PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Duceys executive order did not impact schools. Its about the individual rights of these business owners as Americans, Chaplik argued. At the end of a lengthy school board meeting, Threats of harming another that is degrading to another person. Currently, only those students 5 and older are eligible to be vaccinated against COVID. That data which does not measure vaccinations within school district boundaries shows 62.3 percent of eligible Scottsdale residents and 57.3 percent of the citys total population are fully vaccinated. Her argument has the support of state Superintendent of Public Schools Kathy Hoffman, who on Friday cited a new Centers for Disease Control study that showed the efficacy of masks in curbing COVID-19 infections in schools. Weve passed all of this into law, and it will not change. Chance of rain 100%. Humble said surveys of young adults conducted by students he is working with suggest placing vaccination sites at popular spots could increase vaccination rates, because many respondents were worried about convenience, not the vaccine itself. Low near 40F. Periods of rain early. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. Protester and Scottsdale Unified parent Sara Solem said that her 8-year-old child was in tears when the family learned that the district was considering reinstating a mask mandate. In both Scottsdale and Maricopa County, enforcing the mask mandate will be left up to local police and the method of enforcement will take an educational approach. He said the district will continue to implement other mitigation measures and stay in communication with the Maricopa County Department of Public Health. 2023 Experience Scottsdale All rights reserved, Top 10 Signature Scottsdale Spouse Programs, Canadian Meetings FAM - Attendee Registration, Keeping Scottsdales tourism industry strong, Increasing International Flight Service a Win for Scottsdale, Scottsdales Culinary Scene Earns National Acclaim, Kickstarting Scottsdale Tourisms Recovery, Limited Service and Moderate Hotel Strategy Session, Scottsdale Experiential Development Applicationcottsdale, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Maricopa County Department of Public Health, Arizona Department of Health Services maintains a list of such sites, city of Scottsdale has information on additional sites throughout the city. Periods of rain early. He said allowing people to ignore such an order sends a bad message. There was a specific question regarding whether [the CDC order] applied to school buses [] the CDC confirmed that the order applies to school buses, whether they are operated by the district or by a private provider, wrote SUSD. Humble said the mandates helped businesses that wanted to enforce mask use avoid uncomfortable confrontations with customers. All Inclusive! Karamargin called the ruling "clearly an example of judicial overreach'' and promised an appeal. Those strategies include hand washing, extra cleaning and keeping kids home if they are ill. I think that those are very appropriate and responsible things to do, Solem said. A department spokesman said Scottsdale Police took an education first approach. Scottsdale 's neighbor to the east, the Town of Fountain Hills, is dropping its mask requirements for town buildings as of Jan. 1, 2022. SCOTTSDALE, AZ Scottsdale Unified School District joined others in the state in continuing with its mask mandate, in spite of Gov. High 61F. Chance of rain 100%.. Cloudy. Scottsdale is not the only area district where there is a mask mandate to keep it. Chance of rain 100%. SUSD claimed that this order not only applied to public school transportation but private schools as well. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. The violators are given a verbal warning and an opportunity to comply with the law. Scottsdale was one of the first cities in the state to adopt a mandate in June after Governor Doug Ducey issued an order allowing them to put their own mask "We were really disappointed by this decision. "We are 28 school days from the end of the 2020-2021 school year, and while we know there are people who would like us to remove the mask requirement now, SUSD's 15 ZIP codes remain in the substantial transmission category and the number of cases has been slowly increasing over the past few weeks," SUSD's statement reads. Rain. He said that decision left districts in a no-win situation where it had to deal with angry parents who were fighting us every step of the way on this on both sides people who wanted masks all the time, people who wanted social distancing all the time, people who wanted the schools to remain closed, and then people on the other side who just didnt want any of that.. Doug Ducey's executive order ending enforcement of the measure. Districts and school boards are now powerless to implement any mask measures without the legislature say so even if the CDC recommends. It didn't see numbers like that last year, when students were required to wear masks, Menzel said, although he admitted that the more contagious delta variant played a factor in the spread. HonorHealth says hospitalizations now are at a manageable level in part because of masking up, and they hope residents will keep it up. Scottsdale became one of the first cities in the state to act on that authority when former Mayor Jim Lane issued a mandate on June 18. Put distance between yourself and other people, at least 6 feet. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience possible. But then it was inserted into a reconciliation bill along with other items on the wish lists of various other legislators to cobble together the necessary Republican votes. These steps were targeted to situations where person-to-person infection conditions were known to be high, and so they had an immediate effect on reversing the infection rate trend, Lane said. Don't knowingly lie about anyone Cooper said there are separate constitutional requirements that legislation deal with only a single subject. LaBaer said that means there is still a need to practice mitigation, including mask wearing and avoiding crowds. Sign up for free today. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism Don't knowingly lie about anyone Relying on individual decisions to keep the spread of COVID-19 in check has not gone well so far, Hart-Wells said. Ensuring a healthy and safe school environment for students and staff remains our goal, Menzel said. We'd love to hear eyewitness American Diabetes Association Alert Day Are You At Risk? High 61F. Students are not required to wear masks while waiting at a bus stop or after they disembark, and drivers are not required to wear masks if not students are on the bus.. At least one other lawmaker took notice. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Now, theyre saying no, school districts cant be making that decision at all; it is the health officials, Greenburg said. Attorney General Mark Brnovich filed an appeal to uphold four bills that were also shot down in the ruling of the state's attempted ban on mask mandates. To date, these mitigation strategies have allowed us to welcome back 85% of our students for in-person learning.". Many continue to follow public health recommendations, though the protocols may vary by business. Never miss an issue. You have permission to edit this article. Amandatory mask mandate issued by Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane in June will remain in place indefinitely pending further review by the mayors office. Students started off last school year virtually. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. However, unvaccinated people will still be required to wear masks indoors, the governor wrote. 28,961 were here. Humble agreed that vaccination rate among seniors is good news. That's almost 10 percent of the district's student population. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. The measure is one of dozens that were tacked on without any hearing to the state budget bill passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Be Truthful. Rates are lower for other cities that feed into SUSD, including Tempe, where 48.7 percent of eligible residents are fully vaccinated slightly higher than Phoenixs 45.4 percent, according to data released last week by the county. In defending the laws, attorney Patrick Irvine argued that the Legislature has used this procedure for years and that there really is no definition of what is a "reconciliation'' bill. As AZ Free News reportedon Thursday, SUSD offered to send students an emotional health and wellness screening that asked for personal information, medical history or information, mental health history or information, quality of home and interpersonal relationship information, student biometric information, gun or ammunition ownership, and any relatives illegal, antisocial, or self-incriminating behaviors. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph. He also rapped Ducey for approving the measure. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Face coverings still are required in most public places in Scottsdale due to Maricopa County's mask mandate. Share with Us. Recommended Face Coverings Afirst-term Scottsdale legislator convinced colleagues last week to let businesses ignore mask mandates to stem the spread of COVID by arguing that they werent needed decades ago to stop the spread of AIDS. Rain. New Mayor David Ortega wasted little No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism In the wake of the decision, crowds have flooded back to Old Town Scottsdale, where social media posts show maskless throngs of young people have filled many clubs in the area to pre-pandemic levels. States with mask mandates Four US states and four territories currently require masks in indoor settings like restaurants, bars and gyms: Illinois Hawaii Oregon Washington District of Columbia Low near 40F. Use the 'Report' link on I plan on dropping a termination date, at this time, and continuing with the periodic review of the mandated mask requirement with the County and the State, Lane said in a statement. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. When considering only those age 18 and older, that number in Arizona rose to 62.2 percent, according to an analysis from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism Scottsdale Area Pets Who Need A Home: Meet Gumdrop, George, Lotus & More, Scottsdale Jobs: See Who's Hiring In The Area, Shop The Scottsdale Farmers Market Like A Pro, Info Here. Operated summer school and camp buses without masks, so what changed? asked Wray. It is spread through exchange of bodily fluids, normally sexual transmission or sores from open wounds and also can be spread through sharing infected needles. #LeaveOurKidsAlone[. Dr. Cara Christ, director of the Arizona Department of Health Services, said the main reason restrictions were imposed was to avoid overwhelming the states health care system with COVID-19 patients. Whenever possible, use contactless payment methods (i.e. racist or sexually-oriented language. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch. Now, she said, the use of hospital and intensive-care beds is way down, and Christ said many of the people who are most at risk, meaning the elderly, already have been vaccinated. SUSD is prohibited by Arizona law (A.R.S. This latest announcement comes on the heels of another controversial act undertaken by SUSD. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. We will continue to exercise caution. In her free time, she works on her books and podcasts. Don't knowingly lie about anyone Be Proactive. What is clear and Cooper could void is has been practice of lawmakers to pile various issues into various end-of-session "reconciliation'' bills for years. Any districts that currently have mask mandates can repeal them by August 27 to be eligible for the funding. Apple Pay, Venmo, PayPal One Touch, etc.) Its official, masks required on buses! You have permission to edit this article. Gavin Newsom announced on Twitter Monday, citing declining infection and hospitalization rates across the state for his decision. Learn more. Sign up for free today. State Senator Michelle Ugenti-Rita (R-Scottsdale) responded to parents concerned over SUSDs decision to break state law with a mask mandate. Be Proactive. Maricopa County supervisors adopted a similar mandate countywide the next day. Chance of rain 100%. Stay up to date on the latest in Arizona by signing up to get FREE news delivered to your inbox. Scottsdale Progress news staff contibuted to this report. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don't Threaten. Scottsdale says due to a recent drop in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, residents and visitors wont have to wear masks in public areas. The CDC on Friday said it had studied case data from July and August from school districts in Pima and Maricopa counties and found, the odds of a school-associated COVID-19 outbreak were 3.5 times higher in schools with no mask requirement than in those with a mask requirement implemented at the time school started.. I look forward to the day when we can declare all clear and remove all restrictions but that day is not today, Ortega said. Other Valley municipalities like Gilbert have since allowed their mandates to lapse in favor of a countywide mask mandate issued by Maricopa County in June. person will not be tolerated. At the end of a lengthy school board meeting, preceded by a parent protest, board members voted 4-1 in favor of implementing a mask requirement. It is irresponsible ofthe stategovernmenttostand in the way of local leaders making decisions that protect the health and safety of their students and staff. The recent legislation simply makes that a requirement for all districts, Menzel told the Progress. There are places where owners wanted to do the right thing, and used the governments requirement as the heavy; now, they cant use that, so they have to decide Im going to fight my customers, so Ill just give up, he said. There is still work to be done as we prepare to move to phase two.. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. Scottsdale Mayor, Jim Lane, has ordered the city's mask mandate to end. And that could result in difficulty in getting approval of future controversial measures. Don't Threaten. Please note that yesterdays order did not address the mitigation efforts that are required by public and charter schools and did nothing to undo what we, as a school district are required to dowith regard to wearing face masks by students and staff while at school, read a letter to parents by Scottsdale Unified School District on March 26. Though Ducey took away the power to impose mask mandates, Scottsdales will remain in effect in city buildings and facilities for the foreseeable future, according to a statement issued by the city. I think we should have masks on until this is over with. They feel like a promise has been broken.. LaBaer also noted that young people, though not in the same risk category as the elderly, are still vulnerable. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. TUCSON, AZ Face masks will no longer be required in public places in Pima County, after Feb. 28. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. Mask Up Arizona is a successful campaign and remains the best advice keep your distance from others, and mask up when you cannot.. Maricopa County is expected to vote on whether to extend their mandate on Oct. 7. While we have seen encouraging progress, and more and more people have received the vaccine, COVID remains a concern. Get tested if youre feeling sick or have been exposed to the virus at free sites throughout the Scottsdale area. Use the 'Report' link on racist or sexually-oriented language. ", "I'm happy to hear that. Sign up for free today. Students as young as kindergarteners were eligible to participate in this screening. Businesses will stay open. We'd love to hear eyewitness Be Truthful. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. SUSD officials responded that the description was part of a standard waiver form that wasnt tailored for SUSD use, and that the screener wouldnt acquire any of the information listed on the description. Don't Threaten. Police Search For Murder Suspect + Students Ill, Pesticide Contact, Local Dive With 'Killer Pizza' + Ukraine Refugees Reflect On Move, Tesla Crashes & Catches Fire Twice In Scottsdale + New Memorial, Social Security Seminar on March 8th and 9th at Eagles Community Center. And that includes most K-12 students, especially those in lower grades who have not been cleared by the Food and Drug Administration to get COVID shots. Embry Health and Neighborhood Outreach Access to Health also provide free testing. Mitigation Strategies. Violations of the county order carry a $50 fine. This will cause problems in the fall with the Legislature out of session., While the measure does not proscribe penalties for entities that violate the ban on mask mandates, it was denounced by former state health director Will Humble, executive director for the Arizona Public Health Association, who called the measure stupid., Its harmful, its ill-advised. accounts, the history behind an article. Hoffman within hours released a statement that said: New data from Arizona schools shows what public health experts have been telling our Governorfor months: universal masking keeps students learning inperson. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Don't Threaten. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch. The Legislatures approval of the ban on mandates was split along party lines and drew support from no Democratic representative or senator, including the all-Democrat LD 24 delegation made up of Sen. Lela Alston and Reps. Amish Shah and Jennifer Longdon, who represent southern Scottsdale. She said that's backed by evidence that shows not just an increasing number of cases among children now one out of every four in Maricopa County but also that schools with mask mandates have a lower rate of infection than those without. Chaplik argued that the mandates are an overreaction and that society has managed to survive other viral outbreaks without masks. @ScottsdaleUSD sat on this announcement as long as they could. Kelly Townsend of Mesa and Michelle Ugenti He said his team recently identified a new variant with mutations that have shown to reduce antibody response in lab tests, though researchers still dont know how those lab tests translate into real-world scenarios. Have a face mask handy based on your personal preference and in case of requirements. (Rachel Nunes/Patch) SCOTTSDALE, AZ Four Scottsdale Unified School District board members face recall election petitions after they voted last week to Positivity also jumped from 3.11 to 5.7 percent. He added, It has been successful in tamping down the spike in the infection rate, while keeping much of the business economy open in phase one. The city's Mayor Jim Lane issued a proclamation rescinding the city's face covering order, which went into effect in June. They cited the CDC orderrequiring masks on public transportation. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. or anything. Monday was the district's ninth day of school this year. Never miss an issue. Cobb and her two district colleagues had joined the Mohave County Board of Supervisors in sending a letter to the governor in May of last year that demanded he lift restrictions on businesses. Scottsdale Unified required masks right up to the end of the school year. Scottsdale was one of the first cities in the state to adopt a mandate in June after Governor Doug Ducey issued an order allowing them to put their own mask requirements in place. Keep it Clean. On a 31-28 party-line vote, the House approved legislation that says business owners need not enforce any state, city, town or county requirement for people to wear a mask. Why is @ScottsdaleUSD insistent on pushing the socialist agenda of the @JoeBiden administration wrote Ugenti-Rita. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends face coverings based on personal preference and personal level of risk. In fact, its reprehensible.. The COVID-19 vaccine is widely available in the community. Rep. Bret Roberts, R-Maricopa, expressed similar beliefs. The measure prohibits a county, city, town, school district governing board or charter school governing body from requiring students or staff use face coverings during school hours and on school property.. person will not be tolerated. While the mask mandate and vaccine bans dont have specific penalties for government entities that disobey it, state Attorney General Mark Brnovich has told Tucson it could lose out in $120 million in state share revenue if it tries to enforce a vaccine mandate for city employees. 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