Masks will return to Augusta County schools this fall. ", 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. 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 numbers have fluctuated within the school division. If your area is orange or red, you should require masks inside. Now. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Photo by Atoms on Unsplash. The superintendent is great, the principal was wonderful. In the meantime, there are many ways for you to get vaccinated in our community. . 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. Other board members shared their reasoning for voting in favor of the mask mandate. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) - As COVID-19 cases surge within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask mandates. 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. Patrick Hite is The News Leader's education and sports reporter. Learn more. Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration. "Not seeing facial expressions. She asked if it was considered by administration to have a mask mandate for the younger students and recommended for the older students. Via has three kids in Augusta County Public Schools and only one of them is old enough to get the shot. That is its highest weekly total of the school year. 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. 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. 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. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. 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. Add the 10-digit school phone number and the Augusta County Schools district phone number (540-245-5100) to your phone contacts. The superintendent also reminded families that student assessments, such as Georgia Milestones, will count toward student promotion. //]]> Use the form below to reset your password. Anastasio said its easier at all levels since people move around the district. The school board is elected, and the current superintendent is Dr. Eric Bond. VERONA Augusta County Public Schools will continue requiring face masks for students and staff at least three more weeks. Story ideas and tips always welcome. I want to work with you. The policy was part of the districts response to COVID last school year, but now state law prohibits individual school systems from requiring students to wear masks. 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. The school board met Thursday night to discuss their back-to-school. Administrators say theyre hearing the same from other parents. 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. He said "lots of parents" had reached out to him saying masks had created emotional damage for their children. Best for a great weekend. The delta variant is so very contagious it appears to cause high viral loads even in vaccinated people who become infected.. Masks will be required for anyone inside Charleston County schools until Oct. 15, 2021. Latest trends. 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. Her motion died for lack of a second. CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - It may be time for some of us in Central Virginia to mask back up. More: Augusta schools' 1:1 tech rollout under way, benefiting students who have gone without. 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. Otherwise, a 14-day quarantine will be required. Please note the display name will appear on screen when you participate. 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. 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. Beloved local eatery, The Pie Chest, closing for good this month, Family of Ukrainian refugees using music to adapt to life in Charlottesville. The goal is to be finished by Jan.31. Log in to join the discussion. Superintendent James Anastasio strongly recommended the board vote in favor of the mandate. I think they should still be wearing masks for their safety and everyone elses, said Will Via, a dad from Verona. 1:30 PM Community Policy Management Team. With a Press Herald subscription, you can gift 5 articles each month. The policies say schools should allow students to use the restroom that corresponds with their gender identity. 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." People are also reading 'Cousin Eddie' display from 'Christmas Vacation' leads to Kentucky police response This a wonderful school district to work, and a beautiful area! Now it is easier than ever to stay up-to-date with the news. ", 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.". 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. Walensky says thats not the case now, and vaccines are very effective. 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. To date, they have distributed 20,230 devices. Please wait for the page to reload. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. 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. "Personally, I would like to see the masks gone," Chairperson David Shiflett said, "but now I dont think is the time.. The CDC also says all schools should have universal masking, which is something Albemarle County Public Schools are already planning to do, and Charlottesvilles school board could vote to do in early August. The Augusta Board of Education voted. There was a problem saving your notification. 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. 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. Plenty of Augusta-area locations offer them, At-home COVID test website launches early. The opportunity to grow professionally is evident there. You have permission to edit this article. 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. On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended universal masking in schools at every grade level. Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. 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 . You will receive an email to complete the registration. The Augusta Public Schools will have in-person learning, five days a week. All rights reserved. "We have to consider how the mask is affecting them emotionally," Simmons said. Although most of the discussion at Wednesday nights meeting surrounded the VDOE model treatment of transgender students policies, Kristine Welcher spoke out against masks as a parent of children attending Stuarts Draft schools. Augusta County residents lead busy lives. They have thrived and remained healthy.. All rights reserved. If you need help with the Public File, call 540-512-1558. "We'll revisit it. window.__mirage2 = {petok:"ndsTchhICxLNjF_dxI18aRlyWnQfS.IeNB3Ql0MS2hM-1800-0"}; Staunton and Waynesboro schools will continue requiring masks for all students and staff. 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. Columbia County . {{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 Virginia Department of Health reported 113 new COVID cases in Augusta County Thursday, the highest one-day total since Feb. 4. 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. McCormick voted against the mandate, saying she believes the decision for students to wear masks should be up to families, not the school administration. 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.