If you haven’t heard, Superintendent Duran announced today that APS can play winter sports! Please take a moment and send a quick email to thank him for listening and considering the needs of Arlington’s teenagers.
send an appreciation email to superintendent@apsva.us
here is the announcement:
Season 1 Winter Athletic Competition
I have received many emails from students and families regarding my decision not to participate in Season 1 Winter athletic competition, due to current health metrics and safety concerns related to indoor sports.
After consulting with neighboring jurisdictions as well as our staff, APS will proceed with Virginia High School League (VHSL) Season 1 Winter athletic competition, with some modifications. We will continue to monitor health metrics and work with school athletic staff and other school divisions to protect our athletes, coaches, employees, and families.
Depending on health and safety conditions, we will proceed with Season 1 for swimming and dive, gymnastics, track and field, basketball, rifle, and dance.
We will not proceed with wrestling at this time, given that it requires frequent close contact between participants. We will also not proceed with Winter Cheer, as competitive cheer is a Season 2 sport and it can be offered outside, which lessens risk.
Athletic modifications will include sport-by-sport decisions, competitions held without in-person spectators, limited or no locker room use, and sport-specific skill modifications. We are exploring opportunities to livestream some competitions for spectators and will share information once arrangements have been made.
As with our in-person instructional plans, if community health conditions worsen, APS, in consultation with Public Health, may at any time modify or suspend athletics activities.
Additional guidance will be provided to student athletes and families as we get closer to the start of the season, which begins December 7. Our plans are evolving with the current conditions, and we will be flexible and responsive to the needs of our students whenever possible, assessing all options to safely support our students’ academic successes, mental health, and social-emotional well-being.