How COVID-19 is impacting school-based extracurriculars, sports and their futures

Due to the recent pandemic, numerous school clubs, sports and school-wide events have all faced a great deal of challenges and repercussions including low attendance, decreasing participation and the inability to host in-person events and meetings

BY PENELOPE ACEVEDO, STAFF WRITER

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly altered the course of the school’s extracurricular activities and events given the restrictions placed on physical interactions. While some fall sports have managed to operate in-person under CDC regulated guidelines, all clubs are holding their monthly meetings and events virtually.

Many students depend on school clubs as a source of community service and personal growth. Therefore, club sponsors as well as student leaders are creating opportunities for engagement among members.

“We have been hosting interactive meetings where members can talk to officers on the board freely and include smaller Zooms so that we can have a more personal connection with our members,” junior Jasming Senel said.

To promote virtual participation, club leaders have worked together to find creative and entertaining activities for members. In doing so, some clubs have created Quizlet lives, online contests where people try and complete a series of questions in order to win a game against fellow club members. Key Club, in particular, is continuing to give community service hours through different opportunities such as making cards for veterans, as well as attending yoga sessions led by chemistry teacher Elizabeth Kiely.

“I would say the positives of running a club online is that it’s easier to keep events organized, as it is all online so you don’t have to worry about going anywhere,” sophomore Carla Nunez said. “The negatives however are that you can’t really meet as many people because it’s all limited on Zoom.

Due to the fact that students are both online and physical, most clubs are now pushing their start times to 4 p.m. to accommodate students who are attending school physically. This ensures that everyone can make it to club events on time. Clubs are also using Microsoft Teams to communicate with their members and disclose club meeting dates and community service opportunities. Along with that, almost all clubs have a form of social media accounts where they can promote their club and show off the benefits of being a part of that club.

With things online, it's more difficult because we're not able to talk to people more informally and without the whole group, senior Isabella Rodriguez said.

Unlike clubs receiving funding from their members, sports teams often rely on ticket sales to provide necessary funding for their respective teams. The limitations on in-person attendance at sports games restrict ticket sales and the future dealing with teams being able to afford new equipment. The athletic department is going to stream games for the students to watch instead. Additionally, due to low funding this year, parents will have to pay for equipment that would otherwise be covered by school funds. This can become a problem for low-income students.

“For the most part, participation has been equal to years past. Some students have elected not to participate, which has had a negative impact on the bowling team,” the school’s Athletic Director Louis Romero said. “Lack of participation for that particular sport has forced us not to participate this year as a school. We will see moving forward into the winter and spring.”

Strict guidelines are set in place for the students currently participating in fall sports. For the most part, these sports have been able to carry out their practices safely. However, one major concern is transportation, as the school district has limited how many students can ride together in one bus due to the pandemic. With only 24 students allowed on one bus, transportation poses a financial concern to the extracurriculars looking to travel, as funding has lowered.

Many school events are being compromised, including prom and the junior ring ceremony. Events like these would be difficult to do due to lack of space and CDC regulations.

“We just finished Senior Spirit Gear and we are planning a drive-thru pick up when the order arrives. We do not have anything planned for Prom, Gradbash and Graduation. I am also planning Bridge 4 Peace with IBHS,” senior class and IBHS sponsor Lauren Noval said.

Class events have been notably modified due to COVID-19. Furthermore, upcoming events will most likely be changed and impact students and teachers alike.

QUICK FACTS

15% decrease in fall football participation among students.

IBHS has modified their Zen garden activities to virtual Zen alternatives, like baking.

$20 is still the standard amount students are expected to pay for clubs that are hoping to still purchase and distribute club shirts.

Cheerleading members have gotten ill, so the team has implemented social distancing and safety protocols.

1 club, Speech and Debate, was forced to end after low enrollment.

35 clubs have had to turn to virtual meetings instead of physical.

90% of the bowling team’s participation has declined.