Dear Hoquiam Family and Community,
At the time of this letter our middle school academic program has pivoted to remote learning. This decision was not made lightly, as it was out of an abundance of caution in hopes to address our growing number of COVID-19 positive students/staff in the school setting. We have witnessed the impact socially and emotionally on our students and understand the role athletics and physical activity plays in supporting emotional wellbeing as well as physical wellbeing. We have elected to continue our sports programs after school at the middle school in part because of the regular COVID-19 testing that is performed on ALL of the athletes, coaches and volunteers in these athletic programs.
Because we have a regular testing protocol in place (since Nov 2021) we have been able to monitor and ensure the health and safety of ALL athletes and coaches while practicing and competing. In the coming weeks our high school athletes will be winding down the winter sports season and entering postseason competition. Our goal is to have all of our athletes and coaches safe and healthy in order to finish this season and represent Hoquiam with honor and pride.
As a moderate move, and in coordination with our athletic director and building administrators, we will be implementing a NO SPECTATOR policy for our home high school and middle school events at least until January 31st. Our athletic director is working to move contests, including middle school contests to the high school gym as those can be viewed Live or On Demand through the NFHS site: https://www.nfhsnetwork.com
With High School playoffs two weeks away this proactive step increases the chances to keep our participants and coaches healthy so we are at full strength down the stretch. Our Athletic Director will continue to communicate sport specific information to each of our MS and HS sports teams via Final Forms. If there are any questions or concerns please contact our Athletic Director, Annette Duvall @ aduvall@hoquiam.net or her district phone at 360-538-5381. Should the district receive additional guidance from our local health officials, we will adjust appropriately and of course communicate any change of plans with our community. We will continue to share updates as necessary with all students, staff, families and our community through our website: www.hoquiam.net as well as on our district FB page.
Thank you in advance for understanding and supporting this intermediate step with No Spectators until at least January 31st.
Respectfully,
Mike Villarreal