Update from Majalise Tolan, Director of Secondary Education / Alternative Education:
Thank you to all of our student-athletes, coaches, families, and community for your work to make Season 2 a reality in our schools. As LCSD wraps up Season 2 and moves to Season 3, we will continue to follow our eight fans for Senior athletes on their designated Senior Night and the two fans per student-athlete at home contests that began on March 29th. In addition, fans who are within their own vehicle may watch the game from the parking lot as long as fire lanes, other vehicles, gates, and handicap parking spaces are not blocked.
Due to OSAA event contact tracing requirements, we will not allow fans to walk up to the fence or congregate in lawn chairs or other seating arrangements on LCSD property, this includes public facilities while under direct supervision and responsibility of LCSD. Fans choosing to watch games in the back of their vehicle on our property, such as a truck, may do so while wearing a mask. It is important to know that bathrooms will not be accessible outside of the event. We are excited to have fans back and continue to look for Covid monitors and event volunteers. We will continue to monitor our County metrics throughout the season and will have update or spectator attendance rules, as necessary.
In addition, Season 3 may present a new set of challenges for our teams. When planning athletics and activities, LCSD operates under OSAA, Oregon Department of Education, Oregon Sector Guidance, and Oregon County Metrics rule, which can be confusing. For instance, while K-12 education metrics come from the ODE (We can have 91 and still be Green because Green for ODE is <200.), we follow county metrics for athletics. If we go to “High” status in 2 weeks, it may cause additional spectator changes due to capacity. Masks are also still required for all athletic participants, coaches, officials, staff, and spectators.
This has been a controversial Oregon Health Authority requirement and one that has not had any movement at the state level. Also, transportation guidelines for school operations and athletic operations are not the same. This has made transportation to athletic competitions challenging and has caused game rescheduling or cancellations. Traditionally, Spring Sports have our highest athletic participation and require the most volunteers and busses to make them happen. We are working closely with First Student, our transportation provider, and other schools across the state to maintain as many events as possible.
Currently, First Student is actively recruiting drivers for our trips and can be reached at 541-336-5101 for more information about this job opportunity. Please contact your local building athletic director if you are willing to volunteer to help us run or manage an event for our student-athletes. We appreciate your flexibility as we work to make Season 3 possible. If your student-athlete has not yet signed up for softball, baseball, track, or golf, please be sure to sign up ASAP, as the season begins on Monday, April 5th. Coaches will work directly with student-athletes during the crossover week between Season 2 and Season 3.
We look forward to a strong end to Season 2 and a great Season 3!
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