We have space for polly Hockey We can start this Saturday. Please let me know your interest and or if you can make it this Saturday. This sport requires everyone to wear helmet so I have to make sure I have helmet for those that need them. Please tell me if you can make it to practice and if you need a helmet. I expect this team to be very young.. Many of our members are playing adaptive sports with there schools that have played before. Below is our schedule Saturday December 31 at10:00 to 11:00 Saturday January 7 at10:00 to 11:00 Saturday January 14 at10:00 to 11:00 Saturday January 21 at10:00 to 11:00 Saturday January 28th metro regional poly hockey at Breck School Golden Valley Saturday February 4 at10:00 to 11:00 Saturday February 11 at 10:00 to 11:00 Saturday February 18 at10:00 to 11:00 Saturday February 25 at10:00 to 11:00 State poly Hockey March 4 and 5th stillwater High school Location Christian heritage Academy 7320 175th street West Lakefield Minnesota Please let me know if anyone has questions.

, I hope everyone has been well. It's been a slow start to getting back to activities in the last 9 months of being shut down from activities due to the covid pandemic. I find SOMN to be conservative in action to allow activities. I am guessing they find covid to be a high risk for their organization and most of all to our athletes that often have compromised autoimmune concerns.Last spring the gave us a suggestion stop of practice activities. I stopped us for two weeks. This was the hardest thing to see both for me and my son. I know there are several members that are not ready to be involved in sports activities. That is completely fine as we all are trying to do what we think is best at this time. Right now SOMN has us under a stoppage for in person practices I would like to hope that this is lifted soon as it sounds that covid cases have decreased recently. I am looking forward to returning to in person practices once SOMN gives us the green light to do so. My main purpose of this message is to hear how many are interested in doing Poly hockey this season? For those of you that are new to the team poly hockey is named after the kind of stick that is used. But basically it is floor hocky. This is a non unifed sports but all unifed are encouraged to come help out with coaching. Clay helped me start up this team 4 years ago when SOMN moved swimming and basketball to a later season. At this time he is stepping down as lead coach as his life has become busy with both of his sons are now busy in school sports teams. I too have moved my son to adaptive sports as now he is in high school. I know a big proportion of our poly Hockey team is moving on to adaptive sports in their middle or high school teams. This would be the Dakota Hawks or wild cat teams. I need to know who is interested in poly hockey and I need a new lead coach. I feel like this is a start of a new team. One day I hope to have an adult team. We just have to wait until everyone gets older. I just do not know if we have enough adults who could make up an adult team. Consider that this is a beginer team unless we have more that show up from previous years. I am willing to help out when I can help any new coach learn the ropes. I would like to hope we still have a team but having a coach is key to the process. Clay is willing to support any lead coach. As I told him many years ago sometimes it take a parent to get things going. Please reach out to friends or other families members who may be willing to coach for the team. If anyone one has questions please let me know. Bonnie Pautsch-Dyakin Tiger's Head of Delegation

I have figured out Bocce practice. What could change as time moves forward is location or time of practice. We currently have practice up at Eagan Quarry Park as this location has 2 bocce courts that are relatively new. I learned that Lakeville Park and Rec has created two bocce courts at one of their parks. They are brand new clay bocce courts. I am beyond excited to use these new clay courts but since Lakeville just built them we are in negotiations to figure out how to rent this space. What I do like about Quarry Park is they have lights so no matter when the sun goes down we can have that court lit. I will want to know what everyone thinks about bocce courts and locations and time of practice. I expect we will have to trim back practice time come September as it gets pretty dark by that time of year. Below is our schedule . Please let me know if you are planning on coming out to practice as I will want to know who to expect and if I have enough equipment. Also if you plan on participating and you can not come to one practice please email me or send me a text message. I do not want to drive up to the park to find out that no one can make it. Location: Quarry Park 3340 Coachman Road Eagan , MN. Schedule: July 15. 7:30 -8:30 Quarry Park July 23 7:30 -8:30 Quarry Park July 30 7:307:30 -8:30 Quarry Park -8:30 Quarry Park August 5 7:30 -8:30 Quarry Park August 8th in person event at the west St Paul Dome. times will be determined. Required to attend if wanting to attend State event. August 12. 7:30 -8:30 Quarry Park August 19 7:30 -8:30 Quarry Park August 26 7:30 -8:30 Quarry Park September 2 7:30 -8:30 location to be determined September 9 7:30 -8:30 location to be determined September 16. 7:30 -8:30 location to be determined September 23 7:30 - 8:30 location to determined September 25 State event Health east Sports Center In person events As far as I know SOMN will have both AREA and State events for Bocce. SOMN is slowly starting to open up to more competive events. We ar planning on doing flagootball and they are planning a AREA and State events for flagfootball. SOMN are still REQUIRING mask wearing for indoor practices and they are suggested for outdoor practice or games. If you have not filled out a COVID waiver FORM this will also have to be done before attending practice. Please let me know if you have questions. Bonnie Pautsch-Dyakin Tigers Head of Delegation 952 393-4505

Hi All , I will cut and paste the response form SOMN but the quick summary is that SOMN would suggest we continue to suspend in person practices as case counts have not gone down below 50 in Dakota county. I know other delegations are holding as well. Overall I struggle with not having some in person practices but this also puts many of our members who are under age to get a vaccine. I know there are only a handful of members who have been able to get a vaccine. I know that there is a mental health impact of staying isolated for so long as I know I see this in my own children. SOMN has not had any cases in practices anywhere in Minnesota and I really do not know if I want to be that team that got it. If we had a case of covid we would be shut down for two week. I need to hear from all of you if we were to open practices if you would come or not come. Coach Jeff is willing to practice if we have enough people to do so. We will do what we can to keep everyone safe and keep practices small as we can .I need to consider who would show up to practice and if we still have a need of two practices as this depend on who is willing to take the risk no matter if you personally feel that this is a big risk or not. Bonnie Pautsch-Dyakin Tiger's Head of Delegation Just an update for this week that currently your county case rate is 57.89. Based on our updated protocol, Special Olympics Minnesota recommends that delegations in this county suspend in-person practices. However we will leave it up to each delegation to decide if they can continue to safely hold practice. If you do decide to suspend practice, just let me know. Thanks! Katie Anderson Senior Manager of Program Administration Special Olympics Minnesota 900 2nd Ave S, Suite 300 Minneapolis, MN 55402 katie.anderson@somn.org Main Office: 612-333-0999 Phone: 763-270-7183 Fax: 612-333-8782 Facebook | Instagram | Twitter somn.org

Hi All, Just a reminder that we have practice tomorrow. I will include our schedule below. I urgently need what every athlete that wants to do for AREA in person events to indicate what events they want to do. If you want to attend the other location that is fine too but I need to know. Below is a link to the in person skill events for basketball. I know a few of you have already indicated what you want to do. I will confirm with everyone at practice tomorrow. My deadline for this event is tomorrow night. https://services.specialolympicsminnesota.org/ April 10: Basketball skills in Hastings – registration closes this Sunday, March 28 April 18: Basketball skills in St. Michael/Albertville – registration closes Sunday, April 4 Individual skills with 10 meter dribble Individual skills with speed dribble All-Star skills This is currently my roster Coaches Jeff Seyfert Caleb Garvin Practice 1 Colin Colman Anthony Dyakin Parker Justice Alex Capatani Michael Field Mathew Isaak Cavyon Cahak David Ford Unified Henry Steinginger Practice 2 Jacob Coffman Joseph Coffman Owen Specht Andrew Nathe Megan Blackmore Miller Hertaus Unified Joe Seyfert Dan Coffman If anyone has questions let me know. See you tomorrow otherwise. I can't wait to play basketball. Feel free to text me if you like 952 393-4595 Bonnie Pautsch-Dyakin Tiger's South Metro Communities Head of Delegation

Hi All I have practice set up much like we had emailed before. I added names to both practices. I just got information from SOMN on Friday that starting in April (so not our first practice) they will allow more in the practice space so this will allow parents to come and watch. SOMN is required if parents want to watch they need to be a level 1 coach and complete and covid training before they are allowed to come in and watch. We will have a limit of 25 in the room Please let me know if this is what you want to do and I will send you the training that is on line. Location Christian Heritage Academy 7320 175th Street West Lakeville MN 55044 March 28 Practice 1 - noon to 12:55 Practice 2 1:05 to 2:00. April 10 Area skills event at Hastings April 11 Practice 1 - noon to 12:55 Practice 2 1:05 to 2:00. April 18 Practice 1 - noon to 12:55 Practice 2 1:05 to 2:00. April 25 Practice 1 - noon to 12:55 Practice 2 1:05 to 2:00. May 2 Practice 1 - noon to 12:55 Practice 2 1:05 to 2:00. May 9 Practice 1 - noon to 12:55 Practice 2 1:05 to 2:00. May 16 Practice 1 - noon to 12:55 Practice 2 1:05 to 2:00. May 23 Practice 1 - noon to 12:55 Practice 2 1:05 to 2:00. skip May 30 June 6 Practice 1 - noon to 12:55 Practice 2 1:05 to 2:00. June 13 Practice 1 - noon to 12:55 Practice 2 1:05 to 2:00. June 20 Practice 1 - noon to 12:55 Practice 2 1:05 to 2:00. June 27 Practice 1 - noon to 12:55 Practice 2 1:05 to 2:00. This is currently my roster Coaches Jeff Seyfert Caleb Garvi Practice 1 Cavyan Cahak Anthony Dyakin Parker Justice Colin Colman Alex Capatani Michael Field Mathew Isaak Unified Henry Steinginger Practice 2 Jacob Coffman Joseph Coffman Owen Specht Andrew Nathe Megan Blackmore Miller Hertaus Colin Colman Unified Joe Seyfert Dan Coffman Our AREA in person event is April 10. I will have to know if your athlete will want to attend this skill event so please respond as soon as you can so you can add them to this event. Please note this skill event will not be like any other basketball skills event we have been part of before. There will be no spectators or large groups allowed. https://specialolympicsminnesota.org/event/basketball-skills-invitational-hastings/ Let me know if you have further questions. Bonnie Pautsch-Dyakin Tigers South Metro communities Head of Delegation

We have space for poly hockey. After some negotiation he got the price down in 1/2 of what they originally stated to us. Roster Clay Johnson coach Rick Capitani coach Caleb Garvin coach Cavyn Cahak Alex Capitani Anthony Dyakin Colin Colman Myles Johnson Parker Justice Andrew Nathe Locations is Christin Heritage Academy 7320 175th St W, Lakeville, MN 55044 Sundays of March 7, 14, and 21 from 2p - 3p. Please let me know if you can not make it to practice. Please bring your helmet and a mask. If you need a helmet let me know. I think I may have two in my house someplace.

Hi all The reason I am reaching out to all of you is I need clear rosters for up coming activities. I realize this will be a big change for our team but coaches and I will be helping SOMN trace covid case if they happen to show up on our team. I also need to register every athlete and coach so that SOMN know who is showing up for practice. This is the reason why we need to have rosters that have who is attending. We need to keep groups to 10 or under in any practice with mask on and social distancing as much as we can. I will list what we have coming up below and if you are interested please let me know. If everyone can give me best time available such as weekend or during the week night practices. If you are a maybe that is fine too. I have an idea who will show up to activities but I am guessing. I could get it wrong. I have talked to several coaches and I know there intentions. snowshoeing weekend time poly hockey practice Hope field house weekend time ice fishing with Rochelle weekend few events Basketball start mid/late march Gymnastics Late March early April Our team has elected not to do swimming this year as coach Christin has moved away from the area. I am super sad about losing Christin as coach but excited for her start a new life with her husband. A larger problem is even if we could find a coach I am uncomfortable with the support we need to have in the pool with unmasked athletes. I do not feel it is safe for us to start this sport up this spring. We have a strong swim team and I will fight hard to keep this program rolling. I just feel that it is unsafe to start at this time. I have no idea how to maintain this program with covid looming large right now. I will make it clear that all Athletes and coaches need to complete the on line covid protocol on line (https://specialolympicsminnesota.org/return-to-play/covid-19-training-waiver/) and have all medicals up to date. I also stress the need of masks at this time. I had a few of you reach out to me that you have a individual that can not be masks. At this time SOMN will not allow anyone to be unmask for any reason during practice. I would suggest standing out until the over all Covid climate gets better. At practice players need to bring their own water bottles. Parents are not allowed to watch unless the covid protocol has been completed and their name ins listed on the roster. I can not stress how difficult it is for our team to go though these changes. I am very use to our team very relaxed about when and who shows up to practice. This is no longer a luxury we can tolerate right now. The positive side is at least our coaches will have clear rosters and be able to plan for those that can show up to practice. Having a clear roster has been a problem for a team as it grows. I struggle with not being able to tell the coach who to expect. It will be a norm going forward. If the athlete or unified member is not listed on the roster they will not be allowed to play. Another hard concept for our team is there will be no in person events this year for the sports I listed above. There will be a skills event for basketball but no games or scrimmages. This will also affect what everyone will decide to do . I can only hope that covid with improve and hopefully go back to normal for the summer and fall. Please let me know if you have any questions as we slowly start going back to in person activities.

Hi All, I hope everyone has been well. I miss everyone during these very long months apart. I look forward to getting us back together again soon. I felt it was time to tell you what is going on with SOMN right now. We currently still can not play any scrimmages or big Area or State events. Team practices need to be kept below 10 people. That 10 people also includes coaches and unified members. Parents will not be allowed to watch the practice if they are held in doors as this will mean less athletes can attend the practices. Those that are participating in any activities need to wear masks at all times and try to keep 6ft apart when possible. Please read though the the return to play for more detial infomation https://specialolympicsminnesota.org/return-to-play/requirements-for-delegations-to-return-to-play/ Please note on this same page it is a waiver form that will need to be completed in order to return to play by anyone including coaches and untitled members. If you think that you might want to return to play please fill out that form. I would suggest if you think that retuning to play for spring sports is on the horizon I would still fill out this form. I believe it will be required as long a Covid is a risk. Here is a link to make that eaiser https://specialolympicsminnesota.org/return-to-play/covid-19-training-waiver/ We have a few coaches that are interested in doing some activities in person such as some poly hockey and snowshoeing. Snowshoeing will depend on the fact if I can get equipment. If you are interested in any of these things please let me know. I hope to learn about spring sports later this week which will include basketball, swimming and gymnastics. Going forward there will have to be excellent communication between parents/ family and coaches and Head of Delegation (HOD) to who will be coming to practices. Just showing up to practices will not be allowed. I have to know who is coming so that we have the right number of partpates to coaches including not exceeding 10 people per practice. The number of people allowed in practices can change over time depending on case counts in our county. We will have to take all precautions to ensure everyone's safety. Only those that have completed the covid return to play waiver and have completed up to date forms can return to play. There will be no exceptions . I know many of these new precossions are not for everyone and for various reasons many of our athletes or coaches will choose to not return to play but for those of you who want perhaps we can start slowly and in small groups. Please feel free to ask more questions. I hope to learn more about spring sports later in the week. It has been hard to be apart.

Hi All I have started up Zoom meeting with Sarah Lee's help . You need to register for this event. Sarah is our Area manager. This is scheduled October 7th at 11:00. I need feedback so if you would rather see a different time or day we can change this going forward. I also need fee back about whatever want to do on zoom. We can do fit programs, or games such as bingo. This zoom is only for our team. This sould only take 30-40 minutes. We are just dong a into for the first time so we can work out what we want to do going forward. This is for all team members including coaches and unified members. Please feel free to join. I do not know what to expect but feel free to give it a try. Bonnie Pautsch-Dyakin Tiger's Head of Delegation (952) 393-4595 ……………………………………………………………………………………. Hi there, You are invited to a Zoom meeting. When: Oct 7, 2020 11:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada) Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIqcumvrToqG9MPkTMNgPPGZAFVDvOouEwS After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Sarah Lee Program Manager – Area 12 Special Olympics Minnesota 900 2nd Ave S #300, Minneapolis, MN 55402 sarah.lee@somn.org Direct Telephone: 763-270-7175 Fax: 612-333-8782 Website: somn.org

i All! I am sure you all are just waiting to return to the team. We all are itching to get back together. This time apart has not been easy on anyone. Unfortunately Special Olympics Minnesota (SOMN) has been taking their play book from the national Special Olympics which means everything is on hold right now. As a result SOMN has a laundry list of procedures and requirements in order to practice back in person. This is not our team at this time. We have too many high risk people on our team. I will include myself in that risk group. As it stands now I am unable to coach under what is required by SOMN. Obviously that makes it a bit harder for coaches too. We have been told that SOMN is planning 3 months in advance of starting up expected practices. The next sport I expect to to hear about is poly hockey but frankly I am not holding my breath that we will start. Either way I should be hearing about poly hockey soon. I am keeping my fingers crossed for spring sports that would happen beginning of March for gymnastics, basketball and swimming. I would expect to hear from SOMN by mid January. As you all know I said bocce and bowling had scratched there is no in person events so this means NO bowling competitions. As I said above all coaches are not allowed to coach either. But SOMN is allowing bowling as an individual activity Starting October 5 to November 15 There is not a plan for any awards, just an opportunity to get out of the house and bowl. This is still fluid as SOMN could be sending out ribbons to HOD's to hand out to team members.This also mean you need to email or text me your bowling scores if athlete or unified participate. If anyone has a perfect game (300) it needs to be on video and sent to me . You are welcome to bowl at your favorite location and pay for it yourself. The other option is you can go to Farmington Bowl during the times we are allowed to attend. All members need to be masked when walking into the bowling alley but they do not need to wear it during bowling. I have set up bowling by family groups Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. from noon to 3:30. THERE WILL BE NO COACHES AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT members Now if there is a family that needs to have later time then what I have arranged please reach out to me. I expect ALL members that want to participate have to respond to me for the 1 hour slot. That means you maintain that one hour slot and there is no coming on a different day. If you show up at a different time you will not be allowed to bowl. This is an agreement I have made with Farmington Bowling. Plus in the past we had a lot of bowlers and I want to make sure we can get everyone in that wants to do this. If you are choosing to bowl during this time and location it is free . Our team will pay for your bowling. I expect unified family members and athletes would bowl together. I know there are several family members that bowl or do activities with their athletes. This is about being active and as safe as possible. This is why we are doing middle of the afternoon bowling when there are less people in the bowling alley. I do not want to overlap with the leagues that they have going on too. Please respond to this email with or on the website for the time you want to participate and how many in your group. Below is the date and times Location: Farmington Bowl 27 5th Street Farmington, MN 55024 Monday (stating October 12 to November 9th) Wednesday (starting October 7th to november 11) noon- 1:00 noon- 1;00 01:00-2:00 1:00-2:00 2:00- 300 2:00-3:00 Thruday (starting october 8th to November 12) noon-1;00 1:00-2:00 2:00 -3:00 I know that it looks like there are not a lot of slots but there are several lanes. Plus I do not know what everyone's availability will be and everyone has a different comfort level when it comes to covid 19. I know that leagues start by 5:00pm so it will be extremely hard to get a spot after that time. Please if someone is sick please do not come. We want to keep everyone healthy. Let me know if anyone has more questions. Bonnie Pautsch-Dyakin Tiger's Head of Delegation

Hi All! I am sure you all are just waiting to return to the team. We all are itching to get back together. This time apart has not been easy on anyone. Unfortunately Special Olympics Minnesota (SOMN) has been taking their play book from the national Special Olympics which means everything is on hold right now. As a result SOMN has a laundry list of procedures and requirements in order to practice back in person. This is not our team at this time. We have too many high risk people on our team. I will include myself in that risk group. As it stands now I am unable to coach under what is required by SOMN. Obviously that makes it a bit harder for coaches too. We have been told that SOMN is planning 3 months in advance of starting up expected practices. The next sport I expect to to hear about is poly hockey but frankly I am not holding my breath that we will start. Either way I should be hearing about poly hockey soon. I am keeping my fingers crossed for spring sports that would happen beginning of March for gymnastics, basketball and swimming. I would expect to hear from SOMN by mid January. As you all know I said bocce and bowling had scratched there is no in person events so this means NO bowling competitions. As I said above all coaches are not allowed to coach either. But SOMN is allowing bowling as an individual activity Starting October 5 to November 15 There is not a plan for any awards, just an opportunity to get out of the house and bowl. This is still fluid as SOMN could be sending out ribbons to HOD's to hand out to team members.This also mean you need to email or text me your bowling scores if athlete or unified participate. If anyone has a perfect game (300) it needs to be on video and sent to me . You are welcome to bowl at your favorite location and pay for it yourself. The other option is you can go to Farmington Bowl during the times we are allowed to attend. All members need to be masked when walking into the bowling alley but they do not need to wear it during bowling. I have set up bowling by family groups Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. from noon to 3:30. THERE WILL BE NO COACHES AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT members Now if there is a family that needs to have later time then what I have arranged please reach out to me. I expect ALL members that want to participate have to respond to me for the 1 hour slot. That means you maintain that one hour slot and there is no coming on a different day. If you show up at a different time you will not be allowed to bowl. This is an agreement I have made with Farmington Bowling. Plus in the past we had a lot of bowlers and I want to make sure we can get everyone in that wants to do this. If you are choosing to bowl during this time and location it is free . Our team will pay for your bowling. I expect unified family members and athletes would bowl together. I know there are several family members that bowl or do activities with their athletes. This is about being active and as safe as possible. This is why we are doing middle of the afternoon bowling when there are less people in the bowling alley. I do not want to overlap with the leagues that they have going on too. Please respond to this email with or on the website for the time you want to participate and how many in your group. Below is the date and times Location: Farmington Bowl 27 5th Street Farmington, MN 55024 Monday (stating October 12 to November 9th) Wednesday (starting October 7th to november 11) noon- 1:00 noon- 1;00 01:00-2:00 1:00-2:00 2:00- 300 2:00-3:00 Thruday (starting october 8th to November 12) noon-1;00 1:00-2:00 2:00 -3:00 I know that it looks like there are not a lot of slots but there are several lanes. Plus I do not know what everyone's availability will be and everyone has a different comfort level when it comes to covid 19. I know that leagues start by 5:00pm so it will be extremely hard to get a spot after that time. Please if someone is sick please do not come. We want to keep everyone healthy. Let me know if anyone has more questions. Bonnie Pautsch-Dyakin Tiger's Head of Delegation

This came from our Area manager Sarah. I am beyond sad but feel it is the best options at this time. Hello SOMN Community, Hello SOMN Community, We miss you! These past five months have been tough for all of us. Special Olympics practices and competitions not only bring an athletic outlet, they bring joy. We wish we could be with you in person; however, we know we all play an important role in keeping our communities safe and healthy. Return to Play We are continuing to consult with Special Olympics International, the CDC, and the Minnesota Department of Health to develop a safe Return to Play protocol. As you can imagine, this is a complicated process because we are all experiencing the situation for the first time. The safety of our athletes and our entire community remains our top priority. At this time, we are working directly with heads of delegations to further develop these plans so when we are able to return, we can do so safely and equitably. 2020 Flag Football and Bowling Update Keeping in line with Special Olympics International guidelines, we have canceled the 2020 in-person competitions as we know them for Flag Football and Bowling. We are developing alternative activities for these sports. We will have updates on Flag Football in mid-August and updates on bowling in mid-September. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we all get through this together. Until we can be together again in person, we hope you continue to engage with us online through programs like SO Together and SOMN @ Home. Important Team Information Inboxx Sarah Lee via sominnesota.onmicrosoft.com 1:22 PM (22 minutes ago) to Hey Coach! I hope this email finds you well. I just wanted to fill you in on the information below. This message will also be communicated in our Program E-blast later today. Please let me know if you have any questions! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hello SOMN Community, We miss you! These past five months have been tough for all of us. Special Olympics practices and competitions not only bring an athletic outlet, they bring joy. We wish we could be with you in person; however, we know we all play an important role in keeping our communities safe and healthy. Return to Play We are continuing to consult with Special Olympics International, the CDC, and the Minnesota Department of Health to develop a safe Return to Play protocol. As you can imagine, this is a complicated process because we are all experiencing the situation for the first time. The safety of our athletes and our entire community remains our top priority. At this time, we are working directly with heads of delegations to further develop these plans so when we are able to return, we can do so safely and equitably. 2020 Flag Football and Bowling Update Keeping in line with Special Olympics International guidelines, we have canceled the 2020 in-person competitions as we know them for Flag Football and Bowling. We are developing alternative activities for these sports. We will have updates on Flag Football in mid-August and updates on bowling in mid-September. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we all get through this together. Until we can be together again in person, we hope you continue to engage with us online through programs like SO Together and SOMN @ Home. Sarah Le to Hey Coach! I hope this email finds you well. I just wanted to fill you in on the information below. This message will also be communicated in our Program E-blast later today. Please let me know if you have any questions! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hello SOMN Community, We miss you! These past five months have been tough for all of us. Special Olympics practices and competitions not only bring an athletic outlet, they bring joy. We wish we could be with you in person; however, we know we all play an important role in keeping our communities safe and healthy. Return to Play We are continuing to consult with Special Olympics International, the CDC, and the Minnesota Department of Health to develop a safe Return to Play protocol. As you can imagine, this is a complicated process because we are all experiencing the situation for the first time. The safety of our athletes and our entire community remains our top priority. At this time, we are working directly with heads of delegations to further develop these plans so when we are able to return, we can do so safely and equitably. 2020 Flag Football and Bowling Update Keeping in line with Special Olympics International guidelines, we have canceled the 2020 in-person competitions as we know them for Flag Football and Bowling. We are developing alternative activities for these sports. We will have updates on Flag Football in mid-August and updates on bowling in mid-September. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we all get through this together. Until we can be together again in person, we hope you continue to engage with us online through programs like SO Together and SOMN @ Home. We miss you! These past five months have been tough for all of us. Special Olympics practices and competitions not only bring an athletic outlet, they bring joy. We wish we could be with you in person; however, we know we all play an important role in keeping our communities safe and healthy. Return to Play We are continuing to consult with Special Olympics International, the CDC, and the Minnesota Department of Health to develop a safe Return to Play protocol. As you can imagine, this is a complicated process because we are all experiencing the situation for the first time. The safety of our athletes and our entire community remains our top priority. At this time, we are working directly with heads of delegations to further develop these plans so when we are able to return, we can do so safely and equitably. 2020 Flag Football and Bowling Update Keeping in line with Special Olympics International guidelines, we have canceled the 2020 in-person competitions as we know them for Flag Football and Bowling. We are developing alternative activities for these sports. We will have updates on Flag Football in mid-August and updates on bowling in mid-September. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we all get through this together. Until we can be together again in person, we hope you continue to engage with us online through programs like SO Together and SOMN @ Home. ey Coach! I ello SOMN Community, We miss you! These past five months have been tough for all of us. Special Olympics practices and competitions not only bring an athletic outlet, they bring joy. We wish we could be with you in person; however, we know we all play an important role in keeping our communities safe and healthy. Return to Play We are continuing to consult with Special Olympics International, the CDC, and the Minnesota Department of Health to develop a safe Return to Play protocol. As you can imagine, this is a complicated process because we are all experiencing the situation for the first time. The safety of our athletes and our entire community remains our top priority. At this time, we are working directly with heads of delegations to further develop these plans so when we are able to return, we can do so safely and equitably. 2020 Flag Football and Bowling Update Keeping in line with Special Olympics International guidelines, we have canceled the 2020 in-person competitions as we know them for Flag Football and Bowling. We are developing alternative activities for these sports. We will have updates on Flag Football in mid-August and updates on bowling in mid-September. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we all get through this together. Until we can be together again in person, we hope you continue to engage with us online through programs like SO Together and SOMN @ Home. hope this email finds you well. I just wanted to fill you in on the information below. This message will also be communicated in our Program E-blast later today. Please let me know if you have any questions! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hello SOMN Community, We miss you! These past five months have been tough for all of us. Special Olympics practices and competitions not only bring an athletic outlet, they bring joy. We wish we could be with you in person; however, we know we all play an important role in keeping our communities safe and healthy. Return to Play We are continuing to consult with Special Olympics International, the CDC, and the Minnesota Department of Health to develop a safe Return to Play protocol. As you can imagine, this is a complicated process because we are all experiencing the situation for the first time. The safety of our athletes and our entire community remains our top priority. At this time, we are working directly with heads of delegations to further develop these plans so when we are able to return, we can do so safely and equitably. 2020 Flag Football and Bowling Update Keeping in line with Special Olympics International guidelines, we have canceled the 2020 in-person competitions as we know them for Flag Football and Bowling. We are developing alternative activities for these sports. We will have updates on Flag Football in mid-August and updates on bowling in mid-September. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we all get through this together. Until we can be together again in person, we hope you continue to engage with us online through programs like SO Together and SOMN @ Home. Hey Coach! I hope this email finds you well. I just wanted to fill you in on the information below. This message will also be communicated in our Program E-blast later today. Please let me know if you have any questions! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hello SOMN Community, We miss you! These past five months have been tough for all of us. Special Olympics practices and competitions not only bring an athletic outlet, they bring joy. We wish we could be with you in person; however, we know we all play an important role in keeping our communities safe and healthy. Return to Play We are continuing to consult with Special Olympics International, the CDC, and the Minnesota Department of Health to develop a safe Return to Play protocol. As you can imagine, this is a complicated process because we are all experiencing the situation for the first time. The safety of our athletes and our entire community remains our top priority. At this time, we are working directly with heads of delegations to further develop these plans so when we are able to return, we can do so safely and equitably. 2020 Flag Football and Bowling Update Keeping in line with Special Olympics International guidelines, we have canceled the 2020 in-person competitions as we know them for Flag Football and Bowling. We are developing alternative activities for these sports. We will have updates on Flag Football in mid-August and updates on bowling in mid-September. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we all get through this together. Until we can be together again in person, we hope you continue to engage with us online through programs like SO Together and SOMN @ Home. Hello SOMN Community, We miss you! These past five months have been tough for all of us. Special Olympics practices and competitions not only bring an athletic outlet, they bring joy. We wish we could be with you in person; however, we know we all play an important role in keeping our communities safe and healthy. Return to Play We are continuing to consult with Special Olympics International, the CDC, and the Minnesota Department of Health to develop a safe Return to Play protocol. As you can imagine, this is a complicated process because we are all experiencing the situation for the first time. The safety of our athletes and our entire community remains our top priority. At this time, we are working directly with heads of delegations to further develop these plans so when we are able to return, we can do so safely and equitably. 2020 Flag Football and Bowling Update Keeping in line with Special Olympics International guidelines, we have canceled the 2020 in-person competitions as we know them for Flag Football and Bowling. We are developing alternative activities for these sports. We will have updates on Flag Football in mid-August and updates on bowling in mid-September. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we all get through this together. Until we can be together again in person, we hope you continue to engage with us online through programs like SO Together and SOMN @ Home. Hey Coach! I hope this email finds you well. I just wanted to fill you in on the information below. This message will also be communicated in our Program E-blast later today. Please let me know if you have any questions! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hello SOMN Community, We miss you! These past five months have been tough for all of us. Special Olympics practices and competitions not only bring an athletic outlet, they bring joy. We wish we could be with you in person; however, we know we all play an important role in keeping our communities safe and healthy. Return to Play We are continuing to consult with Special Olympics International, the CDC, and the Minnesota Department of Health to develop a safe Return to Play protocol. As you can imagine, this is a complicated process because we are all experiencing the situation for the first time. The safety of our athletes and our entire community remains our top priority. At this time, we are working directly with heads of delegations to further develop these plans so when we are able to return, we can do so safely and equitably. 2020 Flag Football and Bowling Update Keeping in line with Special Olympics International guidelines, we have canceled the 2020 in-person competitions as we know them for Flag Football and Bowling. We are developing alternative activities for these sports. We will have updates on Flag Football in mid-August and updates on bowling in mid-September. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we all get through this together. Until we can be together again in person, we hope you continue to engage with us online through programs like SO Together and SOMN @ Home. hope this email finds you well. I just wanted to fill you in on the information below. This message will also be communicated in our Program E-blast later today. Please let me know if you have any questions! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hello SOMN Community, We miss you! These past five months have been tough for all of us. Special Olympics practices and competitions not only bring an athletic outlet, they bring joy. We wish we could be with you in person; however, we know we all play an important role in keeping our communities safe and healthy. Return to Play We are continuing to consult with Special Olympics International, the CDC, and the Minnesota Department of Health to develop a safe Return to Play protocol. As you can imagine, this is a complicated process because we are all experiencing the situation for the first time. The safety of our athletes and our entire community remains our top priority. At this time, we are working directly with heads of delegations to further develop these plans so when we are able to return, we can do so safely and equitably. 2020 Flag Football and Bowling Update Keeping in line with Special Olympics International guidelines, we have canceled the 2020 in-person competitions as we know them for Flag Football and Bowling. We are developing alternative activities for these sports. We will have updates on Flag Football in mid-August and updates on bowling in mid-September. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we all get through this together. Until we can be together again in person, we hope you continue to engage with us online through programs like SO Together and SOMN @ Home. hope this email finds you well. I just wanted to fill you in on the information below. This message will also be communicated in our Program E-blast later today. Please let me know if you have any questions! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hello SOMN Community, We miss you! These past five months have been tough for all of us. Special Olympics practices and competitions not only bring an athletic outlet, they bring joy. We wish we could be with you in person; however, we know we all play an important role in keeping our communities safe and healthy. Return to Play We are continuing to consult with Special Olympics International, the CDC, and the Minnesota Department of Health to develop a safe Return to Play protocol. As you can imagine, this is a complicated process because we are all experiencing the situation for the first time. The safety of our athletes and our entire community remains our top priority. At this time, we are working directly with heads of delegations to further develop these plans so when we are able to return, we can do so safely and equitably. 2020 Flag Football and Bowling Update Keeping in line with Special Olympics International guidelines, we have canceled the 2020 in-person competitions as we know them for Flag Football and Bowling. We are developing alternative activities for these sports. We will have updates on Flag Football in mid-August and updates on bowling in mid-September. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we all get through this together. Until we can be together again in person, we hope you continue to engage with us online through programs like SO Together and SOMN @ Home.hope this email finds you well. I just wanted to fill you in on the information below. This message will also be communicated in our Program E-blast later today. Please let me know if you have any questions! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hello SOMN Community, We miss you! These past five months have been tough for all of us. Special Olympics practices and competitions not only bring an athletic outlet, they bring joy. We wish we could be with you in person; however, we know we all play an important role in keeping our communities safe and healthy. Return to Play We are continuing to consult with Special Olympics International, the CDC, and the Minnesota Department of Health to develop a safe Return to Play protocol. As you can imagine, this is a complicated process because we are all experiencing the situation for the first time. The safety of our athletes and our entire community remains our top priority. At this time, we are working directly with heads of delegations to further develop these plans so when we are able to return, we can do so safely and equitably. 2020 Flag Football and Bowling Update Keeping in line with Special Olympics International guidelines, we have canceled the 2020 in-person competitions as we know them for Flag Football and Bowling. We are developing alternative activities for these sports. We will have updates on Flag Football in mid-August and updates on bowling in mid-September. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we all get through this together. Until we can be together again in person, we hope you continue to engage with us online through programs like SO Together and SOMN @ Home.

Hi All, I hope everyone is doing well while staying home. Some of you may have been out and about more than others. We have two more days left of school in our house before summer can begin. Even then summer will not feel like summer without attending many of the activities we usually do. There are many things I will have a deeper appreciation for but most of all we are missing the activities we usually are busy with this time of year. SOMN has canceled Bocce for the summer. This is a sport that I usually coach. It sounds like they may have some virtual activities planned around the sports they will not be having this summer. It is really a bummer but I know it is for the good of keeping our families safe as we have many members that have high risk factors. I am providing below an update from Sarah. There is a meeting being held by SOMN to hear about upcoming changes. I have asked all the Level 2 main coaches to attend this meeting as this could affect football, bowling and poly hockey and spring sports like gymnastics, basketball and swimming. It is hard to know what fall will look like. Activities could get stopped if there are any concerns over covid in our communities. In order to attend this meeting please note that you have to register to attend that meeting. I am opening it all up to you as many parents are level 1 or 2 coaches and I feel that many of you could have questions I would not think about. Here is Sarah's update: SO TOGETHER – Virtual activities for your team ( I have signed us up for this . Activities will go out Tuesday Thursday and Saturdays afternoon. ) SO Together is a new program to help keep teams connected and healthy at a time when we can’t be together physically. SO Together will have two types of activities: Virtual activities your delegation can do together as a team. As an HOD, you can request and schedule an activity for your team to do together and SOMN will do all the work in facilitating and providing the necessary content and technology! Options of activities range from social and fun activities to strength, stretching and fitness activities. Virtual activities anyone can join! These activities will be similar to the activities available to your team, but will have an open invitation for anyone to register individually. Members of your team can attend these activities on their own. There will be activities scheduled each week, and those who wish to participate can register online. This is an opportunity to make new friends and connections from across the state! We will share more details with our wider audience next week. SUMMER SPORTS CLASSIC – Equestrian, Tennis and Golf As most of you know, equestrian, golf and tennis practices and competitions have been cancelled due to ongoing concerns regarding COVID-19 and the restrictions on gathering in large groups. Instead, we will host a virtual Summer Sports Classic competition. The virtual competition will offer a variety of activities for all skill levels. Special Olympics Minnesota staff will follow up with HODs who are interested and provide virtual training sessions for their team. The Summer Sports Classic virtual season will launch on July 6, 2020. Although not quite final, please see the Summer Sports Classic webpage for further details. FALL GAMES – Bocce & Softball Based on consultation with Special Olympics North America and the CDC, we have made the decision to cancel area, regional and state competitions for bocce and softball. We are in constant communication with Special Olympics North America and the Minnesota Amateur Sports Association to collaborate and learn how we can get back to practicing and competing in person safely as soon as possible. We will continue to work towards providing a safe place to practice these sports and compete virtually. Until we can be together in person, we are working hard to improve and enhance our virtual sports offerings. Please look for more information about bocce and softball practice and virtual events in the near future. IMPROMPTU COACHES MEETING – To talk about everything we just highlighted This is a lot of information and you might have questions! In order to answer your questions and best equip you to engage in these opportunities, we are hosting an impromptu coaches meeting on Monday, June 15 at 6:00 PM. This meeting will be hosted on Zoom and follow the same format as our Spring and Fall Coaches meetings. Register now and submit a question you would like us to cover in the coaches meeting by CLICKING HERE. Please as we move forward in time please let me know what is working and what could be done better. Your feedback would be appreciated. Frankly in our house the zoom would and anything virtual is not going well. I hope that is going better then what is happening in our house. Please take care

Hi All, I hope all of you are doing well. I dearly missing seeing everyone. I especially missing having activiestes to attend to and events to prepare and plan. Covid sure has changed many things. At this time I don't know much more than the rest of you. We all are waiting for things to settle down in Minnesota. SOMN is following guidelines by the National Special Olympic committees. I think largely since the populations of disabled people seemingly are more acceptable to Covid they are taking the more precautions them most. I wish I could say that we could start up with Bocce. As of right now Bocce has not been canceled But tennis and golf have been canceled in our area and across the state. We do not offer both tennis and golf but it leads me to believe that Bocce will soon follow. I am unsure what will happen. I am trying to get in the mind set that we can start bocce. My registration open up June 1 but will not close until July 26 so we have a large window .I am unaware of processions that need to take place for any sport including Bocce. I expect if I have a larger turn out then we had in the past for bocce I will need more equipment for the sports so that I can keep family groups together. I would prefer to do bocce on a Tuesday night at 7pm but as fall approaches we have to trim back the time as it gets dark early. I would not want to start until June 30th or June 23rd. Area bocce event is August 9th and state is held September 26 and 27th. I would like input by those that are on our team that could be interested in bocce just incase this is the first sport we can start up. When it comes to sports going forward it is really hard to gage what will happen. So far football and bowling will continue. There is a lot of unknowns right now . All this is very tentative plans and I am waiting for further action by SOMN. As I learn more I will pass that on to families. I look and listen to what is happening with professional sports as a gage of what we will have to do for events in the future. My son and I are both high risk for covid and I will need to take as much precession as possible. I know that not all of you believe in wearing masks and that is completely up to you but I know that as things move forward especially in our sports community it seems to be a requirement. I would suggest this may be a new norm we all have to get ready for but at the same time I had little direction form SOMN. I think like any one they are just waiting to see what the governor opens up and how covid is affecting our community. With all that said I have done some research on home made mask making. I have cut up sheets , t-shirts and bought flannel.I have kept the cost to a minimum with mostly using materials I had at home. I have made well over 150 masks for friends and neighbors. . I have 93 mask left which includes 4 small size for young children , several medium size and some larger size. Most have three layers two with cotton and one with flannel. I am done with maks making as getting the materials and especially flannel fabric has been difficult and it takes weeks to get it. I would like to ofter what I have made to all the families on our team. Just email me or text me and and I will give you my address and you can pick them up at my porch. I do not expect any money for masks. What isn't taken will be donated to a hospital or healthcare facility that can hand them out to those that need them. My hope is to keep us all well. Feel free to ask questions as things move forward. I will try to send out more messages as I know things change . Bonnie Pautsch-Dyakin Tiger Head of Delegation 952 393-4595

AS we are all sitting at home just wanting to get out and do sports I am trying to be proactive about getting ready to start up again. We have several new members who will be starting and we have had a slight new change in our design on our shirts. I want to be proactive and get these shirts ordered. If you think you want to join the team for basketball I need shirt size and number for the back of the shirt. This also includes Coaches. Please respond to this email or text me message me on Facebook or respond to the message I will post on our Forum under basketball on our website. I NEEd to hear from everyone that wants to attend basketball. The more shirts I order the less expensive they will be. Please remember we have women shirts but they are a vneck with a slm cut. I need to hear from everyone even if you are not sure you will attend. We can at least have a shirt on hand in short notice.

To our athletes, volunteers, coaches, families and friends of Special Olympics Minnesota: Due to recent developments tied to the coronavirus (COVID-19) and the heightened risks for people with intellectual disabilities and the elderly, Special Olympics Minnesota is suspending all sport training, practices and competition activities, Polar Plunges and other events involving our athletes beginning now through April 5, 2020. This date is fluid and may be extended based on new developments. We will be monitoring the situation closely and posting any updates at somn.org/covid19. This decision was made carefully based on new developments and advice from Special Olympics International and their consultation with the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization. Cancelling our events is disappointing and not a decision made lightly; however, we know that our love of sport does not compare to the importance of protecting the health of our athletes and the entire Special Olympics Minnesota community. We are working on plans that address alternative schedules for practices and competitions for basketball, gymnastics, swimming and track. Please review somn.org/covid19 for any updates regarding this situation. In addition, any updates will be communicated to participants via email and social media channels (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram). Please continue to practice smart and careful prevention strategies. Wash your hands often, use hand sanitizer, avoid high-fives, avoid handshakes, and avoid contact with your face. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate this situation and strive to make the best possible decisions for everyone in our community.

To our athletes, volunteers, coaches, families and friends of Special Olympics Minnesota: Due to recent developments tied to the coronavirus (COVID-19) and the heightened risks for people with intellectual disabilities and the elderly, Special Olympics Minnesota is suspending all sport training, practices and competition activities, Polar Plunges and other events involving our athletes beginning now through April 5, 2020. This date is fluid and may be extended based on new developments. We will be monitoring the situation closely and posting any updates at somn.org/covid19. This decision was made carefully based on new developments and advice from Special Olympics International and their consultation with the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization. Cancelling our events is disappointing and not a decision made lightly; however, we know that our love of sport does not compare to the importance of protecting the health of our athletes and the entire Special Olympics Minnesota community. We are working on plans that address alternative schedules for practices and competitions for basketball, gymnastics, swimming and track. Please review somn.org/covid19 for any updates regarding this situation. In addition, any updates will be communicated to participants via email and social media channels (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram). Please continue to practice smart and careful prevention strategies. Wash your hands often, use hand sanitizer, avoid high-fives, avoid handshakes, and avoid contact with your face. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate this situation and strive to make the best possible decisions for everyone in our community.

To our athletes, volunteers, coaches, families and friends of Special Olympics Minnesota: Due to recent developments tied to the coronavirus (COVID-19) and the heightened risks for people with intellectual disabilities and the elderly, Special Olympics Minnesota is suspending all sport training, practices and competition activities, Polar Plunges and other events involving our athletes beginning now through April 5, 2020. This date is fluid and may be extended based on new developments. We will be monitoring the situation closely and posting any updates at somn.org/covid19. This decision was made carefully based on new developments and advice from Special Olympics International and their consultation with the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization. Cancelling our events is disappointing and not a decision made lightly; however, we know that our love of sport does not compare to the importance of protecting the health of our athletes and the entire Special Olympics Minnesota community. We are working on plans that address alternative schedules for practices and competitions for basketball, gymnastics, swimming and track. Please review somn.org/covid19 for any updates regarding this situation. In addition, any updates will be communicated to participants via email and social media channels (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram). Please continue to practice smart and careful prevention strategies. Wash your hands often, use hand sanitizer, avoid high-fives, avoid handshakes, and avoid contact with your face. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate this situation and strive to make the best possible decisions for everyone in our community.