Athletics

Spring Garden Athletic Handbook

Purpose Statement

Spring Garden Middle School’s athletics will emphasize the following:
The SJSD provides many opportunities for students to participate in organized Extracurricular sports and

activities. These activities are designed to provide a positive, health, drug-free atmosphere for our students outside the regular academic setting. Participation in these sports and activities is a privilege, as the student participant is a representative of their respective school, their community, and the sport or organization. As such, students must meet all scholastic and organizational requirements, as well as, in compliance with the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) for participation.

Policies

ATTENDANCE
Attendance at all practice sessions and games/contests for all team members is mandatory. If for some reason the student will be late or tardy for practice, he or she must personally speak to the coach or sponsor prior to the start of that practice. Students are also not permitted to leave practice early unless prior approval from the coach has been given. If a student is in school, they will be expected to attend practice unless he or she leaves during the day. Going home due to illness will disqualify a student for that day’s practice. Students must attend a minimum of 14 practices per MSHSAA before they can compete in a MSHAA activity.

An unexcused absence from practice is defined as:

When the coach is not notified before the practice or game or the reason for being absent is not legitimate.
When a student is suspended from school or serving and In School Suspension
When a student misses a practice or a game to compete on a non-school team.

Consequences

*1st and 2nd unexcused absence from practice or game – 1 game suspension
*3rd unexcused absence from practice or game – automatic expulsion from team

Student-athletes must also be in attendance at school the day of the contest. If a student is absent for part of a school day, their absence must be approved by an administrator. They must attend at least four of the seven hours of the school day on the day of the contest. If they do not, the athlete will be ineligible for that day’s contest. Students are also expected to be in school the day after a contest. If they aren’t and it becomes a habit, the coach will address this with the student and, if needed, consequences will be given.

GRADES

A 7th grade or 8th grade student must be currently enrolled in and attending the normal courses for that grade. A student must have been promoted from the 7 th grade to 8th grade. Any student who fails a subject in the

preceding quarter shall be ineligible the following quarter. This does not apply to students promoted from the 6th grade entering the 7th grade. Students who are enrolled in special education classes must be making standard progress in all classes in order to be eligible.

Grades will be conducted every week (Friday) and reported to coaches the following Monday. If a student has a grade lower than 60% they will be placed on academic probation. After two weeks on probation, if the student is still failing a course they will be ineligible for athletics the following week. If after week three the student is still failing they will be removed from the team.

Discipline/Behavior

Students who represent a school in interscholastic activities must be credible citizens and judged so by the proper authority. Those students whose character or conduct is such as to reflect discredit upon themselves or their schools are not considered “credible citizens”.

A student who violates a local school policy is ineligible until completion of the prescribed school penalties. The eligibility of a student who is serving detention shall be determined by the school administration. A student serving in-school or out of school suspension are not eligible for the days served.

SPORTSMANSHIP

The Spring Garden Middle School Activities and Athletics program supports a high standard of conduct and citizenship to maintain an exemplary program. It is an expectation that participants will demonstrate positive behavior and good sportsmanship on and off the field of play.

Off the field

Participants will conduct themselves as ladies and gentlemen at all times.
Participants will represent the school, community, team, and themselves in a positive and dignified manner.
When a student receives a discipline referral in school the coach will be notified.

The coach will discuss the incident with the student and has the right to assign an appropriate consequence. This may include suspension or expulsion for the team.

On the field

Participants will treat opponents with respect.
Participants will exercise self control at all times.
Participants will respect officials and accept their decisions without attitude or argument.
Participants will respect and listen to their coaches.
Participants will win without boasting and lose without excuses.

If a participant receives a technical or unsportsmanlike conduct foul, the following consequences will be given:

1st offense: Student will meet with the coach and athletic director and be suspended for no less than onegame.
2nd offense: Student will be dismissed from the team.

If a student is ejected from a contest for unsportsmanlike conduct, he or she shall be prohibited from playing in the next contest.

TRANSPORTATION

All participants must travel to away contests outside of St. Joseph in transportation provided by the school. If a student wishes to ride home from the contest with their parent or guardian, the parent or guardian must sign out the student at the conclusion of the contest. Students are only allowed to ride home with their parent or guardian and are not allowed to be signed out by someone else, unless the office has been contacted and approval given prior to the end of the school day on the day of the contest. Students will not be allowed to call parents at the contest and request a change of transportation arrangements. If a student is not signed out, then he or she must ride back to the school using the transportation provided by the school.

For away contests that are held at Bode, Truman, or Spring Garden, transportation will not be provided by the school and it is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to ensure that transportation is available to and from the contest.

UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT

Uniforms and equipment are on a LOAN basis and are to be worn only when authorized by the coach. All uniforms and equipment are the responsibility of the student during the season and must be returned at the conclusion of the season. If LOST, STOLEN, or DESTROYED, the replacement cost of the uniform or equipment will be assessed to the student at the end of the season.

CARE OF UNIFORMS: Uniforms with screen printing should be hung dried; fabric softener should not be used with washing uniforms. Please read and follow the care and laundering instructions.

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION

Prior to the first tryout or practice, all participants are required by MSHSAA to be examined by a physician. The physical form must be completely filled out and turned into the office before the student can practice or try out. The physical exam is valid for 2 years.
IMPACT TESTING

All students must have a pre-assessment (IMPACT) for concussion injury prior to participation in tryouts, practice or participation in a sporting activity. Impact testing will be held at Spring Garden with parent permission. If you are unable to participate on this day, you must have testing done on your own.

ACTIVITY FEES

SJSD will be charging an activity fee at the Middle School level of $25 for the 2021-22 school year. The fee is a one time fee and allows students to participate in that sponsored activity as well as only other MSHAA sanctioned events for that school year. The following activities require the activity fee prior to the 1st contest: Basketball, Cheerleading, Cross Country, Scholar Bowl, Track, Volleyball and Wrestling, Choir, Band, Orchestra.

NON-SCHOOL COMPETITION

Students may not practice nor compete as a member of a non-school team or as an individual participant in organized non-school competition in that same sport than the school sport in season.

Students may practice or compete as a member of a non-school team or as an individual participant in organized non-school competition in a different sport than the school sport in season. No school time is to be missed to compete, practice, or travel to the site of . . . non-school competition. The student shall not practice for or compete in the non-school competition on the same date he or she practices or competes for the school team without approval of the school administration.

Student-athletes who miss a school practice or competition due to their practicing with, traveling to and/or competing for a non-school team will have their absence treated as unexcused. This will result in the student being suspended from their next school athletic contest.

Expectations for Parents

Conduct at games/contests
- Good Sportsmanship – no degrading of opponents, fans, or officials. o Avoid the use of profanity.
- Appropriate treatment of school property
- Avoid the use of alcohol or drugs at games or practices.
- Support all players on the team. Publicly degrading a player or coach is inappropriate.
No coaching of players during practice or games
Support of school and team rules.
Observe the chain of communication in dealing with issues with the coach or athletic program.

Chain of Communication

Proper communication results in the positive resolution of issues, stronger coach-player relations and other benefits such as the student learning how to solve problems. The following is a guide for coaches, parents and student athletes. This guide provides a chain of communication that will maintain and build positive relationships.

Step One: Coach-Athlete Session
If a player or his/her parent has any issue or problem with their sport experience, the student-athlete is expected to address the coach. They are also encouraged to talk with their coach about any issue in their personal or academic life. The district’s expectations of coaches include open communication and positive relations with students and parents.
Step Two: Coach-Parent-Athlete Session
If an issue has not been resolved in step one, the next step in the communication process is to set an appointment with the coach, player, and parent. This meeting should be set at the coach’s discretion. If the issue is emotional, the appointment should be scheduled at a later time so parties are calm and problem solving can occur. Also, the parent or player should define the purpose of the session when the appointment is set.

Parents who try to discuss important issues with a coach as they are walking off a game or practice field are in violation of this process.

In this step, there may be rare cases when it may be best if the athlete does not participate in the session. If either the parent or coach feels this is the case, this should be discussed when setting the appointment and purpose of the meeting.
Step Three: Administrator-Coach-Parent-Athlete Session
If an issue is not resolved in step two, the next step is for the coach, parent, and athlete to meet with the athletic director or another administrator. This session can be initiated by any party. Using the same process as in step two, an appointment is set and all parties define the purpose of the meeting.

Code of Conduct

Athlete

I will:

Maintain creditable citizenship inside and outside the classroom.
Regularly attend classes and abide by your school’s code of conduct for students (outlined in the student handbook).
Understand and abide by MSHSAA rules and regulations.
Show respect for property and authority.
Refrain from making inappropriate or negative comments regarding coach/sponsor, team and teammates.
Exercise self-control at all times
Know, understand and respect the rules of the contest at all times.
Do not argue with a call made by an official during a contest. Respect their judgment and interpretation of the rules and events.
Accept victory and defeat with sportsmanship and character.
Accept the privilege of representing your school, community, and organization through participation in your sport/activity.
Realize that behavior, language, and appearance reflect not only on the individual, but also upon other members of the team and the school.
Recognize and appreciate the abilities of teammates and opponents.
Keep my grades above 60%.

I recognize that the privilege of being on a Spring Garden Middle School team, squad, or part of an organization carries with it the responsibility of setting a good example and the realization that it is an honor and a privilege to represent our school. I have read and understand the extra-curricular activity code for Spring Garden Middle School.

Parent or Guardian