Somonauk Middle School

Activities Handbook

 

 

Introduction

 

The purpose of this handbook is to provide students and parents with a guide of specific policies and procedures of interscholastic activities at Somonauk Middle School (SMS). The coaches/advisors of the various teams/activities will explain their specific team rules and policies not covered in this handbook. Students who participate in SMS activities will be expected to adhere to the specific rules, regulations, policies and procedures set forth in this activities handbook, those established by their coach/sponsor, and those in the SMS Parent/Student Handbook.

 

Sports

Soccer – Co-ed            Basketball – Boys & Girls     Track – Boys & Girls

Wrestling – Boys            Volleyball - Girls

 

Music

Band

Chorus

 

Extra-Curricular Activities

Spelling Bee

Yearbook

Junior Council

Cheerleading

 

Preseason Information Requirements

 

The following information must be submitted to the Athletic Secretary prior to the beginning of practice:

 

            Sports Physical

            Proof of Insurance                 

            Participation Fee

            Signed Sports Handbook Receipt Form

            Emergency Forms

 

 

 

 

 

Philosophy of Activities

 

The activities program is designed to provide extra-curricular opportunities in a competitive situation for each participant. The intent is to help every child in the program learn fundamentals and progress in skills and self-esteem while learning discipline and responsibility. For the program to be effective, it must be a team approach consisting of coaches/sponsors, parents, teachers and participants. The program leadership and others involved in the program must be committed to helping every child in the program by working with the whole person in terms of physical, emotional and social well being. Because activities are a privilege, good sportsmanship is a requirement, including respect for self, teammates, opponents, officials, rules, fans etc.

 

Goals and Objectives

 

Assist every child in the program:

Every participant, regardless of skill level, is of equal importance and should be given equal opportunity for attention and help.

 

 

Work with the whole person:

Physical fitness, mental attitudes and social growth are important. All three come together in one experience. The leaders must constantly remember that they are working with students who have feelings, ideas, concerns, fears, physical limits and relationships with peers, family and adults. These factors need to be appreciated, listened to and supported as participants interact.

 

Fair play:

Emphasize sportsmanship and teamwork among participants. This involves teaching and modeling respect for one’s self, coaches, teammates, other teams, officials and fans.

 

Keep winning in perspective:

Winning is fun and exciting; however, it is only one objective of the activity.  It is only fun and exciting for kids if winning is kept in perspective. It is especially important in youth sports to remember that children are there to have fun, to learn, to enjoy exercise and play a team game that will benefit them for life. Other objectives of SMS programs include developing specific skills in the activities, becoming more physically/mentally fit, learning how to relate to others, being a leader sometimes and a follower other times, and dealing with the feelings and emotions of extracurricular activities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sportsmanship

 

Everyone is asked to actively support the extracurricular activities. We expect our students to abide by the following guidelines.  It is important that all fans model the same behavior so we, as a community, send a consistent message to our youth.

 

            Be courteous to the people visiting or school. Treat them as our guests.

 

Be courteous to all injured participants regardless of the team upon which they

participate.

 

Avoid confrontation with officials. They have a job to do and they are doing their

best to be fair.

 

Do not coach or referee from the sidelines. The coach has a job to do and works

hard to do his/her best.  Fan participation, such as yelling specific

instructions, impedes or confuses the players and may prejudice the official.

 

 

Student Responsibilities

 

·        Be on time for all practices and games/events.

 

·        Participation in activities is not permitted on days when a student is absent from school.

 

·        Inform the coach when it is necessary to miss a practice or game/event.

 

·        Obtain written permission to participate following medical care.  If a participant has an injury that requires professional medical attention, the participant will not be permitted to return to practice or participate in a contest until written permission from his/her doctor is received by the coach. Participants are to report all injuries to their coaches. This includes injuries that occur on and off the playing field.

 

·        Work cooperatively with the coach/advisor and the rest of the team at all times. Bad attitudes and other detrimental acts will not be tolerated.

 

·        Adhere to the individual coach/advisors set of rules.  He/she feels they are necessary for the success of the participants.

 

·        Show effort to achieve the goals set forth by the coach.

 

·        Conduct yourself at all times in a manner, which is a credit to you as an individual, the team, the community and the school.

 

·        Keep a neat and well-groomed appearance that is satisfactory to the coach/advisor.

Game day dress requirements will be specified by your coach.

 

·        Participants are to keep reasonable night hours, curfews to comply with local ordinance.

 

·        Meet academic and disciplinary requirements in the classroom. Students who receive three office issued detentions during the sport/activity season will be required to sit out one game. An additional game will be missed for each additional detention received during the season.  Students receiving an in-school suspension must sit out of one contest. Students receiving an out-of-school suspension will not be allowed to attend practice or games during the time of their suspension, and they must sit out the first two contests after their return to school.

 

·        If a student receives a Thursday detention, they will serve it on the assigned afternoon.  An activity is not an excuse to reschedule a detention.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Student Responsibilities (Cont’d)

 

·        Maintain eligibility throughout the activity.  Student eligibility will be determined on a weekly basis. Teachers will be asked to report to coaches each Friday any student whose cumulative grade (the grade that would be issued if the student were to transfer at this time) is an “F”. Students failing more than one class will be ineligible to play in contests from the following Monday through the following Saturday.  Coaches may ask students to take part in structured study experiences if poor grades continue to prevent eligibility.

 

·        Refrain from use of prohibited substances.  Use, sale, or possession of alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs is prohibited. If a student participant is observed by any school official or law officer indulging in any of the above during their season, the participant has violated a rule. The individual observing the violation shall report it to the coach/advisor of the activity that the student is involved in. The coach shall report the incident to the Activities Coordinator and shall file a written report of the incident. The Activities Coordinator will report the incident to the Principal who will make recommendations in accordance with the school procedures.

 

·        Complete all preseason requirements and forms.  See section 2 of this manual.

 

·        Take responsibility for all issued uniforms and equipment.  Uniforms are to be maintained in good order and must be cleaned after each game.  They are to be worn for games and scrimmages only and must be returned to the coach at the end of the season.

 

·        In the event that a problem exists, an appropriate approach should be made in the following sequence in an attempt to resolve the problem.

 

            An initial contact to the coach/advisor of the activity by the student and/or

parent.

 

If no resolution is reached, then the Activities Coordinator should be contacted.

 

If no resolution is reached, then the Principal should be contacted and due process

will be used in handling the issue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

·        Guidelines for unexcused missing of practice and contests:

 

Missed practices – unexcused:

            1st practice –  miss ˝ contest – talk to player

            2nd practice – miss 1 contest – call parents

            3rd practice – appear before Activities Board before being in any more

                                  contests or attending practices

 

      Missed contests – unexcused:

            1st contest –  miss 1 contest

            2nd contest – miss 2 contests

            3rd contest – miss 3 contests – maximum for any single occurrence

 

Unexcused absences are defined as any absences except those for personal illness/injury, attending family/relatives funerals, school related trips and activities, and other determined to be special circumstances.  Family trips/vacations, work, oversleeping, detentions, etc. are not excused absences in counting towards possible consequences.

 

·        When a participant is in violation of the above set rules and regulations or of those set by the individual coaches or advisors, the consequences or suspensions may be of varying length depending on:

 

a.       The nature of the infraction.

b.      The number of previous violations.

c.       Consistency with previous suspensions given by the coach or advisor to their participants for similar conduct violations.

 

-         1st Time:  Sit out of practice – talk to activities coordinator

-         2nd Time:  Dismissal

 

·        Intolerable Actions:

 

-         Disrespect to coach or other adult insubordination

-         Swearing

-         Fighting

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SOMONAUK MIDDLE SCHOOL ACTIVITES

EMERGENCY FORM

 

 

Participant’s Name_______________________________________

 

Parents/Guardian Names____________________________________

 

Participant’s Address______________________________________

 

Participant’s Phone Number________________________________

 

Parent’s Work Number_____________________________

 

                                     _____________________________

 

Cell Phone_______________________

 

Alternate Emergency Contact Name________________________

 

                                           Phone No._______________________

 

Allergies?_____________________________________________

 

Medications____________________________________________

 

Does the participant have Asthma?     YES                   NO

 

   If yes, do they have an inhaler          YES                  NO

 

The above-named student has my permission in the sporting even and the school authorities have my consent to act in an emergency in securing the necessary aid and transportation for the preservation of my student’s health in times of an emergency.

 

 

Signature of Parent/Guardian__________________________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                       

Somonauk Middle School

Activities Handbook Receipt Form

 

 

I have read the information in the Activities Handbook and agree to abide by the rules & regulations set forth in it.

 

                  

(Parent/Guardian of the Participant)                                         Date

 

 

 

(Participant)                                                                              Date