Forum

High risk sports

Posted by Bob McCann on January 29, 2021 at 11:47am

I'm curious how other Boards are responding (if at all) to the recent State decision to allow high risk sports? My BOE is struggling with this issue and I've called a special meeting for Monday.  There is concern about allowing a relatively small % of students to potentially jeopardize the entire student/teacher/staff population and send us into a full remote learning mode. 

We also feel it is grossly unfair to the Performing Arts programs that have been completely overlooked in this decision making process.

Is anyone else having these concerns/discussions?  

You need to be a member of Board Officers' Forum to add comments!

Join Board Officers' Forum

Email me when people reply –
Follow

Replies

  • Bill Grau February 19, 2021 at 10:00am
    We are allowing sports with no spectators. We are living streaming as many games as we can with great success and many viewers. Our struggle has been getting opponents to keep their masks on. But so far so good.
  • Rob Curtis February 12, 2021 at 11:14am
    Our board met Monday night and approved High Risk sports.
    I also agree that is is unfair to performing arts but we are truly at the Governors mercy.
  • Susan E Selser February 12, 2021 at 11:07am
    We had our meeting last week. We are only a K-8 district and a small comunity. Modified sports were the only discussion and resulted in a 4-3 split decision on sports but no high risk sports. This decision went against the Superintendents recommendation. Covid protocols have become an issue on the board resulting in a 4-3 split on other covid related matters. Equity to all students is an issue when leaving the Arts out or other extra curricular activities that was considered by some board members but not all. For me personally, the conflicting guidance for Phys Ed vs Sports is a key issue. You can not have a gym.class without 12' but after the day ends sports can be played with close contact. Just mind boggling since they mix cohorts to do so.
  • Michelle Jacobsen February 10, 2021 at 1:07pm
    Our school board did not vote. Our Superintendent went with the advisement of the County health office and we are not allowing sports outside our school (we will do something internal with our own students). We were struggling with the idea of it coming to us because we are currently hybrid. Are we saying students can play sports but we can't have them in school 5 days a week? Where is the priority? I am a sports fan and believe they are important. I just don't think they are more important than in person learning and feel they will jeopardize the learning we currently have in person.
  • Laura Ferone February 6, 2021 at 12:36pm
    In so far as cost, try to work with local doctors or medical centers. We contracted with a doctor and he is accepting health insurance and waiving co-pays. We have a set dollar amount of $85.00 per test for uninsured which is what the district will pick up. Your local urgi centers may also be of assistance.
  • Carol Popolow Abraham February 6, 2021 at 10:08am
    We have been having 'out of season' workouts and practices as allowed by NYS and are getting prepared to start the high risk sports. It seems as if the requirements change daily. Our Athletics Director has been doing a great job of keeping abreast of everything. Until the state changed the ruling we were worried about a significant number of our students not having current physicals. They have been SO hard for families to schedule during the pandemic.

    I agree about the arts. Our department heads have been great about organizing band, orchestra and choral performances via ZOOM or video compilation. Last night the theater club did a Google Meet skit performance (live) with the AV club's assistance in making digital backgrounds for the scenes. There were vocal performances, scenes from various plays involving two or more performers in there own homes on screen at the same time. It wasn't the same as the annual musical performance but it gave our students the opportunity to showcase their creative talents and for the theater group to honor their seniors (who are losing SO many pivotal opportunities this year).
  • Scott M. Johnson February 5, 2021 at 4:45pm
    We are testing all the athletes before they start and then a percentage of them every week. We have had a number of our staff trained to administer the rapid tests and received them during the Orange Zone restrictions in our county. The restrictions have been lifted and we still have a limited number of tests available
  • Seema Rivera February 5, 2021 at 4:06pm
    We are testing and after our district dr approves the plan we will allow it...and may require weekly testing for wrestling. I felt more against it in the fall, but the longer they're home and can't go outside...if they can follow protocols it would be good for their mental health.
  • Karen Burka February 5, 2021 at 3:58pm
    We are struggling with this as well. We have offered non competitive practices in all sports in student cohorts. For the winter, we've allowed ski team and track competitions. But we are really split about competition for wrestling and basketball.
  • Bill Grau February 5, 2021 at 1:09pm
    I wish we could afford to test.
This reply was deleted.