Student Athlete Participation Handbook Varsity ✮ Junior Varsity ✮ U14 “Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there” - John Wooden ​ Dear Student Athlete, Dubai American Academy students always demonstrate tremendous talent, intellectual ambition and dedication towards our school. I am pleased that you have chosen to be an active participate in the school’s athletic program. The overall expectation of our athletics and activities program is to provide you with a positive life long experience. An important ingredient to this outcome is to ensure lines of communication are developed to prevent any conflicts or issues. You and your parents have the right to know and understand the expectations Dubai American Academy has for their student athletes representing our community. The overall purpose of co-curricular activities is to promote the social, emotional, physical, moral and mental well being of the student participant. All participants will be expected to display the proper ideals of sportsmanship, ethics and respect in their conduct. Participation in co-curricular activities is a privilege and those who participate represent the Dubai American Academy school community. All participants must ensure that his/her conduct does not compromise the academic, citizenship and sportsmanship standards of this institution. This handbook has been prepared for use by all student athletes involved with the program to clearly define all school policies and procedures as well as policies of the Middle East South Asia Conference (MESAC). Please take your time to familiarize yourself with our expectations as you Finally, thank you for agreeing to become a valued member of the Dubai American Academy Athletic Program. I wish you all the greatest success both on and off the field of competition. I hope that your season it is a safe, fun and rewarding experience. Sincerely, Emily Rentsch Athletics Director Email: [email protected] STUDENT ATHLETE HANDBOOK 2015-2016 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES PHILOSOPHY 3 2.0 CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES PURPOSE & RESPONSIBILITIES 3 3.0 CO-CURRICULAR AFFILIATION 3 4.0 AGE GROUP DESCRIPTIONS 4 5.0 ELIGIBILITY AND TRAVEL POLICIES 4 6.0 CODE OF ETHICS FOR PLAYERS 6 7.0 CODE OF ETHICS FOR PARENTS AND FANS 6 8.0 PARENT/GUARDIAN COMMUNICATION GUIDE 7 9.0 REQUIRED ATHLETIC FORMS AND INFORMATION 8 10.0 MESAC INFORMATION 9 MESAC RULES AND GUIDELINES 10 MESAC PARTICIPATION CONSENT 11 MESAC MEDICAL RELEASE 12 MESAC HOUSING 13 STUDENT ATHLETE HANDBOOK 2015-2016 2 1.0 CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES PHILOSOPHY To provide students with the opportunity to develop advanced skills in the areas of arts and athletics. ● To promote sportsmanship, stability, and meaningful social development through a diverse activities program. ● To field teams that are skilled, disciplined, dedicated, and motivated. ● To provide adequate equipment and facilities. ● To provide a diverse co-curricular program for Dubai American Academy students. 2.0 CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES PURPOSE AND RESPONSIBILITIES The purpose of co-curricular activities at Dubai American Academy is to promote the social, emotional, physical, moral and mental well being of the student participant. All participants will be expected to display the proper ideals of sportsmanship, ethics and respect in their conduct. Participation in co-curricular activities is a privilege and those who participate represent the Dubai American Academy school community. Participant conduct must not compromise the academic, citizenship and sportsmanship standards of this institution. All those who involve themselves with co-curricular activities at Dubai American Academy take on the responsibility to: ● emphasize sportsmanship, ethical conduct and fair play; ● eliminate those factors which would destroy the values to be gained from participation in the activities program; ● show courtesy to all teams, officials and spectators; ● respect the integrity and judgment of officials; ● understand and uphold the rules of the activity; ● enforce school policy regarding eligibility and conduct; ● encourage student leadership and skill development; ● recognize and promote the purpose and intent of the activities program; ● establish and maintain a relationship of mutual respect with hosts and visitors; ● maintain perspective. 3.0 CO-CURRICULAR AFFILIATION Dubai American Academy is a member of the Middle East South Asia Conference (MESAC). Member schools include: American Community School (ACS-AD) Abu Dhabi, UAE American School of Doha (AS – D) Doha, Qatar American School of Dubai (ASD) Dubai, UAE American Embassy School of Delhi (AES) Delhi, India ABA Oman (ABA) Muscat, Oman STUDENT ATHLETE HANDBOOK 2015-2016 3 Dubai American Academy also plays regular matches against local UAE International Schools: American School of Dubai (ASDubai) Dubai, UAE Universal American School (UAS) Dubai, UAE Dubai International Academy (DIA) Dubai, UAE GEMS World Academy (GWA) Dubai, UAE American Community School of Abu Dhabi (ACS) Abu Dhabi, UAE American International School of Abu Dhabi (AISA) Abu Dhabi, UAE GEMS American Academy (GAA) Abu Dhabi, UAE 4.0 AGE GROUP DESCRIPTIONS All MESAC Activities are conducted at either the Varsity or Junior Varsity level. The terms Varsity and Junior Varsity (JV) are used to denote age groups and have no reference to competition or skill level. Junior Varsity: Limited to those students who are in grade 8 and above and are under sixteen years of st age September 1 ​ of the school year of participation. ​ Varsity: Usually limited to those students who are over 16 years of age and under 20 years of age September 1st of the school year of participation. A student may not participate after graduation from ​ the twelfth grade. Students from Grade 9 and above only are eligible for Varsity teams. DAA recognizes cases where a Grade 9 or Grade 10 Junior Varsity age student may possess the skills and maturity to compete successfully at the Varsity level. The Activities Director, Activity Coach/Sponsor and Administration will discuss such cases to determine the best placing for the student with consideration given to the fielding of all teams. A Junior Varsity aged student should preferably be a starter or a first substitute on the Varsity team. The Junior Varsity aged student(s) should receive more playing time than non playing time on the Varsity team. 5.0 ELIGIBILITY AND TRAVEL POLICIES Students are eligible to participate in co-curricular activities under the following guidelines. Students may not receive an “F” in any subject. Students will earn a minimum grade point average of a C or 2.0 in all courses. Eligibility will be tracked during the season of the activity. The “Eligibility Day” will be set at the beginning of each season. If a student is deemed eligible to participate on this given day they are deemed eligible to participate and travel for the remainder of the season. Report cards from the previous reporting period may also be used to determine eligibility. When teachers turn in their grades for eligibility, any grades of D or lower will be noted by the teacher if they feel the students’ eligibility should be reviewed. Questions regarding participation may also occur if a student is involved in academic dishonesty, violates the disciplinary code or is excessively absent from school. The school is aware that each student has a specific set of needs – some excel academically, some excel athletically or artistically, some excel at both. The purpose of the School’s eligibility policy is not to deny students the opportunity to participate in an area where they excel due to poor academic performance. Rather, the goal is to review each student’s case and to make a decision based on input provided by the professional and personal counsel of the student’s teacher and parents. The principal will then make the decision for eligibility. STUDENT ATHLETE HANDBOOK 2015-2016 4 The following factors will be taken into consideration: ● the student has been working to the best of his/her ability; ● all homework has been completed on a timely basis; ● the student demonstrates a want to improve; ● it is in the best interest of the student; ● illness or uncontrollable absence has negatively affected the student’s grade; Dubai American Academy does not restrict the number of trips a student may take in any given school year. Consideration should be given and students should be counseled on the amount of school missed, cost considerations and the academic standing of the student. Students in MESAC sports and activities are limited to one MESAC sport or activity per season. Students who are absent from school on school related activities are responsible for meeting with their teachers before and after the trip. A timeline should be established for completing missed schoolwork. Faculty members are encouraged not to schedule tests, quizzes and due dates for major assignments on the day the student returns to school. Students often have very little time for schoolwork on these trips. The Athletics/Activities Director will supply all travel dates as early as possible to assist faculty in planning. Parents of the athletes are responsible for the entire cost of the trip (airfare, visas, tournament fees, food and beverage). Full payment must be received at least one week before the scheduled departure. Parents are additionally required to attend a pre travel meeting. By accepting membership in a co curricular activity whereby the student is representing DAA at either a MESAC and/or locally hosted tournaments, the student and parents also accept responsibility for providing accommodation for visiting athletes. Students travelling outside of the country on school sponsored trips need not report to school until 11 hours after the plane lands. If students are travelling within the UAE, they should report to school not later than 10 hours after arrival back at school. It is the responsibility of the Teacher /Administrator in Charge of the trip to advise students at the airport for international trips, or at school for local trips, of the expected arrival time at school the following day.