Higher Risk Sports Approval
Late last Friday PCSD learned of the Governor’s approval to begin higher risk sports so long as school districts have the consent of local public health directors. Following discussions with the athletic officials throughout the area, and with a thorough review of guidelines issued by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHAA), Dr. Mendoza has given approval for these sports to begin under NYSPHAA guidelines.
The District will strictly adhere to Dr. Mendoza’s recommendations and the guidance provided by the state, as it has done throughout the past year. Decisions still need to be made regarding the levels of sports that will be opened, roles of spectators and other logistics. This conversation has been ongoing this week.
In light of these higher risk sports receiving approval to begin, it only seems reasonable that visual and performing arts programs should be given immediate consideration as a next step by the state and public health experts. PCSD will continue to advocate for this and other enhanced student opportunities.
PCSD has been carefully monitoring the District’s infection rate data and sharing these data points with New York State and the Monroe County Department of Public Health. These data points include in-person school transmission between students (which we have not seen evidence of at PCSD), mandatory testing (which yielded zero positive cases), voluntary testing (which is ongoing), transmission between athletes involved in fall sports (zero positive cases) and, similarly, the District will be tracking winter sports. PCSD hopes that these data points will shape future decisions regarding some of the mandatory protocols.
The District senses that there is a growing frustration about not knowing what it will take to fully reopen our schools and when that can happen. PCSD has requested that New York State provide school districts with metrics for this purpose.
Again, the District remains committed to following the guidance of our state and local health experts and will continue to do so. PCSD will adhere to this new athletic guidance carefully and be exceptionally cautious as we move forward by continuing to monitor infection rates and taking direction from public health authorities at every step. The District is hopeful that they will continue to find ways for us to safely expand social opportunities for our students.