Smoke shuts down homecoming and athletic activities
Severe wildfires in North Bay have forced CVHS to shut down athletic and homecoming events due to poor air quality. School administrators canceled Friday’s homecoming parade and varsity football game. The assembly moved indoors to the Main Gym for the first time in more than 20 years.
The Olympian Media Empire will broadcast a live video from our Facebook page of the assembly in the main gym at 1 p.m.
“I know we worked hard getting ready for homecoming week, but our health is more important,” said social studies teacher Ian Rodriguez.
Among other sports events, administrators have cancelled both junior varsity and freshman football games, a cross country meet, and tennis matches. Practices for most sports teams have been cancelled all week.
“I think canceling the game was a good idea,” said junior varsity football player Major Green. “I’m sick right now and have an asthmatic cough, so all the smoke just makes it worse.”
Health teachers have passed out masks since Wednesday.
While many students and staff are disappointed about homecoming events, and concerned for their own health, many are grateful the fire has not affected Castro Valley with more than smoke.
Science teacher Ashmeet Sahni is organizing donations and relief supplies to deliver on Saturday, and has inspired other teachers to help. Social studies teacher Kathleen Cassidy collected $223 worth of student donations Thursday, which she plans to double with her own money, plus an extra $120 from staff. She spent all the money on supplies for fire victims.
“I am overwhelmed at the generosity of my students,” said Cassidy. “While it won’t put out any fires, I think people are looking for a way to feel useful when a tragedy hits so close to home.”
Principal Blaine Torpey also reminded CVHS families of “Trojan togetherness” in an email to parents Thursday evening.
“This year’s event will not be as big and brash as in the past but it will be great. It will be a symbol of our Trojan community and our community’s resilience,” said Torpey.
I know a lot of people where disappointed that we didn’t get to do a lot of the homecoming activities, but it was best for the students health. I didn’t come to school on friday because of how sick I had gotten, but everyone came together so nicely and I was able to watch the live stream at home with my mom. Everyone came together so nicely and didn’t complain, and that just shows how we all support one another.
I know everyone wants to be all positive about our senior year, but let’s be honest. This year’s seniors are losing a lot of the bang and thrill experiences in previous years. From the parking spots, to the senior picnic, and then with the cancellation of the homecoming game. I’ve said this a lot, but the CVUSD feels comfortable sending students to an outdoor campus school on a code red and orange day, but we can’t watch an assembly or have a parade. I’m not trying to shoot down the efforts of leadership because I know they’re working hard and got Senior grad night in Disney, but let’s look at all the facts.
The assembly turned out to be great and a lot more fun than we expected. I didn’t hear students complain about the activities being changed because it could be a lot worse.
I know that many people were disappointed in the fact that homecoming events were cancelled but I think that homecoming still turned out amazing. I am so proud of how CVHS handled this situation in a fast and appropriate manner. It is also so kind for students and staff to donate money to help victims of the fire.
I think that student involvement and donations for the victims of the fire is really cool, especially when it’s started up by a single class. It’s truly a shame that these fires have been happening but we can all come together and help.