augusta county schools mask policy

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I feel like its the parents decision. People are also reading 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. 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. 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. Click here for "Masks and Safety Protocols" . Columbia County schools decided to make masks optional for students moving forward effective for summer school. Here are a few of them: Blue Ridge Health District vaccination scheduler, Call the BRHD COVID-19 Hotline 434-972-6261. In the meantime, there are many ways for you to get vaccinated in our community. Kortney joined the 10 News team as a Lynchburg Bureau Reporter in May 2021. Waynesboro Public Schools followed the VDHs guidance and voted earlier this week to mandate masks for elementary students and staff. Her motion died for lack of a second. 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. 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 school board also voted to follow the contact tracing guidelines from the Virginia Department of Health. 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. Wayne District representative Tim Swortzel made the motion to make face-coverings optional and North River representative Nicholas Collins seconded. Masks will be required for anyone inside Charleston County schools until Oct. 15, 2021. More. Ed.D., Deputy Superintendent (540) 245-5108, Where Students Grow Intellectually, Physically, and Emotionally. Accommodations will be made for students and employees unable to wear a mask for documented medical reasons. Click here for "Masks and Safety Protocols". I believe in Jesus Christ. Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration. Success. 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. You can cancel at any time. 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. The division also said that. More than 300 Augusta County students have tested positive for COVID-19 since school started four weeks ago. Already have a commenting profile? All rights reserved. Create one. While the nations top public health agency says vaccinated teachers and students can ditch the mask, some say its too soon. Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. I want to work with you. That guidance comes as cases are rising virtually everywhere across the country -- including in the Charlottesville area. 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. The Augusta County School Board unanimously affirmed at its meeting Thursday they would follow the law as now presented to them. Under the protocol,masks arerequired for allstudents, staff andvisitors to all school districtfacilities and onbuses,regardless of vaccination status. Glenn Youngkin's executive order that made their decision possible. I want to work with every one of you. The winners of the 2015 races in the Beverly Manor, Pastures and Middle River Districts served . Becoming a Foster Parent Become a foster parent to a child in need. 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). 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. Make masks mandatory! AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) - As COVID-19 cases surge within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask mandates. 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. 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. 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. The goal is to be finished by Jan.31. Masks will return to Augusta County schools this fall. School board votes to make masks optional for all students, staff in Augusta County. Simply, we just want our students back everyday and back safely. A sign encourages students, teachers and visitors to wear masks at Ladson Elementary School on Aug. 11, 2021. Your cooperation with this change is expectedand appreciated. That rose to 206 the following week, but dropped back to 167 the week of Jan. 31. 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. I anticipated more discussion before we voted.. If you can't find the answer, feel free to give us a call or send us an email. If you dont, I dont have a problem with that either.. Another potential headache: the CDC is still recommending schools continue to space kids out and keep their desks three feet apart. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page. Augusta County Public Schools18 Government Center LaneVerona, VA 24482Phone: 540-245-5100Fax: 540-245-5115. 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 school board sent out a letter on July 22 stating the county did not have the legal authority to reject the state-mandated policies. Its equal or worse than in December, and our healthcare workers are drowning, said Tara Mahanes. "In light of those considerations, the practice is to allowconsistencyin how students and staff are treated with respect to mitigation measures.". 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. About 50 people attended the Augusta County School Board meeting Thursday night. Between Dec. 4 and 18, Georgia reported just under 20,000new cases, and most of the state's map was a light-yellow. People spoke for and against requiring students to wear masks this fall, as the school board previously stated masks would be optional. Use the form below to reset your password. 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. Now it is easier than ever to stay up-to-date with the news. On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended universal masking in schools at every grade level. Some quoted scripture, while others blamed politics. Below you will find several links to helpful resources for our residents. Do you all understand that? Copyright 2021 WVIR. Heritage Pharma plans to start testing Monday, Jan. 24, and families are asked to stay tuned for more details. 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. Now. May 19, 2021. Dr. Flynt tells us plans are dependent on cases staying low and the mask policy . AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) - "It's just not right to have them mandate it," said 8th grader Jonathan Vasquez. All rights reserved. Parent Portal Student registration DOCUMENTS PERSONNEL Acceptable use policy STAFF Portal bGMS construction update RMS Construction Update Riverheads High School 19 Howardsville Road Staunton, VA 24401 Phone: (540) 337-1921 Fax: (540) 337-0258. Some in Augusta County oppose school mask mandates as COVID-19 cases surge. https://www.augusta.k12.va.us Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Augusta County School Boards motion on Wednesday includes flexibility to alter its plans if case numbers change. The school division will also follow the CDCs shortened timeline for those who have toisolateorquarantine. I think they should still be wearing masks for their safety and everyone elses, said Will Via, a dad from Verona. 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. The letter continued, we know masking works and applauded children for their efforts in masking in the past school year. 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 CDC released this map of the country, which says how your city or county is doing as far as COVID-19 transmission. 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. "Arlington Public Schools implemented our mask requirement this school year prior to Gov. 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. The school district will not have to pay for them so long as theysign an agreement to keep the cameras up for five years. VERONA Augusta County Public Schools will continue requiring face masks for students and staff at least three more weeks. All students, staff and volunteers in county schools will wear masks to begin the school year. Subscribe to usat newsleader.com. The general election was held on November 3, 2015. Copyright 2023 WSLS.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. Certification or licensure (if required for the position for which you are applying) He shared the letter from the pediatricians at the board meeting. He was referring to how the Georgia Department of Public Health color-codesCOVID-19 concentrations. 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. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. 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. Im not real sure how well they work to begin with, Dana Worley, her mom, said. Teacher at Dixon Preschool Center Augusta County Public Schools 4.2 Our children under 12 years of age are not eligible to be vaccinated, so the best thing to protect them is to continue masking and social distancing, the letter from the local pediatricians said. This is a political scam to see who is going to sit down and shut up, Riverheads student Joshua Cox said . Tomorrow marks one week until Columbia County and some Richmond County students start the new year. 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. This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login. Timothy Simmons, who represents the Pastures District, said he is in favor of making masks optional. Walensky says thats not the case now, and vaccines are very effective. Sign in or Subscribe Kortney Lockey, Lynchburg Bureau - Multimedia Journalist. 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. There is [sic] three reasons why COVID cases are going up. Its still a big health problem, she said. 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. Story ideas and tips always welcome. You will receive an email to complete the registration. You are muzzling our children. The week of Jan. 17 there were 171 cases. Masks may be removed during lunch and while outside. If your area is orange or red, you should require masks inside. As always, we will continue to monitor the situation and communicate any changes to you. Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Over the summer, our children have been maskless, Welcher said. I hope youre on the same side.. 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.. McCormick said she wished the discussion about masking would have been at the business meeting instead. 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. 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 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. 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. 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. 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. Vaccinated teachers and students don't have to wear masks inside school buildings. "We have to consider how the mask is affecting them emotionally," Simmons said. 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. The VDOE did not mandate the mask usage, and Augusta County opted to leave it up to individual students and staff. The Augusta County School Board held a special session on July 29th to discuss what turned out to be two issues. nations top public health agency says vaccinated teachers and students can ditch the mask. Columbia County . Lawrence County School District: Full mask requirement: Sloan-Hendrix School District: . The policies say schools should allow students to use the restroom that corresponds with their gender identity. But othersincluding her momhave a different opinion. Story ideas and tips always welcome. 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.. 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. Already registered? New CDC guidance says some counties in our viewing area meet the threshold to put those face coverings back on. 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. You can share 5 more gift articles this month. 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, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - The rise in COVID cases is also a concern for our local school districts. 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. The district had held. Kati McCormick was the only board member to vote against the measure. 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. The 2015 election was the last election for all seven seats to appear on the ballot at the same time. Richmond County students will be permitted to remove masks during lunch and while outside. McCormick voted against the mandate, saying she believes the decision for students to wear masks should be up to families, not the school administration. We have always tried to be non-political. Bond's letter did say that parents who choose to keep their children home for the full 10-day quarantine period can do so. Simply, we just want our students back everyday and back safely. 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. McClintock said they hope to get the cameras within the next month. Augusta County Public Schools reported on its dashboard that the week of Jan. 9 it had 236 total cases of COVID, including 209 among students. Contact Patrick (he/him/his) atphite@newsleader.comand follow himon Twitter @Patrick_Hite. Do you have a story idea? Ensure that the phone number is not blocked in phone settings. 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.

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augusta county schools mask policy

augusta county schools mask policy