Thursday, April 2nd, 2020 • 4:30 PM (PST)

Dear SoCal Elite Community,

Yesterday, Governor Newsom and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Thurmond announced that all California schools will remain closed to students through the end of the 2019-20 school year, as a result of increased COVID-19 cases throughout the state. The extension of school closures reaffirms the Governor’s previous statements and his intention to continue “stay at home” orders to protect the public health.

What this Means for SoCal Elite Sports

With classes and school facilities remaining closed – and the continually-evolving nature of the COVID-19 outbreak – we are disappointed to announce that the 2020 Basketball and Volleyball Spring Leagues have been cancelled. We will be reaching out to the parents of all players registered to discuss next steps.

The Academy will remain suspended until social distancing requirements subside and sports activities are allowed to resume. All Academy memberships are suspended indefinitely and members will be able to re-register once this crisis subsides.

SoCal Elite Basketball Academy at Home

In the meantime, SoCal Elite and its dedicated staff want to be here for you. To help young athletes stay active and keep their skills sharp, we are working to put together in-home workouts, drills, tutorials and more via digital platforms. All of that content will be found on the following page: Visit Here. (Please bookmark for your young athletes)

We will be providing basketball (beginner to advanced) drills that your kids can practice at home while maintaining social distancing. We will also be releasing workouts for you and your entire family. Our physical therapy doctor will be providing stretches, motions and activities to help keep the whole family loose and flexible.

For access, tune in and subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Instagram.

The Academy at Home

Discussing this News with Kids

Finally, although SoCal Elite, IUSD, TUSD and many in our community anticipated the possibility of this new announcement, it may be very disappointing and difficult to process for some. Please take a moment to discuss this news with your children and to listen and acknowledge how they are feeling. For information about mental health and wellness supports and resources, click here.

Thank you for your continued support and we hope that you stay safe and healthy.

SoCal Elite Sports

Wednesday, March 25th, 2020 • 11:00 AM (PST)

In recent weeks, the State of California escalated its efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19, through the executive order issued by Governor Gavin Newsom last Thursday, calling for California residents to stay at home, with exceptions for attending to essential needs. Over the weekend, a presidential Major Disaster Declaration also acknowledged the scope of this crisis and bolstered California’s emergency response efforts.

Locally, the Orange County Health Care Agency tightened restrictions on public and private gatherings last week and the Orange County Superintendent of Schools, Al Mijares, expressed his support for Orange County school districts to extend school closure dates. “Keeping children home from school is a drastic measure, one that shows how seriously health officials and educators are taking this public health threat,” said Mijares. “We must do our part now to flatten the curve.”

COVID-19 Case Counts and Testing Figures

Based on these conditions, directives and preventive measures, the Irvine Unified School District Board of Education and SoCal Elite Sports have extended the closure of schools and sports programs through Friday, May 1.

If we learn, prior to May 1st, that circumstances have changed and that we can safely reopen our schools, IUSD, TUSD and our dedicated staff will do so at our earliest opportunity. To that end, the District will continue to monitor closely the guidance from federal, state and local authorities and coordinate our actions and responses with expert health agencies and other OC school districts.

The Academy

The SoCal Elite Weekly Basketball Academy will be suspended until Monday, May 4th. All current memberships have been paused and will resume when our locations reopen. In the meantime, please visit our YouTube Channel for digital training, drills and workouts to stay active.

Basketball Spring League

The SoCal Elite Basketball Spring League has been postponed until Sunday, May 3rd. We will have more updates on scheduling as that date approaches. In the meantime, please visit our YouTube Channel for digital training, drills and workouts to stay active and to prepare for The League.

Volleyball Spring League

The SoCal Elite Volleyball Spring League has been postponed until Saturday, May 2nd. We will have more updates on scheduling as that date approaches. In the meantime, please visit our YouTube Channel for digital training, drills and workouts to stay active.

The Club

The SoCal Elite Club Basketball spring season has been suspended through Friday, May 1st. We will have more updates on scheduling as that date approaches. In the meantime, please visit our YouTube Channel for digital training, drills and workouts to stay active and keep your skills sharp.

Partnership with our Families

As we continue to navigate this dynamic and unprecedented time, our partnership remains critical. The information and resources included below are intended to help families ensure that students and athletes remain engaged, connected and supported. Please continue to monitor and review the online information, updates, and resources on the dedicated Coronavirus webpage at iusd.org/COVID19. SoCal Elite Sports has also launched a YouTube Channel to provide in-home training, drills, physical therapy and guidance for players and families.

Education and Services Continue

As previously communicated, education is considered an essential service under the Governor’s executive order, so IUSD and TUSD’s teachers, administrators, and staff remain engaged in maintaining district operations and continuity of learning for all students. Although school sites are closed to the public, facilities remain open to staff so that education, support, and other services can be provided.

Mental Health and Wellness Supports and Resources

The outbreak of COVID-19 can result in various forms of stress, especially for students who may be struggling to process all of the implications of this health challenge and the impact of social distancing. IUSD’s Prevention and Intervention team, as part of the District’s Speak Up We Care initiative, has developed resources that may be helpful for students and families. This includes information about available IUSD supports, how to talk with children and teens about COVID-19, community mental health providers and resources, maintaining a sense of connection, and other healthy practices. Our staff will continue to be actively engaged with students both academically and in support of social-emotional wellness. More than ever, it is critical that our students sustain a sense of hope, confidence, and optimism. Click here to learn more.

Looking Forward

On behalf of the entire SoCal Elite Sports team, we fully appreciate the impact this extraordinary situation is having on our students and families. We look forward to this crisis coming to an end and welcoming our athletes back to sports and training.  In the meantime, we will continue to communicate regularly and collaborate with school districts to ensure our programs only reopen under the correct health and safety precautions.

Thank you, again, for your patience and unparalleled support. We encourage you to consistently visit iusd.org/COVID19 and our news post for updates, resources, information, and frequently asked questions. We recognize the dynamic challenges this environment creates, so please reach out if there is anything the SoCal Elite team can do to better serve you.

With gratitude and respect,

SoCal Elite Sports

Friday, March 13th, 2020 • 4:00 PM (PST)

After working closely with the Irvine Unified School District (IUSD) and following their guidance, we regret to inform that The Academy has been suspended and ALL Academy locations will be CLOSED starting Saturday, March 14th. We plan to reopen The Academy on the same day as when IUSD reopens, which they anticipate to be April 6th.

We encourage everyone to do your part in slowing the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). As we gather more information, we will continue to provide updates on this post: https://socalelite.org/an-update-regarding-coronavirus-covid-19/

What happens next?

  1. Starting March 14th, all SoCal Elite Sports programs will be suspended, and all school locations will be closed.
  2. All Academy memberships have been paused immediately, and any unused visits from this period will be carried over and applied upon reopening.
  3. Please continue to check our website, IUSD, TUSD and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for updates.

Social Distancing Guidance

To effectively support social distancing, expert health agencies advise the closing of schools and afterschool programs. Students should stay home and minimize social contact as much as possible to keep caregivers and family members safe. While children haven’t been shown as a high-risk group for serious illness from this virus, these steps are critical in supporting public health and to ensure the virus is not transmitted to those most vulnerable.

Public health officials recommend that families make arrangements for childcare during school and after school hours that avoid leaving children with elderly people who are more vulnerable to the impact of the virus.

For more information, please visit IUSD’s COVID-19 Resource page: https://iusd.org/covid-19-resource-page

Thank you for your support and understanding during these times.

Sincerely,

SoCal Elite Sports

Friday, March 13th, 2020 • 10:00 AM (PST)

Hello Parents,

Like all of you, we have been closely monitoring the rapidly-evolving Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Our number one concern is the health and safety of our players, families, coaches and staff.

We have discussed with your Club coaches and team parents the best course of action in the coming weeks. With that in mind, effective immediately (March 13, 2020), is the following:

  1. SoCal Elite Club Basketball is suspending all tournament play. This pertains to all shoot-outs and tournaments. We will re-evaluate the situation around Easter Weekend.
  2. Practices will continue to be held as long as the local school districts remain open. We have spoken with the Irvine Unified School District (IUSD) at length to reconfirm that we are meeting the health and safety guidelines that IUSD has adopted to combat COVID-19. We ask that we all work to minimize the number of people in gyms and have parents drop off and pick up when possible.
  3. IUSD School Closure: In the instance IUSD school district closes, we will suspend all practices immediately.
  4. Paid Fees: Any tournaments or practices cancelled will be credited and used in future season(s).

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. Thank you again for your continued support as we cross these uncharted waters.

Thank you,

Patrick Lefler

Friday, March 13th, 2020 • 9:00 AM (PST)

After lengthy discussions between the SoCal Elite board of directors and the Irvine/Tustin Unified School Districts, we will be postponing the starts of the 2020 Basketball Spring League and 2020 Volleyball Spring League. At this time, our target date for these leagues to commence is the weekend of April 18th & 19th.

As long as local school districts are open, all SoCal Elite Weekly Basketball Academy locations will remain OPEN, and scheduled classes will continue until further notice. The 2020 Basketball Spring Break Camp is still scheduled for March 30th thru April 2nd at Northwood HS Gym. To minimize the number of people inside gymnasiums, we ask that parents please drop off and pick up their players outside of the gym locations when possible.

With the ever-evolving nature of this outbreak, we will do our best to remain in constant contact regarding updates to our programs.

Sincerely,

SoCal Elite Sports

Thursday, March 12th, 2020 • 2:30 PM (PST)

Due to recent developments related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, SoCal Elite Sports is following and implementing the newly-issued guidelines from Governor Newsom and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to postpone large gatherings that include 250 people, which includes this weekend’s Hoops Classic. The health and safety of our players, parents and staff is our top priority.

This is a rapidly-evolving situation, and we are communicating with local health authorities to evaluate options for our Basketball Spring League, Volleyball Spring League and Basketball Spring Break Camp – none of these events have been cancelled at this time, but postponements may/will be implemented soon. SoCal Elite’s board of directors is scheduled to meet this weekend to decide on next steps and an update will be posted no later than Wednesday.

All SoCal Elite Weekly Basketball Academy locations are OPEN, and scheduled classes will continue until further notice.

Thank you for your continued support as we navigate these uncertain times. We look forward to providing an update for you as soon as we can.

Sincerely,

SoCal Elite Sports

Tuesday, March 10th, 2020 • 9:00 AM (PST)

To our valued community members,

There is no higher priority to our entire SoCal Elite Family than the safety of our players, parents and staff. We are continuing to monitor updates on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak to stay on top of this evolving situation. According to the most recent information from the CDC, for most people, the immediate risk of being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to be low.

We want to assure you that SoCal Elite Sports, OC Youth Sports • Tournament of Champions, and all of our partners are following the lead of Irvine/Tustin Unified School Districts, the Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) and the Orange County Health Care Agency in response to the outbreak. The OC Health Care Agency shares the below information on their website:

  • Risk of infection to the public in Orange County is believed to be low.
  • At this time, there is no recommendation to cancel business or social events.
  • All residents should practice good health hygiene which includes washing your hands, staying home if you are sick, avoiding close contact with people who are sick and covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your sleeve (not hands).

Consistent with IUSD guidelines, we ask that parents keep their athletes home if they are sick.

Thank you for your patience and trust in SoCal Elite Sports. We are prepared to navigate through these challenging circumstances with your safety and confidence in SoCal Elite at the forefront of everything we do.

Please refer any concerns or questions to us here: Contact Us

For more information about Orange County Health Care Agency guidelines, visit: http://www.ochealthinfo.com/phs/about/epidasmt/epi/dip/prevention/novel_coronavirus

—

A message from Superintendent Terry Walker:

Dear IUSD Community,

The Irvine Unified School District (IUSD) continues to closely monitor new developments related to the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19), engage in preparedness planning and work with expert partner agencies. Please take a moment to read the following update.

IUSD has also developed a COVID-19 webpage, which has the latest news and information. Check this webpage regularly for new updates.

Updated CDC Self-Quarantine Guidelines

  • Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expanded the self-quarantine guidelines by asking travelers, who have returned from a country with widespread transmission (including China, Iran, Italy and South Korea) to stay home for 14 days from the time they left the affected area. For more information, visit cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/after-travel-precautions.html.
  • In accordance with California Department of Public Health (CDPH) guidelines, those who have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 should also be excluded from school for 14 days from the day of their last exposure.
  • It is IUSD’s expectation that students, staff and those visiting our campuses follow these guidelines to help protect the public health and prevent the spread of the virus. This includes spring break travel.
  • Students who meet this criteria for self-quarantine, should contact their school’s principal, who will work confidentially and collaboratively with families to support the continuation of instruction throughout this process.

IUSD Actions and Preparedness

  • Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA) has informed the community that the risk remains low for Orange County. However, as testing is more widely available, cases may increase, requiring school districts, municipalities, businesses and individuals to be prepared.
  • Since my last communication, District leadership and the appropriate staff have been participating in weekly conference calls led by the Orange County Health Care Agency for Orange County K-12 school districts to receive the most recent and relevant guidance for schools.
  • IUSD has increased hand sanitizer stations, illness prevention posters and reminders about proper hand washing throughout our campuses, in addition to increased custodial cleaning crews. While these measures already exist on our campuses, we want to reinforce and support good practices, which are key to preventing COVID-19 and other illnesses.
  • IUSD’s COVID-19 planning includes a wide range of options to safely provide instruction, including online and/or other distance learning options.
  • IUSD has developed a COVID-19 resource webpage at iusd.org/COVID19 that includes updates, frequently asked questions and other important information.
  • For questions about COVID-19 and related medical guidance; federal, state and county health guidelines; travel advisories; health screenings at U.S. ports of entry; quarantines and other government agency related questions, visit:

Field Trips and Questions about School Closures

  • IUSD continues to follow guidance from CDPH for public gatherings and community events. At this time, there are no recommendations from the CDPH for canceling school activities, including field trips, or closing schools in our area.

We’re in this Together

  • Students, staff and others visiting our schools and District facilities should stay home when sick and follow all expert agency guidelines.
  • Continue to follow and reinforce proper handwashing and other efforts to reduce the spread of illness, including sneezing or coughing into a tissue or elbow/upper arm, washing frequently touched surfaces, and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. Click here for IUSD health guidelines.
  • Please know that IUSD understands parent concerns and the anxiety this situation may cause for students and families. The District will continue to work closely with expert partner agencies and provide our community with accurate and timely information as this situation evolves.
  • I also ask that our community do its part to assess and evaluate information you may be hearing on social media or in the community. It is important for us to spread knowledge, not rumors. If you have question, please contact your school principal first.
  • Parents/guardians are encouraged to visit iusd.org/COVID19 for the latest news and information, including frequently asked questions. This site will be updated as the District has new and confirmed information from expert agencies.

By working together, we can support accurate information and help protect the public health of our community. Thank you for your partnership and support.

Sincerely,

​​​​​​​Terry Walker
Superintendent of Schools
Irvine Unified School District