On May 29th, 2020, Illinois was able to successfully move into Phase 3 of Governor Pritzker’s Restore Illinois Plan and then into Phase 4 on June 26th, 2020. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health Website, “Now that Illinois is bending the curve, it is vitally important that we follow a safe and deliberate path forward to get our Illinois economy moving. That path forward is not what everyone wants or hopes for, but it will keep Illinoisans as safe as possible from this virus as our economy is reopening.

Restore Illinois is about saving lives and livelihoods. This five-phased plan will reopen our state, guided by health metrics and with distinct business, education, and recreation activities characterizing each phase. This is an initial framework that will likely be updated as research and science develop and as the potential for treatments or vaccines is realized.”

Since the start of Phase 3, youth sports have been allowed to resume under strict restrictions. While many of those restrictions are relaxed in Phase 4, Tri-Star Gymnastics has implemented its own phased plan for reopening. As a non-profit organization dedicated to the health and well-being of the children we serve and their families, we knew that we needed to put people over profits. It has been a stressful 3.5 months and we weren’t always sure that we would be able to make it through this crisis. We are so incredibly grateful to each and every member of the Tri-Star Family who has stood by us through these difficult times. We remain committed to keeping our students, families, and staff safe as we navigate this pandemic. We have the benefit of a very large facility that will allow social distancing and we have implemented a ramped up cleaning schedule to ensure that we are meeting Illinois Department of Public Health Guidelines. Here is our plan for how to get our kids up and moving again:

RED ZONE: (March 16 – May 31, 2020) Tri-Star facility closed to all staff and students. Zoom classes for team and Tri-Star TV (YouTube Videos) were created to keep our students (and their families) active during the break.

ORANGE ZONE: (June 1 – June 22, 2020) Limited reopening for just advanced USAG competitive team members in order to ensure that Tri-Star could successfully comply with social distancing and health recommendations before opening on a larger scale. Team Zoom sessions continued.

• Surfaces diligently disinfected and sanitized before, during, and after practice by our dedicated staff.
• Reduced practice hours to facilitate gradual and safe return to sport as our athletes regained their strenght, flexibility, and body awareness.
• Practices limited to a maximum of 15 students in the gym at a time
• Maximum of 8 students per training group. Groups kept consistent to minimize exposures.
• Individual students separated by 6 feet throughout practice
• Training groups separated by 30 feet throughout practice
• All individuals in the facility undergo health screening (Phase 3 COVID SYMPTOM SCREEN and touchless temperature check) prior to entry
• All adult individuals in the facility are required to wear a facemask at all times. Athletes allowed to remove facemask at times of specific strenuous activity as directed by coaches as long as social distancing can be maintained.
• Only 1 adult caregiver allowed in the spectator area during practice. Siblings and additional visitors cannot be accommodated.

YELLOW ZONE: (June 22 – July 5, 2020) GIJO team allowed to return to practice with orange zone social distancing and public health measures in place.

GREEN ZONE: (July 6, 2020 – June 12, 2021) Once Illinois moved into Phase 4 of Governor Pritzker’s Restore Illinois Plan, Tri-Star summer camps and recreational classes resumed with appropriate precautions

• Surfaces diligently disinfected and sanitized before, during, and after practice by our dedicated staff. The foam pit is currently off limits due to difficulties related to sanitizing for COVID.
• Staggered classes to minimize traffic at the entrances and exits
• All individuals in the facility undergo health screening (Phase 4 COVID SYMPTOM SCREEN and touchless temperature check) prior to entry.  This includes compliance with the Suburban Cook County Travel Restriction which requires a 14 day quarantine or negative COVID tests for individuals who have traveled to states or countries designated as high risk (https://cookcountypublichealth.org/communicable-diseases/covid-19/covid-19-travel-guidance/)
• All individuals in the facility are required to wear a facemask at all times.
• Limited availability for spectators. Tri-Star has contracted with Spot TV in order to allow parents to view their child’s practice remotely via a password protected video system (like daycare centers often use). While we will do our best to accommodate those who intend to stay and observe in person, only 1 adult caregiver will be allowed to stay for practice and all adults must maintain 6 feet of social distance at all times. Siblings and other visitors will not be accommodated. The bleachers will be marked off to maintain appropriate social distancing.
• All recreational students will be asked to arrive wearing a mask and a backpack.
  • Backpack should contain hand sanitizer and a water bottle (the water fountain has been deactivated)
  • After the health screening, students will be directed to place their shoes in their backpack and then apply their hand sanitizer. Afterwards they will be directed to their designated spot on the floor by a member of the Tri-Star staff.
  • Masks will be kept on throughout class. Advanced team members will be able to temporarily remove masks for the performance of high level dangerous skills only
  • Students will keep their gym bag throughout class in order to have access to their hand sanitizer and water bottle during breaks and between rotations
• Enhanced use of drills and stations to minimize direct contact between staff and students while ensuring students are still learning and growing in their gymnastics experience
• Recreational classes and team practices kept small in order to facilitate social distancing and minimize exposures.
  • Parent-Tot – 5:1 ratio (not including parents)
  • Tiny Tot & Young Mini-Stars – 5:1 ratio
  • Mini-Stars & Super Mini-Stars – 6:1 ratio
  • Beginner/Advanced Beginner, Girls Fast Track, Girls All Stars, & Tumbling Classes – 8:1 ratio
  • Competitive Team ~12:1 ratio

BLUE ZONE: (June 14th – present) As Illinois moves into Governor Pritzker’s Restore Illinois Phase 5, Tri-Star resumes relatively normal operations with enhanced safety guidelines and procedures

• The facility returns to normal capacity although we would still encourage spectators to take advantage of Spot TV.  Siblings and other visitors cannot be accommodated due to continued commitment to social distancing when possible
• Health screening and temperature checks suspended as of 4/1/22 (but subject to change at any time)
• Competitive teams resume normal in-person competitions
• Masking optional as of 4/1/22 (but subject to change at any time)
• Quarantine and contact tracing continues per CDC/IDPH recommendations. Vaccinated individuals do not need to quarantine after exposure. Unvaccinated individuals will need to quarantine for 5 days after COVID-exposure. These rules are guided by CDC/IDPH recommendations and are subject to change at any time
• The annual Gym Show returns to showcase the progress and achievement of our athletes (typically the 3rd week in May at OPRF High School – hopefully resuming in 2023)
• Most importantly, we ask you to trust that we are taking your health and safety seriously. In exchange, we need to be able to trust you. Tri-Star is a family and we have always taken care of one another. In order to protect the health and safety of our students, families, and staff, we ask that you remember that you are a steward of the public health and that your actions impact others. Remember that appropriate social distancing, staying home if you might be sick, and diligently cleaning your hands seriously protects not just you, but also potentially vulnerable individuals around you. Please help us take care of the whole Tri-Star Family!!