. Contact Patrick (he/him/his) atphite@newsleader.comand follow himon Twitter @Patrick_Hite. nations top public health agency says vaccinated teachers and students can ditch the mask. Richmond County School System standing by its mask policy for now Otherwise, a 14-day quarantine will be required. Residents | Augusta County, VA Many board members said they are not happy that the decision is out of their hands, and went on to say they want things to change in Richmond. The Augusta County School Board does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, status as a veteran . //]]> Masks have been and continue to be required on all Georgia school buses. In light of Virginia's school mask policy change, we have included a list of school districts and their decisions on masking. Even though mask mandates will not be enforced inside school, masks will still be required on school buses, as well as for staff members and adults inside the school building. That comes days after Staunton and Waynesboro announced their school divisions will continue to require masks to help with COVID-19 mitigation with no end date set for thosemandates. There was a problem saving your notification. Aiken County Public Schools spokesperson Mike Rosier said via email that they will not be mandating masks, citing a memo from South Carolina Superintendent Molly Spearman saying the General Assembly's Proviso 1.108 in the 2021-22 Appropriations Bill prohibits any school district from requiring students or staff to wear a mask. Schools, including in Waynesboro and Augusta County, have the freedom to "implement local mask policies." Waynesboro school board members will meet 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Waynesboro High School and are expected to tackle the state's guidelines when discussing the city's reopening plan. Learn more. Patrick Hite is The News Leader's education and sports reporter. Many protest mask mandate in Columbia County schools | WJBF //Richmond County schools dropping mask mandate in buildings - WRDW It was heated at times - like when people called board members cowards for wearing masks and forcing students to wear them. That's why we try our best to make it easy to live in this beautiful place we call home. The CDC released this map of the country, which says how your city or county is doing as far as COVID-19 transmission. Make masks mandatory!" Aiken Public Safety officers rushed out to where the overflow crowd was gathered because of meeting room capacity restrictions, and the . That is its highest weekly total of the school year. Columbia County schools decided to make masks optional for students moving forward effective for summer school. Other board members shared their reasoning for voting in favor of the mask mandate. Virginia School Mask Policies - Ritchie Law AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) - The Augusta County School Board voted unanimously Thursday night not to adopt model policies for the treatment of transgender students put forth by the. on. As we learn more, I am comfortable with yes. You will receive an email to complete the registration. (844) 698-3261 Free Consultation info@ritchielawfirm.com Case Results Its still a big health problem, she said. AUGUSTA The Augusta Public Schools will require students, staff and visitors to wear masks regardless of vaccination status next school year. Copyright 2021 WVIR. Vaccinated teachers and students don't have to wear masks inside school buildings. Augusta County Virginia schools quickly go mask optional for all Success. All say theyre waiting for additional guidance from the Virginia Department of Education, the Virginia Department of Health and Governor Ralph Northam. Your cooperation with this change is expectedand appreciated. Welcher said the number of cases did not show a need for further mask mandates in schools as students return five days a week for in-person instruction. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Kelly F. Troxell Ed.D., Executive Director of Personnel (540) 245-5107, Douglas W. Shifflett, Jr. Copyright 2021 WVIR. Several attendees at Tuesday night's Aiken County school board meeting jumped at the sound of a woman outside the meeting room shouting, "Make masks mandatory! It had already been announced that students could go masklessfollowing a vote by the school board in January, but there was some question about whether teachers would still be required to wear masks under requirements fromthe Occupational Health and Safety Administration and the Department of Labor and Industry. As areas around the state see an uptick in COVID-19 cases, with many related to the delta variant, the Virginia Department of Health, in partnership with the Virginia Department of Education, released guidance on July 21 that urged masks for all students and staff at elementary schools, regardless of vaccination status. New CDC guidance says some counties in our viewing area meet the threshold to put those face coverings back on. People are also reading 'Cousin Eddie' display from 'Christmas Vacation' leads to Kentucky police response Augusta County Schools will become mask-optional in three weeks. Although most of the discussion at Wednesday nights meeting surrounded the VDOE model treatment of transgender students policies, Kristine Welcher spoke out against masks as a parent of children attending Stuarts Draft schools. The Augusta Board of Education voted. Augusta County follows Staunton, Waynesboro on masks in schools . Studentswill be permitted to remove masksduring lunch and while outside. Augusta County School Board's refusal to enact state policy - WHSV All rights reserved. The CDC also says all schools should have universal masking, which is something Albemarle County Public Schools are already planning to do, and Charlottesvilles school board could vote to do in early August. Simply, we just want our students back everyday and back safely. 1:30 PM Community Policy Management Team. Kids' face masks with Augusta County Schools designs for a. 5:00 PM Joint Meeting-Augusta County Board of Supervisors and Augusta County . Fourteen people spoke out against the mandates, citing their fear of heath issues they believe could be caused by masks. The school district will not have to pay for them so long as theysign an agreement to keep the cameras up for five years. Local parents, students react to CDC guidance on masks in schools - WSLS This is a political scam to see who is going to sit down and shut up, Riverheads student Joshua Cox said . What we in public health and science are worried about is the virus and (how many) potential mutations away we are from a very transmissible virus that has the potential to evade our vaccines in terms of how it protects us from severe disease and death, she said. In the meantime, there are many ways for you to get vaccinated in our community. "Personally, I would like to see the masks gone," Chairperson David Shiflett said, "but now I dont think is the time.. Pediatric death is rare, but not zero, so its our responsibility to protect all children. Waynesboro Public Schools followed the VDHs guidance and voted earlier this week to mandate masks for elementary students and staff. To date, they have distributed 20,230 devices. The week of Jan. 17 there were 171 cases. Copyright 2023 Augusta County Public Schools. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WHSV) - Augusta county school board members say they were blind-sided by news out of Richmond over masks in the classrooms. Youngkin, Psaki respond to Northern Va. school systems' announcements To mask or not to mask? Local schools determine policies - WRDW Masks are still required on buses per federal law. The school board is elected, and the current superintendent is Dr. Eric Bond. Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration. As always, we will continue to monitor the situation and communicate any changes to you. The goal is to be finished by Jan.31. MORE | Threat puts Thomson High School put on. Glenn Youngkin's executive order making masks optional or "any changing negative trends related to our local area health concerns.". Im not real sure how well they work to begin with, Dana Worley, her mom, said. Wayne District representative Tim Swortzel made the motion to make face-coverings optional and North River representative Nicholas Collins seconded. This a wonderful school district to work, and a beautiful area! Some counties within the BRHD qualify for indoor masking, per the CDC guideline.Charlottesville and Albemarle County are not there as of today, but as you can see, the 7-day moving average is going in the wrong direction district-wide. Login. With this vote, students and staff must still wear masks while in school until Feb. 14. Lawrence County School District: Full mask requirement: Sloan-Hendrix School District: . Virginia Public Schools are required by law to enforce mask mandates, and the State Health Commissioner has made it clear that masks are required to be worn by everyone inside the schools. The superintendent also reminded families that student assessments, such as Georgia Milestones, will count toward student promotion. Working at AUGUSTA COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS: 22 Reviews - Indeed All rights reserved. Still, theres no doubt this will make for some challenging school environments. AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - With the latest surge in COVID cases easing, the Richmond County School System is dropping its mask mandate on campuses starting Tuesday. Again, we are excited to begin the year and look forward to having our students back. @NBC29 pic.twitter.com/L8eS6n0bxz. We do not appreciate it. VERONA Augusta County Public Schools will continue requiring face masks for students and staff at least three more weeks. While the nation's top public health agency says vaccinated teachers and students can ditch the mask, some. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WHSV) - Augusta County students will head to school on Tuesday, August 10 wearing masks. I hope youre on the same side.. May 19, 2021. MORE: Mask Mandates Are Hot Topic at Columbia County School Board Meeting Please subscribe to keep reading. You can share 5 more gift articles this month. How to order free testing kits from the government, Augusta schools' 1:1 tech rollout under way, benefiting students who have gone without, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Following the publics comments, board member Donna Wells stated that the board learned just this afternoon that Senate Bill 1303 passed earlier this year requires schools to follow CDC recommendations, which recommends masks for teachers, students and staff inside. Northam's K-12 mask mandate, and we will continue to make decisions that prioritize the health, safety . Anastasio said the big three in minimizing the spread of COVID-19 in schools are universal masking, vaccination when possible and pool testing, which Augusta agreed to take part in at the end of the last school year. They have thrived and remained healthy.. : Plenty of Augusta-area locations offer them, More: At-home COVID test website launches early. Im asking for a choice for a virtual option during this surge. About 20 minutes into the school board meeting Thursday evening, members went into closed session with its legal council. The school board sent out a letter on July 22 stating the county did not have the legal authority to reject the state-mandated policies. The school board also voted to follow the contact tracing guidelines from the Virginia Department of Health. Columbia County schools make face masks optional moving forward - WRDW The delta variant is so very contagious it appears to cause high viral loads even in vaccinated people who become infected.. The only vote against the motion was fromBeverley Manor representative Donna Wells, who had tried to amend the motion to extend the mandatory mask policy until Feb. 28. Plenty of Augusta-area locations offer them, At-home COVID test website launches early. Albemarle County, Charlottesville bucking Youngkin on school mask policies Augusta County Schools to make masks optional on Valentine's Day, with The Augusta County School Board is a seven-member board elected by district to four-year terms. Albemarle County Public Schools announced Monday that it continue to comply with the state law that masks be worn by all students in all schools and facilities. The testing will at first be offered to only employees and students (with parents' permission), but the school district is open to possibly expanding it to the rest of the community. As COVID-19 cases surge within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask mandates. Don't have a commenting profile? Now it is easier than ever to stay up-to-date with the news. Hope everyone is doing well. 0:57. All rights reserved. The winners of the 2015 races in the Beverly Manor, Pastures and Middle River Districts served . Masks no longer required for anyone, even teachers, in Augusta County There is [sic] three reasons why COVID cases are going up. The Augusta County School Board does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, status as a veteran, national origin, or disability in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. When voting to rescind the mask mandate, the Augusta County School Board said it would watch COVID numbers in schools and keep the mandate in place if numbers weren't trending in a good direction. Bradshaw said they are not putting an end-date on theprotocol, but that they are continuing to monitor the latest data and consult with experts on the necessary way to proceed. FISHERSVILLE The Augusta County School Board voted unanimously to make masks optional at all grade levels for both staff and students Thursday night at Wilson Memorial High School, which was met with cheers from the packed auditorium. The Augusta County School Board unanimously affirmed at its meeting Thursday they would follow the law as now presented to them. Augusta County chose to follow Youngkin's executive order, which states in part: Youngkin's order goes into effect Monday, Jan. 24, but Augusta County's School Board wanted to add additional time to see if the current COVID surge in the area will subside. Augusta County residents lead busy lives. Please note the display name will appear on screen when you participate. Click here for "Masks and Safety Protocols". However, counties around the state had already rejected the policies, and lawsuits appear to show funding is not in jeopardy for localities that voted no, according to a report from the Courthouse News Service. McCormick said she wished the discussion about masking would have been at the business meeting instead. The Augusta County School Board voted 5-1 during its annual retreat Thursday to set the date when students and staff can take off their masks, with parameters in place that allow the board members to change its mind if cases persist or legal objections strike down Gov. The developer, Augusta County Public Schools, indicated that the app's privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. In a retreat Thursday afternoon at the Augusta County Government Center, the school board voted 5-1 to make masks optional in schools beginning Monday, Feb. 14. Board member Martha Witham said masks are the one thing that will keep everyone safe when school starts and they are a small price to pay to get kids back in school full time and to keep everyone safe., This wasnt a quick decision, board member Jennifer Dumond said. I want to work with every one of you. Get notified when the ePaper has been delivered (requires subscription), Augusta Public Schools to enforce mask wearing for all students, staff, visitors, Augusta Public School Board pursues pool testing for reducing pandemic requirements. Masks will be required for anyone inside Charleston County schools until Oct. 15, 2021. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WHSV) - Augusta county school board members say they were blind-sided by news out of Richmond over masks in the classrooms. He said universal masking is recommended in schools by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Maine CDC, American Academy of Pediatrics, Department of Education, Maine Education Association, Maine School Management Association, Maine School Superintendent Association, Leadership of Augusta Education Association, and pediatric doctors in Augusta and Winthrop who personally sent Anastasio a letter urging the mandate. Augusta County Public Schools reported on its dashboard that the week of Jan. 9 it had 236 total cases of COVID, including 209 among students. Ed.D., Deputy Superintendent (540) 245-5108, Where Students Grow Intellectually, Physically, and Emotionally. The biggest questions will be at middle schools, where some students can get the shot and others cant. Subscribe to usat newsleader.com. But the Virginia Department of Health is not making any masking decisions yet. Anastasio also said the DOE will require schools to report teacher vaccination status, which will be done anonymously and through a survey. Rules for school Masks have been mandated for all students, staff and visitors at all Richmond County School System facilities and on school buses, regardless of vaccination status. If you dont, I dont have a problem with that either.. Allegan Public Schools: K-6 masks required; 7-8 TBD; 9-12 optional | Details. Between Dec. 4 and 18, Georgia reported just under 20,000new cases, and most of the state's map was a light-yellow. Another potential headache: the CDC is still recommending schools continue to space kids out and keep their desks three feet apart. This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login. Sign in or Subscribe Dr. Flynt tells us plans are dependent on cases staying low and the mask policy . Now. It looks like you do not have any active subscriptions. To be considered for employment, you must provide the following: A completed online application Transcripts or high school diploma (if required for the position for which you are applying). There were no specific numbersgiven as far as the number of COVID cases that would make the board consider extending the mandatory mask policy, only a very broad explanation by the board's chair. Richmond County schools will require masks - The Augusta Chronicle The Augusta County, VA is not responsible for the content of external sites. Augusta County Public Schools. School Superintendent Steven Flynt announced the rescinding of the mask mandate during the board's regular session Tuesday. We have no affiliation up here because we did not want that to interfere, it does not need to interfere with the decisions that we make for our parents and for our kids, but I am going to go against the grain tonight and say that we have got to get a republican governor into the state house this fall, board member Nicholas Collins said. List of Augusta County Public Schools. Our children under 12 years of age are not eligible to be vaccinated, so the best thing to protect them is to continue masking and social distancing, the letter from the local pediatricians said. Staunton and Waynesboro schools will continue requiring masks for all students and staff. Kortney joined the 10 News team as a Lynchburg Bureau Reporter in May 2021. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. on March 2.Read more about the C.D . Area schools announce mask policies, AMI days - KAIT Thank you for visiting the Augusta County, VA. You will be redirected to the destination page below in 0 seconds. In numbers reported throughThursday morning, Augusta County was at 87positive cases this week, with 12 of those at Stuarts Draft High School and 11 more at Stuarts Draft Elementary. Contact tracing will only be done when there's anoutbreak, which is definedas"10% of a grade level, staff or entire school," per the letter. If your area is orange or red, you should require masks inside. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Scotto's Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria building up for lease, KFC is bringing back a fan favorite after a nearly 10-year hiatus, Jim Wood urged to surrender vice mayors position, resign, Waynesboro family-owned pig farm embraces sustainable pork production, Newly-opened local fashion boutique celebrates grand opening, Waynesboro City Council appoints RISE co-founder Chanda McGuffin to Waynesboro's Economic Development Authority board, Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office ends affiliation with Reelz TV show 'On Patrol: Live', Staunton boys basketball team suffers season-ending loss to Cave Spring, No. That guidance comes as cases are rising virtually everywhere across the country -- including in the Charlottesville area. Send us your news tip here. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) - As COVID-19 cases surge within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask mandates. Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. List: West Michigan schools' mask policies | WOODTV.com Board member John Ward said they do not want to expose faculty to liability and said hopefully they will see low numbers throughout the start of the school year. In the central Virginia community, as of the July 27 update, here are the following localities in the: The potential for this to be a problem is much, much lower in areas with low amounts of disease, said CDC Director Rochelle Walensky. I feel like its the parents decision. Augusta County School Board reverses course, complies with state on How many Columbia County students are following mask rules? - WRDW Aiken County Schools eliminate mask mandate | WJBF Important VCTC Update - Mask Policy | Valley Career & Technical Center Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. ", More: Here's how fast the special use permit process has gone for Houff's Churchville pit, More: Resignation of Staunton City Manager Steve Rosenberg: Councilor Mead's remarks. Masks will return to Augusta County schools this fall. Augusta County Public Schools | Augusta County, VA I was a Title 1 reading teacher and was treated with professionalism and respect. Augusta County residents fill Wilson Memorial High School's auditorium on Wednesdaynight for a school board meeting where transgender policies and a mask mandate were voted on.
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