Montgomery County Public Schools

Athletics→ COVID-19

COVID-19 ATHLETICS INFORMATION

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) interscholastic athletics has developed the Return to R.A.I.S.E. Strategic Plan, which will guide the safe return of the MCPS athletics program, due to COVID-19. The Second Semester Plan provides an overview of the timeline and key information regarding program operations.  Plans and documents will be updated on an ongoing basis, to ensure compliance with the latest guidance and safety protocol and procedures.  In-person operations of MCPS Athletics will align with guidelines and recommendations from the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA), Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and Montgomery County.  Additional information and resources are provided below to assist student-athletes, families, and coaches with supporting the safe return of in-person programming. The most current updates regarding COVID-19 and the in-person operations of MCPS Athletics will be posted on this web page. For more information regarding the middle school athletics program, please visit the Middle School Athletics web page.  For more information regarding the virtual delivery of MCPS Athletics, please visit the R.A.I.S.E. Reimagined web page.

MCPS Athletics Status - Current 

April 9, 2021, Community Message: Fall Season Update 4/9/21

Registration for Athletics

All students participating in the MCPS interscholastic athletics program, must complete the online registration process. Athletics registration is done electronically through the ParentVue portal. Spring registration goes live on March 22, 2021 and will close on April 12, 2021, to allow schools to effectively plan for program operations and determine the status of competition teams. As part of the online registration process for MCPS athletics, students and parent/guardians must review key COVID-19 resources recommended by the Maryland State Department of Education, and complete a pledge form that acknowledges completion of the form and agreement to state conditions of participation. The pledge form also includes acknowledgment of the symptom free requirements from the CDC for attendance at any gathering or event. The resources that are required readings for MCPS Athletics are:

• What you should know about COVID-19 to protect yourself and others 

• Share facts about COVID-19 

• Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children(MIS-C) 

• COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions from the Maryland State Health Department

• COVID-19 Awareness: Parent/Student-Athlete Participation Acknowledgement Statements

• Waiver of Liability & Hold Harmless Release Related to COVID-19 for Participation in Interscholastic Athletics - In addition to the MSDE/MPSSAA acknowledgement form above, families must complete this MCPS form to participate in Athletic Activities. 
• Return to Play Clearance Form COVID-19 Infection Medical Clearance - This form must be signed by a licensed health care provider before the student-athlete resumes full participation in athletics after testing positive for COVID-19.
• Pre-participation Physical Evaluation Form (MCPS Form SR-8 with new MPSSAA COVID-19 supplemental questions) - This form is valid for one year (for high school athletes) and two years (for middle school athletes) from the date of the exam and covers participation for all sports within that time period. This form must be completed and/or on file before a student-athlete can participate.  All new physicals as of July 20, 2020, must include the COVID-19 supplemental information.
• Eligibility – All secondary students are academically eligible for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year.

COVID-19 Task Force for MCPS Athletics

A task force has been meeting to plan and implement the Return to R.A.I.S.E. Strategic Plan and plan for the safe return of the MCPS athletics program. The guiding principles for the task force are: 

• Promoting our core values of equity and access to allow for the participation for ALL students. 
• Ensuring the gradual, safe return of student-athletes to in-person participation in interscholastic athletic activities. 
• Maximizing participation opportunities, including the timely implementation and incremental transition to new phases. 
• Providing ongoing communication regarding the current operations of the MCPS Athletics program, in alignment with state and local guidelines, considerations, and recommendations. 

The task force consists of the representation of central athletics unit, athletics specialists (ADs), principals coaches, officials, athletic trainers, transportation, facilities, systemwide safety, extracurricular activities, and fine arts. Recommendations will be shared with MCPS leadership and county health officials for review and approval, to ensure alignment with MCPS and county operational and health guidelines.

Scheduling Athletic Contests for 2020-2021

In planning for a variety of possible scenarios, MCPS Athletics is currently scheduling for the following contingencies in regard to games/contests:

• 4-6 week “pod” of contests that could potentially be moved and shifted, as needed throughout the school year
• Only in-county competition
• Most MCPS divisions are geographically based by school location. This shapes up nicely, per CDC guidelines, if we need to only compete in clusters of schools, by sport.

MCPS and Athletic Resources

• MCPS Coronavirus site
• Return to R.A.I.S.E PSA
• Return to R.A.I.S.E. Operations Video
• Systemwide Safety Programs
  • Video: Face Mask Best Practices
  • Video: Hand Hygiene Best Practices
  • Video: Physical Distancing Best Practices  
  • Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for  MCPS Approved Cleaning and Disinfectant Products 
   
• MCPS Heat & Hydration Resources
• MPSSAA Roadmap for Return of Interscholastic Athletics (COVID-19 Updates) Page 
  • Current Roadmap Document - Last Update was on July 14, 2020    
   
• MPSSAA guidance regarding heat acclimatization and heat related illnesses
• NFHS Guidance for Opening Up High School Athletics and Activities
  • NFHS Article: "The Case for High School Activities"
  • NFHS Course - COVID-19 for Coaches and Administrators
   

State and Local Government Resources

• Montgomery County Government COVID-19 Information Portal 
  • Montgomery County COVID-19 Youth and Adult Sports Information
   
• State of Maryland Department of Health Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Outbreak
  • Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C)
  • Resources for Schools and Child Care
   
• CDC Considerations for Youth Sports
  • What you should know about COVID-19 to protect yourself and others
   

MCPS Athletics Previous Announcements

• March 31, 2021, Community Message: Fall Season Update 3/31/21
• March 26, 2021, Community Message: Fall Season Update 3/26/21 
• March 19, 2021, Community Message: Fall Season Update 3.19.21 
• March 17, 2021, Community Message: Fall Season Update
• March 12, 2021, Community Message: Return to R.A.I.S.E Communication 3.12.21
• March 5, 2021, Community Message: Return to R.A.I.S.E. Communication 3.5.21
• February 24, 2021, Community Message: Athletics Fall Season Update - February 24, 2021
• February 12, 2021, Community Message: Athletics Fall Season Update
• January 29, 2021 Community Message: MCPS Return to R.A.I.S.E. 2nd Semester and Fall Season Information - Please review the following documents referenced in the community message:
  •  ParentVue Registration Information - Below are some helpful resources to assist student-athletes with securing a physical prior to in-person engagement
  •  Care for Kids - health care program that provides access to health care services for uninsured children in Montgomery County
  •  Clinics for Sports Physicals - annual list released by MCPS Athletics, pricing is subject to change   
  • COVID-19 Information and updates from the MPSSAA: https://www.mpssaa.org/mpssaa-return-for-interscholastic-athletic-guidance-update/               
   

• December 16, 2020 - Update on the MCPS Interscholastic Athletics Program
• December 4, 2020 - Update on MCPS Athletics Program
• October 26, 2020 - MCPS Athletics & Extracurricular Activities Update
• September 24, 2020 - Roadmap to Return - Two Semester Plan & 80% Rule Clarifications & FAQ Scenarios
• July 30, 2020 - MCPS Athletics & Extracurricular Activities Update
• July 21, 2020 - MCPS Athletics Update - Fall and Winter Cancellation
• July 17, 2020 - Return to R.A.I.S.E. July 17 Update (and Return to R.A.I.S.E. Plan Phase 1)
• July 17, 2020 - MCPS Athletics Update Overview from Dr. Sullivan
• July 14, 2020 - MPSSAA is currently still moving forward with plans to start the fall season on 8/12/20
• July 1, 2020 - Return to R.A.I.S.E. July 1 Update (and Return to R.A.I.S.E. Plan Phase 1)
• June 15, 2020 - Return to R.A.I.S.E. June 15 Update (and Return to R.A.I.S.E. Plan Phase 1)
• May 29, 2020 - Return to R.A.I.S.E. Strategic Plan Phase 1