Elba Central School Information for Student-Athletes and Parents

Elba Lancer Athlete To be a member of an Elba Athletic Team is a privilege and each student athlete should strive to perform to his/her highest academic and athletic potential.

Parent/Coach Relationship Parenting and Coaching are extremely difficult vocations. I hope everyone can gain a better understanding of what expectations we have for each other and your child as you read this information.

Elba’s Main Athletic Goals The basic purpose for extra-curricular activities at Elba is to provide students with positive, meaningful learning experiences which enrich their basic educational programs. To enhance our students’ learning experiences To have a extremely competitive athletic program To ALWAYS foster and promote good citizenship, the highest standards of ethics, sportsmanship, and personal conduct by all participants

Elba Athletic Program When you and your son/daughter sign-up to participate in one of our athletic programs, we feel that your family has committed to certain responsibilities. We consider parents to be an important part of the Elba Athletic Program. Parents please take an active interest in your son/daughter this season and support them and their team.

Expectations of Athletes Sign and return all appropriate paperwork to coaches Make sure you have an up to date physical to participate. Attend all practices, games and meetings We expect all athletes to adhere to Elba’s Extracurricular Activities Student Code of Conduct….please read carefully!!! Always model appropriate behavior and sportsmanship Treat opponents, coaches, teammates, officials and spectators with respect. Be responsible for all school owned equipment: lost, damaged or missing equipment will be paid for by the athlete or parent.

Expectations of Athletes cont. Place academics at the top of your list ! Full day, in school attendance is a must to participate Exceptions are dentist, doctor, court, college visit or other absences deemed legal by NY State Education Law. Unexcused absence, truant, suspended, or excused from school due to illness – the athlete may not be allowed to practice or play that day! Tardy (Late to school)- report to health office and principal will consider circumstance to determine if athlete will or will not practice. Absence following extracurricular event- student must be in school the next day following event- if a pattern develops this could result in suspension from team Coaches may have established additional rules which you are expected to follow!

Expectations of Parents Remember this is an educational setting and your admittance into the game is a privilege to observe and support the sporting event not verbally abuse coaches, players, officials or any other spectators. PLEASE GIVE ENCOURAGEMENT- NOT INSTRUCTIONS! Coaches coach-Players play-Officials officiate ! Help coaches with NUTRITION-we need healthy athletes! Complex carbohydratres and protein, avoid high fat foods, stay hydrated.

NYSPHSAA Sportsmanship Message BE LOUD….. BE PROUD…. BE POSITIVE Cheer for your team and respect your opponent Do not get personal in your comments about players, coaches, fans or officials No profanity, vulgarity, racist or sexist comments

Communication you should Expect from your Child’s Coach: Philosophy of the coach Expectations the coach has of your child Locations and times of all practices and games Solid communication: your child’s role on the team. Practice policy-Saturday’s & holidays Family vacations-missed competitions

Communication from Coach cont. Team Requirements, i.e. fees, special equipment, off season equipment. Procedure if child becomes injured during participation. Discipline that results in the denial of your child’s participation. Rescheduling games, etc. Recognition for achievement

Communication Coaches should Expect from Parents Notification of any schedule conflicts well in advance. Concerns regarding your child Positive support for team during wins and losses

Appropriate Concerns Parents should discuss with coaches The treatment of the student athlete, mentally and physically. Ways to help the student athlete improve. Concerns about students behavior. It is very difficult to accept the student athlete not playing as much as parent may hope. Coaches are professionals and they make decisions based on what they believe to be the best for the entire team.

Issues not Appropriate to Discuss with Coaches Your child’s amount of playing time Team Strategy and/or Play Calling Other student athletes on the team Any discussion about game immediately following contest. There are situations that may require a conference between a coach and parent. These are to be encouraged. It is important that both parties involved have a clear understanding of the other position. When a conference is necessary, the following procedure should be followed to help promote a resolution to the issue of concern.

24 Hour Rule: Do not approach a Head Coach or Assistant Coach immediately following a contest or practice for a discussion. If you have a concern to discuss with a coach, please schedule an appointment at least 24 hours following any practice or game incident. It is difficult to accept your child’s playing time. Coaches see and evaluate players daily and playing time is based on what is best for the entire team.

Playing Time Coaches decide playing time. Playing time changes as the athlete enters different level of competition. At modified level, each athlete will play a practical amount of time assuming they all athletes are working hard and putting forth maximum effort. At the JV level, the better skilled athletes play more than the lesser skilled athletes. At the JV level , playing time is not guaranteed.

Playing Time (con’t) At the varsity level, the better-skilled athletes play. It is reasonable to have a few athletes that rarely ever make it into the competitions at this level. No guaranteed playing time at this level! Coaches at the JV and Varsity levels should communicate with their players about potential playing time. Please do not call the AD or administration to discuss your child’s playing time OR discuss the playing time of another athlete.

Chain of Command If you or your child has a problem, please contact the coach FIRST! *Player meets with Coach in attempt to find a resolution. ****IF Resolution not met between student athlete and Coach *Parents should then set up an appointment with Coach to find a resolution. If parent and the coach cannot resolve the problem, then it is appropriate to set up a meeting with the athletic director, coach, and parent to discuss and come up with a resolution. Please do not attempt to meet with a coach before or after a contest. These are emotional times for both the parent and the coach. Meeting should be scheduled at a mutually agreeable time.

Chain of Command Cont. Please do not call me without contacting the coach first! If further intervention is needed please call Karen Cusmano at 757-9967, ext 1250

Academic Eligibility Academics take priority over athletics Teachers will be constantly tracking grades and effort of all students If athlete is failing and/or lack of effort they will be placed on probation for two weeks or until grades/effort had improved Students on probation for two weeks will be reevaluated and need to show improvement in effort and grade or they will be moved to ineligibility Student athlete on probation must stay after school with that teacher once a week for extra help Student athlete that is ineligible must stay after school twice a week for extra help Parents will be notified by office if on probation or ineligibility

Probation/Ineligibility Cont. A student on probation or ineligibility must have Academic Eligibility Student Form signed by the teacher each time he/she receives help A student athlete failing more than one course will be required to stay after school Tuesday –Friday List will be sent out every Friday-students will be placed and or removed from probation or ineligibility on the following Monday at 7:40 am Students will be allowed to be on probation once per subject for the year.

Probation vs Ineligibility Athlete may play and participate in athletic events Athlete may attend games, dances, prom, and other school sponsored activities Ineligibility: Student cannot participate in athletic contest or club events Student cannot attend other sporting events, dances, prom, and other school sponsored events

Injuries All injuries should be reported to coach as soon as possible. Any returning injured player must have clearance from your doctor to participate. School physician trumps P.C.P. in regards to all injuries!

Concussion Management ECS has a Board approved protocol that outlines recognition, management of head injuries and six step return to play. Concussion is a traumatic brain injury All athletes in grades 7-12 will be Impact Tested in beginning of each school year. An athlete who has been diagnosed with a concussion must be FIRST medically cleared in writing, to begin the six step to play process. Student athlete will most likely miss at least a game or two!!! If any symptom reoccurs during the six step to play process the athlete will go back to previous level and continue after 24 hours. We want to prevent Second Impact Syndrome (SIS)- occurs when athlete sustain second trauma to brain BEFORE completely healed from original injury

Transportation Athletes may not drive themselves to any competitions at any time, unless it has been cleared through administration with written and signed permission slip. At the conclusion of a competition, athletes may only ride home with their parents or guardians; no one else is allowed unless prior approval has been granted by Mr. Smith

School Grounds Athletes should not be arriving at school before 20 minutes prior to scheduled practice time. Locker rooms are for changing and not for fooling around, please respect others property and always act responsibility while using this area. Parents: please be respectful to our coaching staff and pick up your child immediately upon arrival of the school bus for away competitions and/or practice sessions.

Activity Period What will your child be doing from 2:35-3:00? It is expected that all student athletes will stay and report to cafeteria during activity period if not staying for another teacher. NO STUDENTS WILL BE ALLOWED IN THE HALL DURING THIS TIME! They may choose to relax and chill out or take advantage of the time and do homework. At 3:00 pm all athletes may report to locker rooms to get ready for practice

Weather in New York: In case of nasty weather: Always assume that the game is ON unless you hear otherwise Please do not contact the school before 2:35 to see if a game has been cancelled. Your children will be instructed to call home to relay any cancellations. Make sure your athletes dress properly for practices; it will be chilly, and athletes should be prepared for rain as well. If all games are cancelled, your child should expect to practice at some point during the night. Please be flexible.

Team Photos All student-athletes at Elba Central will be professionally photographed as a team, and if interested, as an individual Parents are not obligated to purchase pictures, but all athletes will receive envelopes Team photos will be used for Yearbook Students will wear only school-issued uniforms in team photo 2013 Fall photo date will be Sept 17th

Communications Coaches will communicate important dates/changes to athlete Call at 585-757-9967 or email at kcusmano@elbacsd.org for questions

Closing Thank-you for taking an active interest in your child’s athletic career. Let’s all have a fun and exciting athletic year!!!!