Athletics Update

 
Athletics Updates: Sent to high school families January 15, 2021.
 
Greetings MPUSD Families,

First and foremost, we hope this message finds you well. The health and well-being of students and staff are our highest priorities. As we look to bring students back to in-person instruction and other activities, our decision-making follows guidance from local, state and federal entities with the best interest of our students, staff, and community in mind. 

Recently, the governing athletics organization, Central Coast Section, released a statement identifying January 16, 2021 as a start date for practices. In collaborating with our health professionals and based on the data in Monterey County being in the purple (most restrictive tier), Monterey Peninsula Unified School District will maintain its position of continuing conditioning cohorts, but at this time will not open practice for competition.

Moving forward, several steps must be followed:

(1) County Medical Director gives Monterey County schools parameters to move forward with athletics;
(2) Advice and collaboration with CCS and PCAL governing athletic bodies; and
(3) Approval for participation and athletic facilities from the MPUSD District Office. 

No school or sports team in MPUSD can move forward with any practices, events, or programming until the ‘All Clear’ is given by the Superintendent’s Office. 

As we await further guidance, we are working diligently to create a multi-phase plan to ensure the safety of our student-athletes and staff. Here are a few items we recommend:

  1. Academic Eligibility: Is your student-athlete academically eligible? If not, please make sure they are completing their Instructional Learning Plans for courses they received an “Incomplete” for Semester Onel. Maintain contact with counselors and teachers to best support students.
  2. Participation in Conditioning Cohorts: Per our Board’s approval, MPUSD is continuing conditioning cohorts with specific protocols required to allow for safe participation. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to participate in physical fitness, build connection with peers and staff members, and engage in outdoor activities.
  3. At-home Health and Wellness: Ensure your student-athlete is eating well and getting proper sleep.  Research shows high school age students need ten hours of sleep (Underwood, 2020). One of the potential benefits of the stay in place order is the opportunity to get more rest.
  4. Communicate: Encourage your student-athlete to stay in communication with their coaches. Ask coaches about the mental approach to the game.
We recognize that athletics and sports programs are an incredibly important aspect of some students' high school careers. Please know that we have always, and will continue to, keep student safety at the forefront of our decision-making process. 

Student athletes, please remember, we always need to maintain social distancing. If your coach is sending you workouts, please do them on your own, at home. If you are near other students, always maintain social distance and wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE; masks).