2016-2017 Athletic Handbook
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2016-2017 ATHLETIC HANDBOOK Grades 3-6 (Private School League) Grades 7-12 (Arkansas Activities Association Jackson T. Stephens Campus 1701 Cantrell Road Little Rock, AR 72201 501-372-1194 www.episcopalcollegiate.org This Handbook is intended to serve as a guide to help students and their families come to know Episcopal Collegiate School’s athletic programs and opportunities as well as to set forth basic expectations and agreements. Please take the time to familiarize yourself with the contents. Please understand that no set of rules or guidelines can cover every conceivable situation that might arise. The rules, policies and procedures set forth in this Handbook are intended to apply under normal circumstances. However, from time to time, there may be situations that require immediate or nonstandard responses. This Handbook does not limit the authority of Episcopal Collegiate School to deviate from the normal rules and procedures set forth in this Handbook, and to deal with individual circumstances as they arise in the manner deemed most appropriate by the School taking into consideration the best interests of the School, its faculty, employees, students or overall school community. The policies may also be revised or updated periodically, even during the school year. Families will be advised of any changes as they are made either electronically (email) or by mail. Any student or parent with a question about any handbook policy or statement should feel free to speak with the Athletic Director or Head of the School. Mission Statement Episcopal Collegiate School, rooted in the Episcopal tradition and affirming all faiths, strives to develop in its students respect for all persons, reverence of God, and a sense of moral responsibility. Through extensive co-curricular and athletic programs, students will develop strength of body and character and learn discipline, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Episcopal Collegiate seeks and welcomes a vibrant student body, rich in diversity, where students live and honor the School’s core values of respect, reverence, and responsibility and carry those values beyond the School community into their futures. Philosophy and Purpose The Episcopal Athletic Program is an education-based program is designed to further the mission of the School and to contribute to student’s physical, spiritual, moral, and social development. The Athletic Program will strive to develop a student’s physical skills and abilities and will focus on sportsmanship, teamwork, leadership, cooperation, citizenship, loyalty, character, and personal responsibility. Warning of Inherent Risk/Dangers of Athletic Participation Participation in athletics includes the risk of injury, which may range in severity from minor to disabling to even death. Although serious injuries are not common in supervised programs, it is impossible to eliminate the risk. Participants do have a responsibility to help reduce the chance of injury. Participants must obey all safety rules, report all physical problems to the coach or athletic trainer, follow guidelines for safe play and inspect his/her own equipment and report any problems. Athletic Program The School offers an interscholastic competitive athletic program for grades 7-12, which is governed by the Arkansas Activities Association (AAA). The athletic program for 3rd through 6th grade students is governed by the Private School Developmental Football League (FB) and the Private School Basketball League (BB) regulations. Episcopal students in grades 3-12 who wish to participate in the School’s athletic program must meet the participation requirements as outlined by these organizations. In addition, the School reserves the right to develop its own requirements for athletic participation. The School also reserves the right to modify this Handbook during the school year when, in its determination, circumstances warrant doing so. Episcopal Collegiate will offer its Middle and Upper School students the opportunity to participate in the following sports for the 2016-2017 school year. The Athletic Director will determine how many teams the School will sponsor in each sport. Fall Grades Cheerleading 7-12 Girls’ Cross Country 7-12 Boys’ Cross Country 7-12 Girls’ Golf 9-12 Boys’ Golf 9-12 Boys’ Football 5-12 Girls’ Volleyball 7-12 Girls’ Tennis 7-12 Boys’ Tennis 7-12 Winter Cheerleading 7-12 Girls’ Basketball 3-12 Boys’ Basketball 3-12 Wrestling 7-12 Spring Boys’ Soccer 7-12 Girls’ Soccer 7-12 Girls’ Softball 9-12 Boys’ Baseball 9-12 Girls’ Track 7-12 Boys’ Track 7-12 MS Golf 6-8 (First Tee) Requirements for Athletic Participation At the beginning of each sport season, each coach should call a team meeting for prospective athletes and their parents, presenting them with a written copy of all team rules and requirements. In addition to team rules established by the coach, all students who participate in competitive athletics must adhere to the following: 1. Comply with all standards of conduct and sportsmanship contained in the Athletic Handbook. These standards of conduct and sportsmanship apply to all school- sponsored athletic events, including travel required to participate in a sporting event. 2. Comply with the Grade Eligibility requirements as set forth by the Arkansas Activities Association and the School. Failure to maintain the requisite grade requirements will result in the athlete not being allowed to participate. 3. Comply with all requirements of the Arkansas Activities Association (AAA), Private School Developmental Football League (FB), the Private School Basketball League (BB) and any other association/league, which Episcopal may become affiliated with in the future. A copy of AAA and league rules shall be maintained by the Athletic Director and by all coaches. AAA Handbook can be found at www.ahsaa.org. 4. A student may not participate in an after-school practice or competition if he/she was not present in school for that day. If a student is absent for more than half of the school day (arriving later than 11:35am), he/she may not participate in after-school extra-curricular activities on that day. Students who check out early for health or medical reasons on school days during which they have an afternoon or evening athletic competition or other school performance may not participate in those activities. 5. A student may not participate in an athletic event if the student missed any team practices the week of or prior to the athletic event. This provision will not apply if: a. The student missed practice(s) due to illness or injury and provides the coach with a written note signed by a parent, guardian, or physician. b. The student receives prior approval from the coach for missing practice(s). 6. A student and his/her parents must have signed and submitted to the Athletic Director the following documents: a. Acknowledgement that the student and his/her parents or guardians have read and will abide by the Athletic Handbook. b. A physical exam release (dated prior to participation and good for one calendar year) signed by the student’s physician. Athletes must pass a physical examination at least once every 365 days. The exam must be performed by a licensed physician. c. An emergency medical release (permit to treat). d. A release of liability and release of risk of injury. e. A release of liability relating to transportation to and from any sporting event. The Release pertains to parent drivers, transportation by school bus, or any other method of transportation arranged for a particular event. f. Concussion Fact Sheet for Parents and Athletes: g. Any other documentation that the School deems necessary. 7. A student and his family must have signed in a timely manner the School’s Acknowledgement of 2016-2017 Family Handbook: Upper and Middle School. A student may not be allowed practice or participate in any athletic practice or competition until all the above documentation has been properly executed and submitted to the Athletic Director. The School reserves the right to restrict at its discretion athletic participation. Sportsmanship Episcopal Collegiate School student athletes, coaches and supporters must demonstrate good sportsmanship and citizenship by demonstrating respect for teammates, coaches, opponents, opponents’ supporters, officials and the property of others. The School’s student athletes and coaches are expected to be responsible for their behavior both on and off campus and to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the high expectations for all Episcopal Collegiate students and teachers. Student athletes and coaches should demonstrate honesty, self-discipline and integrity and serve as role models for other students, particularly for younger students. Student athletes must be respectful of the judgment and decisions of their coaches and student athletes and coaches must be respectful of the judgment and decisions of officials. Student athletes and coaches must also respect teammates and opponents. The athletic director and/or head coach will manage any disagreements with coaches, officials, teammates, opponents and or fans. Profanity by either a coach or student athlete is not condoned and will not be tolerated. Consequences for Violating Sportsmanship Policies (Coaches and Athletes) At a minimum, the following guidelines may be applied: I. First Level Infraction – Examples of first level infractions, include but are not limited to: h. profanity by an athlete or coach i. taunting of teammates/opponents or fans j. display of poor sportsmanship Consequences for first