THE SHAWNEE MISSION SCHOOL DISTRICT IS PREPARING TO BEGIN FALL SPORTS MONDAY, according to a letter sent to parents by SM East Athletic Director Debbie Katzfey that details the Lancers' requirements and mitigation plans. — The Shawnee Mission School District is preparing to begin fall sports Monday, according to a letter sent to parents by SM East Athletic Director Debbie Katzfey.
“As you know, the season will be dominated by our ability to mitigate against the effects of the COVID19 virus and it is important for all of us to know, understand and support all the safety protocols in place,” Katzfey said in her letter, which detailed the school’s coronavirus mitigation plan.
Among the protocols SM East has put in place, students will be required to use a daily COVID-19 assessment app on their phones, which will also track attendance at practice to aid in contact tracing in the event it is necessary.
SM East, which had to suspend summer workouts at least twice due to positive tests, will require all students to wear masks before and after practice as well as during warmups, but they won’t be required during periods of intense activity.
Each student is encouraged to bring a Ziploc bag with their name on it for storage during practice. Athletic trainers will provide masks, if needed.
Students-athletes will not be assigned lockers and there will be an informational meeting before the season begins for parents.
In the event of a positive test, the student will be required to quarantine and the school nurse will conduct contact tracing to determine if anyone else was potentially exposed.
She also may recommend additional athletes or students quarantine, a decision in which coaches will not be involved.
Athletes may only ride with their parents or a teammate — if and only if an Motor Vehicle Release form has been filed ahead of time with the district — to practice and competition sites.
Football, boys’ soccer, volleyball, cross country, girls’ tennis, girls’ tennis, gymnastics and band all have meetings scheduled Monday ahead of the first practice.
But Katzfey also encouraged parents to ensure their students were exercising commonsense and caution outside of practice to reduce the chance of an outbreak.
“We want to coach your kids, but we cannot keep them safe without your help,” Katzfey’s letter to parents said. “Please be sure to communicate and enforce all the best safety practices in your own homes: social distancing, wearing masks, staying away from large groups, and being mindful at all times about your safety and the safety of everyone around you. This is truly a ‘it take [sic] a Village’ kind of moment.”
Lancers athletics were suspended in late June after two students tested positive for COVID-19 and again less than two weeks later after more than a dozen other athletes tested positive.
