November 19, 2020

Dear Winter Sports Athletes,

Parents and Coaching Staff Members: As you may know, the Pennsylvania Department of Health announced revisions to the commonwealth’s Universal Masking Order. These revisions will impact our winter sports programming. In accordance with Universal Masking order, all athletes will be required to wear a face covering at all times, including while practicing and in game competition. This is a change from the fall sports season, where athletes were permitted to remove their mask while actively engaged in activity. PIAA is seeking a waiver from the commonwealth for all PIAA sports. PIAA has also recommended that our school board and solicitor review the mask mandate to inform their own decision. At this time, we will begin all winter sport programing on Monday, November 23, 2020.

The district needs time to process these changes and make updates to our Athletics Health and Safety plan. Proper guidance will be provided to our student athletes and coaching staff members regarding the face mask mandate and the effect it will have on their winter sports programs. We want to ensure that our student athletes have time to acclimate to playing in a mask. Furthermore, we want to provide our coaching staff with time to adjust to these new procedures and make necessary changes to their practice plans.

While we understand this is frustrating, we feel that these adjustments are necessary to ensure the safety of our student athletes and coaches. We are not wavering on our goal to provide your child with opportunities for participation and competition this winter season. We ask for your patience as we work through this new guidance and these very difficult times.

Best,

Danielle Turner

District Athletic Director