Wicomico Recovery Plan 2020 -2021

63 Appendix G: COVID-19 Return to Play Plan COVID-19: Return to Play Wicomico County Public Schools has made plans to engage student athletes virtually for the first semester. Opportunities for both student athletes and coaches are voluntary for semester one. This plan has been shared with the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA) office to advise the MPSSAA of our mode of student participation and what activities will be made available for students. Wicomico County Public Schools firmly believes that our coaches are a support for student athletes in a safe and responsible plan to return to play. First Semester of 2020-2021 School Year – Out of Season Practices During Virtual Learning Rationale: • Participation in interscholastic high school athletics and extracurricular activities benefit students academically, physically, emotionally, mentally and socially. These activities will allowWCPS students to stay connected with their classmates, teammates, coaches and school in a safe, controlled and responsible manner. During the period July 7 to August 7 non-sport specific conditioning practices occurred on some of our school campuses with no incident. We utilized coaches who wished to engage athletes during this period on a voluntary basis. The practices were managed by either an athletic trainer or an athletic director during this time period. • Since the on-campus conditioning practices began, the decision was made by WCPS to begin the school year virtually. Small groups of students may return to campus once the first semester begins and teachers and students acclimate to their new mode of instruction. To be consistent with our instructional approach student athletes will be engaged virtually by contracted athletic coaches until students are instructed on high school campuses. • This model of student engagement option would represent the lowest risk level in the resumption of athletic activity: performing skill-building drills or conditioning at home, alone or with family members Vision: • The virtual coaching model will allow the student athlete to engage with their coach to support their social and emotional stability and growth, but will also assist them in the safe return to play. Coaches can play a pivotal role in supporting student athletes throughout the virtual learning process. Guiding Principles: • The health and safety of WCPS student-athletes, coaches and all athletic stakeholders will remain our top priority. • The interaction between athletes and their coaches assists in building positive relationships.