Activity guidelines for middle school

Alexis Barker
NLJ News Editor
 
On Sept. 4, Newcastle Middle School Principal Tyler Bartlett released updated middle school activity guidelines in an email to staff, parents and the press. Bartlett said that in an attempt to follow the guidance from public health officials regarding the pandemic, the school would use the protocols outlined in the state’s document. 
“The school will utilize the following protocol to help promote social distancing and minimize the risk of spreading illness at upcoming home athletic events,” Bartlett said. “This protocol is current as of Sept. 4, 2020, and is subject to change quickly. Please check frequently for new updates as situations are very fluid at this time.” 
Last week, Weston County School District No. 1 and school athletics were shown just how fluid the situation can be after Superintendent Brad LaCroix had to announce football practice and game cancellations over the week after a player on the Hot Springs, South Dakota, football team tested positive for the virus. 
“We understand that this situation can be extremely frustrating, but we ask everyone to work together so we can keep everyone healthy, keep our schools open and keep our kids participating in activities,” Bartlett said. “Sports and other extracurricular activities are for the kids – please refrain from anything that might jeopardize opportunities for our students.” 
According to the guidelines, occupancy at indoor events will be set at 250 with 175 seats, or 70% of the maximum occupancy, for Newcastle fans. The remaining 75 seats will be for the visiting team’s fans. 
The same percentage will be used to break down outdoor activities. Bartlett said that 500 spectators are allowed at outdoor sporting events, meaning 350 people can attend to support Newcastle, while the remaining 150 seats are for the visitor’s fans.
To help ensure that the right numbers of spectators are at each event, tickets will be given in advance to both teams to divide up evenly among their athletes. 
“For example, if there are 35 student-athletes on the NMS football team, the 350 tickets allotted for Newcastle will be divided by 35, so each student will receive 10 tickets to share with family, friends, classmates or teammates,” Bartlett explained. “Once a student-athlete receives his or her tickets, they may share them with whoever they wish.”
He noted that visiting teams will be responsible for the distribution of their tickets prior to the contest. 
All spectators will be expected to practice appropriate common-sense social distancing while in attendance, Bartlett added. 
“In an instance where spectators are not able to maintain a six-foot distance, please wear your mask,” Bartlett advised.