​July 14, 2021

Dear Onteora Families,

​As we ease into Summer, I want to share some information regarding the upcoming athletic season for the 2021-2022 school year.

If your child is interested in participating in our upcoming Fall athletics season, please make certain to register your child on Family ID. Family ID enables us to securely and efficiently register for sports teams through an online network. Your child is required to have an updated physical in order to participate as a member of an Onteora athletics team.

​According to Section IX, the MHAL, and the New York State Public High ​School Athletic Association, on June 15^th state officials lifted the COVID-19 restrictions impacting youth & recreational sports, which includes interscholastic athletics. We are currently waiting for specific instructions from the Ulster County Health Department.

​Other Athletic updates:

High School Sports (Junior Varsity and Varsity) will begin on August 23, 2021. Registration through FamilyID will begin on July 23, 2021.

Modified school sports will begin on Monday, September 13, 2021.Registration through Family ID will begin on August 5, 2021.There will be a meeting for students interested in Modified sports after school on Thursday, September 9, 2021 in the Middle School gym.

​Physicals will be held here in the High School Health Office for those who need it. Dates and times TBD.

​We are welcoming all interested student-athletes as candidates to become an Onteora Eagle. REGISTER and get a physical and get back in the game. If you have not been a part of our athletics program, THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO TAKE THE PLUNGE, AND SOAR INTO ACTION as an Onteora Eagle. Our coaches are excited to meet you!

​To register, please visit

https://www.familyid.com/organizations/onteora-central-school-district-athletics

​Family ID Technical Support   1-781-205-2800
support@familyid.com

​Please call the Athletics Department at 845-657-2373 extension 2113 for further information.

Save the Date! Homecoming is scheduled for the weekend of September 25^th!
 

Thursday, February 4, 2021

Dear Onteora Families,

I hope you all enjoyed the recent snow fall and took some time to decompress.  We have exciting news regarding athletics; we will be offering a Fall II sports season for our high school students, grades 9-12.  As you know, there have and continue to be many changes in athletics due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Due to the changes and challenges we have faced this year, we will not be offering Winter sports for the 2020-2021 school year.  Our focus will be centered on Fall II sports which officially begin on March 1, 2021.  The season will consist of seven weeks and registration for Fall II is currently open through Family ID.  The following sports will be offered:  soccer (boys and girls), cross country (boys and girls), field hockey, and girls’ tennis. (Boys golf has been moved to the Spring season).

As you may know, on January 22, 2021, Governor Cuomo gave approval to permit “high risk” sports such as football and volleyball to begin. His approval was predicated on County Department of Health approval and guidelines.  The Ulster County Department of Health has released their guidelines and criteria in which Onteora and other Ulster county schools must adhere to in order to move forward with “high risk” sports.  Due to the nature of the criteria, including weekly COVID tests for athletes and coaches, as well as Board of Education approval for “high risk” sports, we have decided to move forward with “low and moderate risk” sports only at this time.  We will continue to evaluate the status of “high risk” sports.

We will keep all families updated on the status of “high risk” sports (football and volleyball), and will continue to work through the challenges.  If we are able to navigate these challenges, our hope is to be able to offer these sports as well.  Our first priority is the safety of our students and staff and this must continue to be our focus and top priority.

At this time, we are offering a Varsity level program only.  Modified (middle school)/Junior Varsity athletics has not been approved to begin, however, we will continue to monitor all possibilities of athletic integration for all levels.   Registration will be open to all students grades 9-12.  Skill level and readiness of our student-athletes will be evaluated as we will offer developmental/competitive training where applicable and appropriate.

There will be an informational meeting on Thursday, February 11, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom for any parents/student-athletes who are interested in participating in athletics.  A link will be posted to our athletic page on the Onteora School website as well as reminder notifications prior to the meeting. We encourage all parents and students who are interested in playing Fall II sports to attend this very important meeting.

Please ensure that your child is registered on Family ID as they will not be able to participate unless they are fully registered and cleared.

As per New York State; physicals from 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 will suffice.  However, the interval health history, as well as the additional COVID forms, will need to be completed in order to complete the registration.

I look forward to meeting with everyone on February 11, 2021.  Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Respectfully,

Kimberly Pilla

Director of Physical Education, Health, Athletics/Dean

HighRiskSportsMemoFinal.pdf

HighRiskCommunication.pdf

Section IX Athletics

NYSPHSAA Announces the Cancellation of All Winter State Championships

High-Risk Sports Postponed Until Authorization is Provided

 LATHAM, NY -The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) announces the cancellation of all 2021 Winter State Championships and the postponement of all high-risk sports until authorization is granted by state officials. The NYSPHSAA Officers rendered these decisions with input from the NYSPHSAA membership and the 11 Section Executive Directors.

“When examining the feasibility of Winter State Championships, it became apparent that travel and overnight accommodations would create a unique challenge for our member schools,” said Dr. Robert Zayas, NYSPHSAA Executive Director. “At this time, we must prioritize maximizing student participation without a focus on championship events.”

The Association’s decision to postpone all high-risk sports until authorization is granted was reinforced by the increase in infection and hospitalization rates across the State. The New York State Department of Health has determined the following NYSPHSAA-endorsed sports to be high risk: basketball, boys lacrosse, competitive cheerleading, football, ice hockey, volleyball, and wrestling.

The cancellation of the Winter State Championships (bowling, basketball, boys swimming & diving, competitive cheerleading, gymnastics, indoor track & field, ice hockey, skiing, and wrestling) addresses membership concerns associated with increased travel, hotel accommodations, transportation logistics and the planning for meals.  Furthermore, venue capacity limitations and social distancing restrictions make it increasingly difficult to ensure the safety of student-athletes, coaches, and families. 

“As an educator, I am witnessing first-hand the challenges our member schools are facing each day in addressing this pandemic,” said Julie Bergman, NYSPHSAA President. “It is important we continue listening to the concerns being expressed by our membership when making decisions impacting interscholastic athletics.”

Low- and moderate-risk regular season sports continue to be permitted. The 2021 NYSPHSAA Spring State Championships remain scheduled at this time.

September 10, 2020:  The Section IX Athletic Council approved a resolution establishing an opening start date for athletics for all schools in Section IX.  Athletics will begin on November 30, 2020.  The Fall season will follow from March to April and the Spring season from May through June, with exact start dates to be determined.

This resolution was presented to the Athletic Council by the Section IX COVID-19 Task Force.  This decision was based on two main determining factors:  the safety of the students and the fact that so many of our Section IX school districts are conducting all classes via remote learning.  As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Section IX, in conjunction with our school districts, will monitor developments and make changes when needed.

Section IX Covid-19 Press Release September 10 2020