Parents for Idaho Sports and Activities


As parents of Idaho high school athletes, we are aware of just how serious the COVID-19 pandemic has become and we are committed to slowing the spread while addressing the countless other public health concerns within our community. We are also committed to assisting school districts and health departments across the state in providing much needed opportunities for our students and community. We are not asking to gather, rather we will show up to our children's events to social distance, wear masks, and support our childrens essential activities. We have sacrificed for our children to compete in the sports and events they love. Families are essential to us and sports/activities are part of our families essential activities. Many of us live and work for our children and will do anything to see our children compete. It's no secret, most of us are very upset, depressed, and downright angry about not being able to attend our children's events. There are also numerous grandparents who have supported their grandchildren through their journey and feel the same as the parents. We refuse to sit at home and complain, instead we are focused on taking positive action to insure our children's success. Our children have dreamt of playing on the big stage in front of huge crowds and our younger children develop positive role models by watching the varsity players. We must unite and come up with a solution to see our children compete. The plan we have laid out below is not perfect but it is a starting point. Time is of the essence as many of us have missed games already and those are games we will never get back.

Our Mission - We, as parents and community members, are seeking to work along side Governor Little to implement a State standardized plan that all school districts, health districts, community members and parents can follow. Our children need a stable plan without the daily fears that they may not be engaging in the activities they love from week to week. Our children work hard and it’s not mentally healthy to not have consistency in their lives. We are impressed with the plans our local essential and non essential business have adapted to deal with and slow the spread of COVID-19 while staying open to serve the community. We are committed to do the same and will join forces with Governor Little, school and health department officials to create a safe environment in each facility in Idaho for athletes, coaches, and spectators. As parents we will organize and supervise the spectators to ensure the rules are strictly followed. This will remove the pressure from the school officials so they can do their job. No school official was hired to be a covid manager. A group of parents from each school district will meet with their school district officials and public health officials to craft a plan that will follow this or a modified standardized plan. *The plan below is a starting point and we seek to work with the Governor, Schools, and health officials to create a plan that works for the entire state for all activities.


We are requesting an exemption from the indoor gathering limit of 10 people. We are asking for 20% capacity for indoor events. *This number will be different for each facility.

Examples
Venue Maximum Occupancy Attendance not to exceed
Rigby HS Gymnasium 1600 320
Rigby HS Auditorium 1018 200
Rigby MS Gymnasium 1272 250
Farnsworth MS Gymnasium 805 160

Parent plan - We will create a team of parents for each sport or activity.
1 - Head Parent Official. Designate one person that will be in charge and communicate with the school officials at each individual school.
2 - Head Sport/Activity Parent Official. Designate one person in each individual sport/activity that will communicate with the Head Parent Official. This official will be responsible for
Assembling a team of 6-8 volunteer parents for each event and assigning duties.
Coordinating with the visiting teams Head Parent Official to inform of protocols and seating assignments.
Making an announcement before the game to welcome everyone and to reinforce the protocols set in place.
When visiting another school, make contact with the host team Head Parent Official to get protocols and procedures for the event
3 - Work with school officials to formulate a plan for each event and facility. This includes entry and exit locations for spectators between events and seating plans.
4 - Organize and supervise the spectators. Make sure spectators are strictly following the protocols for the event. *This is very important.

Event Protocols
1 - Temperatures will be taken at the door.
2 - Face coverings must be worn at all times while in the facility. (No exceptions except children under 2)
3 - Physical distance 6 feet from anyone NOT living in your immediate household.
4 - Sit in assigned sections.
5 - Follow entry and exit directions to avoid unnecessary contact.
6 - Avoid coming to the event if you have symptoms of Covid - 19 or if you have been in close contact with someone infected with Covid - 19.

Our plan will coincide with a plan submitted from the School Districts similar to the Indoor Gathering Exemption Plan submitted by Jefferson School District 251 and approved by Eastern Idaho Public Health during stage 3.

School Responsibilities
Work with Head Parent Officials to develop a seating plan and entry/exit plan,
Help with signage and floor marking indicating physical distance protocols,
Announce frequently reminding spectators of physical distancing and protocols.
Provide signage reminding people NOT to enter with and symptoms of COVID - 19.
Provide and maintain hand sanitation stations throughout the venue,
Provide tickets to the event. Acceptance of a ticket is a commitment to follow all protocols.

Document by:
Jason Donnelly
Rigby Idaho
donnellyconst@hotmail.com
Parent Representative