Dear Parents/Guardians,
Effective February 1, participation in moderate- and high-risk Winter Sports has been approved by the Governor and the NYS Department of Health. On February 7, Delaware County Public Health approved the start of high-risk Winter Sports; and on February 8, Hancock's Board of Education approved all procedures and protocols necessary for the District to combine with Deposit to offer high-risk winter sports.
Therefore, practices will begin as soon as possible, likely February 10, for boys and girls basketball at the modified, junior varsity and varsity levels. The Midstate Athletic Conference recently voted against offering the high-risk sport of wrestling this winter. As a result, Deposit/Hancock will not have a wrestling program this winter.
Based on our best pre-season estimates, Deposit and Hancock will partner to offer the following merged athletics programs and levels for the 2020-2021 school year:
- Winter: Boys Basketball (modified, junior varsity, varsity); Girls Basketball (modified, junior varsity, varsity).
- Fall II: Cross Country (modified, varsity); Field Hockey (modified, junior varsity, varsity); Football (modified A, varsity); Volleyball (modified, junior varsity, varsity).
- Spring: Baseball (modified, junior varsity, varsity); Golf (varsity); Softball (modified, junior varsity, varsity); Tennis (varsity); Track & Field (modified, varsity).
ALL STUDENT-ATHLETES must complete and submit a signed
Informed Consent Form and return it to the main office as a condition of competing on a high-risk D/H athletics team.
Transportation to and from practices and games will be provided for all participants by their respective districts. Students who are engaged in hybrid/remote instruction will be picked up/dropped off at their home district. Eligible students may self-transport to practices with written authorization from their building principal. Self-transport to and from contests will be considered on a situational basis.
In the matters of health and safety, COVID health screening surveys (paper or electronic) will be expected from all coaches, officials, and athletes before practices and contests. Moreover, coaches and/or district officials will retain the right to check student temperatures on demand.
Student-athletes exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms may not participate in any athletic activities associated with the Deposit and/or Hancock school districts and must be tested for COVID-19 by a medical provider as soon as possible. Those who test NEGATIVE for COVID-19 may return to athletic activities with written clearance from a medical provider. Those who test POSITIVE for COVID-19 may not return to athletic activities until they have received written medical clearance from a licensed medical provider or DOH official.
In the event spectators are permitted to attend events, each will be expected to complete a COVID health screening surveys (paper or electronic) before entering a contest venue. District officials will retain the right to check spectator temperatures on demand to ensure maximum safety for all interested parties.
With the exception of Senior Night events, spectators will not be allowed during the Winter Sports season. Winter Sports may be watched remotely through video streaming and/or a HUDL camera at designated venues. Spectator guidelines for Fall II and Spring sports seasons will be addressed at a later date.
Coaches, officials, trainers, and game personnel will be required to wear face coverings at all times. Players are expected to wear face coverings unless they cannot tolerate them during activity, pending DOH, league, or section clarification. Spectators, if permitted, will be expected to wear a face covering when social distancing cannot be maintained. Masks and hand sanitizer will be available at all practice and contest venues.
Athletes will be permitted to participate if they have previously had a health examination in the 2018-2019 or 2019-2020 school years. A current health history (pink slip) must be completed and signed by a parent/guardian before athletes can practice. Certain circumstances may call for a current health examination, if deemed necessary by the school district’s medical director.
Current conditions are subject to change at any time. Our decision making will be informed by updates and guidance provided by various NYS and local agencies, including the NYSDOH, Delaware County DOH, New York State Public High School Athletics Association (NYSPHSAA), Section IV Athletics, and the Midstate Athletic Conference (MAC).
Comprehensive details and additional information/updates can be found in the attached Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and Key Messages documents. In addition, comprehensive athletics reopening procedures and protocols are detailed in the D/H Eagles Athletics Reset Plan, which is available on the Deposit and Hancock district websites (listed below).
Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have questions.
Thank you,
Matt Mastropietro, Deposit Athletic Director 607-467-8515 | Ann Messenger, Hancock Athletic Coordinator 607- 637-1333 |
Posted 2/9/2021