Stoneham High's athletic department previewed fall eighth-grade waiver requests and a new fan-engagement app for the School Committee this week.

STONEHAM --

HIGH SCHOOL -- Athletic Director Dave Pignon updated the School Committee on July 23 on preparations for the fall season. Pignon said the department will again seek a blanket eighth-grade waiver, with plans to use it this fall for boys' and girls' cross-country and field hockey; he said girls' hockey will "probably" need one as well after the team broke off last year from its co-op with Wilmington, which had produced 18 Stoneham girls plus roughly 10 from Wilmington. Pignon called that split "an outstanding season" but said Stoneham's numbers are expected to drop, likely requiring a new co-op in the near future. Softball remains a junior-varsity-only program; Pignon credited new middle school coach Paul Hardy with drawing eighth-graders into the team this year, saying "he did an incredible job."

Pignon also reported that summer athletic clinics have expanded to as many as three sessions in a single week, up from one previously. The department's track clinic, held the day of the meeting, drew about 70 kids and closed with a mini track meet. A volleyball clinic was scheduled for the following week, following earlier clinics in basketball and "Mr. K's phys ed clinic."

The athletic department is rolling out a new Snap Mobile app that will host live schedules, GoFan ticketing, athlete registration and a point-based rewards system for students who check in at games, including bonus points for attending less-heavily-attended events such as girls' soccer. Boys' and girls' track will get new uniforms this year, and the swim team will continue its co-op with Melrose, hosting the girls' team in the fall and sending boys to Melrose in the winter. Pignon said the department is also finalizing a new online, district-wide process for renting fields, gyms and other school spaces.

Committee members also discussed the athletic user-fee tier system, which Pignon said funds equipment, transportation, officials and facility costs but not coaches' salaries. Hockey carries the highest fee, at $600, with most other sports at the $400 tier.

Compiled from team and league reports, reader submissions, and local coverage.