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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. Masks are still required on buses per federal law. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Title IX Coordinator Kelly F. Troxell Ed.D., Executive Director of Personnel (540) 245-5107, Section 504 Coordinator Douglas W. Shifflett, Jr. Ed.D, Deputy Superintendent (540) 245-5108. The school board met Thursday night to discuss their back-to-school. But she also says this guidance makes sense because of the more transmissible Delta variant. 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. Between Jan. 4 and 18, Georgia reported over 200,000 new cases, and the map had turned a dark burgundy. I feel like everyone should still be wearing masks, vaccinated or not, said Shae Helms, a sophomore at Amherst County High School. The opportunity to grow professionally is evident there. 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. So far this week the school division has reported 85 casesdespite studentsbeing out all week because of a holiday and snow. Now it is easier than ever to stay up-to-date with the news. Find Augusta County, Virginia public schools, including charter schools, k-12, elementary, middle, and high schools. The Columbia County Board of Education will be withdrawing its requirements for students and faculty to wear face-coverings beginning Sept. 29. Please subscribe to continue reading 0 Comments Get local news delivered to your inbox! Not even fire-engine red Augusta County is on board with Gov. I hope youre on the same side.. 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. The delta variant is so very contagious it appears to cause high viral loads even in vaccinated people who become infected.. Copyright 2021 WHSV. Designed and sold by artists. Staunton and Waynesboro schools will continue requiring masks for all students and staff. 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. If your area is orange or red, you should require masks inside. Mask Policy AMI Dates; Augusta School District: Full mask requirement: McCrory School District: Under the protocol,masks arerequired for allstudents, staff andvisitors to all school districtfacilities and onbuses,regardless of vaccination status. Collins said he worded his motion so it gave a date for going mask optional, but also gave the board its own options. 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. Kids' face masks with Augusta County Schools designs for a child-friendly fit. 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. 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. 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. "These absences from school will be excused and students will be permitted to make up all missed work," the letter said. All students, staff and volunteers in county schools will wear masks to begin the school year. Tomorrow marks one week until Columbia County and some Richmond County students start the new year. Accommodations will be made for students and employees unable to wear a mask for documented medical reasons. 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. About 50 people attended the Augusta County School Board meeting Thursday evening. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page. Plenty of Augusta-area locations offer them, At-home COVID test website launches early. School board votes to make masks optional for all students, staff in Augusta County. Afterward, the public spoke and most of the comments were about masks in school. Thank you for visiting the Augusta County, VA. You will be redirected to the destination page below in 0 seconds. 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. I think they should still be wearing masks for their safety and everyone elses, said Will Via, a dad from Verona. Heritage Pharma plans to start testing Monday, Jan. 24, and families are asked to stay tuned for more details. We have always tried to be non-political. You can cancel at any time. AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) - "It's just not right to have them mandate it," said 8th grader Jonathan Vasquez. At their meeting. Its why the news isnt sitting well with him and others. Vaccinated teachers and students don't have to wear masks inside school buildings. Now. [CDATA[ 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 feel like its the parents decision. That's why we try our best to make it easy to live in this beautiful place we call home. 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. Masks may be removed during lunch and while outside. All rights reserved. School Superintendent Steven Flynt announced the rescinding of the mask mandate during the board's regular session Tuesday. Your cooperation with this change is expectedand appreciated. All rights reserved. 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. AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - The rise in COVID cases is also a concern for our local school districts. New CDC guidance says some counties in our viewing area meet the threshold to put those face coverings back on. 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.. on. 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. 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. 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. Copyright 2023 WSLS.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. 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. For more information, see the developer's privacy policy. 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. Reading Specialist (Former Employee) - Verona, VA - August 12, 2020. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Make 2023 the year to let that wonderful you-ness shine. 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. It was heated at times - like when people called board members cowards for wearing masks and forcing students to wear them. McClintock said they hope to get the cameras within the next month. 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. 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. May 19, 2021. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) - As COVID-19 cases surge within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask mandates. I want to work with you. People are also reading 'Cousin Eddie' display from 'Christmas Vacation' leads to Kentucky police response A sign encourages students, teachers and visitors to wear masks at Ladson Elementary School on Aug. 11, 2021. Please wait for the page to reload. Lawrence County School District: Full mask requirement: Sloan-Hendrix School District: . Contact Patrick (he/him/his) atphite@newsleader.comand follow himon Twitter @Patrick_Hite. 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. 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. Beloved local eatery, The Pie Chest, closing for good this month, Family of Ukrainian refugees using music to adapt to life in Charlottesville. Get up to 20% off. Columbia County . ", 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.". But the Virginia Department of Health is not making any masking decisions yet. Make masks mandatory! Superintendent James Anastasio strongly recommended the board vote in favor of the mandate. AUGUSTA The Augusta Public Schools will require students, staff and visitors to wear masks regardless of vaccination status next school year. 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. 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.". 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 . nations top public health agency says vaccinated teachers and students can ditch the mask. CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - It may be time for some of us in Central Virginia to mask back up. The Augusta Public Schools will have in-person learning, five days a week. Copyright 2021 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved. The speakers who opposed the policies voiced concerns about safety issues, parental and privacy rights, and religious freedom.