State Health Commissioner Order of Public Health Emergency Statewide Requirement to Wear Masks in K-12 Schools
The State Health Commissioner, pursuant to §§ 32,1-13 and 32.1-20 of the Code of Virginia, herby issues this Order finding that a public health emergency due to COVID-19 continues to exist, and requiring all individuals ages two and older to wear masks when indoors at public and private K-12 schools in order to inhibit spread of the virus, as recommended and described by the CDC.
This Order shall be enforced pursuant to § 32.1-27 of the Code of Virginia. This Order shall be effective August 12, 2021, and shall remain in full force and effect until the CDC guidelines for K-12 schools change, unless this Order is sooner amended or rescinded.
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Public Health Order PHE-Order_K-12-8-12-2021.pdf
Public Notice
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Public Statement About Scabies.pdf
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VDH Scabies.pdf
Amelia County Public Schools Welcomes Students Back for the First Day of School on Wednesday, August
11, 2021
Hello Amelia Students and Families. This is Dr. Lori Harper, Superintendent of Amelia County Public Schools. Welcome to the start of the 2021-2022 school year. We are looking forward to the full-time return of students to school tomorrow.
This year, the start times of each of our schools are staggered with the official start time of the high school at 8:05, the middle school at 8:15, and the elementary school at 8:25. These staggered start times also mean that there are staggered drop off times for students whose parents drive them to school. The high school will begin accepting drop offs at 7:45, the middle school at 7:55, and the elementary school at 8:05. Please note these changes. They are also posted on our website at Amelia.k12.va.us.
Amelia County Public Schools (ACPS) takes student health seriously. We understand that not everyone agrees with all of the mitigation strategies in place regarding COVID-19. We also understand that some families are opposed to their student wearing a mask. At the present time, federal law requires everyone who rides a bus to wear a mask, and state law requires everyone in elementary and secondary schools to wear a mask. Please be sure to send your student to school tomorrow with a mask. We hope that it will not be long before these mitigation strategies are no longer needed. Until that time, we ask that families work with us on these matters.
The opening of a new school year is an exciting time for all. Teachers, administrators, and all Amelia County Public Schools staff have been working hard to prepare for this school year. If we work together as Team Amelia we can make it a great year! Thank you and have a nice evening.
Amelia County Public Schools first day back will start on Wednesday, August 11 2021. Open House will be held on Thursday, August 5, 2021 (12 -7 PM). We look forward to a great start of the 2021-2022 school year! Please review our Regular Instructional Calendar linked below for the 2021-2022 school year. Also please note our new school hours posted below.
ACPS 2021-2022 Instructional Calendar- Regular Calendar- APPROVED.pdf
New School Hours
During the 2021-2022 school year, Amelia County Public Schools will be operating on a new schedule. The start times for schools will be staggered by 10 minutes. The school day will begin earlier at the high school and later at the elementary school. This new schedule, approved by the school board during the June 7th board meeting, provides equity in time for all schools.
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School Hours
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Drop-Off and Pick-Up Times
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Teacher Hours
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ACHS 8:05-2:55
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7:45 a.m. and 2:55 p.m.
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7:45-3:15
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ACMS 8:15-3:05
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7:55 a.m. and 3:05 p.m.
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7:55-3:25
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ACES 8:25-3:15
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8:05 a.m. and 3:15 p.m.
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8:05-3:35
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ACPS Procedures for Isolation and Quarantine
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Amelia County is situated in Virginia’s Piedmont Health District. As such, Amelia County Public Schools (ACPS) and all other public and private schools are required to follow the guidelines established by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and the Piedmont Health District (PDH). The guidelines for isolation of a COVID positive person (student or staff) and the guidelines for quarantine of a person (student or staff) classified as a close contact of a COVID positive person are outlined in the VDH graphic. This process as outlined by VDH and PHD has been followed by ACPS since the start of the pandemic. There are 2 recent VDH authorized exceptions to these procedures: 1)“In indoor K-12 settings, a student who is within 3 to 6 feet of an infected student is not considered a close contact as long as both students are wearing masks and the school has other prevention strategies in place. This exception does not apply to teachers, staff, or other adults in indoor K-12 settings,” and 2) Fully vaccinated persons identified as a close contact may provide vaccination documentation and wear a mask in school for 14 days (see requirements in #4 below).
In summary: ACPS is required to follow this process:
1. Document COVID positive cases. Notify the positive person of the 10-day minimum isolation period.
2. Conduct contact tracing in accordance with PHD standards (who did the person have close contact with two days prior to their first symptoms and/or positive test).
3. Contact each person identified as a close contact and notify them of the required 14-day quarantine period for non-household contacts and 24-day quarantine period for household contacts. Follow up with a letter.
4. Notify close contacts of the exception for vaccinated persons, and schedule COVID-19 test 3-5 days after exposure, offer 14 days of mask wearing in lieu of 14 days of out of school quarantine. Vaccinated persons with symptoms must obtain a COVID-19 test as soon as possible, and if the test is positive must isolate for 10 days.
.jpg "VDH Attachment")
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Superintendent's Message to the Community
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Dear Parents, Students, and Amelia Community;
Welcome to the 2021-2022 school year. We are so excited to be open full time this
year! We are looking forward to welcoming the return of our students and seeing
them Monday through Friday each week.
Many of the practices in place prior to the pandemic will be reinstated; however,
some practices from the 2020-2021 school year will remain in place. We will
separate student desks to the greatest extent possible. In many cases, but not all,
this will mean 3 feet of distance between desks. Our schools have also worked to
balance class sizes. Upon receiving signed Code of Conduct forms, individual
student Chromebooks will be distributed by classroom teachers during the first
week of school. Families of ACPS students attending Virtual Virginia full time
this year may sign out a Chromebook from the school office with their student’s
corresponding grade during office hours from August 4 to August 10. Please
contact your student’s school for specific information.
During the 2020-2021 school year, Amelia County Public Schools (ACPS) began
the strategic planning process to collaboratively create a five-year plan to move our
school district into the future. This process will continue into the 2021-2022
school year. We have benefited from the participation of a variety of stakeholders
and encourage your involvement in this and other ACPS events.
On August 5, 2021, from 12:00 to 7:00 p.m., we welcome families to our Open
House. Each school will share information about this special event. We encourage
parents to become active members of each school community. We are Team
Amelia, and together the future is bright.
Sincerely,
Lori Harper, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Amelia County Public Schools
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Public Comment - Use of Pandemic Relief Funding for Amelia County Public Schools - ARP Act
Amelia County Public Schools (ACPS) is seeking public comment on the use of grant funds under the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) fund. ACPS requests input from the public on how funds retained at the local level should be used to assist in mitigating the effects of COVID-19 on teaching and learning. Commenters may wish to provide input on how students' academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs should be addressed, particularly for student groups that have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. Public comment will be accepted via Google Survey or by emailing Dr. Jan Medley, Director of Student Services, at medleyj@ameliaschools.com with the words "Public Comment" on the subject line. Input provided will inform the development of the local ARP ESSER grant application.
Google Form Link:
https://bit.ly/3h5pJ8Z
Special Education Advisory Committee is Seeking Additional Members
Amelia County Public Schools is looking for additional members to serve on the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC). The purpose of the committee is to advise the school division in the education of children with disabilities and participate in developing priorities for meeting the needs of students with disabilities in the division. Committee meetings are held four times a year and are open to the public. If you are a parent of a child with a disability or an individual with a disability, reach out to Dr. Jan Medley, Director of Student Services at 804-561-2621 for an application. We are looking for a diverse representation of members across the five districts in Amelia.
Approved 2021-2022 ACPS Calendars>
On Monday, January 11, 2021 the Amelia County School Board approved the instructional calendars and approved work days/pay dates for the upcoming 2021-2022 school year. Amelia County Public Schools will begin the 2021-2022 school year with the "regular" instructional calendar.
Highlights of the "regular" instructional calendar include the following:
- 180 day instructional calendar which ends for students and 10 month employees prior to the Memorial Day holiday
- Provides for a two-week Winter Break
- Aligns Spring Break with surrounding central Virginia/ Richmond area school divisions
- Provides a student/staff holiday on Easter Monday
- Provides either a full teacher work day or 1/2 teacher work day at the end of the 1st and 3rd marking periods (to provide teachers with work time related to end of quarter grades and report cards)
- Provides for (1) day for parent/teacher conferences on November 1st from 12:00-7:00 P.M., followed by a Teacher Professional Development day on November 2nd
- Provides for a teacher work day (student holiday) the day after an evening of parent/teacher conferences
Thank you for your continued support of Amelia County Public Schools and #TeamAmelia!