By Linda Kor The Winslow Unified School District met on Aug. 19 with a presentation from Athletic Director Kourtney Hendricks regarding a new athletics program for the district involving eSports. This program was approved by the board at the meeting and involves students competing in various sports via computer. Following the meeting Hendricks outlined what the program would entail. She explained that the NFHS (National Federation of High Schools), which all state associations adhere to for sports, has partnered with a company called PlayVS, a competition platform for gaming, to bring eSports to the high schools at a national level. The Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) has also sanctioned it. “It is a legit program under the AIA umbrella of sports so there are now state championship competitions.” The eSports seasons are offered in the fall and in the spring and schools can decide if they want to participate in one or both seasons. While the goal is to provide an opportunity for every student to participate, there are logistical hurdles that need to be tackled first such as computers, access and cost. “You can’t just use any computer; the specs are pretty high for the gaming chips. It’s something we’re still working out here at Winslow High School,” explained Hendricks. Other unknowns include the amount of interest by students and how many would want to take part in competition. The details regarding the number of teams, the number of players per team and required skill level still need to be worked out. A head coach for eSports, Todd Hunt, was also approved by the board at the meeting. The fall season is scheduled to begin Oct. 8 but that date may change as circumstances evolve. Hendricks noted that games are not scheduled the same as a regular season, with set dates for competition, each school can create their own schedule to compete. “I’m hoping this will pave the way for other schools to get involved,” stated Hendricks. The opportunity also keeps students from having to travel to other areas, reducing exposure during the pandemic. During the meeting, the board also approved the athletics programming moving into Phase 2 of a three-phase program for bringing back athletes. “Phase 1 was super restrictive and so now we’ll be moving into Phase 2,” stated Hendricks, who noted that swimming and cross country seasons both officially started this week, with volleyball beginning Aug. 31 and football on Sept. 7. “By the time those team sports hit, I need them to be in Phase 3. Because we were shut down most of the summer it puts our athletes a little bit at personal jeopardy because they haven’t been able to condition and workout,” stated Hendricks, adding that Phase 2 will allow them to start conditioning in order to avoid injury and accidents. As part of the meeting, the board also approved another three-phase plan to provide a safe place to learn. According the district’s media relations specialist Ty Hancock, the plan is in response to the Governor’s executive order that the district provide a safe place to learn for registered children under the age of 12. Following the meeting Hancock stated “No direct teaching will be taking place. It will serve more as a daycare.” This is for registered students under the age of 12 at the district that cannot be left alone. Phase 1 is for the children of WUSD employees, as they are essential employees. Phase two are students who have been retained in the primary grades, provided space and staff are available. Phase 3 are students whose parents/guardians work and are under the age of 12, provided space and staff are available. It was noted that no direct teaching is to take place. Phase 1 of the plan was implemented on Monday. “It is important to note that Phase 2 and 3 of the plan have not been solidified by site leadership yet and are still being decided upon,” stated Hancock. A presentation was made to the board by Director Jeff Lee of Navajo County Public Health Services who discussed the three benchmarks that the county is recommending be met prior to opening on-campus instruction. The three benchmarks counties must reach before reopening schools are: two weeks with fewer than 100 COVID cases per 100,000 people, two weeks with a percent positivity below 10 percent and two weeks with hospital visits due to COVID like illnesses below 10 percent. As of yet, the county has not met the second benchmark. In other business, the board: * Approved a contract with Unity Consulting, LLC for a human resources director. * Approved the hiring of Erin Gonzales, paraprofessional at Winslow Junior High School; Elaine Larsen and Ruth Smith, return to work retirees under ESI; and Robina Vaillanueva, high needs paraprofessional, Washington Elementary School. * Approved coaches and volunteers for Winslow Junior High School including Brian Wilcox, seventh grade girls softball coach; Chad Sullivan, seventh grade football coach; Dallas Jones, seventh grade assistant football coach; Megan Lymer, eighth grade girls softball coach; Christopher Garrett, eighth grade football coach; Anthony Reynoso, eighth grade assistant football coach; Sierra Wilcox, Harleigh Scott, Chloe Wilcox and Brooke Williams, softball volunteers; and Rod Sullivan and Michael Shumway, football volunteers. * Approved coaches for Winslow High School football including Brandon Guzman, varsity head coach; Devon Sawyer and Joe Larsen, varsity assistants; Stacey Berg, junior varsity head coach; and Drew Luzier, junior varsity assistant. * Approved WHS cross country coaches Janeen Barton, head coach; and Wilburt Barton, assistant. * Approved WHS volleyball coaches Julie Thomas, varsity head coach; Sarah Shumway, junior varsity coach; and Robina Villanueava, freshman coach. * Approved WHS spiritline/cheer coaches Jennifer Brown, head coach; and Debra Brown, assistant. * Approved WHS swim coaches Reese Chatwin, head coach; and Benjamin DelMar, assistant coach. * Approved WHS football volunteers Jordan Payne and Eric Leonard and spiritline/cheer volunteers Misty Sauceda, Jennifer Wilbanks and Nicole Guzman. * Approved the resignation of Curtis Gordon, English teacher at Winslow High School. * Approved extra duty stipends for Travis Dooley and Amber Martinez to perform duties as 504 coordinators for the district. * Heard a presentation by Miranda Hosteen of Chartwells who provided information on food service operations for the school year. *Approved Arizona School Boards Association policy service advisories pertaining to sexual harassment. * Approved Ty Hancock as a sole source provider for marketing and communications for WUSD.
