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AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WHSV) - Augusta County students will head to school on Tuesday, August 10 wearing masks. Many have since returned to school, but the virus continues to spread. Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. May 19, 2021. We are excited to begin the school year but have some updates and reminders to help prepare our students as they return next week. Wayne District representative Tim Swortzel made the motion to make face-coverings optional and North River representative Nicholas Collins seconded. All rights reserved. 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. The division also said that. 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. Best for a great weekend. Need a COVID-19 test? 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. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. List of Augusta County Public Schools. The 2015 election was the last election for all seven seats to appear on the ballot at the same time. This huge statewide spike, and the 29schools that were shifted to distance learning in Richmond County, led to the school board's reaffirming its mask mandate Tuesday. 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. Please subscribe to continue reading 0 Comments Get local news delivered to your inbox! "These absences from school will be excused and students will be permitted to make up all missed work," the letter said. North River representative Nick Collins made the motion Thursday, which gives the school board a chance to reevaluate the decision in the coming weeks if there are any legal challenges to Virginia Gov. 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. Pediatric death is rare, but not zero, so its our responsibility to protect all children. The speakers who opposed the policies voiced concerns about safety issues, parental and privacy rights, and religious freedom. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WHSV) - Augusta county school board members say they were blind-sided by news out of Richmond over masks in the classrooms. They have been in public places and taken place in social gatherings. Harrisonburg man charged with crimes connected to Jan. 6 attack on U.S. Capitol, Charlie Obaugh RV & Outdoor Student Athlete of the Week. Masks are still required on buses per federal law. 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. Augusta County School Boards motion on Wednesday includes flexibility to alter its plans if case numbers change. In the meantime, there are many ways for you to get vaccinated in our community. In a statement, the Blue Ridge Health District said: The Virginia Department of Health will analyze the CDCs guidance now that it has been released. 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. The Augusta County School Board voted 5-1 on Thursday to make masks optional . Hi, to comment on stories you must create a commenting profile. nations top public health agency says vaccinated teachers and students can ditch the mask. 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. 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). Allegan Public Schools: K-6 masks required; 7-8 TBD; 9-12 optional | Details. In light of Virginia's school mask policy change, we have included a list of school districts and their decisions on masking. MORE: Mask Mandates Are Hot Topic at Columbia County School Board Meeting Don't have a commenting profile? They have thrived and remained healthy.. 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. 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. 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. 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. More than 300 Augusta County students have tested positive for COVID-19 since school started four weeks ago. Still, theres no doubt this will make for some challenging school environments. Washtenaw County schools opt to keep masks on 'until further notice' . Please note the display name will appear on screen when you participate. I think they should still be wearing masks for their safety and everyone elses, said Will Via, a dad from Verona. 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.". Get up to 20% off. 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. Students will be permitted to remove masks during lunch and while outside. 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. "We'll revisit it. 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. The school board voted unanimously Aug. 9 to allow the district to change . 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. Were gonna have to step back, go by the law, and prove them wrong, Ward said. 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. 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. Richmond County students will be permitted to remove masks during lunch and while outside. Teacher at Dixon Preschool Center Augusta County Public Schools 4.2 Mask Policy AMI Dates; Augusta School District: Full mask requirement: McCrory School District: Now it is easier than ever to stay up-to-date with the news. 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. The school board met Thursday night to discuss their back-to-school. 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. The Augusta County School Board is a seven-member board elected by district to four-year terms. This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login. So far this week the school division has reported 85 casesdespite studentsbeing out all week because of a holiday and snow. "We have to consider how the mask is affecting them emotionally," Simmons said. Dr. Flynt tells us plans are dependent on cases staying low and the mask policy . Vaccinated teachers and students don't have to wear masks inside school buildings. Enter your email and password to access comments. Bond's letter did say that parents who choose to keep their children home for the full 10-day quarantine period can do so. AUGUSTA The Augusta Public Schools will require students, staff and visitors to wear masks regardless of vaccination status next school year. Augusta County Public Schools18 Government Center LaneVerona, VA 24482Phone: 540-245-5100Fax: 540-245-5115. Glenn Youngkin's executive order making masks optional or "any changing negative trends related to our local area health concerns.". The school board is elected, and the current superintendent is Dr. Eric Bond. 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. 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. Sign in or Subscribe 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. 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 . 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. We fear if we dont have universal masking, the letter stated, there will be outbreaks warranting school closure.. Anastasio said its easier at all levels since people move around the district. I would rather go with safety; I want kids to be in school five days a week.. I believe in Jesus Christ. Thank you for visiting the Augusta County, VA. You will be redirected to the destination page below in 0 seconds. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Copyright 2021 WHSV. Copyright 2023 WSLS.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. That guidance comes as cases are rising virtually everywhere across the country -- including in the Charlottesville area. Helms added that she would also like to see the masks stay. For more information, see the developer's privacy policy. 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." 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. Copyright 2023 Augusta County Public Schools. Click here for "Masks and Safety Protocols". Accommodations will be made for students and employees unable to wear a mask for documented medical reasons. 13 Virginia tops Clemson, snaps losing streak and clinches ACC tournament double-bye, On 'emotional' day, female wrestlers finally get to compete for their own Virginia state title, Former Virginia basketball coach Terry Holland dies after battling Alzheimer's, Buffalo Gap girls basketball team knocks off Rappahannock to reach semis, Augusta County School Board votes against transgender policies, Alaskas Iditarod kicks off with ceremonial start, Dogs, mushers prep for Iditarod as PETA accuses racers of animal abuse, Moscow reportedly threatened new parents in Ukraine: Register your newborns as Russian or else. How to order free testing kits from the government. Superintendent James Anastasio strongly recommended the board vote in favor of the mandate. Story ideas and tips always welcome. "In light of those considerations, the practice is to allowconsistencyin how students and staff are treated with respect to mitigation measures.". Its still a big health problem, she said. He shared the letter from the pediatricians at the board meeting. His first item of focus is the rights of parents. Masks will be required for anyone inside Charleston County schools until Oct. 15, 2021. Otherwise, a 14-day quarantine will be required. Fourteen people spoke out against the mandates, citing their fear of heath issues they believe could be caused by masks. The winners of the 2015 races in the Beverly Manor, Pastures and Middle River Districts served . Please subscribe to keep reading. VERONA Augusta County Public Schools will continue requiring face masks for students and staff at least three more weeks. 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. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. 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. AUGUSTA, Ga. - The Richmond County Board of Education met Tuesday night to get a COVID update from the superintendent. School board votes to make masks optional for all students, staff in Augusta County. Masks have been and continue to be required on all Georgia school buses. 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. Via has three kids in Augusta County Public Schools and only one of them is old enough to get the shot. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code. The Augusta County School Board held a special session on July 29th to discuss what turned out to be two issues. 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. That's why we try our best to make it easy to live in this beautiful place we call home. 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. All rights reserved. Over the summer, our children have been maskless, Welcher said. People spoke for and against requiring students to wear masks this fall, as the school board previously stated masks would be optional. The school district will not have to pay for them so long as theysign an agreement to keep the cameras up for five years. As we learn more, I am comfortable with yes. Ensure that the phone number is not blocked in phone settings. Its equal or worse than in December, and our healthcare workers are drowning, said Tara Mahanes. You will receive an email to complete the registration. 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. Simply, we just want our students back everyday and back safely. Fennville Public . 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. Contact Patrick (he/him/his) atphite@newsleader.comand follow himon Twitter @Patrick_Hite. The Virginia Department of Health reported 113 new COVID cases in Augusta County Thursday, the highest one-day total since Feb. 4. In rare occasions, some vaccinated people infected with the Delta variants after vaccination may be contagious and spread the virus to others, she said. (844) 698-3261 Free Consultation info@ritchielawfirm.com Case Results There was a problem saving your notification. Kortney joined the 10 News team as a Lynchburg Bureau Reporter in May 2021. You are muzzling our children. Make masks mandatory! 2022, 12:02 p.m. Paula Gentile helps out as a substitute in Tana Spelman's class at Bishop Elementary in Augusta . I anticipated more discussion before we voted.. 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. There is [sic] three reasons why COVID cases are going up. . I feel like its the parents decision. "Arlington Public Schools implemented our mask requirement this school year prior to Gov. I want to work with you. 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. That rose to 206 the following week, but dropped back to 167 the week of Jan. 31. This new science is worrisome and unfortunately warrants an update to our recommendation., RELATED: New CDC guidelines call for masks in schools K-12. 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. Already have a commenting profile? Use the form below to reset your password. Kids' face masks with Augusta County Schools designs for a child-friendly fit. Already registered? The developer, Augusta County Public Schools, indicated that the app's privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. 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. 1:30 PM Community Policy Management Team. Administrators say theyre hearing the same from other parents. Augustas annual free backpack, school supplies event scheduled for Sunday, Amid shouts and anger from parents, Skowhegan-area school board requires masks for first weeks of school, Madison man serving 30 days for violation of privacy in cellphone incident, With Domino's opening in Farmington, 'pizza wars' taking place on community Facebook group, Reporting Aside: As China woman confronts fatal diagnosis, she hopes for a final wish, Girls basketball: Lawrence defeats Brunswick to win Class A title, Clinton man sentenced to at least 9 months in jail for reckless driving that killed girlfriend. McCormick wondered about a remote option for families if they preferred their child not go into school for safety or medical reasons, but Anastasio said there is no plan since the CDC strongly recommends we have students in school. He said school officials may work with some families if there is a medial reason, but the district does not have the resources and staffing to offer a full remote option as it did last school year. Again, we are excited to begin the year and look forward to having our students back. If you dont, I dont have a problem with that either..