WINTER SPORTS TALKING POINTS
At the December 2 School Board meeting, Dr. Walts shared:
"We continue to share the latest COVID-19 information on PWCS.edu, where it is updated daily. Since the last School Board meeting, we have had 69 cases of COVID-19 of either students or staff virtual or in-person, reported to PWCS for November 15-November 21, and 39 cases reported November 22-29. This brings the total for November to 177 cases as of Monday, November 30, compared to 84 in October, and 50 in September.
At this time, I am not recommending any changes to our operations, which is due in large part to the limited numbers of students we have in the building currently coupled with our extensive mitigation efforts. This includes winter sports at the high school level which will continue as planned with additional mitigation requirements.
However, it is very important to note, as I mentioned at the last School Board meeting, we will continue to monitor the situation closely, and should more indicators reach the highest levels, changes to operations could occur that could include recommendations to delay further return of students or other mitigations."
Therefore, PWCS will move forward with participation in Season One of the VHSL Championships + 1 schedule with additional health mitigations. Currently, Prince William County is experiencing "Substantial Community Transmission" of COVID-19. These additional mitigation strategies will help ensure the safety of our students and staff and will be strictly adhered to and enforced. We will monitor local health metrics data weekly and may adjust our mitigation strategies accordingly.
These mitigation strategies mean that tryouts and workouts will look different from what we are accustomed to. For example, we will begin with no physical contact. We recognize this is not ideal. However, we are taking every measure to not only ensure the safety of the participants but to protect the ability to compete in and finish the season. As we move closer to the first game, it is our hope to be able to increase the level of competition and physical contact.
Each director of student activities, certified athletic trainer, and coach has been provided with sport specific mitigation strategies that must be adhered to. Again, this is an effort to protect the season, not deny our athletes the joys of competition. Our focus is on making continued progress to provide opportunities while responding to the risk levels in our community. PWCS is confident that all the considerations and decisions which include the original and additional mitigations steps will give our students the best opportunity to participate and compete as safely as possible. By restricting some practices, limiting our facilities to participants without spectators, and following all of our screening and reporting protocols, we are confident that our mitigation efforts will provide us with the best opportunity to successfully start our season and make it successfully to its conclusion.
All schools have full time athletic trainers who are equipped to handle medical situations including following the PWCS Protocols for Managing 7 Monitoring Student Health relating to COVID-19. Additionally, all high schools have been assigned an additional athletic trainer to provide additional support and assist with mitigation. All participants acknowledge that participation is a choice and privilege. PWCS is doing our part to give the opportunity for parents and students to make the choice to participate as safely as possible.
PWCS Student Activities Office
|
