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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. "In light of those considerations, the practice is to allowconsistencyin how students and staff are treated with respect to mitigation measures.". 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. Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. The school board voted unanimously Aug. 9 to allow the district to change . Wear a mask, wash your hands, stay safe. I hope youre on the same side.. About 20 minutes into the school board meeting Thursday evening, members went into closed session with its legal council. 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. 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 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. 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. 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. Although theres not yet an indoor mask mandate in Virginia, the CDC says there should be. 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. Northam's K-12 mask mandate, and we will continue to make decisions that prioritize the health, safety . Shenandoah Valley Center for Advanced Learning, Valley Career & Technical Center49 Hornet RoadFishersville, VA 22939Phone: (540) 245-5002Fax: (540) 885-0407info@valleytech.us. "We'll revisit it. If your area is orange or red, you should require masks inside. Learn more. All say theyre waiting for additional guidance from the Virginia Department of Education, the Virginia Department of Health and Governor Ralph Northam. The speakers who opposed the policies voiced concerns about safety issues, parental and privacy rights, and religious freedom. If you dont, I dont have a problem with that either.. If you need help with the Public File, call 540-512-1558. 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 . All rights reserved. Afterward, the public spoke and most of the comments were about masks in school. All rights reserved. 2022, 12:02 p.m. Paula Gentile helps out as a substitute in Tana Spelman's class at Bishop Elementary in Augusta . 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. AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - The rise in COVID cases is also a concern for our local school districts. This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WHSV) - Augusta county school board members say they were blind-sided by news out of Richmond over masks in the classrooms. You are muzzling our children. Masks will return to Augusta County schools this fall. Many have since returned to school, but the virus continues to spread. Vaccinated teachers and students don't have to wear masks inside school buildings. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Virginia (WVIR) - As COVID-19 cases rise within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask requirements. 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 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. 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. If you can't find the answer, feel free to give us a call or send us an email. nations top public health agency says vaccinated teachers and students can ditch the mask. "Personally, I would like to see the masks gone," Chairperson David Shiflett said, "but now I dont think is the time.. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Kids' face masks with Augusta County Schools designs for a. Some in Augusta County oppose school mask mandates as COVID-19 cases surge. : Plenty of Augusta-area locations offer them, More: At-home COVID test website launches early. The school district will not have to pay for them so long as theysign an agreement to keep the cameras up for five years. It looks like you do not have any active subscriptions. In rare occasions, some vaccinated people infected with the Delta variants after vaccination may be contagious and spread the virus to others, she said. 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 goal is to be finished by Jan.31. People spoke for and against requiring students to wear masks this fall, as the school board previously stated masks would be optional. 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. The district had held. 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. Waynesboro Public Schools followed the VDHs guidance and voted earlier this week to mandate masks for elementary students and staff. 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 developer, Augusta County Public Schools, indicated that the app's privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. Create one. My biggest concern is, I would never go into your home and tell you whats best for your child, McCormick said. The school board is elected, and the current superintendent is Dr. Eric Bond. 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. Make 2023 the year to let that wonderful you-ness shine. MORE: Mask Mandates Are Hot Topic at Columbia County School Board Meeting Make masks mandatory!" Aiken Public Safety officers rushed out to where the overflow crowd was gathered because of meeting room capacity restrictions, and the . Its vaccination that Walensky says will prevent her biggest fear. Augusta County Public Schools. You can share 5 more gift articles this month. 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. [CDATA[ More. Copyright 2021 WHSV. Editor. Please wait for the page to reload. Data Not Collected The developer does not collect any data from this app. The division also said that. Vaccinated teachers and students don't have to wear masks inside school buildings. The Augusta County School Board is a seven-member board elected by district to four-year terms. School board votes to make masks optional for all students, staff in Augusta County. . The opportunity to grow professionally is evident there. All rights reserved. Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - It may be time for some of us in Central Virginia to mask back up. About 50 people attended the Augusta. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) - As COVID-19 cases surge within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask mandates. All rights reserved. Subscribe to usat newsleader.com. With this vote, students and staff must still wear masks while in school until Feb. 14. The Augusta County School Board held a special session on July 29th to discuss what turned out to be two issues. 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. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. A. R. Ware Elem 330 Grubert Avenue Staunton, VA. Augusta Corr Center 1821 Estaline Valley Road Craigsville, VA. Berkeley Glenn Elem 1020 Jefferson Avenue Waynesboro, VA. See Offers. 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. "If between now and then things go crazy," Shiflett said. Hi, to comment on stories you must create a commenting profile. {{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. Best for a great weekend. . There was a problem saving your notification. 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. Contact Patrick (he/him/his) atphite@newsleader.comand follow himon Twitter @Patrick_Hite. Columbia County schools decided to make masks optional for students moving forward effective for summer school. AUGUSTA The Augusta Public Schools will require students, staff and visitors to wear masks regardless of vaccination status next school year. 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. Between Dec. 4 and 18, Georgia reported just under 20,000new cases, and most of the state's map was a light-yellow. Augusta County School Boards motion on Wednesday includes flexibility to alter its plans if case numbers change. If you want to wear one, I dont see a problem with that. Contact Patrick (he/him/his) atphite@newsleader.comand follow himon Twitter @Patrick_Hite. 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. It was heated at times - like when people called board members cowards for wearing masks and forcing students to wear them. But she also says this guidance makes sense because of the more transmissible Delta variant. Copyright 2023 WSLS.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. Via has three kids in Augusta County Public Schools and only one of them is old enough to get the shot. People are also reading More than 300 Augusta County students have tested positive for COVID-19 since school started four weeks ago. Please subscribe to keep reading. 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. 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. Augusta County Public Schools18 Government Center LaneVerona, VA 24482Phone: 540-245-5100Fax: 540-245-5115. However, in a letter sent to families of students Thursday, Superintendent Eric Bond said masks would be optional for staff Monday as well. 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. Riverheads High School 19 Howardsville Road Staunton, VA 24401 Phone: (540) 337-1921 Fax: (540) 337-0258. Designed and sold by artists. Need a COVID-19 test? Tomorrow marks one week until Columbia County and some Richmond County students start the new year. Published: Jan. 20, 2022 at 7:43 PM PST. Photo by Atoms on Unsplash. Richmond County students will be permitted to remove masks during lunch and while outside. I believe in Jesus Christ. I anticipated more discussion before we voted.. All students, staff and volunteers in county schools will wear masks to begin the school year. 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. We are excited to begin the school year but have some updates and reminders to help prepare our students as they return next week. The 2015 election was the last election for all seven seats to appear on the ballot at the same time. Log in to join the discussion. AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) - "It's just not right to have them mandate it," said 8th grader Jonathan Vasquez. About 50 people attended the Augusta County School Board meeting Thursday night. 5:00 PM Joint Meeting-Augusta County Board of Supervisors and Augusta County . AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - With the latest surge in COVID cases easing, the Richmond County School System is dropping its mask mandate on campuses starting Tuesday. McCormick said she wished the discussion about masking would have been at the business meeting instead. 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. 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. I think they should still be wearing masks for their safety and everyone elses, said Will Via, a dad from Verona. 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. 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. 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. The Allegan County Health Department is requiring masks in schools from kindergarten to sixth grade. AUGUSTA The Augusta Public Schools will require students, staff and visitors to wear masks regardless of vaccination status next school year. Augusta County Schools will become mask-optional in three weeks. //