I want to work with every one of you. 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. 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. Im asking for a choice for a virtual option during this surge. The school board is elected, and the current superintendent is Dr. Eric Bond. CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - It may be time for some of us in Central Virginia to mask back up. 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. Copyright 2023 Augusta County Public Schools. The biggest questions will be at middle schools, where some students can get the shot and others cant. 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. Kristine Welcher, a licensed nurse, speaks out against a mask mandate at Wednesday nights Augusta County School Board meeting at Wilson Memorial High School in Fishersville. 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. 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. Im not real sure how well they work to begin with, Dana Worley, her mom, said. Add the 10-digit school phone number and the Augusta County Schools district phone number (540-245-5100) to your phone contacts. About 50 people attended the Augusta County School Board meeting Thursday night. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Virginia (WVIR) - As COVID-19 cases rise within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask requirements. 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. 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.". That is its highest weekly total of the school year. Anastasio also said the DOE will require schools to report teacher vaccination status, which will be done anonymously and through a survey. Working at AUGUSTA COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS: 22 Reviews - Indeed Columbia County schools decided to make masks optional for students moving forward effective for summer school. 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. Mask Mandate Rescinded In Columbia County Schools - The Augusta Press You have permission to edit this article. He said the Maine Department of Education is strongly recommending school in person, universal masking and following other recommendations such as hand washing and staying home when sick. Do you have a story idea? AUGUSTA, Ga. - The Richmond County Board of Education met Tuesday night to get a COVID update from the superintendent. 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. Augustas annual free backpack, school supplies event scheduled for Sunday, Amid shouts and anger from parents, Skowhegan-area school board requires masks for first weeks of school, Madison man serving 30 days for violation of privacy in cellphone incident, With Domino's opening in Farmington, 'pizza wars' taking place on community Facebook group, Reporting Aside: As China woman confronts fatal diagnosis, she hopes for a final wish, Girls basketball: Lawrence defeats Brunswick to win Class A title, Clinton man sentenced to at least 9 months in jail for reckless driving that killed girlfriend. More. Augusta County School Board reverses course, complies with state on She asked if it was considered by administration to have a mask mandate for the younger students and recommended for the older students. ", 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). To mask or not to mask? Local schools determine policies - WRDW The school board met Thursday night to discuss their back-to-school. See Offers. Now. Sign in or Subscribe To get one, go to the subscriptions page. I feel like everyone should still be wearing masks, vaccinated or not, said Shae Helms, a sophomore at Amherst County High School. 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. Bond's letter did say that parents who choose to keep their children home for the full 10-day quarantine period can do so. Some in Augusta County oppose school mask mandates as COVID-19 - NBC29 Richmond County students will be permitted to remove masks during lunch and while outside. The school district will not have to pay for them so long as theysign an agreement to keep the cameras up for five years. 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. Login. Reading Specialist (Former Employee) - Verona, VA - August 12, 2020. Learn more. Augusta County Schools Kids Masks for Sale | Redbubble Her motion died for lack of a second. 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. 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. nations top public health agency says vaccinated teachers and students can ditch the mask. Kortney Lockey, Lynchburg Bureau - Multimedia Journalist. Many protest mask mandate in Columbia County schools | WJBF While the nations top public health agency says vaccinated teachers and students can ditch the mask, some say its too soon. Learn More You are now exiting the Augusta County, VA. Data Not Collected The developer does not collect any data from this app. Walensky says thats not the case now, and vaccines are very effective. New CDC re-masking guidelines say several Central Virginia - NBC12 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. Richmond County School System standing by its mask policy for now I think they should still be wearing masks for their safety and everyone elses, said Will Via, a dad from Verona. 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). AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) - The Augusta County School Board voted unanimously Thursday night not to adopt model policies for the treatment of transgender students put forth by the. 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 Augusta County School Board is a seven-member board elected by district to four-year terms. The Augusta County School Board voted 5-1 on Thursday to make masks optional . New CDC re-masking guidelines say several Central Virginia areas should bring back masks, Youngkin signs universal license recognition law at Richmond barber shop, National Park Service says never push a slower friend down when escaping a bear, V.D.O.T to conduct lane closures on I-95 north in Henrico, Health Minute: First at-home flu and COVID test authorized. //]]> Use the form below to reset your password. The speakers who opposed the policies voiced concerns about safety issues, parental and privacy rights, and religious freedom. Make 2023 the year to let that wonderful you-ness shine. Augusta County, VA Decision on Masking Goes Against Science & Data 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 . It looks like you do not have any active subscriptions. Vaccinated teachers and students don't have to wear masks inside school buildings. Below you will find several links to helpful resources for our residents. All rights reserved. I was a Title 1 reading teacher and was treated with professionalism and respect. 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. Glenn Youngkin's executive order that made their decision possible. 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. 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. There was a problem saving your notification. The CDC also hasnt said how teachers can know which students are vaccinated or how parents will know which teachers are immunized. Some in Augusta County oppose school mask mandates as COVID-19 cases surge. on. Ed.D., Deputy Superintendent (540) 245-5108, Where Students Grow Intellectually, Physically, and Emotionally. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code. Its vaccination that Walensky says will prevent her biggest fear. Masks are still required on buses per federal law. Human Resources - Richmond County School System 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. As COVID-19 cases surge within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask mandates. Although most of the discussion at Wednesday nights meeting surrounded the VDOE model treatment of transgender students policies, Kristine Welcher spoke out against masks as a parent of children attending Stuarts Draft schools. 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. 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. // "Not seeing facial expressions. 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. He said "lots of parents" had reached out to him saying masks had created emotional damage for their children. VERONA Officials with Augusta County Public Schools have announced that masks won't be required beginning Monday for students, staff and visitors. Regardless of vaccination status, the Augusta Public Schools will require masks for people entering its buildings next school year. The winners of the 2015 races in the Beverly Manor, Pastures and Middle River Districts served . 1:30 PM Community Policy Management Team. Glenn Youngkin's executive order on masks in schools. This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login. School boards are required by state law to enact the policies for the 2021-22. Between Dec. 4 and 18, Georgia reported just under 20,000new cases, and most of the state's map was a light-yellow. While the nation's top public health agency says vaccinated teachers and students can ditch the mask, some. 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 2015 election was the last election for all seven seats to appear on the ballot at the same time. Best for a great weekend. Masks requirements for GA county schools | WJBF Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. 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.