ALVORD UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT ATHLETICS & PERFORMING …

ALVORD UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

ATHLETICS & PERFORMING ARTS REOPENING GUIDELINES

Aligned to CIF Guidelines, National Federation of State High School Associations & Sports

Medicine Advisory Committee

July 1 – July 3 (Sample Dates)

●No CIF Sports

Sports Coaches Training (Synchronous and Asynchronous Options)

July 6 – TBD based on State/County Guidelines (Sample Dates)

●CIF Fall Sports Can Begin Workouts

●Phase 2 Guidelines Only

Low Risk Sports Moderate Risk Sports High Risk Sports

Cross Country

Golf Swimming &

Diving Sideline

Cheer/Song Tennis

Track

Baseball

Lacrosse - Girls

Softball

Volleyball

Basketball Competitive

Cheer/Song Football

Lacrosse - Boys

Soccer

Water Polo

Wrestling

*There currently are no implementation guidelines for singing or the playing of wind instruments.

PHASE 1 PHASE 2 PHASE 3 10 people > indoors

50 people > outdoors

No locker rooms

6-feet distance No

Athlete Contact No

Shared Equipment

All Fall Sports Resume

Workouts* Low Risk Sports

Resume Practice* Moderate Risk

Sports Begin

Modified Practice*

50 people > indoors/outdoors

Locker room open (6-feet apart)

3-6 feet social distance**

Moderate Risk Sports Resume

Practice*

High Risk Sports Begin Modified

Practice

*Coaches must abide by individual sport guidelines outlined by CIF for definition of workout and practice

modifications during each phase implementation. High Risk Sports must submit approval of workout plans for

Phase II implementation to be approved by District Administration. All plans will be submitted to the site

Assistant Principal of Athletics **Distance will be based on state/county social distancing guidelines

PRIOR TO STARTING UP:

● Any coach providing supervision must have attended a AUSD Athletics Reopening Training and

is responsible for cross-training and the accountability of protocol implementation of all other

adult serving in a supervisory capacity in their program

● (Per Athlete) Signed Parent/Guardian - AUSD Athletics Reopening Parent/Guardian Notification

● Record Log Binder/Google Sheet for each athletics/arts/activities program

POINTS OF EMPHASIS

1. Decreasing potential exposure to respiratory droplets is the guiding principle behind social

distancing and the use of face coverings. It is also the basis of the stratification of risk by sport

presented later on in this document. The use of cloth face coverings is meant to decrease the

spread of respiratory droplets. As state and local COVID-19 prevalence decreases, the need for

strict social distancing and the use of face coverings will lessen.

○ The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is additionally “advising the use

of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may

have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others.” (“Recommendation

Regarding the Use of Cloth Face Coverings, Especially in Areas of Significant

Community-Based Transmission”)

○ Recognizing the benefits and potential drawbacks of the use of cloth face coverings

during conditioning and physical activity, CIF & NFHS SMAC recommends the following:

i. State, local or school district guidelines for cloth face coverings should be

strictly followed. (Riverside County highly recommends a face covering to be

worn anytime someone can’t keep a distance of 6-feet from people outside

their family or household while in public)

ii. Cloth face coverings should be considered acceptable. There is no need to

require or recommend “medical grade” masks for athletic activity.

iii. Any student who prefers to wear a cloth face covering during a contest should

be allowed to do so.

iv. Plastic shields covering the entire face (or attached to a helmet) shall not

be allowed during contests. Their use during practices increases the risk

of unintended injury to the person wearing the shield or teammates.

v. Coaches, officials and other contest personnel may wear cloth face coverings at

all times during Phases 1 through 3. (Artificial noisemakers such as an air horn

or a timer system with an alarm can be used to signal in place of a traditional

whistle.)

2. The principles presented in this guidance document can be applied to practices, rehearsals,

and events for the performing arts with the exception of singing and the playing of wind

instruments. The extent of the spread of respiratory droplets during these activities is

currently under investigation and further guidance will be issued as it becomes available.

3. All programs will:

○ Have coaches trained through the AUSD Athletics & Performing Arts Reopening Training

prior to beginning any workout/practice (facilitated by Sean Curtin, Director of

Curriculum and Assessment, Site Assistant Principals of Athletics, Risk Management

Team)

○ Have coaches sign the AUSD Athletics & Performing Arts Reopening Guidelines

○ Notify parents/guardians of the reopening measures for their program/sport

○ Distribute and collect the AUSD Athletics Reopening Parent/Guardian Notification Letter

(Appendix I) with parent/guardian signature prior to student

participation

○ Intake athletes at the Athletic Check-in table

○ All athletes/coaches will wear face coverings as they enter and exit practice and

anytime, they can’t maintain 6-feet of social distance

○ Take and record temperature on the NFHS Monitoring Form (Appendix II) of

each athlete/coach upon arrival

○ Athletes with a temperature of 100.3 or lower will be given a bright-colored circular

sticker with the date indicating their clearance to participate in the program for the day

○ Athletes with a temperature of 100.4 or higher will be sent home and can’t participate for

14 days or until a clearance from a medical doctor is received

○ After temperature check, all participants/coaches will wash their hands and/or use

hand sanitizer

○ Utilize drop-off and pick-up procedure where only athletes come onto campus and

all parents/guardians remain inside their vehicles

○ Ensure that participants are six feet apart while awaiting pick-up

PHASE 1

PHASE 1 : PRE- WORKOUT SCREENING

● All coaches and students should be screened for signs/symptoms of COVID-19 prior to a

workout. Screening includes a temperature check and responses to screening questions for

each person should be recorded and stored so that there is a record of everyone present in

case a student develops COVID-19 ( see Appendix for sample Monitoring Form).

● Any person with positive symptoms reported should not be allowed to take part in workouts

and should contact his or her primary care provider.

PHASE 1: LIMITATIONS

● No gathering of more than 10 people at a time (inside or outside).

● Locker rooms will not be utilized during Phase 1. Students should report to workouts in

proper gear and immediately return home to shower at the end of the workout.

● Workouts will be conducted in “pods” of students with the same 5-10 students always working

out together. Smaller pods can be utilized for weight training. This ensures more limited

exposure if someone develops an infection.

● There must be a minimum distance of 6 feet between each individual at all times. If this is

not possible indoors, then the maximum number of individuals in the room must be

decreased until

proper social distancing can occur.

PHASE 1: FACILITY CLEANING

● Adequate cleaning schedules should be created and implemented for all athletic facilities

to mitigate any communicable diseases.

● Prior to an individual or groups of individuals entering a facility, hard surfaces within that

facility should be wiped down and sanitized (chairs, furniture in meeting rooms, locker rooms,

weight room equipment, bathrooms, athletic training room tables, etc.).

● Individuals should wash their hands for a minimum of 20 seconds with warm water and soap

before touching any surfaces or participating in workouts and hand sanitizer should be

plentiful and available to individuals as they transfer from place to place.

● Weight equipment should be wiped down thoroughly before and after an individual’s use

of equipment and appropriate clothing/shoes should be worn at all times in the weight room

to minimize sweat from transmitting onto equipment/surfaces.

● Any equipment such as weight benches, athletic pads, etc. having holes with exposed foam

should be covered.

● Students must be encouraged to shower and wash their workout clothing immediately upon

returning to home.

PHASE 1: PHYSICAL ACTIVITY & ATHLETIC EQUIPMENT

● There should be no shared athletic equipment (towels, clothing, shoes, or sports

specific equipment) between students.

● Students should wear their own appropriate workout clothing (do not share clothing)

individual clothing/towels should be washed and cleaned after every workout.

● All athletic equipment, including balls, should be cleaned after each use and prior to the

next workout.

● Individual drills requiring the use of athletic equipment are permissible, but the equipment

should be cleaned prior to use by the next individual.

● Resistance training should be emphasized as body weight, sub-maximal lifts and use of

resistance bands.

● Free weight exercises that require a spotter cannot be conducted while honoring social

distancing norms. Safety measures in all forms must be strictly enforced in the weight

room.

Examples (including but not limited to):

1. A basketball player can shoot with a ball(s), but a team should not practice/pass a single

ball among the team where multiple players touch the same ball.

2. A football player should not participate in team drills with a single ball that will be handed off

or passed to other teammates. Contact with other players is not allowed, and there should

be no sharing of tackling dummies/donuts/sleds.

3. A volleyball player should not use a ball that others touch or hit in any manner.

4. Softball and baseball players should not share gloves, bats, or throw a single ball that will be

tossed among the team. A single player may hit in cages, throw batting practice (with netting

as backstop, no catcher). Prior to another athlete using the same balls, they should be

collected and cleaned individually.

5. Wrestlers may skill and drill without touching a teammate.

6. Cheerleaders may not practice/perform partner stunts or building. (Chants, jumps,

dances without contact are permissible.)

7. Tennis players may do individual drills, wall volleys and serves.

8. Runners should maintain the recommended 6 feet of distancing between individuals

PHASE 1: HYDRATION

● All students must bring their own water bottle. Water bottles must not be shared. Food

should not be shared.

● Hydration stations (water coolers, water cows, water trough, water fountains, etc.) should

be utilized only for the purpose of re-filling personal water bottles.

PHASE 2

PHASE 2: PRE-WORKOUT / CONTEST SCREENING

● All coaches and students will be screened for signs/symptoms of COVID-19 prior to a

workout.

Screening includes a temperature check.

● Responses to screening questions for each person will be recorded and stored so that there

is a record of everyone present in case a student develops COVID-19.

● Any person with positive symptoms reported will not be allowed to take part in workouts

and should contact his or her primary care provider or other appropriate health-care

professional.

● Vulnerable individuals should not oversee or participate in any workouts during Phase 2.

PHASE 2: LIMITATIONS ON GATHERINGS

● No gathering of more than 10 people at a time inside. Up to 50 individuals may gather outdoors

for workouts. (Large indoor spaces such as a Gym will be ongoingly evaluated for use beyond

10 individuals, based on the current health guidelines.)

● If locker rooms or meeting rooms are used, there must be a minimum distance of 6 feet

between each individual at all times.

● Workouts should be conducted in “pods” of students with the same 5-10 students always

working out together. Smaller pods can be utilized for weight training. This ensures more

limited exposure if someone develops an infection.

● There must be a minimum distance of 6 feet between each individual at all times. If this is

not possible indoors, then the maximum number of individuals in the room must be

decreased until proper social distancing can occur. Social distancing needs to be maintained

on sidelines and benches during practices. Consider using tape/paint as a guide for students

and coaches.


Adequate cleaning schedules should be created and implemented for all athletic facilities to

mitigate any communicable diseases.




● Individuals should wash their hands for a minimum of 20 seconds with warm water and

soap before touching any surfaces or participating in workouts.

● Hand sanitizer should be plentiful and available to individuals as they transfer from place to place.


of equipment.

● Appropriate clothing/shoes should be worn at all times in the weight room to minimize

sweat from transmitting onto equipment/surfaces.


should be covered.


● Lower risk sports practices and competitions may resume (see Potential Infection Risk by

Sport below).

● Modified practices may begin for Moderate risk sports.

● There should be no shared athletic towels, clothing or shoes between students.

● Students should wear their own appropriate workout clothing (do not share clothing),

and individual clothing/towels should be washed and cleaned after every workout.

● All athletic equipment, including balls, should be cleaned intermittently during practices

and contests.

● Hand sanitizer should be plentiful at all contests and practices.

● Athletic equipment such as bats, batting helmets and catchers gear should be cleaned

between each use.

● Maximum lifts should be limited, and power cages should be used for squats and bench presses.

Spotters should stand at each end of the bar.

PHASE 2: HYDRATION

● All students must bring their own water bottle. Water bottles must not be shared. Food

should not be shared.

● Hydration stations (water coolers, water cows, water trough, water fountains, etc.) should

be utilized only for the purpose of re-filling personal water bottles.

● Students must be encouraged to follow safety guidelines.

PHASE 3

PHASE 3: PRE-WORKOUT / CONTEST SCREENING

● Any person who has had a fever or cold symptoms in the previous 24 hours should not be allowed

to take part in workouts and should contact his or her primary care provider or other appropriate

healthcare professional.

● A record should be kept of all individuals present.

● Vulnerable individuals can resume public interactions, but should practice physical

distancing, minimizing exposure to social settings where distancing may not be practical

unless precautionary measures are observed.

PHASE 3: LIMITATIONS

● Gathering sizes of up to 50 individuals, indoors or outdoors.

● When not directly participating in practices or contests, care should be taken to maintain a

minimum distance of 3 to 6 feet between each individual. Consider using tape or paint as a

guide for students and coaches.


● Adequate cleaning schedules should be created and implemented for all athletic facilities

to mitigate any communicable diseases.




● Individuals should wash their hands for a minimum of 20 seconds with warm water and

soap before touching any surfaces or participating in workouts.

● Hand sanitizer should be plentiful and available to individuals as they transfer from place to place.


of equipment.

● Appropriate clothing/shoes should be worn at all times in the weight room to minimize

sweat from transmitting onto equipment/surfaces.


should be covered.

● Students must be encouraged to shower and wash their workout clothing immediately

upon returning to home.


● Moderate risk sports practices and competitions may begin.

● There should be no shared athletic towels, clothing or shoes between students.

● Students should wear their own appropriate workout clothing (do not share clothing),

and individual clothing/towels should be washed and cleaned after every workout.

● Hand sanitizer should be plentiful at all contests and practices.

● Athletic equipment such as bats, batting helmets and catchers gear should be cleaned

between each use. Other equipment, wrestling ear guards, football helmets/other pads,

lacrosse helmets/pads/gloves/eyewear should be worn by only one individual and not

shared.

● Maximum lifts should be limited, and power cages should be used for squats and bench presses.

Spotters should stand at each end of the bar.

● Modified* practices may begin for higher risk sports:

○ Continue pre-practice screening as in Phases 1 and 2. Shower immediately

after practices/contests.

○ Re-assess epidemiology data and experiences in other states and other levels

of

competition to determine when Higher risk sports competition may resume.

PHASE 3: HYDRATION

● All students shall bring their own water bottle. Water bottles must not be shared.

● Hydration stations (water cows, water trough, water fountains, etc.) may be utilized but must

be cleaned after every practice/contest.

Ancillary Information to Support Staff with Specific Details:

Physical Activity and Equipment

● There should be no shared athletic equipment (towels, clothing, shoes, or sports

specific equipment) between students.

● Students should wear their own appropriate workout clothing (do not share clothing).

Individual clothing/towels should be washed and cleaned after every workout.

● All athletic equipment, including balls, should be cleaned after each individual use and prior to

the next workout.

● Individual drills requiring the use of athletic equipment are permissible, but the equipment

should be cleaned prior to use by the next individual.

● Physical contact such as high-fives, fist/chest bumps, and hugs should not be allowed.

Locker Rooms & Athletic Training Facility

● Locker rooms should not be utilized during Phase One. Students should report in appropriate

attire and immediately return home to shower after participation. No students are allowed in

the Athletic Training Facility unless the Athletic Trainer is present.

● NATA - Return to Sports Considerations

Weight Rooms


of equipment.

● Resistance training should be emphasized as body weight, weight machines, and free weights

that do not require a spotter.

● Free weight exercises that require a spotter cannot be conducted while honoring

physical distancing norms in Phase I..

● Safety measures in all forms must be strictly enforced in the weight room.

● Weight rooms should follow physical distancing guidelines and adhere to CDPH Guidance for

Fitness-Related Organizations.

Hygiene Practices

● Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer, especially after

touching frequently used items or surfaces.

● Sneeze or cough into a tissue, or the inside of your elbow. Avoid touching your face.

● Disinfect frequently used items and surfaces as much as possible.

● Strongly consider using face coverings while in public, and particularly when using mass

transit.

https://cifstate.org/sports-medicine/return_activity/NATA_C-19_return-to-sport_considerations_for_secondary_school_ats.pdf

Prepare Athletes to Return to Physical Activity

● Once the policies and procedures have been established by the school for safe return to sport,

coaches, athletic trainers, and strength and conditioning coaches must determine the health

and current activity/fitness level of each athlete. This will allow for a directed approach to

"transition" the athlete back to full activity levels in a supervised and progressive fashion.

Athletes have been separated from their regular training and sport activity for prolonged

periods of time during this pandemic, therefore a transition period is mandatory to prevent

injury. Considerations must be made for the detraining and acclimatization of athletes since

most have been at home since mid-March. NATA - Return to Sports Considerations

● Allow for a retraining period as opposed to engaging in sport-specific activities immediately

● Ensure appropriate progression of sport-specific activities once practices are initiated

● Consider the detraining effects on acclimatization. To prevent heat illness, a full

heat acclimatization period needs to be completed

● In addition to assessing physical readiness, mental readiness should also be considered.

Students may have lost a loved one due to COVID-19. The loss of the ability to play sports or

the abrupt ending of their seasons may also contribute to higher levels of anxiety and

depression. Coaches and athletic trainers can play a significant role as their words and actions

carry tremendous influence and many students will seek them out for comfort and

understanding. Have a referral

plan in place utilizing school resources-counselors, nurses, wellness center etc.

Limitations on Gatherings ***PHASE ONE***

● No gathering of more than allowed by the prescribed local county guidelines (inside or outside).

● Workouts should be conducted in “pods” of students with the same 5-10 students working

out together weekly to limit overall exposures. Smaller pods can be utilized for weight training.

● There must be a minimum distance of 6 feet between each individual at all times. If this is not possible indoors, then the maximum number of individuals in the room must be decreased to obtain a minimum distance of 6 feet between each individual. *Note: Local county guidelines must be followed

***PHASE TWO*** ● No gathering of more than allowed by the prescribed local county (inside). Up to 50

individuals may gather outdoors for workouts. ● Workouts should be conducted in “pods” of students with the same 5-10 students working

out together weekly to limit overall exposures. Smaller pods can be utilized for weight training.

● There must be a minimum distance of 6 feet between each individual at all times. If this is not possible indoors, then the maximum number of individuals in the room must be decreased to obtain a minimum distance of 6 feet between each individual. *Note: Local county guidelines must be followed

https://cifstate.org/sports-medicine/return_activity/NATA_C-19_return-to-sport_considerations_for_secondary_school_ats.pdf

CIF Phase 1 and 2 Guidelines for Lower Risk Sports

General Activity

Description

***Phase One***

● Individual Skill Development and Workouts

● Maintain Physical Distancing; No Contact with Others No Sharing of Equipment; No Grouping.

Note: Local county guidelines must be followed.

***Phase Two***

● Modified Team Practices May Begin

● No Contact with Other Teams. Note: Local county guidelines must be followed

Cross-Country Runners should maintain at least 6

feet of distancing between individuals,

no grouping (i.e. starts and finishes).

Runners should maintain at least 6


no grouping (i.e. starts and finishes)

Track & Field Runners should maintain at least 6



No sharing of implements /

equipment. Clean Equipment. Padded

equipment should be cleaned between

use.

Runners should maintain at least 6



No sharing of implements /

equipment. Padded equipment should

be cleaned between use.

Swimming Opening of Swimming pools is a

local county and school district

decision.

Swimmers should maintain appropriate

physical distancing 6 feet apart. Do not

share lanes.

Golf Maintain appropriate physical

distancing 6 feet apart.

Equipment needs to be cleaned.

Maintain appropriate physical

distancing 6 feet apart.

Tennis Conditioning, no sharing of balls,

each player may use own can of balls

to serve and uses racket to pass

other balls (singles only), ball

machine use by individuals only.

Players may do individual drills, wall

volleys

No sharing of balls, each player may

use own can of balls to serve and

uses racket to pass other balls

(singles only).

CIF Guidelines for Moderate and High Risk Sports

Volleyball Conditioning, individual ball handling drills, each player has his/her own ball. A

player should not use a single ball that others touch or hit in any manner.

Boys/Girls Lacrosse Conditioning, individual ball skill drills, no contact or sharing of balls. A player

may shoot with a ball(s), but a team should not practice/pass a single ball among

the team where multiple players touch the same ball.

Soccer Conditioning, individual ball skill drills, each player has own ball, feet only

(no heading/use of hands), no contact.

Baseball/Softball Conditioning and tee work. Players should not share gloves or bats or throw

a single ball that will be tossed among the team. A single player may hit in

cages, throw batting practice (with netting as backstop, no catcher). Prior to

another athlete using the same balls, they should be collected and cleaned

individually.

Football Conditioning and individual drills. A player should not participate in drills with a

single ball that will be handed off or passed to other teammates. Contact with

other players are not allowed, and there should be no sharing of tackling

dummies

/donuts / sleds. Protective equipment prohibited.

Wrestling Conditioning, mirror drills with spacing, no contact. Wrestlers may skill and

drill without touching a teammate (as long as physical distancing is adhered

to).

Competitive

Cheerleading

Conditioning and individual technique/choreography work. Students may not

practice/perform partner or group stunts. Chants, jumps, dance, tumbling

without contact are permissible as long as physical distancing is adhered to.

Basketball Conditioning, individual ball skill drills, no contact or sharing of balls. A player



Water Polo Conditioning, individual ball skill drills, no contact or sharing of balls. A player



Risk Management Related:

Questions/Things to Consider/Asks

Human Resources Related:

Approval of Hold Harmless notification to

parents/students?

What information must be included?

What guidelines can we put in place in using

PIP’s, Thermometers, and cleaning supplies?

What staff is best suited to take temperatures and

record the information for adults/students?

Is documentation of results mandated or is this for

adults only?

What are ways to utilize Athletic Trainers

to support efforts with Student Athlete monitoring

and reporting?

What cleaning processes/protocols will coaches

and staff be able to do while athletes/Performing

Arts students are on campus? Access to

cleaning supplies?

Can we require training with our coaches

without an MOU?

Will coaches/staff need to be compensated

additionally for training? Or, is this included in

their stipend?

Can coaches be officially trained in a virtual

environment and allow for synchronous and

asynchronous access?

How do we document that coaches/staff have

completed training? How will this be reported?

Is an MOU required in regards to working in a

COVID environment where exposure is always

a possibility?

What procedures/protocols do managers need

to know in navigating and monitoring both staff

and students?

Maintenance and Operations Related:

What protocols will be in place to ensure proper

sanitation of the different facilities being used by

athletes and performing arts students?

Will there be guidance about how students

ingress and egress a campus?

What thoughts and considerations will be made

for schools like Poly who have major construction

going on and limited access to all its facilities?

Budget/Business Related:

Will funds be available to buy masks for athletes

who come without one?

Will thermometers be purchased by the site or

by the district?

Are funds available to support additional work

needed from AT’s to support monitoring and

supporting student athletes?

Asks

● 2500 Masks (500 at each site - logo)

● 25 Medical Grade IR Thermometers

($40 on Amazon)

Documents

ALVORD UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT ATHLETICS & PERFORMING …