COVID-19

Fall Athletic Guidelines



Wayne Hills High School

Attention all Students and Wayne Township Community Members:

As many of you are aware, New Jersey is moving ahead with athletics for all High Schools that wish to participate. The NJSIAA (New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association) has outlined detailed guidelines for all member school's to follow. Similar to every day life, we will have to adjust to what will be the "new normal" for high school athletics and also be prepared to continue to adjust, as this fluid situation continues to evolve.

The information on this page is designed to act as a "hub" for all things related to the 2020 Fall Sports Season and COVID-19 guidelines, adjustments, and restrictions. These guidelines are put into place to keep everyone's health and safety as a top priority, while also abiding by Governor Murphy's outdoor gathering order (subject to change). These guidelines were developed by the Wayne Township Public Schools Athletic Departments and Administration, as well as our divisional athletic director's, in an attempt to have similar guidelines for all home and away contests.

Finally and from a philosophical standpoint, safely running these programs through the entire fall season will be a "community effort". It will take more than our school, coaches, student-athletes, and families practicing proper social distancing, wearing face coverings and the necessary safety measures while on campus - the "new normal" needs to be practicing these measures at all times. The future is unclear and nothing is guaranteed, but we owe it to our student-athletes to all be in this together and do our best to provide them with the opportunities that they have worked so hard for and earned.

Thank you in advance for your efforts and cooperation towards this "community goal" and please carefully read through all of the information located on this page.

**As per Governor Murphy's orders, local health departments, or district decisions - ALL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY POINT. PLEASE CHECK BACK FREQUENTLY!


Sincerely,

Mr. DiLollo / Mr. Drozjock

Assistant Principals Athletics / Student Activities

Wayne Hills / Wayne Valley High Schools


GENERAL OVERVIEW

  • For the 2020 Fall Season, the NJSIAA will be offering the following sports: Boys & Girls Soccer, Field Hockey, Football, Cross Country, and Girls Tennis. Furthermore, Cheerleading will also be offered.

  • Fall 2020 Travel Release

  • Volleyball and Gymnastics will have an opportunity to compete in the NJSIAA's "Season 3" beginning in mid-February.

  • As per Governor Murphy's orders, any fully remote student IS ELIGIBLE to compete in a fall sport.

  • Information regarding daily operating procedures, out of state travel restrictions, and athletic clearance forms can be found here. Please carefully read through each of the documents located in this folder.

  • Football and Field Hockey begin practices on Friday, 9/11. All other fall sports begin on Monday, 9/14.

  • All NJSIAA heat acclimatization, concussion, and eligibility rules are still in effect for the 2020 fall season.

  • Information regarding spectators, transportation, daily checks, and parent/student-athlete responsibilities is listed below in detail.

  • Important links and other update information can be found below.


STUDENT-ATHLETE DAILY RESPONSIBILITIES/DAILY OPERATING PROCEDURES


  • Any student-athlete that feels in any way under the weather or that has any symptoms consistent with our screening forms MAY NOT attend practice or be on campus - it is imperative that we are extra cautious here and understand that missing practice or a game is acceptable. It is strongly recommended that if you are dealing with ANY symptoms that you contact your doctor.

  • All student-athletes MUST report to their designated check in area and wait to be screened prior to each day of athletics. Pre-screening question form must be completed with a no to all questions before student athletes arrive on campus for practice. All student-athletes must maintain social distancing prior to checking in.

  • ALL STUDENTS MUST ARRIVE WEARING A PROPER MASK. GAITER MASKS ARE PERMITTED FOR FOOTBALL GAMES/PRACTICES

  • Daily checks will include a temperature check and a set of screening questions. These checks will be conducted by the coaches and all coaches will screen each other and/or be screened by the athletic director or the athletic trainer.

  • The athletic trainer and all athletic personnel, workers, etc. will be screened daily.

  • All student-athletes MUST bring their own water bottle and there is NO sharing of any drinks.

  • All personal equipment will be brought home each day and must be properly cleaned by the student-athlete.

  • All shared sports equipment will be properly cleaned by the coaching staff and/or athletic department regularly.

  • Student-athletes should report to campus at the assigned time (as per their coaches), not sooner. Student-athletes are instructed to leave campus immediately following their practice or game.

  • All student-athletes should bring a bag with any equipment, water bottles, and extra masks on a daily basis.

  • When not performing/participating in a practice or game, all athletes MUST be wearing a mask. Again, this includes players that are out of the game for an extended period of time.


TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION


  • Busing will operate at approximately "half-capacity" or 1 student-athlete per seat.

  • All student-athletes, coaches, and drivers will be required to wear a mask at all times during bus rides.

  • It is strongly recommended that all bus riders open their windows for the duration of the ride and dress accordingly.

  • Travel Release forms will be accepted but must be submitted in advance. Travel release forms will be for ROUND TRIP travel as to ensure that buses are not overcrowded for one way of the trip.

  • Student-athletes that drive within district WILL BE PERMITTED to use a travel release for the 2020 fall season. These students must submit a travel release form to the athletic office AS WELL AS a confirmation email or phone call from the parent or guardian.


SPECTATOR INFORMATION


  • Spectators WILL BE PERMITTED at athletic events, but masks are MANDATORY AT ALL TIMES. Furthermore, all guests must practice social distancing. Any guest that can not follow these guidelines will be removed from the event.

  • The concession stand will be closed at all times and the sales of any food, beverages, clothing, or anything else is strictly prohibited.

  • Spectators will not be permitted on the field of play before, during, or after any competition or practice (Senior Day exception listed below).

  • No back backs or open water/drinks will be allowed in the stadium and grass fields.


SPECTATOR INFORMATION/GAME LOGISTICS - VARSITY FOOTBALL/CHEER/BAND


  • When considering the amount of participants for football games (football players, band, cheer, officials, workers, etc.), the Super Football Conference Freedom Red Division Schools have agreed that ONLY HOME Band and Cheer will attend the football games. Away cheer can attend as a varsity only sideline cheer team as long as the Home Team’s facility can safely accommodate the added numbers and the Away Cheerleaders have the approval of their administration.

  • The Home Team Marching Band will be in the the track area behind the end zone on the scoreboard side with chairs set up for each home game.

  • All home band, cheer, and football players will be given TWO tickets for each home game. All participants will be required to submit the names of their guests in the upcoming weeks. All guests will be checked in at the main entrance.

  • All guests MUST enter through the entrance at the back of the school, there will not be an entrance from James Fallon Elementary School.

  • All of the schools in the division have agreed NOT TO CHARGE for these contests. However, any guest that does not have a ticket in hand will not be provided access to the stadium - NO EXCEPTIONS.

  • All football players will receive two tickets for each away game

  • All spectators will be assigned to a home and away side of the field at all locations - no exceptions.

  • The concession stand will be closed at all times and the sales of any food, beverages, clothing, or anything else is strictly prohibited.

  • No food or drinks will be allowed in the stadiums.

  • For all away games we must defer to the rules and restrictions of our opponent's facilities. When considering these rules, students will not be able to attend away games.

  • Tickets for away games will be distributed through the coaches, to the players, in the days prior to the game.


SENIOR DAY


  • Parents WILL BE PERMITTED on the field for pre-game (explicit directions will be released prior to the game).

  • There will be balloons and decorations permitted, as per conversations between the parent group leadership and the athletic department. You may decorate the bleacher area and hang signs on the bleacher fencing. You MAY NOT decorate the black fencing surrounding the track/field.

  • Football Senior Day will honor Football Players and Cheerleaders in pre-game. Half time will include a cheer performance and the honoring of our Band Members. In collaboration with the cheer program and music department, this adjustment was made to reduce the amount of parents, players, and staff lined up on the field in pre-game.

  • Photos will be taken of all seniors by a designee of the athletic department. There will not be access to the field following the game.


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

AND IMPORTANT LINKS