SCHOOLS

Journal photo by Jordan Wald Mountain Brook band director Jason Smith noted that both directors and students are “committed to supporting our Spartan athletes as much as possible.” Above, band members social distancing at a practice session last week.

Start Up the Bands

Band Directors at OTM Schools Face Challenges in Preparing for Football Season

By Emily Williams and Carolin

Ri

The impending school year is commonly portrayed as a rebirth of sorts, filled with promises of a new year, a new routine and perhaps even a new you.

At the center of all that opportunity is one of the most spirited American trademarks – football season.

The Friday night athletic productions draw the community together after school hours to the tune of drums and brass pounding amid spirited chants and cheers.

With about two weeks remaining until the date many schools systems are hoping to restart the 2020-21 school year, the idea of arriving on campus for the first day of school and attending the first football game of the season remains in limbo as administrators continue to grapple with pandemic planning.

Regardless, football teams, cheerleading squads and marching bands are preparing for the potential to perform.

Challenges for Band Practice

At Mountain Brook High School, band director Jason Smith and his crew began rehearsals in July, following the announcement by the Alabama High School Athletic Association that football practices could commence.

Though there are numerous aspects of band that are separate from sports, band director Jason Smith noted that both directors and students are “committed to supporting our Spartan athletes as much as possible.”

There are still many questions hanging in the air as far as football games and performances are concerned, as the landscape of the pandemic and its effects on gatherings of any kind is constantly evolving.

“Of course, we are not sure about travel to away games, social distancing protocols in stadiums – this is

‘We are going to be positive and keep going. My goal is to give these kids some sense of normalcy.’

CHRIS COOPER HOMEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL BAND DIRECTOR

important when playing music with wind instruments – and being able to consistently rehearse in the middle of a pandemic,” Smith said.

Over the course of the pandemic closures of schools this past spring, band directors had to adapt to online learning.

“Virtual band was challenging and rewarding,” Smith said.

Via Google Meet, band students and directors were able to see each other virtually, share quarantine stories and continue to work toward some of their bigger goals, such as, celebrating the senior band members by organizing an online ‘banquet.’

“We were even able to feature our Beginning Band, junior high school and high school bands in a video concert,” Smith said. “This required each student to record their individual music, and we were able to mash it together to make a large video featuring their performances.”

In almost any band setting, Smith noted, there is a similarity in that each individual is responsible for practicing, playing and performing their music to the best of their ability.

The difference this fall lies in the visual responsibilities that performing as a marching band requires – the choreography.

“Students are relying on each other to be in the correct spot on the field at the exact time successfully playing the right notes and rhythms,” Smith said.

This year’s performances are being choreographed to accommodate a greater distance between musicians, and the crew is rehearsing their routines in the great outdoors almost exclusively.

No matter how much distance there is between students, there is still that aspect of marching that has them moving about the field rather than remaining stationary.

With that in mind, Smith said that the band will be using personal protective equipment. This includes items that will help mitigate the spread of respiratory droplets, especially for those playing wind instruments.

Despite the measures put into place for rehearsals, there is always a chance that practices and performances will be put on hold once more.

“Our discussions about delaying school and sports are still in play,” Smith said. “We would need to evaluate the safety of the decision to continue. We would look to our administration for guidance and move forward from there. See BANDS, page 26

OTM School Systems Pencil in Plans for Fall, but They Might Have to Use the Eraser

By Emily Williams and Carolin

Ri

Though coronavirus responses related to schools are subject to change daily, one thing is certain: many high school students will be learning through an online platform during the fall 2020 semester.

Parents have pushed for learning options that offer different levels of online and in-person instruction.

Hoover

Hoover City Schools has proposed three learning options for students and parents to choose, in addition to four contingency plans that are based on worsening health condition scenarios.

The in-person learning plan option allows for full-time school on campus when operating incontingency level one or two. However, when raised to contingency level three, students would go to campus only two days a week, either Monday and Thursday or Tuesday and Friday. They would learn remotely for the other three days. If raised to contingency level four, students would learn fully online.

The in-person learning plan allows Hoover teachers to use the local Hoover curriculum.

The virtual learning plan option allows for a full-time virtual school that takes place at home. Students who choose this option will be communally connected to their zoned schools, but their teachers will instruct them through a digital curriculum.

Pre-K through 8th grade students can switch from virtual to in-person learning at the end of the first nine weeks, but high schoolers cannot change until the end of the semester.

The final learning option proposed for Hoover students is called a blended plan. This allows students to learn part-time virtually and part-time in person. Students can then continue inperson instruction in areas of particular interest that cannot be supported in the virtual format.

Hoover City Schools says that this has been an option for high schoolers for years, but it is now an option for middle schoolers as well.

While Hoover City Schools officials cannot make an announcement this early on what level they are planning to begin. They have pushed back the first day of school from Aug. 6 to Aug. 20. In addition, students from Pre-K through second grade are highly encouraged to wear masks, and students from grades 3 through 12 are required to wear masks.

Homewood

Homewood City Schools is offering two learning options: traditional school and virtual school. Students who choose the traditional school option can switch to virtual at any time, but if the student chooses virtual, the student is committed to it for the semester.

Homewood also has four levels of operation, in which they will determine the level of operation according to recommendations from local health departments as well as data from community and schools.

Some of the categories that the level of operation will determine include extracurricular activities, large group gatherings, entering and exiting the building, and teaching and learning.

Homewood city schools will require students to wear masks where social distancing is not possible.

Mountain Brook

On July 30, Mountain Brook City Schools announced an adjusted reopening plan, postponing the start of the 2020-21 school year from Aug. 11 to Aug. 20.

In a release, Superintendent Dicky Barlow noted that the postponement will allow more time for the school system to train employees, prepare buildings and finalize reopening logistics.

In addition, junior high and high school students who selected the traditional school option over virtual learning will be assigned to one of See SCHOOLS, page 25

Vestavia Hills City Schools officials have delayed the start of classes by a week and now will open Aug. 30.

Homewood Students Get Chamber Awards Hand Delivered

The Homewood Chamber of Commerce recognized a student from each school in the Homewood City School system July 21 with the Annual Excellence in Education Awards.

Because of the coronavirus and social distancing requirements, chamber members skipped the traditional luncheon this year and, instead, presented students with the awards at their homes.

Meredith Drennen, executive director of the Homewood Chamber of Commerce, along with Floresha Watkins Woodall, a Homewood Chamber board member and Regions Bank executive, distributed award certificates to the students.

The award winner from Homewood High School also will receive a scholarship sponsored by Regions Bank. The caravan ceremony honored students from the five Homewood City Schools:

• Harrison Massie of Homewood High School • Kayla Warren of Homewood Middle School • Travis Heathcock of Edgewood Elementary School • Emily Villanueva Garcia of Hall-Kent Elementary School • Jackson Martin of Shades Cahaba Elementary School

Vestavia Student Attends Economics and Community Development Program at Huntingdon

Emily Giles of Vestavia Hills was one of 24 rising high school seniors who participated in the fourth annual Huntingdon College Economic and Community Development Scholars Program June 23-25.

ECDS introduces young citizens poised to begin their professional careers to the importance of economic and community development. It is planned in partnership with and sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama, the Economic Development Association of Alabama and the Alabama Department of Commerce.

The students met with professionals seasoned in the processes of economic and community development and participated in three economic development simulations. State leaders, including Alabama Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, addressed the program participants.

“We had an incredibly impressive collection of high school students participate in our virtual program last week,” said Dr. Anthony Leigh, Huntingdon senior vice president and an architect of the program. “These students are difference-makers in their schools and their communities. I am confident they have been enlightened about what economic and community developers do, and we hope that knowledge has given them an appreciation for the work of growing and bettering their community and our state.”

SCHOOLS

From page 24 two groups. Each group will alternate the day of the week they attend school to limit the number of students in the building each day.

On days when a students’ group is studying from home, they will be provided with assignments developed by their teachers to complete at home in addition to using an e-learning program.

Elementary school students in grades Pre-K through 6th who chose the traditional learning option over virtual will spend all five weekdays at school. Students in grades 4 through 6 who traditionally rotate classrooms throughout the day will now remain in one classroom to lower the risk of cross-contamination.

Extended day programs will not be offered for the first nine weeks of the year.

Facial coverings will be required for all employees and students, but the schools plan “mask breaks” throughout the day, during which students can take off their masks for a bit as long as they are six feet apart.

Vestavia Hills

Vestavia Hills City Schools officials have delayed the start of classes by a week and now will open Aug. 30.

The system will continue to offer both virtual and traditional formats, according to Superintendent Todd Freeman, however on-site instruction protocols have been adjusted.

Students in pre-K through fifth grade will continue to meet every day of the week.

Grades six through 12 will be broken into two groups that are placed on an alternating schedule throughout the week, spending one day on campus and the next day off campus to reduce the number of people present at schools each day.

According to a statement from the Vestavia Hills City Schools released last week, 18% of students at that time had enrolled in remote instruction for the first semester.

Vestavia High Principal Tyler Burgess will move from that role to become principal of the remote learning model because of the large number of online students. As a result, Liberty Park Middle School Principal Tonya Rozell will become VHHS principal, and LPMS Assistant Principal Roger Dobnikar will be interim principal of LPMS for the 2020-21 school year.

With circumstances changing by the minute, State Superintendent Eric Mackey is giving local school systems some flexibility, encouraging them to adjust their policies based on community needs. Local school systems are anticipating many logistical changes between now and the start of school.

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Back to School Worries

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Hoover’s Hinds Tabbed 2020 National High School Boys Track & Field Coach of the Year

By Ru

in E. G

ant

For the second time in as many years and the third time in his career, Hoover track and field coach Devon Hind has been honored by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

Hind was named the association’s boys track and field and cross country national Coach of the Year on July 28. The award was presented by the U.S. Marine Corps.

Hind was selected the Boys’ High School Coach of the Year for Alabama for the 2019 track and field season. He was the association’s 2014 Girls Coach of the Year for Alabama.

Hind has guided Hoover to four consecutive Class 7A boys indoor titles and six of nine championships, along with seven girls titles since the Alabama High School Athletic Association restarted the sport in 2012.

“Our goal is to win state every year,” Hind said in a release from the association. “There is a level of commitment that needs to be had to do that and we get that from our athletes and coaches. They don’t take competing or coaching at Hoover lightly.” BANDS From page 24

In the end, Smith recalled a quote he recently heard that perfectly emulates his outlook, “I am hoping for some precedented time. This unprecedented time is causing too many problems.”

Universal Quandary

Other schools are facing the same issues as they prepare for band season with fingers crossed.

After Hoover City Schools delayed the start of school, the Hoover High School marching band adjusted its calendar accordingly, delaying the start of band camps but continuing to have weekly sectionals.

Meanwhile, Spain Park’s marching band is continuing practices as scheduled.

“We are very fortunate to have a facility that allows for appropriate spacing both outdoors and indoors and an administration and nursing staff eager to help us make wise informed decisions about how to participate in this activity safely,” a statement on Spain Park’s band website reads.

During band camp, masks are required indoors unless a student is playing their instrument. Students will also have their temperatures taken before entering a building and be required to take a baseline screening test.

Devin Hind has guided Hoover to four consecutive Class 7A boys indoor titles and six of nine championships, along with seven girls titles.

Since taking over the Bucs’ program in 2003, Hind has led Hoover to 39 track and field or cross-country championships.

This past indoor season, the Bucs romped to a 25.5-point win at the state meet at the Birmingham CrossPlex. Hoover qualified athletes in 14 finals and scored in 12 of those.

“You have to realize that the shot put counts just as much as the

Spain Park students who select the full-time online schooling option still will be able to participate in band, choir, art and dance courses. They will be required to exit the building when that class ends.

The Homewood High School marching band planned to march in the 2021 Tournament of Roses Parade, but tournament officials recently announced that the parade will no longer be happening due to the coronavirus. However, the band was invited to perform in the 2022 Tournament of Roses Parade.

Homewood’s band has shifted its focus to preparing for football season and is moving forward as if football season will go on as usual.

Instead of sitting indoors to learn their music, as they usually do, members of the Homewood marching band are practicing outdoors, and they have been split into five practice groups.

Chris Cooper has been at Homewood High School for 21 years, and he took over the marching band last year.

“We are trying to keep this activity going because these kids love the arts. Many kids have said if it wasn’t for band and choir, they would have only virtual classes. That really is the power of music,” said Cooper.

The band staff at Homewood has taken several steps to ensure safety. Instruments will be covered with shields and bell covers to reduce particle spread in the band room. 60-meter dash,” Hind said. “Everybody usually just focuses on their team’s specialty. We try to focus on every event. It’s not about winning events. I mean, it’s nice to do that, but it’s about scoring points. All of those third, fourth and sixth places add up at the end of the meet.”

Hoover turned in some incredible individual and relay efforts at the state indoor meet. In sweeping the horizontal jumps, the three athletes who were involved in that feat – L.J. Hill, J’Marri McCall and John Watkins – all set personal records, namely Watkins with his 48-10½ triple jump that ranked him fifth nationally. Not to be outdone, the Bucs’ 4×200 relay team went 1:28.50 to win and ended the season nationally ranked alongside Watkins at fifth.

“We had a great season in the sprints and jumps and all of that credit goes to my assistant coaches, like Carl Floyd and Mark Ruffin,” Hind said. “They get their athletes ready to compete when the chips are on the table and it’s really fun to watch that.”

Hoover’s outdoor season ended in March due to the COVID-19

pandemic. And the school has bought 500 masks to go with the band uniforms, as well as 300 bell covers and plenty of hand sanitizer.

Cooper said that local band directors have a group text with each other and that they are all doing a hybrid band camp schedule similar to his.

“The Over the Mountain schools are doing what we are doing and piecing it together as it goes along. At this point, having any kind of marching band is going to be exciting for us,” Cooper said.

Homewood students who select the virtual schooling option can still participate in band after school.

“Most teachers at Homewood are doing either all virtual or all faceto-face, but band directors are doing both. We are planning to have virtual private lessons once a week,” said Cooper.

A livestream of band class will be available to virtual students in the band.

Some of the other arts-related activities in schools have more time to adjust their curriculums than marching band officials do. For instance, show choir, a major student organization at Homewood High School, doesn’t have its season until spring semester.

“You can either be positive about this situation or believe that this is the worst scenario ever,” said Cooper. “We are going to be positive and keep going. My goal is to give these kids some sense of nor

From page 28 We have to get ready for whatever comes our way,” he said.

Hoover coach Josh Niblett is happy the Bucs were able to schedule Dothan for their opener.

“We were in (a) situation that when Georgia moved back its season we needed a game,” Niblett said. “We looked at the schedules where Alabama teams were playing Georgia teams. Dothan had three Georgia schools on their schedule and had a jamboree against Park Crossing in week zero.

“They moved Park Crossing to a regular season game and agreed to come to Hoover to play us.”

‘We like to play the best competition and Dothan will be a good matchup for us. They are very athletic and very well coached.’

JOSH NIBLETT, HOOVER FOOTBALL COACH

Niblett already had a good working relationship with Dothan coach Smitty Grider.

“The year before, we went there to

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play them in a spring training game and they were excited to come here,” Niblett said. “We like to play the best competition and Dothan will be a good matchup for us. They are very athletic and very well coached.

“This will be their first year in Class 7A. They played 6A last year after combining two schools (Dothan High and Northview). They’ve been together a year now so they will have continuity.”

Hoover’s remaining schedule of non-region games remains intact. The Bucs will play Bessemer City on Aug. 28 and Prattville on Sept. 25.

The game against Dothan is in keeping with Niblett’s strategy to play schools from south Alabama during the regular season.

“We like to play schools from the south to gauge how we measure up,” Niblett said. “We already had Prattville on the schedule. We played Opelika one year and ended up playing them in the state championship game.”

From page 28 with helmets and shorts only. The other fall sports – volleyball, cross country and swimming and diving – can use the first week for acclimation and tryouts.

Schools also could choose to start fall practice on Aug. 3.

The first contest can be played Aug. 20.

AHSAA Executive Director Steve Savarese said the organization is trying to provide member schools the tools for a safe return to play during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The purpose of the Return to Play document is to offer AHSAA member schools best practices in order to commence the 2020-21 school year athletic seasons as scheduled and as safely as possible,” Savarese said.

During an online news conference to give details about the Best Practices guidelines, Savarese emphasized that it’s a fluid situation.

“Everyone should understand this sports season will not be normal,” he said. “We cannot think in normal terms. Sports could change as we get new health information.

“We are trying to mitigate the exposure to COVID-19 as much as possible. We will not eliminate it. Parents will have to make a personal choice whether to allow their children to participate.”

Some of the modifications announced for football include the team box for players, which will be extended on both sides of the field to the 10-yard lines; non-helmet face coverings; and timeouts being extended to a maximum of two minutes.

“We’re planning to play a full schedule, but if schools get shut down, fall sports will end,” Savarese said.

Yeager said the entire ordeal brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic has been a learning experience, from schools closing in March, eliminating spring training and resuming workouts in June.

“This whole thing has taught me to take whatever you get and make the best of it,” Yeager said. “We’re going to start. I don’t know how long we’ll get, but we’re going to maximize it because I don’t know if on any given day it will be the last chance to be out there with my players.

“We had the best summer we have ever had. We had incredible energy. And when we were shut down, we spent a lot of time with our players on Zoom and phone calls. We texted them every day. I learned more about my players and built deeper relationships. I feel I know them better than any team I’ve had.”

For more information about the AHSAA modifications for fall sports go to ahsaa.com and click on the link that says 2020 Fall Sports Rules Modifications and Best Practices.

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