CPPS Athletics Update - WIAA Alters Modified Season Schedule

CPPS Families,

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As the pandemic continues, adjustments to athletic seasons are necessary as we hope to find a way to safely offer sports seasons to our students! As you all know, there have been many challenges along the way, and will be more, but we continue to diligently work to provide opportunities for our kids.  We were off to a great start a few weeks back, and had great participation numbers in our sports programs and safely offered many opportunities for our athletes! We hope to get another opportunity in the near future, that is our goal.

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Today, the WIAA released new adjustments to the previously modified sports seasons. Those adjustments are listed in the press release below and the table of modified seasons can be viewed here.  

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I would like to highlight a few specific items related directly to CPHS Athletics:

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-The WIAA extended the open coaching window (summer 2.0) workouts for sports until January 23, 2021. The previous end of that period was to be on Dec. 19, 2020. We hope to reopen during that window if possible.

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-Currently we are not offering any athletic opportunities related to Summer 2.0 open coaching window workouts due to the Covid activity level in our area, which resulted in our return to full remote learning as a district. We continue to evaluate the scenario and work with local officials to determine when/if it will be safe to open sports workouts for teams. Like the return to the hybrid model, this reopening will not happen prior to Nov. 30 at the very earliest and could be extended further if needed. When the time comes, we will let you know and update our plans for these optional workout opportunities.

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-Recently, the Washington State governor's Office released new guidelines and requirements for all athletic events in Washington through Dec. 14 at a minimum.  That date could be extended further if deemed necessary by the DOH and Governor's office. You can see that full guidance  linked here. These guidelines take precedence over the prior guidance from the WIAA and WA DOH for the time being, per the Governor's order. After the end of the Governor's new order, we will return to the WIAA Guidelines for Return to Sports, linked here.

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-These seasons and modifications are specifically related to CPHS at this time. Most of the same frameworks will be used as we explore the options to provide seasons and workouts for Sager athletes in the future as well. That is our goal, but those decisions and plans lie ahead, and we will work towards offering those opportunities if possible at Sager. 



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WIAA Press Release: 

Executive Board Alters WIAA Season Schedule
 
RENTON, Wash. - The WIAA Executive Board voted Tuesday to amend the current season schedule for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year, opting to delay the start of WIAA Season 2 to February 1 and shorten each WIAA Season to seven weeks in length.
 
WIAA Season 2, which consists of traditional winter sports, is scheduled to begin with practices on February 1 (January 25 for gymnastics) and end with a Regional culminating event on March 20. WIAA Season 3, which consists of traditional fall sports, is now scheduled to begin on March 15 (March 8 for football) and end on May 1.  WIAA Season 4, which consists of traditional spring sports, will begin with practices on April 26 and conclude on June 12.
 
The decision comes in light of surging COVID-19 cases around the state, putting in jeopardy the ability to begin WIAA Season 2 which was scheduled to begin on December 28.
 
While the Executive Board approved the framework for each WIAA season, flexibility remains at the local level due to the protocols approved at the November 2 meeting. If less than 50 percent of schools in a classification are able to compete in a sport, in accordance with Department of Health Guidelines, the Executive Board will make an adjustment to the scheduled season in order to allow the chance for greater participation.
 
Due to the delay of WIAA Season 2 the Board voted to approve an extension of the WIAA Open Coaching Window to January 23. The window allows for coaches in all sports to work with student-athletes in the same fashion as the summer coaching window.
 
The full WIAA Season schedule can be found here.

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