Schools in the CSRA are preparing to open for the 2021-2022 school year, and the number of new COVID-19 cases continue to rise.
On July 27, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new recommendations for fully-vaccinated people that include wearing a mask in public settings in areas of substantial or high transmission. The changes are spurred on by the delta variant driving up case numbers across the country, particularly in areas with low vaccination rates.
Richmond County is listed as a substantial transmission area. Columbia and Aiken Counties are both listed as high transmission.
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The CDC also made recommendations for schools.
Federal health officials recommend universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students and visitors to schools, regardless of vaccination status.
Richmond County School District has released an updated mandate for the new school year in light of the CDC recommendations.
Citing the most recent guidance from the CDC and in collaboration with the Georgia Department of Public Health, RCSS will require masks for all K-12 students, staff and visitors to any district facility, beginning Aug. 2. Masks will also be required on school buses.
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Students will be allowed to remove masks during lunch and while outside their building.
The full RCSS plan can be read here.
Classes for elementary students start on Aug. 5. Students in K-8, middle and high school begin Aug. 9.
The district also offers several virtual education opportunities. Those are explained on the district’s website.
Columbia County students return to in-person classes on Aug. 5. Columbia County also offers online learning via the district’s first Virtual Academy. More than 400 students grade 6-12 are enrolled.
The Columbia County back to school plan can be viewed here.
The plan encourages social distancing in building and on school grounds as much as possible. Students and staff are permitted to wear masks if they desire to do so. Masks will be required on school buses.
Responding to an email request, district spokeswoman Abbigail Remkus said, “Safety of our students and staff is a top priority. District leaders have and will continue to monitor positive cases in our community and make adjustments to the Return to School Plan as needed. Any changes or updates will be communicated to students, parents and the community.”
The latest CDC recommendations may create a dilemma for South Carolina schools.
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The 2021-2022 appropriations bill passed by the South Carolina general assembly includes a proviso on mask-wearing: “No school district, or any of its schools, may use any funds appropriated or authorized pursuant to this act to require that its students and/or employees wear a facemask at any of its education facilities. This prohibition extends to the announcement or enforcement of any such policy.”
In a statement explaining the proviso, state school superintendent Molly Spearman said that means no district can create a policy requiring mask-wearing in school district buildings or on buses. She said any district that does decide to require the wearing of masks could have its state funding withheld.
However, Spearman said she does continue to recommend students and staff voluntarily wear masks as appropriate, which is also recommended by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.
“Districts can strongly recommend, just as we’re doing, that all those who are in K-through-12 schools wear masks while they’re indoors,”Dr. Brannon Traxler, DHEC’s public health director, said.
She added, “I think the important thing is, although plans put in place by each school district may differ, that they all be based on science and guidance that DHEC and CDC are putting out. We recognize that different, local entities have unique features and they have to put in place guidelines that are best for their specific location.”
Traxler and Aiken Superintendent King Laurence urged everyone aged 12 and older to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
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Aiken resumes in-person classes on Aug. 16. The district also offers AIKEN iNNOVATE for students who enrolled for online classes. District Spokesman Mike Rosier said 275 students are enrolled in that program.
Aiken’s back to school plan can be read here.
The Augusta area’s colleges and universities are also preparing for classes to resume.
Augusta University’s fall semester starts Aug. 11 with guidelines on the school’s website.
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AU President Brooks Keel has announced a town hall to provide updated information for students, faculty and staff regarding campus operations in the fall. The town hall will be held at 4 p.m. on Aug. 5. It will be in the Auditoria Center on the Health Science Campus. It will also be livestreamed at: https://www.augusta.edu/stream/
The University of South Carolina-Aiken fall semester begins Aug. 19. It has posted guidelines on its website.
Paine College students begin fall semester on Aug. 2. The college’s COVID-19 safety plan is available on its website.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a Staff Reporter with The Augusta Press. You can reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com.
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