High-Risk Winter Sports Intramural Information, Practice Details and FAQ

Athletic Director Charles Paravella cparavella@berlincentral.org

Hello Student-Athletes, Families and Berlin Central School District Community,

As we just received final notice that we can begin high-risk winter sport practices and intramurals at Berlin, I’m excited to get things going right away.  We will begin practices on the following schedule:

Boys/Girls Basketball, Cheer-  Thursday, Feb 11 

Wrestling- Coach will contact returning athletes.  New wrestlers should email Coach Connolly at dconnolly@berlincentral.org.

An athlete must turn in all forms prior to the first practice. (available on Schoology).  Please do not be concerned about the short notice and possible inability to get to practice.  An athlete can miss a day, then make the next one, or catch up after break.  It’s ok!  Please read on for important logistical information.

Sports offered- Boys and Girls Basketball, Wrestling, Cheer.

Season- February 11- March 13.

Format- Practice, workouts, drills, scrimmage only.  This season will remain “in house” for Berlin students grades 9-12.

Location- All workouts are presently scheduled to take place at Berlin MSHS.

Times- 3:00-4:30.  Times may vary as coaches see fit.  Coaches will get this information to their athletes.

Depending on participation, boys and girls basketball may need to have different times, with one starting at 4:45 or so.  We will keep an eye on this as we recognize that the earlier time for those in school that day is most convenient.

Transportation- Keeping the Covid safety protocols in mind, athletes will be responsible for their own transportation to/from the school at this time. The district will continue to look into possible district transportation depending on the safety protocols and guidance.

Forms- There are a number of forms to be completed prior to participation.  These are available on Schoology.  We also have hard copies in the main office.

Testing- We are testing our athletes for COVID once per week.  The testing schedule will begin on February 22 and is as follows (subject to change as needed, affected parents will be notified):

Monday- 7:30-8:00am, Green, last name letters A-M.  Enter through cafeteria entrance.

Tuesday-  7:30-8:00am, Yellow last name letters A-M.  Enter through cafeteria entrance.

Wednesdays- 3:00-4:00pm All Remote only students. 

Thursday-  7:30-8:00am, Green, last name letters N-Z.  Enter through cafeteria entrance.

Friday-  7:30-8:00am, Yellow,  last name letters N-Z.  Enter through cafeteria entrance.

February Break- Practices/testing TBD.  Coaches will notify athletes.

This is a lot to digest in a very short period of time. Athletes can certainly choose to simply begin once we return from February break. Bring in forms over break to be set up and registered to play and start February 22.

 

Some FAQs which may be helpful:

Who can I contact for more information?

You may contact me for general information, or your coach for more specific sport information.

 

Athletic Director
Charles Paravella
cparavella@berlincentral.org

518 658-1500, option 8 extension 1004

 

Boys Basketball
Coach Ellis
Nellis@berlincentral.org

Girls Basketball
Coach Day
kday@berlincentral.org

Wrestling
Coach Connolly
dconnolly@berlincentral.org

Cheer
Coach Meyers
dmeyers@berlincentral.org 

What if my son/daughter can’t fit into those exact hours/days of training?

They should attend in a schedule that works for you.

Can remote only students play?

Yes!

What about other seasons/sports? 

No decisions have been made regarding how those sports will “look” at this time.

When do other seasons/sports start?

Fall 2 is scheduled for March 7-May 1 (yes, there is an official overlap according to Section II)

Spring is scheduled for May 2-June 25.  Presently there are plans to start baseball a bit earlier.

What safety procedures and protocols are in place?

Each training area will be cleaned by maintenance nightly.  Athletes and Coaches will wear masks at all times. General COVID guidelines such as temperature checks will be followed. Coaches will monitor the cleaning of any equipment throughout practices.  Locker room use restricted to a maximum of five at a time.  All athletes encouraged to come to practice in proper attire to minimize locker use.

All athletes should complete the online screening prior to coming to school.

Who is doing the testing?

Our nursing staff will be doing the testing, assisted by staff who have been trained in the process.  All results are reported to the Rensselaer Department of Health.

Why can’t we play games?

We are progressing slowly and safely keeping Covid protocols and guidance in mind.  We want a solid foundation of success and we will look to build from there based on those successes.

Also, at this time certain districts and counties have not been given permission to play sports. We have to take all this into consideration as we move forward.

I appreciate your patience and support as we move forward.  Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.  Looking forward to seeing our athletes playing again!

Chuck Paravella
cparavella@berlincentral.org