2014-2015 GENERAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Welcome to Maus Middle School Athletics! We take great pride in our program in which we believe that tradition is built upon teamwork, leadership, pride, and an overall positive attitude. Being in athletics is not required, but is a privilege that carries great responsibility for all student athletes. All athletes and athletic staff will adhere to the guidelines set forth by Frisco ISD and by University Interscholastic League (UIL). Thus, it is imperative that all students in Maus athletic program understand the following Athletic Policies and conform to the rules therein and understand that the coaches of the sport or activity shall have every right to remove these privileges. ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONS Maus Middle School believes strongly in the term student athlete. We feel that our athletes our first and foremost students who need to place priority on their academics. All athletes should take pride in academic excellence and strive for nothing less. Students are given opportunities to gain extra assistance through retesting and attending before or after school tutorials, which are specifically set up to accommodate all athletes. All students are expected to go to tutorials that do not coincide with their practice schedule. Frisco ISD follows the guidelines set up by UIL, which states that student athletes must hold a 70 or above average in all classes to remain eligible for all extra-curricular activities. If an athlete is failing multiple classes or fails a class two consecutive six weeks, an academic improvement plan will be created by coaches, parents, and administrators. Failure to follow the academic improvement plan may result in dismissal of the Maus Athletic Program. It is our goal that all student athletes remain on a path to academic successful achievement. BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS Any act of disrespect by an athlete to his/ her teacher, coach, or member of school administration will be handled on an individual basis. Punishment may call for expulsion from athletic activities for one calendar year from date of incident. His/her return would be determined by his/her conduct during the period of expulsion. Athletes should show respect for all coaches, teachers, officials, teammates, opponents, fans, visitors, and school officials. Maus athletes should strive for, and be taught, acceptable and proper conduct at all school functions, and in the community, as they are representatives of their school and athletic program. Punishments may range from conditioning to suspension from the program. Tardiness, poor classroom behavior, poor representation of Maus Middle School away from school, and poor attitudes and behavior will result in extra consequences deemed appropriate by the athlete s head coach for the given sport. Disciplinary action will be documented and behavior plans will be set forth if needed. Consistent poor behavior is unacceptable within our athletic program and consequences for each action will be as follows: Full day of ISS = full game suspension Short-Term ISS = Playing time will be affected; extra sport specific work The following behaviors will have strict punishment and more than likely will result in removal from the Maus Athletic Program: 1. No use of tobacco of any kind 2. Stealing 3. Expulsion from school
4. Criminal Conduct 5. Fighting 6. No possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages 7. No abusive drugs (marijuana, narcotics, and drug paraphernalia) 8. ALL Social Media postings-both pictures and language should be appropriate and up to the expectations of the Student Code of Conduct in the FISD athletic guidelines, regulations and expectations (examples of inappropriate use include, but are not limited to, profanity, inappropriate gestures, suggestive pictures, hazing, threats, etc.) These rules apply to all athletes at all times during his/her school career. The head coach will discipline violators. Punishment will be in accordance with the FISD Code of Conduct for Extracurricular Activity Involvement. BASIC STANDARDS FOR MAUS MIDDLE SCHOOL ATHLETES: 1. No clothing that is unbecoming to MMS at school or at school functions. 2. Utmost care of all FISD facilities 3. Utmost care of issued equipment 4. FISD hair code- must be natural color, must not hang below your eyebrows, ears must be visible, no facial hair permitted (Boys-No Mo-hawks; Feux-Hawks) 5. Comply with all rules set by UIL and MMS 6. Prohibited from using alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs, steroids, or other controlled substances 7. No visible body art (this includes ink on hands) or piercings when representing MMS during any contest, practice or school function 8. No profanity or unsportsmanlike conduct at any time when representing MMS in practice, contests, at school, or when traveling with the team. SPORTS Football, Volleyball, Basketball, Track, Cross Country, Tennis and Soccer are sports that will be offered at Maus Middle School. Team selections will be based on the coaches assessments. Fundamentals, attitude and behavior, in and out of the classroom, will all be taken into consideration for making a team at Maus. All athletes will be highly encouraged to participate in as many activities possible at Maus Middle School. PROGRAM (TEAM) EXPECTATIONS Athletics is about being a part of something bigger than you. Maus Athletics holds this value as paramount to the athletic (team) experience. 1. A Mountain Lion will not lie, cheat, steal, nor tolerate those who do 2. A Mountain Lion will not do anything that is detrimental to themselves, their family, their team, or their school. *Repeated failure to follow program expectations will result in dismissal of the program. Every team has its own personality comprised of individuals. If multiple individuals change the focus of the program/team in a negative way, team discipline may be used. PHYSICALS All students participating in athletics must have a physical signed by a doctor before they begin any tryouts or practices. Physicals must be completed on an annual basis between the months of May 1 st, and the 1 st day of tryouts. PRACTICE TIMES
Girls Athletic Practices All sports will be held after school until approximately 5:30 p.m. with the possible exception of Cross Country which may be in the morning. Boys Athletic Practices- Boys practice schedules will be handed out prior to the season. You may also find practice, game schedules, and facility directions online. ATTENEDANCE AND TARDIES Attendance at practice and contests is mandatory. Skipping athletics or practice will not be tolerated! If any player has an unexcused absence from a scheduled practice they must make up the work missed, plus will miss playing time. For an excused absence, the conditioning portion of the workout missed is all that will be made up. If an athlete is unable to work out for more than 2 days in a row, a doctor s note will be required for continued missed workouts; otherwise further absences will be considered unexcused. GAME DAY ATTENDANCE Athletes must be in attendance for at least half of a day of school to be able to participate on a game night. The half day absence MUST be documented by a doctor s note, or approved by the Athletic Coordinator prior to the absence. It is the athlete s responsibility to communicate this absence to the coach so they are aware of the circumstances. QUITTING If an athlete decides to quit a sport, then the athlete may not be allowed to rejoin this team. Whether or not an athlete is permitted to rejoin the team will be at the discretion of the head coach. If an athlete quits one sport and is seeking to join another sport within the same school, then the athlete s ability to join a new sport immediately will be at the discretion of the two involved head coaches. LOCKER ROOM & EQUIPMENT, Equipment, which is school property, will be issued to each player and a record will be kept. Students are issued a locker with their own combination. It is the athlete s responsibility to take care of their equipment. The athlete will pay for any lost or stolen equipment. Prompt reimbursement from the athlete will be expected for lost or damaged equipment. Payment will depend on the article of clothing. All equipment must be accounted for before the student will be able to receive their final grade. If an athlete loses any workout clothes the following is the cost for reimbursement: Grays = $15 BB Mesh = $20 Sweats = $40 Athletic Bag = $20 Uniforms = TBD All equipment will remain at school unless instructed by a coach to take home. Athletes may not wear equipment home, wear another athlete s equipment, leave equipment out or have a messy locker room. Any violation will result in disciplinary action. Cell phones, music devices, etc. are brought to school at your own risk and should be locked up. Cell phones must be locked up during all practices and games and may only be used in the athletic office or athletic hallway. Absolutely no cell phone usage is allowed in the locker rooms! TRANSPORTATION We will provide transportation to and from the games for all athletes. Each student athlete must ride the bus to the game. We want to always encourage team unity, which includes riding on the bus home with teammates. Parents can pick their kids up at school after the game. Athletes must be picked up within a reasonable time (15 minutes) upon completion of practice and games. If students continue to have problems being picked up, we will document and issue 2 warnings. On the third offense, the athlete may be removed from the program. If the athlete isn t picked up after 30 minutes from the end of practice or when the last game at the sporting event is completed Frisco Police Department will be contacted to pick your child up.
OFF-SEASON Any student athlete not participating in the current sport will be placed in an off-season program. This program will involve conditioning and weight training as well as drills to prepare the athlete for the next sport. The program will take place only during the school athletic period. These policies and regulations are important to a successful athletic program. However, the key to a successful program comes from communication between the coaches and parents, the coaches and athletes, and the athletes and parents. We encourage the parents to share in their child s athletic experience and help make it a positive and rewarding one. If there are any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to working with your child. ~ Maus Middle School Coaching Staff MY COMMITMENT TO PRIDE ATHLETICS As an athlete participating in the Athletic program at Maus Middle School, I do hereby promise to read, understand, support, and abide by the FISD/MAUS MIDDLE SCHOOL ATHLETE S CODE OF CONDUCT. The policies will be in effect and will be adhered to. It is my desire to be a contributing part of the Maus Athletic Program and to help make it the very best possible. Athlete s Signature Date As a parent/guardian of a Maus Athlete, I have read and understand the MAUS MIDDLE SCHOOL S ATHLETE S CODE OF CONDUCT. Parent s Signature Date
Student Athlete Name Grade The Coaches at Maus are excited that your student athlete has signed up for athletics. It is the Athletic Vision that if Coaches/Parents/Student athletes are on the same page, it will be a very successful year. Failure to follow the expectations may result in consequences for your student athlete, (ex. lowering of Grade, Decrease in playing time, Suspension from Sport, Removal from Sport, and Removal from athletics.) 1. School sports take precedent over outside activities (ex. Club Soccer, Hockey, etc.) 2. Students are picked up at the doors by the locker rooms (not by band hall or front of school) no later than 15 minutes after practice/arrival after games. (Failure to pick up your child in a timely fashion will result in Frisco Police to supervise your child) 3. Leave the BUS parking lane open when teams are returning from games. 4. It is your child s responsibility to have your Child Call Coach Reese or Coach Bussey if they are going to be absent from practice &/or athletics. This INCLUDES ATHLETES IN OFFSEASON. 5. Before the Coaching Staff Talks to Parents, the Student MUST TALK TO THE COACH FIRST! If the child is not comfortable in talking to a coach, then the parent may schedule a conference with the coach for support. However; Dialogue WILL TAKE PLACE BETWEEN THE CHILD AND THE COACH. (Give the Coach an opportunity to address a situation before going up the chain) 6. If parents have questions/complaints, talk to the coach first. If not satisfied, follow chain below. a. Grade Level and Position Coach First b. Head Coach for Grade Level c. Athletic Coordinator d. Grade Level Assistant Principal e. Any further up the chain will be pushed through by Assistant Principal. 7. Athletes are expected to sit with their teammates in the stands, even if they are not playing. Restroom breaks and Concessions may happen before, between games and at half time. 8. Athletes are not allowed to talk to parents before, during, or at intermission during games. They are allowed to talk with parents following a game (give money for concessions, quick messages) 9. Competition often brings out a different side of people. Parents are expected to reflect good sportsmanship in the bleachers and cheer on their team and lead by example. 10. Help Athletes (boys) with Haircut Policy. (Out of the eyes, off the ear, and off the collar)
11. Understand that extra conditioning may be used in handling discipline in athletics. I have read the Maus Parent Expectations and agree to the policies stated. I also understand that Athletics is extracurricular, and therefore, I have the choice to remove my child from athletics in a timely fashion if I do not agree with its policies. The coaches will expect more from my child than someone not in the program. Parent Signature(s) Date Date