Athletics Policies and Offerings Topics Covered: The BB&N Athletic Philosophy Campus Programs, Offerings, and Requirements · Lower School · Middle School, · Upper School, All-School Coaching Guide All-School Student Responsibilities Practice Information · Location of Practices and Games, · Transportation · Lockers, Equipment, and Uniforms Health Services and Safety ISL Statement Regarding Drugs, Medication, or Food Supplements Anti-Hazing Policy Additional Information Sources, ISL Guidelines, Program Contact Information Athletic Field Locations Data/Directions to Opponent Facilities Travel Timetable, The BB&N Athletic Philosophy The BB&N athletic philosophy is to create a well-balanced curriculum of team sports, physical education, and health. All three components are essential complements to each student’s overall physical, mental, and social development. A clear and realistic program, one that supports and promotes all levels of athletic achievement, must also echo the School’s diverse curriculum. The values of team sports, physical education, and health include: • Experience of teamwork, competition, sportsmanship, success, and failure; • Development of relationships, self-confidence, and physical and life skills; • Knowledge of nutrition, fitness, and mental relaxation; • Maturation of leadership skills, discipline, and a strong sense of self. Campus Programs, Offerings and Requirements Lower School Every student in Beginners through Grade 5 participates in a Physical Education class instructed by our faculty. In the Fourth and Fifth Grades the program introduces students to a variety of skills in anticipation of team sports. The fundamental aspects of teamwork, sportsmanship, and competition are taught in a familiar and safe 14 environment. Plans are currently being made to include a basic Health component for the upper grades. Every one of our Sixth Grade students participate within the Grades 6th-8th Middle School Sports Program (please read below). Middle School (Grades 6th-8th) The Grades 6th-8th program makes a minor shift to a more competitive team program. Without abandoning the principles of participation and enjoyment begun in our Lower School, we start to allow for individual differences among student athletes. All students are expected to participate in the Middle School athletic program for all three seasons. Typical practice days are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 2:30-3:40pm with end of day pick-up at the Upper School Athletic Center, 3:50-4:10pm. Game days are typically Fridays and some Wednesdays with times and locations available seasonally at www.bbns.org the Athletics section. We feel that being involved on a team, at some level, is a valuable experience for all students. All participants are expected to receive fairly equal playing time over the course of the entire season. Associate Athletic Director, Dave Bunton, oversees the Middle School athletic program. He can be reached at [email protected]. Grades 6th-8th Athletics Programs, Offerings, and Requirements • Students must participate in the Athletic Program for three seasons. • Student participation in a team sport must yield enough players in order to compete at an interscholastic level. • The number in parentheses next to the sports below represents the maximum number of players per team. A tryout selection process according to ability will be used when necessary. If cut from a team, an alternate plan will be arranged by the Coaches and Associate Athletic Director, Dave Bunton. No student will be cut from their first choice more than one time throughout the academic year. Additionally, 6th graders are not eligible for A teams. • Alternative programs may be accepted on rare occasions. Please refer to the alternative policies in this handbook Fall (Interscholastic) Boys Football (35) Soccer A & B (34 total) Girls Field Hockey A & B (34 total) Soccer A & B (34 total) Volleyball A & B (28 total) 15 Co-ed X-country (50) (Non-Interscholastic) Co-ed Health & Fitness/ Yoga (25) Winter (Interscholastic) Boys Basketball A & B (28 total) Hockey (20) Girls Basketball A & B (28 total) Hockey (20) Co-ed Wrestling (24) (Non-Interscholastic) Co-ed Fencing- Instructional (32) Squash- Instructional (20) Health & Fitness/ Intramural Sports/ Yoga/Rock Climbing (28) Spring (Interscholastic) Boys Baseball A & B (28 total) Lacrosse (28) Crew A & B (30 total) Tennis (24) Girls Softball (18) Lacrosse A & B (32 total) Crew A & B (30 total) Tennis (24) (Non-Interscholastic) Co-ed 16 Golf (16) Health & Fitness/ Intramural Sports/ Yoga (24) Alternative Athletic Programs: Students with demonstrated ability and a major commitment to training for a sport/ activity that BB&N does not offer (i.e. riding, skiing, swimming, figure skating) may apply for an off- campus Athletic Program Waiver. If a student is granted a waiver he/ she will be dismissed at the end of the Middle School day and must be picked up from the Middle School campus at the end of the academic day. Those students who cannot be dismissed at the end of the MS academic day will not qualify for a waiver. Students with a Medical Waiver or athletic injury will be dismissed at the end of the MS academic day unless a rehabilitation program with the BB&N Athletic Trainers is requested and approved. The Independent School League bylaws state, “Multi-season, single sport: Athletes may not receive credit for participating in a sport (offered) for more than one season in an academic year.” All such proposals, and any additional season requests must be submitted to the Associate Athletic Director by dates published by the athletic department before seasonal tryouts in order to seek approval. Seasonal tryout dates will be communicated to students/parents via www.bbns.org and the seasonal Athletic Department Information Letter. Waiver Forms are available in the Athletic Department Office and online. Eighth Grader Varsity Tryout/ Participation Policy: The following procedure must be followed in order for an eighth grader to become eligible for participation on a Varsity Team with Upper School students. The sequence of events is critical to preserving the integrity of the parents’ and advisor’s decision making process. Only Middle School athletes with exceptional athletic talent will be considered candidates for varsity teams; fundamentally a Middle School student should play with his or her peers, giving directly to the Middle School community. However, in certain rare cases, when a student’s athletic talent far exceeds that of his or her peers, and playing at the Middle School level might hinder his or her athletic development, the student will be considered a candidate for a varsity team. The following procedure must be followed in order for an eighth grader to become eligible for participation on a Varsity Team with Upper School students. The sequence of events is critical to preserving the integrity of the parents’ and advisor’s decision making process. If an exceptional athlete in good academic standing is identified as a potential Varsity candidate, the following steps must be completed in order for the student to become eligible. The student must be the last to be informed in this process, never before the advisor and parents. 1.The coach informs the Director of Athletics of interest in a student-athlete. (The student needs to show exceptional talent, i.e., plays significantly above his or her age level, and will be a significant contributor or starter/high impact player at the varsity level.) 2. The Director of Athletics informs the Middle School Athletic Director and Middle School 17 Director, who notifies Grade Dean and Advisor The following areas are considered: Academic: Student’s profile is reviewed to determine whether the student is in good academic standing Social: The student’s social/emotional maturity is considered. The discipline record will be reviewed. Given the pace, demand and exposure to older students, the student’s ability to comfortably interact with older students will be considered. Time management skills, organization and motivation are all important. 3. The latter two confer, and the Advisor: a) consults the teachers to assess the student’s academic standing b) consults the parents if the general feeling is to move forward c) or conveys reasons to Middle School Director why the process should not move to the tryout stage. The Middle School Director informs the MS Athletic Director of the decision. If Student makes the team, the MS AD will communicate with all parties involved. The MS AD covers details, expectations and transportation issues with the family. The MS AD with Grade Dean will cover this with the student. If an Eighth Grader makes the varsity team, he/she will be waived from his/her Middle School athletic commitment. Failure to follow this process – particularly if the student-athlete is prematurely contacted – may result in the student’s being automatically withdrawn from Varsity eligibility for the season. If the above steps are completed, and the student-athlete has a successful tryout, the eighth grader may be a provisional member of a Varsity team as long as: 1. The student does not miss any part of the Middle School program (arts,academics and CT, Community Time on blue week Wednesdays) more than once (coach/advisor decision, at least 24 hours in advance) per season 2. The student’s academic progress is monitored on a regular basis and he/she is in deemed to be in good standing (determined by the Grade Dean and Campus Director) 3. The student meets responsibilities (on time, homework, lunch duties, meetings, etc.) and does not incur warning slips or is deemed guilty of behavior inappropriate for someone who has been granted the privilege of playing on a Varsity team If the above conditions are not met, the Advisor will meet with the Grade Dean, Director and MS Athletic Director to assess the student’s eligibility for the remainder of the season. In general, it is recommended that involvement be limited to one season. In extremely rare circumstances, a student could be considered for a second season.