Students are one week away from returning to their classrooms for the first time since March, and parents are encouraged to have discussions with their children about the new health guidelines at school. For elementary students, wearing masks and social distancing can be hard to understand. Mid-Prairie West Elementary Principal Bill Poock believes talking with kids about the health measures they will see this school year can help them understand their importance. Poock explains how parents and staff can work together to make this school year successful, “We know that parents are valued partners in all of our new health guidelines and we want parents to talk to their child each day about how they are feeling, first of all. Parents will have to explain to their child each day that they need to take their child’s temperature and check that before they go to school. This is a new normal procedure that is really meant to keep others safe and if the child is experiencing any kinds of symptoms, sickness, or fever then it’s really best to keep the child at home that day. We’re all going to have to work together to perform these daily health screenings during this time, including our staff that work here at the school.” Poock also recommends parents discuss with their children the importance of wearing masks or face shields and finding the right choice of face covering for their child. Mid-Prairie students will be allowed to wear a face shield that fits on a hat. Mid-Prairie students return to on-site learning on August 24 and face coverings will be required.