Kortney Lockey, Lynchburg Bureau - Multimedia Journalist. That rose to 206 the following week, but dropped back to 167 the week of Jan. 31. 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. The CDC released this map of the country, which says how your city or county is doing as far as COVID-19 transmission. Another potential headache: the CDC is still recommending schools continue to space kids out and keep their desks three feet apart. Simply, we just want our students back everyday and back safely. As COVID-19 cases surge within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask mandates. 1:30 PM Community Policy Management Team. 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. Between Dec. 4 and 18, Georgia reported just under 20,000new cases, and most of the state's map was a light-yellow. Please subscribe to keep reading. 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. 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. Only two people spoke out in favor of masks. 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. Make masks mandatory! The CDC released this map of the country, which says how your city or county is doing as far as COVID-19 transmission. All say theyre waiting for additional guidance from the Virginia Department of Education, the Virginia Department of Health and Governor Ralph Northam. School Board members made the decision Thursday . I anticipated more discussion before we voted.. Under the protocol,masks arerequired for allstudents, staff andvisitors to all school districtfacilities and onbuses,regardless of vaccination status. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) - As COVID-19 cases surge within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask mandates. Lawrence County School District: Full mask requirement: Sloan-Hendrix School District: . ", 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.". 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. 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. Columbia County schools decided to make masks optional for students moving forward effective for summer school. Harrisonburg man charged with crimes connected to Jan. 6 attack on U.S. Capitol, Charlie Obaugh RV & Outdoor Student Athlete of the Week. The week of Jan. 17 there were 171 cases. Click here for "Masks and Safety Protocols". Timothy Simmons will take a seat on the Augusta County School Board in January. Glenn Youngkin's executive order that made their decision possible. 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. Collins said he worded his motion so it gave a date for going mask optional, but also gave the board its own options. His first item of focus is the rights of parents. The Augusta County School Board unanimously affirmed at its meeting Thursday they would follow the law as now presented to them. 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. The CDC also hasnt said how teachers can know which students are vaccinated or how parents will know which teachers are immunized. Fennville Public . 2023 www.newsleader.com. Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration. Via has three kids in Augusta County Public Schools and only one of them is old enough to get the shot. Its equal or worse than in December, and our healthcare workers are drowning, said Tara Mahanes. Please subscribe to continue reading 0 Comments Get local news delivered to your inbox! Heritage Pharma plans to start testing Monday, Jan. 24, and families are asked to stay tuned for more details. 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. All rights reserved. . On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended universal masking in schools at every grade level. 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. Copyright 2021 WVIR. Login. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. See Offers. The Augusta Board of Education voted Wednesday night, 5 to 1, to mandate mask wearing. window.__mirage2 = {petok:"ndsTchhICxLNjF_dxI18aRlyWnQfS.IeNB3Ql0MS2hM-1800-0"}; That guidance comes as cases are rising virtually everywhere across the country -- including in the Charlottesville area. I would rather go with safety; I want kids to be in school five days a week.. Kati McCormick was the only board member to vote against the measure. Masks will be required for anyone inside Charleston County schools until Oct. 15, 2021. The Columbia County Board of Education will be withdrawing its requirements for students and faculty to wear face-coverings beginning Sept. 29. "These absences from school will be excused and students will be permitted to make up all missed work," the letter said. on March 2.Read more about the C.D . Her motion died for lack of a second. 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. 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." Now. "We'll revisit it. The Augusta County School Board held a special session on July 29th to discuss what turned out to be two issues. Copyright 2021 WHSV. 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. Northam's K-12 mask mandate, and we will continue to make decisions that prioritize the health, safety . 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. 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. With a Press Herald subscription, you can gift 5 articles each month. Learn More You are now exiting the Augusta County, VA. 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. Tomorrow marks one week until Columbia County and some Richmond County students start the new year. He was referring to how the Georgia Department of Public Health color-codesCOVID-19 concentrations. If you can't find the answer, feel free to give us a call or send us an email. Kids' face masks with Augusta County Schools designs for a. Hope everyone is doing well. People spoke for and against requiring students to wear masks this fall, as the school board previously stated masks would be optional. Learn more. People are also reading 'Cousin Eddie' display from 'Christmas Vacation' leads to Kentucky police response Stay Connected . All rights reserved. Already registered? @NBC29 pic.twitter.com/L8eS6n0bxz. But othersincluding her momhave a different opinion. Administrators say theyre hearing the same from other parents. 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. 0:57. 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. Now it is easier than ever to stay up-to-date with the news. 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, Va. (WVIR) - As COVID-19 cases surge within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask mandates. Copyright 2023 Augusta County Public Schools. There was a problem saving your notification. Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Kids' face masks with Augusta County Schools designs for a child-friendly fit. About 50 people attended the Augusta County School Board meeting Thursday night. 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. Get up to 20% off. 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. Heres why. May 19, 2021. Contact Patrick (he/him/his) atphite@newsleader.comand follow himon Twitter @Patrick_Hite. At their meeting. 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.