FAUQUIER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS DEPARTMENT OF ATHLETICS

Revised June, 2020

FAUQUIER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Fauquier High School

DEPARTMENT OF ATHLETICS Kettle Run High School

Liberty High School

Fauquier County Public Schools: Return to Activities Policy for COVID-19

Purpose: The purpose of the Fauquier County Public Schools' Return to Activities Policy is to safely reintegrate VHSL athletics onto FCPS' campuses amid the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Athletics Staff of all high schools are working with School Administration, as well as with FCPS Administration, to ensure that all policies and procedures meet State and Federal Guidelines from various entities including, but not limited to, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), The Virginia Department of Health (VDH), The National Federation of State High Schools Association (NFHS), the Virginia High School League (VHSL), The National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) and the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE).

Disclaimer: The COVID-19 Pandemic is an ongoing global health crisis. As such, information and guidance from State and Federal entities can change rapidly. Therefore, this document should be viewed as fluid with changes, modifications and alterations anticipated. This document will be updated accordingly with new or updated guidance from the local, state and national organizations listed above.

Important Contact Information: Listed below is important contact information for each high school:

- Fauquier High School o Principal ? Kraig Kelican ? kkelican@ o Director of Student Activities ? Mark Ott ? mott@ o Athletic Trainer ? Bryan Grimley, ATC, VATL ? bgrimley@

- Kettle Run High School o Principal ? Meghan Brill ? mbrill@ o Director of Student Activities ? Paul Frye ? pfrye@ o Athletic Trainers ? Natalie Campbell, MS, ATC, LAT (Head Athletic Trainer)

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? nswick@ ? Reylin Morgan, LAT, ATC (Assistant Athletic Trainer)

? Reylin.morgan@ - Liberty High School

o Principal ? Sam Cox ? scox@

o Director of Student Activities ? Dean Sphar ? dspahr@

o Athletic Trainer ? Mandy Carter, MS, ATC, LAT ? mandycarter@

VHSL Physicals: At this time, the VHSL has not granted an extension of School Year 2019-2020 VHSL Physicals. Therefore, all FCPS Student Athletes must turn in a new VHSL Physical dated after May 1st of 2020 per usual practice. 8th Graders participating in JV Sports must also turn in a completed VHSL Physical dated after May 1st of 2020.

IMPACT Testing: IMPACT Concussion Testing is a requirement of the Fauquier County Public Schools School Board. At this time, due to device limitations and spacing considerations, IMPACT Testing will be completed once teams are formed and any cuts have been made. There will be no Pre-Season IMPACT Testing at this time.

COVID-19: COVID-19 is a respiratory virus caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-2). COVID-19 is a virus and is not treatable by antibiotics. At this time, there is no known cure or vaccination for COVID-19. This is a novel disease, and because of this, there has been very little empirical data collected by health experts. Preliminary research is showing that patients exposed to COVID-19 may begin exhibiting signs and symptoms within 2-14 days after exposure. During, and throughout, the reintegration of sports to Fauquier High School, monitoring for signs and symptoms of, and monitoring for possible exposures to, COVID-19 will be of utmost importance.

Signs and Symptoms of COVID-19: Listed below are possible signs and symptoms of COVID-19. This list is not exhaustive. Possible signs and symptoms of COVID-19 include, but are not limited to:

- Fever (100.4 or above) - Chills - Coughing - Shortness of breath - Difficulty breathing - Fatigue - Muscle aches - Body aches

- Headaches - New loss of taste or smell - Sore throat - Congestion - Runny nose - Nausea - Vomiting - Diarrhea

Again, it is important to note that the above list is not exhaustive. Any person who is exhibiting one or more of these signs or symptoms should stay home and not report to any FCPS Campus. These persons should follow up with an Appropriate Health Care Provider as soon as possible. Any athlete, coach, parent etc. who is on an FCPS campus and is observed by Staff as having one or more of the

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above signs or symptoms will be asked to leave campus and not return until further evaluation with an appropriate health care provider has taken place.

Assumption of Risk and Waiving of Liability: As with any sport, there is inherent risk of injury or illness. COVID-19 is no exception. While the Staff of FCPS is taking extra precautions to mitigate the exposure and spread of COVID-19, there is no feasible way to ensure that any athlete, coach, parent, spectator, official etc. will not be exposed while on an FCPS Campus or before, during or after participation in an Athletic Event sponsored by FCPS. It therefore shall be understood by all persons entering onto an FCPS Campus, or by all persons involved with an FCPS sponsored athletic activity, that there is an inherent risk of injury and/or illness, including, but not limited to, COVID-19. All Coaches and Athletes shall be expected to sign an Assumption of Risk and Waiving of Liability document that will be provided by the student athlete's Athletic Department in conjunction with Fauquier County Public Schools. All students shall have a parent or legal guardian sign this documentation, regardless of the student's age.

Emergency Health and Contact Information: All coaches and student athletes shall be required to submit Emergency Health and Contact Information prior to being permitted to participate in any workout or conditioning session. FCPS will be utilizing Page 4 of the VHSL Physical Form. The submission of this form does not replace the need for a fully completed VHSL Physical dated after May 1st, 2020 prior to the start of Fall Sports. This is simply a means of providing FCPS staff with pertinent health conditions and emergency contact information for all participants in summer workouts and conditioning sessions. A link to the Emergency Contact Form, Page 4 of the VHSL physical, will be available on the digital Assumption of Risk and Waiving of Liability Form. A copy may also be obtained by visiting or any of the three high school's athletics web pages.

Pre-Screening: All coaches and athletes shall, upon arrival to an FCPS Campus, be screened by the Athletic Trainer, or designee, prior to being permitted to engage in any athletic event. Strict measures will be used to ensure that exact time of arrival and departure are noted, as well as tracking proximity to other individuals on an FCPS campus. The Pre-Screening process will involve a temperature check as well as a questionnaire to rule out exposure to, as well as, signs and symptoms of COVID-19. All data collected during the Pre-Screening process will be considered medical documentation and is therefore privileged information protected under Federal and State HIPPA laws. Pre-Screening Logs will be kept in the Athletic Training Room and will only be accessible to the Athletic Trainer and other designated school and FCPS staff.

Pre-Screening; Positive for Signs and/or Symptoms and/or Answers Affirmatively for Possible Exposure: Any athlete, coach, parent etc. who reports for Pre-Screening with the Athletic Trainer or Designee and is determined to have signs and/or symptoms of, or answers affirmatively for exposure to COVID-19 shall immediately be asked to leave the FCPS Campus. That individual shall not be permitted to return to campus for participation in Athletic Events until such time written documentation is provided to the Athletic Trainer or Designee by an appropriate health care provider stating that they are cleared for return to participation.

Mandatory Coaches' Training: All coaches shall attend a Coaches' Training Session led by the Athletic Trainer or Designee prior to beginning workouts with students. Any coach who does not complete the training shall not be permitted to engage in Athletic Events sponsored by FCPS. Training will consist of:

- Instruction on aiding with the Pre-Screening Process - Instruction on the Three-Phased Plan - Instruction of appropriate social distancing and PPE requirements

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- Review of practice locations - Instruction of appropriate activities - Instruction on proper disinfecting of equipment - Other information as determined by the Athletic Trainer or Designee

Hydration: All coaches and athletes shall be required to provide their own water and water bottle for summer athletic participation. During Pre-Season conditioning sessions, coolers will not be available to teams; athletes and coaches are responsible for providing their own water. It is required that athletes and coaches bring at least 32 ounces of cool water for each conditioning session. Once Fall Sports officially begin, coolers will be provided to teams, however team water bottles, water wagons etc. shall not be utilized. Participants shall not be permitted to share water bottles for any reason. ATHLETES WHO DO NOT HAVE WATER WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO REMAIN ON CAMPUS FOR PRACTICE SESSIONS.

Athlete Mitigations Strategies: Mitigation of contamination will be of utmost importance during and throughout the return to athletics process. The following are list of mitigations strategies that will be in place indefinitely:

- No sharing of personal equipment o Helmets o Shoulder Pads o Mouth Pieces o Hats o Headgear o Hair care items ? Brushes/combs ? Hair Ties/bands etc. o Towels o Clothing o Shoes o Water bottles or other drinking containers

- The use of gum or sunflower seeds during games or practices is strictly forbidden - Spitting on or near playing surfaces or other commonly touched or used areas (benches, locker

rooms, showers, etc.) is strictly forbidden - Handwashing

o Athletes are encouraged to wash their hands with soap and warm water for minimum of 20 seconds prior to, and immediately following all practices, workouts or games ? If soap and water are not readily available, the use of hand sanitizer is recommended

- Showering o During Phases 1 and 2, showering at school facilities will be prohibited o All athletes should shower immediately upon returning home

- Clothing o Athletes should clean all clothing daily o Cloth face coverings should be cleaned daily o Athletes should not wear used clothing to multiple practices o It is recommended that athletes bring a change of clean, dry clothing to change into immediately after practice

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- Equipment Cleaning o All equipment should be cleaned daily ? Mouthpieces ? Wash in warm water and a mild soap and allow to completely dry ? All other equipment should be wiped down using a product safe for sports equipment ? OdoBan is an excellent, cost effective equipment cleaner available at Home Depot

Pre-Screening Station: The Pre-Screening Station location for each campus will be determined by Athletic Administration.

Disinfection and Sanitation: The mitigation and prevention of COVID-19 is of utmost importance. Proper disinfecting and sanitation procedures must be strictly followed and enforced. Proper Disinfection and Sanitization Procedures will include, but are not limited to:

- Handwashing o Soap and warm-water for 20 seconds minimum o Hand Sanitizer when soap and water are not available

- All skin wounds shall be evaluated and dressed by the Athletic Trainer - Disinfecting of Equipment

o Materials and instruction will be provided to coaches on how to properly disinfect and sanitize any shared equipment for their sport

- Frequent cleaning of commonly touched surfaces - Frequent cleaning of commonly used areas

o Restrooms, locker rooms etc. - Other procedures and needs as determined by the Athletic Trainer, Athletic Administration,

School or County Administration or by guidance from the CDC, VDH and/or the VHSL

Sanctions for Breaking Policy and Procedures: The health and safety of our students and staff, as always, is the top priority of Fauquier County Public Schools. With this new disease rapidly and vastly changing the Educational and Interscholastic Athletic institutions, following policies and procedures designed to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 is of utmost importance. FCPS expects coaches to be ambassadors of good health and safety practices. Both coaches and students shall be required to follow any and all policies and procedures set forth by their school, FCPS or any other State or Federal institution with superseding powers.

TEAM/COACH: A team or coach who is determined to have ignored or otherwise knowingly and/or purposely circumvented any policies and procedures in place, shall be subject to the following sanctions:

- 1st Offense: o 48 hour minimum suspension of team activities pending investigation by Athletic and School Administration

- 2nd Offense: o 14 day minimum suspension of team activities pending investigation by Athletic and School Administration

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