Today we are excited to be officially opening registration for the 2020-21 Winter Sports Season. As has been explained on this blog recently, this winter will look incredibly different than most every winter before it. Due to the guidelines set by the state, DESE, MIAA and through decisions at both the Hockomock League and local level, we will be offering the following sports this fall:
- Girls Gymnastics
- Girls Swimming
- Boys Swimming
- Girls Basketball
- Boys Basketball
- Girls Ice Hockey
- Boys Ice Hockey
Our other traditional winter sports of Indoor Track, Wrestling and Competitive Cheer, will be moved to seasons later in the school year. (See info on this in previous blog entry.)
Registration information for our winter season can be found at the bottom of this blog entry. However, it is important that all CHS winter athletics families read important details below PRIOR to registering.
WINTER SEASON DATES- The first day of winter sports is Monday, December 14, 2020. First contest will take place during the week of January 4, 2021. The season will wrap up no later than Sunday, February 21, 2021.
The sports that we are able to offer this winter will all play under new, modifications and guidelines. Highlights of these guidelines include:
- All participants must wear a face covering at all times (this includes during play, other than when swimming)
- All participants must complete a Covid-19 screening daily.
- No more than 25 people may work together at a practice. This will limit roster sizes.
- No more than 23 people may be on a school bus. This has caused us to temporarily amend our transportation policy.
- No more than 50 people may attend any Hockomock League contest as spectators. This has caused us to limit spectators to 2 per/student athlete and only at home contests.
Details of our guidelines as well as sport specific modifications to our sports can be found at the links below:
The CHS Athletic Department has been working hard to institute practices, guidelines and protocols that will ensure the safest possible experience for our student athletes under these circumstances. We are incredibly confident that we are ready to provide an educational, competitive and SAFE/HEALTHY interscholastic athletic experience for all of our winter Bulldogs, just as we did in the fall.
ATHLETIC USER FEE- Due to all of the changes associated with this season's athletic experience, the CPS School Committee approved an adjustment to the user fee for this past fall season. The fee for playing a fall sport this past fall was $160. The same $160 user fee for all upcoming seasons (including winter) will be considered and voted on at the December 3, 2020 School Committee meeting. Some adjustments to the facility fee for Hockey, Swimming and Gymnastics are set to be approved as well. You have the option to pay the fee as you register online, but you don't have to. You can always go back and register in the week or so after tryouts.
GATE FEES- Given the limited number of spectators allowed at our contests this winter, there will be no admission cost charged at any contest.
ROSTER SIZES- It is always our goal to get as many students involved in our programs as is possible while still providing a great educational experience. We will be guided by that again this winter. However, due to guidelines related to Covid-19, roster sizes for all sports will be limited. Once we have a list of registered student athletes, we will look at how we can structure our rosters (including tryouts) to meet all health and safety guidelines.
PHYSICAL EXAMS- It is an MIAA rule that in order to be eligible to participate in Interscholastic Athletics in Massachusetts, we must have a physical exam form on record in the CHS Athletic Office. The exam is only valid for 13 months from the date it was performed. We understand that many doctors' offices struggled to maintain their exam schedules this past spring/summer and many held exams using tele-health. Unfortunately, the Mass Dept. of Public Health has ruled that virtual physicals are not acceptable to clear a student athlete for athletic participation. Acceptable physical reports may be emailed to the athletic office or uploaded as part of the FamilyID registration process.
TRANSPORTATION Policy- CHS has made a temporary change to our policy on transportation to/from away athletic contests. As has always been the case, CHS will provide bus transportation to/from away contests. However, this winter- parents/guardians may grant permission (as part of the online registration process explained below) for their student athlete to be transported to/from away contests in two additional ways:
- Parent/Guardian or immediate, household family member may transport them.
- Legally licensed student athlete may transport themselves and any siblings.
Note- A student athlete who has been granted permission for the alternative transportation, may take the bus to some contests while not using it for others.
REGISTRATION- Online registration will be open from Monday, November 30th thru Sunday, December 6, 2020. NO LATE registrations will be accepted as once we identify those looking to tryout for teams, we will begin planning for how to safely run these tryouts/practices given the number of student athletes interested. A parent/guardian must register a student athlete during the registration window. To register- visit our registration page of the CHS Athletics Website.
SPECTATORS- In accordance with the Hockmock League, it will be the practice of the CHS Athletic Department this winter to follow the following protocols in regards to spectators at our athletic contests:
- Certain venues will NOT allow ANY spectators at contests. This includes Metro-South Gymnastics Academy and the Blue Hills Regional pool.
- The CHS gymnasium and the Metropolis Ice Rink will only allow two immediate family members of each student athlete to attend our home contests. NO AWAY fans will be allowed admission to any Hockomock League venue.
QUESTIONS/CONCERNS- If you have any questions about CHS Athletics or registration for fall sports in particular, don't hesitate to contact us at ericksond@cantonma.org, 781-821-5050 x6.
GO DOGS!
