RIVER RAIDER

Dear Families,

Over the past couple of weeks we have successfully implemented our test to stay program at BRMS with dozens of BRMS students.   The process has gone smoothly with the support of many BRMS staff members.  Our students that tested each morning were all in their classrooms by 8:15 every morning.   BRMS nurses Ainee Commichau and Wendy Tomlinson have coordinated this testing with the support of our COVID coordinator, Tara McMahon, and they  have done an amazing job keeping our community safe and healthy during this very challenging school year.

Several of our younger students headed out for their second vaccination this week and we are hopeful that we will have many more going out in the coming weeks.   We are encouraging all families to get their child vaccinated so we can reach the 85% vaccination threshold that has been set by the state of Vermont.  By reaching that percentage BRMS will receive some financial incentives along with turning the corner towards a more normal school environment in the Spring of 2022.

Next week is the start of our school basketball season with games against Camels Hump on Tuesday and Shelburne on Thursday.  This will be the first opportunity for us to welcome spectators back into our school since February of 2020!  We are excited to have our families sit in our new bleachers for the first time while they cheer for our athletes. Please review our winter season guidelines below. Let's go Raiders!!!!

Kevin Hamilton 

WINTER SEASON 

COVID-19 GUIDELINES

General Winter Athletic Guidelines

(More specific info will be sent out if/when the VPA updates)

From the VT AOE: We will not be producing sport-specific recommendations this year. All winter sports programs should follow the recommendations outlined in this memo.

The purpose of this memo is to support local decision making around implementing indoor winter sports programs during the 2021-2022 school year. Please note that the Champlain Valley School District Superintendents are making an effort to have common standards and expectations. Outdoor winter sports may be held as normal with individual participants and spectators implementing COVID-19 precautionary measures as a matter of personal choice. Since it does not appear a state of emergency will be declared at this time, this memo is only for activities held at locations that are controlled by MMUSD. This means there will be some potential for conflicting approaches when schools engage in competitions. The hosting or home school will determine mitigation measures, however at a minimum MMUSD athletes/teams will follow the same guidelines that they do at “Home” contests. 

Vaccination

We strongly recommend all eligible student athletes get vaccinated. Vaccination is a proven mitigation strategy and will ultimately ensure athletes can stay in school and compete safely throughout the season. Please remember that vaccinated athletes will not need to quarantine should an exposure occur.  

Positive COVID-19 Case Close Contact

Athlete is a close contact and they are:

• Vaccinated with no symptoms. They continue with normal activities (school, sport, and non-school). It is recommended that these athletes seek testing 3-5 days after the exposure.

• Unvaccinated with no symptoms. Assuming we have the supplies we will run the “Test To Stay” program for up to 7 days. During the Test To Stay program time frame students can attend school and practices at MMUSD but they can not participate in contests. It is strongly recommended that these athletes seek testing 3-5 days after the exposure. If we don’t have supplies, student-athletes will need to quarantine as outlined below.

• Vaccinated or Unvaccinated with symptoms should:

  • Get a PCR COVID test as soon as possible.

  • While awaiting test results the athlete:

    • Should not leave home, except to get medical care.

    • Should be in quarantine from other household members.

  • If the test results are negative they can return to school if they are fever free for 24 or more hours.

Basketball Masking Requirements

• Masks should be worn by all student athletes, coaching staff, referees and spectators during indoor practices, competitions and games, regardless of individual vaccination status.

• When you are outside training/competing, masks are NOT required by anyone.

Attendance

All students are expected to be present in school. If a student-athlete is struggling with attendance, an alert will be sent to the Athletic Director and coach. The coach will then speak to their student-athlete about their attendance.

Safety Precautions

Understanding that team-based social events are often considered an integral component of school-sponsored sports programs, they are allowed as long as they follow the state guidelines/protocols. They can not be mandatory for attendance.

Personal Protection

• There shall be no shared personal gear (i.e. towels, clothing, shoes, water bottles) between students.  Personal gear must be washed/cleaned after every session.

• Athletes and coaches should practice proper health habits such as coughing/sneezing into their elbows, utilizing and properly disposing of tissues, and limiting close contact with anyone who is sick or shows symptoms. 

• Athletes and coaches should utilize hand sanitizer or soap and water for 20 seconds to disinfect hands as needed and prior to returning home after each practice/event. 

Equipment/Facilities

• No spitting on the playing surface or sideline.

• The use of the weightroom is permitted as long as there is a supervisor in the room and ALL participants are masked for the duration of the time.

• Whenever possible athletes should arrive for practices dressed to play to the maximum extent practicable in order to minimize or eliminate time spent in locker rooms. Avoid congregating before, during and after practice.

Communication

• Any athlete exhibiting signs of a respiratory illness (coughing, shortness of breath, excessive fatigue) or a fever must cease participation in sport activity immediately and be sent to the Athletic Director's office for evaluation.

• Any sick athlete will be sent home and will NOT be encouraged to stay and watch practice/games. Under NO circumstances will a sick athlete be allowed to travel to away events with the team.

Spectator Guidelines

Indoor Spectator Events:

Spectators may be permitted at indoor winter sports games and competitions if the host school’s policies permit them. Spectators are expected to observe all mitigation measures adopted by the school including, but not limited to, those related to masking. At MMU, there are currently NO limits on the number of spectators at our events. 

• Masks MUST be worn at all times, no matter the vaccination status

• Food is not allowed in the gym.

• We are asking that all spectators are respectful and leave space between your families and others whenever possible. 

Outdoor Spectator Events:

Masks are not required for spectators and we will follow all guidelines/protocols set forth by the state.

MMUUSD requires ALL participants and spectators to behave in a respectful manner. Under no circumstances should any student athlete, official, coach or spectator be subjected to behavior and/or language aimed to demean, disrespect or harm. All individuals, regardless of their role in activities, are expected to be aware of their influence on the behavior of others and model good sportsmanship. If behavior or language of this kind is observed, please report it to the site administrator. Adults and student athletes are encouraged and expected to work together to ensure a meaningful and safe learning environment for our communities to grow and thrive together.

As a spectator, if you can not follow any of the bullet points above, then you may be asked to leave the event. If protocols can not be followed, then MMUSD holds the right to no longer allow spectators to attend events.  

Guidance News:

For all of you who have generously contributed time and $ to the BRMS Student Sleep Out in the past (and hopefully future), here’s a recent CBS Morning interview highlighting just one of the Spectrum programs you’ve funded to help Vermont Homeless Teens get back on their feet. We (the students and faculty of BRMS, the staff of Spectrum and most importantly, the Vt teens finding their way) sincerely thank you!

CBS Morning Show-auto-detailer-helps-give-young-people-who-are-homeless-or-otherwise-at-risk-a-clean-start