Athletics update from Athletic Director Ed Catabia

To the Blue Hills Community:

We hope this letter finds you well and that your summer has allowed for some rest and relaxation in the midst of our uncertain times. As we prepare for the reopening of school, the health, safety and wellness of our student-athletes, coaches, game officials, and others associated with our athletic programs remain a top priority. Throughout the course of the summer, we have received hundreds of pages of guidance that has directed the school reopening process.

Recent guidance released by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) in collaboration with the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Assocation (MIAA), has provided us with the option of moving our fall athletic season to a "floating season" in between the winter and spring. The alternative is a fall season with the potential for shutdown, modified rules, and limited attendance for spectators (if any) at athletic events. In short, we believe that our student-athletes deserve more. For this reason, and many others, we will be moving our fall season to a floating season in between winter and spring athletics. Fall athletics will not be taking place in any form this fall.

The Mayflower Athletic Conference Athletic Directors are currently collaborating and have formulated a comprehensive plan for the transition from our typical fall season to the floating season as permitted by DESE and the MIAA. Interscholastic sports seasons will look different in communities throughout the state. Our efforts have been focused on creating consistency within the Mayflower Athletic Conference and among vocational schools of similar size. We are confident in the collaboration that has taken place to date. Discussions will continue as a result of the fluidity of what we are experiencing.

There are many variables that still need to be discussed, considered and approved in order for Blue Hills to safely sanction athletics. Blue Hills has the safety of everyone involved first and foremost. Because of the complexity of this situation, everything is subject to change. Our goal over the next few weeks is to engage in healthy discussions with the school department officials, athletic conference members and other local high schools to review the options for providing our students with the most rewarding experience possible. Blue Hills will continue to work tirelessly to provide a realistic and safe athletic experience for all participants and remains committed to released updated information as details become available.

Sincerely,

Ed Catabia
Director of Athletics

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