Handbook for Parents of Athletes

HANDBOOKFOR PARENTS OF STUDENT- ATHLETES

SUSQUEHANNATOWNSHIPSCHOOL DISTRICT

HandbookFor Parentsof Student-Athletes

ATHLETICPHILOSOPHYANDOBJECTIVES

The athletic program is an integral part of theeducational process of the Susquehanna Township School District.It promotes a desire in ourstudents and community to take part insports either as a participant or a spectator.

Our aim is to develop competitive student-athletes but not to lose sightof educational values such as sportsmanship, citizenship,health and scholastic attainment.The athletic programs should also promote schoolmoraleandprovideanadditionalsource of self-esteem for our students.

SPECIFICOBJECTIVES

1. To provide opportunities to learn games and improve playing skills to the best of their abilities.

2. To develop physical fitnessand desirable health, hygiene and safety habits.

3.To provide opportunities to make real friends with team members and widen circles of friends by meetingstudent-athletesfromopposingteams.

4. To provide opportunities to observe and practice good sportsmanship.

5. To realize that athletic competition is a privilege that carries definite responsibilitieswith it.

6. To reap the benefits of thespecial type of discipline that comes from participation and competition.

7. To understand the concept of teamwork and the individual'srole as a team member.

COMMUNITYOBJECTIVES

1.The community should realize that control of and responsibility for school athleticsrestsentirelywith the school authorities.

2.School athletics should furnish a recreational opportunity for the general public as long as a communityiswillingtoseethattheprogramisconducted solely for the benefit of student competition

and student spectators.

3.The community should judge the success of the season on the number of participants, the number of spectators, new skills acquired and good citizenship and good sportsmanship taught, rather than on the number of games won or lost.

4.The community should constantly keep in mind that anathletic contest is part of the school program and therefore is governed by the same philosophy.

SCHOOLANDSTUDENT-BODYOBJECTIVES

1. Athletics should be educational.

2. Athletics should promote pride in one'sschool and community.

3. Proper student interest should be promoted.

4. All visiting schools should be treated as guests.

5.Schoolpolicyshouldbeconsistentlyappliedsoasnot to provide student-athletes with special privileges.

6. Sportsmanship, fair play and good school citizenship should be the goals of all student-athletes.

7.Every effort should be made to provide the best coaching,facilitiesandequipmentpossiblewithinthe economic constraints of the school district'sbudget.

PARENTSOFSTUDENT-ATHLETES

Beingaparentisoftenchallenging.Thiseffortandresponsibilityisfrequentlycomplicatedbybeinga parentofastudent-athlete.Thishandbook,withitsguidelinesandsuggestions,willgiveyousomeinsightsintothis responsibility.Therearemanyrelationships,whichareinvolvedinbeingthesport-parentofastudent-athlete.

ThePlayer-CoachRelationship:

Unfortunately,throughtelevisedgamesandthemorerecentproliferationof cableTV,manyadultsfeelthat theyunderstandorperhapsknowmorethanmanycoaches.Everyonebecomesanexpert.Whilethisnewfound expertisemayheightenyourappreciationof asport,asasport-parent,however,youarenotthecoach.

Theplayer-coachrelationshipisperhapsthemostcriticalrelationshipinathletics.A sport-parentcanhave a pronouncedeffectonthisveryimportantanddelicaterelationship.Whileyoumaynotagreewithalldecisionsofa

coach,howandwhenyouexpressyourfeelingscanhavea decidedeffectuponyourchild.

Ifyouexpressanegativeopinioninfrontofyourchild,youneedtorememberthatheorshewillreturnto practicethenextdayandmaycarrywithhimorheryourconvictions.Yoursonordaughterwillthenhavetointeract

withtheircoach.You,asthesport-parent,cangreatlyaffectthisdelicaterelationship.

Receivingtechnicalorstrategicinstructionathomemayinterfereandconflictwiththeinstructionalprocessatpracticesessionsandgames.Thismayultimatelyimpedeyoursonordaughter's progressandaffecttheirplaying timeorwhethertheywinastartingposition.

TheParent-CoachRelationship:

Inyourroleasasport-parent,youobviouslyloveandareconcernedaboutyourchild's welfare.Youwant thebestforhimorher.Butastudent-athletecanhaveonlyonecoach.Allowingthecoachtoinstructandguidethe teamiscrucialinmanyrespects.

Shouldyouhaveanyquestionsorconcerns,donotapproachthecoachimmediatelyattheconclusionofa contest.Atthistime,coacheshaveotherresponsibilitiesanditmaybeanemotionaltime.Callandmakean

appointmentforalatertimeandapproachthismeetingina calm,courteousandlogicalmanner.

Oneoftheresponsibilities,whichacoachhasattheconclusionofacontest,istohaveabriefmeetingwith hisorherplayers.Student-athletesshouldnotpausetotalktoparentsor friendsimmediatelyaftergames.These

briefmeetingsareessentialtothelearningprocessinvolvedinathletics.

TheParent-Player:

Somesport-parentsmaytrytolivethroughtheirchild'sathleticefforts.Beingpositiveandsupportiveis important,butaddingpressureandunrealisticexpectationscanbeextremelyharmful.Allowyoursonordaughterto enjoyandgrowfromthisvaluableexperience.Innumerousnationalstudies,ithasbeendeterminedthatmost student-athletesparticipateforenjoymentorfun.Excessivepressureorexpectationscanalterthismost

fundamentalreasonforplaying.

Whenyoudospeakwithyourchildafteracontestdon'tdwellonhisorherplay,howmanypointsthey scoredoriftheystarted.Instead,firstaskhowtheteamdid?Didyoursonordaughterplayhard,give100%and havea goodexperience?

Relationship withOfficials:

Thereisanage-oldrefrainoftenusedbyiratefans,"Howmuchareyoupayingtheofficials?"Thehome schooldoesnotgettheofficials.Allofficialsareassignedbyacommissionerorassigneroftheparticularsportand neitherteamhascontrolofwhichofficialsareassigned.

Officialsagreetoandfollowacodeofethics.Theyreallydonotcareorhaveavestedinterestinwhich teamemergesasthevictor.Itisalsoimportanttounderstandthattheyareaverynecessarypartofagame.A contestcannotbeplayedwithoutthem.

Sowhileyoumaynotagreewithalloftheircalls,pleasedonotharassortauntthem.Itisalsoimportantto rememberthattheyareinchargeofthecontestandhavecompleteauthoritytohaveunrulyspectatorsremoved.In

manysports,a teamwillseethesameofficialseveraltimesduringaseason.Coaches,athleticadministratorsand schoolsoftenworkhardtoestablisharapportandgoodworkingrelationship,whichcaneasilybedamagedby

spectators.

Spectator-Cheerleader:

Cheerleaderstrytoinfusespiritintothefans/spectatorsandtoleadtheminselectedcheers.Takingthis responsibilityintoyourownhandsis notappropriate.Fanswholeavethestandstodirectcheersmayoftencauseor leadtoconfrontationswiththeopponents.Followingthecheerleader'sdirections,therefore,is absolutelynecessary at allathleticcontests.

Theemotionandatmosphereatathleticcontestscanbeveryexcitingandthecheerleadersneedtobe allowedtodirectandcontrolthisaspectoftheevent.

STSD MissionStatementfor Athletics

TheSusquehannaTownshipSchoolDistrictsupportsthephilosophythataqualityinterscholasticathletic programisvitaltothepositivesocial,physical,andeducationaldevelopmentofstudents.Theinterscholasticathletic programenhancesandsupportstheacademicmissionoftheschoolsystem.Wearecommittedtopromotingthe properidealsofsportsmanship,ethicalconduct,andfairplayatall athleticcontests.Wesupporthighstandardsof goodcitizenshipandpropriety,alongwithregardfortherightsofothers.

Beingamemberoftheinterscholasticprogramis aprivilegetobeearnedandmaintainedthroughoutthe season.Eachtimeparticipantsstepintoaschoolorontothepracticefieldandanytimetheyparticipateinagame theyareexpectedtorepresentthemselves,family,teamandschoolinaresponsible,sportsmanlikemanner.

Itisourresponsibilitytoprovidechallengingopportunitiesforourstudent-athletestocompetesuccessfully attheleague,district,andstatelevels.

At SusquehannaTownshipHighSchoolandMiddleSchool:

InadditiontoembracingandcommittingtotheSTSDphilosophy,wewillalsoencourageandpromote:

- Thebeliefthatstudent-athletesshouldparticipateinmultipleandnotspecializein anyonespecificsport.

-Theconceptof thebroadest-basedparticipationpossiblebyofferingalloftheteams,whichwecan,and extendingtheopportunitytoparticipatetoasmanystudentsaspossible.

- Thepremisethatallteamsareconsideredvitalforourstudent-athletesandeachisavaluedpartofour

athleticprogram.Noonesportisconsideredmoreimportantthananyother.

- Theapproachthatallteamsaretreatedasfairlyaspossible.

AthleticChainof Command

AtSusquehannaTownshipHighSchoolandMiddleSchool,thefollowingchainofcommandis in effect.

Principal

AthleticDirector

HeadCoach Assistant/JVCoaches Student-Athletes

Ifthereareanyquestionsorconcernsinvolvingsomeaspectofourathleticprogram,thestudent-athleteshouldfirst contacttheappropriatecoach.Iftherewerenoresolution,heorshewouldthengototheheadcoach,etc.

DifferentCoachingStyles

Justasourstudentsareexposedtoavarietyofteachingstylesandtechniques,ourstudent-athletesare exposedtoavarietyofcoachingstylesandtechniques.Consequently,theAthleticDepartmentdoesnothaveany rules,whichmandatetheamountofplayingtimereceivedbyeachplayer.Thosedecisionsultimatelyrestwiththe coachesintheprogram.Questionsorconcernsaboutplayingtimearebestaddressedin aplayer-coachora parent- coachconference.

ExpressingConcerns

Whenexpressinganoccasionalconcernwithacoach,pleaserefertoandusethefollowingguidelines:

1.Neverapproachacoachimmediatelyaftera contest.Thisisnotthepropertimeorplaceforadiscussion concerningyourchildortheteam.

2. Callthefollowingdayandmakeanappointment,whichisconvenientforbothyouandthecoachtomeet.

3. Raiseyourconcernin acalmandcivilmanner.Yelling,beingrudeor usingfoullanguageis totally unacceptable.

4.Onceyouhavestatedyourquestionorconcern,listentotheexplanation.Oftenasport-parentmaybeblinded byemotionandthisoverrideslogicandreason.Listeningreceptivelymayreallyhelpyoutounderstandany explanation,whichis given.

Contactingtheathleticoffice

It is alwaysbettertoexpressaconcernthantointernalizeit.Avalidconcernthatis notaddressedcanleadto otherproblemsforthestudent-athlete,thecoach,ortheteam.A player-coachora parent-coachconferenceisstillthe mostappropriatewaytoexpressaconcern.If,forwhateverreason,astudent-athleteorparentfeelsuncomfortable

abouttalkingtothecoach,itis thenadvisabletocontacttheAthleticDirector.JustasthePrincipalwillprotecttheidentity ofthepersonwhoexpressesaconcernaboutateacheroraclass,theAthleticDirectorwillprotecttheidentityofthe

personwhoexpressesaconcernaboutacoachorateam.

Afterlisteningtotheconcern,theAthleticDirectorwilleitheraddresstheconcernforthepurposeofcorrectingit;

ortheywillexplaintothecallerwhythecoachisoperatinginacorrectmanner.IfthecallerdoesnotaccepttheAthletic

Director'sexplanation,thecallerhastheoptionofcontactingthePrincipal.

Sportsmanship

Sinceathleticsiseducationalinnature,itisimportantthatallparentsdemonstrategoodsportsmanshipand serveasrolemodelsforourstudent-athletesandstudents.Sportsmanshipisanovertdisplayofrespectfortherulesof sportandforallothers-players,coaches,officialsandfans(NationalFederationNews,March1995,p.10).Italso involvesacommitmenttofairplay,ethicalbehavior,andintegrity.Thismeans:

1. Therecanbenovulgarorinappropriatelanguagefromourfansorspectators.

2. Tauntingortrashtalkingofouropponentsandtheircheerleaderscannotbetolerated.

3. Spectatorscannotleavethebleachersorenterontothecourtorfieldduringacontest.

4. Fansshouldbesupportiveandpositive.Cheeringshouldbedoneforourteamandnotagainstouropponent.

5. Weshouldnotimpedeorinterferewithouropponent'scheerleadersfromleadingtheircheers.

6. Insomespecificsportssuchas basketball,weshouldnotyellwhileanopponenttakesafoulshot.

Responsibilitiesof aStudent-Athlete

Mostcoacheswouldexpecta student-athletetoadheretothefollowingguidelines:

1. Theteam's goals,welfareandsuccessmustcomebeforeanyindividual.

2.A student-athleteneedstoconsistentlyattendpracticesessions.Thisalsoincludesweekendand holidayperiods.

3. Playersmustbereceptivetocoaching.

4. Teammembersareresponsibleforallissueduniformsandequipment.

5.Asamemberofateam,astudent-athletemustagreetoandfollowtheteamrules.Student-athletes needtorememberthattheyareambassadorsandrepresentnotonlythemselves,butcoaches,staff andschool.

6.Ifinjured,astudent-athletemustreportallinjuriestoeitherthecoachor,moreimportantly,toour athletictrainer.

Responsibilitiesof a Coach

AtSusquehannaTownshipHighSchoolandMiddleSchool,acoachhastheresponsibilityforthefollowing:

1. Theselectionofthesquad.

2. Thedeterminationofthestyleofplay,includingtheoffensiveanddefensivephilosophy.

3. Theteachingandinstructionatpracticesessions.

4. Thedeterminationofwhostartsandhowlonganathleteplaysinacontest.

5. Thedecisionof whoplaysinwhatposition.

6. Theestablishingofteamrules.

7. Theselectionofteamcaptains.

8.Thecommunicationwithstudent-athletesandparentswithrespecttowhenpracticesessionswillbe held,andwhenthesessionswillstartandfinish.

EligibilityRequirementsfor Student-Athletes

SusquehannaTownshipHighSchoolandMiddleSchoolsaremembersofthePennsylvaniaInterscholasticAthletic Association(P.I.A.A.),DistrictXIoftheP.I.A.A.andtheMid-PennConference.Asmembers,Susquehanna Townshipissubjecttoallrules,regulationsandpoliciesoftheseorganizations.

Thepurposesoftheseorganizationsareasfollows:

•Toorganize,develop,anddirectaninterscholasticathleticprogram,whichwillpromote,protect, andconservethehealthandphysicalwelfareofallparticipants.

•Toformulateandmaintainpoliciesthatwillsafeguardtheeducationalvaluesof interscholasticathleticsandcultivatethehighidealsofgoodsportsmanship.

• Topromoteuniformityofstandardsinallinterscholasticathleticcompetition.

SUSQUEHANNATOWNSHIPACADEMICELIGIBILITY

1. The athletic department will complete end ofthe marking period gradechecks.PIAA standards require that a student-athlete be passing atleast four (4.0) credits in orderto remain eligible. If the student- athlete is not passing the minimum (4.0) credits, the student-athlete shall become ineligible to participate in any contests and scrimmages for a period of 15 student school days. This period of 15 days begins the

day report cards are issued. In the case of end-of-the-year class failures (which are cumulative, the days will carry over into the subsequent school year. The student-athlete remains eligible to practice but must

attend AAP (Academic Assistance Program) at least twice a week during the 15-day period. Failure to

comply with AAP requirements will result in further ineligibility until compliance is met.

2. The athletic department, at the end of each week, will also complete in-seasonweekly grade checks. Students failing two (2.0) or more credits will become ineligible to participate in any contests and

scrimmages during the following week. At this time, the student-athlete must also be passing the minimum four (4.0) credits as required bythe PIAA, if not, he/she becomes ineligible for a one-week period.The PIAA establishes the athletic week to run from Sunday through Saturday. The student-athlete remains eligible to practice but must attend AAP (Academic Assistance Program) at least twice during the one-week period. Failure to comply with AAP requirements will result in further ineligibilityuntilcomplianceismet.

Eligibility is based on a student's cumulative average from the first day ofthe quarter.Grades for all eligible andineligiblestudentswillbereviewed weekly, to establish eligibility.

Work completed and grades received following the close of a weekly period do not alter or shorten

the period of ineligibility.

SUSQUEHANNATOWNSHIPACADEMICASSISTANCEPROGRAM

The Academic Assistance Program is available to students and student-athletes who need extra help with assignments. AAP provides individualized orsmall-group instruction for students who need academic help. The Academic Assistance Program can offer an opportunity for academic enrichment for successful students as well as basic help for students having academic problems. Academic Assistance meets after school Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdayfor approximately one hour.Students are to follow all school rules and guidelines.

Student-athletes who are identified as academicallyineligible to participate in interscholastic athletics MUST attend AAP at least twice during the one-week period of ineligibility.Failure to comply with AAP requirements will result in furtherineligibility until compliance is met.

P.I.A.A.ACADEMICELIGIBILITY

Inordertobeeligibleforinterscholasticathletics,apupilmusthavepassedatleastfour(4)full-creditsubjects,orthe equivalent,duringthepreviousweekorgradingperiod,exceptasprovidedinArticleIX,Section5.

ArticleIX,Section5:UseofFinalCreditatTheEndOfTheSchoolYear.

Attheendoftheschoolyear,thestudent'sfinalcreditsin his/hercreditsforthelastgradingperiodshallbe usedtodeterminehis/hereligibilityforthenextgradingperiod.

Incaseswhereastudent'sworkinany precedinggradingperioddoesnotmeetthestandardsprovidedabove,said

studentshallbeineligibletoparticipateininterscholasticathleticsforatleastfifteen(15)schooldaysofthenext gradingperiodwheretheschoolhasfour(4)gradingperiodsperschoolyear,orforatleastten(10)schooldaysofthe nextgradingperiodwheretheschoolhassix(6) gradingperiodsperschoolyear,beginningonthefirstdayreport cardsareissued,exceptasprovidedinSection5.

P.I.A.A.ELIGIBILITY

Priortoparticipationinanyinterscholasticcompetition,itisrequiredthatPIAACertificateofEligibilityforms arecompletedanddeliveredtoallopponents.Theseformsmustbefilledoutbythecoaches,andmustincludethe namesofthestudent-athlete,dateofbirth,placeofbirth,dateofenrollmentforthecurrentschoolyear,numberof seasonsofcompetition,numberofsemestersofattendancebeyondtheeighthgradeandforwrestlingonly,the certifiedminimumweightclass.TheaboveinformationmustbesubmittedtotheAthleticSecretarytwoweeksprior tothestartoftheregularseason.

N.C.A.A.CLEARINGHOUSE

TheNationalCollegiateAthleticAssociation(NCAA),hasestablishedrulesoneligibility,recruiting,and financialaid,regulatescollegesports.TheNCAAhasthreemembershipdivisions-DivisionI,IIandIII.Institutions aremembersofoneoranotherdivisionaccordingtothesizeandscopeoftheirathleticprogramsandwhetherthey provideathleticscholarships.

Ifahighschoolstudent-athleteisplanningtoenrollincollegeasafreshmanupongraduatingfromhigh schoolandtheywishtoparticipateinDivisionI orDivisionIIsports,theNCAAInitial-EligibilityClearinghousemust certifythem.

TheClearinghousewillanalyzethestudent-athlete'sacademicinformationanddetermineiftheymeetthe

N.C.A.A.'s initial-eligibilityrequirements.

Thecertificationprocessforstudent-athletesplanningtoenrollascollegefreshmenbeginAugust1stofthe academichighschoolyear.Clearinghouseformsareavailableinthehighschoolguidanceoffice.

Participationon anAthleticTeam

It is importanttounderstandthatparticipationonanathleticteamatSusquehannaTownshipHSisaprivilege andnotaright.Beingonandmaintainingone'smembershipontheteammeansacceptingalltheresponsibilitiesofa student-athlete.However,unlikerecreationorintramuralteams,equalorguaranteedplayingtimedoesnotexist.Inan efforttowin,a coachwilluseplayersbestsuitedtotheconditionsordemandsofthecontestatthattime.

PhysicalEducationClassParticipation

Itisimportanttoalsounderstandthatallstudent-athletesareexpectedtoactivelyparticipatein allrequired

PhysicalEducationclassesevenwhen"inseason"duringtheirparticularsport.PhysicalEducationisanimportantand requiredcourseforgraduation.Studentswhoparticipateininterscholasticathleticsshouldnotexpect"special"treatment

fromteacherstobeexcusedfromPhysicalEducationclassesevenonthedayofcompetition.PhysicalEducation

teacherswilluseprudentjudgmentwithstudent-athletesondeterminingtheirparticipationlevelinclassonthedayof competition.

Cutting theTeam

WhileourultimategoalistopromotethegreatestathleticparticipationpossibleatSusquehannaTownship HS,itmaybenecessaryinsomesportstocutasquad.Thismayoccurduetolimitationsofourfacilities,regulations specifictosomesports,travelrestrictions,andotherfactors.

Everycoachhastheresponsibilityandauthorityforselectinghisorherteam.Thecriteriaforselectingthe teamisdevelopedbythecoach.A copyofthewrittencriteriaisthendistributedtoourstudent-athletespriortothe tryoutsandtoourparentsatourpre-seasonmeetings.

Itisalsoimportanttorememberthattherearenoguarantees.Playersfromthepreviousyear'sJVteam,for example,donotautomaticallymakeeithertheJVorvarsitysquadthefollowingyear.Havingbeena memberofa teamduringthepreviousyearorevenbeingaseniordoesnotensurethatastudent-athletewillmakethesquad.

Parentsshouldexpectthateverycandidateistreatedfairlyandgiveneveryconsideration.Coachesare sensitivetofeelingsofdisappointment,willhandlethetaskaspositivelyaspossible,andbeavailabletoanswer student-athletes'questions.

Whileweunderstandthatbeingcutisdisappointingformanystudent-athletesandevenfortheirparents,we unfortunatelycannotkeepeveryone.Anyonecutfromateamis welcometotryoutagainnextseasonortotry

anothersport.Whenparentsandstudent-athletesunderstandandsupportthecoach'sdecision,thisdifficultprocess becomesa lesspainfulexperienceforall.

Student-Athleteschangingteams

Whetherbybeingcut,byquittingorbybeingdismissed,astudent-athlete'smembershiponateamcanbe altered.Whilewe atSusquehannaTownshipHighSchoolandMiddleSchoolwanttopromoteparticipation,wealso wanttosafeguardfairnessandanethicalapproachwithregardtoallcoachesandteams.Inordertoachieveallof theaboveobjectives,thefollowingguidelineswillbeused:

1. Anyplayercutfromasquadduringtryoutsisfreetoimmediatelytryoutorjoinanotherteam.

2.Anyplayerquittingateammustgettheapprovaloftheoriginalcoachbeforejoiningasecond team.Allobligationssuchasreturninguniformsandequipmentmustalsobecompletedpriorto joiningasecondteam.

3.Anyplayerdismissedfroma squadmustgettheapprovaloftheoriginalcoachandfromthe athleticdirectorbeforejoininganotherteam.

4.Theathleticdirectorwillmediateallproblemswhenastudent-athletechangesteamsandwillhave thefinaldecision.

5. Nocoachshouldattempttorecruitstudent-athletesfromanotherSusquehannaTownshipteamfor

his/herprogram.Thiswouldincludeanyplayerwhohadbeenamemberofasquadduringthe previousseason.Thisprohibitionofrecruitingshouldandwouldextendthroughtheoff-season.

6.Duringtheoff-season,astudent-athletecanparticipatein weight-training,conditioningandsimilar activitieswithotherteamswithoutunduepressurefromacoachtochangeteams.

ThePurposeof aJVTeam

JVteamsexisttoprovidethosestudent-athletesunabletoparticipateonthevarsitysquadanopportunityto developskillsandgainexperience.Whilethestudent-athlete'sage,size,orskilllevelmaybethelimitingfactorin

notmakingthevarsityteam,participationonaJVteammayenhancethestudent-athlete'spotentialtomakethe varsitysquadinthefuture.

A caution,however,mustalsobegiven.BeingamemberofaJVteamdoesnotguaranteethatastudent-

athletewillautomaticallymoveupthefollowingyearto thevarsitysquad.Thestudent-athletesbestsuitedforvarsity competitionwillmakethesquadeachyear.

Strivingtowinisimportantin athletics;however,compilingagreatrecordorwinningachampionshipshould

notbetheprimaryobjectiveof aJVteam.Thedevelopmentofstudent-athletesshouldbetheultimatepurposeofa JVsquadwhileatthesametimeacknowledgingthevalueofwinning,learning,andenjoyingbeingamemberofa team.

PracticeSessionsandGames

Practicesessionsarenormallyclosedtospectatorsandthereisaverysoundreasonforthis.These sessionsaretheequivalentofateacher'sclassroomandthereisreal,qualityinstructiontakingplace.Interruptions andinterferencetoastudent-athlete'sconcentrationandfocusinpracticecannotbeallowedanymorethana disruptionwouldbetoleratedinanacademicsetting.Educationin anysettingcannotbecompromised.

AtSusquehannaTownshipHighSchoolandMiddleSchool,practicesessions:

1. Maylasttwohours.

2. Maystartandendatdifferenttimesduetothescheduleofthecoachorof ourfacilities.

Checkwiththecoachforthespecifictimes.

3. Willnotbeheldwhenschoolisdismissedearlyduetoinclementweather.

4. Willnotbeheldwhenschoolisnotinsessionduetoinclementweather.

5. MaybeheldonSaturdaysandoverholidayperiods.

Spectatorsatgames,however,areverymuchencouraged.Positiveandnurturingsupportofteamsand student-athletescanbeveryhelpfultoperformanceinathleticcontest.

Transportation

Transportationforallathleticcontests,scrimmagesandwhennecessary,practiceswillbearrangedbythe AthleticDirector.Departuretimeswillbescheduledandpublishedforcoaches,players,custodians,facultyand administration.

Student-athletesMUSTuseschool-providedtransportationtoallathleticcontestsandscrimmagesunless prior arrangementshavebeenmadewiththeadministration.Inaddition,student-athleteswhoaretransportedby

school-providedtransportationtoeventsMUSTreturnbyschool-providedtransportationunlesstheheadcoach

receivesparentalpermissionpersonally.Onlyalegalparentorguardianmaytransportstudent-athletes.This however,shouldonlyoccurin emergencycircumstances.

Hazing

Inathleticsettings,somemayviewhazingasaharmlessriteofinitiationoranimportantactivityforteam bonding.However,itisactuallyaformofharassmentandrepresentsaSusquehannaTownshipDisciplinaryCode offense.A morecompleteexplanationofharassmentcanbefoundintheSusquehannaTownshipStudent Handbook.

Hazing,therefore,cannotandwillnotbecondonedorpermittedintheathleticprogramat Susquehanna

Township.Thismeansonthefieldsorcourts,inthelockerrooms,onthebus,oratanyotheractivityin which student-athletesrepresentSusquehannaTownshipSchoolorMiddleSchool.

[P.S.]5352.Definitions

PennsylvaniaHazingLaw

Thefollowingwordsandphraseswhenusedinthisactshallhavethemeaningsgiventotheminthissection unlessthecontextclearlyindicatesotherwise:

"HAZING."Anyactionorsituationwhichrecklesslyorintentionallyendangersthementalorphysicalhealthor safetyofastudentorwhichwillfullydestroysorremovespublicorprivatepropertyforthepurposeofinitiationor admissionintoor affiliationwith,orasaconditionforcontinuedmembershipin, anyorganizationoperatingunderthe sanctionoforrecognizedasanorganizationbyaninstitutionofhighereducation.Thetermshallinclude,butnotbe limitedto,anybrutalityofaphysicalnature,suchaswhipping,beating,branding,forcedcalisthenics,exposuretothe elements,forcedconsumptionofanyfood,liquor,drugorothersubstance,oranyotherforcedphysicalactivitywhich couldadverselyaffectthephysicalhealthandsafetyoftheindividual,andshallincludeanyactivitywhichwould subjecttheindividualtoextremementalstresssuchassleepdeprivation,forcedexclusionfromsocialcontact,forced conductwhichcouldresultinextremeembarrassment,oranyotherforcedactivitywhichcouldadverselyaffectthe mentalhealthordignityoftheindividual,oranywillfuldestructionorremovalofpublicorprivateproperty.For purposesofthisdefinition,anyactivityasdescribedinthisdefinitionuponwhichtheinitiationoradmissionintoor affiliationwithorcontinuedmembershipinanorganizationisdirectlyorindirectlyconditionedshallbepresumedto

be"forced"activity,thewillingnessofanindividualtoparticipateinsuchactivitynotwithstanding.

Risksof AthleticParticipation(Assumptionof Risk)

Inspiteofprotectiveequipment,andthesupervisionandsoundinstructionbyourcoaches,therearesome risksassociatedwhensomeoneparticipatesinathletics.Injuriesinsomeofouractivitiescananddooccur.In extremelyrare cases,deathcouldalsoresult.Allstudent-athletesandparentsneedtobeawareandunderstandthis possibility.AtSusquehannaTownshipSchoolDistrict,wewilldoallthatwecantoensureasafeandhealthy environmentforourstudent-athletes.

Sports BoosterClubs

SusquehannaTownship'sSportsBoosterClubsexiststosupportallteamsandtheentireathleticprogram. BoosterClubsshouldhavethreeprimarygoals:toraisefundstoassisttheathleticprograms,toincreaseschool spiritandtoencourageandpromotegoodsportsmanship.

TheBoosterClubisnotavehicletoremovecoaches,advancevestedinterestsortoalterAthletic

Departmentpolicy.Itisaserviceandsupportorganization,whichworksin harmonywithSusquehannaTownship

HighSchoolandMiddleSchoolandits athleticprogram.

AllparentsareencouragedtojoinaBoosterClubandbecomeanactivemember.MostBoosterClubshold monthlymeetingsthroughouttheyear.

SPORTSMANSHIP EXPECTATIONS

AcceptableBehavior

- Applauseduringintroductionofplayers,coachesandofficials.

-Playersshakinghandswithopponentswhofouloutwhilebothsetsoffansrecognizeplayer's performancewithapplause.

- Acceptalldecisionsofofficials.

- Cheerleadersleadfansinpositiveschoolyellsinpositivemanner.

- Handshakesbetweenparticipantsandcoachesatendofcontest,regardlessofoutcome.

- Treatcompetitionasa game,nota war.

- Coaches/playerssearchoutandcongratulateopposingparticipantorcoach.

- Applauseatendofcontestforperformancesofallparticipants.

- Everyoneshowingconcernforinjuredplayer,regardlessofteam.

- Encourageonlysportsmanlikeconduct.

Unacceptable Behavior

- Yellingorwavingarmsduringopponent'sfree-throwattempt.

- Disrespectfulorderogatoryyells,chants,songs,orgestures.

- Booingorhecklinganofficial's decision.

- Criticizingofficialsinanyway;displaysoftemperwithanofficial'scall.

- Yellsthatantagonizeopponents.

- Refusingtoshakehandsorgiverecognitionforgoodperformances.

- Blaminglossofgameonofficial,coaches,orparticipants.

- Tauntingorname-callingto distractanopponent.

- Useofprofanityordisplaysof angerthatdrawattentionawayfromthegame.

- Doingownyellsinsteadoffollowingleadofcheerleaders.

Do'sandDon'ts:

1. Cheerforyourteam.

SPORTSMANSHIP

2. Butdon'tyellatyouropponents.

3. Donotusevulgarorprofanelanguage.

4. Yellingatofficials will not betolerated.

5. Donotyellatordistractaplayershootingfoulshots.

6.Tauntingandtrashtalkingdirectedatplayers,coachesand fansisnotpermitted.

7. Remaininthebleachersduringthecontest.

8.Do notinterferewithouropponent'scheerleadersandtheir attempttoleadcheers.

9. Donotkickthebleachers…

Notonlydoesthis displaypoorsportsmanship, butthisalsodamagesthem.

10.Asaparent,pleasesetapositiveexampleforourstudents andstudent-athletes.

If youseeorhearsomething,whichis inappropriate,pleasehelpusbysayingsomethingtotheoffendingindividual. Remember,thatpurchasingaticketprovidesyouwiththeopportunityandprivilegetowatchacontest,itisnota licensetoverballyassaultothersortobeobnoxious.

SUSQUEHANNA TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT, THE MID-PENN CONFERENCE SCHOOLSANDTHE P.I.A.A. RESERVE THE RIGHT TOEJECT ANY SPECTATORS WHOSE CONDUCTIS DETRIMENTAL TOGOOD SPORTSMANSHIIP. MISBEHAVIORAT SPORTINGEVENTS MAY LEAD TO PROSECUTIONOR SCHOOL DISCIPLINARY ACTION.