The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Title IX Coordinator Kelly F. Troxell Ed.D., Executive Director of Personnel (540) 245-5107, Section 504 Coordinator Douglas W. Shifflett, Jr. Ed.D, Deputy Superintendent (540) 245-5108. Masks will return to Augusta County schools this fall. Official transcripts are required at the time of employment. The superintendent also reminded families that student assessments, such as Georgia Milestones, will count toward student promotion. This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login. 2023 www.newsleader.com. With a Press Herald subscription, you can gift 5 articles each month. Photo by Atoms on Unsplash. New CDC guidance says some counties in our viewing area meet the threshold to put those face coverings back on. 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. AUGUSTA The Augusta Public Schools will require students, staff and visitors to wear masks regardless of vaccination status next school year. Northam's K-12 mask mandate, and we will continue to make decisions that prioritize the health, safety . ", 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). Now. The Augusta County School Board held a special session on July 29th to discuss what turned out to be two issues. nations top public health agency says vaccinated teachers and students can ditch the mask. Latest trends. Send us your news tip here. Click here for "Masks and Safety Protocols". He shared the letter from the pediatricians at the board meeting. Stay Connected . The policies say schools should allow students to use the restroom that corresponds with their gender identity. Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration. McCormick voted against the mandate, saying she believes the decision for students to wear masks should be up to families, not the school administration. Verify your phone numbers and contact preferences are correct in Campus Parent > User > Settings > Contact Preferences. The delta variant is so very contagious it appears to cause high viral loads even in vaccinated people who become infected.. //]]> 2022, 12:02 p.m. Paula Gentile helps out as a substitute in Tana Spelman's class at Bishop Elementary in Augusta . The school board also voted to follow the contact tracing guidelines from the Virginia Department of Health. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WHSV) - Augusta County students will head to school on Tuesday, August 10 wearing masks. Many have since returned to school, but the virus continues to spread. School boards are required by state law to enact the policies for the 2021-22. You are muzzling our children. The Augusta Board of Education voted. About 50 people attended the Augusta County School . AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) - Augusta County Public Schools is set to become mask-optional in three weeks. The school board is elected, and the current superintendent is Dr. Eric Bond. The superintendent is great, the principal was wonderful. 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. If your area is orange or red, you should require masks inside. His first item of focus is the rights of parents. Tomorrow marks one week until Columbia County and some Richmond County students start the new year. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) - As COVID-19 cases surge within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask mandates. While the nations top public health agency says vaccinated teachers and students can ditch the mask, some say its too soon. 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. I hope youre on the same side.. 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 main issue was the recent Commonwealth decision that all schools needed to have a non-discrimination policy in place in regards to transgender students. This new science is worrisome and unfortunately warrants an update to our recommendation., RELATED: New CDC guidelines call for masks in schools K-12. Regardless of vaccination status, the Augusta Public Schools will require masks for people entering its buildings next school year. The Augusta Public Schools will have in-person learning, five days a week. Parent Portal Student registration DOCUMENTS PERSONNEL Acceptable use policy STAFF Portal bGMS construction update RMS Construction Update Reading Specialist (Former Employee) - Verona, VA - August 12, 2020. It was heated at times - like when people called board members cowards for wearing masks and forcing students to wear them. 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. Its equal or worse than in December, and our healthcare workers are drowning, said Tara Mahanes. Best for a great weekend. Ed.D., Deputy Superintendent (540) 245-5108, Where Students Grow Intellectually, Physically, and Emotionally. The CDC also hasnt said how teachers can know which students are vaccinated or how parents will know which teachers are immunized. Another potential headache: the CDC is still recommending schools continue to space kids out and keep their desks three feet apart. Columbia County . Some in Augusta County oppose school mask mandates as COVID-19 cases surge. 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. Add the 10-digit school phone number and the Augusta County Schools district phone number (540-245-5100) to your phone contacts. Our children under 12 years of age are not eligible to be vaccinated, so the best thing to protect them is to continue masking and social distancing, the letter from the local pediatricians said. Some quoted scripture, while others blamed politics. The district had held. Success. ", 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.". window.__mirage2 = {petok:"ndsTchhICxLNjF_dxI18aRlyWnQfS.IeNB3Ql0MS2hM-1800-0"}; Her motion died for lack of a second. Based on current conditions, this is what we need to do to make that happen. A sign encourages students, teachers and visitors to wear masks at Ladson Elementary School on Aug. 11, 2021. 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. 1:30 PM Community Policy Management Team. Becoming a Foster Parent Become a foster parent to a child in need. They have been in public places and taken place in social gatherings. Get up to 20% off. 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. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. While the nation's top public health agency says vaccinated teachers and students can ditch the mask, some. 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 unanimously affirmed at its meeting Thursday they would follow the law as now presented to them. Staunton and Waynesboro schools will continue requiring masks for all students and staff. I feel like everyone should still be wearing masks, vaccinated or not, said Shae Helms, a sophomore at Amherst County High School. About 50 people attended the Augusta County School Board meeting Thursday night. 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). Otherwise, a 14-day quarantine will be required. Kati McCormick was the only board member to vote against the measure. I believe in Jesus Christ. Im not real sure how well they work to begin with, Dana Worley, her mom, said. "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. Staunton and Waynesboro schools will continue requiring masks for all students and staff. Copyright 2023 WSLS.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. Get notified when the ePaper has been delivered (requires subscription), Augusta Public Schools to enforce mask wearing for all students, staff, visitors, Augusta Public School Board pursues pool testing for reducing pandemic requirements. All say theyre waiting for additional guidance from the Virginia Department of Education, the Virginia Department of Health and Governor Ralph Northam. I want to work with you. Augusta County Public Schools is the organization that operates the public school system in Augusta County, Virginia. AUGUSTA, Ga. - The Richmond County Board of Education met Tuesday night to get a COVID update from the superintendent. Im asking for a choice for a virtual option during this surge. Augusta County School Boards motion on Wednesday includes flexibility to alter its plans if case numbers 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). Teacher at Dixon Preschool Center Augusta County Public Schools 4.2 As always, we will continue to monitor the situation and communicate any changes to you. With this vote, students and staff must still wear masks while in school until Feb. 14. A month since Rosenberg was forced out, Staunton City Council hasn't secured search firm, Staunton man pleads guilty to a string of burglaries, gets nearly 10 years in prison, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Starting Thursday, masks will be required for students, staff, and visitors to all district facilities and buses, regardless of vaccination status. Collins said he worded his motion so it gave a date for going mask optional, but also gave the board its own options. Now it is easier than ever to stay up-to-date with the news. 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. 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. The VDOE did not mandate the mask usage, and Augusta County opted to leave it up to individual students and staff. Your cooperation with this change is expectedand appreciated. Copyright 2021 WVIR. Its still a big health problem, she said. Allegan Public Schools: K-6 masks required; 7-8 TBD; 9-12 optional | Details. Students will be permitted to remove masks during lunch and while outside. 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. That's why we try our best to make it easy to live in this beautiful place we call home. Data Not Collected The developer does not collect any data from this app. 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.. People are also reading 'Cousin Eddie' display from 'Christmas Vacation' leads to Kentucky police response EVANS, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - The decision for Columbia County schools to require masks comes after the district says it has at least 1,000 people at home quarantining, and 296 more students who. 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. Kortney joined the 10 News team as a Lynchburg Bureau Reporter in May 2021. Create a commenting profile by providing an email address, password and display name. I would rather go with safety; I want kids to be in school five days a week.. Use the form below to reset your password. Already have a commenting profile? Make masks mandatory! He said "lots of parents" had reached out to him saying masks had created emotional damage for their children. Face coverings and masks will be optional at Charleston County schools when students return to their classrooms Aug. 18. To date, they have distributed 20,230 devices. Below you will find several links to helpful resources for our residents. 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. Not even fire-engine red Augusta County is on board with Gov. Masks are still required on buses per federal law. That guidance comes as cases are rising virtually everywhere across the country -- including in the Charlottesville area. You have permission to edit this article. You will receive an email to complete the registration. https://www.augusta.k12.va.us Other board members shared their reasoning for voting in favor of the mask mandate. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page. My biggest concern is, I would never go into your home and tell you whats best for your child, McCormick said. List of Augusta County Public Schools. School Board members made the decision Thursday . "Personally, I would like to see the masks gone," Chairperson David Shiflett said, "but now I dont think is the time.. 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. 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. School board votes to make masks optional for all students, staff in Augusta County. Heritage Pharma plans to start testing Monday, Jan. 24, and families are asked to stay tuned for more details. 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. All rights reserved. Kids' face masks with Augusta County Schools designs for a child-friendly fit. Afterward, the public spoke and most of the comments were about masks in school. Don't have a commenting profile? 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. Published: Jan. 20, 2022 at 7:43 PM PST. "In light of those considerations, the practice is to allowconsistencyin how students and staff are treated with respect to mitigation measures.". 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. About 20 minutes into the school board meeting Thursday evening, members went into closed session with its legal council. The opportunity to grow professionally is evident there. Copyright 2021 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved. As COVID-19 cases surge within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask mandates. Augusta County Public Schools.