PROGRAM GUIDE FOR GRADES VI, VII, & VIII 2019–2020 WELCOME Welcome to Athletics at Shady Hill School. We are excited for what will be a fun year of healthy competition! Below you will find a number of topics that will help guide you through the logistics of the Athletics Program. We very much look forward to working with you in creating a positive environment for school athletics! As always, if you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. Go Stingers! WHO’S WHO IN THE DEPARTMENT? Name Position Email Phone # Interim Director of Athletics and [email protected] 617-520-5243 Melissa Carver Physical Education B-V Physical Education Stephanie Travers Curriculum Coordinator [email protected] 617-520-5242 Teacher and Coach Physical Education [email protected] 617-520-5242 Rico Marino Teacher and Coach Physical Education [email protected] 617-520-5242 Heidi McCune Teacher and Coach Brendan Murphy Physical Education [email protected] 617-520-5242 Teacher and Coach MISSION STATEMENT Movement, Physical Education, and Athletics comprise a sequential program that is a vital component of our students’ physical, cognitive, and affective development. We believe in the primacy of exploration, the mastery of skills, and the development of character. Through innovative approaches, we cultivate joyful, active participants who value physical activity and healthy competition. 1 SUSTAINING THE MISSION THE MOVEMENT, PHYSICAL EDUCATION, AND ATHLETICS PROGRAM: • Teaches skills necessary to participate and compete in lifelong athletic activities. • Empowers children to make wise choices, demonstrate responsible behavior, and exhibit good sportsmanship. • Provides a supportive and safe environment in which every child is challenged to grow, take risks, learn from mistakes, and persevere. • Teaches children to develop an appreciation for individual differences and ability levels. • Promotes cooperation, fair play, and teamwork. • Advances leadership skills and opportunities. • Instills confidence, self-discipline, and respect for hard work. • Demonstrates the direct correlation between effort and achievement, personal improvement and goal setting, and the importance of commitment and responsibility. 2 SCHEDULE VI/VII/VIII SCHEDULE PRACTICES CONTESTS (GAMES, MEETS, MATCHES) 3:15-4:45 TIMES WILL VARY M T Th M T Th F MONDAYS, TUESDAYS, AND THURSDAYS MONDAYS, TUESDAYS, THURSDAYS, AND FRIDAYS* *Fridays: Attendance is only required if students have a game WHO DO WE COMPETE WITH? There is no Middle School “league,” however we compete against a wide range of both independent and public schools, including: Beaver Country Day School, Belmont Day School, Buckingham Browne & Nichols School, Cambridge Friends School, Cambridge School of Weston, Carroll School, Charles River School, Dana Hall School, Dedham Country Day School, Derby Academy*, Fayerweather Street School, Fessenden School, Fenn School, Jewish Community Day School, Lexington Montessori School, Meadowbrook School, Milton Academy, Nashoba Brooks School, Nobles and Greenough School, Ottoson Middle School, Park School, Pollard Middle School, Rivers School, Shore Country Day School*, Solomon Schechter Day School, Waldorf School, Winsor School *Home contests only CANCELLATIONS & MAKE UPS In the event of a cancellation, due to weather or other circumstances, the Athletic Director, in conjunction with the opposing team’s Athletic Director will decide whether or not the contest will be cancelled and/or rescheduled. Parents, students, and gradeheads will be notified by 1:00 PM of any cancellations and further information will be provided as it becomes available. 3 OFFERINGS Seasons: Fall (Sept. 9–Nov. 7), Winter (Dec. 3–Feb. 13), Spring (March 9–May 21) VI/VII/VIII GRADE SPORTS FALL • Boys Soccer • Girls Soccer • Cross Country • Field Hockey • Flag Football WINTER • Boys Basketball • Girls Basketball • Ice Hockey SPRING • Boys Lacrosse • Girls Lacrosse • Track & Field • Ultimate Frisbee • Tennis * *Tennis is the only sport in which a student may not get to play based on sign-ups. This is solely because we do not have the facilities to support the number of students that potentially sign up. If a student does not make the tennis team, they will get their second choice for spring athletics (or PE elective if the one-season requirement has been already been met). 4 EXEMPTIONS VI/VII/VIII GRADE Sports and athletic endeavors not associated with the school athletic program usually are performed in addition to and are not a substitute for the school program. However, some students demonstrate exceptional skill or great dedication to a sport or dance activity, which the school does not offer. To encourage this continued growth, devel- opment, and drive for excellence such a student may, under these special circumstances apply for a exemption. Exempted students will attend study hall Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 2:25 to 3:15 PM, and then participate in regular dismissal. There are two types of exemptions offered at Shady Hill, a season exemption and a full-year exemption. The details are outlined below: Season Exemption: May apply to be excused from the Full Year Exemption: May apply to be excused from the athletic program for a maximum of 2 out of the 3 School’s PE and Athletic program. seasons. All students are required to do one interscholastic sport per year. 1. The student must be receiving professional 1. The student must be receiving professional instruction and devoting a minimum of 5 hours instruction and devoting a minimum of 8 hours weekly (M-F) to the sport or athletic endeavor. weekly (M-F) to the sport. 2. Such a time commitment should involve at least 2. Such a time commitment should involve at three weekday practices or instruction. Weekend least three weekday practices or instruction. activities do not count toward an exemption. Weekend activities do not count toward an ex- emption. 3. The student must be supervised by an instructor, coach, or teacher who will indicate a responsibility 3. The student must be supervised by an instruc- to see that the specified program is followed. tor, coach, or teacher who will indicate a responsi- bility to see that the specified program is followed. 4. The student must already have developed skill, interest, or dedication in the sport or athletic 4. The student must already have developed a endeavor. high level of skill and have demonstrated the dedi- cation needed to excel in the sport. 5. The student must have specific and substantial goals such as preparation for competition or 5. The student must have specific and substantial performance. goals such as eligibility for competition/ performance at regional or higher levels. The student’s parents should submit an athletic exemption form by June 12th. The form is available on the Shady Hill website under the Athletics resource board and on the main Athletics webpage. The Athletic Director will make the decision after consultation with the Middle School Head, the student’s gradehead, and the Athletic Department. SIGN UPS & TEAMS Students sign up for interscholastic athletics during the spring and summer of the previous year. This allows Shady Hill to get an idea of how many teams to field for each sport. All VI, VII, and VIII students are required to play on at least one interscholastic team per year. Students who participate in the athletics program will attend study hall Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 2:25 to 3:15 PM, and then transition to practice. 5 TEAM PLACE & CONTEST PARTICIPATION VI/VII/VIII GRADE Teams are created through ability-based groupings. Students sign up for their sport of choice, and, if there are more than enough sign ups for two or more teams, there will be a tryout period. From there, coaches will determine which level students will be placed, as outlined below. # OF TEAMS LEVEL(S) - ABILITY BASED* 1 VARSITY 2 VARSITY, JV GOLD 3 VARSITY, JV GOLD, JV BLUE * PREFERENCE IS GIVEN TO AN UPPER-GRADE STUDENT IF EVALUATED EVENLY WITH A LOWER-GRADE STUDENT TEAM PLACEMENT Students will tryout each year they are in the program. Placement from the previous year(s) does not dictate a spot on the same level team the following year. For example, a VII grade varsity athlete is not guaranteed a spot on the Varsity team as an VIII grader. All athletes will be equally evaluated and placed accordingly by their coaches. Athletes who wish to know more information about their placement on a specific team are encouraged to first speak with the program coaches, and then with the Athletic Director if further clarification is needed. Please note, switching sports following team placement is not permitted. CONTEST PARTICIPATION VARSITY LEVEL Each student will participate, however time will vary depending on the nature of the sport and the needs of each team. JUNIOR VARSITY LEVEL Throughout the season athletes should receive as equal contest participation as possible, as allocated by the coaches. As with all of our teams, our expectation is that every individual will have meaninful participation time in each contest. If there are any questions regarding participation, we urge athletes to speak openly and respectfully with their coaches. If needed, athletes and/or families are encouraged to schedule an appointement with the coaches and/or Athletic Director rather than talking to them immediately after a contest. ATTENDANCE Attendance at all practices and contests is required and expected. Athletics at Shady Hill are thought to be a part of the child’s whole school experience. If there is ever an emergency, injury, or sickness, please let the coaches and Athletic Director know so that all students can be accounted for. SCHEDULING DOCTOR APPOINTMENTS There are openings on Wednesdays and some Fridays based on your child’s team schedule for any and all doctors, dentist, etc. appointments. 6 LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Each team will elect two captains, voted by the players via a secret ballot.