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 interscholastic athletics program, due to COVID-19. The initial phase of this plan is being applied to the summer 2020 offseason, which began May 30, 2020 following the Engagement of Activity (EOA) implementation phase. These procedures align with guidance 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 health and safety mandates and recommendations.  Additional information and resources are being outlined below to assist student-athletes, families, and coaches through this process.

MCPS Athletics Status - Current 

MCPS Athletics & Extracurricular Activities Update - Letter from July 30, 2020

Latest update from the MPSSAA: Fall & Winter Competition Seasons Postponed - August 3, 2020

  • MCPS is currently in Phase 1 of the Return to R.A.I.S.E. Strategic Plan.
  • Phase 1 of the Return to R.A.I.S.E. Strategic plan will guide operations until further notice.  No in-person activities, including conditioning, are allowed.
  • All sports may be operating in the Lowest Risk: Performing skill-building drills or conditioning at home, alone or with family members, per Phase 1 of the Return to R.A.I.S.E. Strategic Plan. 
  • All-school virtual conditioning sessions are allowed and all students participating must have submitted the Parent-Student Participation Information and Contract (Summer 2020) and have a current physical on file.
  • School coaching staffs may meet virtually regarding sport-specific instruction with up to two returning student-athletes per day, per MPSSAA regulations.

MCPS Athletics Previous Announcements

Information for Student-Athletes and Parents

  • Parent-Student Participation Information and Contract (Summer 2020) - This form should be used if student-athletes will participate in optional virtual conditioning, during Phase 1 of the Return to R.A.I.S.E. Strategic Plan.
  • 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 – the Montgomery County Board of Education took action on academic eligibility for extracurricular activities. The Board approved an exemption to the academic eligibility policy for 4th marking period during the 2019-2020 school year and the first semester for the 2020-2021 school year. Therefore, all secondary students are eligible now and will remain academically eligible for the first and second marking periods of the 2020-2021 school year.
  • Information on how to Submit Electronic Signatures from Parents or Guardians for current forms.

Information for Coaches and Athletic Departments

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:

  • Regular schedule
  • Delayed start to the fall season
  • 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.
  • Preliminary discussion on local-school intramurals
  • Virtual engagement opportunities

MCPS and Athletic Resources

State and Local Government Resources