Copyright 2021 WVIR. Copyright 2021 WHSV. Fourteen people spoke out against the mandates, citing their fear of heath issues they believe could be caused by masks. Dr. Flynt tells us plans are dependent on cases staying low and the mask policy . Some quoted scripture, while others blamed politics. This a wonderful school district to work, and a beautiful area! 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.". CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - It may be time for some of us in Central Virginia to mask back up. 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. 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. Waynesboro Public Schools followed the VDHs guidance and voted earlier this week to mandate masks for elementary students and staff. He shared the letter from the pediatricians at the board meeting. Kati McCormick was the only board member to vote against the measure. 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. Kids' face masks with Augusta County Schools designs for a child-friendly fit. 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 it is easier than ever to stay up-to-date with the news. [CDATA[ 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. The Augusta County, VA is not responsible for the content of external sites. 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. Welcher, a licensed nurse and mental health professional, said her child in pre-K came home from school last year with remnants of food, moisture and snot from being forced to wear a face-covering for eight hours. "We'll revisit it. Parent Portal Student registration DOCUMENTS PERSONNEL Acceptable use policy STAFF Portal bGMS construction update RMS Construction Update VERONA Augusta County Public Schools will continue requiring face masks for students and staff at least three more weeks. 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. School Superintendent Steven Flynt announced the rescinding of the mask mandate during the board's regular session Tuesday. The goal is to be finished by Jan.31. 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. 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. 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. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Create one. This is a political scam to see who is going to sit down and shut up, Riverheads student Joshua Cox said . AUGUSTA COUNTY, Virginia (WVIR) - As COVID-19 cases rise within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask requirements. Contact Patrick (he/him/his) atphite@newsleader.comand follow himon Twitter @Patrick_Hite. The Augusta County School Board held a special session on July 29th to discuss what turned out to be two issues. 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. Accommodations will be made for students and employees unable to wear a mask for documented medical reasons. All students, staff and volunteers in county schools will wear masks to begin the school year. Although theres not yet an indoor mask mandate in Virginia, the CDC says there should be. 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. All say theyre waiting for additional guidance from the Virginia Department of Education, the Virginia Department of Health and Governor Ralph Northam. Click here for "Masks and Safety Protocols". The main issue was the recent Commonwealth decision that all schools needed to have a non-discrimination policy in place in regards to transgender students. As we learn more, I am comfortable with yes. All rights reserved. I feel like everyone should still be wearing masks, vaccinated or not, said Shae Helms, a sophomore at Amherst County High School. People are also reading 'Cousin Eddie' display from 'Christmas Vacation' leads to Kentucky police response ", 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). If you dont, I dont have a problem with that either.. Starting Thursday, masks will be required for students, staff, and visitors to all district facilities and buses, regardless of vaccination status. We have always tried to be non-political. Ensure that the phone number is not blocked in phone settings. 1:30 PM Community Policy Management Team. Becoming a Foster Parent Become a foster parent to a child in need. Northam's K-12 mask mandate, and we will continue to make decisions that prioritize the health, safety . 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. Shenandoah Valley Center for Advanced Learning, Valley Career & Technical Center49 Hornet RoadFishersville, VA 22939Phone: (540) 245-5002Fax: (540) 885-0407info@valleytech.us. The CDC also says all schools should have universal masking, which is something Albemarle County Public Schools are already planning to do, and Charlottesvilles school board could vote to do in early August. 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. 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. That's why we try our best to make it easy to live in this beautiful place we call home. 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. The Augusta Public Schools will have in-person learning, five days a week. 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. Kortney Lockey, Lynchburg Bureau - Multimedia Journalist. I want to work with you. That is its highest weekly total of the 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. My biggest concern is, I would never go into your home and tell you whats best for your child, McCormick said. They have been in public places and taken place in social gatherings. "Personally, I would like to see the masks gone," Chairperson David Shiflett said, "but now I dont think is the time.. I was a Title 1 reading teacher and was treated with professionalism and respect. Please note the display name will appear on screen when you participate. Make masks mandatory!" Aiken Public Safety officers rushed out to where the overflow crowd was gathered because of meeting room capacity restrictions, and the . Under the protocol,masks arerequired for allstudents, staff andvisitors to all school districtfacilities and onbuses,regardless of vaccination status. Verify your phone numbers and contact preferences are correct in Campus Parent > User > Settings > Contact Preferences. I would rather go with safety; I want kids to be in school five days a week.. 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. Other board members shared their reasoning for voting in favor of the mask mandate. Lawrence County School District: Full mask requirement: Sloan-Hendrix School District: . Click here for "Masks and Safety Protocols". Data Not Collected The developer does not collect any data from this app. All rights reserved. Glenn Youngkin's executive order on masks in schools. AUGUSTA, Ga. - The Richmond County Board of Education met Tuesday night to get a COVID update from the superintendent. Copyright 2021 WVIR. Stay Connected . She asked if it was considered by administration to have a mask mandate for the younger students and recommended for the older students. 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. Wear a mask, wash your hands, stay safe. 5:00 PM Joint Meeting-Augusta County Board of Supervisors and Augusta County . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login. More: Augusta schools' 1:1 tech rollout under way, benefiting students who have gone without. Tuesday Columbia County school leaders made their decision on the mask mandate. With a Press Herald subscription, you can gift 5 articles each month. Here's how fast the special use permit process has gone for Houff's Churchville pit, Resignation of Staunton City Manager Steve Rosenberg: Councilor Mead's remarks, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. nations top public health agency says vaccinated teachers and students can ditch the mask. Learn More You are now exiting the Augusta County, VA. Vaccinated teachers and students don't have to wear masks inside school buildings. 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. The opportunity to grow professionally is evident there. Again, we are excited to begin the year and look forward to having our students back. 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. I hope youre on the same side.. The 2015 election was the last election for all seven seats to appear on the ballot at the same time. AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - The rise in COVID cases is also a concern for our local school districts. 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. Make 2023 the year to let that wonderful you-ness shine. How to order free testing kits from the government. 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 school division will also follow the CDCs shortened timeline for those who have toisolateorquarantine. No parent electing that a mask mandate should not apply to his or her child shall be required to provide a reason or make any certification concerning their childs health or education. Ed.D., Deputy Superintendent (540) 245-5108, Where Students Grow Intellectually, Physically, and Emotionally. Tomorrow marks one week until Columbia County and some Richmond County students start the new year. 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. Harrisonburg man charged with crimes connected to Jan. 6 attack on U.S. Capitol, Charlie Obaugh RV & Outdoor Student Athlete of the Week. Its vaccination that Walensky says will prevent her biggest fear. Log in to join the discussion. MORE: Mask Mandates Are Hot Topic at Columbia County School Board Meeting Its still a big health problem, she said. Some in Augusta County oppose school mask mandates as COVID-19 cases surge. Washtenaw County schools opt to keep masks on 'until further notice' . 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. Published: Jan. 20, 2022 at 7:43 PM PST. 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. Your cooperation with this change is expectedand appreciated. However, in a letter sent to families of students Thursday, Superintendent Eric Bond said masks would be optional for staff Monday as well. They have thrived and remained healthy.. Augusta County Public Schools is the organization that operates the public school system in Augusta County, Virginia. Do you all understand that? //