© Cameron Simmons

CARVER MIDDLE SCHOOL

ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT

HANDBOOK

2018-2019

© Cameron Simmons

1) OUR MISSION

Students involved in the Carver Middle Schools Athletics Program will have a positive experience which

will teach them many valuable life skills such as discipline, respect, hard work, and team work.

2) COACHING PHILOSOPHY

Young athletes need guidance, positive role models, and coaching in the

classrooms, at home, and in the community. Successful programs are those which take a

comprehensive approach to coaching and creating an atmosphere that provide players, coaches,

fans, administrators, and the community with a sense of belonging. As coaches we must be well

prepared, well rounded, knowledgeable, and a “student of the game,” who leads by example and sets

the standard for academic success, winning, and discipline. Our coaches must drive and motivate

athletes to obtain their full potential as a player and person. Players gain confidence and a love for the

game through positive feedback from parents, coaches, and players. Middle school sports can

be an exciting opportunity for your child to have fun, develop as an individual/team player, and learn

discipline and responsibility, and mature as a person. Competition is an important element of any sport

and as kids grow they naturally become more competitive. I feel that the role of the parents, is to

help the students develop the ability to deal with competition in a healthy way. Effort and attitude is the

focus. If we can achieve that, then we have accomplished more than a winning season. Our coaches

will work on teaching fundamentals and skills during practice. I believe the game is THEIR time. Coaches

will give instructions during the game if they feel it will help with their performance, but in general we

will try to let them play the game. I hope as parents you will do the same. Most athletes are hard

enough on themselves; they do not need our help. Different expectations from the coach, parent(s), and

player can take away from the experience of the athlete/team. As you read through this handbook

please make sure that our philosophy fits with your expectations of what you want for your child & how

you believe the team should be run.

© Cameron Simmons

3) PROGRAM GOALS

1. To promote 100% of our players each and every year.

2. To support each and every player in our program.

3. To become better students, athletes, and citizens.

4. To maintain a 2.5 GPA.

5. To improve individual player skills each and every year.

6. To generate enthusiasm, excitement, and support for Carver Middle School Athletic Program.

7. To work HARD, play HARD, show RESPECT, and have FUN!

8. To be a STUDENT first and an ATHLETE secondly

9. To UPLIFT school pride.

4) OUR CODE OF CONDUCT

• We do not limit ourselves in any way. All things are possible. You have the potential to

become everything you are capable of being.

• We intend to promote an environment in which champions can develop and flourish. We

recognize the importance of working together.

• We take responsibility for all our actions, the consequences, and our own physical and

mental preparation. Excuses are seen by all as a failure to take responsibility.

• Despite our aspirations, none of us are perfect. Therefore, it is necessary for us to forgive

each other and ourselves again and again and again.

• We keep lines of communication open with each other by

speaking clearly and directly. One way we do this is by listening carefully to everyone.

• Anything worth doing is worth having fun doing it. It is our intention to get as much

enjoyment as we can from the team, practices, games, and other team activities.

"Promise yourself to give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no

© Cameron Simmons

time to criticize others." - J.W. Scott

5) SCHOOL/PRACTICE/GAME ATTENDANCE

Players are required to be on time to every practice, game, and bus departure. Players must be at

least 5 minutes early to practice to dress and stretch. Practice will START Promptly at what 4:20 students

get out of school at 4:05. If you are in school, you are expected to be at practice unless you have made

prior arrangements with the coach. If you miss school, you must contact your coach before noon of that

day via email, or a phone call. The coaches of each perspective sport will provide you with this

information.

UNEXCUSED

Any student with an unexcused absence for ANY period during the school day will not be allowed

to participate in the practice or game that evening. The coach reserves the right to take additional

disciplinary action against players violating this policy. Unexcused absences from practice/game are

defined as: any missed practice/game that is not excused prior to the absence by the coach. Offenses

are as follows:

1st OFFENSE: Sit out one half of a game

2nd OFFENSE: Sit out one game

3rd OFFENSE: Removed from the team

EXCUSED

Any student with an excused absence during the school day must be present for at least four of

their academic periods. The Athletic Director & Principal will handle exceptions and rulings on an

individual basis for any exceptions. An excused absence from practice/game is defined as: any missed

practice/game that is excused prior to the absence by the coach. (i.e. School Activities, Sickness, Family

Emergencies, Funerals, Etc). For all absences the coach should be notified before or on the day of that

© Cameron Simmons

absence.

SUSPENSION

If a student receives a school suspension, they can NOT participate in practice and/or games on

that day or during duration of suspension. This will also result in an unexcused absence for that/those

day(s). The coach reserves the right to take additional disciplinary action against players violating this

policy.

6) TARDIES

The following rules will be applied if an athlete is late for practice and is not excused:

0-5 Minutes Tardy = Player will run one champion after practice

6-10 Minutes Tardy = Player will run two champions after practice

11-15 Minutes Tardy = Player will run three champions after practice

16-30 Minutes Tardy = Player will run three champions & sit out one quarter of next game

30+ Minutes Tardy = Same as unexcused absence (Sit out half of next game)

The coach reserves the right to take additional disciplinary action against players violating these

rules.

Champion- Is a running assignment assigned by the coach

7) ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONS (No Pass, No Play Rule)

The Carver Athletic Department will conduct BI-WEEKLY progress reports. Players will be

required to submit a grade check to their coach on Wednesday of every other week. If a student

has a failing grade in any subject, they can/will be ruled ineligible to play at the discretion of the

Head Coach, Athletic Director, Administration, or Principal. Athletes may be dismissed/suspended at any

© Cameron Simmons

time due to lack of classroom performance. Education is first and foremost in the program that we run.

An education is something that no one can take away from you. A student’s performance in the

classroom, community or on the playing field or court is a direct reflection of who they are as a person.

Should a student receive a failing grade at any check point (every 2 weeks) during the season, they will

be ineligible to compete until it is proven the grade has been raised to a passing level. Study Hall will

also be a mandatory requirement at least once a week and will be conducted by the Athletic Director or

the perspective coach of that particular sport.

8) ATHLETES DRESS CODE (Practice, Game, and Game Day Attire)

Athletes will dress appropriately, as determined by the following:

Uniform Attire—Athletes will wear school-issued uniforms only for travel and play. The athletes

are representing Carver Middle School and should dress in a way that will bring pride and respect to

their program and to the community. Players will not be allowed to wear wrist bands, jewelry, or

metal in their hair.

Game day attire—On game days, athletes, in collaboration with the coaches, will decide what the

appropriate attire will be. Once that decision is made, it becomes final and all players will be held

accountable for not complying. Dress requirements will vary on the road and at home. However,

players will not be allowed to wear items not approved in the Carver Middle School dress code policy.

In the event an athlete’s clothing is not appropriate they will be sent home to change or will not be

allowed to participate for the day. General rule we follow: If you have to ask whether something is

appropriate or not, you probably should not wear it. No jewelry or metal can be worn by a player during

an athletic competition or during practice, no exceptions. Practice attire— All athletes will need to bring

their practice uniforms, or practice clothes as deemed by the coach of each specific sport.

© Cameron Simmons

9) EQUIPMENT

Equipment provided by Carver to each individual player shall be returned after each game.

Players failing to return all loaned equipment after each game will be placed on obligation & not allowed

to participate in other sports until the equipment has been returned or paid for. An inventory will be

kept of all equipment distributed per game for the entire season (uniforms, warm-ups, etc.).

10) PRACTICE DURATION

If a practice plan is adhered to, most practices should not exceed 1 ½ hours. We try to take into

consideration that athletes have other commitments, such as homework, and fatigue can occur

when practices are too long. However, there will be times when practices may exceed 1 ½ hours

and this will be at the discretion of the head coach. Practice times are very precious and the players

need this time to focus solely on skill development and game prep. We respectfully request that parents

picking up their child from practice wait in a safe location in the front of the school and not in the

bus loop.

11) PARENT / COACH RELATIONSHIP

Both parenting and coaching are very difficult. By establishing an understanding between coaches

and parents, both are better able to accept the actions of the others and provide a more positive

experience for everyone. Parents have the right to know, and understand, the expectations placed

on them and their child.

Communication parents should expect from their child’s coach:

1) Expectations the coach has for your child, as well as for other players on the team

© Cameron Simmons

2) Locations and times of practices and contests

3) Team requirements (i.e., special equipment needed, school & team rules, off-season

Expectations, team assessment fees)

Communication coaches expect from parents:

1) Concerns regarding their child, expressed directly to the coach, at the appropriate time and

Place.

2) Specific concerns in regard to the coach's philosophy and/or expectations

3) Notification of any schedule conflicts well in advance

Appropriate concerns to discuss with a coach:

1) The mental and physical treatment of your child

2) What your child needs to do to improve

3) Concerns about your child’s behavior

It can be very difficult to accept that your child may not play as much as you had

hoped. Coaches make decisions based on what they believe are in the best interest of all student

athletes participating.

Issues NOT appropriate for discussion with your child’s coach:

1) How much playing time each athlete is getting

2) Team strategy

3) Play calling

4) Any situation that deals with other student athletes

Our coaches are always willing to sit-down and discuss any concerns you may have with our

program. All meetings will involve two coaches present in conjunction with the parent(s). Feel free to

© Cameron Simmons

contact your coaches to set-up a meeting on a non-game day. Should you feel the concern is not

appropriately addressed after the meeting, you should call the Athletic Director to setup a meeting

between the athletic director, coach (es), parent(s) and administrators when needed.

12) SPORTSMANSHIP

The Carver Middle School Athletic Program will not tolerate any inappropriate behavior or

unsportsmanlike conduct by ANY of its participants; including spectators, parents, coaches, athletes,

or students. If a spectator, parent, or student is observed acting inappropriately, the administration

expects it to be stopped. If it is not stopped, that spectator may be asked to leave by an official,

school personnel, administrator, or security officer. If the person resists leaving, the police will be

called and he/she will be charged accordingly. That spectator may forfeit his/her privilege of

attending future contests – either home or away. If removed from a game, the spectator MAY have

an opportunity to meet with school administration to try to resolve the issue. If the spectator shows

up at future contests without resolving the issue, he/she may be charged with trespassing.

If any player acts inappropriately, the coach is expected to take disciplinary

action. This may include suspension or removal from the team. (See discipline section for

consequences for such behavior)

13) DISCIPLINE

Disciplined athletes will be the cornerstones of the Carver Middle School Athletic Department Players

will conduct themselves in a professional manner reflective of our program. Stealing, fighting, eating,

and other prohibited activities, whether in or out of school, will not be tolerated. Any player found in

violation of this will either be suspended or removed from the team. A player can be dismissed

from practice for behavior detrimental to the team. Should this happen three times or more, the

© Cameron Simmons

Athletic Director will be contacted and the player could be suspended or removed from the team.

Should the severity of the infraction require, behavioral issues could result in the immediate

dismissal from the team.

14) FACEBOOK /TWITTER / INSTAGRAM/ KIK /SNAPCHAT WEBSITES and all SOCIAL MEDIA WEBSITES

Athletes who have Social Media accounts must be mindful of posts made to social media. Information

posted deemed inappropriate that may contain information about the school will be addressed

accordingly. A significant number of athletes are captured in very embarrassing photographs that have

proven to be a huge embarrassment to the athletes/students/ and families. Athletes are cautioned that

NO ONE in our programs put anything on FACEBOOK /TWITTER / INSTAGRAM/ KIK / SNAPCHAT

WEBSITES that would embarrass themselves or their family. Remember - once it goes on a web-site it

can be distributed for the public to view. Also realize that whatever comments that you make on that

site are also in the public domain. So what may seem cool to write to a friend may be very embarrassing

if it goes to the general public.

15) ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY PACKETS

An athletic eligibility packet must be completed in order for any student to participate in athletics at the

middle school level. The Athletic Eligibility form can be found in the front office. Please complete the

form and sign where indicated. Make sure that you read each and every page carefully before signing.

All students must have a sports physical which is a part of the Athletic Eligibility form. If there is no

physical the form will be given back to the student.

16) FUNDRAISING

With any and all programs money is a big aspect in running a successful program. We want our students

to always look good and feel good when they enter the field of play. Each sport will participate in a team

fundraiser to generate funds to buy new uniforms, equipment, drinks, and snacks. Each athlete is

encouraged to participate in the fundraisers for the team but may opt out it they chose to do so.

Donations and sponsors are always greatly appreciated.

© Cameron Simmons

REMINDER

Please remember we realize that every possible event or circumstance that could potentially go

wrong/happen during the season may not be covered in this handbook. Events and clarifications not

covered in this handbook will be resolved at the discretion of the head coach in collaboration with the

Athletic Director and Principal. We apologize if we overlooked some things; please feel free to bring it to

our attention.

© Cameron Simmons

Carver Middle School Athletic Departments

Player & Parent Contract

We, ___________________________ the parent/guardian (s) of _____________________ have

Parent/Guardian Name Player’s Name

read the contents of this handbook with our student. We clearly understand as a parent and

participant the expectations and policies that will contribute to the success of your child and the

team. We acknowledge that the expectations and policies that will govern the 2018-2019

athletic year. As a model student of the Carver Middle School Athletic Program we agree to uphold

these expectations to the best of our abilities. We also accept our role and responsibilities to ensure

that our student becomes a positive and valued member of the team.

Parent/Guardian Signature: ____________________________________ Date: ______________

Participant Signature: _________________________________________ Date: ______________

Head Coach Signature: _______________________________________ Date: ______________

AD Signature:_______________________________________________Date:_______________

A copy of this contract will be placed in a file maintained by the coach for each athlete during the season