WM Community,

I hope that this message finds you and your families well! On Monday (6/22), our School Board voted to approve the WMASD Athletics Phased Reopening Health and Safety Plan. This plan specifically details protocols for all off-season athletic activities with color-coded phases that directly correspond to that of the three-phase matrix issued by the commonwealth of Pennsylvania in order to adhere to county restrictions on work, congregate settings, and social interactions.

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented athletics across the world with a myriad of challenges. The COVID-19 virus is a highly contagious illness that primarily attacks the upper respiratory system. The virus that causes COVID-19 can infect people of all ages. Research from the Centers for Disease Control, among others, has found that while children do get infected by COVID-19, relatively few children with COVID-19 are hospitalized. However, some severe outcomes have been reported in children, and a child with a mild or even asymptomatic case of COVID-19 can spread the infection to others who may be far more vulnerable. While it is not possible to eliminate all risk of furthering the spread of COVID-19, the current science suggests there are many steps schools can take to reduce the risks to students, coaches, and their families.

The WMASD will take the necessary precautions and implement recommendations from the federal, state, and local governments, CDC, PA Department of Health, PA Governor’s Office, in addition to those determined by the NFHS and PIAA. The WMASD realizes the knowledge regarding COVID-19 is constantly changing as new information and treatments become available. These recommendations and guidelines will be adjusted as needed in order to further mitigate the risk of exposure and best promote the necessary practices to maintain the safety and well-being of all stakeholders.

Professional Development and specific Athletics' HaSP Training was offered to all coaches and their respective staff on Tuesday (6/23). These coaches have gone above and beyond to put this plan into effect and to provide the opportunity for our hard-working student-athletes to be able to more safely participate in athletics this summer. They continue to promote student safety as the number one priority and each will each be providing a team-specific parent meeting to be able to convey the details of this plan to you and properly address any team-specific questions or concerns. All athletes and families will need to review the plan in its entirety and are asked to complete/submit the Participation Waiver for Communicable Diseases Including COVID-19 form to their respective coach(es) in order to be eligible to participate in any district-sponsored off-season activities. The WMASD Athletics Phased Reopening Health and Safety Plan has been published on the district website under the Athletic Documents heading at https://wmasd.k12.pa.us/athletics-1.

Thank you and GO BIG REDS!!