La Veta’s sports teams will be known as the Redhawks, starting with the 2021-22 school year.
The school district’s board of education voted in September to retire the previous mascot, the Redskins, following months of work and feedback. Then, on Dec. 14, the board voted to approve the Redhawks as the school’s new mascot.
The change coincides with La Veta’s new school building, which is set to open in the fall of 2021 in the south central part of the state.
The process of choose a new mascot involved “a committee of parents, alumni, students, and staff,” according to La Veta athletic director Chris Locke. This branding committee funneled feedback to the board of education.
An initial survey of new mascot options was sent to fifth graders through seniors in the district, and it offered eight choices in mascots, and also a spot for respondents to add their own option, according to board president Eleanor Foley.
“We favored Redhawks because red-tailed hawk is native to our area,” Foley said, “but waited to see what students would choose.”
That initial survey showed that Redhawks was the most popular choice, and was followed by Raptors, Bears and Red Wolves.
From there, a second survey was sent to students, parents and the community with those choices.
“Again, Redhawks was first, and Red Wolves was a distant second,” Foley said.
Further data, which included paper ballots as an option, was collected.
“All this was presented to school board and we honored the committee’s choice of Redhawks,” Foley said, noting that the vote was 3-2 in favor.
The process of rebranding is still on-going, including the development of a new logo. Foley said that the branding committee “will now begin meetings to help flesh out what images we will adopt.”
Call the toll-free National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL) at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The service is available to everyone. The deaf and hard of hearing can contact the Lifeline via TTY by dialing 711 then 1-800-273-8255. All calls are confidential. Dial 911 in an emergency.
All individuals may not exhibit every symptom
These symptoms may indicate depression, particularly when lasting for more than two weeks:
• Poor performance in school
• Withdrawal from friends and activities
• Sadness and hopelessness
• Lack of enthusiasm, energy or motivation
• Loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy
• Anger and rage
• Overreaction to criticism
• Feelings of being unable to satisfy ideals
• Poor self-esteem or guilt
• Indecision, lack of concentration or forgetfulness
• Restlessness or agitation
• Changes in eating or sleeping patterns
• Substance abuse
• Sexual promiscuity
• Risk-taking behaviors
• Problems with authority
• Suicidal thoughts or actions
TEEN SUICIDE WARNING SIGNS
• Suicide threats (direct and indirect)
• Obsession with death
• Poems, essays or drawings that refer to death
• Giving away belongings
• A sense of “hopelessness” and/or no
future vision
• Dramatic change in personality or appearance
• Irrational, bizarre behavior
• Overwhelming sense of guilt, shame or rejection
• Significantly changed eating patterns (including drastic weight gains or losses)
• Significantly changed sleeping patterns (especially contributing to school truancy)
• Severe drop in school performance or social interest
ANGER MANAGEMENT
This year has been like no other for students, athletes, coaches and parents. The many changes to school and athletics can understandably set off different emotions, including anger. Anger is a normal emotion which can range from mild irritability to rage. It can be caused by both external and internal events. You could be angry at a person (parent, coach, sibling), a situation (not getting to play in a game) or it could be caused by worry about personal problems. Anger can be a helpful emotion; it can give you a way to express negative feelings or motivate you to find solutions to problems. But excessive anger can cause problems, including difficulties with thinking, worsening performance and physical/mental health consequences. Here are a few tips to help with anger:
Be assertive: Learn how to make clear what your needs are, and how to get them met, without hurting others. Being assertive doesn’t mean being pushy or demanding; it means being respectful of yourself and others.
Be calm: Try a relaxation breath. STOP, breathe and then decide on your next step.
Use the AIMS app to learn tools such as deep breathing, muscle relaxation, thought stopping and time out.
If your child, teen or athlete appear to be struggling with symptoms of anger, stress, depression or anxiety, let them you know you are there to support them. Scheduling an appointment with their pediatrician or family doctor can be an important step to getting them the help they need. Students can also reach out to the Colorado Crisis Line and text or talk with a professional. Text “Talk” to 38255 or call 1-844-493-8255.
Information provided by: Alex J. Reed, PsyD, MPH Assistant Professor, University of Colorado School of Medicine
Following multiple meetings in the past week, including this weekend, CHSAA has secured variances from CDPHE and state officials which will allow all Season B sports and activities to begin practice on Jan. 18.
The following sports have been approved to start practice on Jan. 18: Ice hockey, skiing, girls swimming, wrestling, basketball, and competitive spirit. The approved calendar will be revised to begin competition on Jan. 25.
Originally, Season B was proposed to begin on Feb. 1. Through collaborative negotiations, the Jan. 18 start date aligns with Gov. Jared Polis’ announcement to prioritize in-person or hybrid learning models.
“For months, our office has been laser-focused on students and the safe resumption of high school sports and activities in 2021,” said CHSAA commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green. “The conversations with CDPHE and the Governor’s COVID Response Team to resume Season B sports have been intentional and assertive. Though it has taken many late nights and weekends, we are thrilled that our student-athletes, member schools and local school communities have a resolution. Educationally-based athletics are a vital extension of the classroom.”
The CHSAA administrative staff has planned a series of virtual meetings for athletic directors and coaches to provide details on the implementation of each sport. These meetings will begin on Jan. 4.
Under the current dial levels, CHSAA-sponsored events could not be conducted due to public health restrictions at the state level that limited the number of athletes to practice or compete in a facility. For example, the current guidelines only allow basketball to have 10 total individuals (including coaches, athletes, trainers, etc.) in a gym.
Therefore, variance approval from CDPHE and state officials were critical to begin any sport or activity. For example, the basketball variance will permit teams to have 24 players total, as well as coaches and trainers.
Approval of these variances allows for statewide consistency and sustainability of competition when diverse local health interpretations could restrict member participation regionally.
“We’re all in this together,” Blanford-Green said. “Our state officials, especially CDPHE, have a responsibility to prioritize student safety. We appreciate their support and advocacy for resuming athletics and activities for the state of Colorado in 2021.”
• A mismatch between water intake and body water loss
• Loss of greater than 2% of body weight
• Most athletes do not voluntarily drink adequate volumes to maintain hydration in practices/games
• Dehydration is impacted by the intensity of exercise, environment and availability of fluids
• Predisposes to heat illness
• Significantly impairs performance
• Knowledge does not always translate into behavior
• Assess level of distress/symptoms, consider removing from activity depending on the level of symptoms
• Rest the athlete and establish a rehydration plan to replenish lost fluids
• Water or sports drink may both be utilized to rehydrate the athlete
Prevention of Dehydration
• Water is something all young athletes need prior to exercise
• Develop a hydration strategy: drink before, during and after exercise. Hydration plans need to be individualized.
• Daily hydration habits are important for overall hydration status
• Monitor hydration by evaluating urine color
o A light color like lemonade indicates adequate hydration
o A darker color like apple juice indicates dehydration
• Fluid volumes needed to maintain hydration vary by size of the athlete, the athlete’s sweat rate, and the intensity of exercise
Coach Responsibility
• Educate athlete’s regarding the importance of hydration for safety and performance
• Allow easy access to fluids and schedule water breaks especially in the heat
• Monitor hydration status and player status when exercising in the heat
AVERAGE FLUID VOLUMES FOR ADOLESCENTS
Time
Fluids Consumed
4 hours before
16 fluid ounces of water (about 1 water bottle)
10-15 minutes before
8 fluid ounces of water
Every 15 minutes when exercising for < 1 hour
4 fluid ounces of water (2-3 large gulps)
Every 15 minutes when exercising vigorously for > 1 hour
4 fluid ounces of sports drink (2-3 large gulps)
Do not drink > 1 quart per hour during exercise
Young athletes should continue to hydrate 2-3 hours after event
Consume 20-24 fluid ounces (1 to 1 ½ water bottles) of water or sports drink for every pound lost during exercise
For complete CHSAA Hydration/Dehydration Protocols information, please click HERE.
We took to Instagram last week to ask students to send us any questions they had for our commissioner, Rhonda Blanford-Green. And those students sure delivered.
We fielded nearly 300 questions on that Instagram post and through our direct messages. We did our best to identify common questions, and ones that would be able to hit on multiple topics. As a result, we ended up with 20 questions, and we sat down with Blanford-Green to ask those questions.
The result is a conversation that spanned more than 40 minutes, and a wide range of topics.
Questions answered in the video:
“Delayed and cancelled are two different things, right? Doesn’t the CDPHE dictate if CHSAA delays sports?”
“When did CHSAA get word from the CDPHE that the season was going to be delayed?”
“What are variances from the state?”
“Why were the remaining seasons delayed, especially Season D?”
“Why was football allowed to finish its season, and these sports got delayed?”
“The letter from CDPHE mentioned indoor sports. How does that impact skiing?”
“Is there a possibility our season could be cancelled?”
“Does the CHSAA staff think that Season B will be the hardest to deal since many of the sports are going to be indoor and close contact?”
“Why is the delay being announced so early?”
“Why can there be club sports, and places around us can play indoor sports, but we can’t play a normal season?”
“Will counties in level red cause indoor sports to postpone until the level decreases?”
When will specifics on sports season be released?
“Why can college and professional athletes play without masks and we can’t even play at all?”
“How does it work if we graduate in May and track ends June 26?”
“If there is a vaccine developed, will there be fans allowed?”
“If schools don’t return to in-person learning, will sports be able to resume?”
“Why do the seasons overlap?”
“Why aren’t different sports getting looked at based on levels of risk?”
“Can you play two sports in the same season?”
“Why are you doing what you’re doing?”
“Has the waiver idea been put into any consideration?”
“What are your thoughts about the whole situation?”
As part of its continuing service to students, coaches, administrators and schools across Colorado, the CHSAA will hold three student-based mental health seminars December 15-17 to reinforce the successful initiatives already introduced by the Association in the past three years when students’ mental health concerns were initially prioritized and participation had not been disrupted.
With the continued challenges facing the state during the pandemic, the CHSAA is utilizing its resources to offer a series of live webinars offered directly to students, conducted by JC Pohl, award winning author and producer of “Teen Truth’ and Caleb Campbell, West Point graduate and Former Kansas City Chief Linebacker, nationally known for his work around student mental health and resilience.
The CHSAA Webinars titled “Taking Care of You, when Your World has been Turned Upside Down” are about providing students with strategies for self-care and ownership in their social, physical and mental well-being during these unprecedented times. This opportunity will be offered statewide at no-charge to all students.
The seminars will focus on student-participants, embracing their feelings and creating internal coping skills to deal with the disruptions to their education, interscholastic activities participation and overall life due to the pandemic.
“It has been nine months since the pandemic initially shut down schools, activities, and the traditional norms our students have known that have shaped their world. The on-going uncertainty of when things are going to return normal produces anxiety in us all but more so for our kids where disruptions have left them questioning their place and identity during the pandemic,” CHSAA Commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green said.
“We, as educational leaders, need to provide our students with coping strategies and resilience in navigating their current world that has been turned upside down by decisions out of their control as a result of the negative impacts of COVID-19,” Commissioner Blanford-Green said. “We are excited to offer this webinar series that complements our current mental health initiatives.”
Registration information will be forwarded to schools on Saturday to get students enrolled in these statewide self-care student-driven outreaches.
To ensure any student who wants to attend will be able to, three webinars will be offered: One on Tuesday (3:30-4:30 p.m.), another Wednesday (6:30-7:30 p.m.), and one on Thursday (3:30-4:30 p.m.). Each webinar is free.
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Webinar Speaker Bios
JC Pohl is an award-winning producer, nationally recognized speaker, and certified counselor who has reached over 10 million people with his efforts to build school culture and empower student voice. He has produced groundbreaking programs such as TEEN TRUTH and RISING UP, and award-winning content for companies such as Warner Brothers, ESPN, and Disney. He is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and can be reached on Facebook and LinkedIn or directly at www.jcpohl.com.
Caleb Campbell is a West Point graduate, former Army Officer and ex-NFL Linebacker. After a college football career at West Point full of accolades and awards, Caleb made history when he was selected by the Detroit Lions in the 2008 NFL Draft. Despite living out his childhood dream and having a life that many would envy, a day never went by where Caleb felt he’d found his place in this world. Having lived through rejection, depression, self medication, and thoughts of suicide, Caleb understands the pressures that today’s students are facing. He is a leading mental health advocate for teens and student athletes around the world, and has been serving as TEEN TRUTH’s #1 mental health speaker since 2018. To learn more or to watch his speaker reel visit teentruth.net/calebcampbell
The start of Season B sports has been delayed, following communication from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to the Colorado High School Activities Association late Sunday night.
This change also affects the planned start of Seasons C and D, which have also been delayed.
In a letter sent to CHSAA Commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green, CDPHE indicated that Season B would not be permitted to begin on Jan. 4, as had been scheduled on the CHSAA 2020-21 sports calendar. CDPHE further said that no variances will be given to CHSAA sports at this time.
In the letter, Jill Hunsaker Rye, Executive Director of the CDPHE wrote:
The COVID-19 pandemic has reached an all time high in terms of disease transmission both in Colorado and around the nation. The Colorado School of Public Health estimates that 1 in 40 Coloradans are currently infectious. Hospital admissions are steadily increasing, and the past six weeks have produced a significant increase in the number of deaths statewide. With the Thanksgiving holiday just behind us and the impending December holiday festivities, we are very concerned that the rate of transmission will continue to increase.
At this time, we do not have enough information about what disease incidence and hospitalization capacity will look like in January, and therefore are unable to make a determination regarding indoor high school athletics in Season B. Season B high school sports would operate based on the restrictions in the level of the Dial in the county in which the school resides. For counties in Level Red, this means no indoor group sports are authorized.
In addition, our top goal for the new year is to support a return to in-person learning. Season B sports are conducted mainly indoors during the colder months, which reduces the ability to assure social distancing. This in turn may further promote disease transmission at a time when we need to ensure that students and teachers are protected and that in-person learning is the highest priority.
We welcome an ongoing conversation regarding the indoor requests at a future date as more schools safely open their indoor facilities for students.
As a result, CHSAA is proposing a Feb. 1 start date for Season B. CHSAA, CDPHE and Gov. Jared Polis’ COVID Response Team, plan to meet again mid-January to continue the discussion around variances for Season B, and reassess COVID-19 data at that time. Variances will not be considered prior to that date.
Specifics for each sport will be communicated upon variance approval from the CDPHE.
County health department and school districts will determine open gym policies, per state guidance.
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Proposed CHSAA Calendar (subject to variance approval)
Season B
7 Weeks
Practice: January 25
Competition: February 1-March 20
Sports:
Boys & Girls Basketball
Boys & Girls Skiing
Boys & Girls Wrestling
Girls Swim & Dive
Ice Hockey
Spirit (Championship Weekend March 25-27)
Season C
7 Weeks
Practice: March 15
Competition: March 22-May 8
Sports:
Boys Soccer
Field Hockey
Girls Volleyball
Gymnastics
Unified Bowling
*Football (see dates below)
Season D
7 Weeks
Practice: May 3
Competition: May 10-June 26
Sports:
Baseball
Boys & Girls Lacrosse
Boys & Girls Track & Field
Boys Swim & Dive
Boys Volleyball
Girls Soccer
*Girls Golf (see dates below)
*Girls Tennis (see dates below)
More info
Football: 9 Weeks (same as Season A Football)
Practice: March 4
Competition: March 15-May 15
Girls Golf: 10 Weeks (same as boys golf)
Practice: April 19
Competition: April 19-June 22
Girls Tennis: 7 weeks (same as Season D sports and Boys Tennis)
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment announced late Wednesday night that while state football championships are still permitted to be held in Pueblo, no spectators will be allowed.
The games will continue to be held at CSU Pueblo from Dec. 3-5, and will not be moved to other sites, due to variances approved by CDPHE.
The full release from the CDPHE:
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment tonight announced greater restrictions to the approval for the state’s high school football championship games. These additional restrictions come as Pueblo County continues to have widespread transmission of COVID-19. Experts at the Colorado School of Public Health estimate that 1 in 29 people in Pueblo and surrounding areas are contagious with the virus. Much of the county is restricted by stringent capacity limits, as dictated in Level Red of the state’s dial.
New modifications to Pueblo County’s approval, which was originally approved on November 4, will disallow spectators. Attendance will now be limited solely to football teams, athletic staff, cheerleaders, band members, broadcast staff, and other essential personnel.
“We appreciate the ongoing partnership with the Colorado High School Activities Association as we navigate these tough times,” said Jill Hunsaker Ryan, Executive Director, CDPHE. “Early in the season, our organizations both agreed that additional safety measures like these might need to be taken, and now unfortunately we are there. These decisions aren’t made lightly, but they’re necessary.”
“Our administrators always advocate for the full high school experience and although disappointing, we support these tough decisions,” said CHSAA Commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green. “Season A football for 218 schools that competed this fall and approval of the culminating championships in these unprecedented and tumultuous times, would not have been possible without the support of CDPHE, state and county officials.”
CDPHE will continue to monitor the situation over the week. If conditions worsen, CDPHE may need to revisit the modified variance.
All championship games will be broadcast on the NFHS Network.
CDPHE executive director Jill Hunsaker Ryan sent the following letter on Wednesday to the Pueblo County Commissioners, and the county health department:
Dear Commissioners and Director Evetts:
Thank you for your continued partnership and diligence in managing the COVID-19 pandemic. In light of widespread transmission taking place in Pueblo County and throughout the state, I find it necessary to modify your November 4, 2020 variance approval to Public Health Order 20-36 Safer at Home (PHO 20-28). The Nov. 4 variance as granted was to host state football championship games at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl on the CSU Pueblo campus, from December 4-5, with modified capacity limits for fans in the stands.
As of November 22, 2020 at 5 p.m., Pueblo County entered COVID-19 Dial Level Red based on the county’s incidence rate and hospitalizations. This modified variance will allow the games to proceed, but with greater restrictions. Attendance at the 2020 Colorado High School Football championship will now be limited solely to football teams, athletic staff, cheerleaders, band members, broadcast staff, and other essential personnel as determined by CHSAA. CDPHE will continue to monitor the situation over the week. If conditions change, we may need to revisit the modified variance.
This decision is not made lightly. The culmination of playing in a championship game is an experience that young people may have only once in a lifetime. At the same time, we want to discourage travel to Pueblo County from around the state, which will necessitate lodging and other amenities. According to the Colorado School of Public Health, 1 in 29 residents of the south central area of Colorado, including Pueblo, are infected with the virus.
Thank you for your continuing efforts to ensure that Pueblo county residents are safe and healthy. Please let me know if I may be of assistance or answer any questions.
All seven classifications of the 2020 state football championship games will be held on the campus of CSU Pueblo as part of CHSAA’s Championship Weekend this December.
The CHSAA office and the Pueblo-based Friends of Football made the joint announcement of the games on Wednesday.
The event will mark the first time in the history of Colorado high school football that all seven classifications will play at the same site as part of Championship Weekend, which is slated for Dec. 3, 4 and 5 at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl.
“This is an opportunity to showcase all seven levels of football — from schools with 30 students to schools with more than 3,000 — on the same field on the same weekend,” said CHSAA assistant commissioner Adam Bright, who oversees football. “This will be a great culminating event to this football season.”
The historic combination of playing all seven classifications at one site will result in the following schedule:
The 6-man and 8-man games will be held on Thursday, Dec. 3, at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 4, will see the 2A and 4A games, at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
On Saturday, Dec. 5, the 1A, 3A and 5A games will be held at 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
With varying field dimensions, temporary goal posts and field paint will be used for the 6-man game, and 8-man will use the same temporary field paint.
The CHSAA Board of Directors unanimously approved the site move during a meeting on Tuesday evening.
“The unanimous vote speaks to our confidence in this plan,” said Troy Baker, the president of the CHSAA Board of Directors. “We are excited for Championship Weekend, and are celebrating the fact that the CHSAA staff has worked so tirelessly to put this plan together with the Friends of Football.”
CHSAA’s Season A began its championship season with golf in early October. Tennis, softball and cross country have all completed successful championship events.
“Our championship season started with golf, and then continued with tennis, softball, and cross country,” said CHSAA commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green. “For me, this is about a celebration of the athletes, coaches, athletic directors and parents in our school communities; our officials; and the CHSAA staff. Even in the midst of the pandemic, our Association has found a way to celebrate high school athletics and activities. We are looking forward to celebrating football as the culmination of Season A.
The relationship between CHSAA and Friends of Football began in 2018 when the groups combined to put on the 2A and 3A state football championships at CSU-Pueblo.
“I want to thank the Pueblo community, the leaders within the city, the leaders at CSU-Pueblo, and the Friends of Football for not only advocating for this event, but wanting this event,” Blanford-Green said. “Their work and their history has shown they want this event. It’s always great to host an event where you’re wanted. They did everything they could to make this happen.”
“Friends of Football and CSU Pueblo Athletics are very proud and excited to work through the challenges of 2020 for the benefit of student athletes from 6-man schools to 5A schools,” said Dan DeRose, president of the Friends of Football. “The Pueblo community will do all we can to make this a weekend that will never be forgotten.”
In order to be able to play the games in Pueblo, Friends of Football worked diligently with the Pueblo County Health Department, the Pueblo County Commissioners, and CSU Pueblo to create a variance in state health guidelines that was approved by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The variance allows for 1,400 fans per game, meaning roughly 15% of stadium capacity will be used.
Safety measures as part of the variance include:
Upon purchase of a ticket, contact information will be gathered to communicate safety measures, as well as for contact tracing purposes, if necessary.
Seven entrances will be used.
Fans will have color-coded tickets, which will help direct them where to go.
Seven entrances will be used, with touchless ticket taking.
Groups have designated parking areas, as well as their own restrooms and concessions.
Masks will be mandatory.
Pods will be separated in different seating areas, and spaced six feet apart to maintain social distancing in any direction with neighboring pods.
The stadium will be cleared between each game.
The state football playoffs begin next week. State playoff brackets will be posted on CHSAANow.com on Sunday.
HYDRATION/DEHYDRATION