JUPITER CHRISTIAN

SCHOOL

2014 - 2015

Athletic Handbook

Athletic Department

561-354-1931

JUPITER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL ATHLETIC HANDBOOK

OUR VISION

Student-Athletes who genuinely have a love of God and the confidence to represent Him on and off the field/court, characterized by a teachable, humble and selfless “team before me” attitude.

Coaches who care for their student-athletes, work diligently through preparation and strategic improvement, and demonstrate Christian character and humility.

Parents who support, respect and pray for their coaches, and who volunteer their valuable time to serve God in support of the Athletic Department and our various athletic teams.

An Athletic Department and School Administration that is organized and enthusiastic about the success and effort of the teams that represent JCS, giving due adulation for accomplishments, properly and fairly enforcing all regulations and guidelines, actively involving parents and keeping them informed in a structured manner, and maintaining the vision of the Athletic Department before them to bring honor and glory to God.

JCS ATHLETIC PHILOSOPHY

The athletic department is only one aspect of the total educational experience at Jupiter Christian School. Our athletic philosophy is merely an extension of the philosophy of JCS, which is to serve parents by providing an educational and athletic experience for all students that is distinctly Christ-centered, Bible-based, and Spirit-led.

OUR GOALS

1.  To represent the person of Jesus Christ and His character in a genuine manner in the spirit and arena of athletic competition.

2.  To provide the opportunity for our students to use their God-given talent in the physical forum of competition.

3.  To develop athletes who are playing for the glory of God, with disciplined and self-controlled attitudes, and with passion out of a love for God, their coach, and their teammates.

4.  To challenge our student-athletes to excel in all phases of their lives: to respect and love parents and family, to develop a commitment to academics, to build relationships with friends, and for daily improvement in their athletic skill.

5.  To teach our student-athletes about character, growth and maturity and how they are affected by the experiences of winning, losing and competition in general.

Chain of Command

JCS Board of Directors
President
Upper School Principal/AD
Director of Athletic Operations
Head Coach


THE APPEAL PROCESS FOR CONFLICT RESOLUTION

The “Matthew 18” Principle

“If your brother sins against you go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. If he will not listen, take one or two others along so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” Matthew 18:15-16

If you have a concern to discuss with a coach, do not attempt to confront the coach before or after a contest or practice. These can be emotional times for both the parent and the coach. First, pray about the matter. Then call and set up an appointment to meet with the coach. Allow 24 hours before contacting the coach. Then allow 2 days for a response. It is important that both parties have a clear understanding of the other position. Please approach the issue of concern with an attitude of resolution. Many times, it is a misunderstanding of some sort that can be quickly clarified and addressed. If the meeting with the coach does not provide a satisfactory resolution, call and set up an appointment with the Director of Athletic Operations.

JCS ATHLETIC AFFILIATION AND INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES

Florida High School Athletic Association: FHSAA

Jupiter Christian School is a recognized member of the FHSAA that serves as the authorized representative of the Department of Education in the supervision and control of interscholastic athletic activities of all schools in the state.

FALL SPORTS WINTER SPORTS SPRING SPORTS

Cheerleading Basketball Baseball

Varsity Boys’ Varsity Varsity

Boys’ Junior Varsity Middle School

Cross Country Boys’ Middle School - A
Boys’ Varsity Boys’ Middle School - B Lacrosse

Girls’ Varsity Girls’ Varsity Boys’ Varsity

Girls’ Middle School Boys’ Middle School

Football Cheerleading

Varsity Varsity Softball

Middle School Varsity Soccer

Golf Boys’ Varsity Tennis

Coed Varsity Boys’ Middle School Boys’ Varsity

Coed Junior Varsity Girls’ Varsity Girls’ Varsity

Volleyball Wrestling Track & Field

Girls’ Varsity Varsity Boys’ Varsity

Girls’ Junior Varsity Junior Varsity Girls’ Varsity

Girls’ Middle School

Co-ed Intramural Soccer Co-ed Intramural Basketball

Grades 3 ~ 6 Grades 3 ~ 6

JCS ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES

Cumulative 2.3 GPA and No F’s Required for Academic Eligibility.

A student-athlete must have a cumulative 2.3 grade point average on a 4.0 unweighted scale, or its equivalent, with no F’s at the conclusion of each semester to be academically eligible during the next semester.

A student, who is performing unsatisfactorily, may be placed on academic restriction or academic probation.

Restriction: A student who receives one F and falls below a 2.3 GPA at a quarter will be placed on restriction for the following quarter. Students will not be permitted to participate in athletic activities until they meet the “minimum 2.3 GPA and no F policy.” Student progress will be reviewed each Monday to determine if the student may participate in activities that week.

Probation: A student who receives three F’s or falls below a 2.3 GPA at a quarter will be placed on probation. The student will remain ineligible for all athletic activities for the duration of the following quarter. Probation status will be reviewed and subsequently lifted should they meet the “minimum 2.3 GPA and no F policy.”

At the end of the probationary period an administrative committee will recommend one of three things: 1) that the probation be lifted; 2) that the probation be extended; or 3) a recommendation be made to the President from the Principal’s office that the student not be allowed to re-enroll in the spring or fall semester depending on when the contract was issued.

The beginning date of ineligibility is the date listed in the FHSAA handbook (seven days after the end of the grading period). This means the student may not dress out for any contest.

The Principal may make a student-athlete ineligible for practice or games at any time if he/she feels it is in the best academic interest of the student-athlete. The Principal will communicate his/her decision to the parents and Athletic Department. Jupiter Christian School strictly adheres to FHSAA rules regarding eligibility.

GENERAL AND PRE-, IN-, POST-, OFF-SEASON POLICIES

School Attendance and Athletic Participation

1.  All student-athletes are expected to have a good attendance record.

2.  If a student-athlete is too sick or unable to come to school, then it is believed that they are too sick or unable to practice or play in a game. The student-athlete must sign in to school by 9:45am to be allowed to participate in athletics that afternoon or evening. Any school missed during the school day must be by an approved appointment.

3.  Student-athletes returning late from a game will not be excused for any tardiness or from assignments/tests given the following day.

4.  Midnight rule: If an athletic team arrives back on campus after midnight on a school night, the athletes on that team, that participated in that event, must sign in to school by 9:45am and are responsible for any missed work. The Director of Athletic Operations must approve the “Midnight” rule regarding allowable tardiness after arriving back to campus after midnight.

Jupiter Christian Summer Athletic Participation

All participants must be JCS enrolled students and have a current sports physical and additional paperwork completed and on file in the JCS athletic office prior to participation.

Dress Code

The Athletic Director will set the dress code for student-athletes while they are representing JCS. Student-athletes will be representing our school and athletic program, therefore all student-athletes are expected to maintain modest dress and to refrain from wearing anything not consistent with the school’s casual day dress code, whether playing or not. Male athletes MUST wear a shirt during weight-room workouts and while walking on campus. Only razor back shirts, cut out shirts, tank tops, camis, and spandex are not permitted to be worn on campus. Volleyball players may wear spandex in the gym during practices and games only.

Discipline

Jupiter Christian School believes that discipline is a vital part of a student-athlete’s life and training. Any time a student-athlete breaks training, team, or school rules, the coach is afforded the opportunity to disciple that student-athlete through the specific circumstances. The student-athlete may well need to be disciplined as a result of his/her actions. Using the following guidelines will enable all of us in the athletic program at JCS to handle discipline fairly, yet effectively toward responsible action.

1.  Each student-athlete is subject to school rules and policies like any other student and will not be shown favoritism or special treatment when their actions have caused them, through either detention or suspension, to lose game time or practice opportunities.

2.  If a student-athlete is suspended from school or receives an in-school suspension, he/she will be ineligible for a minimum of one (1) contest. The contest suspension will begin with the first contest upon return to regular classes. If the suspension occurs in the last contest of a season, he/she will be ineligible for the same period of time as stated above in the next sport in which the student-athlete participates.

3.  If any student-athlete remains unresponsive to the disciplinary action taken by a coach or flagrantly violates a JCS rule in a practice or contest (fighting, cursing, blatant disrespect toward a coach or official), they will be referred to the Director of Athletic Operations for discipline. Parents will be notified of the situation and dismissal from the team may be considered. The Director of Athletic Operations reserves the right to assist any coach in a disciplinary matter with an athlete that is unresponsive.

4.  Any fines issued by FHSAA to the school, invoked due to the student-athlete’s behavior, shall be the financial responsibility of the parent of the student-athlete fined.

Our unchanging goal is to accurately reflect the character of Christ in our attitudes and sportsmanship. Athletes who do not pursue this goal with us will not be permitted to represent JCS in athletic competition.

PRE-SEASON POLICIES

Physical Exams

FHSAA requires that: Prior to each year of participation all student-athletes shall be required to undergo a medical examination and furnish FHSAA form EL2 signed by a medical doctor who provides clearance for athletic participation. They must also fill out FHSAA form EL3, EL3CH, the JCS Indemnity Agreement and the Medical Authorization and Release form. All of these forms are available in the Athletic Department and must be turned into the athletic office before the use of any JCS athletic facility. The physical evaluation form shall be filed in the Athletic Office.

Athletic Handbook

Prior to each year of participation in JCS athletics, each student-athlete, along with their parents must read and sign the agreement from the JCS Athletic Handbook.

Team Selection & Tryouts

Tryouts will take place during the first week of practice in each sport. During the tryout period, should a student-athlete choose not to participate in that sport, he/she must meet with the head coach to inform him/her of their decision. The head coach must submit a final roster to the athletic office when tryouts are complete or seven days after the first day of practice, whichever comes first. In addition, student-athletes must sign the roster acknowledging their place on the roster. Teams beginning practice before the first day of school must submit their final roster 14 days after the first day of practice. There is to be no solicitation of student-athletes for participation once the final roster has been set.

Any student-athlete wanting to try out for a sport for the next sport season while already participating in a sport will be given an opportunity to tryout during the tryout period for that sport. It is the student-athlete’s responsibility to make known to the coach or the Athletic Department their intention to tryout. Coaches of sports that overlap each other will agree upon a mutual date and time for the student-athlete to tryout, and communicate the date and time to the student-athletes and athletic department. All student-athletes are expected to fulfill their commitment to their current sport before moving on to the next sport.

Cut Policy

In the sports where the number of players on the team has limitations, the head coach will handle cuts individually with sensitivity and compassion. Rosters will be posted outside the athletic office after the coach has personally talked with each student-athlete that does not make the roster to emphasize their strengths, discuss needed areas for improvement, and encourage the student to try again next year.

Athletic Fees

The athletic fee assists JCS with FHSAA registration fees, paperwork, uniform maintenance, coaches’ stipends, athletic transportation expenses (not to include overnight expenses), and any related athletic department expenses. Additional monies may be required for team shoes, t-shirts, tournaments, overnight stays, food, etc. The Board of Directors sets the amount of the fee. The athletic fee schedule for the 2013 – 2014 school year is as follows: Fees are per sport played.

1

Varsity $150.00

Junior Varsity $125.00

Middle School $100.00 Intramurals $ 60.00

1

Practices

1.  All practice schedules will be provided to the student-athletes by the coach. The practice sites will remain relatively constant; however, any changes will be announced through the athletic office at the direction of the head coach. It is the responsibility of the Athletic Department to provide transportation where necessary, and it is the responsibility of parents to know where to pick up their students and at what time.

2.  For Varsity and Junior varsity athletes, Wednesday practices are allowed and can be used at the discretion of the coach. The time frame allowed is between 3:00 PM-5:30 PM only. For Middle School teams, Wednesday practices must be approved by the Director of Athletic Operations.

3.  Optional/Additional practices may be implemented by the head coach. On school days, only one practice per day may be considered mandatory. Student-athletes may not be reprimanded for not attending optional/additional practices.