AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) - Augusta County Public Schools is set to become mask-optional in three weeks. 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. People spoke for and against requiring students to wear masks this fall, as the school board previously stated masks would be optional. Its vaccination that Walensky says will prevent her biggest fear. Now. All rights reserved. In the meantime, there are many ways for you to get vaccinated in our community. 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 main issue was the recent Commonwealth decision that all schools needed to have a non-discrimination policy in place in regards to transgender students. 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. Copyright 2021 WVIR. Charleston County schools fall in line with SC law. Masks will be This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login. Augusta County Public Schools - Wikipedia In rare occasions, some vaccinated people infected with the Delta variants after vaccination may be contagious and spread the virus to others, she said. However, in a letter sent to families of students Thursday, Superintendent Eric Bond said masks would be optional for staff Monday as well. The biggest questions will be at middle schools, where some students can get the shot and others cant. 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. Glenn Youngkin's executive order making masks optional or "any changing negative trends related to our local area health concerns.". Tomorrow marks one week until Columbia County and some Richmond County students start the new year. Sign in or Subscribe Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. 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. Helms added that she would also like to see the masks stay. "We have to consider how the mask is affecting them emotionally," Simmons said. 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. Between Jan. 4 and 18, Georgia reported over 200,000 new cases, and the map had turned a dark burgundy. The CDC released this map of the country, which says how your city or county is doing as far as COVID-19 transmission. Make 2023 the year to let that wonderful you-ness shine. Staunton and Waynesboro schools will continue requiring masks for all students and staff. Please subscribe to keep reading. About 20 minutes into the school. More. Dr. Flynt tells us plans are dependent on cases staying low and the mask policy . I hope youre on the same side.. Augusta County follows Staunton, Waynesboro on masks in schools Masks will return to Augusta County schools this fall. By Jessica Mallow. Augusta County, VA | Home 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. List: West Michigan schools' mask policies | WOODTV.com About 20 minutes into the school board meeting Thursday evening, members went into closed session with its legal council. Sign up for breaking news alerts. There was a problem saving your notification. The winners of the 2015 races in the Beverly Manor, Pastures and Middle River Districts served . Not even fire-engine red Augusta County is on board with Gov. "Arlington Public Schools implemented our mask requirement this school year prior to Gov. School districts in southwest, central Virginia address COVID mask policies The division also said that. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. Do you have a story idea? Shenandoah Valley Center for Advanced Learning, Valley Career & Technical Center49 Hornet RoadFishersville, VA 22939Phone: (540) 245-5002Fax: (540) 885-0407info@valleytech.us. Parent Portal Student registration DOCUMENTS PERSONNEL Acceptable use policy STAFF Portal bGMS construction update RMS Construction Update Mask Mandate Rescinded In Columbia County Schools - The Augusta Press "These absences from school will be excused and students will be permitted to make up all missed work," the letter said. People are also reading Masks are still required on buses per federal law. 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. Photo by Atoms on Unsplash. Augusta County Schools will become mask-optional in three weeks. Your cooperation with this change is expectedand appreciated. Another potential headache: the CDC is still recommending schools continue to space kids out and keep their desks three feet apart. Learn More You are now exiting the Augusta County, VA. AUGUSTA The Augusta Public Schools will require students, staff and visitors to wear masks regardless of vaccination status next school year. Now it is easier than ever to stay up-to-date with the news. The Allegan County Health Department is requiring masks in schools from kindergarten to sixth grade. 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. Human Resources - Richmond County School System . Many have since returned to school, but the virus continues to spread. 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. Need a COVID-19 test? 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. Copyright 2023 WSLS.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. 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 . Augusta County Public Schools. 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. Make masks mandatory! Wear a mask, wash your hands, stay safe. The school board is elected, and the current superintendent is Dr. Eric Bond. 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.. 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. on March 2.Read more about the C.D . McCormick said she wished the discussion about masking would have been at the business meeting instead. The Virginia Department of Health reported 113 new COVID cases in Augusta County Thursday, the highest one-day total since Feb. 4. 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. Augusta Public Schools to enforce mask wearing for all students, staff Augusta County School Boards motion on Wednesday includes flexibility to alter its plans if case numbers change. Richmond County students will be permitted to remove masks during lunch and while outside. 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. The school board met Thursday night to discuss their back-to-school. Copyright 2023 Augusta County Public Schools. Wayne District representative Tim Swortzel made the motion to make face-coverings optional and North River representative Nicholas Collins seconded. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Virginia (WVIR) - As COVID-19 cases rise within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask requirements. Over the summer, our children have been maskless, Welcher said. {{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. Aiken County school board to fight state's restriction on mask mandate Board member John Ward said they do not want to expose faculty to liability and said hopefully they will see low numbers throughout the start of the school year. Augusta County Public Schools | Augusta County, VA How many Columbia County students are following mask rules? - WRDW 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. McClintock said they hope to get the cameras within the next month. . Augusta County, Virginia Covid Case and Risk Tracker Story ideas and tips always welcome. 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. McDuffie County schools mandate masks; surge hits hospitals hard - WRDW Face coverings and masks will be optional at Charleston County schools when students return to their classrooms Aug. 18. He was referring to how the Georgia Department of Public Health color-codesCOVID-19 concentrations. The Augusta County, VA is not responsible for the content of external sites. : Plenty of Augusta-area locations offer them, More: At-home COVID test website launches early. Augusta Co. schools to make masks optional on Valentine's Day, with 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. You are muzzling our children. You can share 5 more gift articles this month. Im not real sure how well they work to begin with, Dana Worley, her mom, said. His first item of focus is the rights of parents. He shared the letter from the pediatricians at the board meeting. Charleston County schools to require masks; senators want session on Only two people spoke out in favor of masks. 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.. Augusta school board reaffirms mask mandate, plans COVID-19 testing How to order free testing kits from the government, Augusta schools' 1:1 tech rollout under way, benefiting students who have gone without, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Learn more. We have always tried to be non-political. Washtenaw County schools opt to keep masks on 'until further notice' . 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. Verify your phone numbers and contact preferences are correct in Campus Parent > User > Settings > Contact Preferences. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. She asked if it was considered by administration to have a mask mandate for the younger students and recommended for the older students. School board votes to make masks optional for all students, staff in Augusta County. 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. Please wait for the page to reload. 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 policy was part of the districts response to COVID last school year, but now state law prohibits individual school systems from requiring students to wear masks. Augusta County Schools, VA 4+ - App Store Weve been saying all along students should be in school and shouldnt be tied to masks, said Conservative Parents of Lynchburg Founder Andrew Glover. You will receive an email to complete the registration. All rights reserved. Pediatric death is rare, but not zero, so its our responsibility to protect all children. Data Not Collected The developer does not collect any data from this app. As we learn more, I am comfortable with yes. Editor. I believe in Jesus Christ. 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. 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. Augusta County Schools to make masks optional on Valentine's Day, with Students will be permitted to remove masks during lunch and while outside. Masks no longer required for anyone, even teachers, in Augusta County 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. That's why we try our best to make it easy to live in this beautiful place we call home. The goal is to be finished by Jan.31. That is its highest weekly total of the school year. 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. Again, we are excited to begin the year and look forward to having our students back. Masks will return to Augusta County schools this fall - NBC29 But othersincluding her momhave a different opinion. Augusta County Public Schools Where Students Grow Intellectually, Physically, and Emotionally Menu Schools Translate Employment Calendars COVID Info ACPS Podcast Please allow notifications from your school (s). Ed.D., Deputy Superintendent (540) 245-5108, Where Students Grow Intellectually, Physically, and Emotionally. Allegan Public Schools: K-6 masks required; 7-8 TBD; 9-12 optional | Details. The delta variant is so very contagious it appears to cause high viral loads even in vaccinated people who become infected..