Schools suspend, cancel summer workouts amid rising coronavirus cases




Poteet’s Ernest Davila prepares for a squat lift on the first allowed day for summer workouts on June 8. Poteet has since suspended their summer workouts for the remainder of the summer in an effort to prepare educators for any potential challenges in the 2020-2021 school year. SAM FOWLER | PLEASANTON EXPRESS

Poteet’s Ernest Davila prepares for a squat lift on the first allowed day for summer workouts on June 8. Poteet has since suspended their summer workouts for the remainder of the summer in an effort to prepare educators for any potential challenges in the 2020-2021 school year. SAM FOWLER | PLEASANTON EXPRESS

By Saturday, June 27, five of the six schools in the Pleasanton Express coverage area shut down their voluntary summer strength and conditioning programs either temporarily or for the duration of summer.

Charlotte was the first program to bring a halt to their workouts on June 17 “out of an abundance of caution,” per the high school’s Facebook page.

Jourdanton suspended their workouts on June 23 after learning a studentathlete tested positive for the novel coronavirus, Athletic Director Darrell Andrus confirmed to the Pleasanton Express. They intend to restart their workouts on Monday, July 13 .“This student has not attended Summer Strength and Conditioning this week,” Andrus wrote to parents in a letter. “However, in an abundance of caution, we have suspended all activities until July 13, 2020. The coaching staff is working to inform all student-athletes that were involved with the afternoon [high school] boys’ session about this situation and we will answer any questions you may have. We recommend you self-quarantine and if you develop any symptoms, go get tested. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide information as it becomes available.”

Jourdanton is the lone school in the area to confirm a positive test.

On Thursday, Poteet followed suit, initially suspending workouts until July 13. However, Poteet ISD Superintendent Charles Camarillo sent a letter out to families on Monday, June 29, announcing Poteet would not continue student activities, including summer workouts, for the rest of the summer.

The decision was made to focus on preparing for the 2020-2021 school year and any alterations that may need to be made, Camarillo said.

“As we entered June, it was our expectations that we would try to bring kids back for summer workouts, camp and summer school,” Camarillo wrote. We were able to bring back students for workouts for most of June until we had to suspend those activities due to a rise in COVID-19 cases. As We watch the rise in infections, we have decided to suspend all activities for the month of July, including summer school.

“It is our intent to use the month of July to plan for whatever type of school we will have in the fall. Whether face-to-face, online or a combination of both, we want to be as prepared as possible to serve our students.”

The next day, Pleasanton announced they were suspending their workouts, effective on June 29. The announcement said they intend to resume in July, but did not give a specific date.

“The safety of our athletes and staff is extremely important to PISD,” the Pleasanton Athletic Department wrote in a statement. “We look forward to welcoming our students back in July, more details to follow. Please be safe.”

Lytle was the last of the five schools to suspend their summer strength and conditioning on Saturday, June 27. The decision came after Atascosa County Judge Bob Hurley issued a stay-home order to mirror that of Bexar County. Lytle intends on resuming on July 13.

“Lytle ISD has no positive tests. Everyone stay safe. We hope to see our athletes reporting back soon,” they said in a statement.

McMullen County High School is continuing their workouts as scheduled. As of Monday, June 29, the Department of State Health Services reported zero active cases in Mc- Mullen County.

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