RYSI Cheerleading COVID 19 Policy and guidelines for practice as of 8/10/20:
RYSI Cheerleading will be following the guidelines put out by the NJ Department of Health (NJDOH), Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and USA Cheer. The public health data on which this document is based can change frequently, we will check regularly for updates.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html
https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/ncov.shtml
https://www.usacheer.org/return-guidelines
Guidance for practices:
Cheerleaders should stay home when experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or residing with someone experiencing symptoms of COVID- 19. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html
Cheerleaders that have traveled to any of the States listed on the NJ 14 day quarantine list will not be able to attend practice until they meet the guidelines set forth by the NJDOH. https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/ncov.shtml
A google COVID 19 screening survey will be sent to all team members prior to the first practice. The survey must be completed 2 hours before practice on the day of every practice or game. Survey answers will be reviewed by the head coach. Any “yes” answers to the survey will require further review before a cheerleader is allowed to attend practice.
Cheerleaders and Coaches with COVID 19 symptoms or exposure to COVID 19 will need to quarantine for 14 days before returning to practice or provide a doctors’ note for clearance to return to play.
Coaches will also complete the google pre-screening survey daily and have their temperature taken prior to practice.
We will be using a car line for drop off and pick up. Detailed drop off and pick procedures will be sent out prior to the 1st practice.
Kindergarten and 1st grade cheerleaders will receive additional instructions from their head coach.
Drop off and pick up times will be staggered.
Drop off JV and V- 5:45pm, K-2 6:00pm, Grades 3-5 6:15pm
Pick up K-2 7:30pm, Grades 3-5 8pm, JV 7:45pm, V 8:15pm
Cheerleaders will need to check in wearing their mask and have their temperature taken before exiting the car. Anyone with a temperature over 100.4 will not be allowed to participate.
Social distancing rules will be in place and we ask parents to remain in their cars at drop off and pick up. If a parent needs to get out of their car, social distancing rules must be followed and they must be wearing a mask.
No spectators at practice. Details regarding spectators at the games will be sent later.
Cheerleaders must bring a bag with a beach towel, plenty of water and their own hand sanitizer.
Teams will be assigned a section on the field. Cheerleaders will be assigned a spot with a small megaphone and they will keep their towel and bag with them. This spacing will be used for full team activities.
Teams will be divided into smaller pods for small group instruction, groups will remain the same during the season.
Cheerleaders will not be allowed to share water or hand sanitizer.
Congregating before, during, and after practice will be discouraged.
The type of contact found in cheer can vary greatly and can be adjusted to meet local distancing guidelines.
Physical contact with other teams: Participation in cheer and STUNT does not involve physical interaction with other teams. In this regard, contact during games and competition is similar to that found in volleyball or tennis. Contact sports that involve direct contact with the opposing team include football, basketball, wrestling, baseball/softball, field hockey, and soccer.
Policy for stunting: as of 8/10/20 stunting will only be able to take place outside.
K-2 Spirit Cheerleaders will not stunt during the 2020 season.
Grades 3-5 Spirit Cheerleaders will be limited to double base thigh stands, preps and extensions. All stunts must remain on 2 feet (no single leg stunts) Entry into the stunt must be a step in or jump in and bump down dismounts only are allowed. No inversions are allowed. No pyramids allowed.
Competition teams will be allowed to stunt and will follow USA Cheer guidelines
Stunt groups will be kept together in their cohort. We will refrain from mixing and matching bases and tops from different groups once stunt groups have been formed.
Stunt groups will be distanced from other stunt groups during practice.
Masks will be worn while stunting; except for skills that involve inversions, twisting, and tosses (competition teams only)
Cheerleaders must sanitize their hands at the beginning of practice, before engaging in stunting, before and after water breaks, after using the bathroom.
Stunt groups will be kept together in their cohort. We will refrain from mixing and matching bases and tops from different groups. We will create smaller cohorts that will work together each week until final stunt group selections have been made. If switching of positions is needed; careful evaluation of the situation will take place.
GUIDELINES for masks outdoor practices:
Face coverings should be snug-fitting, should not impede vision or movement and should be soft and pliable with no exposed metal.
Coaches are required to wear masks.
Cheerleaders must wear a mask except when engaging in high intensity aerobic or anaerobic activities. Exception- see stunting policy above.
Once cheerleaders are in their assigned spots on the field, coaches will let them know when they can take their masks off and place them in their bag. Please make sure that your child has a bag to place her mask in.
Evolution Training Center (ETC): Rental space for Competition Teams
Masks will be worn indoors at ETC.
The goal of ETC is to provide the safest environment that will keep them open for the long term and also keep our teams safe. They are instituting strictly enforced stringent measures for the safety and well being of their staff and our athletes. Maintaining safe operations in a COVID-19 environment requires regular cleaning and disinfecting with EPA registered and List N approved products. They are also undergoing some modifications in the gym layouts. Parents will not be allowed in the gym.
Due to restrictions in place for indoor gyms ETC (Evolution Training Center) will be operating at 25% capacity. This will only allow us to have one team in the gym at a time at ETC so JV and V will be practicing at different times and we will be utilizing both the indoor and outdoor space at ETC.
A drop off and pick up procedure for practices at ETC will be e-mailed to you prior to our start on 8/17/20.
Varsity Team Google survey: https://forms.gle/EaS1Wu2rajRSnE9JA
JV Team Survey- https://forms.gle/CpK1zWaqdsZq6nAFA
Grade 3-5 Survey- https://forms.gle/jpRYdkaL8Hrim2Wa7
2nd Grade Survey- https://forms.gle/7ubKYd7fwYNdwXwA9
K/1 Survey- https://forms.gle/wqdZPXoFGUahqJSbA