Dear Wolverine Fans,
Our 2020-21 sports seasons continue to be impacted by COVID-19. Although we have experienced a few setbacks, we feel fortunate to be able to offer activities to our student-athletes at this time.
Governor Little’s Stage 2 Order for Idaho, dated November 14, 2020, restricted gatherings to a maximum of 10 people. Although athletics were allowed to continue, non-participants at events were limited to a maximum of 10 people and, as a result, the Snake River Valley Conference elected to close events to spectators during Stage 2.
On December 30, 2020, Governor Little approved a plan to allow a limited number of spectators to attend high school athletic contests under very specific conditions.
We are obligated, under the December 30th Order, to strictly adhere to the requirements if we allow spectators to attend games.
We are thrilled to have the opportunity to move forward with fans in attendance at games, even if attendance is extremely limited.
We need your help. It is important that spectators cooperate fully with all of the protocols for events if we are to allow them to be in attendance. We recognize that the requirements are very restrictive, but we have assured the State Board of Education that we will comply fully with all of the requirements in order to access provide this opportunity.
At this time, the Governor’s Order only addresses high school sports. The 10 person gathering limit is still in effect for middle school sports and other activities.
Please refer to the Governor’s December 30, 2020 Order on winter sports, as well as the Weiser High School Winter Sports Plan for details.
Go Wolverines!!!
Wade Wilson, Weiser School Superintendent
Weiser High School Winter Sports Plan
Updated January 5, 2021
The PURPOSE of this Weiser High School Winter Sports Plan is to:
- Establish protocols for school activities and school competitions that adhere to ALL of the requirements for gatherings and spectators as outlined in Governor Little’s Winter Sports Order dated December 30, 2020.
- Allow athletics to continue to compete in a way that is productive and safe for all participants, while including spectators.
PLEASE DO YOUR PART TO ALLOW US TO CONTINUE TO OFFER WINTER SPORTS THAT INCLUDES SPECTATORS.
School Requirements:
Schools are responsible for adhering to the Stage 2 Stay Healthy Order or other restrictions issued by the Governor or local jurisdictions.
In order to remain compliant with the Governor’s Stage 2 Order for Winter Sports:
1) Protocols for events will be posted on entry doors and be visible for all participants and spectators.
2) Weiser High School is required to have a protocol in place for all areas of the facility. Spectators must maintain a minimum of 12 feet of distance from non-family members:
In Parking Lots – spectators should wait at their vehicle until gates open and should leave the facility immediately following the competition, or when asked to do so
On Sidewalks – maintain distance before entering or exiting the facility
In Lobbies – no loitering
In Restrooms – Weiser will designate home and visiting spectator restrooms
In the Gym – sit in designated spaces and remain physically distant from non-family members
3) Passes to events:
Each participant may invite up to 2 spectators to their event and will be provided their passes in advance for distribution. However, the number of spectators in attendance may not exceed:
Basketball – 26 spectators per team
Wrestling – 30 spectators per team
Cheer – 12 spectators per team
4) Essential personnel in attendance are limited to:
Coaches – District Approved Only
Stat Keepers – Not to exceed 1 (or 1 per mat for wrestling)
Table Workers – Not to exceed 4 (or 4 per table for wrestling)
Administration – Not to exceed 3
Trainer – Not to exceed 1
Maintenance and Janitorial – Not to exceed 3
Audio/Visual – Not to exceed 1
Gate Workers – Not to exceed 2
5) Spectators:
Physical Distancing must be practiced in all places in the facility. Physical Distancing is defined in the Order as 12 feet of distance between non-household members.
Masks and/or facial coverings are REQUIRED for all spectators when not seated or when seated without a minimum of 12 feet physical distance between themselves and others.
Spectators must sit in designated seating spaces marked with an “X”.
Due to limitations on bleacher space, designated seating spots for spectators at Weiser High School DO NOT meet the required 12 foot spacing outlined in the Governor’s Order.
Spectators MAY be able to remove their mask when seated IF the required 12 feet of distance from others can be maintained. In Weiser, this requires that the immediate designated seating locations marked with an “X” are vacant in ALL directions around the spectator.
Home spectators and away spectators will enter though separate entrances, leave through their designated entrance, and will have designated seating sections.
i. Home Spectator Entrance – gym doors to the east side of the game gym
ii. Away Spectator Entrance – entrance to the main lobby of the school on the south side of the building (by the flagpole)
Gyms and event areas will be cleared after each event and cleaned and sanitized prior to allowing spectators in the facility for the next event.
6) Non-participating athletes, coaches, and game personnel:
Must wear a mask at all times
Non-participating athletes will be seated as a group behind the competing teams
7) Sanitation:
Hand sanitizer will be available at entrances and in other locations throughout the venue.
Separate restrooms will be designated for home team spectators and for visiting team spectators. Restrooms will be sanitized throughout each event.
8) An Assurance Agreement that states Weiser High School will adhere to the guidelines of the Stay Healthy Order and Winter Sports Order will be signed by the Chairman of the School Board and by the Superintendent and submitted to the State Board of Education as required no later than January 15, 2021.
*IN ORDER FOR WEISER HIGH SCHOOL TO CONTINUE TO ALLOW ATHLETES TO
COMPLETE AND FANS TO WATCH CONTESTS WE ARE REQUIRED TO FOLLOW ALL OF
THE REGULATIONS OUTLINED UNDER THE GOVERNOR’S WINTER SPORTS ORDER.
YOUR FULL COOPERATION IS NECESSARY AND APPRECIATED.
High School Athletic Plan for Governor’s Orders on Gatherings and Spectators
December 30, 2020, Winter Sports
The following information is for Idaho schools to conduct activities for the 2020-2021 winter sport school year consistent with the requirements of the Idaho Stage 2 Stay Healthy Order. The goal of this plan is to outline a plan for high school athletics that will allow athletics to continue in a way that is productive and safe for all participants, while including spectators. This document will address the number of people allowed in the facilities, the maintenance and hygiene of the facilities, and how activities meet the public health goal to minimize COVID-19 transmission risk. Spectators at athletic events are considered a gathering and school activities will follow the Governor’s Order on limiting gatherings as they apply to spectators at high school athletic events.
School Requirements
Schools are responsible for adhering to the Stage 2 Stay Healthy Order or other restrictions issued by the Governor or local jurisdictions. These Protocols will need to be posted on entry doors and be visible for all participants and spectators.
Schools that host events are required to follow this plan in order to host home competitions in their school. Schools are required to have a protocol in place for all areas of the facility, including parking lots, sidewalks, lobbies, bathrooms, hallways, and the gym. Entry and exit will need to be clearly marked and if possible, separate entry and exits for each group of participants and spectators.
Limitations on Gatherings:
• Student athletes may have up to 2 spectators for both home and away teams in the event area. This includes all Freshmen, JV & Varsity teams, Cheerleaders, and wrestlers.
• All non-participating athletes, essential personnel, administrators, and table help are REQUIRED to properly wear masks. Freshmen and JV teams may remain in the gym behind the team playing.
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• Basketball
o Freshmen Teams will not exceed 13 student participants
o JV Team will not exceed 13 student participants
o Varsity Team will not exceed 13 student participants
o Total number will not exceed 40 student participants
• Cheerleaders
o JV Cheer will not exceed 6 student participants
o Varsity Cheer will not exceed 6 student participants
• Wrestling (duals, tri-meets, and quads)
o JV Wrestling will not include more than 15 student participants
o Varsity wrestling will not include more than 15 student participants
o Tournaments will have no spectators
• Essential personnel
o Coaches
▪ District Approved Coaches ONLY
o Stats
▪ This will not exceed 1 participant
o Table workers for home teams
▪ This will not exceed 4 participants
o Administration
▪ This group will not exceed 3 participants.
o Trainer
▪ This will not exceed 1 participant
o Maintenance and janitorial
▪ This will not exceed 3 participants
o Audio/Visual not to exceed 1 participant
o Gate person not to exceed 2 participants
Health and Safety Measures
• Spectators
o Masks and facial coverings are REQUIRED for all spectators when not seated and physically distanced. For districts and charter school boards that have a mask requirement, this requirement will be in force for spectators.
o Masks are highly recommended for spectators.
o Physical distancing must be practiced in any place in the facility.
o For purposes of this plan, physical distancing is 12 feet from non-household members.
• Direction and flow of spectators
o The entry and exit and flow of directions as spectators enter the gym and exit the gym will be clearly marked.
o Home spectators and away spectators will enter through separate entrances and leave through those same entrances.
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o Physical distancing will be maintained in all areas of the facility including entry ways, exits, lobbies, bathrooms, and congregation of people is prohibited within the schools.
• Event area, such as gyms, will be cleared after each event, cleaned, and sanitized prior to the second event taking place.
o Spectators will have to leave the facilities after a JV event, the facility will have to be cleaned, and then the spectators for the Varsity event may enter.
o Bathrooms will be cleaned and checked multiple times throughout an event.
Physical distancing signage will need to be in place in all areas.
• Hand sanitizer should be plentiful and available to spectators and participants.
Adherence to the athletic guidelines
• Schools will adhere to these guidelines and the Stay Healthy Order.
o An Assurance Agreement will be signed by the board chair and superintendent that states the district will follow these guidelines.
o A district choosing not to sign this agreement will need to follow all Stage 2 requirements of less than 10 people. This will be left up to local districts.
o A copy of the State Board of Education’s Resolution directing school districts and charter schools to comply with Stage 2 Stay Healthy Order will be signed by the board chair and superintendent, and added with the Assurance Agreement signed. This Resolution was voted on and passed by the Idaho State Board of Education on December 10, 2020.
• A copy of these signed agreements will be delivered to the State Board of Education no later than January 15, 2021.
•
Consequences of non-compliance
• If a high school or district is found to be in non-compliance with this document and the direction set forth by the SBOE, then the following tiered process will be followed. Only a coach, athletic director or administrator for a team competing in the event may file a complaint for non-compliance with the SBOE.
o First offense: The school receives a written warning rom the SBOE.
o Second offense: The school that is found in non-compliance forfeits that event.
o Third and final offense: The school that is found in non-compliance will forfeit all future athletic events for that sport during the winter season.
• Schools that choose not to participate in an athletic event at a school that has been found non-compliant will not forfeit the athletic event. Only a coach, athletic director or administrator for a team competing in an event may make a finding of noncompliance before or during the event.
• This plan is pursuant to the exemption in the Governor’s Stage 2 Stay Healthy Order (dated December 30, 2020).
• Widespread non-compliance with this plan will lead to this exemption being revoked in the order, and all athletics and extracurricular events being subject to the gathering limitation.
