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. Like WTOP on Facebook and follow WTOP on Twitter and Instagram to engage in conversation about this article and others. News4s Justin Finch reports. Glenn Youngkin issued an executive order stating that parents can choose whether their child wears a face covering to school as of Monday, Jan. 24. 1 dead, 1 injured after shooting in Northwest D.C. 7 passengers taken to hospitals after turbulence diverts flight to Dulles. In new guidance Tuesday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended masks indoors for all teachers, staff, students and visitors to schools, regardless of vaccination status. Download the WUSA9 app to get breaking news, weather and important stories at your fingertips. Several school systems are lifting their mask mandates early. The Virginia Senate passed a bill on Wednesday allowing parents to ignore local school boards mandates on children wearing masks in school. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. 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. Fairfax County was also one of seven Virginia school systems that sued Gov. Fairfax County Public Schools is also dropping its mask requirement based on a new state law allowing a mask opt-out for students. See this Health Department guidance on isolation and how to identify and inform your close contacts. Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here. They cited startling new information on the ability of the delta variant to spread among vaccinated people. Health department authority may be applied in significant outbreak situations. To read the full statement from Fairfax Schools. While the county says its rollback plan will be triggered by a drop in cases, the plan may become moot if lawmakers in Richmond continue to advance mask-optional legislation that would prohibit local school boards from imposing mask mandates. We all seek a moment when we can go to creating mask-optional conditions. 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. Web accessibility ensures access to the web for everyone, regardless of disability. 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. WebCONTACT INFORMATION: Our administration office at 10777 Main Street in Fairfax is open during regular business hours 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday. 5425 Wisconsin Ave 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. There are staff who also want to have added protections in place such as better air purification and higher quality masks.. Prince William County said they would announce an update to their policy later Friday. Businesses have the right to set up requirements on their own. Glenn Youngkin signed into law a bill that requires schools in the Commonwealth to make mask-wearing optional by March 1. FCPS says student screening testing will be available during moderate, substantial and high community transmission to the greatest extent possible, in alignment with CDC guidance. The school system said contact tracing, isolation and quarantine policies will continue for the time being. Looking for more information? The CDC recommends universal masking in K-12 educational settings. Masks arent the only policy change FCPS announced will change as transmission rates dip. If that effort fails to persuade the student to mask up, parents will be contacted to direct the student to comply. All Rights Reserved. In a letter, the group encouraged people to send letters to principals stating, forced masking is wrong. They asked people to be courteous and respectful to school staff. All Rights Reserved. A South Florida native, Scott graduated from the University of Maryland in 2019. Efforts to vaccinate students are ongoing. The guidance is reflective of current public health recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Virginia Department of Health (VDH), and Fairfax County Health Department. RELATED: Virginia Senate passes bill to make masks optional in schools. 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. Glenn Youngkin on Monday, objecting to his executive order overruling their mask policies and making the wearing of Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. "The more protections or layers of protection we can do is important to me," Perez said. Your commute. 2023 WTOP. 5425 Wisconsin Ave 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.. "If there is a need to quarantine a particular student we would be reaching out to them," he added. We will share updates as we receive them, Brabrand said. WUSA9 is now on Roku and Amazon Fire TVs. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 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.. All rights reserved. "There's still going to be challenges, but I think having all the students back in the classroom is just going to be better for wellness, for mental health, to help people get back to some form of normalcy," parent Tiffany Kittrell said. 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. "We'll have some outdoor classrooms and outdoor areas in many schools for eating," Brabrand said. Driver killed after crashing stolen Maserati on Beltway in Fairfax Co. Grand jury indicts DC employee charged with killing 13-year-old boy. Masks will be worn at all times by both staff and students indoors and on school buses, but are not required when eating or when outside during recess, PE, or other activities, FCPS said to families. In the event of a regional surge, FCPS says it may need to adjust its layered prevention strategies to safely provide in-person instruction. Must have good credit. Last year, if a Fairfax County student or teacher tested positive, the entire class would switch to distance learning for a couple of weeks. You can read the full item I introducedhere. It is our hope that FCPS continues to follow CDC guidelines to protect ALL people in our educational environment. To change the language of this website, click the drop-down list and select the desired language. Scott Gelman is a digital editor and writer for WTOP. Schools follow established guidelines to offer books in their libraries that meet the needs of students and reflect a global society. Fairfax County Public Schools issued a reminder that its policy on wearing masks has not changed. School Library Collections 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. 5425 Wisconsin Ave The school district will regularly review their requirements, they said. Driver killed after crashing stolen Maserati on Beltway in Fairfax Co. Grand jury indicts DC employee charged with killing 13-year-old boy. Download the WUSA9 app to get breaking news, weather and important stories at your fingertips. To change the language of this website, click the drop-down list and select the desired language. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. Contact the Health Department Call Center with questions, 703-267-3511. Her 5-year-old son is entering kindergarten with a compromised immune system. Make sure your students understand the importance of a good education and regular attendance. 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 Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you. Moderate transmission constitutes 10 to 50 cases per 100,000 people. Wearing masks will be optional for students beginning March 1. Our steps forward will be measured and guided by expert recommendations and local health data," said Scott S. Brabrand, Superintendent of Fairfax County Public 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. Students who are not compliant with the foregoing may be subject to counseling, loss of privileges, removal from class or activities, or disciplinary action, the dress code policy reads. Loudoun County, for example, announced hours after Youngkin signed the bill that they would lift their mask mandate Feb. 22. The school board said they endorsed the interim superintendents decision in order to protect students and staff. No more than 2 incomes to qualify. Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you. 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. Visit their official sites here: Virginia | Maryland | D.C. WTOPs Jessica Kronzer contributed to this report. 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! Wash your hands often, for at least 20 seconds. The updated guidance places less emphasize on positive cases and more focus on hospital strain. Under new CDC guidelines, released Friday, people, including schoolchildren, should wear masks when the risk of COVID-19 is high. The school system, Brabrand said, will orchestrate contact tracing in limited circumstances when identified by local health officials and wont tell students to quarantine unless theyre identified as a close contact during a school-based outbreak. The move follows the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable and supportive school environment. Copyright 2022 by WTOP. Neighboring Fairfax County Public Schools was one of seven districts suing Gov. Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces. The Fairfax County Web site is being translated through "machine translation" powered by Google Translate. Copyright 2022 by WTOP. Neighboring counties in Virginia such as Prince William, Loudoun, Arlington and the City of Alexandria have also made masks optional in schools. Some schools and facilities have health and safety guidance shared on their websites. 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 governor. Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you. Our layered prevention strategies have proven effective in keeping transmission rates low in our schools.". Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here. Chevy Chase, MD 20815. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. But until then, or until March 1, Brabrand said, Please be aware that we are currently still in high transmission as defined by the CDC, and all of our layered prevention strategies, including universal masking, remain in place., In a statement, Kimberly Adams, president of the Fairfax Education Association that represents over 4,000 school employees, said: We still remain concerned but are hopeful that by March 1 our COVID positivity rates and case counts continue to drop. WebRestraint and Seclusion Policy The Fairfax County School Board has approved a new policy on Restraint and Seclusion, effective 12/17/2020. There are still many anxious staff and parents of immunocompromised students. Though Petersen said his proposal arose on its own, it closely mirrors Gov. FAIRFAX, Va. Fairfax County Public Schools will make mask-wearing optional on school property starting Tuesday. 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. In a posting on its website, FCPS said while COVID-19 cases continue to decline, the county is still in high transmission, and masking requirements currently remain. 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. Despite Virginia Gov. Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here. Students Now is the time to stay the course, Fairfax County schools Superintendent Scott Brabrand said. In a statement, Kimberly Adams, president of the Fairfax Education Association that represents over 4,000 school employees, said: There are many people who will not be protected by removing a mask requirement. Disclaimer. Masks will also be enforced on school buses in accordance with the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) public transportation federal COVID-19 guidance. If the House passes the bill, Gov. DC: D.C. Public Schools will require masks, officials said Friday. Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here. Fairfax, VA 22035. Booster doses are now available for those 6 months and older as well. View details, map and photos of this single family property with 5 bedrooms and 4 total baths. As of Friday, before the CDC updated its guidelines,the county was listed as experiencing substantial community transmission, according to CDC data. Glenn Youngkin. 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. Dick Uliano | duliano@wtop.com. 703-267-3511 TTY 711 health@fairfaxcounty.gov 10777 Main Street Fairfax, VA 22030 FCPS also encouraged anyone who is eligible to get vaccinated if they have not yet received their vaccine against the COVID-19 virus. 12000 Government Center Pkwy The county had previously announced plans to make masks optional once community transmission, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fell into the moderate transmission range. The news comes as the CDC reversed course on mask wearing, now recommending that people in certain areas should wear masks indoors even if they have been vaccinated against the virus. Digital Citizenship: Shared Responsibility, Google Workspace for Education in the Classroom, Google Workspace Information for Students and Parents, Differences Between Parent and Student Accounts: Schoology, Parent and Guardian Communication Tools: Schoology, Welcome FCPS Parents and Guardians to Schoology, Student Information System (SIS) for FCPS, SIS Parent Account - Weekly Progress Report Emails, Student Information System (SIS) - ParentVUE Mobile App, Student Information System (SIS) - StudentVUE Mobile App, Student Information System (SIS) StudentVUE, Student Information System - SIS Parent Account Overview, Annual Audit Plan, Audit Reports, and External Reviews, External Reviews - Audits From Outside FCPS. All adults, including staff and visitors, are still required to wear masks, Brabrand said. 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. We want all families to be confident that their children are learning in a safe, supportive environment., At Thursday nights school board meeting, Fairfax County School Board Chair Stella Pekarsky shared a statement on behalf of the board, noting: We strongly recommend that parents and students continue to have their children wear masks in school.. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. On Beltway in Fairfax Co. Grand jury indicts DC employee charged with killing 13-year-old.! `` machine translation '' powered by Google Translate in a letter, the group people. Mandate Feb. 22 the updated guidance places less emphasize on positive cases more... Seclusion policy the Fairfax County Public schools will make mask-wearing optional by March 1 schools was one of seven suing!, effective 12/17/2020 guidance places fairfax county public schools mask policy emphasize on positive cases and more on... 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