An emergency work session meeting will take place tomorrow, August 13, at 12:30 p.m. at the Warren Green Building. The FCPS1 Superintendent David Jeck announced on Twitter that the School Board will meet to discuss the Public Health Order issued by Virginia State Health Commissioner Norman Oliver. It will be live streamed at fcps1.org/live.
On August 12 Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced Oliver’s´ Public Health Order. According to the press release, this order reinforces Senate Bill (SB) 1303 which requires school divisions to provide both remote and in-person learning opportunities that meet requirements. The order requires ¨universal masking in all indoor settings in Va.´s K-12 schools,¨ from the release. ¨This order reinforces current state law, which requires Va. schools adhere to mitigation strategies outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).¨ The CDC guidelines made masking universal for students, teachers and staff on July 28. ¨This Public Health Order makes it very clear that masks are required in all indoor K-12 settings, and Virginia expects all schools to comply,¨ said Northam.
According to the release less than half of 12-15 year olds and about half of 16-17 year olds are fully vaccinated in Va. Children 11 and below can´t receive the vaccination yet. “We know that masking is an effective tool to prevent the spread of COVID-19, particularly among children who are not yet eligible for vaccination,” said Oliver. “As cases rise in our communities, universal masking and other mitigation measures will ensure our schools continue to be the safest place for Virginia’s children.”

Click here to view the FCPS1 School Board meeting agenda.
Click here to view the full press release.
Click here to view the Public Health Emergency Order.