By Kelley Sussman
Executive Opinion Editor
As the 2020-21 school year progresses online, sports seasons have been getting pushed back until it is safe enough to practice. This past month there has been talk of students returning to sports and whether it is safe or not. Students returning back to sports will allow their lives to start to feel normal again.
However, practice will not look the same as it did in the past. Due to COVID-19, strict regulations and guidelines have been put in place to keep everyone safe. Before returning to practice, each student must take a mandatory COVID-19 test that is negative and sign a waiver that acknowledges that there is a risk for contracting COVID by participating in practice. While practicing, if the students and coaches both do their part by social distancing and staying healthy, there is no reason as to why all sports aren’t able to return to practice, as a lot already have.
Many students practice on the same club team as their teammates, and most club sports have returned. These sports include beach volleyball, indoor volleyball, soccer and waterpolo. Club sports are returning to practice without any issues, so all school sports should be allowed to at least start practicing if they follow strict guidelines.
If students or parents feel uncomfortable with in-person practice, they will not miss out on P.E. credits. Any student is allowed to join Zoom P.E. at Costa in which they will still receive credit. Returning to sports is not mandatory and students will not be punished for choosing to not participate. For the students who are willing to take the risk and participate, they should all have the option to do so for their corresponding sport.
Students have not attended school in seven months. They need to be able to leave their house, have a change in scenery, exercise through school sports and see their classmates in order for them to stay motivated and healthy.
Although school will not be completely back to normal for a while, at least starting to attend a school setting again will allow students to socialize with peers they have not been in contact with for a while and to get a better education. Socialization and in-person education are the two most important aspects of high school. Because students supposedly have not seen their peers in a while, returning to school would be beneficial for students’ well-being and mindset.
In-person education would also motivate students to complete their assignments diligently and with 100% effort. Slacking off and not participating in school is much easier on Zoom classes and lectures. Staring at a screen all day drains students of energy, so returning to school would be very beneficial in the long run. With new regulations in place, such as social distancing and wearing a mask, returning to school sports and school should be allowed.
Returning to in-person practice and classes is very safe with the regulations Costa has put into place, including social distancing and wearing masks at all times, so Costa should allow all sports to return back to practice with guidelines in place.
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