Week of October 25-31, 2026 |
Cooler weather means fall sports are underway at Peninsula School District's middle and high schools. Teams are practicing, competing, and building toward the end of the season.
Fall athletes typically compete in sports such as football, soccer, volleyball, cross country, swimming, tennis, and water polo. Each team brings its own rhythm. Cross country runners train on early-morning courses, volleyball and soccer teams work through league schedules, and football players prepare for Friday night lights.
For middle school students, this season is often a first taste of organized sports. Coaches focus on learning the basics, trying something new, and having fun with teammates. For high school athletes, the focus shifts toward league standings and the postseason.
What to watch for in the coming weeks:
- League play wrapping up and playoff berths being decided
- District and state tournament pairings
- Senior nights honoring graduating athletes
- Winter sports sign-ups, which will open soon
- Middle School Wrestling begins November 2nd
How you can help: Come to a game, cheer for students from every school, and thank the coaches, officials, and volunteers who make each event happen. Student-athletes notice when their community shows up.
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A concussion is a brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body. It can happen in any sport, and it doesn't require being knocked out. Recognizing it early protects a student's health.
Common signs and symptoms:
• Headache or pressure in the head
• Dizziness, balance problems, or blurred vision
• Nausea or vomiting
• Confusion, memory trouble, or feeling "foggy"
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Unusual irritability, sadness, or sleep changes
Washington's Lystedt Law sets clear rules. Any athlete suspected of having a concussion must be removed from play immediately. The athlete cannot return to practice or competition until a licensed health care provider trained in concussion management gives written clearance.
Return-to-play typically follows gradual steps:
1. Rest, with symptoms improving
2. Light activity, such as walking
3. Sport-specific exercise
4. Non-contact practice drills
5. Full-contact practice
6. Return to competition
Students move to the next step only if they have no symptoms. Schoolwork matters too. A student recovering may need temporary adjustments in the classroom, so talk with teachers and counselors.
Parents and coaches: When in doubt, sit them out. Don't pressure an athlete to return early. A second injury before healing can be far more serious.
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Every Friday night, practice, and meet comes with a quiet promise: if something goes wrong, someone trained to help is nearby. At our high schools, that someone is a certified athletic trainer.
We are fortunate to contract with ProSport Sports Medicine of Gig Harbor, and get Andrew Free, Megan Smart (GHHS) and Chelsea Espenberg (PHS) serving as our Athletic Trainers.
Why we have them
Athletics are a big part of student life, and injuries happen. Athletic trainers are health care professionals who specialize in preventing, recognizing, and managing injuries, so decisions about a student's health are made by someone with the right training, not guesswork on the sideline.
What they do
• Provide on-site care at practices and games
• Assess injuries and decide when an athlete can safely keep playing
• Support concussion recognition and the return-to-play process
• Guide rehab so athletes recover fully
• Help with prevention, such as taping, warm-ups, and conditioning tips
• Connect families with physicians or therapists when more care is needed
Why it matters
Having trainers close at hand means faster response, better communication with coaches and families, and a safer path back to the field. Their goal is simple: keep students healthy, in the game, and thriving in school.
If you see them on the sideline, say hello and thank them.
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Behind every game, meet, and match at Gig Harbor High School and Peninsula High School, is one of our athletic directors. Our long-serving director at Peninsula High is Ross Filkins and we recently welcomed Jordan Halstead to Gig Harbor High. They rarely make the highlight reel, but our programs run because of them.
Athletic directors and their support staff handle the details that make competition possible. They build schedules, arrange officials and transportation, and manage facilities, budgets, and event staffing. They make sure coaches are hired, trained, and supported, and that athletes meet eligibility and safety requirements. They are also the link between schools, leagues, and the state athletic association, and they are often the first call when a family has a question or a problem comes up.
Just as important, athletic directors set the tone for our programs. They hold teams to high standards of sportsmanship, work to keep opportunities fair and open to every student, and make sure athletics support what happens in the classroom. When a team has a great season, the athletic director helped build the foundation. When something goes wrong, they work to fix it quickly and keep students safe.
The next time you enjoy a game under the lights, take a moment to thank your school's athletic director.
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The Peninsula School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. If you have questions or complaints regarding alleged discrimination, please call the Peninsula School District Educational Service Center at (253) 530-1000 or visit our office located at 14015 62nd Ave NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98332, and ask for one of the following coordinators: Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator, compliance@psd401.net; Title IX Compliance Coordinator, titleix@psd401.net; 504 Compliance Coordinator, 504@psd401.net; ADA Compliance Coordinator, ada@psd401.net. |
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