ATHLETICS at ST. THOMAS MORE PARISH SCHOOL

An extra-curricular Athletic Program exists at St. Thomas More Parish School as a secondary, supplementary activity to the religious and academic programs of the school.  The Athletic Program must support and reinforce the Catholic philosophy and mission of the school and will not serve as a source of division and embarrassment.  Our Athletic Program’s purpose is to teach the children involved the basic skills of the particular sport, but more importantly to teach our athletes good sportsmanship and teamwork.  At St. Thomas More, our Athletic Program will continue only if it is a source of pride to the school because of the Christian behavior and the quality of sportsmanship shown by our athletes, coaches, and parents.

ELIGIBILITY FOR SPORTS

Academics always take precedence over athletics at St. Thomas More Parish School.  Students in Grades 5-8 participate in the Catholic Schools Athletic League sponsored sports with parental permission.  To be eligible for athletics at the school, the student is expected to work up to his/her academic ability and to set a good, Christian example by his/her behavior and attitude in school.  Participation in athletics at this school is a privilege which is earned; it is not a right.  All students taking part in athletics must meet the following criteria:

1)    Academics:  Students must maintain an average of 77% (C-) or above in all core subjects.  A grade of 76 – 70 (D) in two subjects based upon the regularly-scheduled academic reports to parents, or 69% or below (F) in one subject based upon the regularly-scheduled academic report constitutes ineligibility.

2)    Behavior:  Students are to consistently demonstrate appropriate Christian behavior in the classroom, on the playground, and at all school activities.  A student receiving four (4) points of detention in one week constitutes ineligibility for five (5) calendar days.

3)    A student who is suspended from school will be ineligible for participation in sports at St. Thomas More Parish School for the duration of the suspension, plus an additional five (5) calendar days.

4)    Any student who engages in activities which are considered to be a flagrant violation of school rules and/or policies will be suspended from further participation in athletics for an indefinite period.

Ineligibility means that the student is ineligible to play in any games until the student’s grades have met or exceeded the minimum standards as stated above.  Students who do not improve their grades within two (2) weeks shall be ineligible for both games and practice until their grades meet the above standards.  This includes post-tournament play.  The Assistant Principal will oversee these eligibility rules with advice from the Athletic Director and teaching staff.  These rules are to be followed for every student involved in the sports program at St. Thomas More Parish School.

If a student is ill for more than half of the school day, that student is ineligible for games and/or practices on that school day.

COMPETITION
All teams, both junior varsity and varsity, participate in the Catholic Schools Activity League (CSAL).  By league philosophy, the CSAL is a competitive league.  To allow our teams to be competitive in this league, while still observing our own philosophy, the following guidelines exist:

A Division — All participants will play approximately the same amount of time per game, with the emphasis on learning the basic skills and rules of the game.  Fifth and sixth graders would have approximately equal play time, whatever the level.
AA Division — All participants will play, but time may vary with the abilities of each child, with more emphasis given to winning.
AAA Division — The major emphasis is on winning, and play is not guaranteed for all participants.
The equal play rule is contingent upon attendance at practices, academic eligibility, personal conduct, and the coaches’ discretion.

There is a separate classification system for basketball.

PLAYER TRYOUTS
No child will be cut from any program.  Player evaluations will be conducted by the Athletic Director and/or a committee of coaches to insure that students are placed on teams at a level commensurate with their ability and maturity.  Tryouts will be conducted, and teams assigned, by outside parties hired for that purpose.

PRACTICES
Practice times are set by the coaches and the Athletic Director in keeping with the age level of the athletes.  Normally, practice times for all sports should not exceed 1½ hours for each practice.  If a practice needs to be cancelled, the coach will contact the players or have it will be announced at school.  Cancellation of school for any reason will automatically cancel athletic practices for the day.

UNIFORMS
The Athletic Director issues uniforms.  Uniforms are to be returned immediately following the end of the season at the designated time and place.  Uniforms are to be washed and placed in a bag clearly marked with the student’s name and team designation.  A $60.00 uniform replacement cost will be charged if the uniform is damaged as a result of improper care, or if it is not returned.

REGISTRATION AND FEES
Registration forms for all sports will be passed out at school prior to tryouts and the season registration date.  They may also be obtained from the Athletic Director.  All forms must be retuned to the school by the date indicated on the registration form, accompanied by a check made out to St. Thomas More Athletic Department.  Fees are listed below.  A student must be registered separately for each sport in which the student participates.  No student may participate in either practices or games without having completed the registration process for the sport.  No refund of registration fees will be given to the student once the teams have been selected and posted.

No student will be denied the opportunity to participate in sports because of an inability to pay fees.  Special arrangements for partial payment or the waiving of fees can be made on an individual basis with the Athletic Director.

1 Child                    $    75.00 per child per sport season
2 or more Children    $    150.00 per family per season

GRIEVANCES
It is the policy of St. Thomas More Parish School that all conflicts be settled, if at all possible, between the involved parties.  As adult Catholics, it is our responsibility to show our children that conflict can be settled peacefully with respect for the dignity of all parties involved.  If it proves impossible to settle a difference at this initial level, the disagreement will be submitted to the Athletic Director.

The school has adopted and will communicate a 24-Hour Rule.  This applies to coaches who may have a concern about an official/referee, as well as players, parents, or fans who may have a concern about coaches or officials.  The rule states that, “Coaches should not discuss a game, a game incident, or a situation that occurred during the game that has provoked an adverse emotional response or created a hostile situation until at least 24 hours after the fact.  A player, parent, or fan is not to approach a coach to discuss a game, a game incident, or a situation that occurred during the game that has provoked an adverse emotional response or a hostile situation until at least 24 hours after the fact.”

At the first infraction of the 24-Hour Rule, the child will be taken off the team for the season; at the second infraction of the 24-Hour Rule, the child would be removed from the school’s sports program permanently.  All would be expected to follow a process for complaint:  concern first would be addressed to the coach, then to the Athletic Director, and if unresolved, the Principal.
   
COACHES
The Athletic Director, with the approval of the Principal, selects coaches on the basis of the coach’s agreement with the school’s athletic philosophy, knowledge of the particular sport, and interest in the program at St. Thomas More.  The school is to provide training/guidance/skills assistance for coaches, including training for conflict resolution with players and parents.  The coaches agree to accept the school’s eligibility program for all athletes, have a sincere desire to work with and help children, and be of good moral character.  All coaches must read and sign the Sexual Misconduct Policy of the Archdiocese of Denver, and all coaches must have attended the Safe Environment Training required by the Archdiocese before assuming a coaching position with a team and have a Confirmation of Attendance on file at the school.

Responsibilities of the Coaches:
1)     Attend the Safe Environment Training as required by the Archdiocese of Denver and have a                     Confirmation of Attendance on file at the school.
2)     Read and sign the Sexual Misconduct Policy.
3)     Base any rules for an individual team regarding hair, dress, behavior, etc., on the general rules of             the school and the Catholic Schools Athletic League.
4)     Communicate, in writing, to the parents the times and places of games and practices.
5)     Behave as a Catholic Christian role model.
6)     Submit any sportsmanship reports, protests concerning officiating, and problems with spectator                 behavior to the Athletic Director.
7)     Supervise members of the team at times of practice and games.
8)     Remain with students who have not yet been picked up.
9)     Refrain from buying individual trophies/plaques for members of any team.
10)    Hold a parents’ meeting before the season at which all rules for the team and the coach’s philosophy          is presented in written form.

Responsibilities of Parents:
1)    Read over and familiarize yourself with the athletic philosophy of St. Thomas More Parish School            before involving any child in this Athletic Program.
2)    Support the coach, as you would want the coach to support you as parents.  It is important that our        children learn to respect lawful authority even when there is disagreement with that authority.
3)    Help the child understand the nature of competition and that not everyone needs to be a star to                contribute to the team.
4)    Reinforce the importance of sportsmanship and that academics come before athletics without                    exception in this school.
5)    Conduct yourself at games and practices in accordance with the guidelines of the Catholic Schools            Athletic League regarding behavior of adults connected with our Athletic Program.  This includes any        verbal or physical behavior that would be unacceptable from an athlete.
6)    Provide the Athletic Director with the forms necessary for the child’s participation.
7)    Bring your child to practices promptly and pick up from practices promptly.

Responsibilities of Students:
1)    Attend all games and practices unless excused by the coach.
2)    Observe all school rules and policies as a representative of St. Thomas More Parish School.
3)    Behave in a sportsmanlike fashion to members of this school’s team and to members of the teams            from other schools.
4)    Realize that every member of the team is important and contributes to the success of the team.
5)    Maintain the academic and behavioral standards set forth by St. Thomas More Parish School.
6)    Respect the coach as a representative of the Principal and of the Athletic Director.
7)    Maintain and be proud of the school uniform, which you wear on the playing field or court.
8)    Return the uniform on time as directed by the Athletic Director.

TEAM RULES FOR ATHLETIC PARTICIPANTS:
1)    Your coach and team expect you to make your STM team a priority over any other league or team            you happen to be playing on during the season.
2)    Your coach and team expect you to report to practice and games in shape and on time.
3)    Your coach and your school expect you to behave as you would in school.
4)    Your coach and your school expect you to be responsible for equipment and uniforms.  The Athletic            Director will hand out uniforms after the teams have been selected.  There will be assigned days on        which to pick up and return uniforms.  Uniforms are to be worn at games only.
5)    Your coach and your school expect you to arrange for transportation to games and practices.
6)    Parents or family members are expected to help make the Athletic Program function by working at        scorekeeping, officiating, etc.
 
St. Thomas More Parish School Athletics

Complete and return this page to Mr. Dahn. (This form can also be found on the Documents and Forms page.)

I have read and fully understand the St. Thomas More Parish School Sports Program.  I agree to abide by the conditions described in the accompanying Policy.



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