Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) is taking a page from the Maryland Public Secondary School Athletic Association’s (MPSSAA) playbook and postponing the fall and winter high school athletic seasons due to conditions presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
MPSSAA’s decision to postpone fall and winter sports in schools through the first semester was made in coordination with the Maryland State Superintendent of Schools, the Maryland Department of Health and the Public School Superintendent Association of Maryland.
The CCPS Return to Play Committee — made up of sports and safety experts including a doctor, nurse, coach, athletic director, athletic trainer, principal and administrators — is looking at ways to reintroduce athletics and extracurricular activities as soon as possible while putting the health of students and staff at the forefront.
CCPS high school fall and winter athletes reported for conditioning last month. With the MPSSAA decision to delay the seasons, conditioning was paused on Aug. 5. CCPS will explore the possibility of allowing off-season practices when health and safety conditions allow. The school system will follow the same guidance for extracurricular activities such as band, theater and other groups and clubs. The Return to Play Committee continues to explore ways to engage students virtually in the first semester to keep their skills sharp.
“I know how important and integral athletics and other activities are to our students and staff. They are enriching opportunities that provide creative and physical outlets for many, while fostering a sense of school pride,” Superintendent Kimberly Hill said. “We are saddened that such activities have been sidelined for the time being, but understand it is for the greater cause of keeping our students, staff and community healthy.”
MPSSAA will collaborate with the state’s health department and the superintendent association to work on a hybrid two-semester plan with engagement opportunities during the first semester and modified competition seasons taking place in the second semester.
This plan could result in three abbreviated sports seasons starting with the second semester. Each sport season will have a 20-calendar day preseason and a 5-week competition season with winter sports fielded first, then fall, and ending with spring sports, according to the MPSSAA.
To learn more about MPSSAA’s Roadmap for Return to Interscholastic Athletics, click here.
The state board of education approved on June 23 the use of MPSSAA waiver regulations for student engagement during the first semester. The regulations will give CCPS, along with other school systems in the state, the flexibility to adapt to local COVID-19 restrictions and offer athletics based on local health conditions. The waiver applies to interscholastic athletics from July 1, 2020, through July 30, 2021.
MPSSAA’s decision to postpone fall and winter sports in schools through the first semester was made in coordination with the Maryland State Superintendent of Schools, the Maryland Department of Health and the Public School Superintendent Association of Maryland.
The CCPS Return to Play Committee — made up of sports and safety experts including a doctor, nurse, coach, athletic director, athletic trainer, principal and administrators — is looking at ways to reintroduce athletics and extracurricular activities as soon as possible while putting the health of students and staff at the forefront.
CCPS high school fall and winter athletes reported for conditioning last month. With the MPSSAA decision to delay the seasons, conditioning was paused on Aug. 5. CCPS will explore the possibility of allowing off-season practices when health and safety conditions allow. The school system will follow the same guidance for extracurricular activities such as band, theater and other groups and clubs. The Return to Play Committee continues to explore ways to engage students virtually in the first semester to keep their skills sharp.
“I know how important and integral athletics and other activities are to our students and staff. They are enriching opportunities that provide creative and physical outlets for many, while fostering a sense of school pride,” Superintendent Kimberly Hill said. “We are saddened that such activities have been sidelined for the time being, but understand it is for the greater cause of keeping our students, staff and community healthy.”
MPSSAA will collaborate with the state’s health department and the superintendent association to work on a hybrid two-semester plan with engagement opportunities during the first semester and modified competition seasons taking place in the second semester.
This plan could result in three abbreviated sports seasons starting with the second semester. Each sport season will have a 20-calendar day preseason and a 5-week competition season with winter sports fielded first, then fall, and ending with spring sports, according to the MPSSAA.
To learn more about MPSSAA’s Roadmap for Return to Interscholastic Athletics, click here.
The state board of education approved on June 23 the use of MPSSAA waiver regulations for student engagement during the first semester. The regulations will give CCPS, along with other school systems in the state, the flexibility to adapt to local COVID-19 restrictions and offer athletics based on local health conditions. The waiver applies to interscholastic athletics from July 1, 2020, through July 30, 2021.