Pittsboro, NC – This plan was presented at the special Chatham County School Board meeting on Tuesday, September 29.
The following plan has been developed by the CCS high school athletic directors, principals and district administration. It is based on guidance from the North Carolina High School Athletic Association, as well as local and state health departments. It is important to note that student attendance at Skill Development Workouts is (as always) optional. Our planned start date for CCS high school athletic workouts is October 7, 2020, and all three high schools are committed to working together to provide consistency across the district. We will begin with Volleyball and Cross Country and will add other sports four to six weeks prior to their first scheduled day of practice.
General Information
● Communal water sources are all closed and unavailable for non‐emergency use. Restrooms will be cleaned and disinfected after use each day. Hand washing is required, and hand sanitizer will be provided as well.
● Locker Rooms, Athletic Training Rooms, Weight Rooms, and Mat Rooms can be opened for use. Appropriate personnel are required to be present (LAT/1st Responders in Training Room, Spotters in Weight Rooms), wearing face coverings, and observing Social Distancing. Appropriate disinfecting must take place between uses.
● Workout sessions are limited to no more than 90 minutes per day and student‐athletes may only participate in one session per day. Students will be assigned to a small group cohort (pod) until further notice.
● Gathering Regulations: ○Outdoor Activities: No more than 50 (includes coaches, trainers, managers, etc.). ○Indoor Activities: No more than 25 (includes coaches, trainers, managers, etc.).
● Must maintain 6 feet social distancing at all times.
● Equipment (weights, balls, mats, and other training equipment) may be shared by a cohort group. These items must be disinfected prior to use by another cohort. Personal items (clothing, gloves, shoes, water bottles, etc. may not be shared. School‐owned equipment will be cleaned/disinfected regularly and prior to use by another pod.
● Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use hand sanitizer often, especially after touching frequently used items or surfaces. Hand sanitizer will be provided.
● Students must report to workouts in appropriate attire and immediately return home to shower after participation.
● Spitting is not allowed (Examples: sunflower seeds or phlegm).
● Cough or sneeze into tissue or the inside of the elbow and avoid touching face, eyes and nose.
● Physical contact such as high fives, fist/elbow bumps, and hugs is not allowed.
● No team travel is permitted.
● Dead Periods are as follows:
1.First five student days of the academic school year
2.Last five student days of first semester
3.Last 10 student days of second semester
Student‐Athlete/Parent Expectations
● Student‐athletes must be dropped off/picked up at designated times/locations each day.
● Student‐athletes must complete daily health screenings that include temperature checks and health questions prior to being allowed to participate. Students who are sent home for COVID‐19 related issues will be required to complete the COVID‐19 Return to Play form prior to attending any future workout sessions.
● If a person in a small group cohort (pod) tests positive for COVID‐19, all members of that pod and all close contacts should be quarantined for 14 days after the last exposure, unless they have a negative PCR COVID‐19 test. These persons should check his/her temperature twice daily and watch for developing symptoms of COVID‐19.
● Athletes or coaches who test positive for COVID‐19 must meet all of the following criteria before resuming skill development sessions:
*No fever for 72 hours without fever reducing medications
*Resolution of respiratory symptoms
*At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared
*Get a note of clearance from a licensed medical provider
● Student‐athletes must maintain 6 foot social distancing, wear a cloth face covering, and have an appropriately marked water bottle while on campus. (Reusable masks and water bottles will be initially provided by the respective school if needed.) Book‐bags or knapsacks will not be allowed.
● Parents are required to complete and sign the NCHSAA Pre‐Screening Form with their student‐athlete and submit a signed copy prior to the student‐athlete participating in any workout sessions. In addition, the student‐athlete is required to have a current athletic physical on file dated March 1, 2019 or later.
● Parents are expected to wait for the completion of the daily screening process. At that point, they can stay in their vehicle in the designated parking area or leave campus and return as appropriate to pick up the student‐athlete. Spectators will not be allowed.
Coaches/Athletic Director Expectations
● Coaches and Athletic Directors are expected to wear a cloth face covering to help safeguard the health of the student‐athletes. Reusable (washable) face masks will be provided by the school.
● All adults will be screened daily for signs/symptoms of COVID‐19 prior to participating, including a temperature check.
● Assist with daily health screenings and the required documentation.
● Assist student‐athletes in complying with their expectations, and properly supervise.
● Assist with cleaning/disinfecting equipment and restrooms as needed.
● Any individual affiliated with an NCHSAA member high school must abide by the skill development, out‐of‐season workout rules. If this individual also coaches a “non‐school” or “club team” outside the sports season but during the school year, and has any students from the high school on that outside team, he or she cannot work with any of them during a dead period and are restricted to the maximum number of allowable per sport.
● Follow all current workout requirements from the NCHSAA.
● Follow all current health safety recommendations from local/state DHHS.
This information will be shared electronically by the schools with parents and student‐athletes prior to the October 7 start date. The athletic directors, in conjunction with their respective principals, will train all coaches in the needed procedures prior to the October 7 start date. Athletic Directors are expected to be on campus and oversee all screenings, skill sessions, and cleaning/disinfecting efforts. Administrative oversight to ensure compliance rests with each high school principal/administrative designee and the county athletic director. This will include making random visits and examining required paperwork on an ongoing basis.
It should be understood that this plan is a work in progress and will evolve as additional guidance is provided.