One of our best organizational traits is that we don't get rattled. We're a campus that refuses to focus on the obstacles that come our way - we instead choose to focus on our response to whatever the challenge is. We work on solutions together and we adjust. It's what has kept us moving forward through this pandemic when others in Washington are seemingly stuck or regressing. Yesterday, Governor Inslee announced that K-12 indoor mask mandates end on March 11 at 11:59pm. And while that's the return to normalcy we've all been hoping for, some are more ready than others - we know this. Also announced last Friday, Governor Inslee has lifted the proof of vaccination mandate for large indoor gatherings too. This means graduation will be back to Angel of the Winds Arena and as "normal" as it's been for years! Slowly, but most assuredly, we're taking steps as a state for a return to normalcy in our communities - including schools. Again, some stakeholders are more ready than others and we need to be mindful of this reality. The governor's new date is definitely more in alignment with the new CDC community dashboard (click here to check it out) than his prior date of March 21. The CDC's new site is designed to inform citizens of count-by-county risk vs mandating compliance for all. Snohomish County is currently a low risk county and thus, masks are optional nearly everywhere except K-12 settings through March 11 as noted. Again, some are more ready for a return to normalcy than others and that's true for staff, students and community alike - we know this and we will continue to move forward with kindness and compassion.

First, we will continue to follow the mandate that remains in place until March 11: While indoors at AHS, a properly worn mask is required for in-person learning until Monday, March 14. Yes, there will be continued daily reminders that we've done since school opened for the year. If a student refuses to wear his or her mask properly, we will remind them that the requirement is through March 11. If they continue to refuse, staff can refer them to the office and the appropriate alpha based AP for progressive discipline that may include steps like those we've utilized to date: admin conference, admin / parent conference, lunch detention, rest of period exclusion, ISS and parent conversations about placement in AOP, etc. To date, more than 50 students and families have chosen either a full or partial move to AOP from AHS. These conversations will continue and the progressive approach with any individual student will be subject to a case-by-case analysis by the assigned administrator. Thank you for your continued dedication to the protocols and helping us to safely serve our students in-person daily at AHS.

But there's another concern as we move from mask mandates to "mask optional" for staff and students come March 11. What about students and staff who choose to continue to mask while most likely won't? How do we ensure they're not harassed or bullied for doing so by others? Arlington Public Schools has an excellent reputation for investigating and responding swiftly to all forms of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) and this realistic concern moving forward will be no exception. Our Director of Equity and Student Well-Being, Ms. Kerri Helgeson leads our team in APS where each student and staff member will thrive free from HIB of any kind. Any student or staff member witnessing HIB vs any student or other staff should report the concerning behavior immediately to administration and can even do so anonymously via our Safe Schools reporting system too (click here or visit the APS website Quick Links). Our administrators are very adept at handling reports of HIB on campus. Should the concern rise above the building level, Kerri's contact information is available on the APS Website: Kerri Helgeson Director of Equity and Student Well-Being, 360-618-6228. In addition to our established HIB reporting procedures, we can utilize announcements from administration reminding students that our three things of Be Involved, Work Hard and Be Kind remain our focus. Being kind certainly never includes incidents of HIB at AHS. We're better than that here... that's our message.

Lastly, please make sure your student arrives on campus by AT LEAST 7:55am so they can be in first period ON TIME for the 800a start.

Yesterday alone we had 110 tardies to first period with a stream of parent drop offs and student drivers arriving late. Our new secured vestibule will soon be fully functional with automatic locking doors at 800a. All late students will have to buzz the front door for entry from that point forward. Please have a conversation with your student about being on time to school. Skyward Family Access (click here) is your easiest way to confirm if your student is chronically marked late for school. It takes a complete team working to ensure our kids have the maximum opportunity to learn and it all starts with being on time. Thanks for helping us out!

Have an amazing March,