Wayside
Wildcats
Athletic Handbook
2014-2015
WAYSIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL
1300 Old Decatur Rd
Fort Worth, TX 76179
817-232-0541
Dear Wildcats,
We want to welcome you to the Wildcat Athletics Program. As a part of this program you will be expected to be dedicated, disciplined, and dependable to yourself, your team, your coaches, and your school. We will not sacrifice the principles of hard work, team, and class. For us to meet our goals it will take practice, time management, and prioritizing. When you compete in and support our program remember, you are representing Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD and you will be expected to do so with “Wildcat Pride”. The athletics program is considered a privilege and not a right, therefore you will be held to a higher standard both on the field, in the halls, and in the classrooms.
Thank you for your support,
Wayside Coaching Staff
Girls Office Phone Boys Office Phone
817-232-0541 ext. 225 817-232-0541 ext. 234
Girls Coaching Staff Boys Coaching Staff
Kellie O’Hara-Coordinator/ Blake Lierman-Coordinator
Cassie Bradley
/ Kyle Ellisor
Debra Alsip
/ Mark Owen
Jennifer Smith
/ Chad Wilkinson
Chris Goetzel
Alexander Adams-Soccer/Cross Country
/ Victor Valdez
Jonathan White-Soccer
Bridget Thompson-Tennis/Cheerleading
EM-S ISD Middle School Athletic Philosophy
1. To encourage participation in all sports.
2. To stress the high ideals of sportsmanship.
3. To administer the programs so that there will be minimum loss of school time.
4. To require that all participants be properly examined, equipped, instructed and supervised.
5. To foster proper respect for authority.
6. To compete within the spirit of the rules and be gracious in victory and in loss.
7. To teach good work habits to participants.
8. To retain as many players as possible in the program to go on and play in high school.
Mission Statement
The aim of the Wayside Wildcat Athletic Program is to develop academically and athletically well-rounded young people who are disciplined, focused, competitive, cooperative, and willing to contribute to the success of their team and school.
I. Goals
A. Wayside athletes will develop:
1. Across the board athletic unity.
2. Total program commitment to success.
3. Pride, character, self discipline, and self esteem.
4. A winning attitude in the classroom and athletic arena.
II. Behavior
A. Classroom
1. Yes ma’am or sir.
2. Follow all classroom directions without question.
3. Be a leader by your actions. You are seen by more people due to your participation in athletics and are representing your school, your coaches, and our program.
4. Follow the Wayside Way.
B. Consequences
1. Office referral, detention, call or email to coaches, or negative comment from a staff member, may result in additional conditioning exercise, loss of game time, and or privileges.
2. If an athlete has been placed in SAC, that student will have a one game suspension for the week they are in SAC. The same penalty will occur if it happens a second time. On the third offense, the student will be dismissed from that athletic team and possibly from the athletic program. It is under the coach’s discretion for any other punishment.
C. Athletic Area
1. All athletes are issued locker and are responsible for keeping all personal items in their locked locker when attending a practice or game.
2. All jewelry and hats are to be removed upon entering the athletics area. Girls are to have their hair up and out of their face; this includes their bangs. Shirt tails are to be tucked in. Boys’ hair should be no longer than the bottom of the ears on the sides, his neck and eyebrows should show in the front and back.
3. Athletes are responsible for keeping the locker rooms in proper order and clean.
4. We are not responsible for any lost or stolen items from the locker room area. Personal items should be locked in your child’s locker.
5. All other school handbook policies are in effect and will be enforced.
6. Horseplay will not be tolerated.
7. Per code of conduct, cell phones or any device capable of capturing images is strictly prohibited in locker rooms or restroom areas while at school or at a school related/sponsored function.
D. Bus
1. Talking will be kept to a minimum.
2. You may bring headphones to listen to.
3. Everyone is expected to ride the bus to and from games with their team mates. Any exceptions must be discussed with their coach.
4. Bus will be kept clean at all times.
5. No cell phone use until the trip home.
III. Academics
A. All athletes are expected to place academic success at the top of their priority list.
B. All athletes are encouraged to do their best, turn in all assignments, and take any opportunity to make up, or raise, low grades.
C. Grade check sheets will be required each week for any athlete who receives a deficiency at the three week mark, or fails for the six weeks.
D. No pass-no play is real. If you fail a class, you are ineligible for three weeks. At the end of the three weeks you must be passing all of your classes to be reinstated.
IV. Class Absences / Participation
A. Be at practice every day you can.
B. If your child is absent for the day, please notify the coaches office. Girls’ 817-232-0541 ext. 225
Boys’ 817-232-0541 ext. 234
C. If the student athlete is ill, a parent or doctor note is required. A parent note will excuse the athlete for two consecutive class periods or practices, after that a doctor’s note is needed. Points will be deducted from your child’s grade for more than two parent notes in a six weeks period.
D. Any unexcused absence will be grounds for make up conditioning. If make up conditioning is not completed prior to next game, a loss of playing time will result. If the athlete is in our off-season program, points will be deducted from their grade.
E. Tardy Policy
1=verbal warning and conditioning
2=verbal warning and conditioning
3=reduction of play time and conditioning
4=suspension of game-athlete will be in uniform on the bench- and conditioning
5=removal from the team and conditioning
F. Athletes are required to suit out every day, even if they are excused from participation. If the athlete can not participate, they must have a written note from their parent or a doctor. Points will be deducted from your child’s grade for not suiting out. Each athlete will start the week with 100 points. If an athlete does not suit out or participate, 20 points will be deducted. If an athlete does not suit out, but does participate, 10 points will be deducted.
**Notes need to be as specific as possible. Please don’t ask that your child be excused from all practice for a minor injury. Our coaches are professionals and have training and knowledge on dealing with injured athletes. Please allow them discretion.
G. If an athlete quits a sport, they may not be allowed to try out for another sport.
H. School related activities will come before outside activities.
V. Sports Workout and Game Schedules
A. Football
1. 7th grade practices from 7:15am-9:10am with games played on Tuesdays. Practices will start the second day of school.
2. 8th grade practices from 3:00pm-4:45pm with games played on Tuesdays. Practices will start the first day of school.
3. Season begins the week of August 25 and ends the week of November 3rd.
4. Pictures will be Monday, October 27, 2014
B. Volleyball
1. 7th grade practices from 7:15am-9:10am with games played on Thursdays. Tryouts will start the second day of school.
2. 8th grade practices from 3:00pm-5:00pm with games played on Thursdays. Tryouts will start the second day of school.
3. Season begins the week of August 25 and ends with a district tournament November 7-8th.
4. Pictures will be Monday, October 27, 2014
C. Cross Country
1. 8th grade practice at 7:00am-8:00am with meets on Saturdays. Practices will begin the second day of school.
2. 7th grade practice at 3:45pm-4:45pm with meets on Saturdays.
3. Season begins the week of August 25 and ends with a district meet on October 19th.
4. Pictures will be Monday, October 27, 2014
D. Basketball
1. 7th grade practices from 7:15am-9:10am with games played on Thursdays.
2. 8th grade practices from 3:00pm-5:00pm with games played on Thursdays.
3. Season begins the week of November 20th and ends with a district tournament February 6-8.
4. Pictures will be Wednesday, December 10, 2014
E. Track
1. Track practice times will vary due to weather conditions, but will primarily be held after school with meets held on Tuesday/Thursdays.
2. Season begins on March 3 and ends with the district meet on Tuesday, April 7th at Springtown High School.
F. Tennis
1. All practices are held after school.
2. Pictures will be Wednesday, December 10, 2014.
G. Soccer
**All official schedules are available on the Wayside Middle School website**
VI. Injury Notification and Evaluation
A. Sports by their nature can lead to injuries. If an athlete does suffer an injury, the athlete, or parent, needs to notify the coach so that they can make a determination as to whether the athlete should seek assistance from the athletic trainer or a nurse.
VII. Equipment
A. Workout clothes ($30.00 per set)
1. Worn daily by athletes
2. Are not to go home
3. Washed daily by coaches
B. Socks (white on game day)
C. Proper shoes for their sport (laced and tied properly)
D. Any equipment/uniform issued to an athlete is the responsibility of that athlete. Lost and or damaged items will result in a monetary fine.
VIII. Pick up
A. Our coaching staff dedicates a lot of time to our athletes. However, at the end of the day we need to go home to our families. Please make sure you respect our time and pick up your child promptly after practices and games. Please call if there is a problem.
Parent /Coach Communication Guide
COACHES ARE EDUCATORS FIRST AND FOREMOST
As a parent it is sometimes difficult to accept that your child is not playing as much as you wish. Coaches are educators who make decisions based on what they believe to be the best for all student-athlete and the educational goals of Wayside Middle School. Certain concerns are appropriate to discuss with your wildcat’s coach. Other areas, such as those listed below, must be left to the discretion of the coach and are not appropriate to discuss:
- Playing time
- Team strategy
- Play calling
- Other student-athletes
There are situations that may require a conference between coach and player, or coach and parent. These conferences are encouraged as long as the subject is appropriate. It is important that all parties involved have a clear understanding of other’s position. When a conference is necessary, the procedure outlined in the following sections should be useful in resolving concerns.
PARENT COACH RELATIONSHIP
Both parenting and coaching can be quite trying at times. By understanding and respecting the position of both parents and coaches, children are better served through their experience in athletics. Clear communication between parents and coaches can help both realize the positive experiences that can be gained from participation in athletics.
- COMMUNICATION YOU SHOULD EXPECT FROM YOUR WILDCAT’S COACH
- Philosophy of the coach
-Expectations and goals the coach has for your colt as well as for the team
-Location and times of all events
-Team requirements, special equipment, off-season program
-Team expectations, guidelines and consequences for infractions
- COMMUNICATION COACHES EXPECT FROM PARENTS
-Concerns expressed directly to coach.
-Notification of any schedule conflicts in advance.
-Notification of any illness or injury in a timely manner.
As your child is involved in athletics at Wayside Middle School they will experience some of the most rewarding moments in their young life. It is important to understand that there also may be times when things do not go the way your child wishes. At these times, discussions between the player and parent with the coach may help. It is the first and most important step to a mutual understanding.
- APPROPRIATE CONCERNS TO DISCUSS WITH COACHES
1. The coach’s interaction with your child.
2. Ways to help your child improve their athletic skills
3. Concerns about your child’s interaction with others.
- IF YOU HAVE A CONCERN TO DISCUSS WITH A PARTICULAR COACH, PLEASE FOLLOW THE PROCEDURE BELOW
1. Call the school and ask for the coach’s extension.
2. If necessary, request a time to meet with the coach.
3. If the coach cannot be reached, or is not able to return the call in a timely manner, contact the coordinator and make your request.
4. Please do not attempt to confront a coach before or after a contest or a practice. These can be emotional times for the parent, the athlete, and the coach. Meetings of this nature usually do not promote positive resolution. We ask that procedures 1-3 be followed the day after (24hr).
- THE NEXT STEP – If a meeting with the coach does not provide a satisfactory resolution…
1. Call the Campus Athletic Coordinator to discuss the situation.
2. Call the Principal for guidance regarding the next step.
3. Call the District Athletic Director.
PARENT CODE OF CONDUCT
*Make sure your child understands that win or lose, you love them.
*Be realistic about your child’s athletic ability when helping them set goals.
*Emphasize “improved” performance, not winning.
*Control emotions at games and events, even in the heat of battle.
*Remember that locker rooms and sidelines are for players, coaches, and officials only.
*Be a “cheerleader” for your child and the other players on the team.
*Respect your child’s coaches. Communicate with them in a positive way. Encourage others to do the same.
*Be a positive role model.
*Be sensible and responsible concerning priorities. There is a lot more at stake than a win or a loss.
“SPORTSMANSHIP BEGINS WITH RESPECT FOR YOURSELF AND OTHERS.”