Athletics
Basketball Update – January 18, 2022
While the official basketball season has been postponed, we are starting a Basketball Skills Development Program starting January 18, 2022, in the Eckstein gym for our basketball teams. This will focus on individual player skills and be run by our basketball coaches. All players and coaches must wear masks and be 6 feet apart at all times. With these adjustments, no testing will be necessary. Here is the schedule for this program:
Girls Basketball: Tuesdays and Thursdays
4:00 – 5:00 PM Varsity and JV
5:00 – 6:00 PM JVC
Boys Basketball:
JVC + ½ of JV
Mondays: 4:15 – 5:45 PM
Wednesdays: 3:15 – 4:45 PM
Varsity + ½ of JV
Mondays: 5:45 – 7:30 PM
Wednesdays: 4:45 – 6:30 PM
Basketball Update – January 4, 2022
At this time, the Seattle School District is postponing the start of middle school basketball. The decision was impacted by the following:
- A significant rise of COVID-19 cases – Just prior to winter break, we experienced a significant rise in reported cases. The rise was so significant the our district’s tracing team could not keep up with the reported cases.
- Increased testing requirements – As the Department of Health (DOH) learned about the increasing cases, they implemented further precautions and are now requiring all participants, coaches, and team personnel to be tested 3 times per week.
- Lack of staffing and financial resources to operate and fully comply with the guidelines and protocols – The impact of the new DOH testing requirement placed a significant strain our ability to safely offer middle sports at this time.
The athletic department will explore options on rescheduling our basketball season later this year. Our intent is providing this activity when we can fully comply with DOH and school district requirements.
We appreciate your understanding as we continue to navigate our way through this pandemic.
COVID TESTING CONSENT FORM (PDF)
COVID Testing Information Sheet
Winter COVID Testing Family Letter
SPS Athletic Forms
Here are some required forms that need to be submitted in order to be cleared to turn out for any Eckstein sports this year. They include:
*Physical form (to be completed and signed by a doctor) – these are good for two years from the date of the exam
*Concussion/Cardiac Arrest Form
*Athletic Registration Form
*COVID Waiver
*COVID Screener
COVID TESTING CONSENT FORM (PDF)
COVID Testing Information Sheet
Winter COVID Testing Family Letter
Find all the forms on the SPS Website: https://www.seattleschools.org/departments/athletics/forms/middle-school-forms/
Note the two additional COVID forms required for students to participate!
Once complete, you can email a scan/photo of them to Mary Williams at mpwilliams@seattleschools.org or drop off the hard copies into the front office of Eckstein when the building re-opens.
ATHLETIC COVID INFORMATION
IMPORTANT COVID-19 GUIDELINES (PLEASE READ!) >>
*In addition to completing the two required COVID forms, all athletes will go through a check-in process prior to each practice and game which includes getting a touchless temperature reading and responding to a short attestation.
*All athletes and coaches are required to wear face masks when arriving at all practices and games. Face masks may be removed when players are actively engaged in athletic activity, but must be worn at all other times (on the sideline, while waiting in a cue, etc.).
*All athletic equipment will be cleaned and disinfected before each practice and game.
*Athletes need to bring their own water bottles (no sharing!) and practice social distancing. If practice jerseys are used, they may not be shared.
*Students cannot go back into the school building after exiting for practices. Coaches will have an area for players to keep their personal items stored during practice. The porta potty located outside the portable classrooms is to be used for restroom breaks. Hand sanitizer will be available at every practice and in the porta potty.
**In the case that a player has a temperature above 100 degrees or does not pass the attestation, families will be called to come pick up their child. While waiting, the player will remain in an area separate from the other players but close enough to the team event that the coach can supervise him/her/them.
We are excited to resume our athletic program safely!
Fall Sports (Sept – Dec)
Girls’ Soccer
Our amazing girls varsity soccer players won the 2021-2022 Metro Championship after defeating two formidable teams in one day! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
Co-Ed Frisbee
Congratulations to the 8th grade varsity ultimate team for winning the 2021-2022 middle school championship in the top division for the first time in 16 years! They beat Hamilton 11 to 3, capping off a dominating season of play.
The 7th grade team had a super exciting game with a Universe Point win over Salmon Bay. This made them the champions in the B Division! All of our players were in attendance and put forth a great effort! What a great way to end the season!
The Eckstein 6th grade teams played each other in their final game for third place in their division. Both teams played a hard fought game in the rain. The Golden Eagles ended up winning by 1 point.
All of the ultimate Frisbee players have had an outstanding season, have shown excellent sportsmanship, and have represented our school with enthusiasm and poise! We are proud of you!
Winter Sports (Dec – Feb)
Boys & Girls Basketball
Girls Basketball Parent/Guardian Virtual Meeting: November 23, 2021 @ 6pm (on Zoom)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6356678618?pwd=WFRKV2V3Uk8vd0krRTVWUUw0b2p0Zz09
GIRLS BASKETBALL TRYOUTS
Players must have a completed physical on file and they must submit a COVID Testing Consent or Proof of vaccination prior to trying out.
Tuesday, Nov. 30th – 6th graders 4:00-5:30 PM
Wednesday, Dec. 1st – 8th graders 5:30-7:30 PM ( We’d like you to stay for the entire 2 hours)
Wednesday, Dec. 1st – 7th graders (and 6th graders by invite) 6:30-7:30 PM
Thursday, Dec. 2nd – 6th and 7th graders (and 8th graders by invite) 4 – 5:30 PM
All players will be emailed Thursday evening with the results.
Friday – 8th grade players who made the team meet during homeroom in P5
*Practices for girls teams will start on Tuesday, Dec. 7th
Head Coach: Lisa Barnett – lmbarnett@seattleschools.org
We will do our best to keep as many girls as possible on a team, but this is a cut sport, and this year, we anticipate a high interest level.
- Please send a message to lmbarnett@seattleschools.org to get on our distribution list for updates about the season and pre-season meetings.
GIRLS BASKETBALL PRACTICE SCHEDULE
(starting December 7th)
Tuesdays/Thursdays:
4:00 – 5:30PM Varsity/JV
5:30 – 6:00PM Optional Skills Clinic
6:00 – 7:00PM JVC
Fridays:
4:00 – 5:00 – Entire girls program will have skill development program.
BOYS BASKETBALL TRYOUTS:
All boys interested in trying out need to arrive 30 minutes before tryouts and go straight to the cafeteria to speak to coaches, complete attestations and get tryout numbers.
Players must have a completed physical on file and they must submit a COVID Testing Consent or Proof of vaccination prior to trying out.
Tuesday, Nov. 30th: 5:45 PM – 7:30 PM (6th-8th Grade)
Wednesday, Dec. 1st: 3:30 PM – 5:15 PM (6th-8th Grade) 1st cuts
Thursday, Dec. 2nd: 5:45 PM – 7:30 PM (6th-8th Grade) 2nd cuts
Friday, Dec. 3rd: 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM – (Call backs & final cuts)
List will be posted across from the front office on Monday morning.
BOYS BASKETBALL PRACTICES
(starting December 6th)
Mondays:
4:00-5:30PM – JV Boys
4:45-6:15PM – JVC Boys
5:45-7:30PM – Varsity Boys
Wednesdays
3:00-4:45 PM – JV Boys
4:30-6 PM – JVC Boys
5:45-7:3 0PM – Varsity Boys
Fridays
5:15-6:30 – Entire boys program 6th-8th will have skill development training with coaches from all 3 teams. It is not mandatory, but highly recommended.
*Practices for boys will start on Monday, Dec. 6th.
Head Coach: Stuart Michie – stuart@1on1basketball.com
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Spring Sports (Mar – May)
Boys’ Soccer
Co-ed Track
Girls’ Volleyball
Co-ed Unified Soccer
Special Olympics Unified Sports® is an inclusive sports program that combines an approximately equal number of Special Olympics athletes (individuals with intellectual disabilities) and partners (individuals without intellectual disabilities) on teams for training and competition. Team sports are about having fun, promoting physical health and bringing people together. Special Olympics Unified Sports® teams do all of that – and shatter stereotypes about intellectual disabilities in the process. Unified Sports is now offered throughout the world and has been a Special Olympics internationally sanctioned program since 1989.
** All games and meets are on Saturdays**
THERE IS NO TRANSPORTATION PROVIDED AFTER PRACTICES AND GAMES FOR THE SEASON
If this is your first Eckstein sport THIS YEAR – Complete ALL parts of ALL forms before turning this completed packet into the main office. The packet must include clearance by a doctor on pages 3-5 of the Athletic Registration & Physical Form. If you have a current physical on file from a previous year (physical date must be within the last two calendar years), but you have NOT turned in athletic forms for another sport THIS YEAR – Complete ALL parts of ALL forms, except pages 4-6 of the Athletic Registration & Physical Form . Please write “Physical on File” on pages 4-6 of that form.
If you have already been cleared for another school sport THIS YEAR and there are current forms on file at Eckstein already (including a physical completed within the last two years), you only need to complete the first 2 pages of the packet: PARENT/GUARDIAN RELEASE FORM – BASKETBALL SAFETY GUIDELINES.
Students are not permitted to participate in tryouts or practices until ALL forms have been submitted and a current physical is on file at Eckstein Middle School. If you have questions about athletic forms, please contact Mary Williams at mpwilliams@seattleschools.org or 206-252-5010.
Athletic Coordinator: Mary Williams mpwilliams@seattleschools.org
Sport Forms
Access the following Athletics forms on the SPS district website.
- COVID Disclosure & Release Form
- COVID Screening Form
- Athletic Registration
- Athletic Physical Form
- Sport Specific Guardian Release & Warning Forms:
- Basketball
- Soccer
- Track & Field
- Ultimate Frisbee
- Volleyball
- Concussion & Sudden Cardiac Arrest Forms
- Sudden Cardiac Arrest & Concussion Acknowledgement form (download and sign)
- Concussion Information Sheet
- Sudden Cardiac Arrest Information Sheet
Students will not be cleared to participate in any tryouts, practices or competitions until all forms have been completed and approved by the Athletic Coordinator.
Participation in athletics in Seattle Public Schools requires updated forms and registration each academic year and students must have a signed physician’s physical every twenty-four months (two calendar years) on file with the school’s Athletic Coordinator. Forms can be printed by clicking the links above and hard copies of the forms are available in Eckstein’s the main office.
Weekly Grade Reports
All Eckstein student athletes must turn in a Weekly Grade Report no later than each Wednesday to be eligible to play in that Saturday’s game .
Middle school athletics are supported by levy funding that is tied to academics, so this procedure is a requirement for all SPS athletes in all sports.
Students need to print out their current grades from The Source. The must turn in this printed sheet to the main office by the end of the day each Wednesday. We encourage parents/guardians to remind your child about the requirement, too.
The Athletic Coordinator provides the coaches with a “Cleared to Play” list each Thursday based on the completed grade reports and SPS does not permit late additions to the team rosters once they arecompleted.
Players will NOT be eligible to play in a Sat game if they have not turned in an SPS Weekly Grade Report by the Wed deadline for that week.