OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — On Monday, in light of the ongoing pandemic, Westside Community Schools is making some adjustments to limits on spectators for fall activities.
In a release, the district said spectators will be limited to "family/step-family members and a maximum of 100 senior students" for remaining football games.
Brandi Petersen Paul, Westside Community Schools' director of communications and engagement, says taking precautions such a limiting spectators, allows for them to give their students the full experience.
"At Westside we are big believers in teaching the whole child whether it’s ABC's in addition to science, in addition to show choir, in addition to athletics. Some kids really thrive in that team atmosphere, in that spirit of competition and that may be what ultimately keeps them in school to continue trying their best so they can participate in those activities," Petersen Paul says.
The decision to update their protocols comes as a precaution. The current state of COVID in Omaha has made them be proactive in order to not only keep students and staff safe but the larger community.
"We listen to Dr. Adi Pour. We listen to our professionals at the Nebraska Medical Center and other medical experts, and when they’re saying these numbers are continuing to climb, we stopped and evaluated, okay 'What can we do to make sure we’re keeping our numbers low, to make sure we’re keeping our students and staff safe?' This is just one additional precaution we can do to keep our kids playing, keep them engaged in activity, but to do so safely in light of everything that’s happening in the city," Petersen Paul says.
Activity participants will be allowed a maximum of four family members for each event. Family members will be required to sign in when arriving and a previously used voucher system will no longer be in use.
No exceptions will be made.
The district shared this Tweet, outlining the procedures and limits:
Due to the ongoing spread of COVID-19, we are making some adjustments to “spectator guidelines” for our remaining fall season events. See info below. ⬇️⬇️ Please don’t turn this into a hate-filled post bashing us, medical experts, or politicians. pic.twitter.com/jSESGBiovg
— Mike Lucas (@Lucas4westside) October 12, 2020
The district also announced they will be moving into 5-day Green learning starting Monday, October 19. All students will be in-person, all week.
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