Dear Olathe East Cross Country Community,

I’m sorry to inform you that per Governor Kelly’s Executive Order, the Olathe School District is suspending all conditioning activities, whether coach or student led, as of Thursday. We will not be meeting Thursday or Friday of this week, or until the order is lifted. As of now, this suspension is until Labor Day weekend, though hopefully I will get better news before then.

The reason for this suspension is the rapid increase in Covid-19 cases. I feel that you should continue to social distance, and I feel that running is important to your health. But meeting as squads (boys and/or girls) or as a team is not going to happen until we are given the all clear by state health officials. I think it is important that you understand that you and your family’s health is the utmost concern here, not our season or times or places. Your health is the utmost priority. This isn’t a punishment, this is a protection.

At this point I would like to thank you all, especially our seniors, who have gone beyond and above expectations with their spirit and leadership. While they can’t organize conditioning now, I know that like me, they hold all of you close to their hearts. The friendships you have gained this summer are not forgotten or lost, but will grow stronger. Lean on each other for support. Cross country runners are the best people at caring. I encourage you all to stay in touch with your group chat. I encourage you all to keep safely close.

I’d like to schedule a time to zoom chat with each of you either individually or in small groups so we can talk about your running and your future. The KSHSAA is still planning on a fall sports season, including cross country, so there is still hope for our season. More than that, you are still a great team, working through challenges no other team in East history has ever had to meet. You are all very special to me and your other coaches. Please feel free to reach out to us if you need anything.

Tony Bozarth
Head Boys and Girls Cross Country Coach
Olathe East High School

Dear Parents and Runners,

Please review the questions and answers regarding Covid 19 procedures and Olathe East athletics. Please especially review number 16 regarding travel out of state. Any athlete who goes to a “hot zone” state as listed by the Kansas Health Department link must self quarantine from conditioning for fourteen days after returning. That list is updated daily.

To date we have had NO athletes test positive for Covid 19 at East, but we still need to social distance and follow the district safety rules.

I truly appreciate all that you and your athletes are doing. It is a summer where I have seen your dedication, courage and care like never before. I am so proud of all of you.

Please contact me with any questions.

Coach Bozarth

Olathe Public Schools
Summer Athletics/Activities
Safety Protocol
FAQ’s
1. What are the symptoms of Covid-19?
• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
2. If my child is showing symptoms of Covid-19, what should I do?
First and foremost, see your primary care physician if your child has two or more of the above symptoms and have your child tested for the coronavirus. Secondly, notify your coach/director immediately who will communicate with the appropriate building administrator.
3. Will my child be required to stay home if showing symptoms of Covid-19 or if tested positive? If so, for how long?
Yes. The coach or administrator will communicate to you regarding the length of time based upon guidance from our Director of Health Services and Johnson County health officials.
4. If a member of a team or a staff member is suspected of having Covid-19, who will be notified?
Parents will be notified by building administration when there is a case of Covid-19. The name of the student or staff member will not be shared.
5. Does the district conduct ‘contact tracing’?
No. This task is completed by the Johnson County Department of Health & Environment (JCDHE) office. However, Olathe Public Schools collaborates with JCDHE in identifying possible close contacts of Covid-19 cases to assist in identifying exposures. Those contacts that are identified by JCDHE as exposed will be notified of the exposure and asked to self-quarantine.
6. If my child has to be quarantined, how is the length of time determined?
The incubation period for Covid-19 is from 2-14 days after the last incident of exposure. For example, if you were exposed at a party on Saturday, 6/6, you begin counting Day 1 on Sunday 6/7 and will be released from quarantine if you remain healthy and do not develop any symptoms on Sunday, 6/21 (the day after Day 14).
Going to get a Covid-19 test during that time will not shorten the quarantine period since Covid-19 can begin at any period up to and including Day 14.
7. Could an activity (weight room, band camp, sports camp, etc…) be canceled due to health concerns?
Yes, based upon the guidance we receive from JCDHE..
8. What if our family decides that we don’t want our child to attend summer weights, band camp, or sports camps because of safety concerns?
This is 100% acceptable. Our staff understands that families may make this decision. They also understand there can be no punitive consequences for not attending. Summer activities are voluntary.
9. Are masks required for students and staff?
Yes. Governor Kelly is requiring all Kansans to wear masks in public places where social distancing can’t take place. We remain in Phase 3 of the Ad Astra Plan. Social distancing 6’ is virtually impossible at weight training and our various camps. We expect students and staff to wear masks per Governor Kelly’s orders. Athletic trainers are required to wear masks.
10. Is it safe to wear masks during physical activity?
Yes. However, cross country runners do not have to wear a mask outdoors and should social distance from their teammates.
11. What about washing hands? Will soap and water be provided at the school?
Yes. To minimize the transfer of germs from one environment to another, we request (see Covid-19 Protocol for Summer Camps and Conditioning) that students arrive with washed hands and clean bodies. We highly encourage students to wash their hands when they leave the school.
12. Will temperature checks take place at the school?
We ask that parents check their child’s temperature prior to leaving the house. Temperatures greater than 100 degrees require a child to stay home. We will be using infrared forehead thermometers for activities that require extended close contact indoors, e.g., dance and cheerleading camps.
13. Why do you not cancel all conditioning/practices when one student in conditioning is exposed to Covid-19?
You do not catch Covid-19 through contact with someone who finds out they were exposed to Covid-19 but are not sick yet. You are exposed to COVID-19 through close contact with a person sick with Covid-19.
Therefore, all students in a group do not need to be quarantined due to one of the students being exposed to Covid-19 and activities for rest of the group may continue unless OPS is directed otherwise by JCDHE.
14. Would you cancel all conditioning/practices if one student or staff becomes sick with Covid-19?
If there is a case of COVID-19, JCDHE will work with OPS staff to determine whether other students/staff have been exposed and need to quarantine. If so, those students/ staff will be notified of their exposure and will be restricted from attendance and participation for the duration of their 14-day quarantine. Those not exposed, may continue unless JCDHE directs otherwise.
Olathe Public Schools recognizes that not all family health circumstances are the same. Parents are encouraged to make decisions regarding their student’s participation based on personal
preferences and individual family circumstances. There is no penalty and no negative reflection on individual choices to refrain from participating or withdraw from participation.
15. Will there be a fall activity season in Kansas?
We do not know the answer to this question. Neither the KSHSAA nor the National Federation of High Schools has provided specific direction on the status of fall activities. We have been told by KSHSAA that by July 17th we should have a better idea about the status of fall activities.
16. My family is traveling out-of-state? Can my child immediately return back to school activities or do they have to self-quarantine for 14 days?
For up-to-date travel-related quarantine information, please consult the Kansas Department of Health and Environment website: https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/175/Travel-Exposure-Related-Isolation-Quaran
17. What else do I need to know?
Be prepared for changes. The methodology on how to best manage the pandemic fluctuates often. Your flexibility and positive attitude goes a long way as we work together during these unprecedented times.
18. If I have questions, who from my child’s building do I contact?
For sports, email your athletic director. For other activities, email your activity director.

Summer conditioning will resume with both boys and girls at California Trail Middle School. Please remember to bring a water bottle. Cross country runners are NOT required to wear masks but MUST PRACTICE SAFE PHYSICAL DISTANCE OF 6 FT!

Due to lightening in the area, summer conditioning has been cancelled this morning.

Our senior leaders have been busy working on a summer run schedule for June! For the first couple of weeks, the plan is to have at least one seasoned OEXC parent at each of the runs to answer any questions and greet incoming freshmen athletes and parents. Workouts will be directed by the senior athletes following the guidelines. Runs are typically over by 7:30am. Please bring a water bottle!

Ladies’ Schedule (All runs start at 6:30am)
June 1 – 4 — Frontier Park parking lot
June 8 – 12 — Stoll Park
June 15-19 — Black Bob Park
June 22 – 26th — Quivira Park
June 29 – July 3 — Frontier Park

Men’s Schedule (All runs start at 6:30am)
June 1 – 5 — Quivira Park
June 8 – 12 — Frontier Park
June 15 – 19 — Stoll Park
June 22 – 26 — Heatherstone Park
June 29 – July 3 — Tomahawk Elementary (13820 S. Brougham Dr, Olathe)

Rest of locations to be determined