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CCPS Athletic Events Safety Plan

CCPS strives to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants at all athletic and school events. Additional supports will continue to be implemented throughout the athletic seasons and the regular school year. Strategies and decisions will be made that center around the safety of all students, staff, and spectators at our events and that promote positive experiences for all.

Decision Making Guidelines

  • Collaboration between all stakeholders which include, school administration, athletic directors, Charles County Sheriff’s Office, Director of Student Activities, Athletics, Aquatics, and the Office of School Administration and Leadership.
  • Predicted spectator attendance.
  • Facility limits, parking lot layout, and lighting.
  • Incidents in the school community that may impact school activities.
  • School rivalries and history of incidents between schools and athletic teams.

Essential Actions

  • Emergency Action Plans on file.
  • School personnel will enforce the expectations of sportsmanship and spectator behavior as outlined in the Parent/Student.

Extra Curricular Handbook

  • Media must present credentials and stay in designated areas.
  • Inappropriate behavior at athletic events can result in suspension from all subsequent CCPS athletic events.
  • Student sections will have a designated area that will start no closer that the second row of bleachers in indoor settings. Spectator seating should separate team supporters whenever possible.
  • Teams must be supervised at all times. Teams participating in multiple game level competitions should sit behind team benches of their respective school.
  • Only official team personnel will only be allowed on playing surfaces, at/near bench/designated areas, or in the locker rooms.
  • Protocols for crowd control and end of game safety procedures will be implemented.
  • All facilities will be cleared in a timely fashion immediately following the end of contest. Areas will be designated (inside or outside) for parents/guardians to wait for student-athlete participants.

School Event Action Plan Levels

Each action plan level is an individual school-based decision. Some actions are subject to change based on the
latest security information available.

Level 1

  • School-aged spectators may be subject to ID checks and must have their student ID cards available when attending athletic events.
  • Bags, backpacks, coolers, outside food or drink, and sports equipment are not permitted.
  • Spectators must pay to re-enter. Spectator capacity and ticket limits may apply.
  • Time constraints may be enforced for admission to the event. (i.e., schools may publish admission deadlines). Parents/guardians of student-athletes may be admitted after these posted times.
  • Entrances and exits may be staggered and additional security coverage should be provided in congested areas.
  • No gatherings outside of seating areas and concession stands will be allowed before, during, or after the event. All spectators must be seated in the bleachers during the event.
  • Spectators should take advantage of online ticketing to gain admission.

Level 2

  • All conditions from level 1 above apply, AND:
  • Students at all participating schools will be allowed to attend with proof of an online ticket purchase along with a valid school ID or StudentVue verification of their current schedule. All other school-aged spectators must be accompanied by a chaperone 21 years of age or older who has purchased a ticket. Chaperones are required to stay and supervise students for the length of their stay at the event.
  • Concession stand sales may be limited.
  • Game times and dates may be changed to provide assistance with event management.

Level 3

  • All conditions from level 1 above apply, AND:
  • Only students of the home school will be allowed to attend with proof of an online ticket purchase along with a valid school ID or StudentVue verification of their current schedule.
  • Immediate family members (those who reside in the home of a participating student-athlete) of both home and away school student-athletes may attend. Family members under 21 must be accompanied by a chaperone 21 years of age and older who has purchased a ticket. Chaperones are required to stay and supervise students for the length of their stay at the event.
  • Concession stand sales may be limited or suspended.
  • Game times and dates may be changed to provide assistance with event management.

Level 4

  • All conditions from level 1 above apply, AND:
  • Immediate family members (those who reside in the home of a participating student-athlete) of both home and away school student-athletes may attend. Family members under 21 must be accompanied by a chaperone 21 years of age and older who has purchased a ticket. Chaperones are required to stay and supervise students for the length of their stay at the event.
  • Concessions stand sales may be limited or suspended.
  • Game times and dates may be changed to provide assistance with event management.
  • In some cases, spectators will not be allowed.

CCPS Athletic Events Safety Plan