Heres why. 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. I want to work with every one of you. Copyright 2021 WVIR. 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. List of Augusta County Public Schools. Only two people spoke out in favor of masks. Make masks mandatory! 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. //]]> All students, staff and volunteers in county schools will wear masks to begin the school year. Augusta County School Boards motion on Wednesday includes flexibility to alter its plans if case numbers change. However, in a letter sent to families of students Thursday, Superintendent Eric Bond said masks would be optional for staff Monday as well. Heritage Pharma plans to start testing Monday, Jan. 24, and families are asked to stay tuned for more details. More: Augusta schools' 1:1 tech rollout under way, benefiting students who have gone without. The parents of any child enrolled in an elementary or secondary school or a school based early childcare and educational program may elect for their children not to be subject to any mask mandate in effect at the childs school or educational program. That guidance comes as cases are rising virtually everywhere across the country -- including in the Charlottesville area. 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. New CDC re-masking guidelines say several Central Virginia areas should bring back masks, Youngkin signs universal license recognition law at Richmond barber shop, National Park Service says never push a slower friend down when escaping a bear, V.D.O.T to conduct lane closures on I-95 north in Henrico, Health Minute: First at-home flu and COVID test authorized. Patrick Hite is The News Leader's education and sports reporter. Login. Masks may be removed during lunch and while outside. Were gonna have to step back, go by the law, and prove them wrong, Ward said. Editor. All rights reserved. Copyright 2021 WHSV. The CDC recommends those with COVID-19 should isolate for five days and, if they are asymptomatic or their symptoms are resolving, then wear a mask for fivedays when around others. The week of Jan. 17 there were 171 cases. I was a Title 1 reading teacher and was treated with professionalism and respect. The superintendent is great, the principal was wonderful. The Augusta Board of Education voted. Administrators say theyre hearing the same from other parents. About 20 minutes into the school board meeting Thursday evening, members went into closed session with its legal council. Harrisonburg man charged with crimes connected to Jan. 6 attack on U.S. Capitol, Charlie Obaugh RV & Outdoor Student Athlete of the Week. Augusta County residents lead busy lives. He said "lots of parents" had reached out to him saying masks had created emotional damage for their children. 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. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code. They have thrived and remained healthy.. The board voted to confirm that they will abide by the law, but members went on to say they would like to write to Richmond and shake the tree.. This is a political scam to see who is going to sit down and shut up, Riverheads student Joshua Cox said . 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. The policies say schools should allow students to use the restroom that corresponds with their gender identity. Starting on Jan. 24, Highland County Public Schools says masks will be recommended to protect students and staff amid a high number of COVID-19 cases in the county. Welcher, a licensed nurse and mental health professional, said her child in pre-K came home from school last year with remnants of food, moisture and snot from being forced to wear a face-covering for eight hours. 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. Tomorrow marks one week until Columbia County and some Richmond County students start the new year. Masks are still required on buses per federal law. 2023 www.newsleader.com. 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. Some people asked what the penalty is for not wearing a mask and the board said they do not have an exact answer at this time. On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended universal masking in schools at every grade level. Hope everyone is doing well. Copyright 2023 Augusta County Public Schools. Click here for "Masks and Safety Protocols" . If you want to wear one, I dont see a problem with that. 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 . Not even fire-engine red Augusta County is on board with Gov. The biggest questions will be at middle schools, where some students can get the shot and others cant. 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. "Not seeing facial expressions. Certification or licensure (if required for the position for which you are applying) The Governor also stated, "K-12 school districts and charter schools still maintain the right to institute and enforce policies to mitigate against COVID-19 spread including the use of masks." Timothy Simmons, who represents the Pastures District, said he is in favor of making masks optional. I feel like its the parents decision. Collins said he worded his motion so it gave a date for going mask optional, but also gave the board its own options. Under the protocol,masks arerequired for allstudents, staff andvisitors to all school districtfacilities and onbuses,regardless of vaccination status. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) - As COVID-19 cases surge within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask mandates. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Title IX Coordinator Kelly F. Troxell Ed.D., Executive Director of Personnel (540) 245-5107, Section 504 Coordinator Douglas W. Shifflett, Jr. Ed.D, Deputy Superintendent (540) 245-5108. As always, we will continue to monitor the situation and communicate any changes to you. Richmond County students will be permitted to remove masks during lunch and while outside. As COVID-19 cases surge within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask mandates. Contact Patrick (he/him/his) atphite@newsleader.comand follow himon Twitter @Patrick_Hite. The CDC released this map of the country, which says how your city or county is doing as far as COVID-19 transmission. We are excited to begin the school year but have some updates and reminders to help prepare our students as they return next week. Its vaccination that Walensky says will prevent her biggest fear. The main issue was the recent Commonwealth decision that all schools needed to have a non-discrimination policy in place in regards to transgender students. Vaccinated teachers and students don't have to wear masks inside school buildings. The Augusta County School Board voted 5-1 on Thursday to make masks optional . Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Click here for "Masks and Safety Protocols". Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. At their meeting. Under the protocol, masks are required for all students, staff and visitors to all school district facilities and on buses, regardless of vaccination status. Here are a few of them: Blue Ridge Health District vaccination scheduler, Call the BRHD COVID-19 Hotline 434-972-6261. Photo by Atoms on Unsplash. This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login. If your area is orange or red, you should require masks inside. But othersincluding her momhave a different opinion. That's why we try our best to make it easy to live in this beautiful place we call home. School boards are required by state law to enact the policies for the 2021-22. 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). 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. Walensky says thats not the case now, and vaccines are very effective. "Personally, I would like to see the masks gone," Chairperson David Shiflett said, "but now I dont think is the time.. The Virginia Department of Health reported 113 new COVID cases in Augusta County Thursday, the highest one-day total since Feb. 4. I feel like everyone should still be wearing masks, vaccinated or not, said Shae Helms, a sophomore at Amherst County High School. "If between now and then things go crazy," Shiflett said. The numbers have fluctuated within the school division. The community level of Covid-19 in Augusta County is low based on cases and hospitalizations, according to the most recent update from the C.D.C. @NBC29 pic.twitter.com/L8eS6n0bxz. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Augusta County Public Schools. Find Augusta County, Virginia public schools, including charter schools, k-12, elementary, middle, and high schools. Log in to join the discussion. Anastasio said its easier at all levels since people move around the district. Designed and sold by artists. Becoming a Foster Parent Become a foster parent to a child in need. To date, they have distributed 20,230 devices. VERONA Augusta County Public Schools will continue requiring face masks for students and staff at least three more weeks. 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. Washtenaw County schools opt to keep masks on 'until further notice' . The school division will also follow the CDCs shortened timeline for those who have toisolateorquarantine. His first item of focus is the rights of parents. Don't have a commenting profile? 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. The Augusta Board of Education voted Wednesday night, 5 to 1, to mandate mask wearing. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WHSV) - Augusta county school board members say they were blind-sided by news out of Richmond over masks in the classrooms. Several counties have full mask wearing policies for both on the bus and in the school buildings including: McDuffie County; Richmond County; Warren County; Hancock County; The other CSRA . Kids' face masks with Augusta County Schools designs for a. As a further precaution, the superintendent said they are partnering with Heritage Pharma Groupto offer on-site COVID-19 testing with guaranteed results in 24 to 48 hours. 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. Masks have been and continue to be required on all Georgia school buses. 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! Pediatric death is rare, but not zero, so its our responsibility to protect all children. Anastasio also said the DOE will require schools to report teacher vaccination status, which will be done anonymously and through a survey. "In light of those considerations, the practice is to allowconsistencyin how students and staff are treated with respect to mitigation measures.". Another potential headache: the CDC is still recommending schools continue to space kids out and keep their desks three feet apart. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Northam's K-12 mask mandate, and we will continue to make decisions that prioritize the health, safety . The Augusta County Board of Supervisors will conduct a Public Hearing at 7 p.m., Wednesday, February 8, 2023, in the Board Meeting Room, Augusta County Government Center, 18 Government Center Lane, Verona, Virginia. 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. The general election was held on November 3, 2015. Students will be permitted to remove masks during lunch and while outside. The CDC released this map of the country, which says how your city or county is doing as far as COVID-19 transmission. Thats because its flu season, masks dont work, and upcoming elections., This is not a joke to any of us, said Rebecca Lotts, who opposes the mandates. All rights reserved. There is [sic] three reasons why COVID cases are going up. MORE: Mask Mandates Are Hot Topic at Columbia County School Board Meeting Board Chairperson Amanda Olson told McCormick there had been more of a discussion for the mask mandate at a board workshop a couple of weeks earlier, which McCormick did not attend. The availability of onsite testing will be of particular help since testing appointments at area providers have been backed up and there are shortages of at-home, rapid tests available for purchase. Its why the news isnt sitting well with him and others. This a wonderful school district to work, and a beautiful area! Helms added that she would also like to see the masks stay. Over the summer, our children have been maskless, Welcher said. Augusta County Public Schools18 Government Center LaneVerona, VA 24482Phone: 540-245-5100Fax: 540-245-5115. On Tuesday, Richmond County Superintendent Kenneth Bradshaw displayed a map of Georgia for the school board and said, "The map tells it all with all that red.". Use the form below to reset your password. We have always tried to be non-political. 2022, 12:02 p.m. Paula Gentile helps out as a substitute in Tana Spelman's class at Bishop Elementary in Augusta . Augusta County is still considered to be a community with a high transmission level, with the VDH reporting a 36.4% positivity level in its most recent update. Below you will find several links to helpful resources for our residents. Data Not Collected The developer does not collect any data from this app. 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. "TheBoard and administration have consideredand reviewedthe continued reduction of positive cases amongourstudentsand staff, as well as recent court rulings, General Assembly action,Executive Order 6, andpendingHealth and Safety Codes Board actionnext week," Bond wrote in an email to The News Leader asking about the decision for staff. Wayne District representative Tim Swortzel made the motion to make face-coverings optional and North River representative Nicholas Collins seconded. As we learn more, I am comfortable with yes. Story ideas and tips always welcome. 1:30 PM Community Policy Management Team. Masks will return to Augusta County schools this fall. Starting Thursday, masks will be required for students, staff, and visitors to all district facilities and buses, regardless of vaccination status. Already registered? Virginias approach to COVID-19 has always been driven by the science, and we continue to emphasize that the only way out of this pandemic is through vaccination., A spokesperson for the Blue Ridge Health District, Jason Elliott, said in an interview with NBC29 last week that it is extremely important -- probably the most important -- to get vaccinated now more than it ever has been before.. Story ideas and tips always welcome. 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. Copyright 2021 WVIR. Kati McCormick was the only board member to vote against the measure. In the last five weeks since students returned from winter break, Augusta County Schools have reported 889 positive cases, the highest five-week total of the school year. The school board met Thursday night to discuss their back-to-school. Based on current conditions, this is what we need to do to make that happen. School Board members made the decision Thursday . The Augusta County School Board unanimously affirmed at its meeting Thursday they would follow the law as now presented to them. That is its highest weekly total of the school year. 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. About 20 minutes into the school. The letter continued, we know masking works and applauded children for their efforts in masking in the past school year. Latest trends. Copyright 2021 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved. May 19, 2021. Accommodations will be made for students and employees unable to wear a mask for documented medical reasons. Columbia County . ", As of its most recent update on Jan. 13, the CDC "recommends universal indoor masking by allstudents (ages 2 years and older), staff, teachers, and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status.". Glenn Youngkin's executive order that made their decision possible. 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.
Dr Morimori And Moa Still Together, Articles A