Massena school board approves football, volleyball, spring musical

By Andy Gardner

MASSENA – The Board of Education gave the go-ahead for a spring production of “Little Shop of Horrors,” as well as football and volleyball.

They took the action Thursday night, March 18.

High School Principal Alan Oliver said he and music teacher Chris Lincoln worked on a musical and extracurricular safety plan soon after the school board approved one for high-risk sports last month.

Lincoln said the plan “balances health and safety while offering students an opportunity to perform.”

“We want to try to find the best, wise decision and middle ground,” he said. “The thought was small cast, small pit, very minimal set requirements.”

The students will present Little Shop of Horrors May 21 and 22. There will be auditions starting March 24, with rehearsals in April and May.

All participants will be required to be masked at all times, including during the final production.

Lincoln said the orchestra pit has no wind instruments, “so there’s no aerosol issues, that kind of thing.”

Football and volleyball are slated to start March 22 and go until April 22. They will use the previous high-risk sports plan for their safety guidelines.

Athletic Director Gavin Regan said the winter high-risk sports have been successful so far.

“We haven’t had to cancel games. We haven’t had to do large quarantines,” he said.