Editor. Becoming a Foster Parent Become a foster parent to a child in need. Copyright 2023 Augusta County Public Schools. He said "lots of parents" had reached out to him saying masks had created emotional damage for their children. About 50 people attended the Augusta County School Board meeting Thursday night. 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. By Jessica Mallow. Washtenaw County schools opt to keep masks on 'until further notice' . 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. Timothy Simmons, who represents the Pastures District, said he is in favor of making masks optional. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. "We have to consider how the mask is affecting them emotionally," Simmons said. Augusta County Schools Kids Masks for Sale | Redbubble 0:57. Pediatric death is rare, but not zero, so its our responsibility to protect all children. Beloved local eatery, The Pie Chest, closing for good this month, Family of Ukrainian refugees using music to adapt to life in Charlottesville. 2023 www.newsleader.com. VERONA Officials with Augusta County Public Schools have announced that masks won't be required beginning Monday for students, staff and visitors. Parent Portal Student registration DOCUMENTS PERSONNEL Acceptable use policy STAFF Portal bGMS construction update RMS Construction Update Create one. Columbia County schools decided to make masks optional for students moving forward effective for summer school. 2022, 12:02 p.m. Paula Gentile helps out as a substitute in Tana Spelman's class at Bishop Elementary in Augusta . In light of Virginia's school mask policy change, we have included a list of school districts and their decisions on masking. Stay Connected . Copyright 2023 Augusta County Public Schools. Already have a commenting profile? Charleston County schools to require masks; senators want session on "These absences from school will be excused and students will be permitted to make up all missed work," the letter said. 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 residents fill Wilson Memorial High School's auditorium on Wednesdaynight for a school board meeting where transgender policies and a mask mandate were voted on. Contact Patrick (he/him/his) atphite@newsleader.comand follow himon Twitter @Patrick_Hite. That is its highest weekly total of the school year. Kortney joined the 10 News team as a Lynchburg Bureau Reporter in May 2021. Accommodations will be made for students and employees unable to wear a mask for documented medical reasons. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. window.__mirage2 = {petok:"ndsTchhICxLNjF_dxI18aRlyWnQfS.IeNB3Ql0MS2hM-1800-0"}; About 50 people attended the Augusta County School Board meeting Thursday evening. Area schools announce mask policies, AMI days - KAIT However, in a letter sent to families of students Thursday, Superintendent Eric Bond said masks would be optional for staff Monday as well. 5:00 PM Joint Meeting-Augusta County Board of Supervisors and Augusta County . McCormick said she wished the discussion about masking would have been at the business meeting instead. It had already been announced that students could go masklessfollowing a vote by the school board in January, but there was some question about whether teachers would still be required to wear masks under requirements fromthe Occupational Health and Safety Administration and the Department of Labor and Industry. May 19, 2021. 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. Masks will return to Augusta County schools this fall - NBC29 Please note the display name will appear on screen when you participate. 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. 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. 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. School Board members made the decision Thursday . Vaccinated teachers and students don't have to wear masks inside school buildings. This is a political scam to see who is going to sit down and shut up, Riverheads student Joshua Cox said . VERONA Augusta County Public Schools will continue requiring face masks for students and staff at least three more weeks. Add the 10-digit school phone number and the Augusta County Schools district phone number (540-245-5100) to your phone contacts. Contact tracing will only be done when there's anoutbreak, which is definedas"10% of a grade level, staff or entire school," per the letter. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WHSV) - Augusta county school board members say they were blind-sided by news out of Richmond over masks in the classrooms. Some in Augusta County oppose school mask mandates as COVID-19 - NBC29 Students will be permitted to remove masks during lunch and while outside. Mask Mandate Rescinded In Columbia County Schools - The Augusta Press Hope everyone is doing well. The week of Jan. 17 there were 171 cases. Northam's K-12 mask mandate, and we will continue to make decisions that prioritize the health, safety . Data Not Collected The developer does not collect any data from this app. Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. 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. The speakers who opposed the policies voiced concerns about safety issues, parental and privacy rights, and religious freedom. The CDC also hasnt said how teachers can know which students are vaccinated or how parents will know which teachers are immunized. Washtenaw County schools opt to keep masks on 'until further notice' The district had held. Augusta school board reaffirms mask mandate, plans COVID-19 testing Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. //]]> You will receive an email to complete the registration. 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." Now. 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. Vaccinated teachers and students don't have to wear masks inside school buildings. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code. Social distancing was one of the larger issues in the past as to why the schools had to do hybrid learning, but now, social distancing is less of a priority Anastasio said, if universal masking is mandated. Fennville Public . Augusta County residents lead busy lives. 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. Enter your email and password to access comments. For more information, see the developer's privacy policy. Login. on March 2.Read more about the C.D . The winners of the 2015 races in the Beverly Manor, Pastures and Middle River Districts served . List: West Michigan schools' mask policies | WOODTV.com 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. 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. Its still a big health problem, she said. All rights reserved. School boards are required by state law to enact the policies for the 2021-22. All rights reserved. nations top public health agency says vaccinated teachers and students can ditch the mask. 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. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Make 2023 the year to let that wonderful you-ness shine. 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, Virginia (WVIR) - As COVID-19 cases rise within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask requirements. Don't have a commenting profile? This a wonderful school district to work, and a beautiful area! Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. The Augusta County, VA is not responsible for the content of external sites. 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. Please subscribe to continue reading 0 Comments Get local news delivered to your inbox! He said universal masking is recommended in schools by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Maine CDC, American Academy of Pediatrics, Department of Education, Maine Education Association, Maine School Management Association, Maine School Superintendent Association, Leadership of Augusta Education Association, and pediatric doctors in Augusta and Winthrop who personally sent Anastasio a letter urging the mandate. Many have since returned to school, but the virus continues to spread. Another potential headache: the CDC is still recommending schools continue to space kids out and keep their desks three feet apart. While the nations top public health agency says vaccinated teachers and students can ditch the mask, some say its too soon. Kati McCormick was the only board member to vote against the measure. About 20 minutes into the school board meeting Thursday evening, members went into closed session with its legal council. Between Jan. 4 and 18, Georgia reported over 200,000 new cases, and the map had turned a dark burgundy. Copyright 2021 WVIR. The numbers have fluctuated within the school division. The division also said that. 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. "Not seeing facial expressions. . Augusta County School Board's refusal to enact state policy - WHSV ", 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. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Anastasio said its easier at all levels since people move around the district. The Augusta County School Board is a seven-member board elected by district to four-year terms. 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. Heritage Pharma plans to start testing Monday, Jan. 24, and families are asked to stay tuned for more details. Superintendent James Anastasio strongly recommended the board vote in favor of the mandate. 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. Other board members shared their reasoning for voting in favor of the mask mandate. Augusta County School Board reverses course, complies with state on All rights reserved. Learn more. People spoke for and against requiring students to wear masks this fall, as the school board previously stated masks would be optional. 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. 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. 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. Shenandoah Valley Center for Advanced Learning, Valley Career & Technical Center49 Hornet RoadFishersville, VA 22939Phone: (540) 245-5002Fax: (540) 885-0407info@valleytech.us. AUGUSTA The Augusta Public Schools will require students, staff and visitors to wear masks regardless of vaccination status next school year. 1:30 PM Community Policy Management Team. CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - It may be time for some of us in Central Virginia to mask back up. (844) 698-3261 Free Consultation info@ritchielawfirm.com Case Results Masks no longer required for anyone, even teachers, in Augusta County 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. 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. The developer, Augusta County Public Schools, indicated that the app's privacy practices may include handling of data as described below.