NJSIAA COVID-19 Protocols Updates for Fall Sports

Fall Student/Parent NJSIAA Protocols COVID-19 Updates

Introduction First and foremost- I am hoping that everyone is well and your families are safe too! There has been a lot of: 1. Information 2. Change of information 3. Speculation I am going to try to help unpack the information, the rationale for the change in information and finally put to rest speculation! New as of 4:00pm today- 1 link to all the NJSIAA Docs: https://www.njsiaa.org/covid-19- documents

Glossary of key terms NFHS Guidelines- this is a national overarching document that is helping guide state athletic associations on safety protocols. It classifies sports into risk categories in relationship to COVID-19 NJSIAA Summer Recess- this is the time in the summer that typically is permitted for all sports to gather and practice under NJSIAA bylaws and regulations. Please be reminded this is optional! NJSIAA Summer Recess Phase 1- These are the guidelines for the first permissible return to controlled practice. Timeline- July 13th may begin and must last for 2 weeks before entering into Phase 2. Very controlled conditioning.

Glossary of key terms NJSIAA Summer Recess Phase 2- This is the 2nd phase that permits more sports specific practices. Each student athlete must complete Phase 1 before entering into Phase 2. Therefore, you could have some players in Phase 1 when others can move to Phase 2. NJSIAA Model 1 Return to Play- This this the delayed calendar the NJSIAA has recently released for the start of Fall Sports. The theory is to permit student athletes to return to school without the added load of athletics. NJSIAA 7 day COVID-19 Questionnaire- This is a form each coach, wellness screener and student athlete must complete- 1 TIME ONLY before taking part in the Summer Recess Phase 1. This MUST be submitted 7 days prior to reporting.

Glossary of key terms NJSIAA COVID-19 DAILY Questionnaire- This is a form each coach, wellness screener and student athlete must complete- EVERY DAY before taking part in the Summer Recess Phase 1. We have developed a Google Doc for this but working on the Java Script to reload every night at 12:01am. NJ Bill S2518- now A4295- Delays physical examination requirement for certain student-athletes who participate in school-sponsored athletic activities during fall athletic season of 2020-2021 school year. Explain delay and rationale for moving forward. Webinar plans.

GLHS Athletics -NJSIAA Phase 1 Response Plan After much discussion with our coaches, the athletic trainer and fellow professional colleagues- the Governor Livingston Athletic Department is recommending an August 3rd or August 10th start date for the NJSIAA Phase 1 sessions. Please review the GLHS Athletics Website for your sports specific NJSIAA Summer Recess Phase 1 and Phase 2 plans. After the June 26th release of the NJDOE return to school protocols- it is hopeful some of the budgetary needs for return to athletics can be combined to reduce expenses. The Governor Livingston High School Athletic plan to comply with the NJSIAA Phase 1 protocols will need to be reviewed and adopted into policy by the Board of Education. The COVID-19 return to play protocols will be added to the Athletic Department s Emergency Action Plan. As per NJSIAA mandates. Working to finalize and get administration to approve for BOE acceptance into policy.

NJSIAA Phase 1 Guideline Overview: The NJSIAA has developed a Task Force to create guidelines and protocols for safe return to play for our student athletes and their families. 1st- The NJSIAA Summer Recess is completely optional/not mandatory for student athletes. 2nd- Each Coach, Wellness Screener and Student Athlete will have to complete the following prior to the workouts: Submit the NJSIAA 7-day COVID-19 questionnaire. We have created an online Google Doc to complete this process. This is a 1 time form. Follow all guidelines required- must wear a mask at all times except during rigorous workouts and bring 64 oz. of water each day. Follow all safety protocols with social distancing rules at drop off and pick up. Comply with the bathroom mandates- 1 student athlete at a time. Coaches will establish Training Pods of 10 student athletes that stay together for the entire duration (2 weeks) of Phase 1 for Contact Tracing purposes. Each student athlete will need to complete the Daily NJSIAA COVID-19 Questionnaire. This will be a Google Doc and must be completed every day! Each Student Athlete will need to complete a Wellness Screening daily- Temperature Check and review of Daily NJSIAA COVID-19 Questionnaire.

NJSIAA Phase 1 Needs: All GLHS athletic fields must be closed as soon as the NJSIAA Phase 1 begins. Custodian/other personnel assistance pre-phase 1 implementation Pre-screening needs- Wellness Screeners, appropriate disinfectant and supplies, signage and plan approval. System in place to complete screening. Communication, communication and communication!!!! Practice needs- Space outlined on fields for the Training Pods- still must social distance and follow CDC guidelines. All Head Coaches will submit their training pods anmes and contact information to athletic office by August 1st for possible contact tracing. All student athletes must remain in the same pods for Phase 1. Disinfectant kits- gloves, 2 types of disinfectant and other needs. Appropriate kill time for all disinfectant. Budget needs- working on it! Challenge to get some products- gloves!

Setting Up Social Distancing Social Distancing Implementation: 1. Paint/outline enforcing social distancing lines will be at pre-screening practice site. 2. Portable Tents will be set-up with plexiglass/plastic curtains to protect pre- screeners and student athletes. This area will be used to complete the daily temperature checks and review of completion of the Daily NJSIAA COVID-19 Questionnaires. Please be reminded that the Daily NJSIAA COVID-19 Questionnaires will be posted by 3:00pm daily and must be completed 1 hour before each practice by the student athlete and parent/guardian. 3. Grass fields will be painted with social distancing boxes for Training Pods of 10. 4. Social distancing circles/lines for student athletes to wait for pre-practice screening and on sidewalk to wait for pick-up after practice. 6. Bathrooms at Snack Shack will be disinfected and cleaned: Sample Schedule: 7:30am, 9:40am and 12:00pm every day. The bathrooms will remain locked until 7:30am and locked at 12:30pm every day. The bathrooms will be restocked with soap in the dispensers and hand sanitizer.

Setting Up Social Distancing Social Distancing Implementation: 7. Disinfectant/Hand Sanitizer Stations will be set-up by the custodians every day by 7:30am (4 per field site at 2 fields per practice time slot) 8. Daily boxes of gloves and sanitizing wipes for each coach to use post workout to clean equipment used. 9. Posting of signage throughout campus to help with guidelines and movement through zones, bathrooms and dismissal. 11. NO MASK-NO PRACTICE. Just in case- there will be a small supply of face masks to give to student athletes in the event of a face mask breakage/malfunction. 12. There will be assigned garbage bins. 1 garbage bin for the discarding of the used wipes and gloves after sports equipment is sanitized with EPA approved cleaners and disinfectants against COVID. This process will be completed by the coaching staff and garbage bags will be provided to enclose all the used wipes and gloves. This garbage bin will be emptied daily by 1:00pm every day.

Pre-screening Setup: 1. The questionnaire requires the collection of health information, it is suggested that the School District Doctor (Care Station) reviews and signs off on all questionnaires. In addition, ANY pre existing, positive COVID- 19 test, family member will require a note from a Doctor to participate. ALL student athletes will need to submit the 7 day COVID- 19 Questionnaire prior to starting the NJSIAA Phase 1. 2. These screeners will be trained on our protocols for a temperatures higher than the 100.4 and a Yes to any questions on the questionnaires. PPE for both screeners; facemasks, gloves, and possible gowns will be provided. REMINDER- the DAILY NJSIAA COVID QUESTIONNAIRE will be online to be completed every day 1 hour before practice begins. There will be 1-2 pre-screeners to conduct process- temperature, review of Daily NJSIAA COVID questionnaires. 4. coach that they are cleared to practice. Still working through this process. Green cards will be given to student athletes to present to coach when entering practice site. This will show the 5. need to be recorded- only if a student athlete presents a 100.4 or higher temperature screen. 2 Infrared Thermometers will be used for daily student athlete temperature screening. The temperatures do not 6. mask at all times. Once again, we will supply extra face masks in the event of a face mask breakage/malfunction. All coaches will need to be pre-screened and submit the daily questionnaire. The coaching staff must wear a face

Practice Setup: 1. Coaches will submit a practice plan for record as per guidelines. (Google Folder has been created) 2. The Pod Forms will have all the student athletes contact information in the event of a positive test within the training pod. Information from the local health department will be placed on the GLHS athletic website for procedures to follow after contact with someone that tests positive for COVID- 19. In the event of a positive test, the Berkeley Heights Board of Education will need to create a policy of next steps to follow . Both Todd Hirsch and Ms. Clifton are JHU Certified Contact Tracers now and will work through any potential positive test. We will also create a Google Sports Specific Folder for the collection of the Training Pods and the Student Athlete s contact information. Coaching staff will create training pods and submit them to the Athletic Office for record. 3. the student athletes clear the pre-screening station the coaches will make sure student athletes report to their training pod location. The student athletes can not socialize with members from different training pods. The coach will have a box to collect the green cards that each student athlete will receive once they clear pre-screening. Coaches will be at practice site- BEFORE the start time to enforce social distancing. After 4. during the practice session. The locations will need to be 6 feet apart to follow the mandated social distancing guidelines. The coaching staff will establish personal student athlete locations to store their water

Player Protocols -Pre-Arrival: In the event a student athlete is unable to comply with the protocols outlined- they will be dismissed from practice and must be pick-up immediately. They will not be permitted to return until a Conference Call is conducted with the student athlete, their parent/guardian, Head Coach and Director of Athletics.

Player Protocols -Pre-Arrival: The NJSIAA 7-day Covid-19 Questionnaire must be completed seven (7) days prior to the start of the first workout session. This questionnaire needs to be completed just one time. Participation is not permitted until this is filed with GLHS Health Office. NJSIAA Daily COVID-19 Questionnaire must be completed and submitted upon arrival to pre- screening station. Remember the NJSIAA 7-day Covid-19 Questionnaire: is completed 1 time. Remember the NJSIAA Daily COVID-19 Questionnaire: is completed daily- every day! If student-athlete has, or has previously tested positive for Covid-19, clearance from a physician is required to be filed with GLHS before participation is permitted. Student-athletes who have pre-existing medical conditions and/or are immunocompromised (diabetes, asthma, auto-immune disorders, etc.) must provide clearance from a physician before participation is permitted.

Player Protocols -Pre-Arrival: Players will have temperature checked before entering facility and complete the NJSIAA Daily COVID-19 questionnaire indicating they are symptom free. If temperature is 100.4 or higher, temperature will be taken again five minutes later. If temperature is still 100.4 or higher, player cannot participate and must leave facility immediately. Players who answered yes to any question on the questionnaire shall not be permitted to participate. They will be instructed to remain home and contact their health care provider. Player must have note from physician permitting participation filed with GLHS Health Office before returning for another workout. If student-athlete has, or has previously tested positive for Covid-19, clearance from a physician is required to be filed with GLHS Health Office before participation is permitted. Student-athletes who have pre-existing medical conditions and/or are immunocompromised (diabetes, asthma, auto-immune disorders, etc.) shall provide clearance from a physician before participation is permitted.

Player Protocols -Pre-Activity: Carpooling is not recommended unless absolutely necessary. Players should come in workout gear there will be no changing at facility. All student athletes must keep training gear on at all times. Locker Rooms or any inside use is not permitted during the NJSIAA Phase 1 practices. Please remember to bring your require 64 oz of water and personal hand sanitizer- just incase! All student athletes must maintain social distancing during their wait to clear the Wellness Screening station. There will be lines separated by 6 feet painted on the sidewalk to practice social distancing. Note- Coaches must wear face covering for entirety of session. All coaches will complete and submit the Daily COVID-19 Questionnaire and clear the pre- screening temperature area.

Player Protocols -Pre-Activity: Players must wash hands or use hand sanitizer before participating in workout. It is suggested that each student athlete brings their own personal hand sanitizer to practice. As per NJSIAA Phase 1 protocols- practice will only be 90 minutes (1 hour 30 minutes) in duration. Please be reminded that no athletic equipment- ball, stick or other are permissible during the NJSIAA Phase 1 practices. Players may not congregate before workout they should go directly to their training pod location after temperature is taken. The student athlete will show the green clearance pass to their coach and drop it in the collection box.

Player Protocols -Pre-Activity: After student-athlete leaves car to be processed through pre-screening area, driver must remain on site until student-athlete texts that they have cleared and are heading to practice. Please remember that the building is not permissible to be used during the NJSIAA Phase 1- therefore keeping an eye on the weather will be very important. Driver must leave facility after student-athlete enters the facility and not return until end of workout or if called otherwise. FINALLY- IF THERE IS A FORECAST FOR INCLEMENT WEATHER- ALL NJSIAA PHASE 1 PRACTICES WILL BE CANCELED. EACH COACH WILL CONTACT THEIR TEAMS WHEN PRACTICE IS CANCELLED. If there a pop-up storm common in New Jersey, please return to Governor Livingston High School immediately. This is the rationale that all practices will be conducted in the morning.

Player Protocols -Arrival: Players should not congregate at facility before practice. If players get to facility early, they should wait in cars. Refrain from carpooling unless absolutely necessary. Upon arrival, everyone should remain in their car until sport s specific arrival time. Players must bring their own water 64 oz suggested and not share with others. Parents will need to be compliant and help facilitate this process! Communication is a must and we will need it at several levels- Sports specific Coaches to parents and student athletes, Athletic Department communication via emails, booster blasts and website notifications. Any assistance with getting the word out will be helpful.

Player Protocols -Activity: All activity must take place outside. Players must remain in training pod of maximum 10 players (as assigned by coaches) for entirety of Phase 1 workouts. Training pod members must always keep six feet of distance between themselves and remain 12-18 feet apart from other cohorts. Players must always maintain 6 feet social distancing. This pertains to workout activity and entirety of session. There will be no handshakes, high-fives, fist bumps, hugs, etc. Players must bring their own equipment and not share any equipment during workouts. No balls or other sports specific items are permitted during the NJSIAA Phase 1. Phase 1 workouts shall be limited to conditioning, skill sets, and sport specific non-contact drills until further notice. During any breaks in practice, players must remain in cohort and not congregate Limit of one person in restroom at a time.

Player Protocols -Activity: Players must wear their face mask for duration of workout unless they are involved in high-intensity aerobic activity (running, sprinting, etc.) however once that activity is over, players must put face covering back on. If a player feels overheated or uncomfortable at any time during the workout due to the face covering, coaches will have designated area to allow player to remove facemask and recover before returning to training pod. REMEMBER- NO FACE MASK- NO PRACTICE! There shall be no spitting, chewing seeds or gum during the workout. Phase 1 workouts will be Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday only. Remember that all student athletes must go through Phase 1 to move to Phase 2. Phase 1 must be 2 weeks in length and consist of 2 days per week- (4 days in total). Only 1 practice session per day!

Player Protocols -Post Activity: Players must wash hands/sanitize immediately after session ends. Dismissal plan- At the end of the practice sessions- one coach will walk in front of the student athletes as they walk to the back parking lot to not get crossed with the new arriving teams. In addition, 1 coach will walk behind the group to assist and manage the process. Players must enter cars and leave facility immediately following dismissal. Players are encouraged to shower and wash workout clothing immediately upon returning home after workout.

GLHS Administration Protocols GLHS will instruct and educate coaches on protocols, rules and expectations. GLHS Custodian Staff will ensure the hard surfaces and bathroom facilities have been sanitized before the workout begins that day. GLHS will provide coaches with list of who has turned in waiver and Covid-19 questionnaire. Site supervisor will help keep players in car and avoid congregating. This same person will monitor the bathrooms during the workouts. GLHS will also dispose of all post activity wipes and gloves coaches will use to clean/sanitize their workout equipment.

CONDITIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL SPORTS DURING PHASE 1 -Workouts: Workouts All Coaches will be required to sign off on agreeing to practice these guidelines as outlined. a. Workouts shall be no more than ninety (90) minutes in duration and shall include a ten (10) minute warm-up, and a ten (10) minute cool down. b. Only one workout per day is permitted and there must be one (1) day of rest per every seven (7) days. c. All workouts shall take place outside during PHASE 1. d. Access to workouts must be limited to student-athletes, coaches, and appropriate school personnel. All coaches must be BOE approved with agreement accepted by School District for the 2020-21 school year. e. There shall not be any physical contact, of any kind, between student-athletes and coaches during PHASE 1. f. Throughout PHASE 1, workouts shall be limited to conditioning, skill sets, and sport-specific non-contact drills. g. Coaches should have pre-drawn structured workouts for the duration of the session.

CONDITIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL SPORTS DURING PHASE 1 -Workouts: Workouts Continued h. Workouts shall always comply with the NJSIAA Heat Participation Policy. A certified medical personnel will be in attendance to handle the wet bulb humidity testing as per NJSIAA Heat Participation Policy. All coaches must have a current AED/CPR and First Aid Certifications, NFHS Heat Certification and Concussion Certification on file in the Athletic Office. i. Student-athletes should be provided with unlimited access to fluids. It will be required for each student athlete to bring at least 64 oz of water to each practice. NO WATER- NO PRACTICE! The water horse will be set-up at the snack shack for additional resources. Only 1 student at a time can visit with their face masks on and maintaining social distancing Coaches will establish break/rest areas for each student athlete- these must be 6 feet apart. Student athletes will not be permitted to intermingle training pods of 10!

CONDITIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL SPORTS DURING PHASE 1 -Face Coverings: Face Coverings a. Student-athletes who are engaged in high-intensity aerobic activity, e.g., running, sprinting, etc., do not need to wear face coverings during the period of the aerobic activity. Once the aerobic activity is over, student athletes shall wear face coverings. b. Student-athletes who are not engaged in high-intensity aerobic activity, e.g., sitting on the bench, reviewing plays, watching videos, waiting in line, etc., are must wear face coverings. All student athletes must arrive on campus with a face mask on as they wait to be prescreened for practice. The student athlete s training pod of 10 will have a specific area to place their water/personal items and face masks. It is suggested to create a personal zone with cones and/or painted boxes for each student athlete to rest and maintain 6 feet social distancing apart. The establishment of student athlete training pods will be assigned and stay the same for all of Phase 1. If not training- all face masks will be worn- appropriately! c. Coaches and district personnel must wear face coverings at all times. All coaches must have their face mask properly on at all times! Covering your nose and mouth! No mask no practice!

CONDITIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL SPORTS DURING PHASE 1 -Hygiene: Hygiene a. Students and staff should make every effort to wash their hands as often as possible including before and after the workout. All coaching staff will be supplied with hand sanitizer that they must use every 15 minutes and before departing field. It is recommended to have student athletes bring personal hand sanitizer to the practice sessions. b. Hand sanitizer shall be accessible at all times. The custodians will be setting up every morning 3 hand sanitizer stations at each practice field. Coaches will mandate that a student athlete use hand sanitizer before departing each practice. c. Student-athletes shall wear their workout gear to the workout and shall return home in the same workout gear. This will be explained to each student athlete and family. All shirts must be worn at all times to limit sweat drippings. NO SHIRTLESS sessions for any student athlete.

Google COVID-19 Docs 1st- 7 day COVID-19 Questionnaire (1 time completion but must be completed 7 day prior to 1st Summer Recess Phase 1 Practice Session- JULY 25th for August 3rd start). Explain Highlander Pledge! https://forms.gle/YQfYs6rJ7fJubmuJ7 2nd- Daily COVID-19 Questionnaire (Must be complete every day!) https://forms.gle/YFZn6T9CCyHuA6b7A Still developing!

NJSIAA Return to Play Model 1 The NJSIAA Sports Advisory Task Force has identified the following eight guiding principles that will drive the decision- making process. 1. Ensure the health and safety of all student-athletes. 2. Re-engage all student-athletes as soon as possible for their social, emotional and mental well-being. 3. Maximize participation across all sports and all student-athletes. 4. Keep competition as local as possible for as long as possible. 5. Develop multiple return to play models to minimize the risk of a cancelled season. 6. Maintain the ability to pivot to back-up plans when deemed necessary. 7. Minimize potential impact on the spring season. 8. Minimize the importance of postseason, statewide championships.

NJSIAA Return to Play Model 1 In a memo to NJSIAA member schools, the NJSIAA Sports Advisory Task Force said: This plan is the first model to be provided in what will be a series of return to play models that will be in place for the 2020-2021 school year. The goal of the task force is to identify multiple back-up models that will be available as both school-related and health-related circumstances evolve. We must remain flexible and understanding- at best things will change!

NJSIAA Return to Play Model 1 Virtual Contact Period: From Saturday, August 29th, through Sunday, September 13th , FALL coaches only may have virtual contact with their student-athletes. Therefore, there may be no in-person practices, scrimmages or games during this time. Scrimmages: Schools will have the opportunity to participate in one pre-season scrimmage with a neighboring school. The scrimmage may occur any time within seven days of the regular season start date for that sport. When possible, schools are encouraged to participate in intra-squad scrimmages and utilize officials to provide additional preseason preparation. We have reached out to Watchung Hills to set-up scrimmages for the following sports: Boys Soccer, Girls Soccer, Field Hockey and Volleyball (not sure about indoors). We selected Watchung Hills because it is close to GLHS and same high school for contact tracing purposes. We are targeting September 25th and 26th- exact details TBA. I will work with Dan to coordinate a Game Scrimmage against Millburn- TBA.

NJSIAA Return to Play Model 1 Seasonal Schedule: The UCC Executive Team met to discuss best path to reschedule the season. The following were the parameters: Stay in UCC Divisions and play a schedule of only in division games. No crossovers and selected game days for each sport: Boys Soccer- Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday and at opposite sites Girls Soccer- Tuesday-Thursday and Saturday Field Hockey- (Super Union Essex Conference- but the UCC does the scheduling) Monday-Wednesday and Friday Volleyball- Monday-Wednesday-Friday (NO INVITATIONALS) Girls Tennis- Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday Cross Country- TBD and most all Saturdays or on high school campus dual meets. (NO BATCH MEETS OR INVITATIONALS) Football- TBD New schedule is being developed- stay tuned. Most likely closer opponents- not Voorhees or Delaware Valley.

NJSIAA Return to Play Model 1 Post season- could be just county tournaments or some type of modified state tournament. Nothing finalized! We will do our best we can to facilitate the schedule and re-post it. Nothing is finalized and no decision on fans or not. Could be a challenge! In my opinion one of the best measurements for returning to competition will be the fate of the SEC and Big Ten Fall Sports and Football schedules. They are set to decide make a final decision by the end of July. To put it in context: Ivy League (NJ- Princeton) Big Ten (NJ- Rutgers) The College of New Jersey- Consistent with TCNJ's 2020 Fall Restart Plan (found here), TCNJ has canceled the Fall 2020 season for high-risk fall sports and for the fall segment of high-risk winter sports. This means that football, men's and women's soccer, field hockey, wrestling, and men's and women's basketball will not participate in intercollegiate competition for the fall season.

NJSIAA and NFHS COVID-19 Documents COVID-19 Phase 1 Memo COVID-19 Phase 1 Guidelines COVID-19 Questionnaire COVID-19 Screening Questions Statement on Phase I Clarifications SUMMER RECESS - PHASE 1 CLARIFICATIONS Return to Play Update (As of July 10, 2020) NJSIAA Update - July 17, 2020 NFHS GUIDANCE FOR OPENING UP HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS AND ACTIVITIES