Most Boston Public Schools athletics postponed until 2021, except golf and cross country

Many Boston Public Schools athletes won’t get to play sports until February 2021, BPS officials announced during a Wednesday night school committee meeting, stepping in line with state guidelines.

Cross country and golf will begin on Sept. 21, but soccer, football, cheerleading, volleyball and swimming will be postponed until February 2021.

This aligns with state and city guidance released last month and access to BPS school buildings for sports will be limited.

“We want to maximize noncontact activities that are allowed under the guidelines,” said Sam DePina, secondary superintendent of school operations and safety.

The presentation by Superintendent Brenda Cassellius and her team Wednesday night also clarified frequent questions and concerns from parents about school reopening plans.

Families who select a hybrid model can switch to remote at any time, and those who opted for remote can switch to hybrid based on available space, according to the presentation.

Bus assignments will be sent out at the end of the month and bargaining with bus drivers and monitors is still ongoing.

The first day of school, which will be remote, is Sept. 21 and 53,890 students are enrolled to attend Boston schools.

Andrea Zayas, BPS chief academic officer, said the figure represents a decline in enrollment attributed to the pandemic and a statewide decline in public school enrollment in general.

High-needs BPS students with in-person priority are eligible for up to four days of learning in school buildings beginning Oct. 1 as opposed to two days for other students.

Such students could include those with disabilities, English language learners and students who are homeless or are in the care of the Department of Children and Families.

BPS had 963 teacher and staff vacancies, of which 94% have been filled. An additional six school nurse positions were added, of which two have been filled, according to the presentation.

Last week, the Boston Teachers Union reached an agreement with BPS that includes random COVID-19 testing for 5% of BTU membership every week, the option to conduct remote classes from home and independent air quality testing.

The testing will be done by Oct. 1, according to Wednesday’s presentation.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/35MgEwy