Athletics Spectator Guidelines

 

JDHS Covid-19 Athletics Policy

2020-2021 Spring

 

*Early start for baseball/softball pitchers and catchers is Friday, March 26, 2021.

 

Athletic Registration:

Physicals: There will be no further extensions for the 2020-21 school year, therefore the DOE regulations regarding physicals will be as written.

• All students must have an approved physical examination prior to the first day of official practice in any season to be eligible to participate. The physical examination shall be conducted by a licensed physician, advanced practice nurse (APN), or physician’s assistant (PA).

• If a physical expires during the season, the student must acquire a new physical before the 365-day time period ends.

• Physicals must be submitted to Nurse Graham who will review and send to the school physician for final clearance.

Department of Education Health History Update Questionnaire: As a result of the pandemic the form has been modified to include a Covid-19 screening questionnaire. The DOE Health history form is now required of all students regardless of physical exam date.

Previously the DOE requirement for the HHQ form was the following: To participate on a school-sponsored interscholastic or intramural athletic team or squad, each student whose physical examination was completed more than 90 days prior to the first day of official practice shall provide a health history update questionnaire completed and signed by the student’s parent or guardian.

Family ID registration: All students must complete a digital registration through Family ID as part of the clearance process.

 

Face Coverings:

The CDC affirmed that face coverings are a critical tool in the fight against COVID-19 that reduces the spread of the disease, particularly when used universally within communities. All individuals involved in athletics will be required to wear a face mask while involved in any school-sponsored event.

 

Screening:

All student athletes involved in athletics will be screened at least once daily for the presence of Covid-19 symptoms and history of exposure. Screenings will involve completion of a health questionnaire through a digitized “NJSIAA Daily screening form.” Full-time remote learners must complete the OnCourse Covid questionnaire prior to arrival at school.

• The electronic COVID questionnaire form will be available daily from 8am to 1pm and can be completed on any device that is connected to the internet. A 1pm deadline is in place to allow the ATC to review submissions and notify coaching staff of compliance before temperature checks begin. On Weekends, the electronic COVID questionnaire will be available to complete the night before starting at 8pm-8am the morning of practice.

• Printed copies of the questionnaire or late submissions will not be accepted.

• Any student having technical issues must email Mr. Spangler at ispangler@springfieldschools.com or leave a voicemail at 973-376-1025 x5279 prior to 1pm in order to be granted an exception.

• Coaches will complete a Covid Questionnaire via Google Sheets to determine health status prior to school arrival. They will then have their temperature checked by the ATC, Athletic Director, coach with an infrared thermometer.

• Students must present to the ATC, Athletic Director, or designee for a temperature check before they can participate in practices or games.

• Temperatures exceeding 100.4°F will not be permitted to participate until cleared by a physician. People with temperatures at or below 100.3 F may continue into the shelter using normal procedures.
  • An athlete will have a 5-10 minute wait period allowed for a re-test of temperature given hyperthermia from the environment.
  • Individuals with a temperature below 96.0 °F will sit for 5-10 minutes before re-checking.

• All student athletes and staff will be screened for all Saturday and Sunday practices or games. Coach administered.

• Students affiliated with JDHS athletics who attend a Magnet school will be screened via the Google Sheets Covid Questionnaire. They will proceed to ATC, Athletic Director, or designee for a temperature check before they can participate in practices or games.

• All student athletes/teams will submit to this screening prior to any form of travel for away games.

• Magnet students will complete the questionnaire prior to departure for the game. A coach will conduct the temperature check at the host school upon the student’s arrival and notify the ATC of the result.

 

Remote Learning:

All students participating in a full day of remote learning are permitted to participate in athletics given that they have met all clearance requirements.

 

Hydration:

The sharing of water bottles and use of multi-person hydration stations is strictly prohibited. Student athletes are required to bring their own water or sports drink to practice to ensure proper hydration. A minimum of 32oz of fluid is recommended for each student.

Each team will be provided one 10 gallon cooler of ice water for the refilling of individual water bottles. This process must occur one at a time in an orderly socially distanced manner.

Ice chest(s) and cooler(s) will be sanitized daily following usage by any teams or individuals.

 

Hygiene:

• Students and staff should make every effort to wash their hands as often as possible.

• Hand sanitizer station(s) will be accessible at all times.

• Workout apparel or uniforms shall not be left at the school after any type of participation. Athletes will be responsible for laundering and maintaining cleanliness of school issued equipment.

Sanitation:

• Facilities must be cleaned and sanitized in accordance with CDC and EPA guidelines.

• Equipment will be sanitized by the coaching staff after each athletic event.

 

Athletic Training Room:

The athletic training room will not be used during the spring season. Student athletes in need of medical attention will be treated in the gym/cafe’. Injury ice and access to hydration will be provided by the ATC in a supervised and socially distanced fashion.

 

Practices:

Practices & Scrimmages – Coaches must comply with all NJ executive orders regarding indoor and or outdoor limits. Coaches MUST also maintain a high level of awareness of possible COVID-19 exposure throughout all practices.

• Coaches are required to wear face coverings unless doing so would inhibit the coach’s health.

• Students are required to wear face coverings unless doing so would inhibit the student’s health,
  or the student is engaged in high intensity aerobic or anaerobic activities.

• Coaches must ensure social distancing practices are maintained to the maximum extent

  practicable during all practices.

• Locker room access is only permitted for handwashing and lavatory purposes

  only.

 

Games:
Games – All school personnel must maintain a high level of awareness of possible COVID-19 exposure throughout all phases of the game.

• Coaches are required to wear face coverings unless doing so would inhibit the coach’s health.

• Students are required to wear face coverings unless doing so would inhibit the student’s health or the student is engaged in high intensity aerobic or anaerobic activities.

• Schools must ensure social distancing practices are maintained to the maximum extent practicable during the game.

• Team benches must be limited to essential personnel. Coaches must limit the number of players at each game.

• Officials are required to wear face coverings unless doing so would inhibit the official’s health or the official is engaged in high intensity aerobic or anaerobic activities.

• The sportsmanship statement is limited to one official, the head coach from each team,and a single captain from each team while wearing masks and maintaining social distance.

• Schools are not required to have rooms available for the officials. If possible, communication with the official regarding this would be appreciated.

• Post-game handshakes and celebrations are prohibited.

• Locker room access is only permitted for handwashing and lavatory purposes

  only.

 

Facilities:

• Access to FMG, Jonathan Dayton High School buildings is limited to athletic fields and ingress/egress areas.

• Access to locker rooms is permitted for handwashing and lavatory purposes only.

• Teams are to be assigned locations on the field for pregame, halftime and post-game

  meetings.

• Concession stand is closed.

 

Spectators:

All spectators must wear face masks and adhere to social distance guidelines while in attendance at Jonathan Dayton athletic contests.

Pursuant to Executive Order No. 234 EO 234 sports activities are currently subject to the following restrictions:

Outdoors: Outdoor practices and competitions are limited to 200 persons. All athletic practices and competitions, including professional, collegiate, and non-collegiate and non-professional, that are conducted outdoors are subject to the outdoor gathering limit of 200 persons. Athletes, coaches, referees, trainers, and other individuals who are necessary for the practice or competition are not included in the number of individuals present at a gathering for purposes of the limits on gatherings. All other individuals, including spectators, must be limited to 200 persons.

Jonathan Dayton Spring Sports Outdoor Facilities:

• Ruby Field (Baseball)- Bleacher access and perimeter fence access. Player area cordoned off for player only access.

• Front Turf Field (Softball)- Access will be provided on the outer fence area on the sidewalk.

• Meisel Field (Track & Field, JV Baseball)- Access provided on the outer fence. Spectators are prohibited inside the competition area while the athletic event is in progress.

• FMG Turf Field (B/G Lacrosse)- Access provided on the outer fence. Spectators are prohibited inside the competition area while the athletic event is in progress.

• Dayton Tennis Courts (Boys Tennis)- Access provided on the outer fence area. Spectators are prohibited inside the walkway leading to the turf field.

 

Transportation:

Proper protocols regarding athletic transportation must be followed based on the guidelines set by the school district.

Parents may elect to forego district provided transportation and transport their child to/from away athletic contests. Parents must obtain a “Transportation Release Form” from the coach and return the completed form to the coach and athletic department prior to the athletic contest.

• Face coverings are required for all staff and students while on busses unless it would inhibit the individual’s health.

• Temperature checks for all athletes will be conducted at the traveling team's school before departing.

• Schools should maintain social distancing practices on buses to the maximum extent practicable.

• Teams should limit travel to essential players and staff.

• Teams should consider parental transportation if approved by the school district.

  Transportation form required.

• Teams will follow the transportation provider policy on capacity limits.

 

Schedules and Announcements:

Please check http://jonathandaytonathletics.com/ for a complete listing of all Jonathan Dayton athletic schedules, announcements and online viewing options. Schedule Star/BigTeams offers complete and up-to-date scheduling information directly from our athletic office. If you sign up for Change Notifications, you will get an email or a message on your cell phone letting you know that a game has been changed.

The first step is to sign up. You will get an email with instructions to complete the sign-up procedure and to choose what team you want to receive notices for. You can log in any and sign up for any amount of teams. To change what teams you receive notices for, go to that particular school, log in and change your preferences. You can also add your cell phone or pager number or extra email addresses.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns please reach out to the Jonathan Dayton Athletic Department at ext. 5232. The health and safety of our student athletes remains our top priority.

Thank you for your support of our athletes and programs. Springfield Public Schools
Covid 19 Spring Sport Protocols