Fall sports are going to look different this year
It’s no secret. COVID-19 has turned all of our lives upside down. So, to help schools and communities in any way we can, we’ll be sharing insights via a series of articles on how to best adapt in the wake of the pandemic.
There’s no “one size fits all” approach to resuming activities.
From widespread school closures and the cancellation of spring sports to a senior year derailed for 2020 grads – dealing with the unforeseen challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a significant toll on school districts and their communities.
As we inch toward the next academic year and the re-opening of sports for the fall season, many wonder what the future holds for the field. The truth is, no one knows for sure. However, if the 16-page guide issued by the National Federation of High School Athletics and Activities is any indication, when sports do resume things will look pretty different.
The NFHS recommends a three-phased approach to help schools safely resume activity. The guide doesn’t mention timelines, but it does lay out specific measures for each phase. Recommendations outlined in the guide include, but are not limited to:
Health screenings for all, with temperature checks
Keeping a record of answers to recommended screening questions
Keeping attendance records for all individuals at workouts or contests
The guide also indicates that for the foreseeable future “social distancing and other preventative measures such as face covering will be a 'new normal’ if workouts, practices, and contests are to continue.”
“...social distancing and other preventative measures such as face covering will be a ‘new normal’ if workouts, practices, and contests are to continue.”
In short, we’re in uncharted territory, and getting back to normal will be a journey. It’s hard to see a few days into the future, never mind how this pandemic will shape a new normal in the long run.
One thing is certain. There will be no “one size fits all” approach. Not all states are using the same criteria, and protocols to resume activity will largely depend on the state you’re located in, access to information, and ever-evolving guidance from the government, state associations, school districts, and health officials.
At FamilyID, we’re monitoring the situation in real-time to help schools communicate with families and nimbly navigate all of these new requirements.
The FamilyID promise has always been rooted in the belief that the most useful tools are flexible enough to give schools the ability to customize, adapt, and prepare for any reality or unexpected situation.
Remotely collecting information, gathering signatures, communicating with parents, tracking participant information, and providing real-time, secure reports are the building blocks of FamilyID – and schools are finding FamilyID’s flexibility more critical than ever before.
See below for specific guidance on how to best modify the FamilyID platform today to suit your district’s evolving needs.
PREPARTICIPATION PHYSICAL EVALUATIONS
With summer conditioning around the corner, the NFHS released guidance concerning timing of the Preparticipation Physical Evaluation. Due to concerns regarding access to primary care providers, these options vary from a one-year extension to keeping current requirements as is.
That means, if your state extended the length of time that physicals are valid, you can easily update your expiration settings to accommodate these changes and use the physicals that parents have already uploaded.
Furthermore, encouraging parents to upload physicals eliminates the need for paper to change hands. Clearing students to participate becomes remote, paper-free, secure, and safe for school staff.
HEALTH SCREENINGS
Many districts will require health screenings, including temperature checks, along with keeping a record of answers to new screening questions for all participants. FamilyID allows you to quickly update your registration forms to meet any new or updated requirements.
It’s easy to add new health questions to collect and store COVID-19 related information about students and family members
Update agreements and policies on your registration forms. Use them for new registrations or set completed registrations to “correction required” to collect new signatures
Create registration forms for coaches, parent volunteers, or anyone else who will be in close contact with students
ATTENDANCE TRACKING
A lot of what will guide schools through these phases is knowing who has the virus, who had the virus, and monitoring of participants. A reliable tool to track attendance in case someone develops COVID-19 is not a “nice to have.”
The FamilyID Pro® Mobile app gives coaches and other staff on the field the ability to create attendance sheets for any practice/event/game and lets them view real-time rosters, so there’s never a question about who should be on the field. It’s easy for administrators to run attendance reports for a complete history of who was present and who was not.
COMMUNICATING WITH FAMILIES
The only constant is change. COVID-19 or not, schools have always needed fast and secure methods to communicate with families. Whether it’s COVID today or something else tomorrow, streamlining communication between schools and parents is always a requirement.
Send invitations to drive parents to specific registration forms and track who has – and who hasn’t – completed your required forms
Create registration forms for “intent to participate” to find out in advance who and how many intend to sign-up for upcoming programming
Use the bulk email feature to keep parents up to date on programming changes and new requirements
Arm your coaches and staff with the FamilyID Pro® mobile app to notify parents in real-time should issues arise on the field
Crises force us to adapt. COVID-19 will force change, and we will be with you every step of the way.
Stay tuned for updates on brand new functionality from FamilyID that will empower you with even more nimble customization and flexibility. We know that’s what you have come to expect, and we’ll continue to deliver. Because we understand that it’s not just about reacting to the immediate needs of this crisis, it’s about putting new processes in place for the new normal and setting you up for success. Always.
How can we help you?
Click here to see a sample online registration form and learn more about how we help schools. Contact 1-781-205-2800 ext 5 or email news@familyid.com to request more information and schedule a demo.
For more information about how to make the most of FamilyID during these difficult times, please visit our Knowledge Base to read helpful articles and best practices.
