Additional guests present: Lindsey Westerfield, Italiana Hughes

L. Robinson read the WIHS Land Acknowledgement

J. McGill read WIHS Mission & Vision.

• Mary Mendenhall, MEd, BSN, RN shared a presentation on "Preventive Health at WIHS: Nursing Recommendations"
• 75% of 42 survey respondents strongly support the ongoing mask mandate @ WIHS
• WIHS has been much more aggressive in preventive screening
• Recommends requiring masks or face shields with drape

• Whatcom Co. Health Department statement excerpt 3/4/22: "COVID-19 cases continued their welcome decline in Whatcom County, falling to pre-Omicron levels. While this is encouraging news, we know that there are still many people who are concerned about COVID-19 because of their age or own health issues, their children who are too young to be vaccinated, or their loved ones who have compromised immune systems. Please remember that people have different priorities and concerns about changes in mask guidance, and be respectful and kind to others during this time. Multiple layers of protection (boosters and vaccines, high-quality masks such as N95s, KN95s, or KF94s, and avoiding crowds and poorly-ventilated spaces) are still the best strategy to protect you and your loved ones from severe cases of COVID-19. Keep in mind that a “low” community level doesn’t mean that COVID-19 is over for good, especially for people who are at higher risk. In addition, future variants and surges are also possible. Last summer, many of us thought and hoped that the pandemic was over, only to be clobbered by both Delta and Omicron. Don’t be discouraged by the possibility of another surge, but also don’t be overconfident that we’ve seen the last of COVID-19."
• Masking will protect immunocompromised community members (students, staff, visitors)

Cameron Kolk, WIHS instructor

• Teachers have voted to unionize with American Federation of Teachers (AFT)
• The first charter school to move to unionize in Washington State
• Cameron presented the advantages of being unionized