Waukee Activities Department Parent/Athlete Handbook
Mission Statement The mission of the Waukee Activities Department is to compliment and enrich our students in their pursuit of academic excellence. It is our goal to provide opportunities for participation in activities that promote leadership, teamwork, discipline, good character and a respect for self and others. We will meet these goals through the commitment of coaches and directors who are selected for their integrity, expertise and ability to teach and mentor. We will enhance opportunities for competition, encourage the pursuit of individual and team championship caliber performance and be a source of pride for those associated with the Waukee Community School District. Philosophy A comprehensive and balanced athletic program is an essential complement to the District's plan for educational instruction. The athletic program should provide opportunities for youth to further develop interests and talents. Participation in athletics, while a privilege and not a right, should provide students with experiences where values such as hard work, cooperation, self-control, discipline, and commitment can be modeled and learned. Every effort will be made to support the athletic program with the best facilities, equipment, and most qualified staff available. Coaches and activity leaders will teach skills necessary for improvement and provide guidance in the development of self-realization, good sportsmanship, leadership, and ethical behavior. The ultimate goals of the athletic program will be: 1. To develop and improve positive citizenship and sportsmanship traits among the program's participants. 2. To realize the value of participation without overemphasizing the importance of winning or excelling. While it is impossible to cover every possible circumstance, there are philosophical ideas the Waukee School District believes should be emphasized as students develop and advance through the Waukee Athletic Program. At the middle school level every effort should be made to emphasize both participation and striving to win. All students should see significant opportunities in games and practices. Players may be grouped by skill level so they can perform against opponents of similar abilities. The number of games scheduled or the number of available opponents may cause that to be adjusted. At the high school level the emphasis on the performance of the team will take on greater significance than equal participation. That difference will increase as the varsity level is approached. Students who are both physically and emotionally ready to handle varsity competition should be allowed to do so. Role specialization of athletes will become more evident at this level. Playing time and position assignment will be at the coach's discretion. Requirements to Participate in Activities Participation in interscholastic activities is a privilege, NOT A RIGHT, earned by the student who meets eligibility standards set by the Department of Education, the IHSAA and IGHSAU, and the Waukee School District. A. Academics: All participants shall exhibit good citizenship, as well as, meet State academic eligibility requirements. B. Physical-medical Examination: All student-athletes shall have on file in the Activities Office a copy of a current physical. C. All participants must be in school for half the school day to participate in an interscholastic contest, practice, or conditioning program that day or evening. D. Out of School Suspension: Any participant suspended from school will be ineligible to practice or compete during the suspension. In addition, the coach or Activities Director may impose further sanctions/suspensions from the team. E. School Debts: A student owing ANY SCHOOL DEBT is INELIGIBLE until that debt is paid.
Code of Conduct Students who participate in extra-curricular and co-curricular activities serve as ambassadors of the Waukee Community School District throughout the calendar year, whether away from or at school. Students who wish to exercise the privilege of participating in extra-curricular or co-curricular activities must conduct themselves in accordance with board policy and must refrain from activities that are illegal or unhealthy or highly inappropriate. Participating in these extra-curricular or cocurricular activities is a privilege, conditioned not only upon meeting the eligibility criteria established by the Board, administration and individual activity coaches and sponsors, but by demonstrating lawful and reasonable conduct. This policy shall be in effect for the entire calendar year (365 days), both during the regular school year, as well as, all vacation periods. The following activities are covered by the Board s policy and these rules: Athletics, Instrumental and Vocal Music Contest, Drama Productions, Speech Contests, State Contests, and Performances for Cheerleading and Drill Team, or any other activity where the student represents the school district outside the classroom. A copy of the Code of Conduct is found in the student handbook or online at www.waukee.k12.ia.us. Parent/Coach Relationship Both parenting and coaching can be very challenging. Establishing an understanding of each other s role and following the proper channels of communication will enable parents and coaches to effectively work together to provide a meaningful experience for student athletes at Waukee High School. As parents, you have the right to understand what is to be expected of your son/daughter by the coaching staff and athletic department. To assure this, clear communication between all involved parties should be the top priority. As certified professionals, Waukee coaches should be respected, and trusted that they are working in the best interest of all student athletes. It should be remembered that there are two sides to every story, and that jumping to quick conclusions may cause more problems. To ensure that better communication and understanding takes place between parents and coaches, the following expectations have been established: Parent can expect every coach to communicate: * Coaching philosophy * Their expectations of the players and the team * Location and times of practices and contests * Team rules * Injury and emergency medical procedures * The role of parents in terms of volunteer help, team meals, game day help etc. Coaches can expect parents to: * Voice their concerns directly to the coach * Notify the coach of schedule conflicts in advance * Show sportsmanship at all contests * Support their sons/daughters in all related activities It is important to understand there may be times when things do not go the way athletes, parents, and coaches wish. There may be times when it is difficult for parents and/or athletes to understand how playing time is allotted, why people are playing certain positions, strategy, etc. It is imperative that parents and athletes trust that our coaches are professionals and are trying to do what is best for the team and for all individuals involved. It is also important to understand that the coach is interacting with the team on a daily basis in practice and competition, and therefore, will make judgment decisions based on what they feel is in the best interest of the team. If a parent or athlete has a concern, the first action should be for the athlete to discuss the situation with the coach. If a parent wishes to become involved, there are issues and concerns that are appropriate to discuss. Appropriate concerns to discuss with a coach: * The treatment of your son/daughter, mentally and physically * Ways to help your son/daughter improve
* Concerns about your son s/daughter s behavior * Concerns about academics Issues not appropriate to discuss with a coach: * Playing time of all team members * Team strategy * Play calling * Other athletes on the team In situations that require a conference between the coach and a parent, it is important for both parties to have a clear understanding of each other s position. When a conference is necessary the following procedures will be followed: * DO NOT CONFRONT A COACH AFTER A CONTEST OR PRACTICE. * Call to set up an appointment with the coach. * If the coach cannot be reached, contact the Activities Office, which will in turn contact the coach. * Profanity has no place in this discussion. If the meeting does not provide a satisfactory resolution, the procedure will be as follows: * Call and set up an appointment with the Activities Director. (Understand that the Activities Director will insist that you speak with the coach first.) * It will be the AD s decision whether or not the coach will be present at the meeting. * At this meeting the discussion will only deal with your son/daughter. * An appropriate next step will be determined. Expectations of Parent/Guardian A. Support your child s efforts toward success. B. Work to promote a positive environment that is conducive to the development of the student-athlete. C. Become familiar with and review the rules and regulations of the sport with your student-athlete. D. Communicate any concerns in a timely manner, according to District protocol. E. Treat all coaching personnel with courtesy and respect and insist your student-athlete do the same. F. Encourage your child to communicate his/her concerns in a respectful manner to the coaching staff. The spectator should: Spectator Conduct A. Realize that he/she represents the school just as much as a team or coach and, therefore, has an obligation to exhibit good sportsmanship. B. Recognize that good sportsmanship is more important than victory by approving and applauding good team play, individual skill and outstanding examples of sportsmanship and fair play exhibited by either team. C. Recognize that since the primary purpose of interscholastic athletics is to promote the physical, mental, moral, social and emotional well-being of the student-athlete, victory or defeat is in reality of secondary importance. D. Treat visiting teams and officials as guests, extending to them every courtesy. E. Be modest in victory and gracious in defeat. F. Respect the judgment and integrity of officials, realizing that their decisions are based on game conditions as they observe them. Hazing Students are not to engage or participate in any act of hazing in the Waukee Community School District. In accordance with Iowa Code 708.10, hazing occurs when the person intentionally or recklessly engages in any act or acts involving forced activity which endanger the physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admissions into, or affiliation with, any organization operating in connection with a school, college, or university.
Waukee athletic teams take a strong stance against this type of behavior. Athletes guilty of hazing of any type will be disciplined by the coach and may be subject to suspension or removal from the team by administration. Transportation The school provides bus or school vehicle transportation to all away athletic contests. All team players should ride to and from all games on the team bus. Exceptions must be requested in writing by the athlete s parent/guardian in advance to the coach and approved by the Activities Director. Practices Coaches will create a schedule of practice dates and times. The schedule should be communicated to parents and players prior to the beginning of the season. It should be understood that circumstances could require a change in a scheduled practice. Church Night and Sunday Practices - High School practices on Wednesday night are to conclude so that all athletes are out of the building by 6:30 p.m. No athletic competitions are to be scheduled on Wednesday evenings. Sunday practices are prohibited unless special circumstances warrant them. Permission from the Activities Director is required before these practices may be held. Holiday Practices - Practice schedules during holiday periods are to be approved by the Activities Director. Scrimmages with other schools are to be listed. Athletes are not to be in the gymnasium or weight room without supervision by a coach. Practices and School Cancellation - If school is canceled as a result of inclement weather, the following rules will be followed: A. If school is dismissed early all scheduled practices will be canceled. B. If an entire day of school is cancelled, there will be no morning practices. If the threat of dangerous weather conditions diminishes during the day, a decision may be made by the AD to allow practices after 1:00 p.m. Coaches are to stress to their athletes that a practice scheduled under these circumstances is optional. C. There will be no middle school practices. Morning Practice - Gym space is at a premium. As a result, morning practices on school days are permitted under the following conditions: A. There will be no morning practices the day prior to and days of finals. B. Practices should be communicated to student athletes and parents well in advance. C. Practices will begin no earlier than 5:45 a.m. D. Practice will end no later than 7:30 a.m. E. Student athletes are expected to be in class on time for the start of the school day. Out of Season Practice School personnel, whether employed or volunteers of a member or associate member school, shall not coach that school s student-athletes during the school year in a sport for which the school personnel are currently under contract or are volunteers outside the period from the first official day of practice to the finals of tournament play. Nor shall volunteer or compensated coaching personnel require students to participate in any activities outside the season of that coach s sport as a condition of participation in the coach s sport during its season. A summer team or individual camp or clinic held at a member or associate member schools facility shall not conflict with the sports in season. Summer time coaching activities shall not conflict with sports in season. (IHSAA Coaching Rule 36.15(6)) Specialization To better cope with the problem of specialization, the following rules will be enforced: A. There will be no deviation from practice starting dates as stated by the Iowa High School Athletic Association and the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union.
B. The sport in season takes priority when there is overlap. C. No coach is to discourage any athlete from participating in another sport. D. All coaches should encourage athletes to participate in multiple sports and cooperate with other coaches to eliminate conflicts. E. An athlete may participate in two sports during the same season (i.e. track and soccer) if practice schedules and locations allow. Activities Conflicts Every attempt will be made to avoid conflicts in scheduling between different activities. There are, however, some scheduling conflicts that are not under the control of the Activities Department. If a conflict arises in which a student is scheduled to participate in multiple activities at the same time, the following priority order will be used to resolve the situation. 1. State sponsored activities 2. Varsity competition and Graded Fine Arts Performance 3. Performance 4. Sub-varsity competition If a student has a conflict between equally weighted events, the student and parent will make the choice as to which event the student will participate in. If this decision has the potential of affecting a grade, the instructor is required to provide an alternative assessment of equal value as it pertains to the grading process. Many times it is possible with the help of coaches, directors, and parents working together for a student to participate in conflicting events. Coaches and Directors should make every effort to accommodate the opportunity for the student to participate in multiple events. Note: Participation in optional events such as the play or the musical will be considered choices made by the student. Choosing to participate implies the student will attend those performances rather than a scheduled athletic event.
REQUEST TO PARTICIPATE I have read and understand that my student-athlete and I are responsible for upholding the guidelines set forth in this handbook, including the Code of Conduct and State Academic policies. We understand that sportsmanship, citizenship and academics are the cornerstones of a successful student-athlete. We agree to abide by these guidelines and rules and are aware that there are penalties associated with the Code of Conduct and State Academic policies. We also are familiar with the practice and play areas/facilities used for participating in sport s activities and request permission for my son/daughter to participate in any sport s activities that are offered at or through the Waukee Community Schools. Due to the nature of these activities I realize that there are risks and dangers involved in participating in these activities, which may lead to serious injury. Because of the dangers involved in these activities I recognize the importance of all participants following the Activity Director s and Coach s instructions regarding playing techniques, training and other activity rules, etc. and agree that my son/daughter shall obey such instructions. Student-Athlete Name (please print) Grade Student-Athlete Signature Date Parent/Guardian Name (please print) Parent/Guardian Signature Date Note: 8 th grade parents/athletes please sign and return to Middle School Office Secretary. 9 th grade parents/athletes sign and return to Todd Schneiter at Prairieview. 10 th 12 th parents/athletes sign and return to High School Activities Office.