To all xc running athletes and families--
Please read the latest announcement from the ASD copied and linked below:
“Due to the escalating numbers of new COVID-19 cases in the Municipality of Anchorage, ASD is currently in a High-Risk situation for the beginning of the school year. As a result, ASD is postponing the start of the high school fall sports and activities to coincide with the start of the academic school year on August 20. 
The District will determine whether sports and activities can begin after August 20 based on the community health situation and District risk level. All school or coach-organized practices and activities will be postponed until the community health situation allows. 
The District will continue to develop detailed mitigation plans for each of our seven fall sports in the hope that we can begin a reduced season as early as August 20. 
While we recognize the physical and mental benefits of participation in prep sports and activities, we have a public responsibility to weigh these benefits against the need to protect students and coaches from the increasing risk of exposure in our community. 
We know that this postponement will be very disappointing for athletes who are eager to start their season. We encourage all of our students to follow best practices to help mitigate the spread of the virus.”  ASDK Sports and Activities

As of July 22, the 14-day rolling average of new cases of COVID-19 in the Anchorage municipality moved to 29. This change officially moves us into the Anchorage School District’s high-risk category.  As a result, the start of fall sports practices, which were scheduled to begin July 29th, is postponed until at least August 5th. Our first practice and parent meeting will therefore not be happening as scheduled on July 29th. In keeping with the District’s process for monitoring athletics and academics, ASD will continue to monitor the numbers daily and make a determination every two weeks about the ongoing status of fall sports and activities.  We will keep you updated as we receive new information. 
 
Please continue to register through PlanetHS: https://planeths.com.  You may wish to defer registering /paying fees through ASD’s ParentConnect until we know more. 
 
Coach Luke encourages all athletes to keep training through this set-back, so that they are ready to go when team sports open back up. The best thing our athletes can do now is to: 
·         tighten-up their social distancing, 
·         wear masks, and 
·         wash their hands 
If we can get our community on board with this, we’ll have a better chance of reducing our numbers to levels that support the return to sports and classrooms. 
 
Since we all have to wear masks, let’s set an example for our friends and community, and show your school and team pride: 
 
Here is the link for our single-layer "Athlete mask.” These have been so popular, we’ve had to order more, so be sure to get yours. Now open to all Service athletes: 
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Xll31iUA3Ftfsbw_67uOTrog0fiTqZWlmW3z4ouubW4/edit#response=ACYDBNhqLvWtLslul6JyaI9XxRWWaBqjOqYUQIRfRx7dCNf0MIVCSbJxk3OQAp_Y6Hp66hc
 
Here’s the link for our multi-layer "Cougar Community mask,” a much more protective mask for friends, family, and supporters. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1lSGZnIcrH0XRyBphJ5d9lS989ArLyT2f-kFjIOPLslM/edit#response=ACYDBNgqL1R85vlVmG79m9odIXHwM8qwctXEQaVbQqITgkDyel1a__5RsCkUaZpZpFKj7Fk
 
We can do this! Go Cougars!  
 
Sincerely,  
Service XC Running Coaching Staff & Booster Club

If you have not done so, please remember athletes must register prior to the first day of practice. Registration is done via the Anchorage School District link below.

Important information is team information is available at serviceccrunning.com under the headings, Athletes, Parents and Team Handbook . Please take time to learn more about the role you play in supporting your athlete and the team.  Cross Country running is a team sport and can only be successful with your support. We look forward to meeting everyone at the parents' meeting on July 29th. www.serviceccrunning.com

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