PETERS SCHOOLS PLANS FOR SPORTS
Plan means masks and crowd limits
Peters Township School District’s board of directors Monday unanimously approved a health and safety plan for fall sports and activities.
After a lengthy discussion, council decided that all parents and students must complete and return a participation waiver for communicable diseases, including COVID- 19, in order to participate. That includes sports as well as other extracurricular activities.
In addition, everyone, including student athletes, coaches, staff, referees, ticket takers, scoreboard operators and the like will have to complete a temperature screening and answer questions about their symptoms and interactions before any practice or event.
At indoor activities will be limited to 25 or fewer people. The number of people allowed at an outdoor activity increases to 250.
A good portion of the discussion revolved around how and when masks will be worn in sports and practices. The board concluded that masks must be worn by athletes at all times except during active competition.
Some board members were concerned about athletes over- exerting themselves if they had to wear a mask while engaging in intense physical activities such as weightlifting.
Board member Jamison Hardy suggested that athletes be allowed to take their masks off while using equipment in the weight room. “Your need for oxygen at a high level is very high” when lifting, he said.
Board member Lisa Anderson said Gov. Tom Wolf has mandated masks at all gyms, so the weight room should not be any different.
District solicitor Jocelyn Kramer said the governor’s order does say individuals must wear a mask indoors unless an exception applies.
“And the only exception is if it were to create an unsafe condition,” while executing a task, Ms. Kramer said.
“Every time we don’t put our mask on, we’re increasing the risk of transmission,” added Superintendent Jeannine French.
Ms. French said that some sports do require athletes to exert themselves physically.
“Unfortunately with a lot of exertion comes a lot of exhaling air. We’re taking our mask off at the worst point in time for transmitting disease,” she said.
Ultimately, the plan the board athletes voted to take on will off allow their masks while actively engaged in a competitive game, but will required them to wear am ask at all other times, such as practices and on the sidelines.
Additionally, everyone in attendance at practices and games must also wear a mask. No spectators will be allowed at games, but cheerleaders and band members will be permitted.
The district plans to stream the games using a platform such as Facebook Live.
The plan, which is on the district’s website, www. ptsd. k12. pa. us, also outlines procedures for cleaning and preparing facilities for practices and games.