AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) - As COVID-19 cases surge within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask mandates. 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.. Richmond County students will be permitted to remove masks during lunch and while outside. 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. Glenn Youngkin's executive order making masks optional or "any changing negative trends related to our local area health concerns.". Click here for "Masks and Safety Protocols" . This is a political scam to see who is going to sit down and shut up, Riverheads student Joshua Cox said . Timothy Simmons, who represents the Pastures District, said he is in favor of making masks optional. Human Resources - Richmond County School System Only two people spoke out in favor of masks. Augusta County School Board votes against VDoE transgender model policies McCormick voted against the mandate, saying she believes the decision for students to wear masks should be up to families, not the school administration. Patrick Hite is The News Leader's educationreporter. Login. As always, we will continue to monitor the situation and communicate any changes to you. Via has three kids in Augusta County Public Schools and only one of them is old enough to get the shot. 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. It was heated at times - like when people called board members cowards for wearing masks and forcing students to wear them. 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. But othersincluding her momhave a different opinion. The biggest questions will be at middle schools, where some students can get the shot and others cant. 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. Augusta County Schools to make masks optional on Valentine's Day, with Columbia County . Already registered? Charleston County schools to require masks; senators want session on If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page. 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. Welcher said the number of cases did not show a need for further mask mandates in schools as students return five days a week for in-person instruction. Im asking for a choice for a virtual option during this surge. Her motion died for lack of a second. 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 said she wished the discussion about masking would have been at the business meeting instead. That rose to 206 the following week, but dropped back to 167 the week of Jan. 31. Washtenaw County schools opt to keep masks on 'until further notice' . 1:30 PM Community Policy Management Team. I want to work with you. 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. Augusta County School Board votes against transgender policies 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. School board votes to make masks optional for all students, staff in Between Jan. 4 and 18, Georgia reported over 200,000 new cases, and the map had turned a dark burgundy. : Plenty of Augusta-area locations offer them, More: At-home COVID test website launches early. McClintock said they hope to get the cameras within the next month. Kati McCormick was the only board member to vote against the measure. To get one, go to the subscriptions page. While the nations top public health agency says vaccinated teachers and students can ditch the mask, some say its too soon. Collins said he worded his motion so it gave a date for going mask optional, but also gave the board its own options. ", Staunton and Waynesboro, in their announcements, mentioned SB1303, which requireseach school board in Virginia to provide the in-person instruction "in a manner in which it adheres, to the maximum extent practicable, to any currently applicable mitigation strategies for early childhood care and education programs and elementary and secondary schools to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 that have been provided by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Hope everyone is doing well. However, in a letter sent to families of students Thursday, Superintendent Eric Bond said masks would be optional for staff Monday as well. If your area is orange or red, you should require masks inside. "Not seeing facial expressions. Administrators say theyre hearing the same from other parents. Some in Augusta County oppose faculty masks mandates as COVID-19 Augusta school board reaffirms mask mandate, plans COVID-19 testing The superintendent also reminded families that student assessments, such as Georgia Milestones, will count toward student promotion. 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. Weve been saying all along students should be in school and shouldnt be tied to masks, said Conservative Parents of Lynchburg Founder Andrew Glover. As COVID-19 cases surge within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask mandates. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). The school board is elected, and the current superintendent is Dr. Eric Bond. Its why the news isnt sitting well with him and others. Masks requirements for GA county schools | WJBF All rights reserved. Thank you for visiting the Augusta County, VA. You will be redirected to the destination page below in 0 seconds. 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. Learn more. If you want to wear one, I dont see a problem with that. 2023 www.newsleader.com. 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. 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.. The Augusta Public Schools will have in-person learning, five days a week. Residents | Augusta County, VA At their meeting. CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - It may be time for some of us in Central Virginia to mask back up. Fourteen people spoke out against the mandates, citing their fear of heath issues they believe could be caused by masks. All rights reserved. Augusta-area governments weigh response to revised CDC mask guidelines Although theres not yet an indoor mask mandate in Virginia, the CDC says there should be. 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. Click here for "Masks and Safety Protocols". Aiken County school board to fight state's restriction on mask mandate Patrick Hite is The News Leader's education and sports reporter. Kortney joined the 10 News team as a Lynchburg Bureau Reporter in May 2021. If your area is orange or red, you should require masks inside. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. Certification or licensure (if required for the position for which you are applying) About 20 minutes into the school. 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. Other board members shared their reasoning for voting in favor of the mask mandate. 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. 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. Accommodations will be made for students and employees unable to wear a mask for documented medical reasons. Copyright 2023 WSLS.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. Copyright 2021 WVIR. Masks have been and continue to be required on all Georgia school buses. The superintendent is great, the principal was wonderful. Tomorrow marks one week until Columbia County and some Richmond County students start the new year. The CDC also hasnt said how teachers can know which students are vaccinated or how parents will know which teachers are immunized. "In light of those considerations, the practice is to allowconsistencyin how students and staff are treated with respect to mitigation measures.". Contact Patrick (he/him/his) atphite@newsleader.comand follow himon Twitter @Patrick_Hite. Shop the collection. 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. He shared the letter from the pediatricians at the board meeting. 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. This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login. 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. Your cooperation with this change is expectedand appreciated. 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 speakers who opposed the policies voiced concerns about safety issues, parental and privacy rights, and religious freedom. The developer, Augusta County Public Schools, indicated that the app's privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. Official transcripts are required at the time of employment. As we learn more, I am comfortable with yes. Glenn Youngkin's executive order that made their decision possible. Vaccinated teachers and students don't have to wear masks inside school buildings. Augusta County Public Schools elections (2015) - Ballotpedia AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) - As COVID-19 cases surge within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask mandates. Local parents, students react to CDC guidance on masks in schools - WSLS All rights reserved. Heritage Pharma plans to start testing Monday, Jan. 24, and families are asked to stay tuned for more details. Still, theres no doubt this will make for some challenging school environments. 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. Please subscribe to keep reading. 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. That's why we try our best to make it easy to live in this beautiful place we call home. Some in Augusta County oppose school mask mandates as COVID-19 - WHSV We have always tried to be non-political. 2022, 12:02 p.m. Paula Gentile helps out as a substitute in Tana Spelman's class at Bishop Elementary in Augusta . Mask Policy AMI Dates; Augusta School District: Full mask requirement: McCrory School District: Vaccinated teachers and students don't have to wear masks inside school buildings. LIST: Arizona school districts keeping, removing mask mandates - KNXV Northam's K-12 mask mandate, and we will continue to make decisions that prioritize the health, safety . Becoming a Foster Parent Become a foster parent to a child in need. 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. 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. New CDC guidance says some counties in our viewing area meet the threshold to put those face coverings back on. 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! All rights reserved. Many have since returned to school, but the virus continues to spread. Masks will return to Augusta County schools this fall - NBC29 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 Public Schools. 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. Timothy Simmons will take a seat on the Augusta County School Board in January. Augusta County Public Schools will keep masks mandatory until Feb. 14 School boards are required by state law to enact the policies for the 2021-22. Many protest mask mandate in Columbia County schools | WJBF "We have to consider how the mask is affecting them emotionally," Simmons said. 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." Helms added that she would also like to see the masks stay.

Nypd Deputy Commissioner, Lidl Bolognese Sauce Calories, Ifa Interconnector Fire Cause, Articles A