May 19, 2021. MORE | Threat puts Thomson High School put on. Augusta County residents lead busy lives. Via has three kids in Augusta County Public Schools and only one of them is old enough to get the shot. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) - As COVID-19 cases surge within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask mandates. Learn more. Subscribe to usat newsleader.com. Tomorrow marks one week until Columbia County and some Richmond County students start the new year. 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. Collins said he worded his motion so it gave a date for going mask optional, but also gave the board its own options. To date, they have distributed 20,230 devices. 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.. Do you have a story idea? 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.". AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) - As COVID-19 cases surge within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask mandates. Shenandoah Valley Center for Advanced Learning, Valley Career & Technical Center49 Hornet RoadFishersville, VA 22939Phone: (540) 245-5002Fax: (540) 885-0407info@valleytech.us. 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. Now. Editor. North River representative Nick Collins made the motion Thursday, which gives the school board a chance to reevaluate the decision in the coming weeks if there are any legal challenges to Virginia Gov. Beloved local eatery, The Pie Chest, closing for good this month, Family of Ukrainian refugees using music to adapt to life in Charlottesville. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) - As COVID-19 cases surge within Augusta County Schools, many people continue to speak out against mask mandates. 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. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Click here for "Masks and Safety Protocols" . How to order free testing kits from the government. 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. Face coverings and masks will be optional at Charleston County schools when students return to their classrooms Aug. 18. More. VERONA Officials with Augusta County Public Schools have announced that masks won't be required beginning Monday for students, staff and visitors. 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 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. "In light of those considerations, the practice is to allowconsistencyin how students and staff are treated with respect to mitigation measures.". That guidance comes as cases are rising virtually everywhere across the country -- including in the Charlottesville area. {{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. People spoke for and against requiring students to wear masks this fall, as the school board previously stated masks would be optional. School board votes to make masks optional for all students, staff in Augusta County. You are muzzling our children. 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. 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. Click here for "Masks and Safety Protocols". Learn More You are now exiting the Augusta County, VA. 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. If you need help with the Public File, call 540-512-1558. Over the summer, our children have been maskless, Welcher said. I hope youre on the same side.. The school board is elected, and the current superintendent is Dr. Eric Bond. Only two people spoke out in favor of masks. 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. 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. 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. 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. The superintendent also reminded families that student assessments, such as Georgia Milestones, will count toward student promotion. His first item of focus is the rights of parents. 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. 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 . This is a political scam to see who is going to sit down and shut up, Riverheads student Joshua Cox said . Plenty of Augusta-area locations offer them, At-home COVID test website launches early. Masks will be required for anyone inside Charleston County schools until Oct. 15, 2021. Wayne District representative Tim Swortzel made the motion to make face-coverings optional and North River representative Nicholas Collins seconded. Shop the collection. By Jessica Mallow. Please wait for the page to reload. Now it is easier than ever to stay up-to-date with the news. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Washtenaw County schools opt to keep masks on 'until further notice' . //