Updated Jan. 13 at 1:13 p.m.
After being on a pandemic-induced hiatus since Dec. 23, Boston Public Schools athletics teams will be able to resume practice Tuesday, with the possibility of competition starting back up later this month.
Superintendent Brenda Cassellius made the announcement Wednesday during a district school committee meeting which came after a notification late on Sunday that BPS athletics would not resume as scheduled on Jan. 10.
Speaking at the meeting, Casseillius said she had heard and read several messages relaying how important athletics was to students’ health. While health officials remain concerned about the coronavirus being spread among athletes, Cassellius said, they also recognized the balance needed to provide for students' well-being.
"And if the [COVID-19] numbers begin to decline, we can resume to competition on the 24th," she said. "However, all students must consent to twice-weekly testing in order to do so. This is a new policy and we are in the process of securing these tests so that our students may resume their activities."
The move comes as public pressure was starting to mount for athletics to resume as they have in other towns and leagues in and around Boston.
James Tobin, a senior co-captain for Boston Latin Academy's boys' hockey team, started a change.org petition in opposition to the postponement that received more than 2,000 signatures.
While Tobin is happy Boston Public Schools determined a date for when winter sports can restart, he said Jan. 24 leaves little time left in the regular season. He wants an earlier start.
"I just think it's frustrating that people [at other schools] are able to play when we aren't, even though we are following the exact same guidelines — and maybe even more strict guidelines than they are right now," he said.
Boston City Councilor At-Large Erin Murphy put out a statement Wendesday supporting the calls for sports to resume in BPS. She told GBH News part of the concern she heard from members of the community was why Boston Public School athletes couldn't play when students at Catholic schools in the city and neighboring towns were still going forward with sports.
"Because obviously we need to put the health and wellness of our children first, we need to follow CDC guidelines, but if all the other towns and sports organizations are following that and continuing to play, then 'Why are we not?' is what we're hearing," she said.
BPS athletes calling for the postponement to end planned a rally for Thursday at Boston City Hall. Tobin said despite the announcement, that plan is still on. GBH News received notice on Wednesday evening that the rally was put on hold.
"I'm just gonna keep fighting, I want to make sure that we can play games as soon as possible," Tobin said. "I don't want to start playing games again on the 24th because that would just be really hectic for every program."
Update: Thursday’s rally was put on hold after this story was published.
