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All rights reserved. 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. Augusta County School Boards motion on Wednesday includes flexibility to alter its plans if case numbers change. For more information, see the developer's privacy policy. Allegan Public Schools: K-6 masks required; 7-8 TBD; 9-12 optional | Details. Make masks mandatory! 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. May 19, 2021. AUGUSTA The Augusta Public Schools will require students, staff and visitors to wear masks regardless of vaccination status next school year. "We have to consider how the mask is affecting them emotionally," Simmons said. I feel like its the parents decision. Her motion died for lack of a second. Vaccinated teachers and students don't have to wear masks inside school buildings. Contact Patrick (he/him/his) atphite@newsleader.comand follow himon Twitter @Patrick_Hite. Click here for "Masks and Safety Protocols" . Heres why. The 2015 election was the last election for all seven seats to appear on the ballot at the same time. Hope everyone is doing well. To date, they have distributed 20,230 devices. Bond's letter did say that parents who choose to keep their children home for the full 10-day quarantine period can do so. Weve been saying all along students should be in school and shouldnt be tied to masks, said Conservative Parents of Lynchburg Founder Andrew Glover. 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. 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. Plenty of Augusta-area locations offer them, At-home COVID test website launches early. 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. I would rather go with safety; I want kids to be in school five days a week.. This huge statewide spike, and the 29schools that were shifted to distance learning in Richmond County, led to the school board's reaffirming its mask mandate Tuesday. 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. School Board members made the decision Thursday . It had already been announced that students could go masklessfollowing a vote by the school board in January, but there was some question about whether teachers would still be required to wear masks under requirements fromthe Occupational Health and Safety Administration and the Department of Labor and Industry. As we learn more, I am comfortable with yes. McCormick said she wished the discussion about masking would have been at the business meeting instead. 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. Sign in or Subscribe The speakers who opposed the policies voiced concerns about safety issues, parental and privacy rights, and religious freedom. Richmond County students will be permitted to remove masks during lunch and while outside. Please subscribe to keep reading. Lawrence County School District: Full mask requirement: Sloan-Hendrix School District: . Otherwise, a 14-day quarantine will be required. Mask Policy AMI Dates; Augusta School District: Full mask requirement: McCrory School District: Masks have been and continue to be required on all Georgia school buses. Now it is easier than ever to stay up-to-date with the news. This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login. 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). The policies say schools should allow students to use the restroom that corresponds with their gender identity. Augusta County Schools will become mask-optional in three weeks. Many have since returned to school, but the virus continues to spread. The Augusta County, VA is not responsible for the content of external sites. Starting Thursday, masks will be required for students, staff, and visitors to all district facilities and buses, regardless of vaccination status. //]]> If your area is orange or red, you should require masks inside. Ed.D., Deputy Superintendent (540) 245-5108, Where Students Grow Intellectually, Physically, and Emotionally. nations top public health agency says vaccinated teachers and students can ditch the mask. Patrick Hite is The News Leader's educationreporter. Masks are still required on buses per federal law. Please subscribe to continue reading 0 Comments Get local news delivered to your inbox! On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended universal masking in schools at every grade level. Create a commenting profile by providing an email address, password and display name. This new science is worrisome and unfortunately warrants an update to our recommendation., RELATED: New CDC guidelines call for masks in schools K-12. AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) - "It's just not right to have them mandate it," said 8th grader Jonathan Vasquez. MORE | Threat puts Thomson High School put on. Data Not Collected The developer does not collect any data from this app. Below you will find several links to helpful resources for our residents. The CDC released this map of the country, which says how your city or county is doing as far as COVID-19 transmission. Based on current conditions, this is what we need to do to make that happen. I want to work with every one of you. Masks will be required for anyone inside Charleston County schools until Oct. 15, 2021. Shop the collection. 1:30 PM Community Policy Management Team. VERONA Augusta County Public Schools will continue requiring face masks for students and staff at least three more weeks. Enter your email and password to access comments. Washtenaw County schools opt to keep masks on 'until further notice' . 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. The school division will also follow the CDCs shortened timeline for those who have toisolateorquarantine. Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. Pediatric death is rare, but not zero, so its our responsibility to protect all children. You are muzzling our children. 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. [CDATA[ I hope youre on the same side.. 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. on. . My biggest concern is, I would never go into your home and tell you whats best for your child, McCormick said. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Make 2023 the year to let that wonderful you-ness shine. Anastasio also said the DOE will require schools to report teacher vaccination status, which will be done anonymously and through a survey. AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - The rise in COVID cases is also a concern for our local school districts. All students, staff and volunteers in county schools will wear masks to begin the school year. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Subscribe to usat newsleader.com. Augusta County residents lead busy lives. ", More: Here's how fast the special use permit process has gone for Houff's Churchville pit, More: Resignation of Staunton City Manager Steve Rosenberg: Councilor Mead's remarks. Editor. VERONA Officials with Augusta County Public Schools have announced that masks won't be required beginning Monday for students, staff and visitors. 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. @NBC29 pic.twitter.com/L8eS6n0bxz. Parent Portal Student registration DOCUMENTS PERSONNEL Acceptable use policy STAFF Portal bGMS construction update RMS Construction Update But she also says this guidance makes sense because of the more transmissible Delta variant. Walensky says thats not the case now, and vaccines are very effective. We fear if we dont have universal masking, the letter stated, there will be outbreaks warranting school closure.. Staunton and Waynesboro schools will continue requiring masks for all students and staff. The Augusta County School Board held a special session on July 29th to discuss what turned out to be two issues. Glenn Youngkin's executive order making masks optional or "any changing negative trends related to our local area health concerns.". His first item of focus is the rights of parents. People spoke for and against requiring students to wear masks this fall, as the school board previously stated masks would be optional. Simply, we just want our students back everyday and back safely. Superintendent James Anastasio strongly recommended the board vote in favor of the mandate. He shared the letter from the pediatricians at the board meeting. Copyright 2023 Augusta County Public Schools. Between Dec. 4 and 18, Georgia reported just under 20,000new cases, and most of the state's map was a light-yellow. Northam's K-12 mask mandate, and we will continue to make decisions that prioritize the health, safety . Success. Dr. Flynt tells us plans are dependent on cases staying low and the mask policy . Its still a big health problem, she said. All rights reserved. "Personally, I would like to see the masks gone," Chairperson David Shiflett said, "but now I dont think is the time.. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WHSV) - Augusta county school board members say they were blind-sided by news out of Richmond over masks in the classrooms. Its vaccination that Walensky says will prevent her biggest fear. All rights reserved. The superintendent is great, the principal was wonderful. If you dont, I dont have a problem with that either.. 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. Create one. "Not seeing facial expressions. Tomorrow marks one week until Columbia County and some Richmond County students start the new year. Masks will return to Augusta County schools this fall. They have thrived and remained healthy.. You can cancel at any time. The superintendent also reminded families that student assessments, such as Georgia Milestones, will count toward student promotion. Heritage Pharma plans to start testing Monday, Jan. 24, and families are asked to stay tuned for more details. 0:57. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. The letter continued, we know masking works and applauded children for their efforts in masking in the past school year. With this vote, students and staff must still wear masks while in school until Feb. 14. How to order free testing kits from the government. The school board sent out a letter on July 22 stating the county did not have the legal authority to reject the state-mandated policies. Were gonna have to step back, go by the law, and prove them wrong, Ward said. Kids' face masks with Augusta County Schools designs for a child-friendly fit. window.__mirage2 = {petok:"ndsTchhICxLNjF_dxI18aRlyWnQfS.IeNB3Ql0MS2hM-1800-0"}; Its equal or worse than in December, and our healthcare workers are drowning, said Tara Mahanes. It was heated at times - like when people called board members cowards for wearing masks and forcing students to wear them. There is [sic] three reasons why COVID cases are going up. More: Augusta schools' 1:1 tech rollout under way, benefiting students who have gone without. The numbers have fluctuated within the school division. The Columbia County Board of Education will be withdrawing its requirements for students and faculty to wear face-coverings beginning Sept. 29. We have no affiliation up here because we did not want that to interfere, it does not need to interfere with the decisions that we make for our parents and for our kids, but I am going to go against the grain tonight and say that we have got to get a republican governor into the state house this fall, board member Nicholas Collins said. 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. Thank you for visiting the Augusta County, VA. You will be redirected to the destination page below in 0 seconds. Between Jan. 4 and 18, Georgia reported over 200,000 new cases, and the map had turned a dark burgundy. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Staunton and Waynesboro schools will continue requiring masks for all students and staff. That rose to 206 the following week, but dropped back to 167 the week of Jan. 31. He said "lots of parents" had reached out to him saying masks had created emotional damage for their children. Masks may be removed during lunch and while outside. 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. Not even fire-engine red Augusta County is on board with Gov. Anastasio said its easier at all levels since people move around the district. The Allegan County Health Department is requiring masks in schools from kindergarten to sixth grade. She asked if it was considered by administration to have a mask mandate for the younger students and recommended for the older students. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Here are a few of them: Blue Ridge Health District vaccination scheduler, Call the BRHD COVID-19 Hotline 434-972-6261. Under the protocol, masks are required for all students, staff and visitors to all school district facilities and on buses, regardless of vaccination status. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Copyright 2023 Augusta County Public Schools. There were no specific numbersgiven as far as the number of COVID cases that would make the board consider extending the mandatory mask policy, only a very broad explanation by the board's chair. Latest trends. 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. See Offers. Under the protocol,masks arerequired for allstudents, staff andvisitors to all school districtfacilities and onbuses,regardless of vaccination status. The VDOE did not mandate the mask usage, and Augusta County opted to leave it up to individual students and staff. 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. Copyright 2023 WSLS.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. Again, we are excited to begin the year and look forward to having our students back. 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. 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. 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. I want to work with you. "If between now and then things go crazy," Shiflett said. Send us your news tip here. Becoming a Foster Parent Become a foster parent to a child in need. Helms added that she would also like to see the masks stay. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Virginia (WVIR) - As COVID-19 cases rise within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask requirements. 2023 www.newsleader.com. Already have a commenting profile? 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. 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. 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. "These absences from school will be excused and students will be permitted to make up all missed work," the letter said. By Jessica Mallow. Subscribe to usat newsleader.com. 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. Administrators say theyre hearing the same from other parents.