April 22, 2020
TO: MHSA SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS
FROM: MARK BECKMAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
RE: UPDATE – MHSA COVID-19 ISSUES
Good afternoon,
As you are aware, the Governor has issued a reopening plan for the state which included local school districts to determine allowing in-person instruction on May 7th.
Because of the previous MHSA Board action, resumption of spring activities depended on our student’s ability to return to in-person instruction without restrictions by May 4th and if in-person instruction didn’t resume by that time without restrictions, spring activities would be cancelled. The spring 2020 is cancelled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic which is affecting communities across our country.
The MHSA Executive Board proceeded with cautious optimism holding on to hope to realistically resume spring activities. It would be difficult to conduct meaningful spring activities from this late date, with many schools deciding not to return to in-person instruction, with the social distancing recommendations still in place, and along with many other factors.
We empathize with all the students, schools and communities that this decision impacts, and especially with the many seniors that have shown maturity and resolve as their culminating year of high school has been impacted beyond activities and athletics due to this COVID-19 pandemic. The Class of 2020 will not be forgotten.
We look forward to the resumption of high school activities during the 2020-2021 school year with some level of normalcy. Our office will be entirely focused on contingency plans for the 2020 fall season and beyond, should they be needed.
We will continue to communicate as state, local and health agencies keep us informed of new public health guidelines.
There are moments when troubles enter our lives and we can do nothing to avoid them. But they are there for a reason. Only when we have overcome them will we understand why they were there.” – Paulo Coelho, ‘The Fifth Mountain”
Mark Beckman
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Wherever You Play, MHSA Is On Your Team
Montana High School Association Visit us online: mhsa.org
Office: (406) 442-6010
Direct Line: (406) 603-4340
Cell: (406) 431-7245
Fax: (406) 442-8250
Address: 1 South Dakota Ave. Helena, MT 59601