Important Rules and Requirements for Spectators
October 11, 2020
Simley Volleyball Parents/Guardians,
This message is to provide you with information with regard to spectator protocols at SHS volleyball games this fall. This message is a direct follow-up to information we were provided from MDH, MDE, and the MSHSL on Thursday, October 8. We will continue to provide accurate, confirmed information as decisions are made. Things are fluid and guidance is ongoing. As direction shifts in real time, we will provide future updates as necessary.
The details enclosed are based on directives from the Minnesota State High School League, decisions made by the Metro East Conference, and local application as determined by ISD 199 leaders. The primary rationale used to make decisions includes mitigating COVID-19 virus transmission risk while providing student opportunity for all sports in the 2020-21 school year.
Decisions continue to be driven by data from the Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota Department of Education, the Center for Disease Control, and the National Federation of High Schools. While not everyone will agree with or like the decisions that are made, we hope that you will respect that decisions are informed, collaborative, clear and firm. Our shared motivation to initiate education-based athletics is to continue to develop the physical, mental, social, and emotional health of our student-athletes.
SPECTATORS WILL BE ALLOWED AT VOLLEYBALL GAMES
This is exciting news for our families. We are working to implement protocols that afford our student-athletes and a select number of fans a great experience.
The spectator allowance must abide by MDH/MDE/MSHSL parameters. The total number of spectators allowed per game or round will not exceed 2 spectators per participant per level. A “participant” is any player, coach, or manager on the official team roster. Host schools may be more restrictive depending on the logistics of their facility and/or the number of participants involved in any single game. Spectator lists must be unique to each level and each game/date.
Spectator lists must be created, submitted, and approved by 12:00PM on game day. School spectator lists must include separate lists for each game or round; e.g. one list for 9th grade at 4pm, one list for B/JV at 5:30pm, and one list for Varsity at 7:00pm. Only spectators on a specific game list will be allowed in the gym; e.g. only people on the 9th grade list will be allowed in the gym for the 9th grade game. No changes to the spectator list are allowed after 12:00PM on game day. No exceptions. Spectator lists must be submitted in alphabetical order by last name and must include both an email and phone number for each name. Email and phone for minor children should match that of the adult that accompanies them. Spectators are expected to show a picture ID at the door to affirm their name on the list. Volleyball coaches will work directly with volunteer parents to solicit and affirm names for each game list throughout the year.
All spectators must wear a mask and maintain 6-foot social distancing from all non-household members at all times. Schools may designate specific school spectator seating areas.
9th, B, JV GAMES
Admission fees will not be charged for 9th grade, B-Squad, or Junior-Varsity Games. Only spectators on the pre-approved spectator list for each specific game will be allowed in the gym. The gym will be completely cleared after each game or round; e.g. after the B/JV games are completed, the entire facility will be cleared of spectators prior to the varsity game. Incoming spectators for the “next game” will not be granted admission until after all spectators are cleared from the preceding game. Home school event managers will determine the site-specific protocols about traffic flow and bleacher section assignments, and will communicate those in advance. Please abide by parameters established by each host school about where to wait, when to enter, and how to move about the facility. Any spectators unwilling to comply with site expectations will be directed to leave the event.
** For home HHS 9th grade games, only 1 spectator per player is allowed for each team (home and visitor). This is due to the large number of players rostered on 9th grade teams. **
VARSITY GAMES
A MEC volleyball “season pass” is required for admission to any varsity game. Each school will sell a limited number MEC volleyball season passes. Specifically, schools may sell up to two passes per player and manager on the official varsity roster. Parents and guardians may purchase 0, 1, or 2 passes. One MEC volleyball season pass will admit one person to any home or away varsity game featuring Simley High School.
One pass is $72, representing a rate of $6 per game x 12 games. No partial or full refunds for MEC season passes will be provided if games are canceled or pass holders are not able to attend select games. This is a one-time purchase with no exceptions. Passes must be purchased online via the athletics website Affinety platform; this is the same web portal and login that you used to register for volleyball last month. Passes can be purchased now and you can visit the portal directly.
Spectators who present a MEC VB season pass must also have their name on the approved varsity spectator list to be admitted to a varsity game. Both of these steps must be in place! If a spectator presents a pass but they are not on the list for that game, they will not be allowed admission. If a spectator is on the approved list but does not bring their pass, they will not be allowed admission. There are no exceptions. Please plan ahead. Note that this provision allows for a season pass to be shared between family members or friends; e.g. the two names you submit for the spectator list for each game may change from game to game. You must make sure you exchange the pass in advance.
Passes will be delivered directly to the student-athletes after practice the week of October 12.
NEXT STEPS
Moving forward, the volleyball coaches are the primary contact for specific information. They will be updating the team website and sending electronic updates. Thank you for your partnership and for your enthusiasm, support, and flexibility. Your partnership is noted, valued, and appreciated. Take care and GO Spartans!
Sincerely,
Mr. Will Short, Athletic Director
Simley Volleyball Parents/Guardians,
This message is to provide you with information with regard to spectator protocols at SHS volleyball games this fall. This message is a direct follow-up to information we were provided from MDH, MDE, and the MSHSL on Thursday, October 8. We will continue to provide accurate, confirmed information as decisions are made. Things are fluid and guidance is ongoing. As direction shifts in real time, we will provide future updates as necessary.
The details enclosed are based on directives from the Minnesota State High School League, decisions made by the Metro East Conference, and local application as determined by ISD 199 leaders. The primary rationale used to make decisions includes mitigating COVID-19 virus transmission risk while providing student opportunity for all sports in the 2020-21 school year.
Decisions continue to be driven by data from the Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota Department of Education, the Center for Disease Control, and the National Federation of High Schools. While not everyone will agree with or like the decisions that are made, we hope that you will respect that decisions are informed, collaborative, clear and firm. Our shared motivation to initiate education-based athletics is to continue to develop the physical, mental, social, and emotional health of our student-athletes.
SPECTATORS WILL BE ALLOWED AT VOLLEYBALL GAMES
This is exciting news for our families. We are working to implement protocols that afford our student-athletes and a select number of fans a great experience.
The spectator allowance must abide by MDH/MDE/MSHSL parameters. The total number of spectators allowed per game or round will not exceed 2 spectators per participant per level. A “participant” is any player, coach, or manager on the official team roster. Host schools may be more restrictive depending on the logistics of their facility and/or the number of participants involved in any single game. Spectator lists must be unique to each level and each game/date.
Spectator lists must be created, submitted, and approved by 12:00PM on game day. School spectator lists must include separate lists for each game or round; e.g. one list for 9th grade at 4pm, one list for B/JV at 5:30pm, and one list for Varsity at 7:00pm. Only spectators on a specific game list will be allowed in the gym; e.g. only people on the 9th grade list will be allowed in the gym for the 9th grade game. No changes to the spectator list are allowed after 12:00PM on game day. No exceptions. Spectator lists must be submitted in alphabetical order by last name and must include both an email and phone number for each name. Email and phone for minor children should match that of the adult that accompanies them. Spectators are expected to show a picture ID at the door to affirm their name on the list. Volleyball coaches will work directly with volunteer parents to solicit and affirm names for each game list throughout the year.
All spectators must wear a mask and maintain 6-foot social distancing from all non-household members at all times. Schools may designate specific school spectator seating areas.
9th, B, JV GAMES
Admission fees will not be charged for 9th grade, B-Squad, or Junior-Varsity Games. Only spectators on the pre-approved spectator list for each specific game will be allowed in the gym. The gym will be completely cleared after each game or round; e.g. after the B/JV games are completed, the entire facility will be cleared of spectators prior to the varsity game. Incoming spectators for the “next game” will not be granted admission until after all spectators are cleared from the preceding game. Home school event managers will determine the site-specific protocols about traffic flow and bleacher section assignments, and will communicate those in advance. Please abide by parameters established by each host school about where to wait, when to enter, and how to move about the facility. Any spectators unwilling to comply with site expectations will be directed to leave the event.
** For home HHS 9th grade games, only 1 spectator per player is allowed for each team (home and visitor). This is due to the large number of players rostered on 9th grade teams. **
VARSITY GAMES
A MEC volleyball “season pass” is required for admission to any varsity game. Each school will sell a limited number MEC volleyball season passes. Specifically, schools may sell up to two passes per player and manager on the official varsity roster. Parents and guardians may purchase 0, 1, or 2 passes. One MEC volleyball season pass will admit one person to any home or away varsity game featuring Simley High School.
One pass is $72, representing a rate of $6 per game x 12 games. No partial or full refunds for MEC season passes will be provided if games are canceled or pass holders are not able to attend select games. This is a one-time purchase with no exceptions. Passes must be purchased online via the athletics website Affinety platform; this is the same web portal and login that you used to register for volleyball last month. Passes can be purchased now and you can visit the portal directly.
Spectators who present a MEC VB season pass must also have their name on the approved varsity spectator list to be admitted to a varsity game. Both of these steps must be in place! If a spectator presents a pass but they are not on the list for that game, they will not be allowed admission. If a spectator is on the approved list but does not bring their pass, they will not be allowed admission. There are no exceptions. Please plan ahead. Note that this provision allows for a season pass to be shared between family members or friends; e.g. the two names you submit for the spectator list for each game may change from game to game. You must make sure you exchange the pass in advance.
Passes will be delivered directly to the student-athletes after practice the week of October 12.
NEXT STEPS
Moving forward, the volleyball coaches are the primary contact for specific information. They will be updating the team website and sending electronic updates. Thank you for your partnership and for your enthusiasm, support, and flexibility. Your partnership is noted, valued, and appreciated. Take care and GO Spartans!
Sincerely,
Mr. Will Short, Athletic Director