Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Announces Local School Systems May Officially Start High School Fall Sports Beginning October 7, 2020

For Immediate Release:
September 24, 2020
Contact:
R. Andrew Warner
Robert.Warner1@maryland.gov

Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Announces Local School Systems
May Officially Start High School Fall Sports Beginning October 7, 2020

BALTIMORE — Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Karen B. Salmon, Ph.D. today announced the ability for each local school system (LSS) to officially start the interscholastic athletic fall season in Maryland secondary schools beginning Wednesday, October 7, 2020.

The decision of the State Superintendent was reached after recent discussions with the State Board of Education, the 24 local school system Superintendents, the Executive Director of the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA), parents, and other stakeholders. Additional considerations included current health metrics and guidance provided by the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) as Maryland continues to operate in the early portion of Stage Three of its Roadmap to Recovery plan.

Local school systems, at their discretion, may opt into commencing a fall competition season or playing all three sport seasons within the Two-Semester Plan option announced by the MPSSAA on September 11, 2020.  By electing to begin fall sports now, LSSs have the ability to start competitions on October 27, 2020, and play into the second week of December.  The decision also affords greater opportunities for winter and spring sport competition during the 2020-2021 academic year.  Complete information about both options may be found at www.mpssaa.org.

The MPSSAA, on July 7, 2020, released a Roadmap for the Return of Interscholastic Athletics to guide LSSs in the immediate preparation for the anticipated return of interscholastic athletics and extracurricular activities.  All LSSs are encouraged, as soon as possible, to begin conditioning sessions in preparation for the first official fall practice sessions.

For more information on safely reopening Maryland schools, visit http://governor.maryland.gov/recovery-schools.

Get the latest reliable information on the coronavirus outbreak from the Maryland Department of Health at https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/

Local School System Options

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Fall Athletics Update September 24 2020