St. Francis De Sales

2015/2016

St. Francis de Sales

Parent-Student

Athletic

Handbook

Revised November 2014

ST. FRANCIS DE SALES ATHLETICS

Welcome to St. Francis. This Parent-Student Handbook is yours to read and reference for all years your child will play sports.

GENERAL PHILOSOPHY AND MISSION STATEMENT

In keeping with St.FrancisSchool’s philosophy of educating the whole child, the Athletic Program exists to meet the emotional, physical, and spiritual needs of our students through sports activities that complement our academic curriculum. Its primary goals are the teaching and enjoyment of sports, sound Christian character development, skill development, good sportsmanship and team/school spirit. In the spirit of good sportsmanship, St. Francis athletes are expected to be gracious in defeat as well as in victory.

Coaches and adult participants in the St. Francis athletics program are volunteers.

Since 2004, all volunteers have been required by the Archdiocese of Chicago to attend the Virtus Training Program, “Protecting God’s Children,” mandated by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Complete and up-to-date “Protecting God’s Children” is a requirement for adult participation in our athletics.

Athletic Board Directory 2015-2016

Phone Number

ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

FIRST VICE PRESIDENT - EQUIPMENT

TREASURER

SECRETARY

VOLUNTEERS

PROGRAMS(revised September 2012, November 2014)

St. Francis de Sales does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin in its administration or hiring policies, educational programs or any other administered program.

Participation in the St. Francis de Sales Athletic program is open to all eligible students as noted. St. Francis de Sales Athletic program enforces a “No Cut” policy.

The following programs are currently being offered:Registration Deadlines/Late fees $50.00

Boys Football (Grades 5 – 8) Fall2nd Friday in May/school reg. in Aug.

Co-ed Cross Country (Grades 4-8) Fall2nd Friday in May/school reg. in Aug.

Girls Volleyball (Grades 5-8) Fall2nd Friday in May/school reg. in Aug.

Cheerleading Football (Grades 4-8) Fall2nd Friday in May/school reg. in Aug

Flag Football (Grades 3-4) Fall2nd Friday in May/school reg. in Aug

Boys Basketball (Grades 4-8) WinterSchool Reg. in Aug./2nd Friday in Sept.

Girls Basketball (Grades 4-8) WinterSchool Reg. in Aug./2nd Friday in Sept.

Cheerleading Basketball (Grades 4 – 8)WinterSchool Reg. in Aug./2nd Friday in Sept.

Co-ed Track (Grades 5-8) Spring1st Thursday in Jan/4th Friday in Jan

Boys Volleyball (Grades 5-8) Spring1st Thursday in Jan/4th Friday in Jan

Girls' Softball (Grades5-8): Spring Season1st Thursday in Jan/4th Friday in Jan

REGISTRATION DEADLINES

Registration deadlines for each sport offered at St. Francis have been set to insure that time is allowed to designate the number of teams needed, recruit Head and Asst. Coaches for the teams, and to order uniforms. A late registration fee of $25.00 will be charged for all late registrations. Late registrations do not guarantee a place on any team and will be at the discretion of the Athletic Board.

Parents are required to attend a mandatory meeting for fall, winter and spring sports programs. Uniforms will be distributed at these meetings.

Non-attendance may result in your student not receiving their uniform – and he/she may not be able to participate in games until his/her parent(s) sign a release form indicating that they have received the information distributed at the mandatory meeting.

ATHLETIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

The following policies and procedures have been developed by the Athletic Board. These policies and procedures have been voted into place by the Board in accordance with the Athletic Board’s Constitution.

All policies are given final approval by the Administration.

THE ATHLETIC BOARD

St. Francis de Sales has an Athletic Board whose functions are interdependent with other school and parish organizations. The purpose of the Athletic Board is:

a)To develop and define Athletic policies in accordance with School Board policy, school standards and regulations, Archdiocese policy and Conference guidelines which will direct the school’s Athletic Program.

b)To be responsible to the Athletic Director, Principal and Pastor for the functioning of all athletic events, promotions, and fund-raisers.

c)To collaborate with the Athletic Director, Principal and Pastor in the development of an annual athletic budget.

d)To represent its constituency through open scheduled meetings in order to foster a spirit of shared leadership.

ATHLETIC BOARD MEETINGS

The Athletic Board meetings are scheduled for the first Monday of each month and are held in the ParishMinistryCenter at 7:00 p.m. If the Monday is a holiday, the meeting will be held the second Monday of the month. Meetings are opened to all and you are welcome and encouraged to attend. If you wish to address a specific issue, please contact the President or Athletic Director at least 24 hours prior to the meeting so that the topic can be placed on the agenda.

ST. FRANCIS ATHLETIC CODE OF CONDUCT AND ELIGIBILITY

(Passed April 1993, Revised Oct. 1996, Nov. 1997, March 2001, April 2003, September 2012, November 2014)

Participating in an athletic program and playing sports is a privilege, not a right. Athletes will be held to personal, academic, and disciplinary standards.

1. ATTENDANCE is required at all practices and games.
2. BASKETBALL: A player who misses a game or the practice before his or her next game will not start and will sit out for the first quarter of play. Total playing time may be reduced. The coach has discretion about playing time for the rest of the game and this discretion is based on factors like the amount of advance planning given for the missed event, the player’s commitment to the team principles and work ethic in practice, if the miss is an isolated event or a continuing issue, if the missed event is to prioritize a non St. Francis activity over the St. Francis team, and the need to reward those other players on the team who have made practice and game commitments.
3. CROSS COUNTRY: Athletes are expected to practice and train with the team. Eligibility to participate in conference meets and the IESA State Meet are based on qualifying times at meets and season participation. Missing meets will compromise the athlete’s eligibility for the Conference Final Meet and IESA State Qualifier and IESA State Final Meet.
4. TRACK: If a practice is missed, the athlete may not participate in any relay event at the next track meet and the number of events in which he/she may participate at the following meet will be reduced. If meets are missed, the athlete will compromise eligibility for the Conference Final Meet and IESA State Meets
5. CONFERENCE and STATE CROSS COUNTRY AND TRACK MEETS: Participation at these events is limited by meet rules. Regular season times, distances and participation are used to determine which athletes qualify. If regular season Conference meets are missed, the athlete will compromise eligibility for the IESA Sectional and State meets. Participation in the IESA State Sectional Meet requires both a parental and athlete commitment to participate in both the IESA Sectional Meet and the IESA State Meet.
6. VOLLEYBALL: A player who misses a game or the practice before his or her next game will not start and will sit out for the first match of play. Total playing time may be reduced. The coach has discretion about playing time for the rest of the game and this discretion is based on factors like the amount of advance planning given for the missed event, the player’s commitment to the team principles and work ethic in practice, if the miss is an isolated event or a continuing issue, if the missed event is to prioritize a non St. Francis activity over the St. Francis team, and the need to reward those other players on the team who have made practice and game commitments.
7. CHEERLEADING: If a game or practice is missed, the athlete will not be able to perform the quarter or halftime cheers.
8. ABSENCES FROM SCHOOL DUE TO ILLNESS: An athlete who is absent from school due to illness will not be allowed to attend practice or play in a game on the day of the absence. Absence from school on a Friday should not affect Saturday and Sunday participation if the athlete has recovered sufficiently to practice or play.
9. PROMPTNESS is expected at all practices and games. Parents are expected to pickup their children immediately after practice, games and events.
10. CONFINE ACTIVITIES TO ATHLETIC AREAS. Students are to remain in the gym or on the field during the entire practice, game or event. The rest of the school, including parking lots and playground, are off limits.
11. SPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT is expected at all times. Each athlete represents his/her team, school and league. Therefore, each athlete’s conduct must exemplify self-respect, self control, respect for others, and sportsmanship. Specifically:
12. Each athlete is to treat every other athlete, coach, and official with respect and courtesy.
13. Losing self-control, using inappropriate gestures or tone of voice, foul and abusive language, arguing a referee’s call or a coach’s decision or other signs of disrespect are reasons for disciplinary action. Consequences of such behavior will be reduced playing time or even suspension from the team. School policy will govern all such incidents and will be enforced by the Athletic Director and the Principal.
14. No athlete will resort to roughness or fighting with an opponent.
15. ACADEMIC SUSPENSIONS – Any participants in the interscholastic athletic program may be suspended for academic reasons at any time during the school year, per the recommendation of the Parish School Teaching Staff.

Deficiency reports will serve notice of effort difficulties. These reports are given each quarter at midterm as well as at end of each quarter.

• If the teacher has indicated athletic probation on the form, there is a two-week probationary period. If the student has not improved, he/she will not be allowed to practice or play/cheer for the next two weeks. This monitoring will continue every two weeks until report cards are issued.
• Any participants in the interscholastic athletic program may be suspended for academic or behavioral reasons at any time during the school year.
• Students who receive two 3’s in effort at report card issuance will not be allowed to practice or play/cheer at any games for the next two weeks. This suspension will continue at two week intervals until an improvement in effort is seen.

Students that are ineligible to play due to suspension through an entire season may not receive trophies and awards for the sports that apply.

DISCIPLINARY SUSPENSION: An athlete may be suspended from the team by the Principal for disciplinary reasons based on the recommendations of the Athletic Director.

ADMINSTRATION DISCRETION: In the event that a student fails to comply with school rules and regulations, the Administration reserves the right to determine that student’s eligibility.

ST. FRANCIS PARENT’S CODE OF CONDUCT(Passed March 2001, revised November 2014)

Parents play an important role in the success of the student athlete and also in the success of the team. The St. Francis Athletic Board Mission Statement and Philosophy will be communicated to the parents as well as all expectations of their child’s participation in the program. Parent attendance is mandatory at team meetings.

PARENTS WILL:

1. Be expected to support and encourage their child’s efforts. Attending games and cheering the team on is a show of support, however parents are always reminded to act in a responsible manner and show good Christian sportsmanship.

2. Make no attempt to instruct or direct the play of an athlete or the team. They will not criticize the playing of any athlete or the team.

3. Be a model for putting losses in perspective and moving on. Questioning, criticizing, or berating the coach, referees, or any other officials is unacceptable behavior. Any discussions with the coach should not occur on game day.

4. Be asked to leave a game or tournament if they are not able to maintain a standard of acceptable behavior.

5. Be expected to contribute their time and service in support of the team and the athletic program. A volunteer program, especially, is dependent upon everyone’s help and support to maintain a high level of quality and success. Parents will be asked to assist as door workers, scorekeepers, concession workers, team parentsor as an assistant coach.

6. Be encouraged to attend games, however, leaving children unattended in the hallways, bleachers, or on the gym floor during practice or games is not allowed. Loitering and horseplay in the hallways, bathrooms, on the stairs or on school grounds is prohibited and may result in ejection from the gym.

COACH SELECTION POLICY (Passed Sept. 1993, Revised Nov. 1997, March 2001, November 2014)

1. Head Coaches and Assistant Coaches are openly recruited for positions on the Athletic Board by the Second Vice President (Head of Coaches). They must be at least16 years of age.

2. All coaches for St. Francis athletics are required to have up to date Protecting God’s Children and ReporterTraining on record with the parish office.

3. Criteria used in coach selection include, but are not limited to,

• The ability to model Catholic Christian values.
• The understanding of the basics of the sport to be coached.
• The ability to articulate and model the philosophy and goals of the program.
• The ability to supervise and instruct the youth in his or her care responsibly.
• The ability to develop the potential, confidence and skills of each athlete.
• The ability to separate winning from the more important goals of the program.
• The ability to work with children within the guidelines of the Athletic Policies.
• Experience with the sport

4. Once Athletic registration is completed, the Second Vice President (Head of Coaches)will assess coaching needs by grade level and sport, and make recommendations of qualified Head Coaches and Assistant Coaches to the Athletic Board.

5. The Athletic Board will then vote upon the recommendations of the Second Vice President.

6. Head coaches and Assistant Coaches are required to attend a mandatory information meeting at the beginning of each sports season.

7. Head and Assistant Coaches may recruit Student Assistants who will work under the authority and supervision of the coaches.\

8. Assistant Coaches under the age of 18 must have an adult present during all practices.

ST. FRANCIS COACHS CODE OF CONDUCT POLICY (Passed May 1993, Revised March 2001, November 2014)

The coach has the greatest responsibility as well as the greatest opportunity to guide and influence the student athletes. Coaches assume the role of teacher, mentor, and minister to the young people in their charge. A coach’s attitude and behavior are critical to modeling good Christian Catholic sportsmanship both in word and deed.

The coach should be familiar with, adhere to, and support the St. Francis Athletic Board Mission Statement and Philosophy, all school policies and guidelines. Coaches will attend a coaches meeting reviewing these guidelines prior to assuming coaching responsibilities. Coaches should be knowledgeable of the rules of the sport and techniques for teaching the fundamentals of the sport.

THE COACH WILL:

1. Respect each player as a special individual with unique needs, experience, and characteristics and develop this same respect for one another among the players. Coaches will model Christian Sportsmanship knowing that the school is judged more by the coach’s sportsmanship than by his/her record.

2. Maintain the high standards of a CatholicSchool as they apply to appearance, conduct, language and sportsmanship, and teach the importance of maintaining these same standards.

3. Stress the spirit of team play, encourage qualities of self-discipline, cooperation, self-confidence, leadership, courtesy, honesty, initiative, and fair play. Coaches should strive to be objective when the evaluate talent.

4. Provide for the welfare of players by:

a) Scheduling appropriate practice periods. Do not make excessive demands upon the athlete’s academic schedule.

b) Refrain from playing injured, fatigued or emotionally upset players.

5. Practice constructive criticism; avoid unnecessary emphasis on achievements or faults. Be positive in your approach!

6. Maintain an uncompromising adherence to standards and rules when enforcing eligibility, conduct and attendance requirements as stated in the Parent-Student Handbook.

7. Control his/her temper and encourage rather than berate. Coaches will discipline inappropriate student behavior or disrespect. However, the coach may never resort to physical or verbal abuse or profanity.

8. Never sacrifice the dignity of a player in the face of defeat. Make a concerted effort to be a positive influence on your players in sports and in life.

9. Show respect for game officials and opponents; publicly shaking hands with the officials and the opposing coach before and after a game gives clear witness to this respect. In questioning or disagreeing with an official’s decisions, a coach is to act with respect and self-control.

10. Be responsible for the equipment issued to them and for the proper use of the facilities where practices and games are held.

11. Complete any additional training as requested by the Athletic Department.

COACHES REVIEW PROCEDURE (Passed May 1994, Revised March 2001, November 2014)

1. First Level Review: If a problem is perceived, the parents are encouraged to talk to either the Coach or Assistant Coach first. If no resolution can be attained, or repeated violation of policy occurs then the next step is the second review level.
2. Second Level Review: parent then goes to the Second Vice President. It is at this point that documentation will be kept by the Second Vice President. If the Second Vice President cannot resolve the situation at this point it goes to the third review level.
3. Third Level Review: A meeting with theSecond Vice President, President of Athletic Board, and/or Athletic Director will take place. If no resolution can be reached, an Athletic Board meeting will take place to discuss whether further action is required.

BASKETBALL TEAM DIVISION/COMBINATION POLICY (Passed September 1993, Revised October 1994, November 1997, August 1998, September 1999, March 2001, July 2003, October, 2008, November 2014)