Southwest Messenger - June 14th, 2020

PAGE 2 - SOUTHWEST MESSENGER - June 14, 2020
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athletes and coaches at the middle and high school levels
are now permitted to participate in individual skills
development and strength training and conditioning
sessions.
“While they will be able to participate in these
activities, they will still have to abide by the state
guidelines that no competitions, games, contact or
tournaments will be permissible at this time,” said
David Stewart, the district’s deputy superintendent.
In addition to these regulations, students and
coaches will have to follow a number of guidelines in
order to participate in the voluntary training and conditioning
sessions, or even enter the premises.
The primary guideline that those wanting to access
their school’s facilities is the signing of a waiver of liability.
District officials say that no student or coach
will be permitted in any skill development or training
session until the liability waiver is complete and on
file.
They will also be asked to check their temperatures
at home and, prior to entering the premises, will be
screened for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. Should
the student or coach have a temperature of 100.4
degrees, they will not be permitted onto the premises.
The same goes for those who may have been exposed to
or lives with any person who has tested positive for
COVID-19 in the past 14 days.
Unlike in the past summer training sessions, there
will be limitations on gatherings.
“They will not be able to gather in groups that number
in excess of 10,” said Stewart.
He said workouts will be conducted in “pods” of students
with the same 5-10 people working out together.
“That number includes the coaching staff,” he said.
Students and coaches will not have access to the
locker rooms (they are strongly encouraged to come to
the workouts in the proper gear and wash them at
home) and large gatherings before or after the training
sessions are strongly discouraged.
There will also be a change in the provision of
hydrating drinks.
Stewart said communal water coolers and the use of
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In Education
Summer Reading Challenge goes virtual
Southwest Public Libraries will present its annual
Summer Reading Challenge (SRC) virtually this year,
running now through July 25. SRC is offered for all
ages.
This year’s theme, Imagine Your Story, focuses on
fairytales, fantasy, folklore and mythology. Youth participants
will have the opportunity to track their reading,
watch online programs, and do online activities to
earn points for raffle entries and prizes. Adults will
have the opportunity to submit book reviews online
and be entered for a chance to win a small gift card at
the end.
SRC is a long-standing patron favorite, and it was
important to the library to adapt it into a virtual format
as COVID-19 restrictions continue.
“Summer reading is essential in reducing the summer
slide,” says Youth Services Librarian Mary Allen.
“With so many other activities shut down and parents
searching for learning opportunities for their kids,
engaging youth and supporting their learning became
SWCS ATHLETICS
Continued from page 1
even more important. We are excited to be able to
encourage reading and provide activities online.”
The library will host special SRC performers and
presenters virtually on Mondays and present virtual
library programs on Wednesdays via the library’s
Facebook page. Virtual storytimes will continue twice
weekly, along with newly added STEM storytimes,
biweekly. Special performers and presenters include
musician Zak Morgan, the Cooking Caravan,
Didgeridoo Down Under, Ohio Nature Education,
Stevens Puppets, and ScienceTellers, storytelling with
a science twist. For adults, Library Live Chats will
continue and take-home craft kits and activities will be
available to pick up and enjoy at home.
In addition to virtual SRC, Southwest Public
Libraries is offering no-contact holds pickup by
appointment while buildings remain closed. Patrons
can find more information about the SRC program or
no-contact holds pickup at the library’s website
swpl.org.
School district offers summer meals to students through August 7
South-Western City Schools will be providing summer
meals through Aug. 7 from 11:30 a..m to 1 p.m. at
West Franklin Elementary School (3501 Briggs Road,
Columbus) and from 3 to 5 p.m. at Westland High
School (146 Galloway Road, Galloway) on Mondays,
Wednesdays and Fridays. For more information, visit
www.swcsd.us.
water fountains will not be permitted at this time so
they are requesting student athletes bring their own
water bottles. Those who do not, will not be allowed to
participate.
Facial coverings are also strongly encouraged during
activities but can be removed when engaging in
vigorous activity. It will have to be put back on once
the vigorous activity has ended.
Stringent cleaning after the use of equipment and
within the facilities will also be implemented.
The district’s guidelines are in line with others
throughout the state, but unlike some they do not have
any time frame for when contact sports will be permissible.
“I think we are going to be living in this phase for a
while,” Stewart said.
He said should guidelines be lessened further, the
district will reevaluate its stance.
“Right now, we are going to focus on this reopening
and see where we are in about three weeks and make
adjustments from there.”
Stewart said that he knows following all of these
guidelines may seem excessive or overwhelming to
some, but added that it was important that the district
take as many precautions as necessary in order to keep
the students, staff and community safe.
To read the full list of guidelines, visit
www.swcsd.us.
In other athletic news, the board of education
approved the installation of a synthetic turf baseball
infield at Grove City High School at the June 8 meeting.
The cost of the new infield is $260,291.
According to the board, the Grove City Greyhounds
Athletic Boosters raised $268,750 for the project,
which was then donated to the district.
Superintendent Dr. Bill Wise said it is not uncommon
for parents to raise funds on behalf of students for
sporting build projects and donate the money to the
district. Wise explained that it is done because the district
owns the property and is able to receive warranty
coverage on future improvements.