Hello Bears Families here is the lasted UPDATE, INFORMATION and PLAN for how you can help the BEARS return to play:
The WIAA Executive Board has voted to amend the 20-21 season schedules due to the increasing Covid cases. The change delays the start of high school sports and shortens each season to 7 weeks. Football is now scheduled to start on Monday, March 8th. The league football schedule will need to be changed and weβll get that to you as soon as itβs completed and approved.
In the meantime, Covid cases have tripled since our coaches were given the OK to hold practices. The sharp increase caused a shut down but the period where coaches are allowed to work with athletes has been extended to January 23rd. The hope is the numbers will decrease enough to allow for some practices before that new deadline is reached. More to come on the out of season practices in the next few weeks.
What can parents and players do at this point to support the efforts being made to assure our kids have a season? The state coaches associations are combining efforts with coaches, players and parents in California and Oregon on a positive letter/email campaign to restart school activities and athletics. Kids are struggling and as we know, athletics and activities create normalcy in their lives and give them something to look forward to. Positive messages about what your kids are experiencing and what sports means to them can be helpful.
Hereβs the link to send Governor Inslee a positive message about the impact a return to play would have on your son. We have also included sample letters for you to cut, paste and modify as it pertains to your athlete. Please remember to include other sports and activities your student is missing out on.
We are also asking parents and athletes to send messages through social media encouraging Washingtonians to βMask up so we can playβ and consider including a short video clip asking for support in decreasing the spread of the virus so that our kids can play again. Here is an example for one of our players. If your player does not feel comfortable in front of the camera please consider retweeting this video or find another one that fits your message and be sure to tag Governor Inslee @GovInslee on Twitter, @WaStateGov on Facebook and or @govinslee on Instagram.
As written in earlier newsletter messages, these are unprecedented times. Take care of yourselves and your families, look out for each other, reach out if youβre struggling and know that WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS.
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