The school board also voted to follow the contact tracing guidelines from the Virginia Department of Health. 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. To date, they have distributed 20,230 devices. Copyright 2023 Augusta County Public Schools. 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. "We have to consider how the mask is affecting them emotionally," Simmons said. Tuesday Columbia County school leaders made their decision on the mask mandate. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Already have a commenting profile? Masks may be removed during lunch and while outside. You are muzzling our children. 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. Masks will be required for anyone inside Charleston County schools until Oct. 15, 2021. Editor. All rights reserved. https://www.augusta.k12.va.us Subscribe to usat newsleader.com. He shared the letter from the pediatricians at the board meeting. 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. All rights reserved. They have been in public places and taken place in social gatherings. 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.. 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. The winners of the 2015 races in the Beverly Manor, Pastures and Middle River Districts served . Latest trends. He said "lots of parents" had reached out to him saying masks had created emotional damage for their children. That is its highest weekly total of the school year. 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.". How to order free testing kits from the government. 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. Lawrence County School District: Full mask requirement: Sloan-Hendrix School District: . VERONA Officials with Augusta County Public Schools have announced that masks won't be required beginning Monday for students, staff and visitors. 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. Glenn Youngkin's executive order on masks in schools. 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. In the meantime, there are many ways for you to get vaccinated in our community. Again, we are excited to begin the year and look forward to having our students back. 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. 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. School board votes to make masks optional for all students, staff in Augusta County. . The division also said that. Kids' face masks with Augusta County Schools designs for a. Via has three kids in Augusta County Public Schools and only one of them is old enough to get the shot. Not even fire-engine red Augusta County is on board with Gov. You have permission to edit this article. We have always tried to be non-political. If you dont, I dont have a problem with that either.. Administrators say theyre hearing the same from other parents. The Virginia Department of Health reported 113 new COVID cases in Augusta County Thursday, the highest one-day total since Feb. 4. Her motion died for lack of a second. Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Don't have a commenting profile? The school board met Thursday night to discuss their back-to-school. 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. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. I hope youre on the same side.. 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. 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.. Wear a mask, wash your hands, stay safe. Your cooperation with this change is expectedand appreciated. (844) 698-3261 Free Consultation info@ritchielawfirm.com Case Results Copyright 2021 WVIR. All rights reserved. Its vaccination that Walensky says will prevent her biggest fear. This a wonderful school district to work, and a beautiful area! Based on current conditions, this is what we need to do to make that happen. 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. Wayne District representative Tim Swortzel made the motion to make face-coverings optional and North River representative Nicholas Collins seconded. Plenty of Augusta-area locations offer them, At-home COVID test website launches early. Contact Patrick (he/him/his) atphite@newsleader.comand follow himon Twitter @Patrick_Hite. 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. Kati McCormick was the only board member to vote against the measure. If you can't find the answer, feel free to give us a call or send us an email. That rose to 206 the following week, but dropped back to 167 the week of Jan. 31. People spoke for and against requiring students to wear masks this fall, as the school board previously stated masks would be optional. That guidance comes as cases are rising virtually everywhere across the country -- including in the Charlottesville area. CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - It may be time for some of us in Central Virginia to mask back up. In light of Virginia's school mask policy change, we have included a list of school districts and their decisions on masking. 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. "Personally, I would like to see the masks gone," Chairperson David Shiflett said, "but now I dont think is the time.. The Allegan County Health Department is requiring masks in schools from kindergarten to sixth grade. See Offers. Staunton and Waynesboro schools will continue requiring masks for all students and staff. Subscribe to usat newsleader.com. The CDC released this map of the country, which says how your city or county is doing as far as COVID-19 transmission. 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). Story ideas and tips always welcome. Get up to 20% off. Its equal or worse than in December, and our healthcare workers are drowning, said Tara Mahanes. 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. Allegan Public Schools: K-6 masks required; 7-8 TBD; 9-12 optional | Details. Staunton and Waynesboro schools will continue requiring masks for all students and staff. The Augusta Board of Education voted Wednesday night, 5 to 1, to mandate mask wearing. 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. Richmond County students will be permitted to remove masks during lunch and while outside. Make masks mandatory! 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. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. I was a Title 1 reading teacher and was treated with professionalism and respect. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Copyright 2023 WSLS.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. Click here for "Masks and Safety Protocols". This new science is worrisome and unfortunately warrants an update to our recommendation., RELATED: New CDC guidelines call for masks in schools K-12. The VDOE did not mandate the mask usage, and Augusta County opted to leave it up to individual students and staff. List of Augusta County Public Schools. Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. 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. 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. Now it is easier than ever to stay up-to-date with the news. ", 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.". 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. My biggest concern is, I would never go into your home and tell you whats best for your child, McCormick said. He was referring to how the Georgia Department of Public Health color-codesCOVID-19 concentrations. 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. . Copyright 2021 WHSV. {{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. Enter your email and password to access comments. AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - The rise in COVID cases is also a concern for our local school districts. Between Jan. 4 and 18, Georgia reported over 200,000 new cases, and the map had turned a dark burgundy. The delta variant is so very contagious it appears to cause high viral loads even in vaccinated people who become infected.. VERONA Augusta County Public Schools will continue requiring face masks for students and staff at least three more weeks. 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. About 50 people attended the Augusta. The Augusta County School Board unanimously affirmed at its meeting Thursday they would follow the law as now presented to them. Otherwise, a 14-day quarantine will be required. Waynesboro Public Schools followed the VDHs guidance and voted earlier this week to mandate masks for elementary students and staff. Simply, we just want our students back everyday and back safely. Superintendent James Anastasio strongly recommended the board vote in favor of the mandate. 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! 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. All students, staff and volunteers in county schools will wear masks to begin the school year. Shop the collection. 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. "We'll revisit it. Log in to join the discussion. 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. There is [sic] three reasons why COVID cases are going up. Below you will find several links to helpful resources for our residents. // Psychedelic Society New Orleans, Where Does James Crowder Live, Livery Yards In The Forest Of Dean, Is Cardano Going To Explode, Articles A