augusta county schools mask policy

Below you will find several links to helpful resources for our residents. 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! 2022, 12:02 p.m. Paula Gentile helps out as a substitute in Tana Spelman's class at Bishop Elementary in Augusta . 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. As COVID-19 cases surge within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask mandates. Augusta County Public Schools is the organization that operates the public school system in Augusta County, Virginia. Send us your news tip here. Becoming a Foster Parent Become a foster parent to a child in need. Please wait for the page to reload. The numbers have fluctuated within the school division. Please note the display name will appear on screen when you participate. We have always tried to be non-political. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WHSV) - Augusta county school board members say they were blind-sided by news out of Richmond over masks in the classrooms. Kortney Lockey, Lynchburg Bureau - Multimedia Journalist. "These absences from school will be excused and students will be permitted to make up all missed work," the letter said. on March 2.Read more about the C.D . 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. All rights reserved. Copyright 2023 WSLS.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. 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. The Augusta Public Schools will have in-person learning, five days a week. The VDOE did not mandate the mask usage, and Augusta County opted to leave it up to individual students and staff. ", 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. But othersincluding her momhave a different opinion. 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. McClintock said they hope to get the cameras within the next month. Your cooperation with this change is expectedand appreciated. Reading Specialist (Former Employee) - Verona, VA - August 12, 2020. Masks are still required on buses per federal law. Waynesboro Public Schools followed the VDHs guidance and voted earlier this week to mandate masks for elementary students and staff. You will receive an email to complete the registration. Subscribe to usat newsleader.com. @NBC29 pic.twitter.com/L8eS6n0bxz. MORE: Mask Mandates Are Hot Topic at Columbia County School Board Meeting He shared the letter from the pediatricians at the board meeting. As always, we will continue to monitor the situation and communicate any changes to you. 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. Im not real sure how well they work to begin with, Dana Worley, her mom, said. Subscribe to usat newsleader.com. Click here for "Masks and Safety Protocols" . Via has three kids in Augusta County Public Schools and only one of them is old enough to get the shot. Now. Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. 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. Under the protocol,masks arerequired for allstudents, staff andvisitors to all school districtfacilities and onbuses,regardless of vaccination status. 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. 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. Were gonna have to step back, go by the law, and prove them wrong, Ward said. Although theres not yet an indoor mask mandate in Virginia, the CDC says there should be. Copyright 2021 WVIR. The Augusta County School Board is a seven-member board elected by district to four-year terms. Get up to 20% off. We reached out to school leaders all over the region. Masks will return to Augusta County schools this fall. Latest trends. School Superintendent Steven Flynt announced the rescinding of the mask mandate during the board's regular session Tuesday. Not even fire-engine red Augusta County is on board with Gov. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WHSV) - Augusta county school board members say they were blind-sided by news out of Richmond over masks in the classrooms. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Click here for "Masks and Safety Protocols". I was a Title 1 reading teacher and was treated with professionalism and respect. About 50 people attended the Augusta County School . Tomorrow marks one week until Columbia County and some Richmond County students start the new year. The division also said 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 . As we learn more, I am comfortable with yes. You can share 5 more gift articles this month. Staunton and Waynesboro schools will continue requiring masks for all students and staff. The letter continued, we know masking works and applauded children for their efforts in masking in the past school year. The developer, Augusta County Public Schools, indicated that the app's privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. Make 2023 the year to let that wonderful you-ness shine. 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. Hope everyone is doing well. 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. 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. Log in to join the discussion. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. "We'll revisit it. Between Jan. 4 and 18, Georgia reported over 200,000 new cases, and the map had turned a dark burgundy. Heritage Pharma plans to start testing Monday, Jan. 24, and families are asked to stay tuned for more details. 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. 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.. People spoke for and against requiring students to wear masks this fall, as the school board previously stated masks would be optional. Again, we are excited to begin the year and look forward to having our students back. Kids' face masks with Augusta County Schools designs for a. Copyright 2021 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved. 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. Administrators say theyre hearing the same from other parents. 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. McCormick voted against the mandate, saying she believes the decision for students to wear masks should be up to families, not the school administration. You have permission to edit this article. 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. A sign encourages students, teachers and visitors to wear masks at Ladson Elementary School on Aug. 11, 2021. Enter your email and password to access comments. More: Augusta schools' 1:1 tech rollout under way, benefiting students who have gone without. That rose to 206 the following week, but dropped back to 167 the week of Jan. 31. The goal is to be finished by Jan.31. Teacher at Dixon Preschool Center Augusta County Public Schools 4.2 We are excited to begin the school year but have some updates and reminders to help prepare our students as they return next week. Accommodations will be made for students and employees unable to wear a mask for documented medical reasons. 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. 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. 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. 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. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. If you want to wear one, I dont see a problem with that. About 20 minutes into the school board meeting Thursday evening, members went into closed session with its legal council. 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. . Glenn Youngkin's executive order that made their decision possible. Its still a big health problem, she said. Staunton and Waynesboro schools will continue requiring masks for all students and staff. School Board members made the decision Thursday . "We have to consider how the mask is affecting them emotionally," Simmons said. I feel like everyone should still be wearing masks, vaccinated or not, said Shae Helms, a sophomore at Amherst County High School. // The school division will also follow the CDCs shortened timeline for those who have toisolateorquarantine. AUGUSTA The Augusta Public Schools will require students, staff and visitors to wear masks regardless of vaccination status next school year. AUGUSTA, Ga. - The Richmond County Board of Education met Tuesday night to get a COVID update from the superintendent. 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. 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. 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. Ensure that the phone number is not blocked in phone settings. 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 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, Va. (WHSV) - Augusta county school board members say they were blind-sided by news out of Richmond over masks in the classrooms. Learn More You are now exiting the Augusta County, VA. That guidance comes as cases are rising virtually everywhere across the country -- including in the Charlottesville area. (844) 698-3261 Free Consultation info@ritchielawfirm.com Case Results 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. 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. If your area is orange or red, you should require masks inside. Verify your phone numbers and contact preferences are correct in Campus Parent > User > Settings > Contact Preferences. Sign up for breaking news alerts. School board votes to make masks optional for all students, staff in Augusta County. . If you need help with the Public File, call 540-512-1558. 0:57. 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. Hi, to comment on stories you must create a commenting profile. People are also reading 'Cousin Eddie' display from 'Christmas Vacation' leads to Kentucky police response Photo by Atoms on Unsplash. Anastasio also said the DOE will require schools to report teacher vaccination status, which will be done anonymously and through a survey. 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. However, in a letter sent to families of students Thursday, Superintendent Eric Bond said masks would be optional for staff Monday as well. Click here for "Masks and Safety Protocols". Kids' face masks with Augusta County Schools designs for a child-friendly fit. 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.". 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. Riverheads High School 19 Howardsville Road Staunton, VA 24401 Phone: (540) 337-1921 Fax: (540) 337-0258. 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. Its vaccination that Walensky says will prevent her biggest fear. 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. The superintendent also reminded families that student assessments, such as Georgia Milestones, will count toward student promotion. There was a problem saving your notification. Official transcripts are required at the time of employment. 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. 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 Augusta Board of Education voted Wednesday night, 5 to 1, to mandate mask wearing. Masks have been and continue to be required on all Georgia school buses. "Personally, I would like to see the masks gone," Chairperson David Shiflett said, "but now I dont think is the time.. Login. Allegan Public Schools: K-6 masks required; 7-8 TBD; 9-12 optional | Details. 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. All rights reserved. The Augusta County School Board held a special session on July 29th to discuss what turned out to be two issues. Starting Thursday, masks will be required for students, staff, and visitors to all district facilities and buses, regardless of vaccination status. Otherwise, a 14-day quarantine will be required. While the nation's top public health agency says vaccinated teachers and students can ditch the mask, some. Simply, we just want our students back everyday and back safely. Columbia County schools decided to make masks optional for students moving forward effective for summer school. Story ideas and tips always welcome. 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. Use the form below to reset your password. 5:00 PM Joint Meeting-Augusta County Board of Supervisors and Augusta County . The Columbia County Board of Education will be withdrawing its requirements for students and faculty to wear face-coverings beginning Sept. 29. Between Dec. 4 and 18, Georgia reported just under 20,000new cases, and most of the state's map was a light-yellow. The policies say schools should allow students to use the restroom that corresponds with their gender identity. Contact Patrick (he/him/his) atphite@newsleader.comand follow himon Twitter @Patrick_Hite. This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login. 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. I anticipated more discussion before we voted.. 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. 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. 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. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) - As COVID-19 cases surge within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask mandates. His first item of focus is the rights of parents. Heres why. That is its highest weekly total of the school year. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) - Augusta County Public Schools is set to become mask-optional in three weeks. 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. Editor. Designed and sold by artists. You can cancel at any time. Glenn Youngkin's executive order making masks optional or "any changing negative trends related to our local area health concerns.". 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. Don't have a commenting profile? 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). Make masks mandatory! 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. I hope youre on the same side.. About 20 minutes into the school. Do you all understand that? The school board is elected, and the current superintendent is Dr. Eric Bond. 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. Certification or licensure (if required for the position for which you are applying) 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. {{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. Face coverings and masks will be optional at Charleston County schools when students return to their classrooms Aug. 18. 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. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Virginia (WVIR) - As COVID-19 cases rise within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask requirements. 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.

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