SRV Conference schools collaborate on COVID-19 return-to-sports plan

Weiser School District trustees approved a return-to-sports plan with COVID-19 guidelines on managing facilities and sports specific protocols that schools will follow as the first games of the fall season start this week.
 Superintendent Wade Wilson said the plan was developed in conjunction with administrators at the other schools in the Snake River Valley Conference rather than have each school write their own individual plan.
 The Weiser School District, along with all school districts in the state, was required to have a plan in place before hosting any sporting events. The document incorporates four areas required by the Idaho High School Activities Association to resume sports this fall.
 The IHSAA mandated that schools must get approval from their local school boards and public health officials before fall sports begin. The IHSAA required each school to address the following:
 • Schools that host events are required to create policies for fan and team attendance. The plan must follow the governor’s reopening protocols and receive local health department local school board approval.
 • Schools must develop a transportation plan for practices and games.
 • Schools must have protocols if a coach or athlete tests positive that are approved by the health department and school board.
 • They must also develop a “return-to-participation” plan with the school board and health department.
 The Weiser return-to-sports plan satisfies the IHSAA requirements. Trustees approved it on Aug. 10 with the knowledge that it would undergo some additional revisions on parts that were nonspecific, Wilson said.
 The plan requires Weiser athletes to sign a liability waiver to participate in sports. By playing sports, students are involved in a higher risk activity that may include contact.
 Although it was not included specifically in the sports plan, Wilson said the Weiser School District’s longstanding policy of requiring that all students participating in sports or extracurricular activities travel on school-provided transportation might be adjusted this year.
 “This would be a year where we would probably be in favor of some flexibility with that policy and maybe develop protocols to allow students to travel with their parents,” he said.
 Fewer students crowded on buses would allow for social-distancing. Administrators will craft a district-specific plan that would allow parents or guardians to drive students to games or events. Some requirements would be included, such as students must leave at the same time and arrive when scheduled.
 WHS athletic director Tyler Grant said the athletic directors in the SRV agreed on two key return-to-play protocols covering COVID-19 and athletes that are contained in the fall sports plan.
 If a student-athlete exhibits symptoms of COVID-19 but may not have had a positive test, he or she must sit out 72 hours. All athletes also must complete a daily monitoring check for COVID-19 symptoms before practice starts. If an athlete shows symptoms or tests postive they need to notify officials immediately.
 If a student tests positive for COVID-19, there is a 10-day quarantine period. Returning to sports participation will require a note from a doctor.
 School district trustees approved starting the school year with the Level 2 blended model of instructional delivery. Students are assigned to an A/B schedule and use a combination of in-school and at-home learning. As long as the Level 2 instructional model is in place, fall sports are allowed to take place.
 If the district moves to Level 3 instructional delivery due to a spike in COVID-19 cases, classrooms would close and students would receive instruction online at home. No sports would take place during Level 3 instructional delivery.