September 21, 2021
Dear TH Winter Sports Families:
The Taconic Hills Central School District is committed to providing a wide range of athletic opportunities to our students. The Centers for Disease Control guidance states when a region is in high transmission - red zone, as is the current status of Columbia County in, districts should cancel or hold high risk sports virtually to protect in-person learning, unless all participants are fully vaccinated. The Columbia County Department of Health, has strongly recommended that the following mitigation measures be in place for the start of “high risk” winter sports for all schools in Columbia County due to the increasing prevalence of the Delta variant:
- To participate in indoor high risk winter sports, students must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (if they are eligible for the vaccine). High risk sports are basketball, wrestling, boys’ volleyball, and basketball cheerleading.
- If students are not yet eligible to be vaccinated, they must submit to weekly screening testing to participate in winter high risk sports.
- All prospective student-athletes who are eligible to be vaccinated must receive 2nd dose no later than 11/1/21 to participate. Modified sports date for 2nd dose will be 11/8/21. Only those who do not qualify for the vaccine will be able to continue in the program past that date if unvaccinated. Weekly screening testing for approved participants who are unvaccinated will begin on the first day of scheduled practice. Parental consent will be required for testing of student-athletes.
- Student-athletes must wear face masks during contests and practices indoors.
All public schools in Columbia County will require proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or a test out for students under the age of 12.
Taconic Hills CSD is committed to providing the safest learning environment possible for our students and staff during the pandemic. Vaccinating our students is a critical step in mitigating the spread of COVID-19 within our buildings, minimizing any disruption to learning, and keeping our school sports in action. While we understand that this is a difficult decision for some families, it is an essential step that we must take in partnership with the county.
Families of students interested in winter sports should provide proof of vaccination to our Health Office by 11/1/21.
Columbia County Vaccination information is available at: https://www.columbiacountynyhealth.com/news/new-covid-19-vaccine-information/
To schedule an appointment to receive the COVID-19 vaccine: https://am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/
Thank you for your continued support and your commitment to working with us to provide a safe environment for in-person learning and sports.
Sincerely,
Dr. Neil L. Howard, Jr.
Superintendent of Schools
Taconic Hills Central School District