June 24, 2020 at 10:02 a.m.
BREAKING: RHS will not play games this summer
BREAKING: RHS will not play games this summer
The decision came after the district's pandemic response team, consisting of local health officials and select members of School District of Rhinelander administration, met Tuesday afternoon to discuss options.
"Today I am bringing you some sad news that it has been decided by our administration and healthcare providers that we will not have any spring sports contest this summer," Paulson said in an email to coaches Tuesday, a copy of which was obtained by the River News. "Additionally we are working on a plan for coaches to begin working with athletes on strength and conditioning and sports specific workouts. Once the plan is set we will be educating our coaches and then we will be reaching out to the athletes to begin."
The WIAA afforded schools the opportunity to use up 30 contact days for spring sports teams, and up to five contact non-spring sports teams, beginning July 1. For spring sports only, the WIAA allowed the contact to include school-sponsored scrimmages and games in an effort to provide closure for class of 2020 seniors who saw their high school sports careers come to a premature end.
In early May, ADs from four area high schools, including Rhinelander, devised a proposed spring sports schedule that would give spring sports teams anywhere from one to four games during the week of July 13-17.
The WIAA released guidance June 18 regarding safety protocols that should be in place as districts look to restart physical activities with their sports teams.
Paulson said an Oneida County Health Department staff member was on hand at Tuesday's meeting, along with school nurses Kerri Schmidt and Val Leighton, athletic trainer Eric Prom, pediatrician Dr. Julia Pickens and orthopedic surgeon Dr. Kent Jason Lowry. Paulson, RHS principal Shane Dornfeld, retiring district superintendent Kelli Jacobi and incoming superintendent Eric Burke were also in the meeting.
"Right now it has been suggested that we don't have team contests by our health department," Paulson said, regarding the outcome of the meeting. "That was also a suggestion, that that was not recommended to have (sports contests) right now."
More on this story will be published in Friday's River News.
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