Guidelines for Student Athletes, Parents and Coaches

Athletic Program Handbook Guidelines for Student Athletes, Parents and Coaches 901 E. Heim Ave. Orange, California 92865 714.921.3188 www.stpaulsorange.org Deryl Maxwell, Assistant Principal deryl.maxwell@splsorange.org Nathan Klitzing, Assistant Athletic Director nathan.klitzing@splsorange.org

Mission Statement Purpose Objectives The Panther Athletic Program Handbook has been created to serve as a guideline for the student athlete, the parent, and the coach. This should be read carefully and kept for future reference. Mission Statement and Purpose: St. Paul s Lutheran School exists to educate children, nurture their Christian faith, and equip them to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Therefore, the Panther Athletic Program (PAP) is a ministry of St. Paul s Lutheran School and is designed to promote participation in interscholastic sports for both boys and girls in Grades 5 8. St. Paul s participates in the Lutheran Orange County Athletic League (LOCAL). St. Paul s Lutheran School believes and expects their student athletes to emulate Jesus Christ in everything they do, including how they compete. Their sportsmanship and gamesmanship should flow from the basic principles of a Christian lifestyle. The student athlete works to compete in the image of Jesus Christ. St. Paul s Lutheran School believes that parents, coaches, and the athletic director have the responsibility to develop this concept in the student athlete. Objectives: To implement a successful athletic program which demonstrates a Christian and enthusiastic attitude. To encourage student athletes to strive for excellence and to do their best regardless of the outcome of a contest. To assist the student athlete in developing their basic skills and talents. To teach student athletes to participate as a team which cooperates, supports, and works together. To provide student athletes an experience in which they can develop leadership skills, self confidence and poise. To encourage and promote school spirit and good sportsmanship. Interscholastic Sports Offered Game Days/Practices/Times Fall (August November) Flag Football (Boys) Basketball (Girls) Winter (November March) Basketball (Boys) Volleyball (Girls) Spring (March May) Volleyball (Boys 7 th and 8 th Grade) Track (Boys and Girls Grades 5 8) Girl s Flag Football *This is a guideline for scheduling. Each team will publish a team schedule. *Exceptions would include rescheduled contests, inclement weather and tournaments. If there is no game, practice may be scheduled. *Away games may require student athletes to be dismissed early from school. This shall be noted on the game/practice schedules that are distributed.

Game Days/Practices/Times Varsity and Junior Varsity Boys o Games : Tuesdays and Fridays o Practices: Wednesdays Fridays (3:00 4:30) 5 th and 6 th Grade Boys o Games: Wednesdays o Tuesdays and Thursdays/Fridays (3:15 4:30) Varsity and Junior Varsity Girls o Games: Tuesdays and Thursdays o Practices: Wednesdays Fridays) (3:00 4:30) 5 th and 6 th Grade Girls o Games: Wednesdays o Tuesdays and Thursdays/Fridays (3:15 4:30) In addition, to the basic schedule are tournaments and Playdays that are stated on the season schedule. All respective team members are expected to attend those events. Formation of Teams General Guidelines National Competitions Formation of Teams : The Panther Athletic Program (PAP) will strive to provide a place for all student athletes who want to participate. However, some teams will have a limit on sizes to maximize teaching and playing time. The PAP participates in the Lutheran Orange County Athletic League. Games are scheduled according to the league governance policies. Additional games and scrimmages may be scheduled with the approval of the Athletic Director in accordance with St. Paul s operating guidelines. The PAP provides Varsity and Junior Varsity levels of competition in Flag Football (Boys), Basketball (Girls and Boys), and Volleyball (Girls). Student athletes in grades seven and eight will have the opportunity to try out for a team. At times, the try outs may be open to sixth grade student athletes. The coaching staff will have a period of evaluation prior to each season and then place the student athlete on the appropriate team. The PAP may not be able to accommodate all student athletes who desire to participate at this level. Tryouts (Junior Varsity and Varsity): Try outs will be held for all student athletes in all sports. All students wishing to participate are required to attend try outs. Those students not in attendance may not be considered for team placement. Limitations on team size may occur in volleyball and basketball (12 per team). Exceptions can be made in consultation with the coach and athletic director. 5 th and 6 th Grade: The PAP provides opportunities for all students in grades five and six. In order to maximize active participation, the PAP will strive to provide as many teams as necessary to accommodate the student athlete s needs.

General Guidelines: 1. Student athletes, parents and coaches are encouraged to support their commitment to the team by attending practices, games, and tournaments. 2. Each coach shall inform student athletes and parents of specific equipment, practice times, schedules, etc. in the form of a letter prior to the beginning of the season. 3. Student athletes are responsible for purchasing equipment such as shoes, kneepads, gloves, etc. 4. St. Paul s Lutheran School shall provide uniforms for games. 5. Student athletes may wear their uniforms to school on game days. All uniforms must comply with the established school dress code. 6. Student athletes are responsible for the care and cleaning of their uniform. At the end of the season, all uniforms should be submitted to his or her respective coach. Charges will be assessed for any uniforms not returned or damaged. 7. Parents shall contact the coach by telephone or written note any time their child will not be at a practice or game. 8. Parents shall be as prompt as possible in picking up their child(ren) after practices and games. 9. The Physical Education uniform shall be the practice uniform. National Competitions: Each year the athletic teams may have the opportunity to compete in National events. When a particular team finishes 1 st or 2 nd in their respective league, the team may apply for entry into a National tournament. At the current time, the Lutheran Basketball Association of America offers a National Basketball Tournament for junior high boys and girls in Valparaiso, Indiana. History: 2003 Boys: 2nd Place Finish 2005 Boys: Consolation Runner Up 2008 Girls: Quarterfinals 2008 Boys: 2nd Round 2010 Girls: National Champions 2011 Boys: Consolation Quarterfinals 2014 Girls: Consolation Quarterfinals Requirements for Student Participation in Athletics The Athletic Fee (non refundable or transferable) Varsity and JV Teams $125 per student athlete for fall and winter sports 5th and 6th Grade Teams $75 per student athlete for all fall and winter sports Spring Sports $25 per student athlete Signed Panther Athletic Agreement (per season/sport) Signed Permission to Travel/Medical Release Form (per season/sport) Prior to the beginning of each season, an announced sign up period will be made available to all students. Student athletes may not be allowed to participate with their respective teams until all above items are on file. Do not remove any forms from this handbook. These will be provided upon registration. Academic and Behavioral Eligibility: A student athlete displaying a lack of effort in his or her academic work may be suspended from participation in athletics. The administration will review the academic progress of all

student athletes who are involved in athletics. Student athletes earning a grade lower than a C, as reported on the weekly progress report, may be declared ineligible for one week. Student athletes will be notified with a letter from the administration stating their status. This letter must be signed by the parent and returned in order for reinstatement to be considered. A student athlete displaying a lack of cooperation with the classroom teacher, aides, etc. may be suspended from participation in athletics. Any student athlete who is ineligible for a combination of any three (3) weeks during a season is declared ineligible for the remainder of that respective season. The administration may exercise the right to reinstate eligibility at any given time. Student athletes, parents and coaches are to model Christ like attitudes, serve as Christian examples of fair play and good sportsmanship, and emphasize the glory of God over the glory of self and school. Sportsmanship: Respect of sportsmanship for student athletes, parents and coaches includes: Respect for yourself, your coach, your team, the officials and the opponents. Positive behavior when we win and positive behavior when we lose. Win with dignity, lose with grace! Appreciation of teammates, coaches, spectators and others that support the PAP. To be eligible to compete in interscholastic and intramural sports, the following requirements must be met: 1. The student athlete must display good citizenship at all times. 2. A student athlete who does not dress for Physical Education class in ineligible to participate in after school sports that day. 3. A student athlete who is absent from school is ineligible to participate in after school sports for that day. (Must be in attendance prior to lunch) Awards Transportation Safety and Supervision of Student Athletes Awards: The PAP awards program has been developed to recognize outstanding performance and achievement of the student athlete. The following awards will be presented at the end of the year Sports Assembly: ( May 20, 2016 @ 2:00 PM in the Event Center) The Panther Athletic Award: This award is presented to an outstanding athlete in Varsity sports (7 th or 8 th Grade). A boy and girl may be selected. The recipient demonstrates his or her God given athletic abilities at the highest level. The Student Athlete Award : This award is presented to an outstanding student athlete in the eighth grade. A boy and girl may be selected. The recipient excels both in the classroom and on the field/court. This award is a plaque and is presented at the end of the year Sports Assembly. The Christian Athlete Award: This award is presented to the student athlete in (may be one boy and one girl) the eighth grade who demonstrates a Christian attitude in the classroom and on the field/court.

In addition, the following award is presented at an Athletic Awards Night following each season: The Coach s Award: This award is presented to two (2) student athletes from each team. The Coach s Award recipient is chosen by the coach and the decision is based on the student athlete s attitude, leadership, work ethic and coachability. This award is a medal and is presented at an Athletic Awards Night following the respective season. Transportation : Student athletes will be transported to and from all athletic events by private transportation. When an event occurs during or right after school, the student athlete will be taken to and from the event. Transportation to events that occur on the weekends, days when there is no school, or evenings, is the responsibility of the student athlete and his/her parent. A Medical Release/Permission to Travel Form must be on file for each student athlete at the beginning of each sport. Safety and Supervision of Student Athletes : The safety of our student athletes is a great concern. To provide for their safety and supervision the following guidelines are followed: Home Games: o Student athletes who are on teams that have a home game are to report to their coaches immediately following dismissal at a location designated by the respective coach. o Student athletes are not to leave the school property without adult supervision or written permission from parents/guardians. Away Games: o Student athletes are under the supervision of their coach and the parents who are transporting them to an away game. o Student athletes may be released to the supervision of their parents or to another adult who has been designated by the parent/guardian. Practices: o Student athletes are to report to their respective coach at a designated location for practice. The student athlete is responsible for being on time. o If the coach is not yet available, the student athlete should sit and wait for directions from his/her coach or his/her designee. School Age Care: o Student athletes should be picked up immediately after practices or games. If they are not picked up within 15 minutes after a practice or game has ended, they may be sent to School Age Care at the parent s expense.

Safety Guidelines: All players should warm up and stretch before every game and practice. Players are not allowed to wear any jewelry or watches during games or practices. Players on the bench during games or off to the side during practices are expected to pay attention at all times. Coaches will have first aid kits available at all games and practices. As supplies are used, inform the athletic director so they may be kept fully stocked. Any player with a bleeding injury cannot return to the game or practice until the bleeding has been stopped and the wound properly covered. Players should be instructed in safe playing techniques and procedures. Expectations of Coaches Coaching Objectives Expectations of Coaches: The coaching staff of the Panther Athletic Program is under the direct supervision of the Athletic Director. As per the school policy, each team must have a coach who is a staff member or a staff member must be the official sponsor for that team and will be present at all practices and games. The following set of guidelines should be followed by all coaches: 1. Conduct yourself in a Christian manner as a representative of St. Paul s on the court/field, off the court/field, and in the community. 2. Set example for student athletes by not only stressing but also attending church on a regular manner, even when at away tournaments. 3. Have the student athlete s best interest in mind at all times. 4. Strive to have all student athletes play in various situations. 5. 5/6 sports are to teach the athletes the basic fundamentals of the sport. 7/8 sports are more competitive while building on the fundamentals. 6. Limited playing time due to unexcused practices or behavior while at practices is permissible. If the situation is sustained over a period of time, the coach should inform the student athlete, his/her parent(s), and the athletic director as soon as possible. 7. Teach skills to all participants equally and give fair consideration to all players. 8. Encourage players at every opportunity. 9. Do not submit your student athletes to anything that you would not want to do. 10. Even though there is a winner and loser in the scorebook, stress that the important thing in life is not the triumph, but the struggle and to have fought well. You can learn even in losing. 11. Work with other coaches who are coaching the same sport. This builds support for the other teams and provides for a well established program. 12. Know the rules of the sport you are coaching and be able to interpret them correctly. 13. Teach players to play by the rules and respect the officials decisions. 14. Keep competition in perspective. Realize when your team is over matched and stress to the players to still try their best the way they have been taught. Make sure student athletes also do everything in their power not to embarrass other teams by running up the score. 15. Arrive on time and do not leave until all student athletes have been picked up by their parents or through other arrangements that have been made.

Coaching Objectives: In keeping with the Christian athletic philosophy of providing an environment that provides the opportunity for all student athletes to develop their God given abilities with the help of Christian coaches in a Christian setting, the following objectives form the foundation for athletic activities at St. Paul s Lutheran School: 1. To help each student athlete know God and grow in his/her relationship with Jesus Christ so that maintaining a Christian attitude is a priority for the athletic program. 2. To teach that every individual is a unique member of God s creation with distinct talents and abilities. 3. To develop positive attitudes and athletic talents to glorify God rather than self. 4. To teach fundamental skills as well as more advanced techniques while encouraging the growth of each individual child. 5. To teach the child to show respect and consideration for teammates, coaches, opponents, officials, and parents with an emphasis on good sportsmanship. 6. To teach Christian competition by asking that all participants give 100% at all times while encouraging others and playing fairly. 7. To conduct a player/parent pre season meeting to communicate expectations and goals of the players, coach, and parents. This will provide a time for parents to ask specific questions of the coach and his/her personal coaching philosophy. At times it may be deemed necessary to conduct a mid season meeting as well. Evaluation Process: In an attempt to ever improve upon the athletic program here at St. Paul s Lutheran School, each student athlete and their parents will be provided an opportunity to offer feedback about the coach and the program as a whole. An evaluation form will be sent home and then returned to the athletic director shortly after the season has ended. These forms will be passed on to the individual coach, along with an overall evaluation for the athletic director. The athletic director will also share this overall evaluation with the Board of Education when needed. Information and feedback is an important evaluation tool for each coach to use for self evaluation and program improvement. Communication The PAP will strive to keep student athletes, parents and all stakeholders informed of the athletic events throughout the year through the following methods: Website : The PAP has a presence on the St. Paul s website. Game schedules, practice schedules, maps and results can be found on this site. Go to www.stpaulsorange.org and click on School and then click on Athletics which is found under Student Activities. Schedules: Practice and game schedules will be distributed to the student athletes at the beginning of the season. Updates will be distributed as necessary. Tournament information will be distributed to all student athletes when it is available. This information will also be available on the website and through Google Calendars. Paw Prints : Important announcements will be communicated through this publication.

Athletic Information Night: The Panther Athletic Program will hold an informational night in order to provide specific information for the upcoming year. All participants plan to attend. The 2015 2016 Parent and Student Athlete information night will be: Tuesday, August 25 @ 6:30 PM Parents and Student Athletes are able to receive details about the Panther Athletic Program. Parents also have the opportunity to learn about how to become involved in the program. Parent Participation: In order to provide a successful athletic program, parent/adult participation is necessary. The following areas are just some of the needs: Snack Bar Supervisors Snack Bar Scorekeeping Team Parents Field and Court Preparations Uniform Distribution and Collection Coaching Parents will have the opportunity to sign up for various activities at the Athletic Information Night. 24 Hour Rule: When upset by something that occurs in a game situation, a parent should refrain from approaching the coach or the Athletic Director for at least 24 hours. An appointment should be set to be able to sit down and to discuss/resolve the issue. Communication Procedure Chain of Command: When a conflict occurs the following process should be followed in seeking to resolve the issue as quickly as possible and to move forward in a positive manner: 1. Initial Communication: The student athlete, parent, or coach with a concern should first try to resolve the matter directly or informally with the individual(s) involved. This may be done either verbally or in writing to the individual(s) involved. 2. Review: If the conflict cannot be resolved at the initial level, the complainant should contact the Assistant Athletic Director and express the complaint, either verbally or in writing. After reviewing the steps taken by the complainant, to solve the problem, the Assistant Athletic Director should investigate the facts and meet with the individual(s) involved to seek to resolution of the problem for all parties involved. This step may or may not involve a meeting of all parties. The solution arrived at shall be communicated back to all parties, either verbally or in writing. If the complainant feels that the solution arrived at is not an acceptable one, the complainant should submit a written statement describing his or her concerns in a precise and detailed manner and submit it to the Assistant Principal (Athletics). The Assistant Principal shall further investigate the facts and meet with the complainant and the individual(s) named in the written statement to facilitate a mutually acceptable resolution to the problem. A meeting between the two parties is highly recommended as part of the process. The issue should be resolved within ten (10) days of the receipt of the written complaint unless it is mutually agreed upon to extend the period. The decision of the Assistant Principal shall be communicated in writing to all parties with a copy going to Principal.

3. If the issue has not been resolved to all parties satisfaction, the paperwork shall be submitted to the Principal, who will follow the same procedure described in #2 above. 4. Appeal If the complainant feels the issue has still not been resolved, he/she may submit a written appeal within ten (10) school days to the Board of Directors. Note: Ten (10) days begin when the reply has been received.

General Calendar Listed below are events that are scheduled at this time. Detailed schedules will be available at the beginning of each season. August: September: October: November: December: January: February: February March: March: LOCAL Athletic Director s Meeting Fall Practices Begin League Games Begin Salem Lutheran Girls Basketball Tournament Abiding Savior Girls Basketball Tournament Zion 5 th and 6 th Grade Girls Basketball Tournament Winter Practices Begin (7 th and 8 th Grade Boys Basketball Fall Awards Assembly LOCAL Athletic Director s Meeting Orange Lutheran Invitational Basketball Tournament (7 th 8 th Boys Basketball) Winter Practices Begin (5 th 8 th Girls Volleyball; 5 th 6 th Boys Basketball) Christ, Costa Mesa, Girl s Volleyball Tournament (Varsity) League Games Begin St. John s Play Day (5 th and 6 th Basketball and Volleyball) St. John s Play Day (5 th and 6 th Basketball and Volleyball) St. John s Invitational Boy s Basketball Tournament (Varsity and Junior Varsity) Winter Sports Assembly National Lutheran Basketball Tournament, Valparaiso, Indiana LOCAL Athletic Directors Meeting Girls Flag Football Tournament Boy s Volleyball March/April: Track Begins (Boys and Girls Grades 5 8) May: LOCAL Track Meet @ Crean Lutheran High School, Irvine Southern California Lutheran Schools Track Meet @ Crean Lutheran High School, Irvine LOCAL Athletic Directors Meeting Spring/End of Year Sports Assembly