6/12/20
June 12, 2020 Letter to BRH Families
June 12, 2020
Dear BRH Families,
Thank you for your patience during this time of unprecedented challenge for our school and disappointment and devastation for so many of our student-athletes whose spring sports seasons came to an abrupt halt. During the past few weeks, our athletic department has been working on developing a Return to Athletic Activity Plan that will meet the guidelines issued by the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). The Return to Athletic Activity Plan can be found on the BRH website at https://brhathletics.olinesports.com/ under “Links/Forms”. As of June 11, 2020 at 12:30 p.m., we have re-opened school for BR-H athletes for summer athletic training and we are able to enter into “Modified Step 2” of the MHSAA/NFHS Re-Opening of School Sports plan. Students must maintain 6 feet physical distancing at all times and no actual “competitions” are allowed, i.e. no scrimmaging.
First and foremost, on behalf of our entire athletics program, I hope that you and your loved ones are safe and healthy. Please allow me to be among the many to encourage you to practice social distancing and adhere to all CDC health and safety guidelines. All of us in the BR-H Family are counting on each other to do our part in defeating our newest opponent, COVID-19.
Second, I'd like to communicate the key points that will allow our school district to re-open for summer athletic workouts and steps we will take to ensure that the critical needs of our student-athletes are met, and our athletic department continues to operate efficiently and effectively.
· Pre-Workout Screening: Coaches and students are required to be screened for signs/symptoms prior to workout (including temperature checks). Therefore, all students will be required to enter the school through the main entrance, north side of the school by the High School Office. Our coaches will be required to complete the screening. Any athlete with a temperature above 100.3 degrees Fahrenheit or answers yes to any screening questions will not be allowed to participate in any workout and will be sent home. (COVID-19 Athlete/Coach Monitoring Form can be found on the BRH website at https://brhathletics.olinesports.com/) under “Links/Forms”.
o If you know your son or daughter has a temperature or is showing any of the signs/symptoms listed on the form, please keep them home.
o If you are transporting your child to the workout, please wait in your vehicle until they are cleared to participate. Also, please wait in the vehicle when you pick up your child and do not come into the school/workout.
o Your child must wear a facemask when they approach the school, while they are in any hallway in the school, and any time they use a restroom in the school. They may take the facemask off when they get into either of the gymnasiums, weight room, or go outside to get to the football field.
· Facility Cleaning: We have worked on protocols for our janitorial staff to ensure our weight room and gymnasiums are thoroughly cleaned following CDC guidelines.
o Our weight room will be sprayed down each morning with a cleaning product that is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). We have also placed buckets of “wipes” that athletes will use to wipe down equipment after each use and we have hand sanitizing stations for athletes to use during their work outs.
o Our coaches will be cleaning equipment before/after workouts and intermittently throughout the workouts.
o Our gym floors will be washed each morning if the gym has been used the previous day, Monday through Thursday, by our janitorial staff. We have also placed a hand sanitizing machine in both of our gyms.
o We will have a hand washing station placed down by the football field.
· Locker Rooms / Hydration Stations: Locker rooms are to remain closed at this time and hydration stations (water cows, water trough, water fountains, etc.) are not to be utilized.
o Locker room will remain closed. Athletes are to come in their work out gear. It is recommending that athletics shower at home immediately when returning home and wash all work out gear each day.
o Athletes should bring their own water bottles. The water bottle fill station located off the high school gym will be operational for athletes to refill their bottles. The “bubbler” at this station will not be operational.
o Bathrooms off the high school gym will be open to athletes. All other bathrooms in the facility will be closed to athletes.
· Annual Sports Physicals: For the 2020/21 School Year, MHSAA has stated that any student who had a completed MHSAA Sports Physical completed on or after April 15, 2019, and on file at the school, will not have to have another Sports Physical completed this year. However, the 2020/21 MHSAA Sports Health Questionnaire must be filled out and be on file at the school.
o The MHSAA Sports Health Questionnaire must be completed by Friday, June 26, 2020 and submitted to the Athletic Director in order to participate in summer athletic workouts. This form can be emailed to jlippens@brhschools.org. A copy of the form can be found on the BRH website at https://brhathletics.olinesports.com/) under “Links/Forms”.
o Students who haven’t had a Sports Physical on or after April 15, 2019 must have a Sports Physical completed by their Primary Care Physician. The MHSAA Medical History Form can be found on the BRH website at https://brhathletics.olinesports.com/) under “Links/Forms”.
o If your child has any underlying medical condition, please speak with your Primary Care Physician prior to participating in any sporting activities. Your physician may request that you receive an annual physical even though it isn’t required this year.
· Dead Week: MHSAA has stated that in the summer of 2020, a school may waive the requirement of a seven-day summer dead period (typically the first week of July). BRH school has decided to waive this and therefore, athletes may participate in workouts. All out-of-season activity remains voluntary.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at jlippens@brhschools.org or at (906) 280-4707. I would be happy to answer any questions that you may have. I hope you and your family have a great summer and we remain optimistic that we will be back to full competition at the start of the 2020/21 school year.
Sincerely,
Jeanne M. Lippens
Jeanne M. Lippens
Athletic Director
