White Oak Middle School Lady Spartan Athletics

The WOMS Girls Athletic Department offers five athletic teams throughout the year. They are Cross Country, Volleyball, Basketball, and Track and Soccer. Athletics is not PE, you are required to try out for each sport and be on at least one team. While most sports limit the number of players, every athlete will participate in some aspect of track. Each student MUST have a physical on file, along with all the necessary paperwork. Also, each student must have reliable transportation to practice or home after practices and games.

Code of Conduct

Each member of our program is expected to give her best effort in the classroom as well as on the playing court. Athletes must adhere to the rules set forth by the Lady Spartans student athlete handbook. All athletes are expected to act in a respectful manner not only during school hours but also at all school functions. They are to treat all administrators, teachers, coaches, officials, custodial staff and guests of our campus, with respect and try to address them with “Yes sir, No sir, Yes ma'am, No ma'am”. All athletes will also demonstrate good sportsmanship. Intimidation of other students, players or athletes will not be tolerated in any setting.

Athletics is a PRIVILEDGE not a Right.

As an athlete in NCISD, students have a responsibility to exhibit leadership characteristics. Participation in the athletic program and/or in the University Interscholastic League contest is a PRIVILEDGE NOT A RIGHT. All students participating in athletics are expected to comply with the Board-approved Student Code of Conduct and the Athletic Code of Conduct. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary consequences and or removal from athletics. Participation on athletic teams and in related activities, while being an honor, is an opportunity for young athletes to learn important lessons about the responsibilities that are assumed by individuals in leadership roles.

Academic Progress

Grades will be pulled once a week for athletes. If an athlete's grades are below passing, a consequence will be given due to the district's no pass no play policy. An athlete that fails 2 consecutive 6-week periods may be removed from athletics for the next semester. From time to time, it may be necessary to have a team released early from school for an athletic event. This absence does not excuse the athlete from their responsibilities in the classroom. Academics is the biggest priority! Athletes are responsible for making up any work missed, and it is still due at the time expressed by their teacher.

Athletics Period Grade/Absences

Grading will be based on dressing out, participation, attitude and effort. There will be one grade per week. Anytime an athlete comes to practice unprepared (wrong work-out clothes, jewelry, shoes or hair) twenty points a day will be deducted from their weekly grade of a 100. Students who do not dress out will not be allowed to stay in athletics and their schedule will be changed.

·  Any athlete that does not have their designated workout clothes will be given a workout uniform from a coach, lose 20 points from their grade and do a Reminder.

·  If an athlete is sick or injured they must give their doctor’s note to the trainer before 8:15am. No parent notes are allowed.

·  Dressing out is not optional-if you do not have your uniform you will be required to check out a pair of grays from your individual coach.

·  You must dress out whether you participate or not-this includes doctor’s notes. etc.

·  Excessive sitting out and absences will result in loss of playing time and possible removal from athletics.

Learn the difference between “hurt” and “injury”. Some things we do are going to hurt but that does not mean you are injured. An injury is something that is serious and needs immediate attention.

Consequences for any of the above = Reminder = lunge lap around the gym, for example.

Communication

Communication is crucial between an athlete and a coach. You can call the coaches office 24 hours a day and leave a message. The number is 281-577-8800 ext 1485 or you may email the coordinator, Tamera Robey at . Clearly leave your name and reason for being absent. This helps us understand what is going on as well as helping our preparation for practice or a game. Parent communication is also crucial in assisting your child to practice and play to the best of her ability. Any questions or concerns you have are welcomed.

There is a time and place to talk. Please do not approach any coach after a game or practice to discuss issues concerning your child or the program. We will not talk at this time. There are two things that are not appropriate to discuss with the coaches; playing time and another athlete. We will not discuss either. If you wish to talk to us please call or email us the next day to set up a meeting during our conference hour. We will be glad to meet with you at this time. Meetings will include you, your child, coaches, and coordinator.

Conditioning

ATHLETICS IS NOT LIKE PE!

Conditioning (RUNNING) is a part of EVERY sport and EVERY practice. Sometimes we will run in the gym, sometimes we will run at the track, and sometimes we will run the outside. Refusing to run will result in dismissal from athletics. We will also do strength training as often as Porter High Schools schedule allows. . Some days will go into the weight room at Porter High and some days we will use weight plates to do squats, lunges, calf raises, bicep curls and so forth. Soreness is to be expected until your athlete gets into shape. Running flushes out lactic acid build up in muscles and will help eliminate soreness more quickly.

Think that you can do it! Want to do it! Believe that it is making you a better athlete!

Our goal with conditioning and weights is to get you bigger, stronger and faster for high school athletics. Set goals for yourself! All this becomes easier the more you do it and when you start to see improvement! Believe in yourself, your teammates and your coaches!

If your daughter has exercise induced asthma, please leave an inhaler with her for practices and games. She will still be expected to do the conditioning part of the workout.

Dressing Room/Lockers

Combination lockers that are given to the athletes are given in confidentiality. Athletes are to keep the lockers they are assigned. They are also to keep their combinations to themselves and are not to share a locker with another athlete. Coaches are not allowed to give an athlete another athlete’s locker combination. Lockers are to be kept clean and food is not to be left in the lockers overnight (or all semester)! Frequent washing of the athlete's workout clothes is highly encouraged and appreciated. All clothing items are required to be taken home on Friday to be washed and must be brought back on Monday.

·  Any lockers left unlocked will result in a Reminder for the athlete.

·  Athletes are only allowed in the locker room during class. If you forget something for another class, you will not be able to retrieve it until the next day.

LOCKERS SHOULD BE KEPT LOCKED WITH ALL VALUABLE ITEMS SECURED INSIDE!!! THE ATHLETIC DEPT WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY VALUABLES THAT MAY GET STOLEN FROM THE RESULT OF BEING LEFT OUT. BUT ALSO KNOW THAT, WE WILL NOT TOLERATE STEALING!!!

Dressing Out

Each athlete is required to dress out in the issued work out clothes each day. They are required to wear athletic style tennis shoes everyday. NO UNLACED skater type shoes or cheerleading shoes are allowed. This includes but is not limited to converse and vans. Shoes should have a good spine and should not be able to be bent in half.

Loose items such as jewelry, watches, earrings, nose rings, belly rings, tongue rings or any other type of body piercing will not be allowed. Please do not allow piercing of any time during the school year. They must take out all visible piercing during class and on game day. This includes any piercings on the face, ear or belly. Tattoos will be covered at all times.

·  All hair must be pulled back securely and headbands are strongly recommended.

·  Socks must be white or black if they are visible.

Eligibility

In order to participate in any athletic activity, she must be passing all classes at the end of the each grading period with a grade of 70 or above. The first eligibility mark does not follow the district schedule. I will be after the first 6 weeks per UIL. Therefore students must be passing all classes in order to play at the end of the first 6 weeks. If they are ineligible they will remain that way until the end of the 9 weeks and if passing ALL classes they can return to play. This is the NO PASS-NO PLAY rule.

If a student is ineligible at the end of a grading period she is still expected to participate in practices, but is not allowed to participate in games, sit on the bench with her team or ride the bus to out of town games. A student may regain eligibility after three weeks if she is passing ALL of her classes with a grade of 70 or above.

Equipment

Each athlete will be required to purchase one set of workout clothes. In addition, parents can purchase additional set to reduce the amount of laundry at home. The athlete is responsible for securing and keeping up with their clothes. Names will be written on each item of workout clothes by a coach. If an athlete's name needs to be re-written due to wear, a coach must re-write the name. This will discourage students from writing names in different colors and/or decorating the clothing items. Game uniforms will be given out the day of the game and taken up immediately afterward. They are not to be worn home. All uniforms belonging to White Oak Middle school are school property and will be considered stolen if not returned.

Physicals

In order to participate in any of these activities (including off-season, tryouts, and practices) the athlete must have a physical on file with us on the UIL approved form. NO EXCEPTIONS. Athletes may not tryout for volleyball if a current physical is not on file. Offseason athletes must have their physicals turned in by Friday, August 28th, 2015 or the athlete's schedule will be changed to PE. Without a physical, your child will not be permitted to participate. New physicals must be taken every year as per NCISD Athletic Policy. It is strongly recommended that a copy be made of the physical and be kept for your records. Most summer camps and 'club teams' require a physical also. If you have a copy, that might save you some time and money. If your child has any past or current medical conditions, please contact us ASAP and let us know. Also, please keep us informed of pertinent issues concerning your child's heath and well being. The more information we have the better we will be able to treat your child if a situation arises.

Technology

All cell phones, IPODS, MP3 players or any other items that can disrupt practice or a game, will not be allowed in the gym during school, or after school. Athletes are not to be on their cell phones in the locker room during school or practice hours without a coach’s permission. Do not go into the locker room and call your parents during the school day. Pictures should not be taken in the dressing room EVER and should only be taken in other areas with the coaches permission.

All cell phones will be put on silent before the athlete gets on the bus. Players will be allowed to keep their cell phones with them at games, but they should remain put away to avoid distraction. If this is not followed the phone will be taken up and not returned until we are back to school.

Transportation

Each athlete is responsible for arranging their own transportation to and from practices and games. All athletes should be picked up by the gym entrance, which is on the north side of the building. Practice schedule times will be given out and followed as closely as possible. Out of respect for your time, we will end practice on time each day. In return, please respect the coaches' time by picking your daughter up in a timely manner. It would be a good idea to be here 10 MINUTES EARLY. If a parent is not here on time, a coach will call the parent. If an athlete is repeatedly picked up late, a parent meeting will be called and the athlete could lose playing time or be removed from the sport.

When we travel out of town we will let athletes know the estimated time that we will arrive back at the school. We also have the athletes call from the bus to tell you our expected time of arrival. Athletes many only ride home with a parent or guardian. If you would like to pick your child up from a game you must fill out the appropriate form and turn it in prior to leaving the school on game day. Parents may only pick up their child they may not pick up another person’s child.

NOTE:

Please utilize a parking space in the parking lot when picking up your daughter, instead of along the left and right sides the driveway. On game nights, this makes it very difficult and sometimes nearly impossible for the buses to get in and out. The driveway is for BUSES ONLY!

Travel

In order to travel with the team, each athlete must have an emergency card on file with the athletic department. The emergency card must be renewed each year. These cards are to ensure that medical attention can be provided to your child if necessary. Please be sure to return this card because your child will not be allowed to travel with the team until we have it on file.