WEST ORANGE, NJ — West Orange Superintendent of Schools Scott Cascone approved moving forward with fall sports at West Orange High School in a letter to parents on July 6, detailing the guidelines set by the state, the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association and WOHS Athletic Director Ron Bligh. The guidelines apply only to the seven fall sports and marching band; no rules have been set yet for winter sports. But despite the posted workout schedules and strict rules relating to COVID-19, Cascone said there is still no guarantee the fall season will happen at all.
“When reviewing the social distancing guidelines put forth governing the opening of schools in September, the ‘disconnect’ of placing athletes from opposing teams on the same field competing is obvious,” he said in the letter. “It remains to be seen, therefore, whether the fall season will occur as scheduled. As we’ve seen, a number of college-level programs have already canceled their seasons; I do believe that there will be more coming.”
Even though the fall sports season is still up in the air, Cascone said he approved the plan because it will help students feel somewhat normal after having been at home since March and unable to participate in school activities.
“My approval of moving forward with phase 1 is based not only on my confidence in the rather extensive health and safety protocol which will be utilized, but, more importantly, because I feel that it represents a sense of normalcy for our children,” Cascone said. “They have been sequestered for far too long without the benefit of interaction with their classmates, coaches and mentors, and without structured physical activity.”
According to Bligh’s outline of the plan, student athletes who have tested positive for COVID-19 will need to provide clearance from a doctor before being allowed to participate. Daily screenings, including temperature-taking, will take place upon students’ arrival at the school. Students with a temperature higher than 100.4 degrees will not be permitted to play.
“Practices will be held to a strict schedule of 90 minutes, which will include a 10-minute warm up and a 10-minute cool down,” the plan reads. “Hand sanitizer will be provided for use both before and after practice. All student athletes will be placed in groups of up to 10 and remain at least 6 feet apart at all times. All groups will be at least 15 feet apart from other groups. Head coaches are responsible for establishing the groups.”
Once students are placed in groups, they will remain in those groups for the entirety of phase 1. Athletes, coaches and school personnel will wear face masks at all times, unless they are engaged in “high intensity aerobic activities,” such as running or sprinting. All equipment will be disinfected on a daily basis, and no equipment will be shared.
Boys and girls cross-country workouts will not begin until after July 26. Football practices will be held from July 13 to 16; boys soccer practices will be held on July 13, 15, 20 and 22. Girls soccer practices will be on July 14, 15, 21 and 22. Girls tennis workouts will be on July 15 and 22, and girls volleyball practices will be on July 13, 15, 20 and 22.
“It remains to be seen, the extent to which our children will return to normal in September,” Cascone said. “If at this time, we can provide them with some degree of hope and positive outlet, I do believe it is worthwhile.”
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