Athletic Department
Phone: 518-881-3516
Fax: 518-881-3507
Director of Athletics: Michaela McBride Miranda
Email: mcbridem@schenectady.k12.ny.us
Athletic Trainer: Samantha Scott
Email: scottsa@schenectady.k12.ny.us
The Schenectady Patriots compete as a Class AA school in Section II of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association. The Schenectady City School District believes that participation in athletics contributes to a well-rounded education, support students' classroom success and gives them skills and experiences that help them succeed in school and beyond.
Important Vaccine Information for Student Athletes
Winter and Spring Student-Athletes Must Be Vaccinated to Participate
At the board of education meeting on October 6, the board approved the requirement for athletes to
be vaccinated for participation in upcoming winter and spring sports. Vaccinations (both doses) must
be completed by November 14. (This does not apply to fall sports which are already underway.)
This was a difficult decision and came after much discussion, some debate, input from student-athletes and families and information from
Keith Brown, the interim public health director for Schenectady County. Dr. Carlos Cotto, assistant superintendent of innovation, equity
and engagement, presented an overview of the feedback he and Ms. Miranda, the director of athletics, received. This decision comes down to doing what is best for keeping kids healthy and safe and able to attend school.
As we explained at the board meeting and Mr. Brown reiterated, when an unvaccinated student is exposed to a person with COVID, he or
she is at higher risk and is required to quarantine for 10 days. There is no exception. There is no testing alternative or other means to
avoid quarantine. That means, not only do the unvaccinated student-athletes have to sit out of multiple practices and games each time
they are exposed, but they are also unable to attend school for the entire period. Unvaccinated players on our JV football team have been
quarantined three times, each in response to a single positive COVID case. There are currently 19 players who are under quarantine. The
players on the team who are vaccinated are not required to quarantine unless they exhibit symptoms.
Deciding to get the vaccination is a personal and family decision. Mr. Brown spoke about some of the reasons why families opt not to have
their 12 and older children vaccinated and urged everyone to get the facts by asking questions and learning about the vaccination. He
suggested talking to your doctor or a public health professional instead of getting information from social media. Mr. Brown also noted
that accessibility to the vaccine is sometimes an issue.
We, along with our partners at the department of health, are going to help with both. We will be holding an information session where
parents and students can learn about the vaccine and ask any questions. We will also be scheduling vaccination clinics for our student athletes, who decide and get parental permission to receive the vaccination. There is a tight deadline so we will be holding these events
very soon.
Again, any student who will be participating in winter or spring sports must be fully vaccinated
(both doses completed) by November 14, 2021. There is one approved vaccination for
those 12 and older. If we look at the timeline and required wait time between doses, it means athletes
must have:
• If getting the Moderna Vaccine (age 18+): At least one dose by October 17
• If gettering the Pfizer Vaccine (age 12+): At least one dose by October 24
• Moderna or Pfizer: The second dose by November 14
Your child’s coach will be discussing the vaccine requirement and upcoming events. We are
currently working with the Schenectady Department of Health to schedule the information session and
clinics. We will share that information as soon as possible
Winter Sport Registration is now open.
Click Family ID to sign-up.
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