Otselic Valley Central School District

February 1, 2021 Dear Parents and Guardians: The COVID-19 pandemic has placed a heightened responsibility on youth sports organizations, coaches, families, and athletes to reduce transmission and to foster a safe environment for children to participate in youth sports. On Friday, January 22, 2021, Governor Cuomo announced he would allow higher risk sports to commence in New York schools effective February 1, 2021 subject to local health department approval. It is important that schools, student athletes, and their parents/guardians carefully consider a variety of factors before making an individual decision. Schools must follow the New York State Department of Health's INTERIM GUIDANCE FOR SPORTS AND RECREATION DURING THE COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY  and applicable Executive Orders for the conduct of their school sports. Per current State guidance, schools must limit capacity of indoor facilities to no more than 50 percent occupancy. The C C L has decided on no spectators and continued implementation of social distancing, face coverings, and enhanced disinfection protocols. There is significant risk involved in allowing higher-risk sports to resume. Weighing the risk versus benefit of return to sports is driven by the sport and setting, local disease activity, and individual circumstances, including underlying health conditions that may place the athlete or household contacts at increased risk of severe disease should they contract COVID-19. Additional areas of concern that require consideration include: Tips for patrons, players, and spectators returning to high-risk youth sports: Contact sports bring people close together and increase the risk of transmission. If schools, athletes, and their parents/guardians choose to return to high-risk sports they must do so in a safe manner and give considerable thought to curtail the spread of COVID-19. In addition, the athletes must restrict their activity away from sports, minimizing their own risks and reducing community spread. We must work together during these stressful times to ensure that our youth have the opportunity to participate in athletics safely. Additional resources: CDC Toolkit for Youth Sports Sincerely, Georgia Gonzalez Superintendent of Schools