Glenn Youngkin's executive order that made their decision possible. AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - The rise in COVID cases is also a concern for our local school districts. My recommendation to follow recommendation of the CDC is on the basis of following those who are more knowledgeable than I am regarding information on the pandemic.. Glenn Youngkin's executive order on masks in schools. AUGUSTA The Augusta Public Schools will require students, staff and visitors to wear masks regardless of vaccination status next 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. Tuesday Columbia County school leaders made their decision on the mask mandate. Augusta-area governments weigh response to revised CDC mask guidelines 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. Official transcripts are required at the time of employment. To mask or not to mask? Local schools determine policies - WRDW Ensure that the phone number is not blocked in phone settings. Augusta County Public Schools. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page. 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.. Learn More You are now exiting the Augusta County, VA. Augusta County, Virginia Covid Case and Risk Tracker 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. Kids' face masks with Augusta County Schools designs for a child-friendly fit. Staunton and Waynesboro schools will continue requiring masks for all students and staff. Contact Patrick (he/him/his) atphite@newsleader.comand follow himon Twitter @Patrick_Hite. 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. Aiken County Schools eliminate mask mandate | WJBF Working at AUGUSTA COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS: 22 Reviews - Indeed Important VCTC Update - Mask Policy | Valley Career & Technical Center 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, Va. (WHSV) - Augusta county school board members say they were blind-sided by news out of Richmond over masks in the classrooms. The only instance where county students are required to wear masks is on the school bus because of a federal mandate related to public transportation. Data Not Collected The developer does not collect any data from this app. Masks are still required on buses per federal law. 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. Charleston County schools to require masks; senators want session on 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.". Log in to join the discussion. To get one, go to the subscriptions page. The Augusta County School Board voted 5-1 on Thursday to make masks optional . More than 300 Augusta County students have tested positive for COVID-19 since school started four weeks ago. 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. We have always tried to be non-political. Social distancing was one of the larger issues in the past as to why the schools had to do hybrid learning, but now, social distancing is less of a priority Anastasio said, if universal masking is mandated. If you dont, I dont have a problem with that either.. Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. Copyright 2021 WVIR. 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. 0:57. Youngkin, Psaki respond to Northern Va. school systems' announcements Editor. 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. All rights reserved. List of Augusta County Public Schools. . Staunton and Waynesboro schools will continue requiring masks for all students and staff. Need a COVID-19 test? // They have thrived and remained healthy.. We are excited to begin the school year but have some updates and reminders to help prepare our students as they return next week. 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. All rights reserved. The Augusta County School Board is a seven-member board elected by district to four-year terms. Verify your phone numbers and contact preferences are correct in Campus Parent > User > Settings > Contact Preferences. All rights reserved. Albemarle County, Charlottesville bucking Youngkin on school mask policies Enter your email and password to access comments. He shared the letter from the pediatricians at the board meeting. Face coverings and masks will be optional at Charleston County schools when students return to their classrooms Aug. 18. 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. The superintendent also reminded families that student assessments, such as Georgia Milestones, will count toward student promotion. Staunton and Waynesboro schools will continue requiring masks for all students and staff. Do you all understand that? 2022, 12:02 p.m. Paula Gentile helps out as a substitute in Tana Spelman's class at Bishop Elementary in Augusta . I want to work with every one of you. We fear if we dont have universal masking, the letter stated, there will be outbreaks warranting school closure.. I feel like everyone should still be wearing masks, vaccinated or not, said Shae Helms, a sophomore at Amherst County High School. Success. 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). 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. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) - Augusta County Public Schools is set to become mask-optional in three weeks. We got to show some force or whatever you need to do to show those people down there to understand that we need to be allowed to make the decision that best suits our kids because we deal with our kids, we deal with the parents, board member Tim Swortzel said. Timothy Simmons will take a seat on the Augusta County School Board in January. Her motion died for lack of a second. 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. Area schools announce mask policies, AMI days - KAIT With this vote, students and staff must still wear masks while in school until Feb. 14. Again, we are excited to begin the year and look forward to having our students back. She asked if it was considered by administration to have a mask mandate for the younger students and recommended for the older students. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WHSV) - Augusta county school board members say they were blind-sided by news out of Richmond over masks in the classrooms. Simply, we just want our students back everyday and back safely. Latest trends. Waynesboro school officials still deciding on mask mandate McClintock said they hope to get the cameras within the next month. Its vaccination that Walensky says will prevent her biggest fear. 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. The opportunity to grow professionally is evident there. Masks will return to Augusta County schools this fall - WHSV Augusta County School Board votes against transgender policies Hope everyone is doing well. 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. "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. While Aiken County has lifted mandatory mask mandates inside its schools, Richmond County says for now it won't be changing any of its mask or social distancing guidelines. 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. Another potential headache: the CDC is still recommending schools continue to space kids out and keep their desks three feet apart. Please wait for the page to reload. Some in Augusta County oppose school mask mandates as COVID-19 - WHSV Published: Jan. 20, 2022 at 7:43 PM PST. The CDC released this map of the country, which says how your city or county is doing as far as COVID-19 transmission. 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. 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. The Augusta County School Board unanimously affirmed at its meeting Thursday they would follow the law as now presented to them. Glenn Youngkin's executive order making masks optional or "any changing negative trends related to our local area health concerns.". Augusta Co. schools to make masks optional on Valentine's Day, with Only two people spoke out in favor of masks. He was referring to how the Georgia Department of Public Health color-codesCOVID-19 concentrations. Already registered? He said "lots of parents" had reached out to him saying masks had created emotional damage for their children. More. We do not appreciate it. About 50 people attended the Augusta County School Board meeting Thursday night. The Columbia County Board of Education will be withdrawing its requirements for students and faculty to wear face-coverings beginning Sept. 29. Walensky says thats not the case now, and vaccines are very effective. Waynesboro Public Schools followed the VDHs guidance and voted earlier this week to mandate masks for elementary students and staff. Residents | Augusta County, VA Im asking for a choice for a virtual option during this surge. Ed.D., Deputy Superintendent (540) 245-5108, Where Students Grow Intellectually, Physically, and Emotionally. 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. Augusta County School Board votes against VDoE transgender model policies 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. The CDC released this map of the country, which says how your city or county is doing as far as COVID-19 transmission. He said the Maine Department of Education is strongly recommending school in person, universal masking and following other recommendations such as hand washing and staying home when sick. McCormick said she wished the discussion about masking would have been at the business meeting instead. 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." Dr. Flynt tells us plans are dependent on cases staying low and the mask policy . Chief Technology OfficerCarolyn McCord provided an update on the school district's 1:1 initiative, PowerUp, which will supply every student with the use of a laptop with internet connectivity. If you can't find the answer, feel free to give us a call or send us an email. While the nations top public health agency says vaccinated teachers and students can ditch the mask, some say its too soon. I think they should still be wearing masks for their safety and everyone elses, said Will Via, a dad from Verona. I was excited not to have them (masks), but then I saw new data said the delta variant could infect people with the vaccine and could result in a spread. A sign encourages students, teachers and visitors to wear masks at Ladson Elementary School on Aug. 11, 2021. Find Augusta County, Virginia public schools, including charter schools, k-12, elementary, middle, and high schools. Copyright 2021 WHSV. Im not real sure how well they work to begin with, Dana Worley, her mom, said. No parent electing that a mask mandate should not apply to his or her child shall be required to provide a reason or make any certification concerning their childs health or education. All rights reserved. How many Columbia County students are following mask rules? - WRDW If your area is orange or red, you should require masks inside. Riverheads High School | Home - Augusta County Public Schools on. Sign up for breaking news alerts. Augusta school board reaffirms mask mandate, plans COVID-19 testing Copyright 2023 Augusta County Public Schools. Riverheads High School 19 Howardsville Road Staunton, VA 24401 Phone: (540) 337-1921 Fax: (540) 337-0258. 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. Reading Specialist (Former Employee) - Verona, VA - August 12, 2020. Columbia County schools decided to make masks optional for students moving forward effective for summer school. 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. COVID-19 cases in Augusta schools hit 200. What is the school district Click here for "Masks and Safety Protocols". AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) - "It's just not right to have them mandate it," said 8th grader Jonathan Vasquez. Timothy Simmons, who represents the Pastures District, said he is in favor of making masks optional. All say theyre waiting for additional guidance from the Virginia Department of Education, the Virginia Department of Health and Governor Ralph Northam. The general election was held on November 3, 2015. Augusta County Schools to make masks optional on Valentine's Day, with Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Heritage Pharma plans to start testing Monday, Jan. 24, and families are asked to stay tuned for more details. Some in Augusta County oppose school mask mandates as COVID-19 - NBC29 Fourteen people spoke out against the mandates, citing their fear of heath issues they believe could be caused by masks. Over the summer, our children have been maskless, Welcher said. Allegan Public Schools: K-6 masks required; 7-8 TBD; 9-12 optional | Details. The district had held. Augusta County Public Schools18 Government Center LaneVerona, VA 24482Phone: 540-245-5100Fax: 540-245-5115. Shop the collection. (844) 698-3261 Free Consultation info@ritchielawfirm.com Case Results Augusta County Schools, VA 4+ - App Store 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. McCormick voted against the mandate, saying she believes the decision for students to wear masks should be up to families, not the school administration. 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. It was heated at times - like when people called board members cowards for wearing masks and forcing students to wear them. Campus Parent | Augusta County Public Schools Becoming a Foster Parent Become a foster parent to a child in need. How to order free testing kits from the government. 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 letter continued, we know masking works and applauded children for their efforts in masking in the past school year. "Not seeing facial expressions. 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! Augusta County residents lead busy lives. Masks have been and continue to be required on all Georgia school buses. 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. 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. Students will be permitted to remove masks during lunch and while outside. 'Parental rights' at the front of Simmons' agenda for Augusta County Richmond County students will be permitted to remove masks during lunch and while outside. If you want to wear one, I dont see a problem with that. Human Resources - Richmond County School System All rights reserved. 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. Otherwise, a 14-day quarantine will be required. McDuffie County schools mandate masks; surge hits hospitals hard - WRDW "We'll revisit it. The week of Jan. 17 there were 171 cases. That's why we try our best to make it easy to live in this beautiful place we call home. Don't have a commenting profile? Kids' face masks with Augusta County Schools designs for a. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code. The school board voted unanimously Aug. 9 to allow the district to change . Add the 10-digit school phone number and the Augusta County Schools district phone number (540-245-5100) to your phone contacts. Create one. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. In light of Virginia's school mask policy change, we have included a list of school districts and their decisions on masking. You will receive an email to complete the registration. In rare occasions, some vaccinated people infected with the Delta variants after vaccination may be contagious and spread the virus to others, she said. The Augusta County School Board held a special session on July 29th to discuss what turned out to be two issues. May 19, 2021. More:A month since Rosenberg was forced out, Staunton City Council hasn't secured search firm, More:Staunton man pleads guilty to a string of burglaries, gets nearly 10 years in prison. 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. All rights reserved. "These absences from school will be excused and students will be permitted to make up all missed work," the letter said. If you need help with the Public File, call 540-512-1558. 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. Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Your cooperation with this change is expectedand appreciated. 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. 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. Augusta County School Board's refusal to enact state policy - WHSV 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. The school board also voted to follow the contact tracing guidelines from the Virginia Department of Health. on March 2.Read more about the C.D . Studentswill be permitted to remove masksduring lunch and while outside. This new science is worrisome and unfortunately warrants an update to our recommendation., RELATED: New CDC guidelines call for masks in schools K-12.