Summer 2020 Voluntary Conditioning Programs and COVID-19 Action Plan
To: Parents/Guardians of Central Catholic Student-Athletes
From: Rick Capretta
Subject: Voluntary Conditioning Programs
Date: 22 June, 2020
We at Central Catholic welcome back our student-athletes, coaches, and staff as we begin our on- campus summer conditioning program. Our administration, athletic trainer and support staff have been working hard to prepare for the reopening of our athletic facilities and programs. As always, our focus is on the safety of our student-athletes, coaches and training staff. Central Catholic has coordinated a cleaning and disinfecting program throughout the school, athletic facilities, and field. We feel that this safety program, along with the personal hygiene recommendations that the CDC has established since March offers the best opportunity for a successful summer athletic program.
We have referred to several national organizations that have put together safety protocols for return to play. Central Catholic, in consultation with UPMC Sports Medicine, has researched numerous plans in depth and have adopted a hybrid safety plan that incorporates the important components from each plan on the best way to return to play amid the Covid-19 pandemic. We have adopted important safety components from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), along with the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA), UPMC Sports Medicine Playbook and Return to Sports During Covid-19 Minimum Guidelines for High Schools, as well as the PA Recreation and Park Society Reopening Guidelines.
Physical activity is an important part of overall wellness for high school students, and we know that many of our students are eager to get back to competing in the sports they love. We understand that Covid-19 is a highly contagious virus and is impossible to eliminate all risks, but Central Catholic has taken numerous steps to minimize those risks.
ALL SUMMER CONDITIONING/PRACTICES ARE VOLUNTARY. We realize that you and your son might not be quite ready to return to play at this time. We understand and respect that decision. ANY student-athlete that decides to opt out of summer conditioning/practices will NOT be penalized for his decision. In fact, our coaching staffs will make their summer workouts available to our student-athletes via internet or in writing. This will allow your son to simulate the same workouts from home until the first official practice date.
We are excited to be able to offer summer conditioning/practices to your son. We hope he is excited to see our coaches and his friends. If you have any questions, please email or call me at any time. You can reach me at Rcapretta@centralcatholichs.com or call me at 412 208-3494. We look forward to working with your sons this summer.
Sincerely,
Rick Capretta
Athletics Director
