April 12, 2021 Update:
Dear Families, Faculty, and Staff,
We hope you had a great Spring Break. We are writing today to share an important update with you regarding spectators’ attendance at spring sports competitions.
As we shared with you last month, we are allowing limited spectator attendance at spring sports competitions this year. This is similar to our approach
with fall sports as we remain in compliance with the
Governor’s executive order on COVID-19 restrictions.
We are pleased to share with you that
for boys and girls soccer, boys and girls lacrosse, and boys and girls outdoor track and field, four guests per player will be permitted to attend the competitions. The large size of our stadiums and smaller rosters than fall sports such as football allow us ample space to accommodate more spectators.
Baseball and softball will remain at two guests per player due to limited space around our baseball and softball fields. This limited space is further restrained by our need to have players outside of dugouts to be properly socially distanced.
Passes will not be required for tennis matches, but markers will be displayed to ensure that attendees remain socially distanced.
As a reminder, spectators at all sports competitions are required to wear a mask at all times on school property and maintain physical distancing of greater than 10 feet between themselves and non-family members. Failure to follow these requirements will result in being asked to abide by these expectations, followed by ejection, if necessary.
We are excited for the start of the spring sports season today and appreciate your continued understanding, patience, and vigilance as we work to continue offering these opportunities to our students during this school year like none other.
Sincerely,
Dr. Michael Gill, Superintendent of Schools
Jennifer Greif, Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Leadership
Dr. Robert Staley, Director of Secondary Education
Original March 17, 2021 Message:
Dear Families, Faculty, and Staff,
We hope this email finds you safe and well. We are writing today to share an important update with you regarding the spring sports season.
After careful consideration and with the support of our School Board, we have decided the following, which is consistent with our approach to fall and winter sports:
- The high school spring sports season may begin on Monday, April 12. This applies to all spring sports.
- Middle school spring sports will
not be permitted.
- Eighth grade students will be allowed to try out for high school teams.
- Spring sports competitions will be limited to
only Hanover schools.
- Teams that qualify for postseason play will be allowed to compete.
Spectators’ attendance at outdoor extracurricular school-related events remains limited to two guests per player. We continue to advocate to the state to allow for more spectators to attend athletic competitions and will communicate any related changes should they occur.
As a reminder,
we trust and expect all spectators to abide by the COVID-19 mitigation measures we have put in place, including the wearing of masks at all times on school property and the maintaining of greater than 10 feet of physical distance between spectators who are not family members. Failure to follow these requirements will result in being asked to abide by these expectations, followed by ejection, if necessary.
In allowing for spring sports to take place, we are continuing to recognize that the importance of sports and other extracurricular activities to our students’ well-being extends beyond the playing field. We believe this decision allows us to continue offering a holistic education in these uncertain times.
As always, we will continue to monitor all COVID-19 cases and related guidance closely and make any decisions regarding sports or our daily operations that may be necessary. Athletics are a privilege and in order to ensure a successful sports season, we need every person in our community to stay vigilant in mitigating the spread of COVID-19. This collective effort will allow us to continue offering a face-to-face learning option and limited athletics.
Athletic directors and coaches at each school will share more specific information soon.
Thank you for your continued patience, support, and vigilance.
Sincerely,
Dr. Michael Gill, Superintendent of Schools
Jennifer Greif, Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Leadership
Dr. Robert Staley, Director of Secondary Education