May 4, 2020
Recently, Governor Bill Lee released first-steps for the opening of Tennessee’s economy called the “Tennessee Pledge.” The governor’s aim through the Tennessee Pledge is to implement a plan for a safe economic recovery that is evidence-based and dependent on the average daily growth of COVID-19 remaining stable for 14 days in order to move through each phase.
As of last Monday, April 27, 89 of Tennessee’s 95 counties were able to reopen restaurants to 50 percent capacity. Beginning last Wednesday, Tennessee retailers were able to open to 50 percent capacity as well. For further guidance on reopening in both of those sectors, click here.
As of May 1, gyms are allowed to reopen in 89 counties while operating at 50 percent capacity. Additionally, beginning May 6, salons, barbershops, beauticians, and massage therapists will be able to operate.
Governor Lee provided guidance on reopening Houses of Worship last week. Full guidelines for that process can be found here. Continue to wash your hands, practice social distancing, and if you are in doubt on the status of your health, get tested for COVID-19.
Tristar Reads, our summer reading scholarship program began last Friday, May 1. If you haven’t signed up your child yet, don’t worry! Students can sign up to read and log their hours at any point during the summer. Those who read and log the most amount of hours will win a $1000 scholarship in their age division; however, we have prizes and challenges along way so that every one can be a participant in this program. Do you have any questions about our program? Feel free to visit our website, follow along on Twitter, or reach out to Jessica Whitmill with questions. Happy reading!
Last year, Tallen Haag from Portland, Tennessee, won the elementary age division of Tristar Reads for reading around 470 hours! Read our blog post as Tallen shares about her experience with Tristar Reads last summer. Join the conversation online by following @TristarReads on Twitter.
Last week, we had several of our friends from the Tennessee General Assembly read aloud to us on Facebook Live. If you missed those, we’ve linked a few below to feature and share with you here. Feel free to share those videos with your friends and children who’d like to watch.
May 4-8, 2020 is Teacher Appreciation Week, and it’s important now more than ever that we recognize and celebrate an educator’s role in student’s lives.
With the dedication teachers have put into changing the structure of their classrooms with social distancing and making such a large impact on student’s lives, we want to thank those difference makers in Tennessee. Nominate someone today for us to celebrate and recognize for all they do for their students.