6/29/2020
Dear Upper Kennebec Valley Student Athlete(s) and Parent/Guardian(s),
The Athletic Department has been working closely with the MPA to help provide a safe “opening” of athletics in our community. As you all know, this has been a very trying time for all of us and we want to assure you all that we will be taking steps to provide a safe environment for our student athletes as we start to move forward. We all recognize that there has been a lengthy period that our student athletes have been away from athletics. We recognize that some athletes have maintained their fitness and conditioning levels however, many have not.
The priorities that the MPA Sports Medicine Committee have identified were developed to promote opportunities where coaches and athletes can begin to re-organize and begin to re-condition. This first step is critical to injury prevention as well as preparation for the possibilities of fall athletics to begin. We will be working with the school administration, coaches, and athletes to promote a team approach in managing the risk associated with transmission of the virus. We will be following the MPA guidelines as well as already established Maine CDC and State of Maine directives. We also understand that there are many dynamics associated with each school regarding facilities and access. We will be working with all of our coaches to be certain that we are all on a single plan and that all processes are in place regarding training, reporting, documentation, security of confidentiality, and solid communication with parents of our student athletes.
Based on MPA, Maine CDC, and Maine Department of Education guidance, one key component in the safety of our student athletes is going to be daily screening for all participants. We have developed a screening tool that can be used to monitor the student athletes and coaches if there are any signs/symptoms of the virus. This screening process will be done at home prior to the start of the activity. Any “yes” answers automatically disqualify the athlete from participation, and they must stay home. This process will include mandatory parental communication with the coaches and follow up with their own PCP for a return to activity clearance. This will be a critical piece of the process as it will prevent unnecessary potential transmission of the virus, protect confidentiality, and not overburden coaches with more paperwork and responsibilities. Coaches will be tracking daily attendance if tracking or tracing needs to be reviewed. Parents and student athletes will receive a specific plan of action regarding sanitation, masking, documentation, screening, and isolation if someone becomes symptomatic while participating in activities.
We recognize that there are varying degrees of concern about the virus and we certainly understand this. We also recognize that the number one priority for all of us is the safety of the student athletes, their families, and our coaches, and we are committed to do everything that we can to work with the schools to keep risk low and provide an environment of awareness and safety.
If at any time you may have any concerns or questions, please feel free to contact me.
Best regards,
Daniel McDonald
Science Teacher/Athletic Director/Chemical Hygiene Officer
Upper Kennebec Valley
School Phone (207) 672-3300 ext 357
Cell Phone (207) 612-8641
6/30/2020
SAD #13 Summer Sports Offerings
The Upper Kennebec Valley Athletic Department realizes that many private sports clubs and many town recreational programs are up and running. MSAD 13 is following Maine Principals Association summer guidelines and has worked closely with them to put the safety of our student athletes and the possibility of our fall sports seasons first.
June 13th – Aug. 2nd: Coaches will be in touch virtually with individualized workouts and sport specific drills.
July 6th – July 19th: Coaches will hold non-sports specific conditioning workouts outside at Valley High in pods of 10 or less.
July 20th – Aug. 2nd: Coaches will hold individual skill session clinics in pods of 10 or less if inside or up to 50 student athletes if outside.
Aug. 3rd: Falls sports preseason starts.
Coaches will contact student athletes for pod assignments, scheduling, and daily safety criteria will be passed out to all participating student athletes and parents.
If at any time you may have any concerns or questions, please feel free to contact me.
Best regards,
Daniel McDonald
Science Teacher/Athletic Director/Chemical Hygiene Officer
Upper Kennebec Valley
School Phone (207) 672-3300 ext 357
Cell Phone (207) 612-8641