Riverheads High School
Home of the Gladiators
Student-Athlete Handbook
2016-17
Play with CONFIDENCE and strive for EXCELLENCE . . .
Play with RESPECT for your opponents & officials . . .
Play and WORK HARD to be the best you can be . . .
Play the game with INTEGRITY and CLASS. . .
Play the game with Pride . . .RED PRIDE!
Play Hard, Play Smart, Play Together…..The Gladiators Way
Table of Contents
Athletic Mission Statement…………………………………………………………………………………………..Page 3
Riverheads Athletic Department………………………………...... Page 4
Athletic Programs …………………………………………………………………………………………………….Page 5
Foreword, Benefits of Athletic Participation, Philosophy of Athletics…………………………….Page 6
Message to Each Athlete, General Conduct…………………………………………………………………...Page 7
Scheduling Classes, VHSL Individual Eligibility Rules…………………………………………………….. Page 8-9
Code of Conduct, Classroom Guidelines………………………………………………………………………….Page 10
General Code for the Student-Athlete, Team Room/Locker Room Conduct…………………..Page 11
Attendance, Athletic Department Training Rules, Team Rules & Policies………………… Page 12-13
Quitting a Team, Transportation, Responsibility and Care of Athletic Equipment…………………….…………………………………………………………………………………...... Page 14
Dual-Sport Participation, Athletic Awards Recognition, Athletic Insurance
Non-School Sponsored Athletics…………………………………………………..………………………………Page 15
Augusta County Schools Participation Fee, Out-of-Season practice/workout guidelines,
Required forms to be turned in prior to each season……………………………………………………..Page 16
Use of Weight Room, Inclement Weather Practice/Play Policy, Media/Public Relations……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Page 17
Social Media Statement & Guidelines …………………………………………………………………… Page 18-19
Injuries/Training Room/Rehabilitation …………………………………………………………………… Page 20-21
Player/Coach Communication……………………………………………………………………………….Page 22
Parent/Coach Communication ……………………………………………………………………………………….Page 23
Ticket Prices/Pass Plans ……………………………………………………………………………………………. Page 24-25
Driving Directions to District Schools………………………………………………………………………………Page 26
Management of Concussions…………………………………………………………………………………… Page 27-30
Mission Statement of the Riverheads High School
Athletic Department
The following material is a presented to you because your son or daughter has decided to become a member of an athletic team here at RiverheadsHigh School. As a parent, your involvement can be very rewarding. We believe that participation in sports provides many opportunities and experiences which assist in personal growth and development. The administration, the faculty and the coaches who are concerned with the total educational development of young people feel that a properly controlled, well organized sports program meets the students’ needs for self-expression, mental alertness, self esteem and physical growth. It is our hope to maintain a program that is sound in purpose and will further each students’ educational maturity.
Successfully fulfilling the dual role of a student and athlete is not an easy task. A student who elects to participate in athletics is voluntarily making a choice of self-discipline and sacrifice. These are the reasons why we place an emphasis on good training habits and conduct. This concept of self-discipline and sacrifice is tempered by our responsibility to recognize the right of the individual within the objective of the team. In order to be successful, students must work toward achieving the same goal. It literally does make “team work” both on and off the playing field & court and the willingness to sometimes sacrifice individual goals for the good of the team. This requires responsible behavior, open communication and personal accountability. Failure to comply within the set of forthcoming guidelines is not only detrimental to yourself, but also to those individuals who are working with you to be successful.
It is a privilege and not a right to be a member of the RiverheadsHigh School team. The school has the authority to revoke this privilege when a student does not conduct him/herself in an acceptable manner.
Our goals are simple--- to provide a positive athletic experience for our student-athletes, coaches, parents and fans. It is our hope that, now and always, our student-athletes are PROUD to be apart of the high school athletic program. The aims of the athletic program are set on developing a high level of competition without losing sight of educational values such as sportsmanship, honor, dedication, determination, hard work, loyalty, tradition, commitment, team work, scholastic attainment, leadership and a strong sense of respect for self and others.
We want to THANK YOU in advance for your support. We want to invite you to join us in a united effort to positively make a difference in the lives of these student-athletes. Our goal is to lead them into becoming well-rounded, productive and drug-free citizens. As parents, coaches, teachers and administrators, we all want to believe that we have done everything possible to provide them with an opportunity to reach their dreams as students, as athletes and as people in our society.
Riverheads High School Athletic Department
Riverheads High School is a Virginia High School League (VHSL) - GroupA member of the Shenandoah District, Conference 44 and Region 1A East. The VHSL is a member of the National Federation of High School Athletics Association. As such, Riverheads High School follows the rules, regulations and policies set forth by these organizations.
Riverheads Profile in the VHSL
District: Shenandoah
Conference:44
Region: 1A East
Group: A
Shenandoah District Schools – District Regular Season Scheduling purposes
1. BuffaloGapHigh School (Group AA, 2A East Region, Conference 36)
2. East Rockingham High School(Group AA, 2A East Region, Conference 36)
3. Luray High School (Group A, 1A East Region, Conference 44)
4.Page County High School (Group AA, 2A East Region, Conference 36)
5. Riverheads High School (Group A, 1A East Region, Conference 44)
6. Stuarts Draft High School (Group AA, 1A East Region, Conference 44)
7. Stonewall Jackson High School(Group A, 1A East Region, Conference 44)
8. Wilson Memorial High School (Group AA, 2A East Region, Conference 36)
Post Season – Conference tournaments replace district tournaments.
VHSL Group A
1A East Region
Conference 41Conference 42Conference 43Conference 44
Appomattox Reg. Go.CentralColonial BeachAltavista
ChincoteagueCharles CityEssexWilliam Campbell
FranklinChesterfield Comm. LancasterGalileo Magnet
NorthamptonCumberlandNorthumberlandHighland
Surry CountyKing & QueenRappahannockStonewall Jackson-Q
Sussex CentralMathewsRappahannock Co.Luray
WindsorMiddlesexRiverheads
West Point
1A West Region
Conference 45Conference 46Conference 47Conference 48
AuburnBlandCouncilJ.I. Burton
Bath CountyChilhowiePatrick HenryCastlewood
CovingtonFort ChiswellHolstonEastside
Craig CountyGalaxHonakerRye Cove
Eastern MontgomeryRural RetreatHurleyTwin Springs
Parry McCluerGeorge WytheNorthwoodThomas Walker
RadfordTwin Valley
Narrows
Athletic Programs
Riverheads High School currently offers the following interscholastic athletic opportunities during the 2016-17school year:
Fall Season:
FootballVarsity and JV
Cross CountryBoys’ and Girls’ Varsity
GolfVarsity(Grades 9-12)
VolleyballVarsity and JV
CheerleadingVarsity Football Sideline(Grades 9-12)
Varsity Competition Cheer(Grades 9-12)
Winter Season:
Boys BasketballVarsity, JV
Girls BasketballVarsity, JV
WrestlingVarsity, JV
CheerleadingVarsity Boys’ and Varsity Girls’ Basketball
Indoor TrackBoys and Girls Team
Spring Season:
BaseballVarsity and JV
SoftballVarsity and JV
Boys’ TennisVarsity
Girls’ TennisVarsity
Boys’ TrackVarsity and JV
Girls’ TrackVarsity and JV
Boys’ SoccerVarsity and JV
Girls’ SoccerVarsity and JV
*Note: *8th graders can participate on JV teams
Foreword
Athletics are an integral part of American society and of a comprehensive high school educational program. RiverheadsHigh School is fortunate to have a high percentage of student-athletes participating in successful extracurricular activities. Our programs are blessed with outstanding students, athletes, coaches, facilities, community support, and parental support. The purpose of this Student-Athlete Handbook is to provide athletes with the basic and necessary information relative to the interscholastic athletic programs offered by Riverheads High School.
Benefits of Athletic Participation
- Athletics Support the Academic Mission of Schools- They are an extension
of a good educational program. Students who participate in athletic programs tend to have higher grade-point averages, better attendance records, lower dropout rates and fewer discipline problems than students generally.
- Athletics are inherently Educational- they provide valuable lessons for many practical situations-teamwork, sportsmanship, winning and losing, hard work. Through participation, students learn self-discipline, build
self-confidence and develop skills to handle competitive situations.
- Athletics Foster Success in Later Life- Participation in athletics is often a predictor of later success. They fulfill students’ basic needs, help in students’ attitudes toward self and school. Learning to set, work toward, and achieve goals is valuable in a competitive world.
- Participation in athletics is a valuable part of the overall high school experience- At practice and in play; students learn lifelong lessons just as important as those taught in the classroom.
Philosophy of Athletics
A RiverheadsHigh School student-athlete is considered to be first and foremost a student and secondly, an athlete. Participation in athletics at Riverheads means more than competition between individuals on teams representing different high schools. It teaches that to quit means failure, while to work hard means to succeed. Participation on a team is a privilege that is extended to every student who is eligible under Virginia High School League (VHSL) and RiverheadsHigh School regulations. The conduct of a RiverheadsHigh School athlete is closely observed by many people. An athlete is a representative of the team, the school, and the community. When in uniform the player is a highly visible representative of RiverheadsHigh School and whose conduct and sportsmanship must be above reproach.
We want our student-athletes at RiverheadsHigh School to maintain an athletic tradition developed through the efforts and sacrifices of its coaches and players. It is hoped that they will do their best to continue the tradition of excellence that has been established. Theyalone will have to decide if they want to “pay the price” to be the best they can be to get the most from their abilities. As a representative of this school and community, they will be expected to display exemplary behavior and attitudes, observe training rules and regulations, and in general to make sacrifices which are not required of non-athletes.
Message to Each Athlete
Once you have started a project or task, do your best to complete the job regardless of how tough it becomes. Remember that your word is your “bond.” Once you have made a commitment, carry through until it is completed. Much is expected of you as a student-athlete. It takes great courage and commitment to discipline yourself to becoming the best you are capable of as a player and as a person. Athletics can be a most worthwhile and satisfying experience, and help develop you into a person of whom you, your family, school, and community can be proud.
Student-Athlete’s Purpose for Being at RiverheadsHigh School
1. To get an education and graduate from RiverheadsHigh School
2. To participate in athletics and develop your talents to achieve your maximum
potential; by doing this you will help the team you are participating on to
achieve its goals and objectives.
3. To grow physically, mentally, spiritually, and socially to become a worthwhile
and vital citizen.
The Coach’s Responsibility isto:
1. Monitor your grades and conduct to insure successful completion of your diploma.
2. To provide the opportunity for each player to develop his/her skills by teaching the
proper fundamentals and strategies of the game.
3. To enforce and react to possible violations of team and school policies and rules that
might hinder your progress.
General Conduct
The rules and regulations, training policies, and Code of Conduct described in this handbook are here to help you to reach goals and objectives that we feel are important to your success. Athletes are expected to demonstrate good behavior and attitude at all times. What you do casts a reflection on the athletic programs, school, coaches, your family and community. You, as an athlete, cannot do some of the things other students do. To be part of a team, you must learn to conduct yourself as a student-athlete who is willing to follow the codes of conduct set forth by the Riverheads Athletic Department and RiverheadsHigh School. If you are willing to follow these ideas you will be developing a great attitude toward school, athletics, and life in general. And YES, your dedication will be tested by following this “Code of Conduct”.
It is each student-athletes responsibility to read and be familiar with the contents of this Athletic Handbook. In this way you will be taking a positive first step in making a commitment and taking responsibility for yourself and your actions. You will know what is expected of you as a Riverheads Student-Athlete. Remember that ignorance or “I did not know” is no longer a good excuse. Failure to read may put you in violation of athletic and/or team policies.
SCHEDULING YOUR CLASSES
As a student-athlete, your purpose for being at RiverheadsHigh School is to get an education and graduate. Therefore, it is important that you understand that the moment you enroll as a freshman into high school, your eligibility with the Virginia High School League begins as a student-athlete. When scheduling your classes for the upcoming year with the guidance counselor, it is important that you know the following information:
- You must pass at least 3 out of your 4 classes each semester to be eligible for the following season/semester. If you do NOT pass 3 classes, you will NOT be allowed to participate until you do.
- If you have pass a class and are RETAKING the class for a higher grade, that class does NOT count as one of your 4 classes. Thus, you only would be taking 3 classes, which would mean that you would have to pass them all 3 to remain eligible.
- STUDY HALL does NOT count as a class.
- Summer School – talk with guidance department about taking a class during summer school if you have failed a class and it affects eligibility for the upcoming year
- TRANSFERRING SCHOOLS – Make sure you check VHSL transfer rules so that you are NOT ineligible.
- If in doubt, ask your guidance counselor, an administrator about eligibility questions. There is no such thing as a dumb question.
VirginiaHigh School League (VHSL)
INDIVIDUAL ELIGIBILITY RULES
All students wishing to participate in athletics at RiverheadsHigh School must comply with the rules of the Virginia High School League (VHSL), the Augusta County School Board, and RiverheadsHigh School. Some of the more important VHSL rules are listed below:
VHSL Eligibility
1. Bona Fide Student Rule-The student shall be a regular bona fide student in good standing of
the school which he/she represents. (VHSL 28-1-1)
2. Grade Rule-The student shall be enrolled in the last 4 years of high school. (VHSL 28-2-1)
3. Enrollment Rule-The student shall have been regularly enrolled in the school he/she
represents not later than the 15th school day of the semester.(VHSL 28-3-1)
4. Scholarship Rule- The student shall be enrolled in not fewer than 3 subjects, or their
equivalent, offered for credit and which may be used for graduation the
immediately preceding year or the immediately preceding semester.
(VHSL 29-4-1)
5. Age Rule-The student shall not have reached the age of 19 on or before the 1st day of August
of the school year in which he/she wishes to compete. (VHSL 28-5-1)
6. Transfer Rule-The student may not have enrolled in one high school and subsequently
transferred to and enrolled in another high school without a corresponding
change in the residence of his/her parents, parent or guardian. (VHSL 28-6-1)
7. Semester Rule-The student shall not have been enrolled in the last 4 years of high school for a
period of more than eight consecutive semesters, beginning with the semester
in which he/she was enrolled for the first time in the ninth grade. The 8
consecutive semesters shall be counted continuously from that point,
regardless or whether or not he/she remains continuously enrolled in school.
(28-7-1)
8. Amateur Rule- The student shall be an amateur. An amateur is an athlete who engages in
VHSL athletics solely for the educational, physical, mental, and social benefits
he/she derives there from, and to whom VHSL athletics are nothing more than
an avocation.
9. Athletic Participation/Parental Consent/Physical Examination Rule–
The student shall have submitted to the principal of his/her school, prior to becoming a member
of any school athletic squad or team, League Form #2 (Athletic Participation/Parental
Consent/Physical Examination Form), completely filled in and properly signed, attesting that
he/she has been examined and found to be physically fit for athletic competition, and that
his/her parents consent to his/her participation.
10. Proselyting Rule- No member school or group of individuals representing the school shall
subject a student from another school to undue influence by encouraging
him/her to transfer from one school to another for League activities.
11. Awards Rule-The student shall not have accepted nor accept from any source whatsoever, in
recognition of or as a reward for his or her athletic skill, any award other than
letters, medals, charms, cups, plaques, letter sweaters, or similar trophies, or
any award of value other than of intrinsic value. These listed awards may be
accepted only when presented or approved by his/her school, or earned in
VHSL sanctioned meets or tournaments.
12. Independent Rule- The following law has been passed by the General Assembly of Virginia:
The Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 22.1-276.1 as
follow: Student responsibility for sports participations. During the sports season
a student may, while a member of a school squad or team engaged in interscholastic
sports, become a member of or participate with an organized team in the same sport
which is independent of the school’s control so long as such participation does not
conflict with the scheduled activities of the school squad or team. No school or student
shall be declared ineligible for participation in interscholastic sports because of
participation by a student as a member of an organized team in the same sport which is
independent of the school’s control during sports season for the relevant sport.
Augusta County Public Schools Policy 7.600 – Student Co/Extra-curricular Activities
Students must be enrolled as a full-time student in order for him/her to participate in any Virginia High School League (VHSL) activity. Therefore, Home School and part-time students are NOT eligible to participate in VHSL activities sponsored by the school.