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Middle School Athletic ProgramPARENT
AND STUDENT SPORTS AGREEMENT PHILOSOPHY,
GOALS, AND OBJECTIVES The middle school athletic
philosophy of the St. James Academy is consistent with the Mission of
the school and expects adherence by our athletes, coaches, and parents
to the school’s Honor Code as outlined in the Student Handbook. The goals of the
program are: 1.
to promote lifetime fitness behaviors by developing self-esteem
and healthy competition; 2.
to encourage social skills while learning basic rules and
strategies; 3.
to foster commitment, accountability to other members of the
team, self-discipline, and sportsmanship; 4.
to exercise leadership among the athletes. ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS FOR ATHLETES Participation in after
school athletics is optional.
It is a choice that students make with associated
responsibilities and privileges. It
is understood that academic excellence is the primary goal for all of
our students. Therefore, it is the
responsibility of every student to prioritize completion of all academic
assignments. Students will
be accountable for completing all missed work, which occurs when leaving
early for a game scheduled game. We ask that families carefully consider
this policy when choosing to play on several teams in any one season to
nurture SJA spirit and not overwhelm your students’ schedules. An athlete should
maintain a grade of “C” or better in all subjects to be eligible to
play in the games for his/her sport. If a “D” or “F” grade is
recorded on interims or report cards the student may be removed from
athletic games. The Assistant Head of School will manage these decisions
and communicate with parents and students. When a student commits to
playing on an athletic team at St. James Academy, he/she is taking on
the responsibility of arriving on time for all practices.
Coaches should be notified if a player must miss practice. If a
student needs to stay after class to meet with a teacher, the student is
responsible for obtaining a pass, which will be required by the coach if
a player arrives late for practice. If a student arrives late to
practice without a pass, the student may be sent to the school office
for the remainder of the practice. TEAM STRUCTURE The
goal of the school and coaches is to give each athlete as much game time
as possible with consideration given to safety and competition. To this
end some sports will have a sixth grade team and a combined seventh and
eighth grade team. All grade levels will practice together.
Whenever possible separate sixth grade contests will be scheduled
either immediately before or after the 7th & 8th
game. A coach might ask a
sixth grader to play in the older athletes’ games if needed. Team coaches will assume
the responsibility of balancing the needs of individual players and the
needs of the school team. Our
ideal is to offer equal playing time to all athletes in a game
situation. However, the
realities of student safety on the playing field and maintaining a fair
and competitive atmosphere with our peer schools may necessitate
variable playing time for students.
Parents are encouraged to discuss this possibility with their
student and be mindful of this policy. TEAM UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT STORAGE Student
athletes are issued a team uniform for each sport. Each team member is responsible for bringing the complete
uniform on every game day. Students will be assigned an athletic locker
in the St. James Center. Coaches
will not allow students to borrow uniforms from another team member.
Students will not be allowed to participate in a game if they do not
have their team uniform. Each
athlete will be responsible for returning his/her uniform after the last
game of the season. Report
cards will not be issued until a team uniform is returned to the coach
or a replacement fee (a considerable expense) is paid. Athletic
equipment must be stored in teacher designated areas. PRACTICE AND GAME ATTENDANCE Signing
up to play on a school team is a commitment.
All students are expected to attend all practices and games. The
coach should be notified if a player must miss practice or a game. GAME SCHEDULES AND DIRECTIONS A
printed schedule of all games will be distributed to all athletes as
soon as it is available. Please
check the school newsletter, ask your child for this item, and/or check
the SJA website www.saintjamesacademy.org.
The school office will notify teachers to dismiss the student athletes
from class to change and board the team bus.
Home
games take place on the SJA fields or in the St. James Center. Off site
games take place at a variety of schools or field locations. Travel
distances vary and this determines the start time for the games and the
time that the team bus will arrive back at St. James. Please consult
410-771-4816 extension 19 or the
website for directions, alterations in schedule, and/or game
cancellation. Traffic can also affect the return time. A
copy of written directions to all the schools with which SJA has
scheduled games is on the SJA website and in your Back To School
Night folder. TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM GAMES Students
are transported to games by a contracted school bus. The bus usually leaves SJA around 2:30PM.
This requires that students leave their last period class early.
With this early dismissal comes the responsibility of making up
any class work and obtaining any missed homework assignments. Parents
are invited to ride the team bus and attend all games.
We encourage students and teachers to support our teams. PICK-UP TIMES Parents
are responsible for picking up their students promptly at 4:15PM on
practice days unless the coach requests other end times. On game days parents are asked to be at SJA at the appointed
time that a home game ends or the bus arrives from an away game.
Please check with your child or his/her coach for the approximate
time the bus is expected to return to SJA.
The coach will tell the team members what time the bus should
arrive back at SJA. If the
bus will be more than fifteen minutes late, the coach will leave a
message on the Athletic Director’s voice mail. This can be accessed by
dialing the school office @ 410-771-4816 extension 19. School
policy regarding late pick-up, listed on Page 3 of the St. James Academy
Handbook, applies to all after school activities. Please refer to the game schedule and your child to determine
when you will need to be at school.
EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS Please
keep the school informed of any change to your emergency contact
numbers. It is important
that coaches and the school are able to reach you in case of an injury
to your child or if a change in the game schedule occurs. PARENT/STUDENT
COMMUNICATION During
game time coaches need to devote their full attention to players and the
game. It is not appropriate
for parents to discuss concerns at this time.
However, coaches will set aside a mutually agreeable time to
engage in discussion. We
ask that every parent, student, and coach sign and return the
bottom portion of this agreement and return it to the school office.
Students will not be assigned to a sports team if the school
does not receive the signed Sports Agreement. We
look forward to another exciting year of athletic competition.
Marc Cousins, Athletic Director --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DETACH
and return to the Athletic Director in the school office I understand that it is my
responsibility to provide insurance, if desired. I agree not to hold the
team, league, coach, or St. James Academy/St. James Episcopal Church
responsible for any injuries to my child while participating in the
program, including transportation to away games. I agree to take care of
any equipment loaned to my child and agree to return it at the
conclusion of the season. I will be responsible for any equipment lost,
stolen, or damaged through misuse. I agree to support all
school policies and procedures as outlined in the Parent and Student
Agreement for the St. James Academy Middle School Athletic Program. Parent’s
Signature and Date Student’s Signature and Date Print
Student’s Name
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