For starters- a quick personal note- I'd like to acknowledge just how challenging it must be to be a Bulldog student athlete during these uncertain times. I share in your confusion and yearning for a "normal" start to our athletic year. This time of year my house is typically filled with a buzz of school, sports and friends- all embarking on a new start. I miss that so much but I can only imagine how extra precious these moments are for our student athletes who are caught in the middle of the impacts of this pandemic. Although much of the news below is good for many of our student athletes, there are many who are being asked to postpone a season or compete in a game that is very different than they are used to. We are keeping all of our student athletes in mind as we attempt to create the best possible experiences for them all while respecting the seriousness of Covid-19. We will continue to let this guide all of our decisions as we proceed into this athletic year. Go Bulldogs!
As the 2020-21 school year is set to begin soon, it seems like each day brings with it more news for our student athletes. Below is an update and some important reminders as we head into September. All of these updates are based on DESE and MIAA mandates and will ultimately need final, local district approval.
1. HOCKOMOCK LEAGUE PRESS RELEASE- This document provides clarity around several issues of importance to CHS student athletes and families including some clarity around a fall sports start date, what traditional fall sports will begin in September vs. which ones will be postponed to a "Fall 2" season, a determination of "out of season coaching" for the months of September and October, as well as a statement regarding spectators at upcoming fall events. Please CLICK HERE for this important press release for information on all of these items.
2. On Friday, August 28th, the MIAA released the approved SPORTS RULES MODIFICATIONS for the traditional fall sports. Many of these rules modifications are significant and our student athletes will need to bring a growth mindset to practices and contests this fall as these new rules are implemented. Please CLICK HERE to find the rules modifications.
3. PHYSICAL EXAMS- The MIAA recently shared an update from the Mass Dept of Health with a clarification on student athlete eligibility in regards to an updated physical exam. The DPH has decided NOT to waive any part of the existing physical exam rule for eligibility of a student athlete. This means that in order to participate in CHS Athletics, each student athlete must provide the CHS Athletic Office with an updated physical exam. The student athlete is eligible to participate in CHS athletics for 13 months from the date of the exam and becomes ineligible to participate on the following day. FURTHERMORE- DPH has declared that VIRTUAL well visits are NOT acceptable for participation in high school athletics. This means that zoom/tele-medical exams will NOT be accepted. Only in-person well-visits (physical exams) will be acceptable. As a parent who has a child who had a virtual physical with his pediatrician this spring, I realize that this is very challenging news for many families.
4. REGISTRATION for the CHS Fall Athletics season is EXPECTED to open up on Tuesday, September 8th and run thru Friday, September 11th. This is subject to change and we will update as needed. PLEASE make sure you are prepared to meet the PHYSICAL EXAM requirements listed in #3 above. We realize this is a short window for registration but this is what the current timeline calls for.
5. CAPTAINS PRACTICES- It has come to our attention that some of our student athletes may be participating in "Captains' Practices." It is important to clarify that the MIAA does not allow such practices to take place. Every high school in the state must walk this tightrope between NOT endorsing Captains' Practices and encouraging kids to get together to train and socialize in the off-season. We are well aware that some of our students have been getting together this summer to train and prepare for upcoming seasons. Given the social stresses brought on by the pandemic, we are happy to know that our kids are there for each other. However, it is very important that if kids are getting together to play a sport, they are doing so by choice AND that they are following state and local expectations around Covid-19 protocols. They should be socially distancing and when that is not possible, they should be wearing protective face coverings. With the new modifications released this week, it makes sense for them to begin getting used to playing with a face covering as well.
We are very proud of our student athletes who have navigated these challenging times with the best of intentions. With a high school season on the horizon, we ask that all of our student athletes double their efforts to ensure that they are following all safety protocols when/if they get together.
As is always the case, please feel free to reach out to the athletic department with any questions/concerns-
ericksond@cantonma.org
781-821-5050x6
