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Winter Activity General COVID Guidelines

Randy Bolton

November 3, 2020

Entering the month of November means that our winter activities are right around the corner.  We have been able to work through our return to play with summer sports and the the fall ones post COVID shutdown.  This winter season will present itself with many variables and challenges to overcome due to the nature of the season.

The Clarke Activities Department has been able to utilize information from the IGHSAU, IHSAA, the Iowa Department of Education, CDC, the SCC Conference, local public health and the school district to formulate a plan to provide our student/athletes, staff and spectators with as safe & healthy of environment as possible.

It will only be as effective as we make it be.  When people follow the rules/guidelines, we have a better chance of allowing our student/athletes to continue playing and not be sidelined.  It will take a village of people doing the right thing, because it's the right thing to do.

The document that we are sharing will be a working/living document that will have to be adjusted as circumstances change within our school, community, county and state.

We are currently working on the logistics of our archery club and how that will look.

 COVID-19 General Guidance – Winter Sports 2020-21

 The primary message of our plan to coaches/sponsors/students/spectators is this:

If you do not feel well – Do Not Attend Practices and/or Events. Practice Social Distancing as much as possible.

The secondary message of our plan to coaches/sponsors and students is this: our efforts outlined in this plan are meant to reduce exposure as much as possible between individuals.  

Coaches/Sponsors are responsible for carrying-out the mitigation efforts outlined in this plan.

Health Screening

  • Coaches/Sponsors and students shall be informed of the symptoms of COVID-19.  
  • It is important for students, coaches/sponsors to self-screen themselves regularly.  
  • If a student, coach/sponsor has a temperature of 100.4 or higher - they will not be allowed to participate that day.  
  • Any individual at school-sponsored activities that is reporting symptoms and/or a temperature of 100.4 or higher should be isolated until they can be safely transported home.     
  • Coaches/sponsors a REQUIRED keep daily attendance in FamilyID. Ask students of possible symptoms prior to practice/games and boarding school transportation.
  • The above is a MUST to help with contact tracing within an exposure investigation.

Possible or Positive COVID-19 Cases/Communication Flow

  • The Activities Director will be the point of contact for the Clarke Activities Department (in consultation with the Clarke High School Nurse), student activity participants and coaches/sponsors to report to when he/she experiences COVID-19 symptoms, a positive COVID-19 test result or contact with a person with a positive COVID-19 test result.  

 COVID-19 Testing

Please use the following link for general guidance this winter.

https://ighsau.org/news/winter...

Frequently Asked Questions:  

  • How do I access COVID-19 testing? 
  • What if a student tests positive? 
    • Notify your coach/sponsor, the Activities Director, and Clarke County Public Health immediately. 
      • Clarke County Public Health phone number: (641) 342-3724
    • A student will generally be released from isolation when they can answer ‘YES’ to all 3 of these questions (subject to change based on guidance from local public health) -  
      • At least 10 days since symptoms first appeared
      • At least 24 hours with no fever without fever-reducing medication 
      • Symptoms have improved
  • What if a student tests positive but has no symptoms? 
    • If a student involved in activities tests positive, they can return to activities with a note from Clarke County Public Health indicating they can return to activities after all isolation requirements have been met
  • What if a student-athlete was exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 and tested negative? 
    • The student needs to isolate for 14 days - regardless of a negative test.  
  • What is considered an exposure definition to COVID-19? 
    • Being within 6 feet of the infected person for at least 15 consecutive minutes.  

Pre-Participation Registration/Physicals

·       As per the amendment issued by Governor Reynolds on June 25, all physicals signed on or after July 1, 2019 are good through December of 2020.
·       Any student participating in an activity must have a physical on file.  This includes all in-coming 7th graders participating in an activity.
·       All students must be registered through FamilyID before being allowed to practice/play.
·       All physicals must be uploaded by the family into FamilyID.

Transportation

  • All people on the bus will be required to wear a mask (school will provide one) on the bus and seats will be assigned for each trip.
  • Buses will be filled within their capacity.
  • The bus will be loaded from the back to the front and then while departing the bus, from the front to the back.
  • Riding home with your parent will be allowed. Our coaches/sponsors will use the FamilyID or Band app to keep track of who’s riding and not riding. This way we are reducing exposure between staff and parents.
  • If not riding with your own parent/guardian, your parent/guardian must contact the coach via Band or text to give permission for this to happen.
  • In an attempt to keep exposure to a minimum, we strongly encourage everyone to mask up if you must share rides and have multiple students in one vehicle. This is an effort to keep our teams healthy and playing.
  • At this time, we will not limit seating in our High School Gym. In the Middle School Gym, we will have different protocol, see later in this document in the basketball section.
  • Home/away schools will have assigned areas to sit, with the idea of not having spectators from other schools in same area within the gym.
  • Please go to https://www.southcentralconf.org/public/genie/664/school/6/ to see updated schedules and information regarding restrictions, guidelines and protocols for each location.

Spectators

Social Distancing
·        The overarching safety principle in all areas of athletic activities (meetings, practices, travel, instruction, drills, benches, spectators, locker rooms, training rooms, concessions, restrooms, etc.) is that individuals should maintain 6 feet of social distancing.

Hand Sanitizing/Hygiene

  • Students should sanitize their hands before, during, and after school-sponsored activities. 
  • When students have completed their practice/rehearsal/activity, depart the school premises and practice good hygiene upon arriving home. 
  • Students should bring their own water bottle, shoes, towels, and other personal equipment they need for participation. 
    • Managers may fill up water bottles for the team at practice, but they shall be wearing a mask and gloves while doing so. 
  • While at practice, water bottles should not all be in one location.  Spread out into groups based on grades/positions/levels.
  • It’s recommended that not all players take their break at the same time when possible.
Equipment Sanitizing
·        Any equipment that is shared by student-athletes should be sanitized before and after practice as well as before and after competition.
·       The weight room and training room will be sanitized at the end of the school day. 
·       Frequently touched items in the weight room will be disinfected after student use.  
Team Meals
·        Team meals at parent/student homes are not allowed. 
  • Team meals can occur at the CCHS Commons when scheduled in advance and the following regulations are followed: 

Locker Rooms

  • Locker rooms may be used and should be sanitized every day. This could change throughout the year based on best practice.
  • All school-issued and personal clothing, equipment and other items should be taken home following practices and/or contests. Locker rooms can’t be used as a storage area for clothing and/or equipment.
  • Players, coaches and others using locker rooms should maintain 6 feet of social distancing. This may require a rotating schedule for use of locker rooms to avoid congestion.  A record of individuals in each rotation should be kept to facilitate contact-tracing if necessary. Masks are required while in the locker room.

Training Room/Activities Office/Storage Rooms 

  • All individuals utilizing the training room must wear a mask at all times. 
  • All taping/exam tables will be disinfected after each use. 
  • Coaches are the only ones to be in the Storage Areas accessing uniforms/team equipment.  
  • The Training Room shall not be a place to lay out uniforms.  
  • Team equipment shall not be stored in the Athletic Training services areas.  
  • The Training Room is for treatment only.  Students should only be in there when scheduled for treatment, and under the supervision, by the Athletic Trainer or coach.   
  • Students are prohibited from getting ice from the ice machine. 
  • The Training Room will be sanitized at the end of each school day. 

Practices and Games

  • Frequently touched items will be disinfected by coaches/sponsors.   
  • Warm-ups/stretching: keep kids 6 feet apart 
  • Avoid close congregating of players while receiving coaching instruction.  
  • When doing small group work at practice, use the same ‘pods’ of students working out and rotating together to ensure more limited exposure. 
    • Coaches need to document the students in these pods within your practice plans.  
  • Drills in practice should last no longer than 12-14 minutes - this will also limit exposure between students. 
  • Students will be required to wear masks as they travel to and from school-sponsored activities and while waiting in facilities for school-sponsored competition to begin.  
  • When they leave the locker-room to begin competition, masks can be removed.   When competition is over, they must mask back up.  
  • Students’ workout clothes should be washed and cleaned after every workout immediately upon returning home.  
  • Keep different levels of the team apart as much as possible, including in the locker rooms, to limit exposure. 
  • Post-game hand-shakes between teams are prohibited.  
  • Coaches/Sponsors will be expected to wear masks when in transit to and from school-sponsored activities with their squad as well as in the locker room.  
    • Coaches/Sponsors will be expected to wear masks during practices and games/competitions/performances except when needing to effectively communicate with coaches/players, game personal or spectators. When this occurs, please keep within 6 feet of social distancing guidelines.

 Student Becomes Sick at an Away Contest

  • In the event a student develops symptoms of COVID-19 at an away game, here is the current plan:

Participation Levels

  • This guidance is intended for high school and middle school activities as overseen by the IHSAA/IGHSAU.

Masks

  • The school will provide one mask to each student/athlete per year.  Additional masks will be $5 each.
  • Masks are required to be worn by all when on the bus.
  • Masks are required to be worn by all when in the locker room.
  • Masks are required to be worn by coaches/sponsors during practice and any other meeting when inside the building.
  • Masks are required to be worn by players when not competing.                

Winter 2020-21 Return to Competition: Basketball      

COACHES MUST COMMUNICATE THESE GUIDELINES IN A CLEAR MANNER TO ATHLETES AND PARENTS.

This document should be considered as providing recommendations from the IGHSAU/IHSAA for member schools and may be updated before and during the winter 2020-21 season.  IGHSAU Basketball Guidelines IHSAA Basketball Guidelines

Pre-Game Procedures

  • Limit attendees to the referee and the head coach from each team with each coach standing on the center circle on each side of the division line.
  • All individuals maintain a social distance of 6 feet or greater at the center circle.
  • Suspend handshakes and fist bumps prior to and following the Pregame Conference.
  • The host school should provide warm-up basketballs and properly sanitize them prior to being used before each game – recommendation would be to have a separate rack of basketballs for the home and visiting teams.

Pre-Game Introductions / Post-Game Protocol

  • The five starters on the visiting team will be introduced first.  They will move to the free throw line area on their end of the court until all starters are introduced.
  • The five starters from the home team will then be introduced and go to their free throw line area on their end of the court until all starters are introduced.
  • There will be no pregame handshakes or fist bumps.
  • When the game is concluded players will utilize an appropriate sign of respect and sportsmanship directed to their opponent and then exit the court to their team bench.  Please develop and utilize an appropriate sign of respect and sportsmanship that does not include handshake or other physical contact; suggestions include head nod, wave, chest thump with fist, salute, etc.

Team Benches

  • Limit the number of bench personnel to observe social distancing of 6 feet or greater when possible.
  • Create separation between the team bench and spectator seating behind the bench (recommendation would be the 1st 2 rows of seating on team bench side whenever possible).
  • Limit contact between players when substituting.

During Games

  • Cloth face coverings are permissible for players.
  • Sanitizer should be provided by the host team at the table.
  • Strongly consider requiring coaching staff and other bench personnel to wear face coverings while on the bench.   
  • Official may stand 6 feet or greater away from player making the throw-in and bounce the ball to that player on a front court throw-in.
  • The lead official shall stand on the end line and bounce the ball to the free thrower.
  • All players MUST sanitize their hands before and after warm-ups, at all timeouts, at quarter and halftime breaks, and anytime they leave the playing court. Coaches are strongly encouraged to sanitize their hands as often as possible as well.
  • Host team is responsible for sanitizing the game ball as recommended by the ball manufacturer (do not use game balls for warmups) Game ball (s) shall be placed at the score table for the officials.
  • The host school should ensure that the game ball is sanitized during time-outs and between quarters.

Middle School Spectators

  • At this point, we are going to limit spectators as stated below.  More details will be released later.
  • During games, only spectators of the grade that’s playing are allowed in the gym. i.e.  8th grade fans, then 7th grade fans.
  • After the first game, the gym will be cleared, then disinfected and the next group of fans will be allowed in the gym.               

Winter 2020-21 Return to Competition: Wrestling        

COACHES MUST COMMUNICATE THESE GUIDELINES IN A CLEAR MANNER TO ATHLETES AND PARENTS.

This document should be considered as providing recommendations from the IHSAA for member schools and may be updated before and during the winter 2020-21 season. IHSAA Wrestling Guidelines

Practices

  • Assigning of pods of no more than 4-5 to workout daily throughout the season to help with contact tracing.
  • Mandatory cleaning of mats and surfaces before and after every practice or use.
  • No shared towels, practice gear, headgear, or etc.
  • All practice clothing must be laundered daily.
  • Frequent use of hand sanitizer is a must.

Meet Administration

  • Prepare the gym for social distancing where possible.
  • Hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes available at mat side and each scorer’s table.
  • Writing utensils, when used, handled by one person, or sanitized between uses by other workers.
  • Sanitizing wipes available to the computer/iPad operators for wiping down periodically or between users.
  • No pre-meet handshakes during introductions.
  • Mandatory cleaning of mats before the start of each dual meet and at the conclusion of the night.
  • Spread out chairs along the mat used by wrestlers.
  • Designate areas in the bleachers or other parts of building for wrestlers not competing.
  • Verify that all contestants on your team are in good health and showing NO symptoms of illness. If not, don’t allow them to travel or compete.
  • No team handshakes after meets. Acknowledge opponents from across the mat.
  • Reduce traveling parties to essential personnel only (athletes not wrestling, don’t travel)
  • If you are not wrestling, you wear a mask.

  Winter 2020 Return to Competition: Bowling  

COACHES MUST COMMUNICATE THESE GUIDELINES IN A CLEAR MANNER TO ATHLETES AND PARENTS.

This document should be considered as providing recommendations from the IGHSAU & IHSAA for member schools and may be updated before and during the Winter 2020-21 season. IGHSAU Bowling Guidance  IHSAA Bowling Guidance

General Considerations
  • Student-athletes should be encouraged to frequently sanitize their hands before, during and after practice and competition.  Non-touch hand sanitizers may be used.  Student-athletes should have their own personal hand sanitizer.
  • Individuals should especially sanitize before touching “common” equipment or other items.
  • Any equipment that is shared by student-athletes should be sanitized before and after practice as well as before and after competition.
  • Schools should implement spectator protocols by following CDC and local department of health guidelines regarding size of gatherings and social distancing.
  • Spectators should use 6 feet social distancing. Families may sit/stand together but should social distance from others.  Frequent reminders should be made via public address.
  • Bowling establishments may require spectators to wear masks.
  • Rule 18 Bowling Ball: The use of Isopropyl Alcohol (rubbing alcohol) is permitted to disinfect your bowling ball
Considerations for Coaches:
·        Rule 18 Bowling Ball: The use of Isopropyl Alcohol (rubbing alcohol) is permitted to disinfect your bowling ball
  • Masks may be removed when ready to bowl
  • No sharing of bowling balls
  • Handshakes/high fives strongly discouraged
  • Bowling venues will determine seating capacity
  • We will have limited or no spectators at our home meets this season.  We will have updated information later.

Spectators

Suggested Ideas & Formats

  • One team (6 bowlers) on two lanes for both rounds of bowling
  • No movement to other lanes                  

Winter 2020-21 Return to Competition: Cheerleading  

COACHES MUST COMMUNICATE THESE GUIDELINES IN A CLEAR MANNER TO ATHLETES AND PARENTS.

This document should be considered as providing recommendations from the IGHSAU/IHSAA for member schools and may be updated before and during the winter 2020-21 season.  ICCA Winter Guidelines

General Considerations
  • Wrestling Cheerleading: We do not plan at this time to have cheerleaders for wrestling.
  • Stunting is prohibited.  
  • Cheerleaders may work on motions, jumps, tumbling, cheers, and chants while being socially distanced.  
  • Poms, signs, and megaphones should be marked to the individual.  
    • If any of this equipment is shared, it must be disinfected before it is used by someone else. 
  • All of the General Winter Guidelines apply to cheerleading.