Athletics at Monelison Middle School

Hello MMS Trojan Student Athletes!

Dear Parents,

First and foremost, we hope that you and your loved ones are safe and healthy. We have received questions from the community about if and how COVID-19 will change this year's athletic season. We know this outbreak has been stressful to many and recognize that exercising and participating in activities like sports can be a health way to cope with stress and connect with our community. After careful thought and planning, we are excited to let you know that we plan to resume youth sports while following CDC considerations to protect players, families, and our community.

The health and safety of our athletes, staff, and volunteers remain our highest priority. Below, you will find a summary of actions we are taking to help ensure we are lowering COVID-19 risk as much as possible while also allowing our athletes to play. We are:

• Intensifying cleaning, disinfection, and ventilation within our facilities and premises by disinfecting basketballs halfway through the practice session, sanitizing the locker room before and after practice, and hand sanitizing after coming off the floor.

• Reducing physical closeness or contact between players by tape on floor and bleachers to ensure that coaches and players stay 6 feet apart, discouraging unnecessary physical contact, such as high-fives, handshakes, fist bumps, and hugs.

• Promoting healthy hygiene practices (such as hand sanitizing before and after taking the floor to play)

• Requesting that coaches, scoring staff, and officials wear a cloth face covering during practices and games. Players must wear a cloth face covering on the bench, and any time they are not participating on the floor.

• Parents/Guardians/Fans will NOT be permitted into any games (we will be streaming our games on our FB page).

• Anyone who is sick or has been in contact with someone who has COVID-19-- including players, family members, coaches, staff and spectators -- should not attend practices or games. Be on the lookout for symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, cough, or shortness of breath. Call your doctor if you think you or a family member is sick.

If someone does appear sick at the beginning or during practice or at a game, we have plans in place to isolate and transport that person to their home. If you have a specific question about this plan or COVID-19, please contact Monelison Middle School for more information. YOu can also find more information about COVID-19 at www.cdc.gov.

We look forward to seeing you. Now, let's play!!

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Jacobs, our Athletic Director, at mjacobs@amherst.k12.va.us