FCPS Plan For Fall HS Sports?

[Anonymous]

Did the plan that was released by FCPS mention what the plan is regarding Fall Sports at the high schools? My daughter plays volleyball and I’m at a loss as to how they would have a season since it’s indoors, they all touch the ball and they can’t play a game 10 ft away from each other. Wondering if some sports won’t be affected like golf, but others won’t have a season.

[Anonymous]

I wondered that too about swim. Technically swim team can happen since pools are operating now and should still be able to operate in November. But, it's not equitable so who knows.

[Anonymous]

I think this is a VHSL decision not local school divisions....we shall see. I have heard they're looking at swapping seasons to do some sports they could do with distancing - like swim and tennis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think this is a VHSL decision not local school divisions....we shall see. I have heard they're looking at swapping seasons to do some sports they could do with distancing - like swim and tennis.

I'm in MCPS but following this to get a sense of what MCPS might do. How would swapping seasons work? Put all sports that can be done while social distance in the fall? So tennis, golf, swim in fall? What about sports like soccer/football/field hockey? Would they move those to spring? If they do, what about the two sport athletes? Many kids who play lacrosse also play field hockey - how would they get enough kids to field a field hockey team if they are in same season?

[Anonymous]

It does seem that VHSL is providing guidelines to the school districts. I just checked their website and they have guidelines for Phase 1 and Phase 2 for all high school sports, but nothing up for Phase 3 yet.

[Anonymous]

Selfishly I just want to know what the plan is, to see if we can actually schedule an August vacation to OBX for the first time in years. If there are the usual August practices/tryouts we can’t go, but I think there’s a strong possibility when August hits they actually change their mind and call off all sports or only allow just a few. And who knows what Phase we’ll be in by the end of August.

[Anonymous]

Thinking we will see the VHSL guidelines for Phase 3 next week. Each sport will be different I’m guessing. Also I believe each school district had reps at the meetings with VHSL, but who knows for sure.

[Anonymous]

What bugs me is that all the NOVA school districts put out surveys to parents, teachers and students about in person vs distance learning options, but NOT one put out a survey to gauge feelings in regards to Fall Sports. Ugh.

[Anonymous]

Curious to see if VHSL does an all or nothing approach. Do we have to have all fall sports or can they pick and choose which ones have a season based on risk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Selfishly I just want to know what the plan is, to see if we can actually schedule an August vacation to OBX for the first time in years. If there are the usual August practices/tryouts we can’t go, but I think there’s a strong possibility when August hits they actually change their mind and call off all sports or only allow just a few. And who knows what Phase we’ll be in by the end of August.

All the houses are booked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What bugs me is that all the NOVA school districts put out surveys to parents, teachers and students about in person vs distance learning options, but NOT one put out a survey to gauge feelings in regards to Fall Sports. Ugh.

Don’t know why you act surprised. Academics > sports. All day. Everyday.

This is coming from a sports addict. So don’t patronize me.

That being said, chances of falls sports are slim to none. AND no, there won’t be any swapping.

Do you really think spring sports, coaches, players and parents will accept that? You’re drunk if you do. They already lost their season.
Time for fall sports to feel what that is like.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It does seem that VHSL is providing guidelines to the school districts. I just checked their website and they have guidelines for Phase 1 and Phase 2 for all high school sports, but nothing up for Phase 3 yet.

+1

The VHSL reopening committee is meeting today to discuss how high school sports could look under Virginia Phase 3 conditions that will be in place starting July 1.

The commonwealth's return to school plans don't address athletics specifically, which leaves much room for interpretation and guessing.

Some clarity about social distancing requirements would help districts decide whether they can afford to fund football teams without ticket revenues or navigate need to pay for additional buses to take athletes to game sites. No crowds = no money.

One other issue is that deconditioned athletes will be at unusually high risk of injury once they return. Districts could use clear guidance (not necessarily rules) about that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did the plan that was released by FCPS mention what the plan is regarding Fall Sports at the high schools? My daughter plays volleyball and I’m at a loss as to how they would have a season since it’s indoors, they all touch the ball and they can’t play a game 10 ft away from each other. Wondering if some sports won’t be affected like golf, but others won’t have a season.

Phase 3 allows all youth rec sports to proceed as normally, with social distancing "as practicable"--that means for coaches and spectators etc. So not sure why volleyball couldn't be played.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did the plan that was released by FCPS mention what the plan is regarding Fall Sports at the high schools? My daughter plays volleyball and I’m at a loss as to how they would have a season since it’s indoors, they all touch the ball and they can’t play a game 10 ft away from each other. Wondering if some sports won’t be affected like golf, but others won’t have a season.

Phase 3 allows all youth rec sports to proceed as normally, with social distancing "as practicable"--that means for coaches and spectators etc. So not sure why volleyball couldn't be played.

Parent of VB player - the national standards put out a few weeks ago by NFHS that VHSL is looking at indicate that volleyball is actually a mid-risk sport, with the ability to go to low-risk if they make certain changes like swapping out the ball between each play, etc. Still, I am trying not to be too hopeful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It does seem that VHSL is providing guidelines to the school districts. I just checked their website and they have guidelines for Phase 1 and Phase 2 for all high school sports, but nothing up for Phase 3 yet.

+1

The VHSL reopening committee is meeting today to discuss how high school sports could look under Virginia Phase 3 conditions that will be in place starting July 1.

The commonwealth's return to school plans don't address athletics specifically, which leaves much room for interpretation and guessing.

Some clarity about social distancing requirements would help districts decide whether they can afford to fund football teams without ticket revenues or navigate need to pay for additional buses to take athletes to game sites. No crowds = no money.

One other issue is that deconditioned athletes will be at unusually high risk of injury once they return. Districts could use clear guidance (not necessarily rules) about that.

Update: after the meeting, VHSL announced that no fall sports schedule for high schools can be created until after Phase 3 ends. Make of that what you will.