ATHLETICS HANDBOOK MISSION STATEMENT The mission of the Athletic Department at DSST: Byers Middle School is to promote the academic, emotional and physical development of our students through teamwork, sportsmanship and athletic competition GOALS OF THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT To foster academic and athletic achievement in students by emphasizing the importance of self-discipline, sacrifice and dedication to achieving goals To field competitive teams, but not at the cost of academic excellence or demonstration of DSST Core Values To provide students the opportunity to pursue athletics as a means of overall well-being To develop in students both their sport skills and pride in their school EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENT ATHLETES DSST: Byers holds student athletes to high standards Student athletes are seen as representatives of both our school and our community As a representative of DSST: Byers, student-athletes are expected to adhere to all school and athletic department/team expectations Being a member of a school team is a privilege and not a right All Student Athletes are expected to: Remain academically and behaviorally eligible Weekly reports will be conducted by the athletic director Live the DSST Core Values; realizing at all times, athletes represent their families, their school and their community Attend and arrive on time for all practices and games
Refrain from using profanity or obscene language or gestures Demonstrate good sportsmanship and respect for officials, coaches and fellow athletes not interacting with the other team, their coach or their fans in any way that is less than respectful Care for all athletic equipment issued throughout the season and promptly return it at the end of the season Win with dignity and lose with grace Have fun and try their best Student Athletes who repeatedly fail to comply with the expectations will be removed from the team or deemed ineligible until academic/behavioral goals are met EXPECTATIONS FOR PARENTS OF STUDENT ATHLETES Parents are encouraged to support their Falcon s athletic endeavors and recognize the importance of athletics in their child s life Encourage their child to try their best and demonstrate good sportsmanship All parents are expected to: Attend a meeting with the Coach and Athletic Director to address question/concerns and to set clear expectations for the team/season Understand that academics are a priority over athletics and emphasize successful classroom performance Support and be enthusiastic about their child s chosen sport Be positive, helping their child to understand the benefits of athletic participation - regardless of contest results or individual performance Insist their child abide by DSST Core Values and any/all school and team rules Respect the actions of coaches regarding contest strategy, their child s playing status and playing time Avoid coaching from the stands or sidelines during both games and practices Ensure their child attends all practices and contests, and are picked up at designated times and places CRITERIA FOR TEAM SELECTION The number of students permitted on some teams may be limited due to allowable roster sizes For these teams, a tryout will be conducted At the tryout, all student athletes will be afforded an opportunity to showcase their talents and earn a spot on the roster Basis for team selection will be at the sole discretion of the coach Coaches will utilize a clear and concise rubric for the
tryout period The tryout rubric criteria will include, but is not limited to, the following indicators: Demonstration of positive behavior and attitude Demonstration of good sportsmanship and teamwork Demonstration of physical fitness Demonstration of required skills (sport-specific skills testing) ATHLETIC OPORTUNITIES OFFERED FALL August - October Cross Country Volleyball* Boys Soccer* WINTER November-February Boys and Girls Basketball* SPRING March-May Girls Soccer* Boys and Girls Tennis Flag Football* * These teams typically require a try out Based on conference affiliation, DSST: Byers may decide to add additional sports during the school year CONFERENCE AFFILIATION DSST: Byers Middle School is a member of the DSST Athletic League and must follow all league rules Students and parents will be required to have league forms on file before they are eligible for participation in DSST Byers athletics NONCONFERENCE LEAGUE PARTICIPATION DSST: Byers Middle School will not sponsor, whether financial or by name, any nonconference league play with the exception of invitational tournaments and those sponsored by DSST schools If a coach chooses to participate in an outside tournament or league, he or she will be responsible for tournament
entry fees and uniforms Since DSST Byers will not sponsor these teams, participant fees, events and coordination are left to the discretion of the coach ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY Student Athletes must remain academically and behaviorally eligible to participate A student is deemed academically eligible: By earning (and keeping) a minimum grade of a C (70) or better in all classes If any student athlete has a grade fall below a C in any class, he or she will still be permitted to practice with their teams, but will not receive a jersey or any playing time in games until they are once again in good academic standing Players that are not in good academic standing will not be permitted to travel to away games with team Weekly eligibility reports will be completed to determine eligibility REFOCUS - COLLEGE PREP SUSPENSIONS - REFERRAL Refocus, College Prep, and Tutoring all take priority over athletic practices and competitions: Students suspended from school, (In-school or Out of School) are not permitted to participate in or attend athletic events during the period of their suspension - this includes team practices Students who earn a Referral will not be permitted to practice and/or play on the day that the Referral was earned Students who earn a Refocus or College Prep will serve that intervention instead of going to practice or a scheduled game Students who earn more than twelve (12) Refocuses or fifteen (15) College Preps may be deemed ineligible for DSST: Byers school sports until the following trimester Any additional suspensions from games/practices/team will be at the coach s discretion PARENTAL PERMISSION Students who try out for an athletic team must have a signed parental permission statement That statement is also located on the front of the Physical Examination Form ATHLETIC FEE A $2500 athletic fee is required to participate in athletics at DSST: Byers The athletic fee is used to purchase new equipment; pay league and tournament fees; buy uniforms; pay coaches; and provide transportation when available If any students/parents are unable to pay the $2500
athletic fee, they must contact the athletic director, and accommodations will be issued on a case by case basis PHYSICAL EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS Students who wish to participate in DSST: Byers athletics are required to have: A current physical examination on file, in the athletic director s office A sports physical is valid for one calendar year, but must include the entire season for the sport in which the student will participate (for example - if the physical expires during basketball season a new physical would be needed in order for that Falcon to play basketball) In order for your student to participate in any activities the completed physical examination form needs to be turned in to the school prior to the first tryout TRANSPORTATION Travel to all away athletic contests will be by individual parents, parent carpool, and occasionally by DPS transportation The Coach of the team will be responsible for gathering directions from Byers to the contest and providing that information to the parent car pool or any parents wishing to attend the game Regular season contests are to be no more than 15 miles from Byers That may change for playoffs and championships Any student wishing to participate in the parent carpool must submit a transportation waiver UNIFORMS All uniforms issued to athletes are the property of the school and must be properly cared for by the student All uniforms must be returned, properly cleaned if necessary, at the conclusion of the season It is the responsibility of the parent and student to pay for and/or replace any lost or damaged uniforms On game day, students must be in dress code