Winter Sports Season starts Monday- Important info for our Winter Bulldogs!

Hello Bulldog Nation! 

Below is important information for ALL registered winter athletes.  This year's winter sports season will feature Boys and Girls Swim, Gymnastics, Boys and Girls Ice Hockey and Boys and Girls Basketball. 

This is MUST READ info for Monday!

Sport Specific info can be found at the bottom 

CHS Athletics Self-Screen Health Questionnaire- 
As part of our CHS Athletics Covid-19 Protocols, all who participate in CHS Athletics activities (games, meets, practice, meetings, etc.) must complete our CHS Athletics Self-Screen Health Questionnaire DAILY- and as close as possible to the time you are actually participating in CHS athletics that day.  The questionnaire must be completed by student athletes, coaches, referees, spectators and other game officials.  We ask that everyone do their part to keep us all safe/healthy, by making this daily task a priority. 

The link to the Self-Screen can be found below.  This screen is separate and in addition to, the student screen needed to attend school. 

So- ALL student athletes attending tryouts/practices on Monday, must complete the screening prior to participating. Your presence at practice will indicate to our coaching staff that you have completed the screening. The CHS Athletic office will be confirming that forms have been filled out on a daily basis. 

Please consider saving the link on your phone for easy access daily. 

Click Here for the Daily Screen. 

Social Distancing/Masks/Arrival Procedures- 

• Student athletes may not arrive at a CHS athletic practice more than 15 minutes prior to the start. If you do arrive earlier than that we ask you to REMAIN IN YOUR CAR. Do NOT congregate in groups in the parking lot or in hallways, etc.  
• Student athletes must wear a properly worn mask while arriving at practice. Be sure to have a back-up.  We will have back-up masks available as well.
• The only exception to the face covering expectations is when a written doctor's note is presented to the Athletic Trainer, stating that there is a medical condition that prevents them from wearing a face covering. 
• ALWAYS practice social distancing while at practices and games. Please understand that wearing a mask does not allow you to stand close to each other. We MUST SOCIALLY DISTANCE as well. Avoid contact with other student athletes and coaches. No "high fives," "fist bumps", or "pats on the back."

Drinking Water-

• All student athletes are expected to arrive at all practices/games/meets/matches with their own, individual water bottle. Be sure to bring enough. A 16 oz bottle of water is typically nowhere near enough water for a practice session or game. 
• Be sure your water bottle is clearly labeled. 
• The Athletic Trainer may have water available for emergencies only at CHS but not at off-campus sites.  Don't assume water bubblers will be available. They most likely will not. 

Other Important Info-

• Only student athletes who have been registered to participate and have provided an up-to-date physical exam to the Athletic Office may attend Monday. 
• If you must carpool to practices, please WEAR masks in the car.  It makes no sense for us to all put this huge effort into following protocols and then hopping in cars with teammates, mask-less. Please do your part.  

SPORT SPECIFIC INFORMATION FOR MONDAY

BOYS BASKETBALL: All Juniors and Seniors should report to the CHS gym for tryouts from 3:00-5:00 Monday 12/14. All Sophomores should report to the GMS gym for tryouts at 4:45-6:15 on Monday 12/14. All freshmen should report to the GMS gym for tryouts at 6:30-8:00  on Monday 12/14. All players should bring their own water, and at least 2 masks. Please review protocols explained earlier in this blog entry. If you have any questions you can contact Coach Gordy at cantonboysbasketball@gmail.com 

BOYS HOCKEY: All registered boys ice hockey candidates should check their personal email accounts for information about assigned Monday tryout times as well as the "practice plans" for Monday. Players will be assigned to either the 7pm or 820pm time slots at Ponky. There will also be a Zoom immediately following the CHS Winter Athletics Town Hall on Thursday night for boys hockey-specific information and opportunities for Q&A. Parents and players are welcome to attend. The Zoom link will be sent in an email. If you do not receive any emails from Coach Shuman before 5PM on Thursday, please contact him at bshuman@westwood.k12.ma.us. 

GIRLS BASKETBALL: for all registered players with up-to-date physicals.

Tryouts Monday and Tuesday:

-9th and 10th graders report to Galvin 3:00-4:30

-11th and 12th graders report to the HS 5:15-7:15

Please bring your own water, masks and reversible practice shirt and arrive no earlier than 15 minutes before tryouts begin.  Please review protocols explained earlier in this blog. Any questions feel free to contact Coach Jim Choquette: james_choquette@hotmail.com 

GIRLS HOCKEY:

• Make sure to have your updated physical handed in to the Athletic Department.
• Make sure to get plenty of rest and pre-hydrate for a couple days prior to Monday.
• Please come to the rink dressed in all your equipment excepting skates and helmet.
• Proceed to the designated area to lace up your SHARPENED skates.
• Bring both a dark and light (preferably white) shirt and a posted list will tell you what color to wear.
• Bring your own, clearly marked water bottle (no sharing whatsoever!).
• Lastly, bring your energy and enthusiasm to every drill and have fun!!!

The groups for the first day will be:

3:00 PM    Returning varsity players, all goaltenders and all Juniors and Seniors.

4:20 PM    All non-returning varsity Freshmen, Sophomores and all goaltenders.

Players could be asked to be in a different group for necessity of position players needed per hour.  This initial invite and the initial groups are just that and should not come with any other expectations.

GYMNASTICS:

All registered gymnasts should report to MSGA at 255 Revere Street at 2:45 on Monday. Athletes must be dressed in leotard and shorts, have their phone, water bottle, and grip bag. Practice will end promptly at 4:00 pm. Be sure to review all protocols in blog entry above. Any questions, please contact Coaches Abbott or Coach Reardon - abbottj@cantonma.org, reardons@cantonma.org.

SWIMMING: 

Boys and Girls swimming will start on Mon Dec 14th .

The first two days will be tryouts as we are forced to limit the number of kids this year due to the space limitations around Covid-19. 

There will be two practices and swimmers will be notified by email their practice time. Any Questions- contact coach Cavanaugh. cantonbulldogswimcoach@gmail.com

Winter Season Registration now open

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:

CHS Athletics Covid-19 Protocols

MIAA Gymnastics Modifications

MIAA Swimming Modifications

MIAA Basketball Modifications

MIAA Ice Hockey Modifications

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:

1. Parent/Guardian or immediate, household family member may transport them.
2. 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!

Update on Winter Sports Season- November 21, 2020

As we enter into Thanksgiving week we look to pass the athletics baton from fall sports to winter sports.  Like with everything else this year, it may not look exactly like it has in the past, but good news abounds as we will be offering many winter sports this year as well as moving some others to later seasons this school year. 

On Friday, November 20th, the MIAA released their Winter Sports modifications and parameters. Here are the big take-aways:

Sports Offerings- The following CHS sports programs will be offered in the winter season:

• Gymnastics
• Boys Swimming
• Girls Swimming
• Boys Basketball
• Girls Basketball
• Boys Ice Hockey
• Girls Ice Hockey
  

Sports Moved to Later Seasons- The following CHS sports programs will move to later seasons:

• Wrestling- Spring Season
• Indoor Track- Fall II Season
• Winter Cheer- Spring Season

Season Dates- 

First Day of Practices/Tryouts- Monday, December 14th, 2020

First Day of Contests- Week of January 4th, 2021

Last Day of Winter Season- Sunday, February 21st

Sports Modifications-

Each sport has had modifications made to their rules/practices in order to ensure the safety of our athletes. You can find all of these modifications and other important information on the MIAA's Covid Taskforce Page. 

Hockomock League and Local Protocols- Now that the MIAA has set the basic modifications, the Hockomock League will be deciding on how best to implement these within the League's schools.  The league will be working collaboratively on issues around how our student athletes can compete this winter in the safest way possible.

Finally, after the Hockomock League has set protocols for our sports and schools, our local Board of Health must approve CHS Athletics protocols for winter sports. This process will happen very quickly. 

Winer Sports Registration- Keep an eye out on this blog for upcoming information on winter sports registration. It is expected that registration will take place during the first half of the week of November 30th.  It will be a SHORT WINDOW, so please keep your eyes open so you don't miss out!

Message from the AD- Bulldogs this fall did a tremendous job following all of our protocols around social distancing, mask-wearing and hand washing.  They have set the tone for the rest of the year. With Covid-19 cases on the rise in the state and nation, it is SO IMPORTANT that our student athletes follow all protocols leading up to our December 14th start date. If you are training, practice social distancing and wear a mask. If you are gathering together socially, practice social distancing and wear a mask. If you are in a car together, wear a mask. We need to all do all we can to ensure that we will be able to enjoy the winter season that has been given to us. Let's go Bulldogs. Let's be great!

If you have any questions regarding CHS Athletics, please feel fee to email us at ericksond@cantonma.org. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Girls Soccer set to compete for Hock Challenge Cup

After a crazy couple of weeks, the CHS Girls Soccer team will face off against 2020 Hock Cup Champion Oliver Ames on Thursday, November 19th at 5:00pm at CHS in what is being dubbed the "Challenge Cup."

This will be the team's 3rd match up of the season and should be a great one. 

Spectators will be limited to IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS of CHS Girls Varsity Soccer Players and must be limited to an average of 2 spectators/student athlete. NO SPECTATORS will be allowed admittance--- This includes the parking lot adjacent to the field. There will be NO VIEWING area outside of our gates so please do not attend this event if you are not an immediate family member of a Bulldog girls varsity Soccer Player. 

LIVE STREAM info- Enjoy the game in the warmth of your own home! 

Could be several streams going out at the same time. Try these options-

1. Periscope.tv.....channels "SaeedSports" or "CHS_GirlsSoccer"

2. Canton Community Cable could be posting a stream right before gametime- visit www/cantoncommunitytv.org

Go Dogs!

Hockomock Post-Season Updates- Nov. 12, 2020

It's been quite an eventful post-season for the Bulldogs.  Here is an update below on where everyone stands:

GOLF- Members of our Hockomock League Davenport Champion Bulldogs participated in the Hock Golf Championships last week. Our Bulldogs finished 5th in this Championship.

CROSS COUNTRY- Our XC teams will compete in the Hock XC Championship meet this Saturday in Attleboro. 

FIELD HOCKEY- Varsity will face North Attleboro on Friday, November 13th at 4:15pm at CHS in their final game of the season. JV season is now completed. 

GIRLS SOCCER- Will face Foxboro High School on Thursday, November 19th at 5:00pm at CHS.  The winner of this game will face the winner of the Hockomock Cup on Friday, November 20th at higher seed's facility- time TBA. For more information, check out today's Hockmomock League Press Release. 

BOYS SOCCER- Will travel to Milford to face the Kelley-Rex Champion on Friday, November 13th at 6:30pm in the Hockomock Cup Semi-Final.  JV will travel to Milford as well for a 6:15 game. 

SPECTATORS-As has been the case all year Canton spectators will NOT be allowed admittance at away contests. For our home contest, only family members of team members may attend. 

LIVE STREAM INFO-

BOYS SOCCER- Canton can head to MilfordTV.net and scroll down our home page until they find the window with our Educational Channel Live Stream to tune in. We also have a mobile app available for both iphone and android users. People can just search Milford TV in their app store to download the app and then they can stream our Educational Channel feed right from their mobile device to watch the game on Friday.

FIELD HOCKEY vs. NA- Periscope.tv......"SaeedSports" 

Hockomock Cup Update- Wednesday, November 11

Today we honor all of our Veterans. Thanks you for allowing us to live our lives and enjoy our freedoms. 

Boys Soccer- Seeded #2 in the Davenport hosts #3 Kelley-Rex team King Philip in Quarter-Final round action at CHS today at 4:00pm.  Covid-19 Spectator Policy in affect- only family members of home fans allowed.  The game will be streamed live at periscope on "SaeedSports" or at Canton Community Television. 

Field Hockey- Seeded #2 in the Davenport fell to Attleboro on Tuesday night, 3-2. They move on to a final game of the season which will most likely be played on Friday. The will play the loser of the Franklin- North Attleboro game.

Girls Soccer- Won Davenport Division of the Hock for first time since 2012. Seeded #1 in the Davenport. Quarter-Final game with Attleboro has been canceled. 

Field Hockey and Soccer Teams ready for Hock Cup Action

The Field Hockey, Boys Soccer and Girls Soccer teams have all qualified for the Hockomock Cup which will begin this week. The top four teams in each division of the Hockomock (Davenport and Kelley-Rex) all qualify for this battle for Hock bragging rights. The Bulldog Girls Soccer team is seeded #1 after earning their first League Title since 2011. The Boys Soccer team and the Field Hockey team each finished with the #2 seeds in the Davenport, earning home games in the first round as well. 

Click Here for General Info about the Hockomock Cup. 

Below is the info on each of the games:

FIELD HOCKEY-  Seeded #2 in the Davenport and will host the #3 seed from the Kelley-Rex, Attleboro, on Tuesday, November 10th at 5:15pm.  JV will face Attleboro prior to the Varsity game (3:30pm). 

GIRLS SOCCER- Seeded #1 in the Davenport and will host the #4 seed from the Kelley-Rex, Attleboro, on Wednesday, November 11th at 6:30pm. JV will travel to face Attleboro on Nov. 10th at 3:45pm

BOYS SOCCER- Seeded #2 in the Davenport and will host the #3 seed from the Kelley-Rex, King Philip, on Wednesday, November 11th at 4:00pm. JV will face King Philip prior to the Varsity game (1:45pm). 

Second Round Cup games are expected to be held on Friday, Nov. 13th or Saturday, Nov. 14th. 

SPECTATOR and LIVE STREAM Info-

Due to Canton remaining a "red" town, we are required to limit our total number of spectators per game to 50. ONLY FAMILY members of rostered CHS players will be permitted to attend these games AND only two spectators/family.  

All of the home varsity cup games will be live-streamed at periscope.tv or the periscope app.  Girls Soccer games at "Chs_girlssoccer" while FH and Boys Soccer are at "SaeedSports." You can also catch the game with commentary on Canton Community Television- www.cantoncommunitytv.org