Student-athletes will be the first students to return to campus for the 2021-22 school year. There is important information that all families of prospective athletes should know as we begin another school year against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Important dates
- Monday, August 23: Varsity, JV and freshman sports begin
- Monday, August 30: Modified and Modified 9 sports begin
The full tryout schedule for the fall 2021 sports season can be found here [PDF]. **Updated Friday, Aug. 20, 2021**
If you are unable to access the PDF document above, please email bcsdcommunications@bethlehemschools.org
Fall season health forms must be completed for students to begin the season.
Indoor mask rules are in effect
Given the “high” transmission of COVID-19 in Albany County according to CDC metrics, the district has implemented a universal indoor masking policy for all faculty, staff, students, coaches and advisors. This policy took effect on August 16, 2021. These indoor mask rules are expected to remain in effect into the school year, as outlined in the COVID-19 Layered Mitigation Plan.
Appropriate face masks (masks that are at least two-ply, fit snugly and cover both the nose and mouth) must be worn at all times in all buildings, regardless of vaccination status. Student-athletes who use any of the district’s indoor facilities will be required to wear appropriate face coverings when indoors. This includes when members of the swim team are on the pool deck; and at all times for volleyball athletes (practices and contests).
Maximizing physical distancing
Physical distancing of at least three feet must be maintained indoors to the extent practicable. Outdoors, three-feet distancing is recommended when possible.
Football & Volleyball: IMPORTANT information for students participating in “high-risk” sports
The district is committed to providing a wide array of athletic opportunities for students. However, the district is currently in a high transmission area for COVID-19. As long as the district remains in a high transmission area, the following mitigation measures are in place for football and volleyball (both identified as “high risk” sports):
- To participate in football or volleyball in fall 2021, students must be vaccinated against COVID-19, if eligible.
- If students are not eligible to be vaccinated, they must submit to weekly screening testing (rapid testing).
- All prospective football and volleyball athletes who are eligible to be vaccinated must receive their first shot on or before September 9, 2021, and commit to completing the vaccine series (if more than one shot is required). 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 September 10, 2021. Parental consent will be required for testing of student-athletes.
- Students in football and volleyball must wear face masks during contests and practices. Mask rules during times of high transmission in these sports is for both indoor and outdoor play.
- Mitigation rules put in place by BCSD will be in effect for all home and away contests (while BC is in a high transmission designation, masks will be required no matter where play takes place).
Vaccination is strongly encouraged for all student-athletes
Vaccination continues to be the most important tool for mitigating risks associated with COVID-19. If you are eligible but have not been vaccinated, please consider doing so before the start of the school year. It is the most important thing you can do for your child’s health and safety and for those students and staff who can’t be vaccinated.
Vaccines will be mandatory for BC students who participate in high-risk sports and are eligible to receive the vaccine. (See important information below for athletes in the “high risk” sports of football and volleyball.)
A list of vaccine availability can be found here: https://www.albanycounty.com/departments/health/coronavirus-covid-19/vaccine-information
Mask wearing is to be respected
Masks have provided an important layer of protection throughout the pandemic. All participants in interscholastic athletics at Bethlehem will be allowed to wear face coverings outdoors if they so choose. This choice will be encouraged and respected. For participants in the “high-risk” sports of football and volleyball, masks will be mandatory for all practices and contests unless otherwise approved by the district’s medical director in a time of “low” community transmission.
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