Earlier in July, the Clear Creek Amana Community School Board of Directors approved CCA to participate in fall activities. The Board of Directors unanimously approved the Coronavirus mitigation strategies for CCA fall athletics at the August 19 board meeting with regards to our civic duty of protecting the safety and health of the student body, staff and community at large. The decision was not easy but in order to ensure our student athletes are given a fair chance to play this fall, spectators will be limited. This is our best compromise of maintaining social distancing while allowing a relatively large number of spectators. We discussed everything from parents only, to requiring masks and not restricting spectators. The district has worked diligently to get recommended safety measures in place for the school day i.e. cohorts, social distancing, morning and afternoon sessions, limiting class sizes, virtual choice and more. 

Allowing large gatherings of spectators could compromise everything including the ability to play fall sports.  One outbreak could lead to missing two weeks of play at a time. Football crowds are by far the largest for any school, therefore the larger numbers increase the chance of contamination for students, athletes and community spread. Over 2,000 fans at a football game doesn’t compare to the number of fans at a softball or baseball game.

In our current pandemic situation, it is a privilege to play fall athletics while many states, conferences, and nearby regions are cancelling play or not allowing any fans at all. The state and athletic associations have made it clear that if a school moves to 100% online learning, extracurricular sports will too. Below is a portion of a letter from the associations that came out yesterday in support of the Iowa Department of Education.

“Districts who deem it a health risk to their community to suspend in-person learning have not only included students and teachers in that assessment. Coaches and athletes should be protected. The health and safety of opposing teams who would be in those facilities to compete should also be protected. In addition, other members of the school community, including bus drivers, officials, ticket takers, and fans could face a public health risk if present.

We respect the decisions of school boards and school leadership in making these choices. And while it is a difficult choice, the rationale of protecting the health and safety of their community must also apply to their educational-based activities. Coaches are teachers and their fields and gyms are classrooms. If a school reverts to all online learning, all learning, including that which takes place in athletic activities, must take place in that manner.” Tom Keating Jean Berger
Executive Director Executive Director
IHSAA IGHSAU

We are optimistic that with the approved mitigations in place, CCA athletes will be able to conduct a full season of competition in a healthy and safe manner. 

Approved Mitigation for Fall Activities:

• All spectators must wear a face covering at all times except when eating or drinking.  We will NOT provide them at the gate.
• A Participant group of tickets will sit in a group and social distance (6 feet) from other groups, this includes any non-family members within the group.
• Social distancing along the fence will be monitored.
• Concession stand volunteers will be wearing proper PPE.
• Pre-packaged food will be available for purchase.
• If you are ill or have any symptoms of being ill, please stay home.

Fall Spectator tickets will be allocated as follows:

• HS Friday night football:
• 4 tickets per fall participant. This includes football players, cheerleaders, pep band members. 
• A Participant group of tickets will sit in a group and social distance (6 feet) from other groups, this includes any non-family members within the group. 
• Visiting teams will work with AD on a number of tickets.
• HS Volleyball
• 4 tickets per player.
• A Participant group of tickets will sit in a group and social distance (6 feet) from other groups, this includes any non-family members within the group.
• Encourage lower level parents to leave after lower level games to control social distancing.
• Visiting teams will work with AD on a number of tickets. 
• MS Volleyball
• No family limits.
• No students.
• Clear gym after each match. 
• MS Football and all Cross Country 
• Both have manageable crowd sizes therefore there are no required restrictions other than face coverings at this time.

• Tickets will be allocated by the AD the week of the home game.
• When travelling to away games, CCA fans will abide by the host team rules. 
• Home games: Bring your ticket to the gate, pay at the gate or show your activity pass.