WINAMAC – One week into the new school year, and Eastern Pulaski Community School Corporation has had to halt its sporting events.

“We had a positive test in our school and we’re doing some contact tracing,” said Athletic Director Bill Ball. “We’re taking precautions.”

That means all high school varsity teams, including football, volleyball, soccer, cross country, and girls golf, have been canceled. The middle school teams have not been affected.

The student who tested positive is an athlete, said Cody Hook, principal of Winamac Community High School. “There are a couple students in quarantine [for] 14 days. This was kind of a bummer. Those students … were involved in this school.”

Due to the positive tests, though, the first-year principal said some students have opted to switch to the online platform, which means that out of 370 high school students, approximately 40 are now virtual learners.

“It’s been a pretty active first couple of days,” said Hook, who taught seventh grade social studies for eight years at Winamac Community Middle School before accepting his new role. “But, I think it’s gone well. There have been no fight-backs regarding wearing masks. Students have been great. They’ve even wiped down the desks when asked. I think we’re getting into the new norm.”

Unfortunately, that new norm includes canceling events that many students enjoy being a part of during the school year.

“We have to be cautious. We have to keep coaches and athletes safe,” said Ball, adding that decisions will be made on a day-to-day or weekly basis. For now, most practices and all games will be suspended until Saturday.

The individual coaches will make the call about when to start practices, again, he said. For instance, cross country has the ability to take a longer break since the team’s next meet isn’t until the Caston invitational on Sept. 5.

Then, there’s the added factor of how – or if – games can be rescheduled. While some sports, such as volleyball, may have the option to reschedule a canceled game as long as the opponent agrees, football will not have that option.

Time limits for the football season are too tight, according to Ball. “I think most of the schools are going to go by however many games we can get in. Most won’t get in nine.”

And, of course, that brings up the other concern: how will conference titles be awarded, or will they? Ball said he is unsure how the schools will handle that situation. In the end, it’s a decision he believes the Indiana High School Athletic Association [IHSAA] would make. Overall, though, he said that “conferences are the least of our concern. We want our kids protected and safe.”

Hook agreed. “We have a big learning curve here. I’ve been impressed by the students and the staff. They have been flexible with everything. The parents have been open-minded and they’ve accepted and appreciated us being cautious.”

And, that will mean maintaining a close working relationship with the Pulaski County Health Department, said Superintendent Dara Chezem, who assumed the helm of the school corporation Jan. 1. So far, “everybody is taking it in stride,” she said of the recent situation. “We identified contact tracing and we will continue to work with the health department.”

While it has been a relatively smooth start to the new school year, Chezem said there will be cautionary steps going forward. “I’m pleased with how we handled our safety protocols. Families and the community have been very supportive.”

Calls to the IHSAA were not returned.