Jan. 7, 2022

As COVID-19 begins to circulate throughout our community at increased rates, Springfield Public Schools is working with our partners at the Eugene 4J and Bethel school districts to plan for how we can mitigate impacts of the virus on our schools. 

Currently, we are continuing with our extracurricular activities and are reviewing protocols and safety measures. It is a collective top priority in all three districts to maintain in-person learning while also working to limit the spread of COVID-19. All of the districts also share a desire to continue to provide extra-curricular activities to the greatest extent safely possible. 

In an effort to continue to offer winter athletics and be in alignment with current safety measures recommended by OSAA and OHA, the athletic directors from each district have collaboratively agreed to the following protocols: 

• Attendees must follow OHA-mandated indoor masking rules at all times. 
• Spectators will be limited and tickets will be required to attend events to allow for increased physical distancing, beginning Monday, Jan. 10. This will include spectators at home and away events. Athletic directors will work directly with families to provide ticketing information.
• Concession stands will be paused; no outside food or drinks will be permitted inside.
• Hand sanitization will be required upon entry of events. 

Even with these protocols in place, families need to be aware that participating in extracurricular events increases the risk that a possible exposure could result in students needing to quartinine. 

Please know that the decision to temporarily limit spectators was not made lightly. Keeping our students in school and participating in extracurricular activities is dependent upon everyone doing their part to limit the transmission of COVID-19 in our community. These decisions were made in adherence with local and state public health guidelines. With these new protocols, it is our goal to prioritize the health and safety of our student athletes, while also maintaining a winter sports season. 

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we implement these COVID-related changes for extracurricular activities. We will continue to monitor pandemic conditions and revisit protocols with the expectation that the above restrictions will be lifted as case rates decline. 

Sincerely, 

Springfield Public Schools
Eugene School District 4J
Bethel School District