Duval County Public Schools getting ready to begin Phase One of high school sports activities

Jacksonville, FL — Duval County Public Schools is getting ready to roll out its plan for resuming high school sports activities.

Superintendent Dr. Diana Greene says starting the week of June 15th, outdoor conditioning for high school sports teams will begin as part of the district's first phase in returning to sports activities.

The district says it made a phased-approach plan with the help of the Jacksonville Sports Medicine Program. It includes the following three phases:

• Phase One — Begins June 15 and will focus on conditioning
• Phase Two — Expected to begin June 29 and will include weightlifting
• Phase Three — Expected to begin July 13 and will mark the return to actual practices

The district says those dates are subject to change, depending on the developing coronavirus outbreak situation.

“Now knowing that it’s the governor’s expectation that football go on next year, we need to take appropriate steps to ensure students are physically ready. We are only a week behind our normal training schedule. Our partnership with the JSMP will help us make sure we do this as safely as possible for students and staff," says Greene in a statement.

While it is a return to some normalcy, the district says there will be new guidelines and expectations in place for the conditioning program, including the following:

• Total group size will not exceed 20 (for example, 18 students with two coaches).
• Groups should be the same individuals, including coaches, for each session to limit exposure. Student-athletes and/or coaches CANNOT change groups.
• Sessions are one hour long with 15 minutes scheduled between groups to allow for exiting the facility.
• No Friday, Saturday or Sunday workouts.
• Temperature checks will be taken as athletes arrive to each session.
• A mask is required for student-athletes and staff entering and exiting the facility and is encouraged during activity breaks.
• Shirts with sleeves must be worn at all times — no tank tops.
• No spectators allowed.
• All student-athletes must bring their own water bottle and towel — no use of water fountains, water coolers, or water cows.
• Locker rooms will not be available or open.
• A designated restroom will be available. All other facilities will be closed.

Additionally, the district says coaches will be required to keep attendance to help support contact tracing, if needed.

The district says it is also making plans to open summer programs for JROTC, band, and cheerleading in July.