Login. 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. The superintendent also reminded families that student assessments, such as Georgia Milestones, will count toward student promotion. EVANS, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - The decision for Columbia County schools to require masks comes after the district says it has at least 1,000 people at home quarantining, and 296 more students who. Were gonna have to step back, go by the law, and prove them wrong, Ward 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. Shenandoah Valley Center for Advanced Learning, Valley Career & Technical Center49 Hornet RoadFishersville, VA 22939Phone: (540) 245-5002Fax: (540) 885-0407info@valleytech.us. You can share 5 more gift articles this month. Find Augusta County, Virginia public schools, including charter schools, k-12, elementary, middle, and high schools. AUGUSTA The Augusta Public Schools will require students, staff and visitors to wear masks regardless of vaccination status next school year. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Virginia (WVIR) - As COVID-19 cases rise within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask requirements. "We have to consider how the mask is affecting them emotionally," Simmons said. Photo by Atoms on Unsplash. Bond's letter did say that parents who choose to keep their children home for the full 10-day quarantine period can do so. If you want to wear one, I dont see a problem with that. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. 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. I feel like its the parents decision. McCormick voted against the mandate, saying she believes the decision for students to wear masks should be up to families, not the school administration. More: Augusta schools' 1:1 tech rollout under way, benefiting students who have gone without. 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 . Augusta County is still considered to be a community with a high transmission level, with the VDH reporting a 36.4% positivity level in its most recent update. Contact Patrick (he/him/his) atphite@newsleader.comand follow himon Twitter @Patrick_Hite. The biggest questions will be at middle schools, where some students can get the shot and others cant. All rights reserved. . School Superintendent Steven Flynt announced the rescinding of the mask mandate during the board's regular session Tuesday. If you need help with the Public File, call 540-512-1558. AUGUSTA, Ga. - The Richmond County Board of Education met Tuesday night to get a COVID update from the superintendent. Riverheads High School 19 Howardsville Road Staunton, VA 24401 Phone: (540) 337-1921 Fax: (540) 337-0258. Its equal or worse than in December, and our healthcare workers are drowning, said Tara Mahanes. Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. 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. All students, staff and volunteers in county schools will wear masks to begin the school year. 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. Latest trends. The school division will also follow the CDCs shortened timeline for those who have toisolateorquarantine. 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. Heres why. 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. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. 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. The Augusta County School Board unanimously affirmed at its meeting Thursday they would follow the law as now presented to them. About 50 people attended the Augusta County School Board meeting Thursday night. But she also says this guidance makes sense because of the more transmissible Delta variant. Washtenaw County schools opt to keep masks on 'until further notice' . Dr. Flynt tells us plans are dependent on cases staying low and the mask policy . The Augusta County, VA is not responsible for the content of external sites. That's why we try our best to make it easy to live in this beautiful place we call home. Face coverings and masks will be optional at Charleston County schools when students return to their classrooms Aug. 18. She asked if it was considered by administration to have a mask mandate for the younger students and recommended for the older students. Click here for "Masks and Safety Protocols" . So far this week the school division has reported 85 casesdespite studentsbeing out all week because of a holiday and snow. Stay Connected . 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. 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. 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. Patrick Hite is The News Leader's education and sports reporter. To be considered for employment, you must provide the following: A completed online application Transcripts or high school diploma (if required for the position for which you are applying). Staunton and Waynesboro schools will continue requiring masks for all students and staff. Make masks mandatory! We fear if we dont have universal masking, the letter stated, there will be outbreaks warranting school closure.. They have thrived and remained healthy.. Click here for "Masks and Safety Protocols". Sign up for breaking news alerts. By Jessica Mallow. How to order free testing kits from the government. 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. "Personally, I would like to see the masks gone," Chairperson David Shiflett said, "but now I dont think is the time.. New CDC guidance says some counties in our viewing area meet the threshold to put those face coverings back on. While the nation's top public health agency says vaccinated teachers and students can ditch the mask, some. Afterward, the public spoke and most of the comments were about masks in school. 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 CDC also hasnt said how teachers can know which students are vaccinated or how parents will know which teachers are immunized. You are muzzling our children. window.__mirage2 = {petok:"ndsTchhICxLNjF_dxI18aRlyWnQfS.IeNB3Ql0MS2hM-1800-0"}; Create one. Between Jan. 4 and 18, Georgia reported over 200,000 new cases, and the map had turned a dark burgundy. Copyright 2023 Augusta County Public Schools. Augusta County residents lead busy lives. In light of Virginia's school mask policy change, we have included a list of school districts and their decisions on masking. Its why the news isnt sitting well with him and others. 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 school board also voted to follow the contact tracing guidelines from the Virginia Department of Health. Best for a great weekend. 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. About 50 people attended the Augusta County School Board meeting Thursday evening. 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. All say theyre waiting for additional guidance from the Virginia Department of Education, the Virginia Department of Health and Governor Ralph Northam. This a wonderful school district to work, and a beautiful area! Beloved local eatery, The Pie Chest, closing for good this month, Family of Ukrainian refugees using music to adapt to life in Charlottesville. Bradshaw said they are not putting an end-date on theprotocol, but that they are continuing to monitor the latest data and consult with experts on the necessary way to proceed. Richmond County students will be permitted to remove masks during lunch and while outside. 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. Still, theres no doubt this will make for some challenging school environments. Copyright 2023 Augusta County Public Schools. In numbers reported throughThursday morning, Augusta County was at 87positive cases this week, with 12 of those at Stuarts Draft High School and 11 more at Stuarts Draft Elementary. Subscribe to usat newsleader.com. Masks may be removed during lunch and while outside. 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. 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 . Im not real sure how well they work to begin with, Dana Worley, her mom, said. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) - As COVID-19 cases surge within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask mandates. His first item of focus is the rights of parents. With this vote, students and staff must still wear masks while in school until Feb. 14. Already have a commenting profile? Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. To get one, go to the subscriptions page. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) - Augusta County Public Schools is set to become mask-optional in three weeks. "Arlington Public Schools implemented our mask requirement this school year prior to Gov. Masks will be required for anyone inside Charleston County schools until Oct. 15, 2021. . The Augusta Public Schools will have in-person learning, five days a week. As COVID-19 cases surge within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask mandates. Again, we are excited to begin the year and look forward to having our students back. ", 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. List of Augusta County Public Schools. 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. Learn more. With a Press Herald subscription, you can gift 5 articles each month. You have permission to edit this article. Get up to 20% off. This new science is worrisome and unfortunately warrants an update to our recommendation., RELATED: New CDC guidelines call for masks in schools K-12. School Board members made the decision Thursday . VERONA Augusta County Public Schools will continue requiring face masks for students and staff at least three more weeks. Now. School board votes to make masks optional for all students, staff in Augusta County. 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. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WHSV) - Augusta county school board members say they were blind-sided by news out of Richmond over masks in the classrooms. //]]> Although theres not yet an indoor mask mandate in Virginia, the CDC says there should be. This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login. Certification or licensure (if required for the position for which you are applying) The Augusta County School Board is a seven-member board elected by district to four-year terms. CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - It may be time for some of us in Central Virginia to mask back up. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Story ideas and tips always welcome. Harrisonburg man charged with crimes connected to Jan. 6 attack on U.S. Capitol, Charlie Obaugh RV & Outdoor Student Athlete of the Week. Simply, we just want our students back everyday and back safely. Contact Patrick (he/him/his) atphite@newsleader.comand follow himon Twitter @Patrick_Hite. Students will be permitted to remove masks during lunch and while outside. 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. The Allegan County Health Department is requiring masks in schools from kindergarten to sixth grade. 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.". Pediatric death is rare, but not zero, so its our responsibility to protect all children. The general election was held on November 3, 2015. AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) - "It's just not right to have them mandate it," said 8th grader Jonathan Vasquez. 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. 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.. Wayne District representative Tim Swortzel made the motion to make face-coverings optional and North River representative Nicholas Collins seconded. Anastasio also said the DOE will require schools to report teacher vaccination status, which will be done anonymously and through a survey. Editor. Hi, to comment on stories you must create a commenting profile. The school board met Thursday night to discuss their back-to-school. Make 2023 the year to let that wonderful you-ness shine. 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. 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. [CDATA[ Add the 10-digit school phone number and the Augusta County Schools district phone number (540-245-5100) to your phone contacts. Regardless of vaccination status, the Augusta Public Schools will require masks for people entering its buildings next school year. The CDC released this map of the country, which says how your city or county is doing as far as COVID-19 transmission. Superintendent James Anastasio strongly recommended the board vote in favor of the mandate. I feel like everyone should still be wearing masks, vaccinated or not, said Shae Helms, a sophomore at Amherst County High School. Accommodations will be made for students and employees unable to wear a mask for documented medical reasons. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code. We are excited to begin the school year but have some updates and reminders to help prepare our students as they return next week. 5:00 PM Joint Meeting-Augusta County Board of Supervisors and Augusta County . The Virginia Department of Health reported 113 new COVID cases in Augusta County Thursday, the highest one-day total since Feb. 4. Columbia County schools decided to make masks optional for students moving forward effective for summer school. The Augusta County School Board voted 5-1 on Thursday to make masks optional . Another potential headache: the CDC is still recommending schools continue to space kids out and keep their desks three feet apart. We have no affiliation up here because we did not want that to interfere, it does not need to interfere with the decisions that we make for our parents and for our kids, but I am going to go against the grain tonight and say that we have got to get a republican governor into the state house this fall, board member Nicholas Collins said. Published: Jan. 20, 2022 at 7:43 PM PST. 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. 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. 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. 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 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. In rare occasions, some vaccinated people infected with the Delta variants after vaccination may be contagious and spread the virus to others, she said. 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. If you can't find the answer, feel free to give us a call or send us an email. Helms added that she would also like to see the masks stay. School boards are required by state law to enact the policies for the 2021-22. Timothy Simmons, who represents the Pastures District, said he is in favor of making masks optional. "If between now and then things go crazy," Shiflett said. //