Westford Academy Athletics Spring Preseason Information Night Monday March 28 th,

Staff Dan Twomey, Athletic Director – x 2108 Betsy Parke, Administrative Assistant – x 2121 Bill Bombaci, Head Athletic Trainer – x s for all coaches listed on

Athletics Mission Statement The purpose of the Westford Academy athletic program is to provide an opportunity for student athletes to participate and share in a positive environment of spirited competition. Our goal is to instill basic values that build student athlete character as an individual and member of a team through the involvement in the interscholastic athletic program.

Values and Student-Athlete Character Fun Work Ethic Commitment Leadership Chemical Health/Wellness Communication Time Management Patience Overcoming Adversity Discipline Pride Toughness Spirit Pursuit of Perfection Citizenship Sense of Community Effort Confidence Intensity Winning/Losing Graciously Accountability

A few examples Sense of Community – Do you wear your team jacket/sweatshirt while not playing sports? – Bad Press in the media- how do you think that makes those student athletes feel? Confidence – What does it take to build confidence? How to gain it? – It’s a battle vs. Fear! – Focus on doing your best! You know when you are 100%.

Student-Athlete Expectations Team/Program Rules – Breakout Sessions/Team Meetings Student Athlete Handbook – cs/handbook.pdf cs/handbook.pdf MIAA Blue Book – WA Handbook – ce/WAhandbook.pdf ce/WAhandbook.pdf

Spring Important Dates/Conflicts 3/21 Spring Sports Start 3/28 Spring 2016 Information Night 3/25 ½ Day Good Friday 3/27 EASTER 4/5-4/8 G WEEK 4/11 Internship Program Starts 4/13 ½ Day Pro Dev. 4/14 Picture Day 4/18 Patriots Day 4/18-4/22 April Vacation 4/23 Passover 5/2 to 5/15 AP Exams 5/7 SAT Test Date 5/14 PROM 5/17 NHS Induction Night 5/18 DISNEY Trip Senior Meeting 5/19 ½ Day 5/21 Junior Cotillion- Kimballs 5/22 Senior Boosters Banquet 5:30 CAF 5/25-5/29 SR TRIP 6/1 Patriots Game Fundraiser 6/2 Scholarship Night 6/3 Graduation

Student-Athlete Eligibility and Information Academics Attendance Medical Chemical Health/Wellness Transportation Uniforms/Equipment Code of Conduct Bullying/Harassment Bona fide Team Rule

Student Athlete Eligibility Academics - A student is eligible if they fail no more than one (1) course… Attendance - A student must be on time and attend school until the end of period 4 or by the start of period 3 and remain for the remainder of the day…exceptions are made for legitimate excuses i.e. medical appointment, personal family matters, etc. A student must be in attendance on the Friday before a weekend event in order to participate… Medical- Physicals valid for 13 months.

Student Athlete Information Transportation: Student athletes must ride transportation to and from events Uniforms/Equipment: Take care of your stuff, health concerns, return at end of season Code of Conduct/Fan Behavior – Behave, cheer for our teams, Lay off officials please. Bullying/Harassment- WA Handbook MIAA Bona fide Team Rule: Student Athletes not to miss a practice/game for another non school practice or event.

Bullying/Harassment/Hazing M.G.L. Chapter 269, Sections 17, 18 and 19. “Shall be punished by a fine of not more than three thousand dollars or by imprisonment in a house of correction for not more than one year, or both such fine and imprisonment” “It gets a little worse each year” No place for hazing at WA!

Concussions Responsibilities of Parents – Before the Season- Complete free online concussion course one time per year Complete online registrations with accurate and up to date information on concussions and other med info – During the season- Any head injuries “outside of athletics” must be reported Provide any doctors notes clearing students to return to participation Make us aware of anything that is not immediately reported

Student Athlete Eligibility Chemical Health/Wellness - – During School event- WA Handbook Policies + MIAA Rule – Out of school – MIAA Rule … “found to be in the possession of, consuming, buying/selling, under influence of… beginning of interscholastic school year to last day of school.” First Violation = 25% of season. Memorandum of Understanding with Westford Police

Role of Parents in HS Sports How do you define success for your son or daughter? It’s a fun journey, so enjoy it! How do you act after your son/daughters tough loss/win? Let the coach…. Coach!

Role of Parents in HS Sports What are your sons/daughters goals for the season? What do you want your son or daughter to get out of season? What are things that parents do that student athletes really appreciate? Support whole team, food, cheering us on even when losing badly, telling them they did a good job, never yelling at a coach or ref, not talking negatively about my teammates

Conflict Resolution Communication is key Address at the earliest stage possible Chain of Communication- Start with student athlete and coach Please wait 24 hours after a game to contact a coach

Spring 2016 Other Items It’s a busy time of year! Coming Soon! Online Student Athlete and Parent Survey $275 FEES: Please turn in activity fee to coach by the 1 st game/meet/match! THINK SPRING! Fields will be open as soon as possible

Team/Program Locations 5:45 Softball Cafeteria 6:00 Girls Lacrosse -Library 6:00 Boys Volleyball- Gym 6:30 General Meeting PAC 7:00 PM Meetings Baseball – Main Gym Boys Lacrosse – Aux Gym Track – Cafeteria Boys tennis RM 101 Girls Tennis RM 144