Are the kids anxious to get outdoors and play summer sports? As we speak, School District 51 is putting together a task force to examine how and when to resume sports and summer activities.

As it stands, the CHSAA (Colorado High School Activities Association) has a "no contact moratorium" in effect until June 1. District 51 has a no contact moratorium in place until July 1. The established task force has been assigned the mission of determining safe and appropriate ways students in District 51 can return to various sports and activities.

Who's on the task force? According to www.d51schools.org, the task force is composed of school athletic directors, local health experts, and district administration. Their assignment is to review the "return to participation guidelines" from the CHSAA, the NFHS (National Federation of High Schools), and the Mesa County Health Department.

According to www.d51schools.org, it is possible the task force will determine a "return to participation" date sooner than the existing date of July 1.

A task force is working to comply with national guidelines to resume sports and activities as soon as it is safe and health measures can be put in place. - Mesa County Valley School Disrict 51 via Facebook

Sitting on my desk immediately to my right is a CD with a handful of public service announcements regarding school sports. This was sent to me by the NFHS, CHSAA, HIAAA, and the Colorado Athletics Directors Association back on February. On the CD are six PSA's including:

  • Participating in high school sports can boost a teenager's mental health
  • Participating in high school sports is a great way for a teen to grow stronger
  • Practice good sportsmanship at high school events
  • Sports are still played for the right reasons
  • Need for high school sports officials
  • Extra-curricular athletics are a extra-powerful way for teenagers to develop skills to be leaders

A couple of weeks later d51 schools were closed to in-person learning and all sports activities came to a halt. I'm all set to dub these PSA's and get them on the air. It's simply a matter of waiting to hear what the task force has to say.

For the time being we're in a holding pattern. It will be interesting to hear what the task force has to say. In the meantime, I encourage you to follow Mesa County Valley School District 51 on Facebook or their official webpage.

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