• Dear Athlete and Family,

    The COVID-19 pandemic has presented high school activity programs across the country with many challenges. The Fort Osage School District understands that physical activity and athletic competition can be an important part of the overall physical and mental well-being of high school students. Therefore, the district is making plans to gradually open up facilities to our student athletes and participants who voluntarily wish to utilize them. 

    The intent of this letter is to communicate how we plan to resume optional athletic/band activities this summer.  Please understand that dates are subject to change based on new guidance from the health department.

    Important Dates:

    • June 29-July 31: Indoor facilities will reopen with limitations.  Sport specific practices/camps may begin.
    • Each program will communicate more sport specific information as it becomes more available. 

    The district is taking precautions to mitigate risks associated with Covid-19.  That being said, I think it is important to understand that social distancing is not always possible in athletics.  Ultimately, given the associated risk involved, families will have to make their own decisions about the level of involvement they wish for their child to have in our summer program.  Please know that we understand it is a difficult time, and all summer participation is completely optional.  To help each family make an educated decision, I have included our current summer guidelines below.  These guidelines were taken from the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and the Jackson County recovery plan.  

    Weight room/conditioning/Sport Specific/Practice:  June 29-July 31: 

    Limitations on Gatherings/Facility Use:

    Indoor facilities will reopen with limits on capacity.  Each indoor facility will not exceed 75% maximum capacity (gym, weight room, band room, etc.)  Each facility must be scheduled appropriately to stay under capacity.

    Outdoor workouts will still have a maximum capacity of 50 people per ½ field per workout.

    Physical Activity and Equipment:

    Sport-specific workouts, including sport-specific contact, will be allowed.  Participation is voluntary and parents should only let their students attend if they want them to participate in these workouts/practices.

    In the weight room, spotters will be placed at each end of the bar.



    Other Mitigation Practices:

    Weight Room:  Each student/coach is responsible to disinfect equipment at the end of each weight session.  Time will be allotted at the end of each workout to disinfect equipment.  Furthermore, equipment will periodically be disinfected throughout the workout.  

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

    Equipment should be wiped down regularly throughout the activity.

    All workouts are voluntary.

    Social distancing guidelines are explained to participants and families prior to beginning conditioning.  Social Distancing is promoted, but it is understood that sport specific contact is not conducive to social distancing.

     

    Overnight team camps will be prohibited.

     

    Athletes please take a moment to fill out this 2020 Summer weights and conditioning intent to participate form which will help us plan for those who are interested in participating in our strength and conditioning sessions.  You can access the form at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScmuXlm7ogKb4uQojJvgymomRIxmptlXE5t3nP6HXYDOvL9QQ/viewform.