The Augusta County School Board is a seven-member board elected by district to four-year terms. Photo by Atoms on Unsplash. 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. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. 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AUGUSTA, Ga. - The Richmond County Board of Education met Tuesday night to get a COVID update from the superintendent. Not even fire-engine red Augusta County is on board with Gov. Afterward, the public spoke and most of the comments were about masks in school. Parent Portal Student registration DOCUMENTS PERSONNEL Acceptable use policy STAFF Portal bGMS construction update RMS Construction Update Under the protocol, masks are required for all students, staff and visitors to all school district facilities and on buses, regardless of vaccination status. Shenandoah Valley Center for Advanced Learning, Valley Career & Technical Center49 Hornet RoadFishersville, VA 22939Phone: (540) 245-5002Fax: (540) 885-0407info@valleytech.us. Story ideas and tips always welcome. A. R. Ware Elem 330 Grubert Avenue Staunton, VA. Augusta Corr Center 1821 Estaline Valley Road Craigsville, VA. Berkeley Glenn Elem 1020 Jefferson Avenue Waynesboro, VA. Now. 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. So far this week the school division has reported 85 casesdespite studentsbeing out all week because of a holiday and snow. 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. Create one. The general election was held on November 3, 2015. 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. Albemarle County Public Schools announced Monday that it continue to comply with the state law that masks be worn by all students in all schools and facilities. Many have since returned to school, but the virus continues to spread. 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. If you want to wear one, I dont see a problem with that. Hi, to comment on stories you must create a commenting profile. Via has three kids in Augusta County Public Schools and only one of them is old enough to get the shot. Make 2023 the year to let that wonderful you-ness shine. 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. Learn more. VERONA Augusta County Public Schools will continue requiring face masks for students and staff at least three more weeks. In rare occasions, some vaccinated people infected with the Delta variants after vaccination may be contagious and spread the virus to others, she said. Dr. Flynt tells us plans are dependent on cases staying low and the mask policy . He was referring to how the Georgia Department of Public Health color-codesCOVID-19 concentrations. You can cancel at any time. AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) - "It's just not right to have them mandate it," said 8th grader Jonathan Vasquez. The developer, Augusta County Public Schools, indicated that the app's privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. Click here for "Masks and Safety Protocols". 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. "If between now and then things go crazy," Shiflett said. Shop the collection. The Augusta Board of Education voted Wednesday night, 5 to 1, to mandate mask wearing. Kati McCormick was the only board member to vote against the measure. Glenn Youngkin's executive order making masks optional or "any changing negative trends related to our local area health concerns.". Bond's letter did say that parents who choose to keep their children home for the full 10-day quarantine period can do so. Fennville Public . School boards are required by state law to enact the policies for the 2021-22. All rights reserved. See Offers. You will receive an email to complete the registration. "Arlington Public Schools implemented our mask requirement this school year prior to Gov. The CDC released this map of the country, which says how your city or county is doing as far as COVID-19 transmission. Bradshaw said they are not putting an end-date on theprotocol, but that they are continuing to monitor the latest data and consult with experts on the necessary way to proceed. Its equal or worse than in December, and our healthcare workers are drowning, said Tara Mahanes. But the Virginia Department of Health is not making any masking decisions yet. 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. Sign up for breaking news alerts. We have always tried to be non-political. To date, they have distributed 20,230 devices. Heritage Pharma plans to start testing Monday, Jan. 24, and families are asked to stay tuned for more details. Timothy Simmons will take a seat on the Augusta County School Board in January. 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. 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. 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. 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. Vaccinated teachers and students don't have to wear masks inside school buildings. All rights reserved. Columbia County . 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. New CDC re-masking guidelines say several Central Virginia areas should bring back masks, Youngkin signs universal license recognition law at Richmond barber shop, National Park Service says never push a slower friend down when escaping a bear, V.D.O.T to conduct lane closures on I-95 north in Henrico, Health Minute: First at-home flu and COVID test authorized. They have thrived and remained healthy.. 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. 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. It was heated at times - like when people called board members cowards for wearing masks and forcing students to wear them. AUGUSTA The Augusta Public Schools will require students, staff and visitors to wear masks regardless of vaccination status next school year. 2022, 12:02 p.m. Paula Gentile helps out as a substitute in Tana Spelman's class at Bishop Elementary in Augusta . Augusta County Public Schools. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WHSV) - Augusta county school board members say they were blind-sided by news out of Richmond over masks in the classrooms. Augusta County Schools will become mask-optional in three weeks. All rights reserved. Still, theres no doubt this will make for some challenging school environments. He said "lots of parents" had reached out to him saying masks had created emotional damage for their children. Pediatric death is rare, but not zero, so its our responsibility to protect all children. 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. McCormick voted against the mandate, saying she believes the decision for students to wear masks should be up to families, not the school administration. Success. 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. {{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. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Learn More You are now exiting the Augusta County, VA. I feel like everyone should still be wearing masks, vaccinated or not, said Shae Helms, a sophomore at Amherst County High School. Allegan Public Schools: K-6 masks required; 7-8 TBD; 9-12 optional | Details. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) - As COVID-19 cases surge within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask mandates. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Virginia (WVIR) - As COVID-19 cases rise within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask requirements. The school board met Thursday night to discuss their back-to-school. The Augusta County, VA is not responsible for the content of external sites. Her motion died for lack of a second. Need a COVID-19 test? Do you have a story idea? Make masks mandatory! The speakers who opposed the policies voiced concerns about safety issues, parental and privacy rights, and religious freedom. The biggest questions will be at middle schools, where some students can get the shot and others cant. School Board members made the decision Thursday . About 50 people attended the Augusta County School Board meeting Thursday night. AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - The rise in COVID cases is also a concern for our local school districts. That's why we try our best to make it easy to live in this beautiful place we call home. About 20 minutes into the school board meeting Thursday evening, members went into closed session with its legal council. 1:30 PM Community Policy Management Team. Timothy Simmons, who represents the Pastures District, said he is in favor of making masks optional. 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). Masks will be required for anyone inside Charleston County schools until Oct. 15, 2021. At their meeting. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page. 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. How to order free testing kits from the government. Other board members shared their reasoning for voting in favor of the mask mandate. Riverheads High School 19 Howardsville Road Staunton, VA 24401 Phone: (540) 337-1921 Fax: (540) 337-0258. Published: Jan. 20, 2022 at 7:43 PM PST. Find Augusta County, Virginia public schools, including charter schools, k-12, elementary, middle, and high schools. //]]> 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. His first item of focus is the rights of parents. Kortney joined the 10 News team as a Lynchburg Bureau Reporter in May 2021. "In light of those considerations, the practice is to allowconsistencyin how students and staff are treated with respect to mitigation measures.". About 50 people attended the Augusta County School . Staunton and Waynesboro schools will continue requiring masks for all students and staff. Latest trends. Kids' face masks with Augusta County Schools designs for a child-friendly fit. AUGUSTA The Augusta Public Schools will require students, staff and visitors to wear masks regardless of vaccination status next school year. 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.". Copyright 2023 WSLS.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. 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. Its still a big health problem, she said. Hope everyone is doing well. The division also said that. 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. School board votes to make masks optional for all students, staff in Augusta County. Simply, we just want our students back everyday and back safely. 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. (844) 698-3261 Free Consultation info@ritchielawfirm.com Case Results 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. Some in Augusta County oppose school mask mandates as COVID-19 cases surge. 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. Some people asked what the penalty is for not wearing a mask and the board said they do not have an exact answer at this time. People are also reading About 20 minutes into the school. Reading Specialist (Former Employee) - Verona, VA - August 12, 2020. 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 . Anastasio said its easier at all levels since people move around the district. Augusta County School Boards motion on Wednesday includes flexibility to alter its plans if case numbers change. This new science is worrisome and unfortunately warrants an update to our recommendation., RELATED: New CDC guidelines call for masks in schools K-12. 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. 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. 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. Its why the news isnt sitting well with him and others. Log in to join the discussion. Wayne District representative Tim Swortzel made the motion to make face-coverings optional and North River representative Nicholas Collins seconded. About 50 people attended the Augusta. 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. window.__mirage2 = {petok:"ndsTchhICxLNjF_dxI18aRlyWnQfS.IeNB3Ql0MS2hM-1800-0"}; The letter continued, we know masking works and applauded children for their efforts in masking in the past school year. "We have to consider how the mask is affecting them emotionally," Simmons said. Vaccinated teachers and students don't have to wear masks inside school buildings. ", As of its most recent update on Jan. 13, the CDC "recommends universal indoor masking by allstudents (ages 2 years and older), staff, teachers, and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status.".