All athletic competitions on the Central Kenai Peninsula and all competitions involving Central Peninsula schools are suspended immediately due to the current risk level (red) based on the district’s 14-day risk level count. Practices are allowed under the High “Red” Risk Level ASAA Return-To-Practice Protocols.
A COVID-19 positive test count of 14 on Tuesday, August 18th, combined with a positive count of 15 on Sunday, August 16th pushed the Central Kenai Peninsula into the High “Red” Risk Level for the first time in the current reporting period. The Central Peninsula stands at 63 recorded positive cases in the current 14-day reporting period; which exceeds the Medium Level (Yellow) top-end of 51 cases.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District released on Tuesday that 17 KPBSD schools in the Central Peninsula will open with 100% remote learning on August 24, 2020 and that all sports competitions are cancelled due to the high positive tests resulting in the KPBSD Central Peninsula moving into the high (red) level.
An improved COVID-19 positive count over the next 14-day period could allow for a return to Medium Risk and a return to competitive fall sports after the Labor Day weekend (September 8th).
All sports competitions in the central peninsula are cancelled at this time.
This affects Kenai Central High School; Nikiski Middle-High School; Soldotna High School; Aurora Borealis Charter School; Kenai Middle School; and Skyview Middle School. KPBSD follows ASAA Return-to-Practice Protocols
KPBSD Pools are closed at this time:
Kenai Central High School, Skyview High School, and Soldotna High School pools are closed to public use.
Fall sports practices are allowed under tight restrictions.
Athletic practices are allowed for the Central Peninsula fall sports programs under the ASAA Return-to-Practice Protocols. Each school and athletic program will establish practice guidelines under the high level (red) protocols.
ASAA Return-To-Practice Protocols: High Level (Red)
Tier 1, 2 & 3 Sports*: Outdoor conditioning can be held with 10’ maintained between all individuals.
No use of indoor facilities.
Outdoor facilities should have visual indicators of proper distancing.
Hand sanitizer should be plentiful and available to all participants. No sharing of equipment
Cloth face coverings by participants must be used when not engaging in vigorous activity.
Coaches must wear cloth face coverings.
From KPBSD Superintendent John O’Brien. ..
“I’ve looked at the science-based guidance to assist in our decision-making process, consulted with our KPBSD COVID19 Risk Level Medical Advisory Group, and am following our SmartStart plan. I am disappointed the positive case count appears to be trending with increases in high risk levels. Every day we will evaluate risk level trends and actual counts. To aid planning for families and eliminate a ping-pong effect back and forth between risk levels, I hope that if case levels in the central peninsula drop to a medium risk level, we can open schools to onsite learning after Labor Day, on Tuesday, September 8, 2020. We will continue providing district level updates every week, plus each school will communicate directly with their families.”
The State of Alaska positive COVID-19 case count reports provide the KPBSD with a 14-day count for the assorted geographic breakdowns. The current CIVID-19 count is updated daily.
KPBSD Current Risk Levels (as of August 18th)
The Southern Peninsula currently stands at the Low Risk (Green) Level and includes school in the Homer area and Ninilchik.
The Eastern Peninsula currently stands at the Medium Risk (Yellow) Level and includes Seward area schools and Moose Pass.
The Small Communities also currently stand at the Low Risk (Green) Level and includes school in Cooper Landing, Hope, Nanwalek, Port Graham, Seldovia and Tebughna (Tyonek).
*Activity Risk Tiers
Tier 1
Activity that can be done with social distancing or individually with no sharing of
equipment or the ability to clean the equipment between use by participants.
Swimming individual events, Cross Country Running, Rifle, Nordic
Ski, Cheer (no stunting), Esports, Track & Field individual running
and throwing events, DDF individual events
Tier 2
Activity that involves close sustained contact, but with protective equipment in place
that may reduce the likelihood of viral transmission between participants, or
intermittent close contact, or the use of equipment that can’t be cleaned between
participants.
Tennis, Flag Football, Swimming relays, Volleyball, Gymnastics,
Bowling, Hockey, Basketball, Baseball, Soccer, Softball, Track &
Field relays and jumping events, DDF partner events, Music solos
Tier 3
Activity that involves close sustained contact between participants and lack of
significant protective barriers.
Football, Cheer stunting, Wrestling, Music duets or larger groups
