SFUSD to Resume High School Athletics Programs on April 12

Posted Date

SFUSD to Resume High School Athletics Programs on April 12

Press Release

San Francisco (March 17, 2021) - The San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) is preparing for the return of extracurricular athletics for high school student athletes to practice and compete this spring, beginning April 12, 2021.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer this opportunity to our students after a year of physical isolation,” SF Board of Education President Gabriela Lopez said. “Sports offer students a valuable opportunity for connection and interaction.”

“As a former student athlete myself, I know how important sports are in the lives of so many of our students. It is a short season but I hope it is the beginning of what will be many more opportunities to play,” said Dr. Vincent Matthews, SFUSD Superintendent. 

The following sports are being offered for Spring 2021:

  • Baseball
  • Flag Football (Girls)
  • Tennis (Boys & Girls)
  • Softball (Girls)
  • Soccer (Boys & Girls)
  • Track & Field (Boys & Girls)
  • Football (Boys) - Practices only
  • Outdoor Basketball (Boys & Girls) - Practices only

High school sports practices will begin April 12, 2021 and will conclude on or before May 28, 2021. All athletic activities must strictly comply with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) Recreational Sports Directives.  

Consistent with the SFDPH Recreational Sports Directive, SFUSD will allow only outdoor sports. Middle school outdoor sports will not be offered by SFUSD this spring due to unavailability of playing fields at the District’s middle schools and City fields.

In most cases sports will be offered at the high schools where SFUSD schools can utilize their own fields and courts. Softball and baseball practices and games will occur at SF Parks & Rec facilities.

All sports will run concurrently for both boys and girls. There will be no playoff and championship games. There will be no games with schools outside of district schools. No transportation will be provided between schools. All athletic staff will be trained on COVID-19 policies prior to the first practice. SFDPH & CDPH guidance limit athletes to participation on one team and limit the number of participants on a team to 25 players, except for sports that require more players such as Track and Field.

School athletic directors will work with principals to send a survey to all high school students to gauge their interest in participating in sports this spring. If more students express interest in playing a sport than there are spots available, schools may hold tryouts. More detailed information about each sport will be shared with students and families in the coming weeks. 

About SFUSD

SFUSD is the seventh largest school district in California, educating over 56,000 preK-12 students every year. San Francisco is both a city and a county; therefore, SFUSD administers both the school district and the San Francisco County Office of Education (COE). This makes SFUSD a “single district county.”

More information regarding SFUSD’s preparations for in-person learning:

 

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