High School Athletics 2021 Letter

Mar 1, 2021 | District, High School, Sports

Dear Lion Families and Supporters,

It is with great pleasure and enthusiasm that we write to you today to talk about high school athletics starting back up. It has been a long year, but one that has not yet ended; at last we have some positive progress toward getting back to healthy competition through athletics.

The reason for this letter is twofold:

1. To explain how Concrete High School and its league, the Northwest 1B/2B League will move forward with this season.
2. To appeal to you, our community to support the decisions that the league and our district have made in order for sports to open in a safe manner.

Our league’s goal is to safely get student-athletes back on the playing field. It is not about creating opportunities for league, district or State championships. While all of us are competitive by nature and we want advanced opportunities for our student-athletes, this year is more about participation. With playing sports as a central goal, the league has created shortened seasons offering game opportunities and the possibility of a league championship. However, more importantly, it is a chance to play.

All of our current plans are still very tentative, and going forward with games or even seasons may eventually have to be canceled. All of this continues to be driven by COVID-19 guidelines and the safety protocols that are necessary to control the spread of this virus. What we ask of our athletes and spectators may not be popular, but it is required in order for our student-athletes to have the opportunity to play.

What will all of this mean for families and spectators?

• During home events, we ask that if you are coming to watch games or matches that are healthy and not exhibiting any symptoms, either that day or within 48 hours of you attendance. For a list of COVID-19 symptoms please see page 2 of this copy of state guidelines.
• District provided transportation to and from games may be limited. This is dependent on the number of students who can ride on a bus while maintaining social distancing requirements.
• NO “AWAY FANS” are currently allowed at any athletic event; this is a Northwest 1B/2B league policy. This policy will be reviewed as each new sport season begins.
• Masks are required at all times while on our campus or in our facilities, if a mask is not being worn you be asked to leave.
• We require that you practice social distancing as a spectator and stay a minimum of 6 feet apart from anyone who is not part of your household.
• Spectators will be limited for athletic events. We have a limit of 200 people total people at all events. This includes teams, coaches, officials, and workers at the events. For some sports, like track, spectators will be not allowed as the number of participants and workers usually is around 200 people. We will have a process in place that will address how people can attend each event (football, volleyball, basketball). For most of our sports, we believe the number of spectators will fall within the given parameters of 200 people.

While this is a step forward for our athletes, it is far from returning to normal. However, we are excited to provide an opportunity for our students, especially our senior athletes, to play.

So please, as games begin next week, follow the guidelines, work with us and understand that of all years, this is the one where the emphasis is on participation over competition. We will need to work together to ensure that we do safely.

Thank you,

Randy Sweeney, Athletic Director
Christine Tripp, CHS Principal
Wayne Barrett, Superintendent

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