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Winter Season Spirited Sportsmanship and Spectator Safety Week

Posted On December 04, 2023
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To kick off the winter season, MCPS Athletics will conduct its Spirited Sportsmanship and Spectator Safety Week from Dec. 5-9. MCPS is committed to promoting a safe and welcoming environment for student-athletes, coaches, spectators and communities.  The winter season’s opening night is Tuesday, Dec. 5. 

The MCPS Athletics Safety Plan will continue to drive operations and procedures for athletic events, in order to promote a safe and welcoming environment for all. To begin the winter season, all varsity boys’ basketball games and varsity doubleheaders will operate in Tier 1 of the safety plan. Tier 1 actions include:

  • Students of the participating schools will be allowed to attend with a valid ticket and by presenting their student ID or StudentVue verification of their schedule. All other school-aged spectators must be accompanied by an adult chaperone - this includes all elementary and middle school students and high school students from other schools - adult chaperones must stay and supervise students for the duration of their stay at the game.
  • Spectators should expect to take additional time to gain entrance to events, as school IDs and enrollment are verified at the entrance.
  • Students and spectators must sit in the stands during the course of the game. While there will be potential gatherings at halftime and postgame, gatherings will not be allowed during the game.
  • Separate entrances, staggered exits, and additional support and security coverage in high traffic areas will be utilized, as gymnasiums allow.
  • There is no re-entry to events. Spectators will not be admitted after halftime (halftime of the second game of a doubleheader). Parents of participating student-athletes may be admitted after halftime.
  • Backpacks are not allowed.

To prepare for the season, families should plan and ensure that students have their student ID or other StudentVue verification of their schedule in order to gain admittance to contests. Elementary and middle school students and high school students from other schools (not the participating schools) must be accompanied by an adult chaperone, who must stay and supervise students for the duration of their stay at the game.

We appreciate your cooperation and support of our student-athletes and athletics program. We look forward to a safe and successful season! Let the games begin!