November 13, 2020

November 13, 2020

Governor Reynolds Proclamation Guidance

Dear Parents,

Governor Kim Reynolds held a press conference on Tuesday, November 10th and signed a proclamation that went into effect until November 30.  The proclamation has an impact on extra-curricular activities held at North Linn.  Below is a summary of the proclamation.  You can find the entire proclamation at this link: https://coronavirus.iowa.gov/pages/proclamations

This proclamation is in effect for all indoor sporting or recreational events for youth 18 years or younger, including youth club events, middle and high school events, gymnastics, or dance events.  There is a limit of no more than two spectators for each athlete or person participating in the event.  The event organizer must ensure that all spectators are wearing masks and also have at least 6 feet of physical distance between each group of spectators.  

The boys and girls athletic associations received clarification on the Governor’s proclamation and their comments are listed here.

November 12, 2020

To: Athletic Directors From: Tom Keating, IHSAA and Jean Berger, IGHSAU 

Re: Clarification on Governor’s November 10 Proclamation 

We have received questions regarding the Governor’s November 10 Proclamation as it pertains to indoor athletic events. The Governor’s office has responded to our request for clarification and we offer the following for your guidance. 

Topic 1: “Other Participants” 

Does the proclamation permit the following to perform at the event: 

• Pep Bands
• Cheerleaders
• Dance Team Performances at Half-time
• National Anthem Singers 

The proclamation does not limit the participation of any of these other supporting participants in the event. They are not spectators. They would be required to wear masks if the total gathering is more than 25 and would be required to properly social distance from others in attendance. 

If the above are permitted, are they permitted to have two spectators per participant? 

Because they are not athletes participating in the sporting event, they do not get two additional spectators. 

Topic 2: “Multiple Games (i.e. JV followed by Varsity game or Girls game followed by Boys game)

• If a “spectator” for the first game must leave after that game or may he/she remain for the second game?
• Likewise, may a “spectator” for the second game arrive for the first game or must he/she wait for the second game? 

Two spectators are permitted for each athlete participating in a game. Separate games are separate gatherings. So where there are two separate games, during each game, there may only be two spectators for each athlete participating in that game. Spectators would need to leave, or wait to arrive, as applicable, unless they are one of the two spectators for an athlete in the other game. 

Topic 3: “Other Game Personnel” 

If the proclamation permits the following to be part of the event and if so, does it permit 2 spectators for any/all of the following: 

• Coaches
• Managers
• Trainers
• Statisticians
• Video operator
• P.A. Announcer
• Scoreboard Operator 

The proclamation does not limit the participation of any of these other supporting participants in the event. They are not spectators. They would be required to wear masks if the total gathering is more than 25 and would be required to properly social distance from others in attendance. Because they are not athletes participating in the sporting event, they do not get two additional spectators. 

Topic 4: “Media” 

Our school administrators are asking:

• If media are permitted to attend games
• If so, is there a limit to number of media 

The proclamation does not limit members of the media from attending the game. They would be required to wear masks if the total gathering is more than 25 and would be required to properly social distance from others in attendance

Because we must limit the number of spectators at events, we are offering different options for people to view these activities.  See this link for details.    Viewing & Listening Info. for Winter Events

The High School Musical “The Truth About Cinderella” will be Friday, November 13 and Saturday, November 14 at 7:00 p.m. In order to attend the event you must have a pass from a cast member. Each cast member was limited to two passes per the Governor’s Proclamation to limit spectators at indoor events. 

Specific Guidelines regarding home wrestling and basketball events will be posted on our website and school facebook page Tuesday or Wednesday following our conference principals and athletic directors meetings. 

We also have updated our guidelines regarding youth activities.  See the following document for more details.   Youth Activities Guidelines - Updated 11/13/20

We will continue to provide updates as they become available.  

Thanks,
Dave Hoeger