augusta county schools mask policy
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 Columbia County Board of Education will be withdrawing its requirements for students and faculty to wear face-coverings beginning Sept. 29. How to order free testing kits from the government. The CDC also hasnt said how teachers can know which students are vaccinated or how parents will know which teachers are immunized. We fear if we dont have universal masking, the letter stated, there will be outbreaks warranting school closure.. Starting on Jan. 24, Highland County Public Schools says masks will be recommended to protect students and staff amid a high number of COVID-19 cases in the county. 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. 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. Between Jan. 4 and 18, Georgia reported over 200,000 new cases, and the map had turned a dark burgundy. 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. Masks will be required for anyone inside Charleston County schools until Oct. 15, 2021. Heres why. "Not seeing facial expressions. Regardless of vaccination status, the Augusta Public Schools will require masks for people entering its buildings next school year. 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. Not even fire-engine red Augusta County is on board with Gov. Photo by Atoms on Unsplash. 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. On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended universal masking in schools at every grade level. The Allegan County Health Department is requiring masks in schools from kindergarten to sixth grade. In rare occasions, some vaccinated people infected with the Delta variants after vaccination may be contagious and spread the virus to others, she said. 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. Teacher at Dixon Preschool Center Augusta County Public Schools 4.2 She asked if it was considered by administration to have a mask mandate for the younger students and recommended for the older students. Welcher said the number of cases did not show a need for further mask mandates in schools as students return five days a week for in-person instruction. MORE: Mask Mandates Are Hot Topic at Columbia County School Board Meeting Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. The numbers have fluctuated within the school division. The general election was held on November 3, 2015. AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - The rise in COVID cases is also a concern for our local school districts. The CDC released this map of the country, which says how your city or county is doing as far as COVID-19 transmission. Shop the collection. The school district will not have to pay for them so long as theysign an agreement to keep the cameras up for five years. Use the form below to reset your password. Vaccinated teachers and students don't have to wear masks inside school buildings. McClintock said they hope to get the cameras within the next month. The school board also voted to follow the contact tracing guidelines from the Virginia Department of Health. MORE | Threat puts Thomson High School put on. Kids' face masks with Augusta County Schools designs for a. People spoke for and against requiring students to wear masks this fall, as the school board previously stated masks would be optional. 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. Get up to 20% off. Augusta County Public Schools. If your area is orange or red, you should require masks inside. on March 2.Read more about the C.D . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login. 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.". More: Augusta schools' 1:1 tech rollout under way, benefiting students who have gone without. Make 2023 the year to let that wonderful you-ness shine. 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. "These absences from school will be excused and students will be permitted to make up all missed work," the letter said. This new science is worrisome and unfortunately warrants an update to our recommendation., RELATED: New CDC guidelines call for masks in schools K-12. Copyright 2023 WSLS.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. 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. 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. The winners of the 2015 races in the Beverly Manor, Pastures and Middle River Districts served . 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. 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. 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. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Official transcripts are required at the time of employment. I feel like everyone should still be wearing masks, vaccinated or not, said Shae Helms, a sophomore at Amherst County High School. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) - Augusta County Public Schools is set to become mask-optional in three weeks. Subscribe to usat newsleader.com. Helms added that she would also like to see the masks stay. Virginias approach to COVID-19 has always been driven by the science, and we continue to emphasize that the only way out of this pandemic is through vaccination., A spokesperson for the Blue Ridge Health District, Jason Elliott, said in an interview with NBC29 last week that it is extremely important -- probably the most important -- to get vaccinated now more than it ever has been before.. Its equal or worse than in December, and our healthcare workers are drowning, said Tara Mahanes. (844) 698-3261 Free Consultation info@ritchielawfirm.com Case Results on. 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. 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. Already have a commenting profile? Glenn Youngkin's executive order that made their decision possible. People are also reading Please subscribe to keep reading. Between Dec. 4 and 18, Georgia reported just under 20,000new cases, and most of the state's map was a light-yellow. Wear a mask, wash your hands, stay safe. The Augusta County School Board is a seven-member board elected by district to four-year terms. 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. Other board members shared their reasoning for voting in favor of the mask mandate. 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. Staunton and Waynesboro schools will continue requiring masks for all students and staff. Augusta County Public Schools18 Government Center LaneVerona, VA 24482Phone: 540-245-5100Fax: 540-245-5115. 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. The developer, Augusta County Public Schools, indicated that the app's privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. "In light of those considerations, the practice is to allowconsistencyin how students and staff are treated with respect to mitigation measures.". Mask Policy AMI Dates; Augusta School District: Full mask requirement: McCrory School District: Learn More You are now exiting the Augusta County, VA. 0:57. Make masks mandatory! The Augusta Board of Education voted Wednesday night, 5 to 1, to mandate mask wearing. . The school board voted unanimously Aug. 9 to allow the district to change . The biggest questions will be at middle schools, where some students can get the shot and others cant. Administrators say theyre hearing the same from other parents. About 20 minutes into the school board meeting Thursday evening, members went into closed session with its legal council. 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. Anastasio also said the DOE will require schools to report teacher vaccination status, which will be done anonymously and through a survey. Masks may be removed during lunch and while outside. 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. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Scotto's Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria building up for lease, KFC is bringing back a fan favorite after a nearly 10-year hiatus, Jim Wood urged to surrender vice mayors position, resign, Waynesboro family-owned pig farm embraces sustainable pork production, Newly-opened local fashion boutique celebrates grand opening, Waynesboro City Council appoints RISE co-founder Chanda McGuffin to Waynesboro's Economic Development Authority board, Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office ends affiliation with Reelz TV show 'On Patrol: Live', Staunton boys basketball team suffers season-ending loss to Cave Spring, No. At their meeting. AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) - "It's just not right to have them mandate it," said 8th grader Jonathan Vasquez. A sign encourages students, teachers and visitors to wear masks at Ladson Elementary School on Aug. 11, 2021. 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. 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. Following the publics comments, board member Donna Wells stated that the board learned just this afternoon that Senate Bill 1303 passed earlier this year requires schools to follow CDC recommendations, which recommends masks for teachers, students and staff inside. That rose to 206 the following week, but dropped back to 167 the week of Jan. 31. 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. Harrisonburg man charged with crimes connected to Jan. 6 attack on U.S. Capitol, Charlie Obaugh RV & Outdoor Student Athlete of the Week. School boards are required by state law to enact the policies for the 2021-22. All students, staff and volunteers in county schools will wear masks to begin the school year. With this vote, students and staff must still wear masks while in school until Feb. 14. Still, theres no doubt this will make for some challenging school environments. His first item of focus is the rights of parents. Beloved local eatery, The Pie Chest, closing for good this month, Family of Ukrainian refugees using music to adapt to life in Charlottesville. Dr. Flynt tells us plans are dependent on cases staying low and the mask policy . Enter your email and password to access comments. Masks will return to Augusta County schools this fall. I think they should still be wearing masks for their safety and everyone elses, said Will Via, a dad from Verona. You will receive an email to complete the registration. About 50 people attended the Augusta County School Board meeting Thursday night. Best for a great weekend. Columbia County . 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 . He said "lots of parents" had reached out to him saying masks had created emotional damage for their children. AUGUSTA The Augusta Public Schools will require students, staff and visitors to wear masks regardless of vaccination status next school year. More:A month since Rosenberg was forced out, Staunton City Council hasn't secured search firm, More:Staunton man pleads guilty to a string of burglaries, gets nearly 10 years in prison. See Offers. The speakers who opposed the policies voiced concerns about safety issues, parental and privacy rights, and religious freedom. Please wait for the page to reload. By Jessica Mallow. 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. The school division will also follow the CDCs shortened timeline for those who have toisolateorquarantine. About 50 people attended the Augusta County School . Simply, we just want our students back everyday and back safely. 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. "Personally, I would like to see the masks gone," Chairperson David Shiflett said, "but now I dont think is the time.. //