The VDOE did not mandate the mask usage, and Augusta County opted to leave it up to individual students and staff. Please subscribe to keep reading. https://www.augusta.k12.va.us This a wonderful school district to work, and a beautiful area! The Virginia Department of Health reported 113 new COVID cases in Augusta County Thursday, the highest one-day total since Feb. 4. Waynesboro Public Schools followed the VDHs guidance and voted earlier this week to mandate masks for elementary students and staff. Copyright 2023 Augusta County Public Schools. The Augusta Public Schools will have in-person learning, five days a week. McCormick voted against the mandate, saying she believes the decision for students to wear masks should be up to families, not the school administration. Tuesday Columbia County school leaders made their decision on the mask mandate. Create one. Editor. Augusta County Public Schools Where Students Grow Intellectually, Physically, and Emotionally Menu Schools Translate Employment Calendars COVID Info ACPS Podcast Please allow notifications from your school (s). Hi, to comment on stories you must create a commenting profile. Kids' face masks with Augusta County Schools designs for a. The letter continued, we know masking works and applauded children for their efforts in masking in the past school year. Click here for "Masks and Safety Protocols". All rights reserved. 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. 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. on. More. Accommodations will be made for students and employees unable to wear a mask for documented medical reasons. We are excited to begin the school year but have some updates and reminders to help prepare our students as they return next week. Vaccinated teachers and students don't have to wear masks inside school buildings. Certification or licensure (if required for the position for which you are applying) 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. Anastasio said its easier at all levels since people move around the district. The CDC released this map of the country, which says how your city or county is doing as far as COVID-19 transmission. Milestones were waived in 2020 as a result of the chaos caused by the initial outbreak of COVID-19, and the weight of the test was greatly diminished last year. Administrators say theyre hearing the same from other parents. Beloved local eatery, The Pie Chest, closing for good this month, Family of Ukrainian refugees using music to adapt to life in Charlottesville. The numbers have fluctuated within the school division. Lawrence County School District: Full mask requirement: Sloan-Hendrix School District: . on March 2.Read more about the C.D . 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. EVANS, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - The decision for Columbia County schools to require masks comes after the district says it has at least 1,000 people at home quarantining, and 296 more students who. Anastasio also said the DOE will require schools to report teacher vaccination status, which will be done anonymously and through a survey. (844) 698-3261 Free Consultation info@ritchielawfirm.com Case Results You have permission to edit this article. Learn More You are now exiting the Augusta County, VA. All rights reserved. I feel like everyone should still be wearing masks, vaccinated or not, said Shae Helms, a sophomore at Amherst County High School. 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. I feel like its the parents decision. . The Augusta County School Board held a special session on July 29th to discuss what turned out to be two issues. That rose to 206 the following week, but dropped back to 167 the week of Jan. 31. 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. Some in Augusta County oppose school mask mandates as COVID-19 cases surge. Ed.D., Deputy Superintendent (540) 245-5108, Where Students Grow Intellectually, Physically, and Emotionally. Make masks mandatory!" Aiken Public Safety officers rushed out to where the overflow crowd was gathered because of meeting room capacity restrictions, and the . While the nations top public health agency says vaccinated teachers and students can ditch the mask, some say its too soon. Its why the news isnt sitting well with him and others. Becoming a Foster Parent Become a foster parent to a child in need. The district had held. Richmond County students will be permitted to remove masks during lunch and while outside. Starting Thursday, masks will be required for students, staff, and visitors to all district facilities and buses, regardless of vaccination status. 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. The opportunity to grow professionally is evident there. Shop the collection. 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. Don't have a commenting profile? Not even fire-engine red Augusta County is on board with Gov. "We'll revisit it. The school district will not have to pay for them so long as theysign an agreement to keep the cameras up for five years. nations top public health agency says vaccinated teachers and students can ditch the mask. Glenn Youngkin's executive order making masks optional or "any changing negative trends related to our local area health concerns.". Designed and sold by artists. So far this week the school division has reported 85 casesdespite studentsbeing out all week because of a holiday and snow. Now it is easier than ever to stay up-to-date with the news. For more information, see the developer's privacy policy. Kristine Welcher, a licensed nurse, speaks out against a mask mandate at Wednesday nights Augusta County School Board meeting at Wilson Memorial High School in Fishersville. He said the basis for his recommendation came from the Maine Center for Disease Control & Prevention, among other scientific studies, and said he would only make an unpopular decision on the err of safety., Im an experienced educator; I dont have medical training; I dont pretend to know what professionals in the medical field do, Anastasio said. Below you will find several links to helpful resources for our residents. About 50 people attended the Augusta County School Board meeting Thursday evening. Masks are still required on buses per federal law. 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. 2022, 12:02 p.m. Paula Gentile helps out as a substitute in Tana Spelman's class at Bishop Elementary in Augusta . AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - The rise in COVID cases is also a concern for our local school districts. Copyright 2021 WVIR. If you can't find the answer, feel free to give us a call or send us an email. Masks will return to Augusta County schools this fall. I hope youre on the same side.. Between Dec. 4 and 18, Georgia reported just under 20,000new cases, and most of the state's map was a light-yellow. Pediatric death is rare, but not zero, so its our responsibility to protect all children. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Board member Donna Wells stated that the board learned this afternoon that legislation passed earlier this year requires schools to follow CDC recommendations for mask wearing. 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.. The week of Jan. 17 there were 171 cases. Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WHSV) - Augusta county school board members say they were blind-sided by news out of Richmond over masks in the classrooms. Patrick Hite is The News Leader's education and sports reporter. As COVID-19 cases surge within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask mandates. All rights reserved. It was heated at times - like when people called board members cowards for wearing masks and forcing students to wear them. Get up to 20% off. A month since Rosenberg was forced out, Staunton City Council hasn't secured search firm, Staunton man pleads guilty to a string of burglaries, gets nearly 10 years in prison, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended universal masking in schools at every grade level. Use the form below to reset your password. Login. Augusta County Public Schools18 Government Center LaneVerona, VA 24482Phone: 540-245-5100Fax: 540-245-5115. You will receive an email to complete the registration. Mask Policy Due to recent in local COVID conditions, the advice of our local health department, and school divisions policies, masks are now mandatory for all students, staff, and visitors. You can cancel at any time. Via has three kids in Augusta County Public Schools and only one of them is old enough to get the shot. 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. The general election was held on November 3, 2015. Northam's K-12 mask mandate, and we will continue to make decisions that prioritize the health, safety . 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. Athletics DirectorScott McClintock reported that the Georgia High School Association is providing every high school with two automated cameras that will live-stream games online. I want to work with you. We reached out to school leaders all over the region. A child whose parent has elected that he or she is not subject to a mask mandate should not be required to wear a mask under any policy implemented by a teacher, school, school district, the Department of Educationor any other state authority. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) - Augusta County Public Schools is set to become mask-optional in three weeks. The Augusta County School Board unanimously affirmed at its meeting Thursday they would follow the law as now presented to them. Weve been saying all along students should be in school and shouldnt be tied to masks, said Conservative Parents of Lynchburg Founder Andrew Glover. All rights reserved. The superintendent also reminded families that student assessments, such as Georgia Milestones, will count toward student promotion. 1:30 PM Community Policy Management Team. The speakers who opposed the policies voiced concerns about safety issues, parental and privacy rights, and religious freedom. Find Augusta County, Virginia public schools, including charter schools, k-12, elementary, middle, and high schools. The CDC also hasnt said how teachers can know which students are vaccinated or how parents will know which teachers are immunized. Copyright 2023 Augusta County Public Schools. Masks are still required on buses per federal law. He was referring to how the Georgia Department of Public Health color-codesCOVID-19 concentrations. The policy was part of the districts response to COVID last school year, but now state law prohibits individual school systems from requiring students to wear masks. Copyright 2021 WVIR. . Some quoted scripture, while others blamed politics. 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. The school board met Thursday night to discuss their back-to-school. Subscribe to usat newsleader.com. Here's how fast the special use permit process has gone for Houff's Churchville pit, Resignation of Staunton City Manager Steve Rosenberg: Councilor Mead's remarks, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. 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. @NBC29 pic.twitter.com/L8eS6n0bxz. 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. 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. Kids' face masks with Augusta County Schools designs for a child-friendly fit. That is its highest weekly total of the school year. Wear a mask, wash your hands, stay safe. School board votes to make masks optional for all students, staff in Augusta County. The biggest questions will be at middle schools, where some students can get the shot and others cant. With this vote, students and staff must still wear masks while in school until Feb. 14. 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. Regardless of vaccination status, the Augusta Public Schools will require masks for people entering its buildings next school year. New CDC guidance says some counties in our viewing area meet the threshold to put those face coverings back on. The goal is to be finished by Jan.31. Mask Policy AMI Dates; Augusta School District: Full mask requirement: McCrory School District: Superintendent James Anastasio strongly recommended the board vote in favor of the mandate. If you dont, I dont have a problem with that either.. "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. 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 . Again, we are excited to begin the year and look forward to having our students back. Please note the display name will appear on screen when you participate. "Arlington Public Schools implemented our mask requirement this school year prior to Gov. 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. Already have a commenting profile? The school board voted unanimously Aug. 9 to allow the district to change . In light of Virginia's school mask policy change, we have included a list of school districts and their decisions on masking. Afterward, the public spoke and most of the comments were about masks in school. Contact Patrick (he/him/his) atphite@newsleader.comand follow himon Twitter @Patrick_Hite. 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. "Not seeing facial expressions. Staunton and Waynesboro schools will continue requiring masks for all students and staff. The superintendent is great, the principal was wonderful. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page. Im not real sure how well they work to begin with, Dana Worley, her mom, said. About 50 people attended the Augusta County School Board meeting Thursday night. He said "lots of parents" had reached out to him saying masks had created emotional damage for their children. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WHSV) - Augusta County students will head to school on Tuesday, August 10 wearing masks. All students, staff and volunteers in county schools will wear masks to begin the school year. 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. People are also reading ", 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. More than 300 Augusta County students have tested positive for COVID-19 since school started four weeks ago. Teacher at Dixon Preschool Center Augusta County Public Schools 4.2 Vaccinated teachers and students don't have to wear masks inside school buildings.
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