ATHLETIC HANDBOOK FOR BATCHELOR MIDDLE SCHOOL
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The athletic program at Batchelor Middle School will be built on a spirit of friendly competition, sportsmanship, and conduct of the highest class. It will embody consideration for the welfare of student athletes, both ours and our opponents. It will recognize the place of athletics as one component in the total educational milieu and keep it in proper perspective. It will recognize that success or failure cannot be measured in wins or losses but in the effort expended to perform to potential, the sacrifice of self for team goals, the degree of discipline displayed both on and off the court or field, and the extent to which the inherent values of sport are learned.
We encourage every student to participate in the extracurricular athletic program at Batchelor Middle School.
Participation in athletics is a privilege earned by meeting the academic and citizenship standards set by Batchelor administration and faculty.
Participation will be limited in the sports of volleyball, boys and girls basketball, and the activities of cheerleading and dance. All other sports/activities will keep everyone who tries out providing they conform to school and team rules.
Participation will be permitted only after the student has a physical examination from a licensed physician on file in the athletic director’s office. If a student who had a physical in another school transfers into Batchelor, he/she will not be permitted to participate until it can be determined that a physical (covering the current year) was on file in the former school and a copy is being mailed or faxed to Batchelor. Physical examinations must be completed each year after May 1 to be valid for the next school year.
Athletes must have a minimum of ten practices in their respective sport in order to participate in competitions.
A student may not participate in any given sport more than once at each grade level.
If a student is injured during practice or a game and requires a doctor’s care, the student will not be permitted to participate without clearance from a certified physician.
If a student is absent five or more consecutive days due to illness or injury, that student must present to the athletic director written verification from a licensed physician stating that the student may resume participation.
PARTICIPATION IN MORE THAN ONE SPORT OR MORE THAN ONE TEAM
A student cannot participate in a practice or an athletic contest on any other similar team during the same season in which the athlete represents his/her school in that sport.
However, a waiver application may be submitted to the building principal for approval to participate in a non-school sponsored practice or competition during the same season in which the athlete represents his/her school in that sport. A student-athlete must follow the waiver application process and may receive amaximum of two waivers during a contest season to participate in non-school competition or practice.
All waivers must be completed and forwarded to the building principal seven (7) days prior to the event.
However, a student may participate on more than one Batchelor athletic team during the same period of time when seasons unavoidably overlap. The following guidelines apply:
The student may not quit a team after the first contest and participate in another sport during that season unless all coaches concerned give their consent.
The first team a student is selected for has priority over practice and game commitments.
A student should not participate in practice or contests in both sports during the same day.
A student’s participation on a team during the season takes priority over a preseason practice.
Coaches and sponsors will work together in cooperation with the principal and the athletic director for the good of the student if a conflict develops between athletics and academic competition.
Students who participate in two sports at Batchelor which overlap will be under constant review by the athletic director and the principal in order to retain this privilege.
PARTICIPATION IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Any athlete who is enrolled in a physical education class at Batchelor must participate in his/her regularly scheduled P.E. class on the day of a game, meet or contest to be eligible to participate or perform in an after school athletic event or practice.
PARTICIPATION DETERMINED BY GRADES
Grades will be checked by the guidance counselor and/or athletic director at the end of each six weeks grading period the day report cards are issued. A student must be passing all of his/her classes in order to retain full athletic eligibility. Any student who is failing one or more classes may not participate in an athletic contest. If a student is a member of a team and receives a failing grade on a report card, he/she will not be allowed to participate in any game or performance for a period of three weeks. At the end of the three-week period the athletic director will recheck the student’s grades. If the student on probation has all passing grades at the end of the three weeks, he/she will regain full athletic eligibility. A student on probation who is not passing all classes at the end of the three weeks may be removed from the team. If a student is failing a class at the time of tryouts, the athlete may tryout but can not participate in competition until grades are checked again and the athlete is passing all his/her classes. Eligibility for the first six weeks of the 8th grade year will be determined by the grades from the last six week grading period of the 7th grade year.
PARTICIPATION DETERMINED BY CONDUCT
A student athlete who receives an out of school suspension or an alternative to suspension from school will not be permitted to practice, participate in a contest or attend a school function until he/she has been reinstated in school and has completed a full day of classes according to his/her official class schedule. The student may be subject to further suspensions from competition and/or practices.
The use of drugs, alcohol, or tobacco by middle school age students is against the law. Any Batchelor student athlete found in violation on school property or at a school sponsored event will be removed from his/her team.
Student conduct outside of the normal school day and occurring away from school grounds may also result in suspension of extracurricular privileges. Such conduct includes actions which would reflect poorly on Batchelor Middle School or a violation of the law if prosecuted.
PARTICIPATION DETERMINED BY ATTENDANCE
Students must be on time and in attendance at school for the full day on the day of any event or practice in order to be eligible to participate. Exceptions to this rule are the observance of a major religious holiday, doctor or dental appointments documented with written statement from physician, attendance at funerals, and school field trips. Any exceptions must be prearranged with the assistant principal in charge of attendance and cleared by the building principal.
PARTICIPATION DETERMINED BY AGE
A student athlete may not participate in a sport if as an 8th grader, he/she is 16 years old by the date of the last event of the sport; or if as a 7th grader, he/she is 15 years old by the date of the last event of the sport in which he/she is participating.
GRADE GUIDELINES FOR TRANSFER STUDENTS
A transfer student will be given the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities until the transfer student’s first complete Batchelor Middle School six weeks grading period is finalized. After the conclusion of the grading period, any transfer student will be fully subject to academic eligibility guidelines.
Participation in athletics means more than competition between two individuals or two teams representing different middle schools. It teaches fair play and sportsmanship, understanding and appreciation of teamwork, and the fact that quitting means failure while hard work means success. The conduct of an athlete is closely observed in many areas of life. It is important that this behavior be above reproach in all of the following areas:
In the Classroom: Student athletes are expected to have good behavior in their classrooms and other areas of the school. Constant disruptive behavior could result in probation, loss of participation privileges, or dismissal from the team.
A good athlete is a good student. He/she plans time so that he/she can give sufficient energy to studies to maintain acceptable grades. An athlete should give respectful attention to classroom activities and show respect for students and faculty members at all times. Horseplay and unnecessary talking are not approved habits of behavior.
An athlete should have a good attendance record and should never be truant from classes or school. Poor attendance, truancy, and poor conduct in the classroom are sufficient reasons to remove a student from any athletic team.
On the Field: Student athletes will be viewed as goodwill ambassadors for Batchelor Middle School. If a student’s conduct during game situations is negative in nature and continues after being warned by the coach, he/she will be removed from competition.
In the area of athletic competition, a real athlete doesn’t use profanity or illegal tactics. He/she learns the fact that losing is part of the game, and that he/she should be gracious in defeat and modest in victory. It is always courteous to congratulate an opponent on a well-played game after the contest. However if there is nothing good to say to an opponent, one should leave the field rapidly. Good athletes do not display fits of temper, engage in horseplay, etc. When things fail to go as desired or when replaced by a teammate, a true athlete has complete control of himself/herself at all times.
Officials in a game are there for the purpose of insuring that both teams receive a fair deal. Officials do not lose games for participants. It is an athletic tradition and rule that no one except the appointed captain talks to the official. He/she should speak in an appropriate tone when clarifying a rule.
Any behavior contrary to that which has been stated is a direct reflection on the school, team, and coaches and will not be tolerated. Violation of a minor nature can result in removal from the game. If an athlete is removed from a competitive event by an official for an infraction, such as unsportsmanlike conduct, the athlete will be ineligible for participation in his/her next athletic event.
On Trips: On trips, athletes directly represent the community, school, and coaches. Therefore, it is expected that all concerned will dress in an acceptable manner when traveling and will conduct themselves in a manner meeting each coach’s expectations and guidelines. All school rules apply when a student is participating in the name of Batchelor.
When an athletic team takes a bus to an athletic contest all athletes are expected to ride the bus both to and from the athletic event. If a parent/legal guardian desires to take a student athlete home, the parent/legal guardian must confirm with the coach prior to going home.
A parent/legal guardian may take only his/her student athlete home after the contest. If parents/legal guardians want their student athlete to ride home from the contest with another parent/legal guardian from the team, they must give the coach written notice to that effect. Other emergency situations must be cleared through the coach.
Student athletes must have on file the MCCSC Emergency Medical Authorization Form in the school office before they will be permitted to ride an MCCSC bus to any Batchelor athletic event.
All athletes will be expected to conduct themselves properly while on an athletic bus. All school rules apply.
Any equipment issued to a Batchelor athlete is expected to be returned in the same condition it was issued. Failure to return equipment or uniforms will result in compensation to the school for replacement.
Appropriate Concerns to Discuss with Coaches:
The treatment of your child mentally and physically.
Ways to help your child improve.
Concerns about your child’s behavior.
It is very difficult to accept your child’s not playing as much as you may hope. Coaches are professionals. They make judgement decisions based on what they believe to be the best for all students involved. As you have seen from the list above, certain things can and should be discussed with your child’s coach. Other things, such as those that follow, must be left to the discretion of the coach.
Issues Not Appropriate to Discuss with Coaches:
Playing time
Team strategy
Play calling
Other student-athletes
Every athlete and their legal guardian must have read the athletic handbook and turn in all necessary forms before they can participate in an athletic contest. ALL SCHOOL RULES APPLY TO ATHLETIC EVENTS.
Although participation in most Batchelor extracurricular activities is without cost, fees for camps, equipment, or spirit related paraphernalia may occasionally be collected by the teacher, sponsor, or coach. Any school sanctioned request must be signed by the principal on school letterhead stationary. (An example follows)
The (name of organization) sponsored by (name of coach or sponsor) is collecting (amount of money to be collected) for (purpose of collection).
Checks should be made payable to Batchelor Middle School.
If you have any questions, please contact (name of sponsor or coach) at (phone or email address).
Peggy Chambers,
Principal