Mr. Bonacorsi, Monta Vista’s athletic director, has sent the following email to every Spring athlete and parent registered on Home Campus…I have copied the message below. Here are a few key points:
- There are some pretty simple requirements for earning PE credit…much easier than what regular track would have entailed. The kids that have been following the suggested workouts so far have knocked the requirements set by Mr. Bonacorsi out in one day! So this is pretty straightforward for all of you that are trying to earn PE credit this season.
- If you don’t fill out the Google form by Friday, you will be dropped from the roster and not earn PE credit.
- Before school attendance and athletics was put on hold, there are some athletes that had already lost PE credit for track and field, because they had already missed more than five practices or chose not to compete or help at RustBuster. These athletes will not be earning PE credit. You should know from the sign up sheet the last week but you can check with me if you would like.
- Mr Bonacorsi mentioned to me that some people did not submit the correct email addresses on Home Campus, so the message he sent bounced back. I have the same email addresses, so I am posting this announcement here–every athlete knows about mvrunning so you can check here too. Please don’t tell Mr. Bonacorsi ‘I did not know!’, we have done everything we can to keep you updated on what you need to do in order to earn PE credit!
Some Observations From Your Coach
Today we had news that could is discouraging. First, I think we all received the announcement that the school closing would be extended to May 1. Second, we got this announcement from Mr. Bonacorsi, which certainly could be interpreted as an admission that we might not be getting back together as a team soon, so administration is thinking about what to do about PE credit. Central Coast Section management is still working on options for how to resume track and field as well as other spring sports (“So you are saying, there’s a chance!”) but I do understand that an athlete might feel that it is very unlikely that the season will resume. That is a valid feeling and reasonable assumption.
But. That realistic belief is not a reason to stop training. At least I don’t think so. Your other coaches don’t think so. Here are some of my thoughts, in no particular order:
- Being healthy is smart right now. Having a strong, active body strengthens our immune systems. I don’t think I need to talk about why a strong immune system is important.
- Related to that–your coaches are still exercising as much as they can, and we don’t have any events on the horizon! You can choose to be healthy.
- One of the hard things about social distancing is social disconnection. So, going out and training while knowing that your teammates are also exercising on their own, preserves that connection. Even if you are running alone, or in your room doing core alone, you are part of a team and you can embrace that connection. Call each other before you start or end a workout. I understand that Vivian C and Ananya organize app-linked workouts. There are lots of ways for you to take advantage of our team to help you stay close to your teammates. Your team can help you to stay connected and positive.
- If you find that a league finals that may not happen does not motivate you at all…let’s change your goals. You can work on a build up for the Fall XC season. You can work on preparation for next year’s track season. You can train to run 50 miles in a week for the first time in your life. Whatever! These all can overlap (and if CCS does figure something out and we do get to come back and have a league meet, you will still be ready to represent). If intellectually you want to keep training hard, but emotionally you are finding this hard to deal with, talk to your coaches and let’s see if we can find a lever to motivate you to get out and work hard.
I am never happier than when I’m pounding out 50 miles a week and feeling fast and strong. I would like you to have that feeling, too!
Team, I can’t tell you how much I miss you. There are athletes I wanted to see every day as we pursued big podium goals, athletes that were chasing PRs, and athletes I just wanted to get to know better. As a coach, you never know when there is going to be a memorable moment; not just a league or CCS finals, but also the surprising moments in the middle of a practice when a athlete looks at you all steely-eyed and says, ‘making the varsity relay team is goal one’. A lot has been taken away from us. We don’t have to let it all go.
Get in touch with me any time if I can help.
Message From Mr. Bonacorsi To Spring Athletes Regarding PE Credit
As a participant in the Spring Athletics season, you were enrolled in PE Athletics credit (elective credit for 9th graders). With the postponement of athletics, you will have the opportunity to earn PE credit (or elective credit for 9th graders) if you would like to remain enrolled in PE Athletics. To earn credit, you will have to:
— Exercise at least 90 minutes to 2 hours per week. You will be receiving more details on the types of exercises you can choose to stay within the directives provided by the County Health Department.
— Report that exercise in a Weekly Exercise Log. (This log will be shared with you later this week.)
— Submit your log every Friday, which will serve to verify class attendance and credit throughout the remainder of this school closure.
— If you successfully complete the exercise requirements, you will receive 5 credits of “PE Athletics” (or elective credit for 9th graders). Your sport will no longer be listed on the transcript** for this Spring semester.
**Should this emergency school closure be lifted and the Spring sports season resume, we will reinstate your Team Sport on your schedule and transcript, provided that you have successfully kept up with your exercise logs during the duration of the school closure.
Link to form: https://forms.gle/JTDBainMpU8n
Other points to note:
1. If you opt out and school resumes, you can rejoin your sport BUT you will not earn any credit on your transcript.
2. The CCS has not yet set a date for anything to resume as of this email.
3. If you were not rostered, this is not something you can add now.
4. If you received this email, but do not have PE Athletics on your IC or School loop, email me right away.
Thanks everyone! We are working hard to try and manage these difficult times.
Stay active,
Nick Bonacorsi
Athletic Director
History Teacher
Monta Vista High School
Cupertino, CA