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. Login. Fourteen people spoke out against the mandates, citing their fear of heath issues they believe could be caused by masks. "We'll revisit it. The superintendent is great, the principal was wonderful. 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. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) - As COVID-19 cases surge within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask mandates. Create one. 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. Subscribe to usat newsleader.com. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. Tuesday Columbia County school leaders made their decision on the mask mandate. ", 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. Enter your email and password to access comments. Although theres not yet an indoor mask mandate in Virginia, the CDC says there should be. CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - It may be time for some of us in Central Virginia to mask back up. 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. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Virginia (WVIR) - As COVID-19 cases rise within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask requirements. Beloved local eatery, The Pie Chest, closing for good this month, Family of Ukrainian refugees using music to adapt to life in Charlottesville. Washtenaw County schools opt to keep masks on 'until further notice' . 0:57. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WHSV) - Augusta county school board members say they were blind-sided by news out of Richmond over masks in the classrooms. Athletics DirectorScott McClintock reported that the Georgia High School Association is providing every high school with two automated cameras that will live-stream games online. // He was referring to how the Georgia Department of Public Health color-codesCOVID-19 concentrations. Please subscribe to continue reading 0 Comments Get local news delivered to your inbox! "If between now and then things go crazy," Shiflett said. That is its highest weekly total of the school year. Masks may be removed during lunch and while outside. AUGUSTA The Augusta Public Schools will require students, staff and visitors to wear masks regardless of vaccination status next school year. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. 2023 www.newsleader.com. However, counties around the state had already rejected the policies, and lawsuits appear to show funding is not in jeopardy for localities that voted no, according to a report from the Courthouse News Service. It looks like you do not have any active subscriptions. Masks are still required on buses per federal law. May 19, 2021. on March 2.Read more about the C.D . Learn more. 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. Its why the news isnt sitting well with him and others. If you dont, I dont have a problem with that either.. Masks are still required on buses per federal law. https://www.augusta.k12.va.us Afterward, the public spoke and most of the comments were about masks in school. About 50 people attended the Augusta. 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. Superintendent James Anastasio strongly recommended the board vote in favor of the mandate. Copyright 2021 WHSV. AUGUSTA, Ga. - The Richmond County Board of Education met Tuesday night to get a COVID update from the superintendent. 1:30 PM Community Policy Management Team. Please wait for the page to reload. As always, we will continue to monitor the situation and communicate any changes to you. All students, staff and volunteers in county schools will wear masks to begin the school year. About 50 people attended the Augusta County School Board meeting Thursday night. About 50 people attended the Augusta County School . AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - The rise in COVID cases is also a concern for our local school districts. 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. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Kelly F. Troxell Ed.D., Executive Director of Personnel (540) 245-5107, Douglas W. Shifflett, Jr. Not even fire-engine red Augusta County is on board with Gov. Log in to join the discussion. Anastasio said the big three in minimizing the spread of COVID-19 in schools are universal masking, vaccination when possible and pool testing, which Augusta agreed to take part in at the end of the last school year. 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.. We have always tried to be non-political. The opportunity to grow professionally is evident there. All rights reserved. Some quoted scripture, while others blamed politics. In light of Virginia's school mask policy change, we have included a list of school districts and their decisions on masking. Shop the collection. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Make masks mandatory!" Aiken Public Safety officers rushed out to where the overflow crowd was gathered because of meeting room capacity restrictions, and the . Patrick Hite is The News Leader's educationreporter. Click here for "Masks and Safety Protocols". Copyright 2023 Augusta County Public Schools. Dr. Flynt tells us plans are dependent on cases staying low and the mask policy . Hope everyone is doing well. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Staunton and Waynesboro schools will continue requiring masks for all students and staff. The CDC released this map of the country, which says how your city or county is doing as far as COVID-19 transmission. Augusta County Public Schools. Data Not Collected The developer does not collect any data from this app. To date, they have distributed 20,230 devices. 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. 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. Augusta County School Boards motion on Wednesday includes flexibility to alter its plans if case numbers change. There is [sic] three reasons why COVID cases are going up. 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. 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. Vaccinated teachers and students don't have to wear masks inside school buildings. The Allegan County Health Department is requiring masks in schools from kindergarten to sixth grade. 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. Your cooperation with this change is expectedand appreciated. Her motion died for lack of a second. The superintendent also reminded families that student assessments, such as Georgia Milestones, will count toward student promotion. 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. About 50 people attended the Augusta County School Board meeting Thursday evening. Glenn Youngkin's executive order that made their decision possible. Im asking for a choice for a virtual option during this surge. The Augusta County School Board voted 5-1 on Thursday to make masks optional . By Jessica Mallow. The Augusta Public Schools will have in-person learning, five days a week. Editor. The Augusta County, VA is not responsible for the content of external sites. VERONA Augusta County Public Schools will continue requiring face masks for students and staff at least three more weeks. judy trammell daughter wedding,