Because our plan is based on scientific data, we believe this plan gives us a roadmap to move forward safely. the school system said. The Fairfax County School Board has approved a new policy on Restraint and Seclusion, effective 12/17/2020. WTOP.com | Alexa | Google Home | WTOP App | 103.5 FM, Latest coronavirus test results in DC, Maryland and Virginia, Latest vaccination numbers in DC, Maryland and Virginia, Mother of unarmed man shot, killed by police near Tysons mall demands video, records, 1 killed in Fairfax Co. crash, police say. @nbcwashington pic.twitter.com/2BjSPYbs4g. Maintaining the layered prevention strategies is our only way out of this pandemic that has now taken more than 1,400 lives just in Fairfax County.. On Thursday, the 12-member school board voted to authorize the countys legal counsel to file an amicus brief in the pending federal case challenging Executive Order No. Scott Gelman | sgelman@wtop.com. Scott Brabrand said in a letter to families and staff that We recognize our legal obligations under SB739, the ban on school mask mandates passed by the General Assembly this month and signed into law by Gov. Reverts to original layout including graphics and images. School Library Collections Download a freeAdobe Readerplug-in to view the policies, regulations, and notices. MLS# VAFX2114624. In the end, we will respect the legal process, and we are confident that we have a strong legal case, Brabrand said. We all seek a moment when we can go to creating mask-optional conditions. Gorgeous 5 bedroom/3.5 bath home located on a cul-de-sac. Chevy Chase, MD 20815. Example video title will go here for this video. Seven school districts in Virginia sued Gov. Fairfax will begin its roll back strategy after the surrounding community reaches moderate transmission for seven consecutive days, according to FCPAs All Rights Reserved. A called the #SeeOurSmiles campaign said it planned to rally in protest at Langley High School and Forestville Elementary School Tuesday in opposition to the mask policy, but News4 visited both schools and no rallies were underway. The Fairfax County Health Department has developedguidancefor managing COVID-19 cases and outbreaks inyouth athletic and club programs, including both in-school and after-school recreational programs as well as for childcare programs, including in-home daycares and before/after school programs. Fairfax County Public Schools issued a reminder that its policy on wearing masks has not changed. "The more protections or layers of protection we can do is important to me," Perez said. After a large group of students at Woodgrove High School, part of Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS), decided to defy the schools mask mandate Monday, LCPS has responded. Prince William and Loudoun County schools have already dropped their mask requirements, and Arlington and Alexandria announced plans for optional masking beginning March 1. If there is an exposure in schools, the school will notify affected families, per FCPS. Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you. 12000 Government Center Pkwy Access the current versions of FCPS policies, regulations, and notices using ourpolicies index. FCPS Superintendent Dr. Scott Brabrand told WUSA9 that schools are still encouraged to be creative and innovative as social distancing will likely be impossible with over 99.5% of the 180,000 students in the county returning to classrooms. As COVID-19 vaccination rates stall and the delta variant spreads across the United States, school districts in the D.C. area are announcing their plans on whether to require masks this fall. As Fairfax County public school students return to classes Tuesday, following an extra-long weekend, school officials have outlined a plan to enforce the policy of mask-wearing in schools. Face coverings are still required when participating in the countys test-to-stay program and when returning to school on day six of a 10-day quarantine. The school system said community transmission levels dropped into the substantial category and they hope it could reach moderate community transmission as early as next week. Fairfax County is in low community spread category. The move follows the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We anticipate that the CDC may update public health guidance early next week. January 28, 2022 3:26 PM. Visit their official sites here: Virginia | Maryland | D.C. Rick Massimo came to WTOP, and to Washington, in 2013 after having lived in Providence, R.I., since he was a child. MPD: 26-year-old man arrested for engaging in unwanted sexual contact with a woman in NW DC, Man under arrest for engaging in unwanted sexual contact with a woman in Northwest DC, police say, 7 injured on flight to Germany that had emergency landing at Dulles, Snowy and cold or dry and warm? These Valuable Pennies Are Worth Thousands. Reverts to original layout including graphics and images, Gloria Addo-Ayensu, M.D., M.P.H.,Director of Health. This page explains how FCPS gathers information on our web site and with whom and under what conditions we share this information. Your commute. The Health Department continues to work closely with our partners in the schools to prevent the spread of the illness and disinformation about COVID-19. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. WTOP.com | Alexa | Google Home | WTOP App | 103.5 FM. Chevy Chase, MD 20815. Arlington County will leave their mask mandate in place until March 1. Your news.Sign up for the Capitol Breach email newsletter, delivering the latest breaking news and a roundup of the investigation into the Capitol Riots on January 6, 2021. Businesses have the right to set up requirements on their own. We recognize our responsibilities to make reasonable accommodations for students to meet their personal religious obligations, ensure that it neither promotes nor discourages religion in the schools, and permit student-initiated religious expression to the same extent that it permits other student speech. Fairfax County Public Schools announced plans to scale back its COVID-19 prevention measures as cases decline. If that effort fails to persuade the student to mask up, parents will be contacted to direct the student to comply. Driver killed after crashing stolen Maserati on Beltway in Fairfax Co. Grand jury indicts DC employee charged with killing 13-year-old boy. The Fairfax County Web site is being translated through "machine translation" powered by Google Translate. Wash your hands often, for at least 20 seconds. A South Florida native, Scott graduated from the University of Maryland in 2019. Fairfax County Public Schools announced its plans to safely scale back layered prevention measures, Thursday, as Virginias House of Delegates readies to vote on a bill that gives families the ability to opt-out of COVID-19 mask mandates issued by school systems. Glenn Youngkin to stop his executive order making masks in schools optional, questioning the orders constitutionality. Many of the conspiracy theories contradict each other and the findings in the Energy Department report. Copyright 2022 by WTOP. Through the years, Neal has covered many of the crimes and trials that have gripped the region. 5425 Wisconsin Ave The law gives school systems until March 1 to comply, and Brabrand said the system would continue to follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention until then. Fairfax County Public Schools has signed on to a lawsuit filed on Jan. 24 challenging Youngkins executive order. As a school division, we continue to be concerned about the health of our Fairfax community and strongly recommend that all students continue to participate in universal masking for the protection of students and staff with health concerns, Brabrand wrote. "If there is a need to do something with an individual student - we're not looking at classroom or school-wide closures," Brabrand said. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Fairfax County Public Schools will require masks for everyone inside schools whenever students are present, regardless of vaccination status, information This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. In a letter to parents, Fairfax County Public Schools said they will start the school year with universal masking. Remove all graphics and images from the website so that only the text and links are visible. , according to CDC data collected through Sunday. According to the school system, FCPS will implement our roll back strategy when the Fairfax Community reaches moderate transmission and remains there for seven consecutive days,. Fairfax County Public Schools will require masks for everyone inside schools whenever students are present, regardless of vaccination status, information posted on the school districts website said Wednesday. All rights reserved. Download the WUSA9 app to get breaking news, weather and important stories at your fingertips. Prince Georges County: Masks will be required for students, teachers and staff inside Prince Georges County Public Schools this fall, officials said Monday. Schools CEO Monica Goldson said the vaccination rate among eligible students is still too low, at 50%. 5425 Wisconsin Ave These changes are evidence that we are entering a new phase of the pandemic, Brabrand wrote. Masks arent the only policy change FCPS announced will change as transmission rates dip. Glenn Youngkins executive order giving parents the right to decide whether their student wears a mask in school, school officials said mask-wearing in schools will be enforced. Web accessibility ensures access to the web for everyone, regardless of disability. 2023 WTOP. All rights reserved, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended masks indoors for all teachers, staff, students and visitors to schools, CDC Recommends Masks Indoors in Parts of Virginia, Citing High COVID Rates, CDC Revises Mask Recommendations Over Delta Concerns, opted to give individual districts flexibility to set rules, Virginia Recommends Masks in Schools This Fall, Gives Districts Flexibility, Local School Districts to Decide Whether Or Not to Require Masks, Watch News4: Live and Replays on NBC4 App, Peacock, Roku, Samsung TV Plus & Xumo Play, Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), 7 Passengers Taken to Hospitals After Turbulence Diverts Lufthansa Flight to Dulles Airport, Check Your Change! WTOP.com | Alexa | Google Home | WTOP App | 103.5 FM, In a message to the school community last Friday, Sign up for WTOPs coronavirus email newsletter, Latest coronavirus test results in DC, Maryland and Virginia, Latest COVID-19 vaccination numbers in DC, Maryland and Virginia, Mother of unarmed man shot, killed by police near Tysons mall demands video, records, 1 killed in Fairfax Co. crash, police say. As we work through this change, we will honor our value of a caring culture.See more details about these upcoming changes. FCPS does not plan to regularly test students or staff for COVID-19 so officials are asking anyone who enters our schools is asked to self-assess and stay home if they are feeling ill or experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19. DC: D.C. Public Schools will require masks, officials said Friday. See this Health Department guidance on isolation and how to identify and inform your close contacts. We must continue to respect and serve all our students, including our most vulnerable.. Disclaimer. Clinic services are not offered at this location. "We are also sharing with our students and school leadership that we're asking students that when they're not eating even during lunch time to put their mask on when they're in very close quarters.". These Valuable Pennies Are Worth Thousands. Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you. Though Petersen said his proposal arose on its own, it closely mirrors Gov. What's the Difference Between a Crisis and a Concern? Contact the School Board Office to request more information or to obtain a copy of a policy, regulation, or notice from the historical records. We believe strongly in a caring culture, respecting and understanding each other and how we can grow and thrive together in our school community, Brabrand said. This announcement comes after Virginia Gov. In a message to the school community last Friday, Brabrand said not everyone will agree with the school systems course of action and hopes that the community will support each other and work together to find the right time for us to begin to remove some of our layered prevention strategies, but this is not the time.. Like WTOP on Facebook and follow WTOP on Twitter and Instagram to engage in conversation about this article and others. Fairfax County Public Schools is also dropping its mask requirement based on a new state law allowing a mask opt-out for students. Disclaimer. The county has a seven-day average positivity rate of 9.82%, according to CDC data collected through Sunday. It is our hope that FCPS continues to follow CDC guidelines to protect ALL people in our educational environment. There are staff who also want to have added protections in place such as better air purification and higher quality masks.. Fairfax County Public School students will return to class Tuesday after a long weekend, and masks will still be required despite an order from the Virginia Glenn Youngkins Superintendent Scott Brabrand briefed school district principals Friday on the updated mask policy, which says, Any student who refuses to wear a face covering while indoors on school property or during FCPS-provided transportation, and who is not otherwise exempt will be precluded access to face-to-face instructional programming until Remove all graphics and images from the website so that only the text and links are visible. Sign up for the Get Up DC newsletter:Your forecast. He's the author of "A Walking Tour of the Georgetown Set" and "I Got a Song: A History of the Newport Folk Festival.". "Universal masking is a critical factor in ensuring all students can return to our buildings, especially when social distancing is not possible and not all our students are eligible yet for vaccinations.". Students Looking for more information? Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. Another school district in the Washington, D.C., area will require face masks in schools this fall. This announcement comes after Virginia Gov. 5425 Wisconsin Ave Here's what we are predicting for winter this year, Virginia Senate passes bill to make masks optional in schools, CDC to significantly ease pandemic mask guidelines Friday, During off-campus activities where masks are required by the venue (ex: field trip), Students enrolled in Head Start Program (federal requirement), When attending school on days 6-10 of a quarantine (families who do not want their student to wear a mask on these days will need to complete the full 10-day quarantine at home. Spotsylvania County: The school board voted 6-1 on Monday night to strongly urge students in all grades to wear masks this fall. Glenn Youngkin signed into law a bill that requires schools in the Commonwealth to make mask-wearing optional by March 1. Fairfax County was also one of seven Virginia school systems that sued Gov. The comments were made Thursday by Fairfax County board member Abrar Omeish, 28, in reference to the Day of Remembrance for the internment of Japanese Americans during WWII. It is open Monday Friday,9 a.m. 5p.m. You can also find additional helpful information in the following resources: 12000 Government Center Pkwy But this isnt a steadfast rule based around transmission rates. Our layered prevention strategies have proven effective in keeping transmission rates low in our schools.". The school district said based on new CDC guidance showing low transmission in Fairfax County, masks will also be optional for staff starting March 1. Looking for more information? VisitRecent Changesfor policies that have been updated in the last 45 days. "We do not expect to be in a position where we need to close classrooms or schools this year.". State health and education officials recommended masks in elementary schools regardless of vaccination status, and in middle and high schools among students and staff who are not fully vaccinated, at a minimum. Charles County: Masks will be mandatory on school buses but optional in school buildings. If you are a parent of a student/child at a private school, childcare setting, or camp, reach out to your school nurse oradministrator with questions aboutrequirements for isolation and quarantine. Montgomery County: Face masks will be required for students and staff inside Montgomery County Public Schools this fall regardless of vaccination status, officials said Tuesday. MPD: 26-year-old man arrested for engaging in unwanted sexual contact with a woman in NW DC, Man under arrest for engaging in unwanted sexual contact with a woman in Northwest DC, police say, 7 injured on flight to Germany that had emergency landing at Dulles, Snowy and cold or dry and warm? As Fairfax County public school students return to classes Tuesday following an extra-long weekend, school officials have outlined a plan to enforce the policy of mask-wearing in schools. FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. Fairfax County Public Schools will require masks to be worn at all times by students and staff indoors and on school buses to begin the 2021-22 school year, the school district announced Wednesday. All adults, including staff and visitors, are still required to wear masks, Brabrand said. Once local transmission rates drop to the moderate range, masking will be optional, according to FCPS. Parents with questions about school procedures should contact their school. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. Glenn Youngkins executive order prohibiting school mask mandates. Sign up for the Get Up DC newsletter:Your forecast. 1 dead, 1 injured after shooting in Northwest D.C. 7 passengers taken to hospitals after turbulence diverts flight to Dulles. Brabrands announcement makes the school system the latest to announce plans to comply with a recently passed state law enabling parents to decide if their kids wear masks to school. However, Fairfax County Public Schools says it still requires students and staff to wear face coverings: "FCPS continues to require universal mask wearing in alignment with CDC guidance. WUSA9 is now on Roku and Amazon Fire TVs. No decisions have been announced yet in Alexandria, or Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun or Prince William counties. Your news.Sign up for the Capitol Breach email newsletter, delivering the latest breaking news and a roundup of the investigation into the Capitol Riots on January 6, 2021. Last year, if a Fairfax County student or teacher tested positive, the entire class would switch to distance learning for a couple of weeks. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Layered prevention strategiescan serve to limit exposure and transmission of the virus. The school district is urging parents to have a talk with their child about their family's preference on mask-wearing on school property ahead of Tuesday. Neal Augenstein has been a reporter at WTOP since 1997. The superintendent of the Fairfax County, Virginia, public schools said the school mask mandate will be lifted March 1 in accordance with a new law, but remains in place for now. Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Scott Brabrand wrote that there wouldnt be a formal opt-out process for students who choose not to wear masks. All rights reserved. Prince Georges County: Masks will be required for students, teachers and staff inside Prince Georges County Public Schools this fall, officials said Monday. Fairfax County Superintendent Scott Brabrand says this year, they'll likely only require the people who test positive to quarantine. Chevy Chase, MD 20815. No more than 2 incomes to qualify. Schools CEO Monica Goldson said the vaccination rate among eligible students is still too low, at 50%. Web$4,300 USD: Appointment must be confirmed! Cases continue to be identified in our schools and we expect contact tracing to be done in all sites. WebRestraint and Seclusion Policy The Fairfax County School Board has approved a new policy on Restraint and Seclusion, effective 12/17/2020. Please wear a mask. As of Friday, before the CDC updated its guidelines,the county was listed as experiencing substantial community transmission, according to CDC data. Visit their official sites here: Virginia | Maryland | D.C. 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