Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. 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. 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. "If between now and then things go crazy," Shiflett said. By Jessica Mallow. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WHSV) - Augusta county school board members say they were blind-sided by news out of Richmond over masks in the classrooms. 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. 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. Anastasio said its easier at all levels since people move around the district. Columbia County schools decided to make masks optional for students moving forward effective for summer school. But othersincluding her momhave a different opinion. Don't have a commenting profile? The general election was held on November 3, 2015. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WHSV) - Augusta County students will head to school on Tuesday, August 10 wearing masks. Contact Patrick (he/him/his) atphite@newsleader.comand follow himon Twitter @Patrick_Hite. 2022, 12:02 p.m. Paula Gentile helps out as a substitute in Tana Spelman's class at Bishop Elementary in Augusta . Photo by Atoms on Unsplash. https://www.augusta.k12.va.us Im asking for a choice for a virtual option during this surge. In light of Virginia's school mask policy change, we have included a list of school districts and their decisions on masking. If you can't find the answer, feel free to give us a call or send us an email. To get one, go to the subscriptions page. [CDATA[ Copyright 2023 WSLS.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. Over the summer, our children have been maskless, Welcher said. There is [sic] three reasons why COVID cases are going up. 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. I feel like everyone should still be wearing masks, vaccinated or not, said Shae Helms, a sophomore at Amherst County High School. 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. For more information, see the developer's privacy policy. 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. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Please subscribe to keep reading. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) - As COVID-19 cases surge within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask mandates. 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. The CDC released this map of the country, which says how your city or county is doing as far as COVID-19 transmission. 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. While Aiken County has lifted mandatory mask mandates inside its schools, Richmond County says for now it won't be changing any of its mask or social distancing guidelines. 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. Students will be permitted to remove masks 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. In the meantime, there are many ways for you to get vaccinated in our community. "In light of those considerations, the practice is to allowconsistencyin how students and staff are treated with respect to mitigation measures.". 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.. . Enter your email and password to access comments. 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. Please note the display name will appear on screen when you participate. The winners of the 2015 races in the Beverly Manor, Pastures and Middle River Districts served . Please subscribe or login first for digital access. 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. Aiken County Public Schools spokesperson Mike Rosier said via email that they will not be mandating masks, citing a memo from South Carolina Superintendent Molly Spearman saying the General Assembly's Proviso 1.108 in the 2021-22 Appropriations Bill prohibits any school district from requiring students or staff to wear a mask. 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 numbers have fluctuated within the school division. VERONA Augusta County Public Schools will continue requiring face masks for students and staff at least three more weeks. 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. Already have a commenting profile? "We'll revisit it. Kati McCormick was the only board member to vote against the measure. Success. I anticipated more discussion before we voted.. 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." This new science is worrisome and unfortunately warrants an update to our recommendation., RELATED: New CDC guidelines call for masks in schools K-12. The week of Jan. 17 there were 171 cases. Hi, to comment on stories you must create a commenting profile. AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - The rise in COVID cases is also a concern for our local school districts. Below you will find several links to helpful resources for our residents. At their meeting. 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. This a wonderful school district to work, and a beautiful area! 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. People spoke for and against requiring students to wear masks this fall, as the school board previously stated masks would be optional. 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. 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. The Augusta County School Board is a seven-member board elected by district to four-year terms. It looks like you do not have any active subscriptions. You have permission to edit this article. The school district will not have to pay for them so long as theysign an agreement to keep the cameras up for five years. Click here for "Masks and Safety Protocols" . 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. 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. If you need help with the Public File, call 540-512-1558. Click here for "Masks and Safety Protocols". AUGUSTA The Augusta Public Schools will require students, staff and visitors to wear masks regardless of vaccination status next school year. (844) 698-3261 Free Consultation info@ritchielawfirm.com Case Results Your cooperation with this change is expectedand appreciated. So far this week the school division has reported 85 casesdespite studentsbeing out all week because of a holiday and snow. 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. Heritage Pharma plans to start testing Monday, Jan. 24, and families are asked to stay tuned for more details. Several attendees at Tuesday night's Aiken County school board meeting jumped at the sound of a woman outside the meeting room shouting, "Make masks mandatory! The biggest questions will be at middle schools, where some students can get the shot and others cant. Create a commenting profile by providing an email address, password and display name. VERONA Officials with Augusta County Public Schools have announced that masks won't be required beginning Monday for students, staff and visitors. 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. Helms added that she would also like to see the masks stay. Augusta County Public Schools Where Students Grow Intellectually, Physically, and Emotionally Menu Schools Translate Employment Calendars COVID Info ACPS Podcast Please allow notifications from your school (s). Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. The Augusta County School Board voted 5-1 on Thursday to make masks optional . CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - It may be time for some of us in Central Virginia to mask back up. Masks will return to Augusta County schools this fall. Becoming a Foster Parent Become a foster parent to a child in need. 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. The Augusta Public Schools will have in-person learning, five days a week. On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended universal masking in schools at every grade level. Although theres not yet an indoor mask mandate in Virginia, the CDC says there should be. 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. Patrick Hite is The News Leader's educationreporter. Teacher at Dixon Preschool Center Augusta County Public Schools 4.2 People are also reading 'Cousin Eddie' display from 'Christmas Vacation' leads to Kentucky police response 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. People are also reading 1:30 PM Community Policy Management Team. Were gonna have to step back, go by the law, and prove them wrong, Ward said. Northam's K-12 mask mandate, and we will continue to make decisions that prioritize the health, safety . 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. Collins said he worded his motion so it gave a date for going mask optional, but also gave the board its own options. 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. 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. Subscribe to usat newsleader.com. 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. Via has three kids in Augusta County Public Schools and only one of them is old enough to get the shot. . 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. The Augusta County School Board voted 5-1 during its annual retreat Thursday to set the date when students and staff can take off their masks, with parameters in place that allow the board members to change its mind if cases persist or legal objections strike down Gov. Not even fire-engine red Augusta County is on board with Gov. Its still a big health problem, she said. I would rather go with safety; I want kids to be in school five days a week.. Dr. Flynt tells us plans are dependent on cases staying low and the mask policy . VERONA Augusta County Public Schools will continue requiring face masks for students and staff at least three more weeks. Now. //]]> Kids' face masks with Augusta County Schools designs for a child-friendly fit. Contact Patrick (he/him/his) atphite@newsleader.comand follow himon Twitter @Patrick_Hite. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code. Masks will be required for anyone inside Charleston County schools until Oct. 15, 2021. Do you all understand that? 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. Simply, we just want our students back everyday and back safely. Ensure that the phone number is not blocked in phone settings. Augusta County Public Schools is the organization that operates the public school system in Augusta County, Virginia. Under the protocol, masks are required for all students, staff and visitors to all school district facilities and on buses, regardless of vaccination status. The Virginia Department of Health reported 113 new COVID cases in Augusta County Thursday, the highest one-day total since Feb. 4.