Loveland Magazine

LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

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Since 2004

Tag: protocols

  • OHSAA Announces Shortened HS Football Season Proposal

    OHSAA Announces Shortened HS Football Season Proposal

    OHSAA adjusts high school season if football is approved by Governor

     

    by Cassie Mattia

    COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Governor’s recommendation to shorten Ohio’s High School Football seasons has been approved! The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) announced Friday that due to concerns COVID-19 may spike in the early winter, all Ohio HS football teams will enter into the playoffs on October 9th. The HS State Championship games would be played no later than November 21st. This is only in the event that the Governor’s Office approves Ohio HS Football being played this year.

    The proposal for a shorter football regular season was approved by the OHSAA Board of Directors with a 9-0 vote. OHSAA released a press release after the vote saying that they considered the proposal a win-win situation for all schools because it would then not matter how many games each team played leading up to the playoffs.

    So how will it be determined which HS football teams qualify for the playoffs you may be asking yourself? Well, instead of using the traditional computer ratings system, coaches in each region will conduct a tournament seed meeting the week of September 28th in order to form the regional brackets. This is very similar to how several other team sports within the OHSAA determine which teams qualify for playoffs.

    Loveland High School is apart of the Eastern Cincinnati Conference.

    The shortened football season guidelines state that schools may keep their first six previously scheduled games, but all regular-season football contracts will be now voidable by either school. This is especially important in the event that conferences redo their league schedules so that games will fit into the first six weeks. The OHSAA will also determine new playoff regions in September. Teams that are eliminated from the playoffs may continue to schedule regular-season games up until November 14.

    MAC Announces Postponement of Fall Sports

    The Mid-American Conference (MAC) has announced the postponement of all scheduled fall contests, as well as MAC championships, due to continuing concerns related to the COVID-19 global pandemic. Read on…

    The Big 10 is expected to announce the cancelation of the Fall football season on Tuesday.

    Those schools that have paused sports due to COVID-19 are still able to begin their season in September or early October as well as compete in the playoffs. If a school finds that they would rather play regular-season games up until November 14th and not compete in playoffs they are able to do so.

    “To both ensure we can offer students the opportunity to participate in education-based athletics but do so with their best interests in mind, we believe this modified plan offers a positive solution by addressing many of the concerns of our member schools,” President of the OHSAA Board of Directors and Athletic Administrator at Mentor High School, Jeff Cassella said, “Those that are able to start their seasons on time will be able to do so. Those that are starting later can still have a season. Add in the option of all schools entering the playoffs and the possibility of schools still being able to play 10 regular-season contests, and this plan is helpful to virtually all of our schools.”

    Here are the most important details in regards to the OHSAA’s modified Ohio HS Football season and changes to the Playoffs process:

    • Regular-season games will begin the week of August 24 (same regular-season starting date).
    • All teams are eligible to enter the OHSAA playoffs. New regions will be determined in September.
    • The number of playoff rounds is dependent upon the number of schools entering the playoffs in each division. Coaches in each region will seed all playoff teams in the region to form a bracket, similar to other OHSAA sports.
    • Schools eliminated from the OHSAA playoffs or those schools that choose not to enter the OHSAA playoffs have the option to schedule additional regular-season contests through Saturday, November 14 (maximum of 10 regular season contests permitted).
    • Playoff seeding will be determined via a vote of the coaches the week of September 28 (Harbin Ratings is suspended for the 2020 season).
    • All playoff contests through the regional semifinals (and possibly the regional finals) will be hosted by the higher-seeded team.
    • Schools must commit to participating in the playoffs by 11:59 PM on Thursday, September 17.
    • Playoff regions will be drawn on Friday, September 18.
    • Schools may withdraw from the playoffs without a penalty until Thursday, September 24.

    Below is what the new modified Ohio HS Football season will look like:

    • Regular season Week 1:  Week of August 24
    • Regular season Week 2:  Week of August 31
    • Regular season Week 3:  Week of September 7
    • Regular season Week 4:  Week of September 14
    • Regular season Week 5:  Week of September 21
    • Regular season Week 6:  Week of September 28
    • Playoffs begin Friday, October 9
    • State Finals end no later than Saturday, Nov. 21

    Still, have questions on OHSAA’s modified football season and the new Playoffs process? Click HERE for all of the Q&A’s!

    Thus far the decision on whether or not spectators will be allowed to be present at contact sports this year has not been made yet. The OHSAA stated that “At a minimum, parents should be permitted to attend.”

    Luckily four of the OHSAA’s Fall sports, golf, tennis, volleyball, and cross country, have been determined to be low-contact by the Governor’s Office which means these particular sports will be permitted to have contests with other schools. The remaining Fall sports, field hockey, soccer, and football, have been determined to be high-contact, so the OHSAA, the Governor’s Office and the Ohio Department of Health are working together to create a safe game plan so that these three sports may participate in contests with other schools as well.

    To get the latest 411 on which of Ohio’s High School sports will be competing this year and the most up to date COVID-19 sports safety protocols stay tuned to the Sports 411 With me, Cassie Mattia!

  • DeWine lays out K-12 reopening plans

    DeWine lays out K-12 reopening plans

    By Susan Tebben – The Ohio Capital Journal
    Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine laid out reopening guidelines for state K-12 schools on Thursday, including a mask requirement for teachers, but no such mandate for students.

    DeWine said it is “the state’s strong recommendation” that children from the third grade on wear face masks, but maintained that local control for school districts will be in place as reopenings begin. 

    “A great deal of flexibility is allowed, as it should be,” DeWine said in his Thursday COVID-19 press conference.

    Ohio Department of Education’s 36-page planning guide

    The governor announced that the Ohio Department of Education published a 36-page planning guide that includes recommendations on everything testing to field trips and recess precautions.

    The guidance is specifically noted as “not mandatory” in the documents and emphasized the need for schools and districts to develop and implement their own protocols, while using the information provided by local and state health departments.

    “Planning teams should include school leaders, local health department officials, local school board members, educators, education support professionals, school health professionals, parents, students, community partners and local business leaders,” the planning documents stated.

    In developing coronavirus related-protocols, DeWine said before anyone enters a school facility, parents and school officials should “vigilantly assess” symptoms, and take the temperatures of everyone coming into the schools. In the guidance, outside individuals such as delivery personnel, student teachers and faculty of student teachers are all treated the same as official school personnel. 

    The Loveland District is currently working on models for reopening school in the fall, “which can be adjusted based on the pending guidance from state and local health agencies.”

    The planning guide said flare-ups are considered “expected” by state officials, and warns that school buildings may need to close in the event of said flare-up.

    Schools were told to work with local health departments to develop a testing strategy, thoroughly clean and sanitize schools, and teach and practice social distancing and hand-washing.

    Social distancing in places like school buses will be more difficult, and DeWine said as much distance as is possible will benefit students and staff.

    “(Specific measurements of distance is) all relative and it’s somewhat arbitrary,” DeWine said. “But the more distance you can have the better.”

    COVID 19 Health and Prevention Guidance for Ohio K-12 Schools

    Face coverings are required by staff unless it is unsafe or if doing so “could interfere with the learning process,” DeWine said on Thursday.

    Ohio Federation of Teachers Executive Director Melissa Cropper appreciated the moves by the governor, but said the OFT worries about the financial demands of the new protocols.

    “We are concerned that local governments and school districts will have to make decisions about the governor’s recommendations at a time when they are anticipating budget crunches and beginning to make spending cuts,” Cropper said in a statement.

    DeWine said it “is not right for me or (other departments) to micromanage” school buildings or districts.

    The governor did say he plans to meet with House Speaker Larry Householder, Senate President Larry Obhof, and minority leaders to discuss extra funding, along with the use of CARES Act funding.

    Cropper said schools would benefit from HEROES Act funding as well, a bank of about $2 billion in monies for K-12 education, but the act is still awaiting U.S. Senate consideration after passing the House.

    The guidance comes as the state faces continual growth in coronavirus cases, and data showing that cases are passed through the individuals within the area. DeWine noted that 80% of confirmed cases in Montgomery County have been linked to community spread.

  • Parents lead way to raise awareness and funds for a free-of-charge Emergency response and communications system for public-schools

    Parents lead way to raise awareness and funds for a free-of-charge Emergency response and communications system for public-schools

    Villageworks’ district launch partners include Galion City School District in Ohio.

    Today, Villageworks, set up by a group of public-school parents who are software developers, engineers and product designers, launched its GoFundMe campaign to raise awareness and funds for Villageworks Aware – a free-of-charge Emergency Response and Communications System for public-school districts.  

    In the wake of recent public-school emergency incidents including shootings in Parkland, FL; Aztec, NM; and Marshall County, KY, it has become clear that current public-school emergency response protocols are inefficient. Outdated communication tools based on the use of intercom and paper-rosters coupled with a lack of state and federal funding means that the latest technology remains elusive for the majority of districts. This results in slower response times from incident commanders and agonized, uninformed family members.

    The team of parents behind Villageworks took matters into their own hands by developing a mobile and web-based solution intended to provide schools with the critical tools needed to handle any student, staff or school-wide emergency quickly and effectively be it a shooting, fire, bullying or medical situation.  The platform improves incident communications and connects a district’s entire community, from faculty members to incident commanders and families. Villageworks’ district launch partners include Southwest Preparatory School District in Texas, Cumberland County Charter School District in New Jersey and the Midview School District and Galion City School District in Ohio.

    “To have an opportunity to be a pioneering partner with Villageworks is a very exciting endeavor for our district,” said Midview Superintendent, Dr. Bruce Willingham.  “This technology can greatly improve our emergency preparedness and potentially help protect our staff and students.”

    “The number of school emergencies are increasing, yet too many school districts don’t have the tools they need to respond to and communicate with parents, law enforcement and school leadership quickly and easily,” said father of two and Villageworks’ co-founder Tal Moise. “Cost should not be a factor when it comes to keeping our kids and our communities safe, and not being able to receive fast and accurate information about your child if there is a crisis is something no parent should have to face. That is why we need a new system that parents, students, teachers and law enforcement can count on.”

    “We are proud to be able to partner with Villageworks for this endeavor. We believe that this new technology will be greatly beneficial for our entire school community, and we are excited for its implementation.” Christina Murphy, School Business Administrator, Cumberland County Charter School District.

    The Villageworks Aware enterprise solution which is fully customizable based on district needs offers the following:

    • Incident Reporting and Distress Signaling

      • Features emergency type, time, location and needs

    • Rapid Emergency Alerts via Text, App and Calls 

    • Student and Staff Safety Roster 

    • Action Plan Distribution

    • Group and one-to-one Messaging

    • Incident Management Summary

    • Student Information System Integration

    • Web Platform and Mobile App

    • One shared platform unifying every community member including local incident management teams

    To contribute and help implement this Emergency Response and Communication System in as many schools as possible, please visit www.gofundme.com/schoolsafety

    About Villageworks

    Villageworks is a group of impassioned public-school parents who are entrepreneurs, software developers, engineers and product designers on a mission to offer public- school districts the latest technology, free of charge, in order to keep communities safe, unified and informed.  

    Villageworks’ parents were brought together by Tal Moise, a tech entrepreneur and father of two elementary school children, age 7 and 8.  Tal’s most recent technology startup was co-founded in partnership with John Sculley, the former CEO of Pepsi and Apple Co. Together they launched Verified Person, a company focused on improving corporate safety by providing personnel background and security checks. This experience made Tal acutely aware of safety threats and hence poised him to focus on finding a solution to threats that may affect school communities nationally.  Tal has earned recognition as one of CIO Magazine’s Top 100 CIOs. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University and an MBA from University of Illinois.

    Wards Corner Chiropractic & Sports Rehab

      Loveland chiropractor Douglas Portmann, DC at Wards Corner Chiropractic & Sports Rehab is one of the best chiropractors in the Loveland area.