Athletic Handbook 2015-2016
Introduction The purpose of this handbook is to provide a way to maintain consistency throughout our athletic program and to set forth clear standards and expectations for our athletes, parents, and coaches to follow. Athletic Fee All students who participate in Thales Academy athletics will be charged an athletic participation fee of $50 per season. The purpose of this fee is to help cover expenses for equipment and venues. Thales Academy jerseys are issued at the beginning of the season and collected upon completion of the final game. Any student- athletes that do not return their uniform will be billed accordingly and will not be permitted to join another team until the fee is paid. No participation fees will be refunded after the first game of the season. This fee must be paid by the first scheduled game of the season. Athletes that have not paid will not be permitted to practice or play. Team Selection Any student interested in trying out for a team must be at every scheduled tryout in order to be eligible. Competitive Athletic programs are, by nature, developmental opportunities for student- athletes. The primary focus of the program is to introduce student- athletes to team play and to develop skills for the selected sport. The goal is to encourage full participation by all student- athletes. Although cuts are a part of the program, a strong emphasis on skill development over a successful record is valued. In addition, establishing a positive learning environment for each student- athlete and the development of mentor- mentee relationships between coach and player requires supplemental support from parents in regards to sportsmanship, team dynamics, academics, and character Coaches select teams based on specific criteria. The process is selective and may require cuts to select student-athletes that best fit within the team dynamics. Coaches will use a rubric determined by team goals for the selection process. Completed rubrics may be shared and discussed with parents. Playing time is based on coach s judgment with a focus on the studentathletes skills, ability, teamwork, and character. It may also be unique from game-to-game, be determined by game conditions, matchups, and competitiveness of teams. Players will not be guaranteed the same amount of playing time.
Varsity Sports Program The Varsity Sports program is new to Thales this year, and is in the process of being built into a true Varsity program. Students in grades 9-12 are eligible to participate on the Varsity teams if they are selected by the coach. In some cases, 8 th grade students may be pulled up to participate with the Varsity team. If the Varsity team does not have enough athletes to field a team, we are unable to compete with other schools. In this case, students may stay on as a practice player, or may act as a High School Mentor to the MS team. Practice and Game Attendance Requirements Once on a team, a high level of commitment is required to be a member of that team until the last game is complete. This includes games and practices scheduled during the second and third weeks of track out. Players must be at every practice or game unless excused for one of the following reasons: Doctor or dental appointment Personal sickness Death in the family Exceptions may be made through direct communication with the coaches. Eligibility All student- athletes involved in the athletic program must be in attendance at school for at least 4 hours in order to participate in a game or practice scheduled for that day. If a student-athlete goes home at any point during the day because of illness, injury, or disciplinary infraction, they will not be permitted to participate in team sports that day. Students choosing not to attend field trips or attending any other educational function (i.e. Take Your Child To Work Day) will be required to come to school unless prior approval is given by the Athletic Director. If an athlete fails to maintain a C (77) average overall (when averaging all their class grades together), at the time of Progress Reports and Report Cards, that athlete is placed on probation and is ineligible to participate in athletics. With the approval of Thales Academy administration, team coaches may enforce stricter grade requirements. If an athlete has received a failing grade (69 or below) in any class on their progress report or report card, they will be placed on probation. This includes electives (i.e. PE/Health/Technology, Personal Fitness). Ineligible athletes are not permitted to practice with the team, participate in games, dress- out, or sit on the team bench.
Any student- athlete found to be in violation of the plagiarism policy will be removed from the team immediately. Parents will be notified via email of ineligibility. Daily participation in physical education classes is a prerequisite to participation in interscholastic sports participation. Failure to participate in physical education class for any reason will result in disqualification from practice, competition, or any other school- sponsored team activity. Uniforms and Equipment Any uniforms or equipment issued to an athlete are the athlete s responsibility to return in good shape (normal wear and tear within reason is expected). All uniforms and equipment must be returned to the coach immediately following the final game of the season. Sports uniforms are only to be worn to games, not practice or other functions. Any athlete who does not return uniforms/equipment will be charged for the cost of replacement. An athlete will not be allowed to participate in another sport until all overdue uniforms, equipment or other sports fees have been paid. If necessary, report cards will be held until equipment is returned. Athlete s Dress Requirements Game day dress requirements will be consistent through all Thales Academy Athletic teams. Home games will allow for students to wear their jersey with dress- code pants or shorts. All away games require the items listed below: Male athletes - dress pants (dress code khakis are also acceptable), shirt, and tie. Female athletes business attire: dress pants, jacket/sweater, flat shoes. No high heels Knee length skirts (any shorter and they will be asked to change) No tank tops or low cut shirts Note: The Athlete s Dress Requirements apply to all players and high school mentors associated with each team. Any player that fails to dress with the team will be ineligible to play in the game that day.
Transportation All coaches are responsible for organizing transportation to and from games. The adult transporting an athlete must have a working seatbelt for each rider in the vehicle. A team member may ride home from a game with his/her parents or the parent of a teammate provided the coach has been notified by written permission from the parents or legal guardian. Parents transporting other student- athletes should have, on file at Thales Academy, a completed background check, a copy of drivers license and auto insurance. Classwork Expectations Missing classes for athletic activities will be handled in the same manner as a school field trip. These absences are considered to be pre- arranged; however, no Request for Absence Form is necessary. Students are expected to get missed work ahead of time and turn it in on or before the due date. Not following this guideline can result in the student work being counted as late or receiving no credit. Game Admittance Fee Thales Academy home games will require an entrance fee. All spectators are required to pay an admittance fee upon entry. As the Thales Academy Athletic program grows, our teams will join a competitive conference. Once in a conference, it will be required to provide a portion of the entrance fees to the conference administration. The fee will help cover the expenses of officials and improving the Athletic program for the future. Each spectator over the age of 5 is required to pay a nominal fee of $2.00 for the 2015-2015=6 year. Family Support Parents of student- athletes must sign up for at least ONE volunteer slot for home games during the season. It is required during the 2015-2016 school year that parents must fill these sign up slots for home games to continue. One member from each family must sign up for a 30 minute ticket sales time slot. These sign ups will be shared with parents at the beginning of each athletic season and will be first come, first serve. If you are unable to fill your position, please consult with another parent to ensure that the position is filled. If we are unable to fill these slots, home games will be cancelled.
Athlete s Code of Conduct Treat everyone fairly and with dignity and respect. Arrive on time for all practices, meetings, and contests. Play by the rules, and always demonstrate and encourage good sportsmanship. Exercise self- control at all times, accepting decisions and abiding by them. Accept both victory and defeat with pride and compassion, never being boastful or bitter. Every athlete is expected to demonstrate good character that represents Thales Academy and the 15 Luddy Outcomes. At any time, an athlete not maintaining good character on or off the field or in the classroom may be suspended or dismissed from the team. The use of profanity on or off the field will not be tolerated and may result in suspension from the team, and school. Fighting during an athletic event, home or away, will not be tolerated. Fighting during a game or practice will result in suspension from the team, and school. Thales Academy Athletics Contract for Players & Parents 1. HAVE FUN! This is a game to enjoy individually, but more importantly, as a team. Not all decisions will revolve around you as a player, but will often be based on what is best for the team collectively. Don t take these decisions personally. 2. Playing sports is a privilege and commitment. You are expected to give 100% at all times. Do the best you can at all times and celebrate the success of others. Missing practices is unacceptable unless you have a written excuse from a parent or doctor. 3. Academics come first. It is the policy of Thales Academy that every athlete maintains a minimum of a C average with no failing grades. Grade checks will be given at every progress report and report card. If you fall below a C (a grade below a 77), you will no longer be eligible to participate until the next reporting period. 4. Show respect and courtesy to everyone. This includes your teammates, coaches, opponents, officials, spectators, Thales Academy, and the community. Do not talk negatively about your teammates or coaches. Accept all constructive criticism. Accept victory or defeat in a pleasant manner. Always be honest about your performance and areas for improvement. 5. Bad attitudes, gossip, lying to or about someone, and swearing will not be tolerated and may result in suspension/dismissal from the team. 6. Behavioral problems (as deemed by your coaches) are unacceptable. 1 st offense may result in a 3- day suspension from the team. 2 nd offense may result in a 5- day suspension/grounds for immediate dismissal from the team.
7. Two unexcused days of practice/games results in immediate dismissal from the team. 8. Being late to school, practice, or games is inexcusable. Students will not be permitted to practice or play in a game without a valid excuse. 9. Suspension from school is unacceptable. 1 st offense will result in immediate dismissal from the team. 10. It is the policy of Thales Academy that students do not transport other students. Everyone will ride in assigned cars with adult drivers. You are allowed to ride home with your parents if notice is given to the coach before you leave the game. 11. Once you are at practice or a game your focus is expected. Off field distractions (cell phones, headphones, off field interaction with friends, boyfriend/girlfriend) are not permitted. You must stay with the team during games. If you are unable to cooperate, you will be asked to leave. 12. Any questions, problems, or concerns of players or parents must be discussed with coaches first by appointment only. Issues taken to TA administration first will be referred back to the coach. 13. Coaches alone will make the decisions regarding playing time. Playing time will not be discussed. If you are not playing, cheer for those who are. If you cannot, reconsider if you can be a part of the team. 14. Team goals are achieved with hard work. Intense physical conditioning can be expected. 15. Parents must be on time when picking you up after practice/games. There will be a 15 minute time frame from the completion of practice/games for student- athletes to be picked up on time. The 1 st offense is a warning and the 2 nd offense will be a three- day suspension from practice/games. The 3 rd offense will result in dismissal from the team. Disciplinary Measures Each coach has the responsibility to create a set of standards for each team. These standards should include regulations and rules for any disciplinary action that occurs during school hours. For example, a coach may declare that if a student- athlete receives a silent lunch, they must sit out ½ of the upcoming game. These expectations are team- specific and do not carry over from sport to sport. Each sport- specific set of disciplinary rules will be shared via email or printed text upon the season start. Any questions, problems, or concerns of players or parents must be discussed with coaches first by appointment only. Issues taken to TA administration first will be referred back to the coach.
Fans and Spectators Thales Academy students and parents are aware of the standards set forth by the school during the academic day, but oftentimes are unaware of what we expect of them as athletes and spectators. Therefore, we have listed a few things for our students, parents, fans, and spectators to keep in mind when attending a Thales Academy athletic event. Fans and spectators are representing the school, as do members of the team; therefore, there is an obligation to have sportsmanship and encourage sportsmanship in others. Demonstrate this by approving and applauding good team play, individual skill, and outstanding examples of fair play exhibited by either team. Do not mock or speak negatively of the other team. Thales Academy fans should promote positivity and sophistication at all times. The primary purpose of interscholastic athletics is to promote physical, mental, social and emotional well being through contest. Please show respect to the judgment and integrity of coaches and game officials. One focus of the athletic program is to encourage contributive team members, sportsmanship and strong work ethic. Any spectators who are observed showing poor sportsmanship, inappropriate conduct or disrespect will be asked to leave the event immediately.
Please tear off this page and return to Athletic Director. Keep this handbook for your records. Written name (athlete): Written name (guardian): I/We have read the rules and regulations of the Thales Academy Athletics Handbook and the Contract for Players and Parents. I/We have also read and clearly understand the eligibility policy. I/We will abide by these rules and respect all decisions made by the coaching staff. I as a parent will communicate with the coach directly when I have questions or concerns. I understand that I am expected to volunteer for at least one time slot during my student- athlete s season. Student-Athlete Signature Date Parent/Guardian Signature Date