Athletics

The School District of the Chathams understands the importance of interscholastic athletics for our student-athletes. Interscholastic athletics provides our students with a number of valuable lessons crucial to their growth and development, such as, discipline, determination, sportsmanship, teamwork, and most importantly learning how to live a balanced and active lifestyle. However, it is important to recognize that the health and safety of our students, staff members and families will always remain at the forefront of our decision making process. Athletic events, and large gathering of any kind are proving themselves to be of concern during this pandemic. The School District of the Chathams remains committed to providing opportunities for our student-athletes to engage in sporting activities so long as the guidelines we are currently following provided by the NJSIAA continue to reduce our risk of transmission and infection from Covid-19.

Guidelines

  • All student athletes registered to receive instruction from the School District are permitted to participate in athletics, regardless of whether they are attending school in-person or remotely.

  • The district will follow all regulations and guidance issued by the State of New Jersey and the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) concerning the participation at sporting events. We will adhere to all rules and guidance issued, some examples of which include:

    • Student athlete health screening and safety, mask wearing while not engaged in active play, use of public facilities and conduct during an athletic event;

    • Permitted number of coaching staff, health screening and mask wearing for coaching staff;

    • Limits on spectators, or absence of spectators to reduce crowds, and;

    • Specific safety measures before, during and after practices and competitions.

  • During the COVID-19 crisis, the decisions, guidelines and regulations that impact the varsity high school sports schedules and/or seasons will be applied similarly to all high school and middle school athletic programs. While we will make our best attempt to fulfill all seasons, it should be noted that it is possible that different levels of athletic programs will experience different impacts of decisions that are made.

  • The Athletic Department will provide information as it becomes available.

Recreational Sports

  • Recreational Sports are independent of the School District of the Chathams. Information and updates on Recreation Sport may be found on the Chatham Recreation Website.