As we work through Day 2 of the Pasco Teacher's strike, many are wondering how this will affect extracurricular activities such as dance, music and sports.

We talked with officials at the Pasco Administration office and learned that any activity that is led by a teacher is cancelled, as is school. However, the coaches and athletics are under a different contract that was set up with the Coaches Association, and football, volleyball, girls soccer, cross-country etc. will be played.

 Activities such as dance, drama, music or other 'after school' clubs etc are cancelled when school is cancelled, in this case, due to the strike. Teachers lead these activities.

This is a common practice, at least here in the Columbia Basin. Because most sporting events cannot be made up at later dates, the Districts and coaches (teachers) have set up separate contracts that govern athletics.  For example, Pasco and Chiawana could not make up their games Thursday and Friday because at the end of the regular season, schools go right into crossover games and playoffs. This system has been in place for a number of years.

Due to WIAA (Washington Interscholastic Association) rules, players in all sports can only play so many quarters, haves or minutes each week.  Playing two football games close together to make up a game, then crossover games vs the Greater Spokane League (or playoffs) in football, for example, would violate those rules.

It's the same basic idea that limits players who play Junior Varsity from playing too many minutes on Varsity each week.

So, Pasco will travel to Davis Thursday, and Chiawana will face off vs. Camas Friday night at Edgar Brown.  For a complete description of how athletics and other activities are handled, click here to see it on the Pasco School District Website.

We have reprinted some of the important points below:

"If school is closed extracurricular activities, such as music programs, will also be cancelled. Those activities are covered under the PAE teachers’ agreement.

 We know that athletics are important to our students, their families, and our community. And, unlike school days, athletic events and contests cannot be made up later. Athletic practices and games will continue under agreement with the coaches’ association. However, practice times and locations may change. Student athletes will be notified by their coaches of any schedule and location changes. Information regarding transportation will be provided at a later date."

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