Please see the message below from our District Athletic Director, Jeff Smith. Thank you.

Dear Families,

We are writing to notify you that on the afternoon of Wednesday, August 12th, we received medical confirmation that one of our track athletes at Plano East Senior High tested positive for COVID-19.  This student athlete has not been on the campus for summer programs or for track skills work.  In fact, this student athlete has not been on the campus whatsoever, so there is no immediate risk for the spread of COVID-19 on the Plano East Senior High Campus. We are just wanting to be transparent and make sure that you have been notified of the situation.  Upon receiving confirmation, we contacted the parents and this student athlete will remain in quarantine following all of the appropriate protocols.  It has been determined that no other student athletes were in close contact.   Now that we have officially started the school year we will continue to follow the same safety protocols that we used successfully the entire summer. The health and safety of our student athletes are our number one priority and we will continue to be diligent in our efforts to have a safe and successful summer.

All student athletes and Athletics staff are screened upon arrival at each training site daily.  Screening includes a temperature check, as well as questions about symptoms and any recent contact with a positive COVID-19 case.  Students and staff not meeting the criteria for participation are instructed to go home.  

The Plano ISD Athletics Department is following safety protocols for Strength/Conditioning and Skills Training in accordance with University Interscholastic League (UIL) guidelines. The specific guidance regarding a positive confirmed COVID-19 test is shared below and the full guidelines can be viewed online at: www.pisd.edu/Page/22873 

1. Positive test confirmed – If a student athlete tests positive for COVID-19, they are to self-isolate until 10 days from onset of symptoms and 24 hours of being symptom free without medications.

2. If a student athlete has been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or has a family member that lives with them that has tested positive for COVID-19:

1. Student athletes should inform the campus athletic coordinator and the campus licensed athletic trainer and quarantine for 14 days.

2. Plano ISD licensed athletic trainers will notify appropriate health officials.

3. Plano ISD licensed athletic trainers will notify student athletes who may have been exposed to COVID-19 and provide guidance. Fellow student athletes may be sent home to self-quarantine for at least 14 days or until a confirmed negative test result is received. Contact tracing will be overseen by the campus athletic coordinator and the campus licensed athletic trainer.

During summer training and sport specific skill sessions, cleaning and disinfection of facilities and equipment take place before, during and after workouts. Athletic facilities in which an individual with a confirmed COVID-19 positive case has been identified will undergo enhanced disinfection per CDC and industry guidelines.

Out of an abundance of caution, student athletes should monitor their own health for the next 14 days and contact their primary care provider if symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath) develop.  Athletics staff will continue to monitor the situation and provide any updates, as needed.  We hope for a successful recovery of our student athlete.

Sincerely,

Jeff Smith