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People are also reading 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. A child whose parent has elected that he or she is not subject to a mask mandate should not be required to wear a mask under any policy implemented by a teacher, school, school district, the Department of Educationor any other state authority. Board Chairperson Amanda Olson told McCormick there had been more of a discussion for the mask mandate at a board workshop a couple of weeks earlier, which McCormick did not attend. McCormick wondered about a remote option for families if they preferred their child not go into school for safety or medical reasons, but Anastasio said there is no plan since the CDC strongly recommends we have students in school. He said school officials may work with some families if there is a medial reason, but the district does not have the resources and staffing to offer a full remote option as it did last school year. Riverheads High School 19 Howardsville Road Staunton, VA 24401 Phone: (540) 337-1921 Fax: (540) 337-0258. See Offers. Ensure that the phone number is not blocked in phone settings. 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. 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 week of Jan. 17 there were 171 cases. 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. With this vote, students and staff must still wear masks while in school until Feb. 14. Vaccinated teachers and students don't have to wear masks inside school buildings. 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. 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. Bond's letter did say that parents who choose to keep their children home for the full 10-day quarantine period can do so. Copyright 2023 WSLS.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. 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 Augusta County School Board unanimously affirmed at its meeting Thursday they would follow the law as now presented to them. Between Jan. 4 and 18, Georgia reported over 200,000 new cases, and the map had turned a dark burgundy. Waynesboro Public Schools followed the VDHs guidance and voted earlier this week to mandate masks for elementary students and staff. You are muzzling our children. 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. Im not real sure how well they work to begin with, Dana Worley, her mom, said. About 50 people attended the Augusta County School . The general election was held on November 3, 2015. 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." All rights reserved. I would rather go with safety; I want kids to be in school five days a week.. 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 CDC released this map of the country, which says how your city or county is doing as far as COVID-19 transmission. The goal is to be finished by Jan.31. Beloved local eatery, The Pie Chest, closing for good this month, Family of Ukrainian refugees using music to adapt to life in Charlottesville. . People spoke for and against requiring students to wear masks this fall, as the school board previously stated masks would be optional. Its equal or worse than in December, and our healthcare workers are drowning, said Tara Mahanes. That's why we try our best to make it easy to live in this beautiful place we call home. Kids' face masks with Augusta County Schools designs for a child-friendly fit. Already registered? Click here for "Masks and Safety Protocols". Walensky says thats not the case now, and vaccines are very effective. Make masks mandatory! Although theres not yet an indoor mask mandate in Virginia, the CDC says there should be. 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! 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. If your area is orange or red, you should require masks inside. Administrators say theyre hearing the same from other parents. About 50 people attended the Augusta County School Board meeting Thursday night. But othersincluding her momhave a different opinion. 0:57. The VDOE did not mandate the mask usage, and Augusta County opted to leave it up to individual students and staff. That guidance comes as cases are rising virtually everywhere across the country -- including in the Charlottesville area. However, in a letter sent to families of students Thursday, Superintendent Eric Bond said masks would be optional for staff Monday as well. 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. The speakers who opposed the policies voiced concerns about safety issues, parental and privacy rights, and religious freedom. Designed and sold by artists. You can share 5 more gift articles this month. The superintendent also reminded families that student assessments, such as Georgia Milestones, will count toward student promotion. Please wait for the page to reload. Columbia County schools decided to make masks optional for students moving forward effective for summer school. I feel like everyone should still be wearing masks, vaccinated or not, said Shae Helms, a sophomore at Amherst County High School. He was referring to how the Georgia Department of Public Health color-codesCOVID-19 concentrations. 1:30 PM Community Policy Management Team. ", 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. As we learn more, I am comfortable with yes. Collins said he worded his motion so it gave a date for going mask optional, but also gave the board its own options. Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. "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 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. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. 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 . 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. The Columbia County Board of Education will be withdrawing its requirements for students and faculty to wear face-coverings beginning Sept. 29. Now it is easier than ever to stay up-to-date with the news. The Augusta County School Board is a seven-member board elected by district to four-year terms. About 50 people attended the Augusta County School Board meeting Thursday evening. The biggest questions will be at middle schools, where some students can get the shot and others cant. As COVID-19 cases surge within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask mandates. VERONA Officials with Augusta County Public Schools have announced that masks won't be required beginning Monday for students, staff and visitors. Tuesday Columbia County school leaders made their decision on the mask mandate. 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. Please note the display name will appear on screen when you participate. The school district will not have to pay for them so long as theysign an agreement to keep the cameras up for five years. 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. If you want to wear one, I dont see a problem with that. All say theyre waiting for additional guidance from the Virginia Department of Education, the Virginia Department of Health and Governor Ralph Northam. Augusta County residents lead busy lives. 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. ", 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). Schools, including in Waynesboro and Augusta County, have the freedom to "implement local mask policies." Waynesboro school board members will meet 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Waynesboro High School and are expected to tackle the state's guidelines when discussing the city's reopening plan. You have permission to edit this article. The parents of any child enrolled in an elementary or secondary school or a school based early childcare and educational program may elect for their children not to be subject to any mask mandate in effect at the childs school or educational program. However, counties around the state had already rejected the policies, and lawsuits appear to show funding is not in jeopardy for localities that voted no, according to a report from the Courthouse News Service. 2023 www.newsleader.com. While the nations top public health agency says vaccinated teachers and students can ditch the mask, some say its too soon. 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. Via has three kids in Augusta County Public Schools and only one of them is old enough to get the shot. Were gonna have to step back, go by the law, and prove them wrong, Ward said. The school board voted unanimously Aug. 9 to allow the district to change . (844) 698-3261 Free Consultation info@ritchielawfirm.com Case Results Editor. 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. Other board members shared their reasoning for voting in favor of the mask mandate. Masks have been and continue to be required on all Georgia school buses. May 19, 2021. Verify your phone numbers and contact preferences are correct in Campus Parent > User > Settings > Contact Preferences. Wear a mask, wash your hands, stay safe. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) - As COVID-19 cases surge within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask mandates. There was a problem saving your notification. The Allegan County Health Department is requiring masks in schools from kindergarten to sixth grade. Fennville Public . {{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. 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. 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. Augusta County Public Schools Where Students Grow Intellectually, Physically, and Emotionally Menu Schools Translate Employment Calendars COVID Info ACPS Podcast Please allow notifications from your school (s). All students, staff and volunteers in county schools will wear masks to begin the school year. School board votes to make masks optional for all students, staff in Augusta County. Augusta County chose to follow Youngkin's executive order, which states in part: Youngkin's order goes into effect Monday, Jan. 24, but Augusta County's School Board wanted to add additional time to see if the current COVID surge in the area will subside. To get one, go to the subscriptions page. More: Augusta schools' 1:1 tech rollout under way, benefiting students who have gone without. Plenty of Augusta-area locations offer them, At-home COVID test website launches early. By Jessica Mallow. Please subscribe to keep reading. 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. "If between now and then things go crazy," Shiflett said. 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. 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. School Board members made the decision Thursday . Add the 10-digit school phone number and the Augusta County Schools district phone number (540-245-5100) to your phone contacts. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) - Augusta County Public Schools is set to become mask-optional in three weeks. Do you have a story idea? The winners of the 2015 races in the Beverly Manor, Pastures and Middle River Districts served .