Wear a mask, wash your hands, stay safe. The Augusta Public Schools will have in-person learning, five days a week. The Augusta County School Board is a seven-member board elected by district to four-year terms. Now it is easier than ever to stay up-to-date with the news. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) - As COVID-19 cases surge within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask mandates. The winners of the 2015 races in the Beverly Manor, Pastures and Middle River Districts served . 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. Add the 10-digit school phone number and the Augusta County Schools district phone number (540-245-5100) to your phone contacts. Stay Connected . This is a political scam to see who is going to sit down and shut up, Riverheads student Joshua Cox said . Copyright 2023 Augusta County Public Schools. 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. Waynesboro Public Schools followed the VDHs guidance and voted earlier this week to mandate masks for elementary students and staff. All rights reserved. Staunton and Waynesboro schools will continue requiring masks for all students and staff. Shop the collection. 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. We fear if we dont have universal masking, the letter stated, there will be outbreaks warranting school closure.. "Personally, I would like to see the masks gone," Chairperson David Shiflett said, "but now I dont think is the time.. Kortney joined the 10 News team as a Lynchburg Bureau Reporter in May 2021. For more information, see the developer's privacy policy. The superintendent is great, the principal was wonderful. A sign encourages students, teachers and visitors to wear masks at Ladson Elementary School on Aug. 11, 2021. List of Augusta County Public Schools. 0:57. They have thrived and remained healthy.. The CDC released this map of the country, which says how your city or county is doing as far as COVID-19 transmission. Heritage Pharma plans to start testing Monday, Jan. 24, and families are asked to stay tuned for more details. (844) 698-3261 Free Consultation [email protected] Case Results About 50 people attended the Augusta County School Board meeting Thursday night. The Augusta Board of Education voted. 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. New CDC guidance says some counties in our viewing area meet the threshold to put those face coverings back on. She asked if it was considered by administration to have a mask mandate for the younger students and recommended for the older students. Staunton and Waynesboro schools will continue requiring masks for all students and staff. 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. Thats because its flu season, masks dont work, and upcoming elections., This is not a joke to any of us, said Rebecca Lotts, who opposes the mandates. The general election was held on November 3, 2015. Copyright 2023 WSLS.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. 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. Mask Policy AMI Dates; Augusta School District: Full mask requirement: McCrory School District: The Augusta County School Board held a special session on July 29th to discuss what turned out to be two issues. Send us your news tip here. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) - As COVID-19 cases surge within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask mandates. Although theres not yet an indoor mask mandate in Virginia, the CDC says there should be. 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. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WHSV) - Augusta county school board members say they were blind-sided by news out of Richmond over masks in the classrooms. May 19, 2021. 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. Verify your phone numbers and contact preferences are correct in Campus Parent > User > Settings > Contact Preferences. The Augusta County School Board unanimously affirmed at its meeting Thursday they would follow the law as now presented to them. People spoke for and against requiring students to wear masks this fall, as the school board previously stated masks would be optional. Washtenaw County schools opt to keep masks on 'until further notice' . About 50 people attended the Augusta County School . 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. Photo by Atoms on Unsplash. All students, staff and volunteers in county schools will wear masks to begin the school year. Best for a great weekend. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. 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. Helms added that she would also like to see the masks stay. The school board voted unanimously Aug. 9 to allow the district to change . 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). He said "lots of parents" had reached out to him saying masks had created emotional damage for their children. 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. All rights reserved. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WHSV) - Augusta county school board members say they were blind-sided by news out of Richmond over masks in the classrooms. 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. "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. All rights reserved. You are muzzling our children. The 2015 election was the last election for all seven seats to appear on the ballot at the same time. Glenn Youngkin's executive order on masks in schools. Kids' face masks with Augusta County Schools designs for a. The delta variant is so very contagious it appears to cause high viral loads even in vaccinated people who become infected.. School board votes to make masks optional for all students, staff in Augusta County. Bond's letter did say that parents who choose to keep their children home for the full 10-day quarantine period can do so. We are excited to begin the school year but have some updates and reminders to help prepare our students as they return next week. Afterward, the public spoke and most of the comments were about masks in school. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Virginia (WVIR) - As COVID-19 cases rise within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask requirements. 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. Patrick Hite is The News Leader's education and sports reporter. Copyright 2021 WVIR. The Columbia County Board of Education will be withdrawing its requirements for students and faculty to wear face-coverings beginning Sept. 29. 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. 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.. He was referring to how the Georgia Department of Public Health color-codesCOVID-19 concentrations. Hope everyone is doing well. More than 300 Augusta County students have tested positive for COVID-19 since school started four weeks ago. Between Jan. 4 and 18, Georgia reported over 200,000 new cases, and the map had turned a dark burgundy. Designed and sold by artists. AUGUSTA The Augusta Public Schools will require students, staff and visitors to wear masks regardless of vaccination status next school year. Create a commenting profile by providing an email address, password and display name. Hi, to comment on stories you must create a commenting profile. Masks will return to Augusta County schools this fall. Published: Jan. 20, 2022 at 7:43 PM PST. Administrators say theyre hearing the same from other parents. 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 County Schools will become mask-optional in three weeks. 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. Enter your email and password to access comments. 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. Shenandoah Valley Center for Advanced Learning, Valley Career & Technical Center49 Hornet RoadFishersville, VA 22939Phone: (540) 245-5002Fax: (540) [email protected]. I believe in Jesus Christ. Editor. Via has three kids in Augusta County Public Schools and only one of them is old enough to get the shot. Ed.D., Deputy Superintendent (540) 245-5108, Where Students Grow Intellectually, Physically, and Emotionally. 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. 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 . We do not appreciate it. Click here for "Masks and Safety Protocols" . 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. Other board members shared their reasoning for voting in favor of the mask mandate. 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." Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration. 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. Some in Augusta County oppose school mask mandates as COVID-19 cases surge. Still, theres no doubt this will make for some challenging school environments. With this vote, students and staff must still wear masks while in school until Feb. 14. Sign up for breaking news alerts. Anastasio said the big three in minimizing the spread of COVID-19 in schools are universal masking, vaccination when possible and pool testing, which Augusta agreed to take part in at the end of the last school year. 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. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. McClintock said they hope to get the cameras within the next month. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code. 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. By Jessica Mallow. He shared the letter from the pediatricians at the board meeting. 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. Superintendent James Anastasio strongly recommended the board vote in favor of the mandate. School Board members made the decision Thursday . Im not real sure how well they work to begin with, Dana Worley, her mom, said. Augusta County Public Schools18 Government Center LaneVerona, VA 24482Phone: 540-245-5100Fax: 540-245-5115. 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. But she also says this guidance makes sense because of the more transmissible Delta variant. The Augusta County Board of Supervisors will conduct a Public Hearing at 7 p.m., Wednesday, February 8, 2023, in the Board Meeting Room, Augusta County Government Center, 18 Government Center Lane, Verona, Virginia. The numbers have fluctuated within the school division. Official transcripts are required at the time of employment. 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 usat newsleader.com. Login. Masks will be required for anyone inside Charleston County schools until Oct. 15, 2021. Teacher at Dixon Preschool Center Augusta County Public Schools 4.2 Simply, we just want our students back everyday and back safely. Becoming a Foster Parent Become a foster parent to a child in need. This new science is worrisome and unfortunately warrants an update to our recommendation., RELATED: New CDC guidelines call for masks in schools K-12. I want to work with you. 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. Parent Portal Student registration DOCUMENTS PERSONNEL Acceptable use policy STAFF Portal bGMS construction update RMS Construction Update 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. 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. Please subscribe to keep reading. Need a COVID-19 test? Glenn Youngkin's executive order making masks optional or "any changing negative trends related to our local area health concerns.". 2023 www.newsleader.com. CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - It may be time for some of us in Central Virginia to mask back up. I feel like its the parents decision. Anastasio also said the DOE will require schools to report teacher vaccination status, which will be done anonymously and through a survey. Starting Thursday, masks will be required for students, staff, and visitors to all district facilities and buses, regardless of vaccination status. At their meeting. Masks have been and continue to be required on all Georgia school buses. To date, they have distributed 20,230 devices. Patrick Hite is The News Leader's educationreporter. "These absences from school will be excused and students will be permitted to make up all missed work," the letter said. We have always tried to be non-political. 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. Columbia County schools decided to make masks optional for students moving forward effective for summer school. The policies say schools should allow students to use the restroom that corresponds with their gender identity. Its why the news isnt sitting well with him and others. 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. His first item of focus is the rights of parents. Mask Policy Due to recent in local COVID conditions, the advice of our local health department, and school divisions policies, masks are now mandatory for all students, staff, and visitors. Not even fire-engine red Augusta County is on board with Gov. Face coverings and masks will be optional at Charleston County schools when students return to their classrooms Aug. 18. 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. //