SCITUATE MIDDLE SCHOOL ATHLETIC HANDBOOK

Mr. Michael T. Zajac Principal Scituate Middle School 647-4123 Mr. Kevin Ryan Athletic Director Scituate Middle School 647-4120

Scituate Middle School Student Athlete Handbook Introduction The purpose of this handbook is to aid the student-athlete and his/her parents/guardians in understanding the policies and procedures that guide the operation of the Scituate Middle School athletic program. These policies have been established in accordance with the policies set forth by the Rhode Island Principal’s Committee on Athletics (RIPCOA). Athletic participation is a privilege granted all students who voluntarily accept the rules and regulations outlined hereunder. Each student athlete and his/her parents/guardians should read this handbook carefully. Parents and students need also make themselves aware of all RIPCOA league rules and regulations. Information regarding schedules and games can be found on the website www.ripcoa.com. All other inquiries can be addressed to the Director of Athletics. Mr. Kevin P. Ryan Director of Athletics Scituate High School and Scituate Middle School Phone: (401) 647-4120, Ext. 2410 FAX: (401) 647-4126 E-mail: [email protected] Mr. Michael T. Zajac Scituate Middle School Principal (401) 647-4123 Fax 647-4104 Email: [email protected]

Philosophy of Athletics The role of interscholastic athletics at Scituate Middle School is to provide educational experiences in the framework of competitive athletics. The program produces many benefits difficult to achieve in other areas of education or life. By focusing on educational outcomes and student learning, athletics can provide avenues for physical, emotional, social and intellectual growth.

The athletic program strives to develop team and school loyalty, sportsmanship, and a healthy competitive spirit in every student athlete. The athletic program provides an environment, which encourages leadership, commitment and self-motivation. All athletes and coaches at Scituate Middle School are expected to display proper ethical conduct and fair play, and to show respect to officials, opponents, spectators and fellow teammates.

Middle School Sports The Athletic Department offers Middle School students, grades 6-8, the opportunity to participate in; Soccer (Boys, Girls), Co-ed Cross Country (Boys, Girls), Basketball (Boys, Girls), Softball and Baseball. Team sign-up and initial meeting are held during the pre-season of each sport. Try-outs are held and rosters listing teams are posted at the conclusion of try-outs. Scituate Middle School Athletics is a member of RIPCOA. All rules and policies of RIPCOA will be enforced. Scituate Middle School holds the student/athlete to a high standard of expectations. Rules of Scituate Middle School, Scituate Middle School Athletic Department, and team coaches’ expectations will be followed. In the event that the school/coaches policies or expectations exceed those of RIPCOA, the school/coaches policy or rule will supersede RIPCOA.

Paperwork Required for Participation PHYSICAL – Every athlete must have a current valid Physical Form from a physician on file with the school before trying out and/or practicing with the team. A Physical Form from a physician is valid for twelve (12) months. The physician must clear the individual for participation in athletics and physical contact. ASSUMPTION OF RISK – This waiver form must be on file with the main office prior to participation in league competition. The form requires a notarized guardian signature. The risk form needs only be completed once in a student’s 3-year middle school career. INSURANCE WAIVER – Once an athlete is placed on the team’s roster, an insurance waiver must be on file through the coach with the athletic department. This waiver shows proof of medical insurance for each athlete. This waiver must be completed every school year. EMERGENCY CONTACT FORM – This form list contact information for the coach in the event of an emergency involving their student athlete. This form has to be updated for each student athlete each season. Information should include home phone numbers, cell phone numbers, work numbers, and alternate emergency contact information.

CODE OF CONDUCT - Student athletes are expected to abide by the rules of Scituate Middle School, RIPCOA, coaches rules/expectations and the behavioral code of conduct as stated in the Scituate Middle School Student Athlete handbook. Students will sign a document acknowledging that they understand the expectations of student-athletes.

Code of Conduct for Student Athletes Students are reminded that trying out and participation on a team at Scituate Middle School is a privilege. A firm and fair policy of enforcement is necessary to uphold the regulations and standards of the athletic department. The community, school administrators, and coaching staff feel strongly that high standards of conduct and citizenship are essential in maintaining a sound athletic program. Athletes are expected to abide by this code of conduct, which will earn them the honor and respect that participation and competition in the interscholastic athletic program affords. Conduct which results in dishonor to the athlete, the team, or the school, cannot and will not be tolerated. These rules apply to all participants including players, managers, trainers, cheerleaders and all other students representing Scituate Middle School teams. HIGH STANDARDS OF COURTESY, FAIR PLAY AND SPORTSMANSHIP MUST PREVAIL AT ALL REGULAR MEMBER SCHOOL COMPETITIONS AND ALL INVOLVED MUST ALWAYS PURSUE VICTORY WITH HONOR. Good sportsmanship, respect for the rules, respect for others, fair play, and ethics are basically the motives through which an interscholastic athletic program is justified and defended.

Sportsmanship"Good sportsmanship, ethical behavior, integrity, and the respect for others" are the guiding principles that permeate all interscholastic activities in our school. In perception and practice, sportsmanship is defined as those qualities, which are characterized by generosity and genuine concern for others. All individuals, regardless of their role, are expected to model sportsmanship because of their influence on the behavior of others. Good sportsmanship requires that everyone be treated with respect. This includes members of the opposing team, officials, coaches, and spectators. Scituate Middle School student/athletes MUST: • appreciate and understand that their behavior is observed and emulated by many who are younger; • live up to the high standard of sportsmanship established by RIPCOA; • accept and understand the seriousness of their responsibility and the privilege of representing their school and community; • live up to the standards of sportsmanship established by the school administration and the coaching staff; • learn and be knowledgeable of the rules of the game thoroughly and discuss them with parents, fans, and peers; • treat opponents the way they would like to be treated, as a guest or friend; • refrain from taunting, trash-talking, or making any kind of derogatory remarks or gestures, especially comments of ethnic, racial or sexual nature, to their opponents, officials, fans during the game; • wish opponents good luck before the game and congratulate them in a sincere manner that they would like to receive following a victory or defeat; • respect the integrity and judgment of game officials; • win with humility and lose with grace

Individual Coaches Rules and Expectations Coaches are encouraged to establish (with advanced approval of the athletic director and principal) additional rules and regulations for their respective teams. These rules must be given in writing by the coach to all team members and explained fully at the start of the season during a mandatory parent/student/coaches meeting. Penalties for violation of team rules will also be in writing and will be administered by the coach. Additional team rules must be consistent with all other school rules and regulations. Copies will be kept on file in the athletic director's office. Coaches may take reasonable disciplinary action pertaining to any problem that may arise that has not already been reviewed in this handbook.

Behavior Code Students are expected to maintain proper standards of behavior at all times, and will: 1. Respect the rights and dignity of others. 2. Exercise common sense, good judgment, and the highest degree of self-discipline when observing and adhering to Scituate Middle School’s and opposing school’s rules and regulations. 3. Commit themselves to continued educational growth. 4. Contribute to a positive school environment. 5. Contribute to a positive community environment. Offenses which go against school rules or team rules may result in the student being suspended from the team. All student athletes must follow the rules in the student handbook. Student athletes receiving a disciplinary detention will serve the detention when it is assigned! Students attending practice or a game instead of detention when it has been assigned will be suspended from practices and games until the detention has been served. Additionally, that player will not participate in the following game for having not served that assigned detention. Any additional consequences issued by the coach will be at the discretion of the coach. Students who earn detentions will NOT be allowed to attend practice or game on the day of the detention being served. Detention assignments are NOT scheduled to accommodate athletics or the student/athlete. It is a privilege to participate in the sports offered at Scituate Middle School. Our student/athletes are held to a higher expectation due to this privilege.

Academic Eligibility Requirements Co-curricular participation and the representation of one’s school is a privilege—a privilege to be enjoyed by each student upon completion of the student’s primary responsibility. All students who wish to participate in co-curricular activities, including varsity sports, must maintain a quarterly GPA of 1.7 or higher. If a student has more than one failing grade in a quarter, they are ineligible. Any incomplete grades need to be completed within two weeks of the end of a quarter marking period. Any student who is ineligible at the start of the season or team tryouts cannot join the team during the season. All team members must be academically eligible at the beginning of the team’s season.

If a student-athlete becomes academically ineligible for athletic participation, they must turn in all issued equipment, including uniforms, within three school days of being notified of becoming academically ineligible. Fourth quarter grades from the previous year will be used to determine eligibility for the first quarter of the next academic year. Summer school grades do not count towards eligibility.

Department Night All students are encouraged to attend department night when necessary or needed. Student athletes will not be penalized for attending department nights as needed. The student/athlete attending the department night should then attend any scheduled practices as soon as the department night requirements have been met. The student/athlete should present a pass to the coach stating the subject area, date and time dismissed from department night. Student/ athletes need to be aware that they maybe unprepared for future game play due to missed practice time. Academics come first!

Attendance & Tardy Policy In order to take part in any sport or activity, a student must attend a normal full day of school. Coming in after 8:30 AM or having an early dismissal before 1:30 PM will exclude a student from taking part in any after school or evening activity. If any exception to this rule is made, it must be requested of and granted by the administration in advance of the sport activity or event.

Team and Captain Selection Process All student athletes are required to participate in scheduled try-outs prior to being selected as a member of a varsity team each school year. Varsity team captains will be selected only after team selections are complete for the present school year.

Bus Rules & Procedures The Scituate School Department goes to great expense to provide transportation to each and every athletic contest. All student athletes are required to travel to and from games and scrimmages with the team on the school bus provided. Any exceptions to this rule must be handled in the following manner: 1. Written permission from a parent/guardian must be given at least one day prior to the game, except in the case of an emergency. 2. The note must be authorized by an administrator or the athletic director and presented to the coach prior to the bus trip. Cases of emergency include injury to the participant which requires alternative transportation, religious engagement, family or personal emergency. Matters of personal convenience are not considered acceptable reasons for granting a waiver for this policy Players are encouraged to return to the school on the bus as a team. Team unity is just as important after a win or loss as it is on the way to the contest. All bus rules apply that are listed in the Scituate Middle School handbook.

School Equipment and Uniforms All student athletes will be responsible for caring, maintaining, and returning all assigned uniforms and equipment. All uniforms and equipment need to be returned no later than one week after the season is completed. Coaches will make arrangements for collecting equipment and uniforms. Those athletes who fail to return these items will not be issued any other school materials. She or he will be expected to reimburse the athletic department for any unreturned, lost, or damaged items.

Physical Education Expectations Student athletes must fully participate in their physical education class to be eligible to play and/or practice on that day. A student medically excused from P.E. Class, either by a parent's note or school nurse, is not allowed to participate in practice or a game. All student- athletes need to be medically cleared to return to practice or game play. Medically excused players may attend a practice or game, but only as an observer. Any exception to this policy must be first approved by the principal or the athletic director.

Hazing Hazing in any form will not be tolerated. Definition from R.I. General Laws (b) "Hazing" means any conduct or method of initiation into any student organization, whether on public or private property, which willfully or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health of any student or other person. Violation of this policy may result in strong disciplinary action, including suspension or removal from the athletic team.

Loyalty to School Team Student-athletes may be involved in leagues or teams outside of their school team. When this happens, a conflict in scheduling is almost certain to occur. Participation on a school team must always be first priority. This includes practices, games or even championships of outside league(s).

Parent and Coach Communication Both parenting and coaching are extremely difficult vocations. By establishing an understanding of each position, we are better able to accept the actions of the other and provide greater benefits to student-athletes. As parents, when your children become involved in our program, you have a right to understand what expectations are placed on your child. This begins with clear communication from the coach of your child's program. The team coach will announce a pre-season parent meeting where the coach will go over the following information. • philosophy of the coach; • expectations the coach has for your child as well as all the players on the squad; • locations and times of all practices and contests; • team requirements, i.e., practices, special equipment; • procedure followed should your child be injured during participation; and • discipline that may result in the denial of your child's participation. Communication between a coach and parent is important. It should be always done in the appropriate manner and at the appropriate time. One aspect of communication with the coach should follow the “24 hour rule”. Communicating with the coach immediately before or after a game is not in the best interest of anyone

involved. The coach is either concentrating on pregame or post game situations, as well as trying to take care of the team and its members. As a parent, you may have an issue that demands more time than the coach can adequately give to you. If you wait 24 hours to discuss an issue, particularly one that may be as emotionally involved as it can be when it concerns your son/daughter, the coach most likely will be able to give better attention to your concerns. Scheduling a time to meet or discuss an issue will work best for all involved. There are situations that may require a conference between the coach and the parent. These are to be encouraged. It is important that both parties involved have a clear understanding of the others position. Communication coaches should expect from parents: • concerns expressed directly to the coach; • notification of any schedule conflicts well in advance; and • specific concerns with regard to a coach's philosophy and/or expectations. As your child becomes involved in the programs at Scituate Middle School, they will experience some of the most rewarding moments of their lives. It is important to understand that there also may be times when things do not go the way you or your child wishes. At these times, discussion with the coach is encouraged. Appropriate concerns to discuss with coaches: • the treatment of your child, mentally and physically; • ways to help your child improve; and • concerns about your child's behavior. Coaches are professionals! They make judgment decisions based on what they believe to be best for all students involved. As you have seen from the list above, certain topics can be and should be discussed with your child's coach. Other topics must be left to the discretion of the coach. Issues NOT appropriate to discuss with coaches: • Playing time • Team strategy • Play calling • Other student-athletes

Cell Phone Use Cell phones should be used at appropriate times and place. Never should a cell phone be used during a game or practice. Texting or reading a text message on the sidelines is not appropriate. Cell phones should never be used in the locker room area. Communication between players and coach should be for practice or game purposes. Examples may include communications such as practice or game time being changed/canceled.

Signature Page Please complete and remove from handbook. Return signed copy to coach or athletic director.

I acknowledge that I have read the policies in the athlete handbook and that I will abide by all rules and regulations set forth by Scituate Middle School Athlete handbook. Student's Name (Printed) _________________________________________ Student’s Signature _______________________________________________ Parent/Guardian Signature __________________________________________ Date ___________________________________