augusta county schools mask policy

Hope everyone is doing well. The Augusta County School Board voted 5-1 on Thursday to make masks optional . on. Learn more. Some quoted scripture, while others blamed politics. The Allegan County Health Department is requiring masks in schools from kindergarten to sixth grade. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Virginia (WVIR) - As COVID-19 cases rise within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask requirements. Wear a mask, wash your hands, stay safe. 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. Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. 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. 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.". 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. Im asking for a choice for a virtual option during this surge. Walensky says thats not the case now, and vaccines are very effective. We fear if we dont have universal masking, the letter stated, there will be outbreaks warranting school closure.. All say theyre waiting for additional guidance from the Virginia Department of Education, the Virginia Department of Health and Governor Ralph Northam. If you dont, I dont have a problem with that either.. I want to work with you. "Not seeing facial expressions. Click here for "Masks and Safety Protocols". AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WHSV) - Augusta county school board members say they were blind-sided by news out of Richmond over masks in the classrooms. I think they should still be wearing masks for their safety and everyone elses, said Will Via, a dad from Verona. All rights reserved. ", As of its most recent update on Jan. 13, the CDC "recommends universal indoor masking by allstudents (ages 2 years and older), staff, teachers, and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status.". Click here for "Masks and Safety Protocols" . About 50 people attended the Augusta County School . Helms added that she would also like to see the masks stay. . Tomorrow marks one week until Columbia County and some Richmond County students start the new year. See Offers. on March 2.Read more about the C.D . It looks like you do not have any active subscriptions. Copyright 2023 Augusta County Public Schools. Dr. Flynt tells us plans are dependent on cases staying low and the mask policy . Add the 10-digit school phone number and the Augusta County Schools district phone number (540-245-5100) to your phone contacts. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page. Riverheads High School 19 Howardsville Road Staunton, VA 24401 Phone: (540) 337-1921 Fax: (540) 337-0258. I hope youre on the same side.. 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. Published: Jan. 20, 2022 at 7:43 PM PST. The 2015 election was the last election for all seven seats to appear on the ballot at the same time. You have permission to edit this article. 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. They have been in public places and taken place in social gatherings. Collins said he worded his motion so it gave a date for going mask optional, but also gave the board its own options. 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. Its equal or worse than in December, and our healthcare workers are drowning, said Tara Mahanes. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. 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. 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.. So far this week the school division has reported 85 casesdespite studentsbeing out all week because of a holiday and snow. To date, they have distributed 20,230 devices. 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. All rights reserved. Staunton and Waynesboro schools will continue requiring masks for all students and staff. 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. Waynesboro Public Schools followed the VDHs guidance and voted earlier this week to mandate masks for elementary students and staff. 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. Based on current conditions, this is what we need to do to make that happen. Northam's K-12 mask mandate, and we will continue to make decisions that prioritize the health, safety . Staunton and Waynesboro schools will continue requiring masks for all students and staff. Under the protocol, masks are required for all students, staff and visitors to all school district facilities and on buses, regardless of vaccination status. Another potential headache: the CDC is still recommending schools continue to space kids out and keep their desks three feet apart. A month since Rosenberg was forced out, Staunton City Council hasn't secured search firm, Staunton man pleads guilty to a string of burglaries, gets nearly 10 years in prison, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. "We'll revisit it. The developer, Augusta County Public Schools, indicated that the app's privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. Other board members shared their reasoning for voting in favor of the mask mandate. You are muzzling our children. Masks have been and continue to be required on all Georgia school buses. 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. Now it is easier than ever to stay up-to-date with the news. Kortney Lockey, Lynchburg Bureau - Multimedia Journalist. Below you will find several links to helpful resources for our residents. About 50 people attended the Augusta County School Board meeting Thursday night. I was a Title 1 reading teacher and was treated with professionalism and respect. All students, staff and volunteers in county schools will wear masks to begin the school year. Her motion died for lack of a second. The Augusta Board of Education voted Wednesday night, 5 to 1, to mandate mask wearing. 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." 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. The district had held. We got to show some force or whatever you need to do to show those people down there to understand that we need to be allowed to make the decision that best suits our kids because we deal with our kids, we deal with the parents, board member Tim Swortzel said. With this vote, students and staff must still wear masks while in school until Feb. 14. Please note the display name will appear on screen when you participate. VERONA Augusta County Public Schools will continue requiring face masks for students and staff at least three more weeks. Subscribe to usat newsleader.com. The only vote against the motion was fromBeverley Manor representative Donna Wells, who had tried to amend the motion to extend the mandatory mask policy until Feb. 28. Your cooperation with this change is expectedand appreciated. : Plenty of Augusta-area locations offer them, More: At-home COVID test website launches early. More: Augusta schools' 1:1 tech rollout under way, benefiting students who have gone without. Create a commenting profile by providing an email address, password and display name. This is a political scam to see who is going to sit down and shut up, Riverheads student Joshua Cox said . AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) - As COVID-19 cases surge within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask mandates. "TheBoard and administration have consideredand reviewedthe continued reduction of positive cases amongourstudentsand staff, as well as recent court rulings, General Assembly action,Executive Order 6, andpendingHealth and Safety Codes Board actionnext week," Bond wrote in an email to The News Leader asking about the decision for staff. Milestones were waived in 2020 as a result of the chaos caused by the initial outbreak of COVID-19, and the weight of the test was greatly diminished last year. 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. School Superintendent Steven Flynt announced the rescinding of the mask mandate during the board's regular session Tuesday. You can cancel at any time. About 20 minutes into the school. All rights reserved. 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. The numbers have fluctuated within the school division. We have always tried to be non-political. ", 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). Fourteen people spoke out against the mandates, citing their fear of heath issues they believe could be caused by masks. 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. Starting Thursday, masks will be required for students, staff, and visitors to all district facilities and buses, regardless of vaccination status. McCormick said she wished the discussion about masking would have been at the business meeting instead. (844) 698-3261 Free Consultation info@ritchielawfirm.com Case Results AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WHSV) - Augusta county school board members say they were blind-sided by news out of Richmond over masks in the classrooms. That's why we try our best to make it easy to live in this beautiful place we call home. Anastasio also said the DOE will require schools to report teacher vaccination status, which will be done anonymously and through a survey. People spoke for and against requiring students to wear masks this fall, as the school board previously stated masks would be optional. AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) - "It's just not right to have them mandate it," said 8th grader Jonathan Vasquez. "We have to consider how the mask is affecting them emotionally," Simmons said. If you can't find the answer, feel free to give us a call or send us an email. 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. That rose to 206 the following week, but dropped back to 167 the week of Jan. 31. On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended universal masking in schools at every grade level. The Augusta Board of Education voted. Several counties have full mask wearing policies for both on the bus and in the school buildings including: McDuffie County; Richmond County; Warren County; Hancock County; The other CSRA . 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. If you need help with the Public File, call 540-512-1558. Don't have a commenting profile? Create one. Learn More You are now exiting the Augusta County, VA. Thank you for visiting the Augusta County, VA. You will be redirected to the destination page below in 0 seconds. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) - As COVID-19 cases surge within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask mandates. Get notified when the ePaper has been delivered (requires subscription), Augusta Public Schools to enforce mask wearing for all students, staff, visitors, Augusta Public School Board pursues pool testing for reducing pandemic requirements. In the meantime, there are many ways for you to get vaccinated in our community. The CDC released this map of the country, which says how your city or county is doing as far as COVID-19 transmission. Masks are still required on buses per federal law. The Columbia County Board of Education will be withdrawing its requirements for students and faculty to wear face-coverings beginning Sept. 29. Official transcripts are required at the time of employment. Augusta County Public Schools is the organization that operates the public school system in Augusta County, Virginia. Ed.D., Deputy Superintendent (540) 245-5108, Where Students Grow Intellectually, Physically, and Emotionally. ", 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. Already registered? 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. Already have a commenting profile? Kids' face masks with Augusta County Schools designs for a child-friendly fit. Copyright 2021 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved. Regardless of vaccination status, the Augusta Public Schools will require masks for people entering its buildings next school year. Augusta County residents lead busy lives. We are excited to begin the school year but have some updates and reminders to help prepare our students as they return next week. List of Augusta County Public Schools. 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. School board votes to make masks optional for all students, staff in Augusta County. Reading Specialist (Former Employee) - Verona, VA - August 12, 2020.

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