Lexington County school districts are finding ways to practice safely.

Band directors and sports coaches are following similar guidelines.

District One in Lexington, Gilbert and Pelion holds marching band practices outside, Mary Beth Hill reported.

They follow social distancing guidelines much like the High School League phase-in guidelines for football.

Each student receives a covid-19 screening before practice begins. 

Students will have a mixed model of in-class and virtual instruction for music with social distancing, masking, and other safety guidelines.

Students will not sing or play wind instruments indoors for the 1st 2 weeks of school.

Teachers will monitor developing guidelines to determine if we will begin indoor singing and playing wind instruments in week 3.  

Teachers collaborated to create engaging lessons using the 3 pillars of the state music standards (creating, responding, connecting).

These lessons do not require performance and are appropriate during times that singing or wind instruments are not encouraged.

District 2 in Cayce and West Columbia, kindergarten - 5th grade music teachers will teach with instruments such as ukuleles, drums, and keyboards.

In 6th - 12th, students will attend chorus and band classes on their designated days. 

Students will wear masks and maintain social distancing for singing in chorus. 

In band, students will maintain social distancing requirements while playing instruments. We have based our classroom guidelines on the recommendations in the AccelerateED document.  

In District 3 in Batesburg-Leesville, kindergarten through 5th grade, music teachers use ukuleles, drums, and keyboards, Mackenzie Taylor said.

In grades 6 - 12, students attend chorus and band classes on their designated days. 

They wear masks and maintain social distancing for singing in chorus. 

In band, students will maintain social distancing.

District 5 in Chapin and Irmo will offer music and band classes through in-person and virtual instruction. To ensure safety, students will address performance standards in small groups that will practice social distancing.

Some classes may take advantage of outdoor spaces for practice, said Laura McElveen.

Students will tackle the SC College and Career Ready standards for Visual and Performing Arts that do not involve performance.

Marching band practice is underway with safety procedures that align with SCHSL, DHEC, and SCMEA.

Students participate in pods of students, are regularly monitored for symptoms of illness, and adhere to strict cleaning and social distancing protocols.