Athletics Handbook

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Seattle Country Day School Athletic Department is to offer a variety of after-school athletic opportunities throughout the school year. SCDS offers programs to students in K-8. Students in grades K-5 participate in the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO). Middle School students compete in the Cascade Middle School League (CMSL), and Disc NW Youth Ultimate League. Our primary goal is for K-3 students to have fun and learn skills, for grades 4-5 students to learn strategy and teamwork skills, and for grades 6-8 to become more competitive with a stronger emphasis on winning. Athletics are an integral part of the total school educational program, with the purpose of athletic activities being to provide educational experience beyond the classroom curriculum. Many valuable lifelong lessons are learned through athletics, such as sportsmanship, teamwork, the benefits of hard work, and winning and losing, all of which lead to the development of better people.

GOALS OF THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT

There are three major goals for athletics:

1. Participation and Commitment
Participation and commitment in practice and games is essential to the SCDS program. The Athletic Director seeks to create a competitive, fun environment where every athlete has a strong chance to succeed and therefore will choose to participate. Success in the athletics program can be seen not only in winning but also in support and respect for teammates, coaches, officials and opponents; honoring a commitment to the team, coach and school; and, putting forth one’s best effort.

2. Skill Development
Skill development is the key to success on the field or court. Excellent coaches commit themselves to teaching skills to athletes so that they may gain experience and confidence in executing what they have learned. In addition, athletes have the opportunity to practice leadership skills, cooperation and perseverance.

3. Learning Lifelong Lessons
Learning lifelong lessons is very important in a growing athlete. Instilling the values of doing your best, being graceful in defeat as well as victory, and teamwork are skills that will help athletes as they grow and mature. In turn, the Athletic Director and coaches see their roles as teachers, and as such model the behavior of respect and responsibility to the students in competition and in practice.

RULES OF ELIGILITY

Seattle Country Day School has a no-cut policy, which means that inclusion in the program is based on the number of registrations each season rather than on skill-based tryouts. Therefore, students and families must read the Friday Flyer for registration deadlines. Students who do not register within the stated timelines may be excluded from participation.

SCDS values student athletes balancing both their studies and after ?school sports, but sometimes students struggle to achieve this balance. In such cases, a student may be placed on probationary status by ?teachers and coaches if it is determined they are falling behind on ?their studies.

When a large number of students sign up for a sport and the numbers warrant a second team, they will be divided according to the league offerings for that sport. For example, CYO basketball is divided up by varsity and junior varsity, in the CMSL players are divided by Division 1, 2, and 3. Coaches will evaluate the players and place them on the team where they will have the best chance of success.

Before an athlete can start practice he/she must sign and turn in a registration form.

Athletes must regularly attend practice if they want to be eligible to participate in meets or games. Level of participation in practice may affect playing time. It is up to the discretion of the coach

Athletes must attend class all day on practice or game days if they want to participate. Excused absences during part of the day for specific reasons with written permission from parents or a doctor will be considered on a case-by-case basis. (See playing time below.)

GUIDELINES FOR PARENTS

In athletics, parents are role models as well as the coaches. Demonstrating respect for officials, opponents, coaches and the athlete at all times helps young athletes better understand how to behave as players. Every game or practice is a chance to teach young people the values of respect, courtesy, and personal responsibility. To that end, parents are encouraged to remember the following:

• Recognize that having fun is the top priority for student participation in sports.
• View the game with team goals in mind.
• Model appropriate behavior, poise, and confidence.
• Encourage multiple sport participation.
• Be an encourager; help your athlete to keep perspective in both victory and defeat.
• Contact coach before or after practice and games.

Parents who are involved in an incident with a coach, another parent, or official should contact the Athletic Director to report the incident. If parents have questions concerning playing time or strategies, they should first speak with the coach and are encouraged to have the athlete attend that meeting. If the concern remains after speaking with the coach then the parent should speak with the Athletic Director.

TRANSPORTATION GUIDELINES

Carpools will be the main mode of transporting students to and from practice. If a coach has a bus license and the bus is available, then the coach may drive the kids to and from practice. Under special circumstances, if the bus is available and there is a properly licensed (CDL endorsement) driver available, then the team will be transported on the school bus.

TIME COMMITMENT

• Grades K-3 athletes will practice/play games twice a week with practice(s) of no more than 1-1/2 hours.
• Grades 4-5 athletes may practice/play games 2-3 times a week with practice(s) of no more than 1-1/2 hours. The number of practice days depends on field and gym space.
• Grades 6-8 athletes may practice/play games 2-3 times a week with practice(s) of no more than 2 hours.
  

COACHING

• Grades K-3 will rely on parent volunteers to coach teams.
• Grades 4-5 will rely on hired coaches and parent volunteers to coach teams.
• Grades 6-8 will rely on hired coaches to coach teams.

  The Athletic Director will seek out qualified coaches for the athletic teams.
  

PLAYING TIME

• Grades K-5 athletes will play at least half of the game if they are regularly attending practice.
• Grades 6-8 athletes will play at least a third of the game if they are regularly attending practice.

  Missed practices or poor behavior at practice could result in the loss of playing time that week.

TEAM CONFIGURATION

Teams will be divided up according to grade level from kindergarten to 5th grade. The 6th-8th grades will play together. If there is a small turnout in a grade level, two grade levels can combine to make a team. It is up to the coaches and Athletic Director to make the decision to reconfigure teams. Teams will not be made so large that playing time becomes an issue.

ATHLETIC OFFERINGS

Competitive: Students will always be given the choice to register for competitive athletics but competition will be dependent upon the number of students needed to field the team. SCDS offers cross-country, soccer, basketball, ultimate Frisbee, and track and field as competitive sports.

Recreational/Instructional: Recreational and instructional offerings will vary each year dependent upon different circumstances such as the availability of a coach and interest level.