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May 19, 2021. Between Dec. 4 and 18, Georgia reported just under 20,000new cases, and most of the state's map was a light-yellow. 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. School boards are required by state law to enact the policies for the 2021-22. We are excited to begin the school year but have some updates and reminders to help prepare our students as they return next week. Augusta school board reaffirms mask mandate, plans COVID-19 testing The Augusta Board of Education voted Wednesday night, 5 to 1, to mandate mask wearing. Augusta County residents lead busy lives. That's why we try our best to make it easy to live in this beautiful place we call home. I want to work with you. Tuesday Columbia County school leaders made their decision on the mask mandate. We have always tried to be non-political. This new science is worrisome and unfortunately warrants an update to our recommendation., RELATED: New CDC guidelines call for masks in schools K-12. See Offers. Dr. Flynt tells us plans are dependent on cases staying low and the mask policy . You have permission to edit this article. Story ideas and tips always welcome. 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. Masks are still required on buses per federal law. Augusta County Schools will become mask-optional in three weeks. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code. Augusta County Virginia schools quickly go mask optional for all 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. Mask Policy AMI Dates; Augusta School District: Full mask requirement: McCrory School District: Augusta County Schools to make masks optional on Valentine's Day, with Fourteen people spoke out against the mandates, citing their fear of heath issues they believe could be caused by masks. Masks will be required for anyone inside Charleston County schools until Oct. 15, 2021. 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! 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. Richmond County schools will require masks - The Augusta Chronicle Via has three kids in Augusta County Public Schools and only one of them is old enough to get the shot. I want to work with every one of you. Collins said he worded his motion so it gave a date for going mask optional, but also gave the board its own options. 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. 'Parental rights' at the front of Simmons' agenda for Augusta County 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. Official transcripts are required at the time of employment. The delta variant is so very contagious it appears to cause high viral loads even in vaccinated people who become infected.. You can share 5 more gift articles this month. 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. 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. Make masks mandatory!" Aiken Public Safety officers rushed out to where the overflow crowd was gathered because of meeting room capacity restrictions, and the . The community level of Covid-19 in Augusta County is low based on cases and hospitalizations, according to the most recent update from the C.D.C. About 20 minutes into the school. They have thrived and remained healthy.. Charleston County schools to require masks; senators want session on 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. Plenty of Augusta-area locations offer them, At-home COVID test website launches early. 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. Editor. [CDATA[ Augusta-area governments weigh response to revised CDC mask guidelines The school district will not have to pay for them so long as theysign an agreement to keep the cameras up for five years. 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. Verify your phone numbers and contact preferences are correct in Campus Parent > User > Settings > Contact Preferences. Augusta County School Board votes against VDoE transgender model policies Kortney joined the 10 News team as a Lynchburg Bureau Reporter in May 2021. To mask or not to mask? Local schools determine policies - WRDW 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. Masks no longer required for anyone, even teachers, in Augusta County Augusta County Public Schools. Reading Specialist (Former Employee) - Verona, VA - August 12, 2020. Vaccinated teachers and students don't have to wear masks inside school buildings. Find Augusta County, Virginia public schools, including charter schools, k-12, elementary, middle, and high schools. Waynesboro Public Schools followed the VDHs guidance and voted earlier this week to mandate masks for elementary students and staff. "TheBoard and administration have consideredand reviewedthe continued reduction of positive cases amongourstudentsand staff, as well as recent court rulings, General Assembly action,Executive Order 6, andpendingHealth and Safety Codes Board actionnext week," Bond wrote in an email to The News Leader asking about the decision for staff. The availability of onsite testing will be of particular help since testing appointments at area providers have been backed up and there are shortages of at-home, rapid tests available for purchase. 13 Virginia tops Clemson, snaps losing streak and clinches ACC tournament double-bye, On 'emotional' day, female wrestlers finally get to compete for their own Virginia state title, Former Virginia basketball coach Terry Holland dies after battling Alzheimer's, Buffalo Gap girls basketball team knocks off Rappahannock to reach semis, Augusta County School Board votes against transgender policies, Alaskas Iditarod kicks off with ceremonial start, Dogs, mushers prep for Iditarod as PETA accuses racers of animal abuse, Moscow reportedly threatened new parents in Ukraine: Register your newborns as Russian or else. The CDC released this map of the country, which says how your city or county is doing as far as COVID-19 transmission. Im asking for a choice for a virtual option during this surge. Masks have been and continue to be required on all Georgia school buses. Click here for "Masks and Safety Protocols". Add the 10-digit school phone number and the Augusta County Schools district phone number (540-245-5100) to your phone contacts. //]]> This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login. It looks like you do not have any active subscriptions. Hi, to comment on stories you must create a commenting profile. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WHSV) - Augusta county school board members say they were blind-sided by news out of Richmond over masks in the classrooms. The week of Jan. 17 there were 171 cases. Already registered? Subscribe to usat newsleader.com. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) - As COVID-19 cases surge within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask mandates. 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 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.. Kids' face masks with Augusta County Schools designs for a child-friendly fit. That is its highest weekly total of the school year. "Arlington Public Schools implemented our mask requirement this school year prior to Gov. Simply, we just want our students back everyday and back safely. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) - As COVID-19 cases surge within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask mandates. Kortney Lockey, Lynchburg Bureau - Multimedia Journalist. Copyright 2021 WHSV. The Augusta Board of Education voted. Glenn Youngkin's executive order that made their decision possible. 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." The CDC also hasnt said how teachers can know which students are vaccinated or how parents will know which teachers are immunized. Columbia County . List of Augusta County Public Schools. 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. You are muzzling our children. Local parents, students react to CDC guidance on masks in schools - WSLS Designed and sold by artists. Login. However, in a letter sent to families of students Thursday, Superintendent Eric Bond said masks would be optional for staff Monday as well. Albemarle County, Charlottesville bucking Youngkin on school mask policies "In light of those considerations, the practice is to allowconsistencyin how students and staff are treated with respect to mitigation measures.". Sign in or Subscribe Aiken County school board to fight state's restriction on mask mandate 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. About 50 people attended the Augusta County School Board meeting Thursday night. Face coverings and masks will be optional at Charleston County schools when students return to their classrooms Aug. 18. 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. As we learn more, I am comfortable with yes. School Superintendent Steven Flynt announced the rescinding of the mask mandate during the board's regular session Tuesday. He said "lots of parents" had reached out to him saying masks had created emotional damage for their children. Augusta County Schools to make masks optional starting Feb. 14 Do you have a story idea? 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). 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. 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.". Other board members shared their reasoning for voting in favor of the mask mandate. Its equal or worse than in December, and our healthcare workers are drowning, said Tara Mahanes. 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. He was referring to how the Georgia Department of Public Health color-codesCOVID-19 concentrations. If you want to wear one, I dont see a problem with that. Beloved local eatery, The Pie Chest, closing for good this month, Family of Ukrainian refugees using music to adapt to life in Charlottesville. They have been in public places and taken place in social gatherings. McClintock said they hope to get the cameras within the next month. : Plenty of Augusta-area locations offer them, More: At-home COVID test website launches early. Kati McCormick was the only board member to vote against the measure. "We have to consider how the mask is affecting them emotionally," Simmons said. Some in Augusta County oppose school mask mandates as COVID-19 cases surge. 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 . Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. Its why the news isnt sitting well with him and others. The biggest questions will be at middle schools, where some students can get the shot and others cant. 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. Staunton and Waynesboro schools will continue requiring masks for all students and staff. Published: Jan. 20, 2022 at 7:43 PM PST. "Personally, I would like to see the masks gone," Chairperson David Shiflett said, "but now I dont think is the time.. I anticipated more discussion before we voted.. The Augusta County School Board is a seven-member board elected by district to four-year terms. Masks are still required on buses per federal law. "If between now and then things go crazy," Shiflett said. Best for a great weekend. Copyright 2023 Augusta County Public Schools. About 50 people attended the Augusta County School Board meeting Thursday evening. Based on current conditions, this is what we need to do to make that happen. While the nations top public health agency says vaccinated teachers and students can ditch the mask, some say its too soon. McCormick voted against the mandate, saying she believes the decision for students to wear masks should be up to families, not the school administration. My recommendation to follow recommendation of the CDC is on the basis of following those who are more knowledgeable than I am regarding information on the pandemic.. 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. 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. Augusta County Schools Jobs, Employment | Indeed.com Please note the display name will appear on screen when you participate. 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. Need a COVID-19 test? 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.