"Higher-Risk" Winter Sports - Important Updates

UPDATED GUIDANCE FROM WCDOH: Feb. 3, 2021 - Westchester Commissioner of Health - Guidance Document
Major language adjustment received after presentation: For the majority of student athletes, the physical which he/she obtained in accordance with NYS guidance will suffice. However, any athlete who has had COVID-19 subsequent to that physical must have an in-person medical evaluation and clearance by a doctor prior to participation in scholastic athletics.

• UPDATED 2/4: Winter Athletics COVID Safety Plan
• UPDATED 2/4: Continuity Of Learning Plan (updated to reflect winter athletics & weight room use)

February 3, 2021

Greetings HG Athletics Parents and Guardians,

In an effort to support the safe participation of our student-athletes in sports which have been identified as “Higher-Risk” we will be implementing the regular COVID-19 testing of our student-athletes who are participating in basketball, competition cheerleading, ice hockey and wrestling.

No student-athlete will be permitted to participate in a high-risk sport unless they are (1) tested through the process described below, or (2) if they produce COVID-19 testing results from a lab on or after February 4^th (students waiting for test results from an outside provider will not be permitted to participate).

Student-athlete COVID testing will take place on the Horace Greeley High School Campus from 3:00 to 7:00pm on February 4th. Students must attend this first appointment with a parent. 

Please sign up for an appointment by noon on Thursday, February 4^th, using this COVID TEST APPOINTMENT FORM. Appointment slots are reserved for higher-risk sport athletes only. 

After this initial testing period, student-athletes who are members of a higher-risk team (basketball, ice hockey, wrestling, or competition cheerleading) will be tested weekly on Wednesday afternoon (the same testing standard outlined above will apply). Links for future testing dates will be sent out on SportsYou and will also be available on the Athletic Website.

To fully understand the risks associated with COVID-19 as related to athletic participation, please carefully read HEALTH RISK COMMUNICATION FROM WCDOH. If you choose to have your child participate in high-risk athletic activities, please follow the steps below.

PRIOR TO ARRIVAL
SCHEDULE a COVID-19 Test Appointment using our COVID TEST APPOINTMENT FORM
FORM 1: PRINT & COMPLETE: CODE OF CONDUCT RELATING TO SCHOOL SPORTS (2/4)
FORM 2: PRINT & COMPLETE: CCSD COVID-19 ATHLETIC PARTICIPATION WAIVER (2/3)
FORM 3: PRINT & COMPLETE CONSENT: COVID-19 PATIENT INFORMATION (2/4)

WHEN YOU ARRIVE
Please print and bring COMPLETED FORMS 1, 2, & 3 from above.
You must be asymptomatic to be tested. DO NOT come on campus if you are exhibiting any COVID19 symptoms. Symptoms include, but are not limited to: fever, headache, congestion or runny nose, cough, loss of taste or smell, nausea or vomiting.
Please be on time for your testing appointment.
Please wear a mask at all times.

AFTER TESTING
Promptly leave the HG campus after testing is complete.
We will contact you immediately by phone if your child’s test result is positive.
If you would like a paper copy of your child’s negative test result for your records, please contact Jason Semo, Athletic Director.
Additional information about the Abbott BinaxNOW COVID Ag Card can be found here.

Below you will find a map of the three stations that we will use to support our COVID19 testing process.

We thank you for your patience, support, and understanding as we work through this process for the first time.

Sincerely,

Christine Ackerman, PhD
Superintendent of Schools