Baldwin-Whitehall Athletic Program For Grades 7-8

Press release from the Baldwin-Whitehall School District:

August 20, 2020

Dear Baldwin-Whitehall Families,

On August 19, the Baldwin-Whitehall School Board of Directors voted to approve a revision of the athletic program for Grades 7 and 8 for Fall 2020, which includes Cheerleading, Cross Country, Football, Boys' Soccer, Girls' Soccer, and Girls' Volleyball, to consist of intra-district opportunities in lieu of cross-district competitive events.

The purpose of this revision is to limit the potential for coronavirus exposure and infection risk among the broader student and community populations. In this case, internalizing Grade 7 and 8 athletics will reduce potential exposures for students by eliminating travel to other schools for competition and similar activities that would have created potentially risky opportunities for large congregations and overlaps of individuals from outside the District. This revision allows students to still enjoy their sports, but contains that experience within a smaller cohort of participants that is easier and safer to manage.

We know that this revision is not ideal, since a wide diversity of competition is one of the most compelling elements of the student-athlete experience. However, we also feel that every step we can take now to keep the risks of coronavirus transmission as low as possible will bring our region much closer to crossing the finish line with a clean bill of health.

Meanwhile, no decisions have yet been made regarding potential revisions to the high school athletics program for Fall 2020, but an update on this issue is expected from PIAA/WPIAL in the coming days. We will continue to keep you apprised of this situation as it evolves.

Thank you for understanding that these changes are being made with the best interests of our students and communities in mind. Like you, we can't wait to be cheering again for our young student-athletes during their many future years in the District. But this year we need to cheer for everyone to stay as safe as possible — not just in our District, but all throughout the region — so we can resume cross-district competition, and many other aspects of school life, as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

Dr. Randal A. Lutz

Superintendent

John M. Saras

Assistant Principal/Athletic Coordinator

This press release was produced by the Baldwin-Whitehall School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.