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WPCNR VIEW FROM THE UPPER DECK by John F. Bailey, February 5, 2021:
The White Plains High School will start up its truncated winter scholastic sports of Boys and Girls Ice Hockey, Basketball, and Cheerleading Friday.
The action comes after Dr. Serlita Amler, Commissioner of Health issued COVID-19 Guidelines for resuming high school sports, which was announced today by County Executive George Latimer in his COVID Briefing.
The White Plains Board of Education will meet to approve the decision of the Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joseph Ricca and Athletic Director Matt Cameron, Monday evening, according to Michele Schoenfeld, Clerk to the Board of Education.
Here is a copy of the final guidelines school districts must follow issued by Dr. Sherlita Ambler and sent to School Superintendents on February 3:
The school must establish a hierarchy for oversight/violations (Coach should not have sole responsibility of controlling all established regulations and consequences). The school must provide the Westchester County Department of Health with the name and contact information of its COVID-19 athletic coordinator.
Schools may establish testing protocols, mandatory or random, for athletic teams and events if they choose to do so. Because these are school sponsored activities, Westchester County will assist in the same manner we assist schools with their testing efforts, as long as supplies are available.
Activity-Based Guidance:
New York State’s “Master Guidance for Sports and Recreation” must be followed, unless more stringent guidance is provided herein. For current State guidance see: https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/governor.ny.gov/files/atoms/files/SportsAndRecreationMasterGuidance.pdf;
American Academy of Pediatrics guidance must be followed relative to the wearing of face coverings. See: https://services.aap.org/en/pages/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-infections/clinical-guidance/covid-19-interim-guidance-return-to-sports/ (as amended from time to time);
Players and coaches must adhere closely to the required daily attestation regarding COVID-19 symptoms and potential exposure.
The symptom and temperature check must occur with all coaches, staff and players before each practice and/or athletic contest. Anyone who is sick, or has been exposed, or who is pending COVID-19 diagnostic test results (not part of routine surveillance) must be excluded from activities and contests.
Attendance logs for all practices, contests, and tournaments including visiting team players and coaches and any spectators, must be kept. Such log, at a minimum, must include Name, Address, and phone number. This will allow proper contact tracing and notification if a COVID-19 exposure occurs.
Social distancing and reduced contact is important. Locker rooms can only be used with strict social distancing practices in place. Players must have dedicated water bottles. Players must refrain from unnecessary physical contact, sharing equipment and other routine behaviors that could potentially transmit the virus.
Spectators are not permitted for “Indoor Sports” as per Section 1. “Outdoor Sports” permit spectators for the home team only and must be kept to a maximum of 2 per athlete. Social distancing and mask protocols remain in place.
Participation in tournaments outside of the Section 1 scholastic catchment area is not recommended at this time. Coaches should be aware and have contact information, including off-hours, for the school or school district’s designated COVID-19 coordinator. This should be used to inform the school and health officials if there is an exposure, but also to inform the coaches if a student is to be excluded from team activities.