We are just two weeks away from starting so I wanted to send out a message with some info and details to help make sure everyone is on the same page. I communicate in very specific ways and I want to make sure we are all on the same page about where to find info throughout the season. The short version is that you need to use TeamApp. It will have all the info you need. And I ask two things. The first is that you look at TeamApp before emailing me questions. Second, that you email me if you cannot find your answer. I want to help you find the info if it is available, but I also need to know if I should be posting more information than I am, so always feel free to email or let me know if I am not providing info. Here are the important updates and how I plan to communicate with you.
1. Registration – You must register for the sport through edutrak at the link provided in the important links document that I have here. You must sign up for Nordic before you can participate. https://docs.google.com/document/d/16wiJeSL6auARAShqNp2VcuCjsL4gyZYfuEArSDS3_0Y/edit?usp=sharing
2. Booster fee – In the documents tab, you will find the link for paying the booster fee and trail pass fee. We are required to have a trail pass on three rivers courses where we ski every day.
3. Renting skis – Also in that important links doc, there is a sign up for renting skis (only sign up if you know for sure you need them). You can also wait until after the ski swap to sign up for renting skis as I will not hand out skis the 2nd and 4th days of practices which is after the two ski swaps. The rental fee is $25 per pair of skis. We have some combi available along with skate or classic.
4. equipment reminder – Remember, you are responsible for providing boots (they can skate and classic separate, or combi boots) and two pairs of poles (one for skate and one for classic). If you do not know what to get, please look in the documents tab at the info meeting presentation (has lots of details) and the equipment needed document. If there are still questions after that, always feel free to email me with any questions. giffordm@district279.org
5. Ski swaps – there are two ski swaps, one at pioneer midwest in Osseo and one at GearWest. That info is also in the information meeting slideshow.
6. Schedule tab (most important tab) – The first 2 weeks of practice are posted. When the cold and the snow start coming, I always recommend that athletes are watching the schedule every day because we might need to change course quickly. ALL DAILY changes will be reflected in the schedule tab. This is true for practices AND meets. I will not send out news articles about that, so you NEED to make sure you check the schedule and have notifications turned on or have an email address attached to your account so I can get info to you.
7. Chat feature – I also use the chat feature for reminders and quick messages that need to be sent out. You need to turn on notifications in each chat category separately. You just have to go into the chat you want to see and click the 3 little dots in the upper right corner and turn on notifications.
8. Events tab – The events tab will have all of the big events for the season. I will post those publicly so it will include meets, fundraisers, other team events, but some details like bussing info other details that only team athletes and parents should know will be in the schedule tab.
9. documents/videos tab – the last tab I want to highlight is the documents/videos tab. This tab has lots of important docs like presentations slides, important docs links, handbook, etc., but it also has great videos. Coach Pete has put together some great videos about how to glide wax at home, how to kick wax at home, and what you need to wax at home. We also have videos from last year about preparing for races, race psychology, and other things covered in our Covid online meetings that are excellent resources.
10. Don’t forget about the weight room. It will be open the next couple of wednesdays for sure and many of the saturdays in November as well. We need to be sure to start getting stronger for a variety of reasons and these are great chances to do it. Keep an eye out for a poll about weight room this saturday to see if you can make it in since the state XC meet is this weekend.
11. LAST IMPORTANT MESSAGE – get your friends out for Nordic. We provide a great opportunity to learn a sport you can use the rest of your life and stay healthy in the winter months, but also our veteran athletes are always looking to provide a great experience and team culture for all our skiers. We will get to have lots of fun and enjoy a great sport and even better people all throughout the season.

Thanks everyone, I know this is long, but I appreciate you reading through it all. If you have questions, please email me any time. giffordm@district279.org