Facial coverings required on DCC system campuses, venues

Demopolis City Schools Supt. Kyle Kallhoff released the following statement after the opening football game of the 2020 system Friday.

“Facial coverings are required on all Demopolis City School System campuses and athletic venues. The only exceptions are for children under the age of six, persons with medical conditions which prevent them from wearing a facial covering or individuals who can remain six feet away from other individuals who do not live in their household.

“The purpose of the facial covering requirement is to prevent or slow down the spread of COVID-19. Increases in the spread of COVID-19 in our schools will force school system administrators to either modify face-to-face instruction or move to full remote learning and close schools temporarily.  Closing schools temporarily can also lead to cancelling athletic events and other extracurricular activities.

“At our home football opening game Friday, Aug. 21, many adult and student spectators were not wearing facial coverings. As previously stated, by not wearing facial coverings we can spread COVID-19 which may lead to the cancellation of fall sports.

“Our student athletes, band members and cheerleaders have worked extremely hard all summer in preparation for fall sports. It is unfair that the actions of a few ruin their efforts and the time coaches and sponsors have put into our students.

“The next DHS home football game is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 11. If you do not want to wear a facial covering to the football game, please do not attend. If spectators continue to refuse to wear facial coverings while attending DHS football games, we will move from 50 percent occupancy at football games to 25 per cent occupancy or move to no spectators at all in the stadium.

“Let’s continue to work together and do what is right for our students and safe for our community.”