Wheaton Academy coaches and athletic administration are working hard to promote the health and safety of our student-athletes. Over the last couple weeks, we have been required to modify our schedules to avoid conflicts with the IHSA and Governor’s guidelines. By following these guidelines, we look forward to offering athletic competitions to student-athletes throughout the year. We ask for your patience as we navigate these situations.
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Illinois High School Athletic Association (IHSA), along with the Governor, updated the guidelines twice within the last two weeks. They modified original restrictions that had been in place during the summer and classified sports within certain risk areas. These modifications allow some sports to move forward with limitations while other sports have been moved to different seasons. Additional adjustments necessitate the construction of new schedules due to modifications in capacity limits and travel outside the region. We are digesting and interpreting these changes as quickly as possible to provide guidance and schedules for all our student-athletes and families.
In considering ways Wheaton Academy will move forward with this guidance, we are preparing for games, matches, and meets. Our coaches are developing plans that focus on healthy activity and relationship building in these early season practices to prepare for the upcoming season.
We know that physical activity provides social, emotional, and physical benefits, and we hope that participation in Wheaton Academy programs provides spiritual and character growth benefits as well. The start of athletics on August 10, even in a restricted environment, allows us to provide those opportunities to our student-athletes as they engage with their coaches and teammates.
Wheaton Academy’s primary goal this fall is to safely open campus for in-person teaching and learning. While other aspects of the school experience such as athletics are important, decisions made surrounding these experiences will always be made to provide the best opportunity for students and teachers to be on campus.
The situation surrounding athletics is fluid at best, and many changes can occur throughout the school year. I have prepared a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) and answers based upon current information. Please join me in praying for our school, community, and leaders as we work together to navigate this time in our lives.
Brad Byrne
Wheaton Academy Athletic Director
Yesterday, the IHSA introduced their modified athletic schedule for the 2020-2021 school year to allow high school sports to happen as safely as possible. Under those guidelines, four of Wheaton Academy’s athletic programs are set to compete in the fall season. Cross country, boys golf, girls golf, and girls tennis are those sports able to begin as soon as August 10th.
In cautious consideration for the safety of our alumni and friends, all Homecoming 2020 events have been rescheduled to 2021.
Reunion classes for 2020 and 2021 will be honored at Homecoming 2021. Dr. Frost’s Celebration of Service will also be a part of the Homecoming 2021 events. As updates and details about Homecoming 2021 become available, they will be posted on the alumni platform, WA.360alumni.com.
Dear Wheaton Academy Parents,
It has been good to talk with some of you over the last several weeks as more of you and your kids have been coming to campus. As I have talked with you and watched things in our nation continue to churn, I have sensed the concern, frustration, and anxiety that many of us are facing. These are tough times. No matter who we listen to on the subject of COVID-19, it is clear that Americans are faced with a great deal of confusion and uncertainty regarding the best way to deal with the coronavirus. We hear a variety of theories about the way this virus spreads and the way we should respond. As of now, no one really seems to have the corner on this situation.
Such confusion is causing our nation to squirm, and tension is building as we approach the 2020-2021 school year. I trust that each of you reading this letter has cultivated a personal perspective on the best approach to take for the upcoming school year. I am quite certain that the opinions in our school community on the way to start the school year vary greatly. Thus, our greatest challenge in the months ahead will be to maintain a unified Wheaton Academy community, despite our differing opinions on the way to approach a school year that will not look exactly like what we have grown to expect.
Over the last week, I was reminded that in John 17 when Jesus prayed for His disciples and for all believers, He asked God three times in this one chapter for His people “to be one…so that they may be brought to complete unity.” He wanted them to be “one” so that the world would know of His love. Forces in our nation and world are not driving us to this type of unity. As our students begin school next month, we ask that you partner with us to promote the type of unity mentioned in Philippians 2:4—“not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.” If we do so, others will be drawn to what is different in our community—the love we have for others because of the love Christ has for us.
We know that this pandemic is not eternal, but in Christ, we are! We trust that our God will guide us through this school year as He has done for the nearly 167 years of Wheaton Academy’s existence. Will you please join me in praying for our school community as we make final preparations for the year? Be assured that we will do the same for your family.
We have prepared a plan to unite students, faculty, and staff on campus next month. Please read it over and feel free to contact me or any of our school leaders if you have further questions. We look forward to the year ahead as we nurture growth in students through relationships, excellence, and service to the glory of God.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Steve Bult
Head of School