(Copied from pages 28-33 of the 2007-2008 Student
Handbook)
Akimel A-al Middle School is a member of the Kyrene
Athletic Program. The goals and objectives of the conference are to
develop and maintain the following on the part of every participant:
Physical skills necessary in the sport or activity
An awareness of progressive skill requirements needed to continue to
grow in the specific sport or activity
A sense of loyalty, team play, cooperation, and sportsmanship, which
will have value in later life
Respect for the efforts, abilities, and rights of all others
The awareness of leadership responsibilities in school, community,
and life contacts, as well as on the athletic field
Active participation by all members of a team
Understanding and experiencing the benefit of healthy competition.
The program is governed by a coordinating committee consisting
of one administrator from each participating school. The members will adhere
to the guidelines set forth by the Kyrene Athletic Program guiudelines
and bylaws and/or the rules and regulations of the Arizona Interscholastic
Association (AIA).
Fee Structure
The District has established an athletic participation fee to
help offset the cost of our after school athletic program. For updated
information contact your school office or the Athletic Program Secretary
1t (480)-783-4060.
Parent Communication
The administration, faculty, and coaches of Akimel A-al Middle
School understand the importance of parental interest, involvement, and
communication. It is our goal to foster and encourage positive, open communication
between parents and coaches.
Prior to a student trying out for a sport, information will be
available for parents explaining the following:
Try-out procedures
Eligibility requirements
Practice schedule and requirements
Discipline procedures and requirements
Season schedule
Participation Fee Agreement
Parents are encouraged to call the coach at school if they have
any questions about the procedures.
If a parent has a question, concern, or complaint, he/she is encouraged
to discuss this with the coach. If the problem is not resolved, the parent
should then contact the Athletic Director at the school.
Scheduling of Games and Meets
Scheduling of games and meets will be completed by the Kyrene
Athletic Directors prior to the beginning of the school year. Regular season
win-loss records are NOT kept by the Conference. Tournament schedules are
seeded by a blind draw.
Recognition
At the end of each season one conference team in each sport is
awarded the Sportsmanship Award. This award is voted on by the coaches
and is based on the sportsmanship (attitude and behavior) displayed by
student athletes, coaches, and parents' as well as participation of all
students. Tournaments are held at the end of each season with plaques awarded
to first and second place teams.
Requirements to Participate
The following are required prior to a student practicing or trying
out for a team:
All athletes must be regularly registered students who attend the school
which they represent. Private and charter school students are not eligible
to participate. Home schooled students may be eligible to participate if
other requirements are met.
Prior to participation, the student must be examined by a licensed
physician and determined to be physically fit for sports every year unless
the student has sustained an injury or illness that warrants an additional
examination by a physician. It is recommended that all athletes obtain
a physical during the summer prior to a school year.
A completed athletic participation card must be on file in the
student services office before a student is allowed to practice or tryout
for a team. The athletic participation card contains the following information
that must be completed:
Health history is to be completed by the parent each year a student
participates and updated if a student's health status changes
Statement of insurance coverage - signed by the parent each year stating
that the student has health insurance coverage
Emergency information giving important information and consent for
emergency medical treatment
Parental permission to participate
Participation Fee Agreement form signed by parent
An Academic/Behavior Rating Sheet completed by each teacher will
be turned in to student services by each student. A copy of this sheet
is then given to the coach and will be one factor considered when a coach
selects team members.
Tryouts/Cutting Procedures
Tryouts and "cuts" are probably the most painful experience
for coaches, students, and parents/guardians alike. While we would like
to accommodate every student who wants to participate in a sport, limitations
in facilities, coaches, and other resources as well as safety factors make
tryouts and "cuts" necessary.
Each coach is responsible for establishing guidelines for tryouts
and "cuts" in his/her sport. General guidelines for tryouts and
"cuts" will be as follows:
Each coach will submit guidelines for tryouts, "cuts," and
practices to the Athletic Director before tryouts begin.
Each coach will have a letter explaining team expectations and procedures
that will be given to the student and/or parent prior to a students' trying
out.
Coaches will have a minimum of three days of tryouts.
All other cutting decisions are at the discretion of the coach,
but we strive for our procedures to be well communicted, consistent, and
fair.
Students assigned to In-School Intervention (ISI) by an administrator
for any portion of theday will be ineligible to tryout for a team on the
day(s) they are in In-School Intervention.
Students who are suspended off-campus during tryouts will be ineligible
for sports for the remainder of the season and possibly the remainder of
the year. This decision would be made by the Principal or Athletic Director.
New Students
New students who register at the middle school may tryout for
a team at the Athletic Director's discretion. Students will be judged on
the same criteria as the other members who made the team and students who
are on the team will not be cut as a result of a new member.
Occasionally during the season, a coach may need to add more members
to the team due to ineligibility, illness, injury, etc. If this occurs,
the coach may add a student who tried out for the team but was cut, or
the coach may add a new student who has requested a tryout for the team
with the Athletic Directors' approval.
Guidelines and Procedures for Team Participation
During the Season
Athletes are eligible to participate in only one sport per season.
Allowing athletes to participate in more than one sport in the same season
creates many safety, welfare, fairness, and equity issues among the six
schools; therefore the rule for only one sport per season is in effect.
After a student has become a member of a school team, his or her
eligibility will be checked on a weekly basis. Students in danger of becoming
ineligible are given a warning that is documented on an eligibility form.
Parents will be contacted by the teacher regarding the reason for the warning.
If the student does not make significant progress toward improving
the deficiency, he/she will be given a NOTICE OF INELIGIBILITY. This period
of ineligibility will be for one week, during which time the student may
not participate in any games or practices.
Students may be given a warning or may become ineligible for reasons
including, but not limited to, the following:
The student has a D, I, or U/F in a class
The student is having behavior problems
The student is behind on class work, homework, projects, etc.
The student has failed to complete an assigned consequence (i.e. detention)
Students who are suspended off campus during the season will be
ineligible for sports for the remainder of that season and possibly for
the remainder of the year. Students who exhibit chronic or serious behavior
problems may be declared ineligible for our athletic program for the remainder
of the year. This decision would be made by the Principal or Athletic Director.
Students assigned to In-School Intervention or suspended off-campus
by an administrator for any portion of the day will be ineligible to attend
practice, tryouts, or participate in any team activities on the days they
are in In-school Intervention or suspended off-campus. Any student assigned
to In-school Intervention or off-campus on a Friday is not eligible to
practice or participate in Saturday activities in any way.
Students who are absent for more than four (4) periods on the
day of a game or practice may not attend practice or participate that day.
Students who are ineligible may not travel with the team to away
games or tournaments.
Students who are ineligible for any reason for a total of two
weeks during a season may be suspended from the team permanently. (If there
are special circumstances, a coach may request an exception.)
A student must be a resident of each school's attendance area
to participate in sports. Any exceptions would need to be made by the Athletic
Director.
A student may be suspended from a team by the coach for reasons
such as repetitive or serious discipline problems, defiance of authority,
unexcused absences from practices or games, poor sportsmanship, fighting,
use, sale, or possession of drugs, alcohol, or tobacco, intentional damage
to property or equipment, etc. If a coach intends to suspend a student
for a serious problem, the coach will first notify the parents/guardians
and the Athletic Director prior to the suspension. Other disciplinary action
may be taken in addition to the student's suspension from the team.
Our students' behavior and attitude should always show respect for
their school, their parents/guardians, their team, their coach, their opponents,
the officials, and themselves.
Parents/guardians will be contacted by phone or mail if their student
has not met eligibility requirements.
Practice
Practices are generally held on a daily basis throughout the season.
Practices may be held before school, after school, in the evening, or on
Saturday depending on the coaches' schedule, availability of facilities,
etc. Practices generally last one and a half to two hours.
Mandatory practices shall not be held on Sunday or holidays. This
includes the day after Thanksgiving and during winter and spring breaks.
Students are required to be a each practice and to be on time.
Exceptions are limited to unavoidable absences that are verified by the
parent/guardian and accepted by the coach.
Athletes are encouraged to bring water bottles to all practices
and games.
It is also important that each student be picked up from practice
on time. If a student is not picked up within 15 minutes from the end of
practice, he/she will be warned or lose one week of eligibility the first
time it happens, and then may be suspended from the team if it occurs again.
Students who are ineligible for any reason may not attend practice.
Playing Time
The student's effort, attendance, participation at practice, teamwork,
attitude, ability, as well as the number of students on the team are some
factors that are considered by the coach when determining playing time.
Every effort shall be made to maximize each participant's playing time
during the regular season.
Our goal is to strive for consistency and fairness within each
sport. Because the middle school years are developmental years, both physically
and athletically, we want all students on a team to have a chance to play
in game situations throughout the year. During the season-ending tournaments,
teams may elect to "go for the win", which may result in a reduction
in playing time for athletes on the team. Parents should discuss this playing
time philosophy with the coach at the preseason meeting.
Equipment and Uniforms
Athletes are issued uniforms, as available, at the beginning of
the season. The coach will keep an accounting of uniforms that have been
issued and the condition of the uniforms. All athletes must turn in their
uniforms clan and in good condition at the end of the season, or else be
responsible for paying for the replacement of the uniform.
Students will be held responsible for any equipment they lose
or abuse.
Students failing to pay for lost or damaged items will not be
allowed to participate in sports, dances or any other extracurricular activities
until satisfactory clearance is made.
Good Sportsmanship
The Kyrene community is very proud of our athletic program and
our student athletes. Good sportsmanship is one of the goals of the middle
school athletic program.
Parents, guardians, students, and other fans can assist our athletes
by honoring and modeling the rules of good sportsmanship.
Coaches are expected to be role models for their players. This
means their sportsmanship should always be exemplary.
Field and court regulations will be determined by each coach.
All athletes are expected to honor these regulations and conduct themselves
accordingly.
Athletes are expected to have complete control over themselves.
Fits of anger, clowning, belittling others, cursing, throwing equipment,
etc. are not acceptable at any time.
Losing as well as winning is part of the game. Athletes should
be gracious in defeat and modest in victory.
Officials are there to ensure that both teams receive equitable
treatment. They are to be treated with respect at all times. Arguing and
negative comments are not allowed.
Opposing players, cheerleaders, coaches, and fans are to be treated
with respect. Negative comments and gestures, booing, etc., do not befit
a middle school athlete and are not allowed.
Poor sportsmanship is grounds for immediate and permanent suspension
from a team.
Parents/Guardians and other fans can assist our athletes by setting
a good example themselves when they also honor and model these rules for
good sportsmanship. Conduct of the fans may adversely affect the team and
outcome of the game.
Parents of student-thletes will be asked to sign the following
"Kyrene Sportsmanship Agreement" to help assure a positive experience
for all:
Kyrene Sportsmanship Agreement
Let the coaches coach, the players play, and the officials officiate.
We realize that the game is for the athletes - not the adults.
Encourage good sportsmanship by using positive comments for all players,
coaches, and officials.
Understand that players, coaches, and officials can (and will) make
mistakes. We agree to be supportive of all participants, thereby, ensuring
an enjoyable experience for all.
Spectators who do not adhere to these guidelines may be asked
to leave the event.
Resignation or Suspension During a Season
Any athlete who resigns from a team after the first week of competition
or who is suspended from a team for disciplinary reasons is not eligible
to participate in any other school sport during that season.
Supervision of Students
Coaches take their responsibility for supervision of student athletes
very seriously. Athletes are to be supervised at all times during practices,
games, and in the locker rooms. Supervision of the locker room may be difficult,
particularly if the coach is male and the team members are female or vice
versa. Please talk to your child's coach to see if you can volunteer to
help with supervision.
No coach is allowed to leave after a game or practice until every
player has been picked up. This pertains to both home and away games. If
an athlete is habitually picked up late from games and practices, coaches
do have the option of suspending them from the team.
Tournaments
Most sports have tournaments at the end of the season. These games
are scheduled for after school, evenings, and Saturdays. If the game is
an evening or a Saturday game, we often need to ask parents to provide
transportation.
At tournament games, we ask our players, coaches, and parents
to represent our school in a positive and responsible manner, showing good
sportsmanship at all times.
Student Injury and Accident Report
We require that all students participating in a sport have accident
insurance.
A student who is injured should report the injury to the coach
immediately. In cases of student injury, the coach will:
Seek immediate medical attention if the injury is serious
Contact the parent/guardian as soon as possible
Contact the Athletic Director within 24 hours
Complete a Kyrene District Accident report and submit to the nurse
within 24 hours
Parents/guardians must fill out the Athletic participation Card
that gives permission for emergency medical treatment.
It is also very important to keep the coach and the ofice updated
on work, home, and emergency phone numbers.
Transportation To and From Athletic Events
Only district employees may drive a school van. No more than ten
(10) students may ride in a van. Only qualified district bus drivers may
drive a school bus.
No food or drink may be consumed on buses or vans. Coaches and
athletes must leave the bus or van clean. Water for away games will be
taken on the van or bus by the coach.
Athletes must return on the bus or van in which they traveled
unless a parent/guardian makes other arrangements with the coach.
Behavior follows school and district guidelines for bus/van behavior,
which includes remaining seated, no loud voices, no radios, no pushing
or bothering others, etc.
Coaching Qualifications
All of our coaches are required to be Kyrene District employees.
Applications for coaching positions are submitted through the Athletic
Director's office. We strive to have a coaching staff that exhibits such
professional skills and qualities as:
Sound coaching and instructional techniques
Communication skills
Knowledge of techniques, strategies, and conditioning related to the
sport
Good sportsmanship
Supervisory skills
Student management skills
All athletes and their parents/guardians will be given the opportunity
to complete a coaching evaluation form.
