2017 Fall Sports Pre-season Meeting

North Brookfield High School Athletics Allyson Bulger, abulger@nbschools.org, Co-Athletic Dir. Shiela Leblanc, sleblanc@nbschools.org, Co-Athletic Dir. and Field Hockey Coach Jeff Hicks, Girls Soccer Coach, jhicks@8891@aol.com Leslie Murray, Cross Country Coach, lmurray@nbschools.org Kevin Nosek, Boys Soccer Coach, knosek11592@gmail.com

You are here tonight because the MIAA Says So! Some parents ask, why do I attend this meeting when I’ve been to it for several years now? You are here tonight because the MIAA Says So! Athletes' Assembly Prior to each season, every school should hold an Athletes' Assembly planned by the principal, athletic director, head coaches, and medical personnel to discuss policies, liability, sportsmanship, safety, and wellness. One parent or guardian should attend with each athlete. For those that can’t attend due to other obligations we can provide the Power Point for them to review on their own.

Communication is key! Please follow the appropriate chain of command if you have questions/concerns. Please discuss with your athlete’s coach first and athletic directors are available if there is a continued need for clarity on your issue.

Fall Sports Offered Varsity Field Hockey Practice 5-7pm Th 8/24 and Fri 8/25 Will move to 2:30-4:30pm,date TBD Varsity Boys Soccer Tryouts 2-4:15pm Th 8/24, Fri 2-4:15pm Practice Time 2-4:15pm going forward Varsity Girls Soccer Practice 3:15-5:15pm starting Th 8/24 Cross Country Practice 2:15-3:30 or 2:45pm-4, starts when school begins, meeting first week of school Football -Co-Op with Quaboag

Colonial Athletic League Leagues Soccer – WCAC ST. MARY’S (boys only) TRIVIUM SIZER SOUTH LANCASTER(boys only) Field Hockey – Colonial Athletic League ASSABET BLACKSTONE VALLEY TECH MONTY TECH/SIZER CO-OP WORCESTER TECH

Eligibility Must be passing 25 credits-NB eligible Must pass 20 credits – MIAA eligible Must have had physical in past 13 months Must fill out eligibility packet Forms are available tonight and in the main office

Athletic Fees $50 per season $100 cap per athlete $200 cap per family Please make checks payable to NBHS Fee waived for free/reduced lunch students Must be paid before first game

Sport Schedules www.nbschools.org (posted soon) www.miaa.net Facebook, North Brookfield Sports Booster Club Page, North Brookfield Sports Booster Twitter There is an MIAA App for Smartphones. Find it in your App Store and choose North Brookfield High School from the list.

Academic Check In Periodically during the season we will announce at school that it is an Academic Check In Week for Athletes. They will come to the office and receive a form. They will take it to their teachers who will check off if there is “academic concern” (D or F average) or “no concern”. They will need to give this to their coach. This is to ensure that our student athletes are staying on track with their classes. It will help their coach be aware of how they are doing academically and help the coach be another avenue of helping them achieve academic success.

Concussions Must sign off that you have taken a course/read information regarding concussions Must inform school if your child has had a concussion or receives one in an out-of-school activity Concussion Resources: links will be posted on school website

The regulations allow the following 4 categories of health professionals to authorize a student to return to play:  A duly licensed physician;  A duly licensed certified athletic trainer in consultation with a licensed physician;  A duly licensed nurse practitioner in consultation with a licensed physician; or  A duly licensed neuropsychologist in coordination with the physician managing the student’s recovery.

Concussions New Form for return to participation from a concussion – can be found on our website: http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/docs/dph/com-health/injury/posthead-injury-clearance-form.pdf

Concussion Video http://nfhslearn.com/courses/61064/concussion-in-sports You can order the course for free and watch online.

MIAA Substance Abuse Policy Vapes/e-cigarettes Tobacco, Alcohol, Illegal Drugs all carry the same penalty: 1st offense – 25% of season 2nd offense – 60% of season 3rd offense – entire season Be aware that penalties can carry over from one season to another, and from one school year to the next. Is in effect from the earliest fall practice date, to the conclusion of the academic year or final athletic event (whichever is latest). A student shall not, regardless of the quantity, use, consume, possess, buy/sell, or give away any beverage containing alcohol; any tobacco product; marijuana; steroids; or any controlled substance. This policy includes products such as “NA or near beer”.

Athlete’s Attendance *Expected to be at every practice or game, on time, unless ill or with excused note *Coaches should be notified if an athlete is not going to be at a game or practice in advance. *Injured athletes should attend games and practices unless they are confined to their home *In order to play or practice on a given day, students must be in school for at least 4 periods of the school day

Transportation NBHS provides transportation to and from all away athletic events (with the exception of those at Valley View School) All Athletes are strongly encouraged to use the provided transportation. Being with the other athletes before and after a game is part of the team experience. If there is a need for the athlete to ride home from a game with parents a written note must be turned in to the Athletic Director that morning and it will be relayed to the Coach. Please be prompt in picking up your athlete after practice or a game. Coaches will wait until each athlete is picked up, please be respectful of their time.

Things to Know Bona Fide Team Members Academic Eligibility Team members of a school team can not miss a high school practice or competition in order to participate in a non-school athletic activity/event in any sport recognized by the MIAA. For example, you can not miss a HS practice or game to attend a Travel League Soccer game or practice or a Town Baseball League game or practice. Academic Eligibility You are here, you are eligible. Work hard to keep it that way. You are a STUDENT athlete!

To Be Completed ASAP: Eligibility Packet Taunting Form, parent & student sign/return Emergency Med Form/Eligibility/Head Injury Form, parent & student sign/return, student to get nurse and guidance signatures on it at school Uniform and Equipment Form, parent sign and return Physicals are only good for 13 months!!! Current physical must be on file to practice or participate in a game.

Important Dates First Day of Games Boys Soccer Scrimmage,4pm at Oxford HS--Aug 31 Field Hockey at Doherty, 4:30pm--Sept 7 Boys and Girls Soccer vs Quabaog, home, 3:30pm--Sept 8 Cross Country at SLA, 4pm--Sept 11 Homecoming – September 23, all 4 teams home games/meets