This a wonderful school district to work, and a beautiful area! But the Virginia Department of Health is not making any masking decisions yet. For more information, see the developer's privacy policy. . Augusta County Schools to make masks optional on Valentine's Day, with Columbia County . The school board is elected, and the current superintendent is Dr. Eric Bond. School Board members made the decision Thursday . "We have to consider how the mask is affecting them emotionally," Simmons said. Mask Policy AMI Dates; Augusta School District: Full mask requirement: McCrory School District: 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. This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login. I feel like everyone should still be wearing masks, vaccinated or not, said Shae Helms, a sophomore at Amherst County High School. Hope everyone is doing well. Im not real sure how well they work to begin with, Dana Worley, her mom, said. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Virginia (WVIR) - As COVID-19 cases rise within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask requirements. ", 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. 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. More than 300 Augusta County students have tested positive for COVID-19 since school started four weeks ago. If you dont, I dont have a problem with that either.. List of Augusta County Public Schools. About 20 minutes into the school. 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 . Her motion died for lack of a second. AUGUSTA The Augusta Public Schools will require students, staff and visitors to wear masks regardless of vaccination status next school year. Augusta County follows Staunton, Waynesboro on masks in schools I was a Title 1 reading teacher and was treated with professionalism and respect. In rare occasions, some vaccinated people infected with the Delta variants after vaccination may be contagious and spread the virus to others, she said. New CDC re-masking guidelines say several Central Virginia - NBC12 The speakers who opposed the policies voiced concerns about safety issues, parental and privacy rights, and religious freedom. 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. 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. 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. Please subscribe to keep reading. Copyright 2021 WVIR. Data Not Collected The developer does not collect any data from this app. Local parents, students react to CDC guidance on masks in schools - WSLS AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - The rise in COVID cases is also a concern for our local school districts. Many protest mask mandate in Columbia County schools | WJBF We reached out to school leaders all over the region. Augusta County Public Schools - Wikipedia Its still a big health problem, she said. Its why the news isnt sitting well with him and others. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Already registered? Augusta County residents lead busy lives. Not even fire-engine red Augusta County is on board with Gov. However, in a letter sent to families of students Thursday, Superintendent Eric Bond said masks would be optional for staff Monday as well. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) - Augusta County Public Schools is set to become mask-optional in three weeks. With a Press Herald subscription, you can gift 5 articles each month. Ed.D., Deputy Superintendent (540) 245-5108, Where Students Grow Intellectually, Physically, and Emotionally. ", 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). Copyright 2021 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved. 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. Contact Patrick (he/him/his) atphite@newsleader.comand follow himon Twitter @Patrick_Hite. Studentswill be permitted to remove masksduring lunch and while outside. Lawrence County School District: Full mask requirement: Sloan-Hendrix School District: . 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. Beloved local eatery, The Pie Chest, closing for good this month, Family of Ukrainian refugees using music to adapt to life in Charlottesville. Stay Connected . 0:57. 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. If you want to wear one, I dont see a problem with that. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) - As COVID-19 cases surge within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask mandates. 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. Augusta County Schools, VA 4+ - App Store McDuffie County schools mandate masks; surge hits hospitals hard - WRDW Heres why. Designed and sold by artists. Augusta County Schools will become mask-optional in three weeks. Riverheads High School | Home - Augusta County Public Schools We have always tried to be non-political. Between Dec. 4 and 18, Georgia reported just under 20,000new cases, and most of the state's map was a light-yellow. All rights reserved. Augusta County, VA | Home Richmond County schools dropping mask mandate in buildings - WRDW 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. 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.. 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. {{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. 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. He was referring to how the Georgia Department of Public Health color-codesCOVID-19 concentrations. 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. If your area is orange or red, you should require masks inside. AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) - "It's just not right to have them mandate it," said 8th grader Jonathan Vasquez. @NBC29 pic.twitter.com/L8eS6n0bxz. All students, staff and volunteers in county schools will wear masks to begin the school year. Reading Specialist (Former Employee) - Verona, VA - August 12, 2020. 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. About 50 people attended the Augusta County School Board meeting Thursday evening. The goal is to be finished by Jan.31. New CDC guidance says some counties in our viewing area meet the threshold to put those face coverings back on. The Augusta County School Board is a seven-member board elected by district to four-year terms. "Not seeing facial expressions. It looks like you do not have any active subscriptions. Timothy Simmons, who represents the Pastures District, said he is in favor of making masks optional. Washtenaw County schools opt to keep masks on 'until further notice' . Richmond County School System standing by its mask policy for now Click here for "Masks and Safety Protocols" . 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. 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. MORE: Mask Mandates Are Hot Topic at Columbia County School Board Meeting Timothy Simmons will take a seat on the Augusta County School Board in January. Sign up for breaking news alerts. 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. I hope youre on the same side.. VERONA Officials with Augusta County Public Schools have announced that masks won't be required beginning Monday for students, staff and visitors. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. COVID-19 cases in Augusta schools hit 200. What is the school district 2023 www.newsleader.com. Photo by Atoms on Unsplash. Fourteen people spoke out against the mandates, citing their fear of heath issues they believe could be caused by masks. If you need help with the Public File, call 540-512-1558. Make masks mandatory! We fear if we dont have universal masking, the letter stated, there will be outbreaks warranting school closure.. The school board also voted to follow the contact tracing guidelines from the Virginia Department of Health. The Augusta County School Board held a special session on July 29th to discuss what turned out to be two issues. Working at AUGUSTA COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS: 22 Reviews - Indeed Augusta County Schools Kids Masks for Sale | Redbubble 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.. Masks will return to Augusta County schools this fall - NBC29 All say theyre waiting for additional guidance from the Virginia Department of Education, the Virginia Department of Health and Governor Ralph Northam. A sign encourages students, teachers and visitors to wear masks at Ladson Elementary School on Aug. 11, 2021. Use the form below to reset your password. Create a commenting profile by providing an email address, password and display name. 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. Augusta County School Board's refusal to enact state policy - WHSV 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 Columbia County Board of Education will be withdrawing its requirements for students and faculty to wear face-coverings beginning Sept. 29. On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended universal masking in schools at every grade level. Albemarle County, Charlottesville bucking Youngkin on school mask policies 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. Augusta County Virginia schools quickly go mask optional for all 1:30 PM Community Policy Management Team. Charleston County schools fall in line with SC law. Masks will be Now. Still, theres no doubt this will make for some challenging school environments. 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. School Superintendent Steven Flynt announced the rescinding of the mask mandate during the board's regular session Tuesday. [CDATA[ Sign in or Subscribe 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. Richmond County schools will require masks - The Augusta Chronicle Walensky says thats not the case now, and vaccines are very effective. 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. 2022, 12:02 p.m. Paula Gentile helps out as a substitute in Tana Spelman's class at Bishop Elementary in Augusta . The Allegan County Health Department is requiring masks in schools from kindergarten to sixth grade. The CDC released this map of the country, which says how your city or county is doing as far as COVID-19 transmission. ", 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 othersincluding her momhave a different opinion. 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.