so please email them and voice your support for this option.

Thank you for being in this fight with us and for all you're doing!  Let's keep it up! Our kids are depending on us.