1. Zebulon Middle School Athletics
Hard work earns rewards

2. Beginning Dates for Seasons
SPORTS SEASON DATES
Fall Sports
First Practice/tryout date August 29
First Games Week of September 18
Winter Sports
First Practice/tryout date November 13
First Games Week of December 4
Spring Sports
First Practice/tryout date February 12
First Games Week of March 6
Scrimmages
No scrimmages

3. Practices before 1st Game
All athletes must participate in a minimum of 6 team practices before being allowed to compete against another team The only exception to this rule is Football. They must have 10 practices. The first 5 practices must be conditioning ONLY. Game days can not count as practices

4. Practice Times
Practices should run from the conclusion of school until 5pm. All students need to have transportation provided at that time
Coaches should wait no longer than ½ hour past practice time for rides and/or the activity bus

5. Practices and Matches
Practices will mostly run Monday-Thursday from 3:00-4:45pm and most Thursday’s will be off due to football games.
Matches: Volleyball and Soccer- Wednesday’s, Football-Thursdays
Athletes must stay after school for the matches. Please make sure the field is set-up for home matches. Let us all work together in this process, including the managers, players, and parent volunteers.

6. Activity Bus Schedule W GANNON & PONY RD (DOLLAR TREE)
W ACADEMY & WENDELL BLVD (WENDELL ELEM)
SMITHFIELD RD & RIDGE ST (KNIGHTDALE ELEM)
EAST WAKE HIGH SCHOOL

7. Activity Bus
Students are to meet in front of the school before 5pm to get on activity bus
Riding the activity bus is a privilege. Students may be asked not to use this service if behavior is not acceptable
All riders must have an activity bus pass. You can get these in Student Services/Guidance

8. Equipment requirements
Comfortable clothing
Shorts
T shirt
Comfortable shoes
No Jeans
Mouth Guard if child has braces

9. Equipment Requirements
School will provide all uniforms
The only parts of the uniform that will need to be purchased are pieces that the student will keep:
Socks
Mouth guard (must have for football)

10. Soccer Requirements Shin Guards* Spikes/Cleats Mouth guard for Braces
*Must meet NOCSAE Standards (will be written on the items)

11. Volleyball Requirements
Comfortable Shoes
Knee pads
Comfortable clothing
***All are needed on the first day of try outs

12. Cheerleading Requirements
Comfortable clothing
Cheerleading will have a mandatory spirit pack that the girls will need to purchase for games and competition
Has been between $ in the past

13. Spirit Wear Coaches may offer the option of buying team T-shirts
The Athletic office will offer spirit wear orders at the beginning of each season
The only sport where spirit wear is Mandatory is Cheerleading

14. Eligibility Must have a valid physical every 395 days
Must be in attendance at school 85% of the previous semester
Academic requirements must be met from the previous semester:
Must be passing BOTH Math and Language Arts
Must be passing Science OR Social Studies
Must be passing ½ of elective classes

15. 1st Day of Tryouts
The First day of tryouts for ALL Fall Sports will be used to complete paperwork, physical forms, ect. 
* Coaches will need to all meet in the cafeteria with laptop or device to help determine eligibility. 
- Once everything is complete, athletes will be able to train if time is permitted.

16. Athletic Participation Forms
It is a requirement of all WCPSS athletes to have one on file in the athletic office
The form can be obtained from one of these sources:
From the Athletic office
From the Main Office
Can be printed from the school’s Athletic Web Page under Tryouts/Forms
Fill out Sports Information Survey
Located under Tryouts/Forms on the Athletics Web Page

17. Attendance Students need to be at school every day
Students must be in school the entire day in order to compete that school day (exceptions can be made for Dr. Appts., etc.)
If a student is not at school, they are not eligible to practice OR compete
A student who has missed 14 or more days the previous semester will not be eligible to compete on any athletic team
Hardship rules can apply in certain situations for attendance

18. Suspensions
Per WCPSS policy, any student serving In School Suspension (ISS) time, or Out of School Suspension (OSS) are not permitted to practice or play until their suspension is completed. ZMS will not allow students serving ISS or OSS to attend practices OR games for their respective sport.

19. Grades
Student Athletes are expected to complete ALL assignments and have them turned in on time to their teachers
Athletics is a privilege AFTER school work is completed
Students may be pulled from practices to make up required schoolwork

20. Weekly Grade Sheets
Checklist to see that students are completing their work
Making sure student athletes displaying positive behaviors in the classroom
Turned in to coaches at the end of the week to determine eligibility the following week
These are offered to coaches as an option to keep up with student performance

21. Making up Incomplete Assignments
Know which teachers will allow you to go make up work
Know when teachers stay after school to provide extra help
Don’t fall behind because you feel that sports are more important than classwork……
Put the NEED to do ahead of the WANT to do

22. Expectations at practice
Just like a class, athletes are expected to be dressed and on time to practice
Athletes are expected to be at EVERY practice
Athletes are expected to do every drill coaches set up for them
STUDENT ATHLETES MUST BE UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A COACH AT ALL TIMES

23. Off Season Training
The best things to do when not “In Season” for middle school students are:
Run
Stretch
Very light strength work (push ups, sit ups)
Sport Specific drills
Go to camps to focus on a specific sport

24. Off Season Team Training
Specific Sports ARE allowed to work on sport specific drills in the off season
Must have a WCPSS Athletic Participation Form on file before engaging in such activities
Coaches must fill out proper forms before holding off season training
Must be available to all students who are eligible to compete in WCPSS Athletics

25. Sportsmanship
Good sportsmanship is viewed by the National Federation of State High School Associations as a commitment to fair play, ethical behavior and integrity. In perception and practice, sportsmanship is defined as those qualities which are characterized by generosity and genuine concern for others.

26. High 5’s of Sportsmanship
Everyone’s “High Five”
Show respect for the opponent at all times.
Show respect for the officials.
Know, understand, and appreciate the rules of the contest.
Maintain self-control at all times.
Recognize and appreciate skill in performance regardless of affiliation.

27. High 5’s of Sportsmanship
Coaches’ “High Five”
Always set a good example for participants and fans to follow, exemplifying the highest moral and ethical behavior.
Teach good sportsmanship and establish high standards for the athletes, parents, and fans.
Develop and enforce penalties for participants who do not abide by sportsmanship standards.
Treat opposing coaches, participants, and fans with respect. Shake hands with officials and opposing coaches.
Teach the value of honest effort in conforming to the spirit as well as the letter of the rules.

28. High 5’s of Sportsmanship
Student-Athletes’ “High Five”
Accept seriously the responsibility and privilege of representing your school and community; display positive public action at all times.
Treat opponents with the respect that is due them as guests and fellow athletes.
Exercise self-control at all times, accepting decisions and abiding by them.
Accept both victory and defeat with pride and compassion, never being boastful or bitter.
Live up to the high standard of sportsmanship established by your coaches and help fellow athletes and fans maintain these standards.

29. High 5’s of Sportsmanship
Parents, Students, and Other Fans’ “High Five”
Realize that a ticket is a privilege to observe a contest and support athletic activities, not a license to verbally assault others.
Be an exemplary role model by positively supporting teams in every manner possible, including content of cheers and signs.
Recognize and acknowledge good performances by athletes on either team.
Give support to those participating in, conducting, and/or officiating the athletic event.
Respect the judgment and strategy of the coach.

30. Student-Parent Code of conduct
Please see handout Note: Disciplinary actions for violation of WCPSS Code of Student Conduct are named in WCPSS Board Policy Consequences for violation of student athlete pledge and conduct guidelines can result in suspension from team based on NCHSAA guidelines for high schools, State Board of Education guidelines for middle schools, and/or school athletic departments.

31. ZMS Expectations at Athletic Events
Cheer positively FOR our team
Please do not boo or cheer against the other team, coaches or officials. They are all on the same level and are there to learn.
Provide a positive atmosphere for the children to do their best!

32. NFHS
You can go to the National Federation of High School Athletics and take free online classes to help get a better understanding of the following subjects: -Role of the Parent in Sports -Concussion -Sportsmanship

33. Volunteering in Athletics
Before you volunteer, you need to be approved by WCPSS
To coach, you must complete the following before volunteering:
Completed WCPSS Employment Application
2 sealed letters of reference
2 Telephone references
Background check
Do online volunteer registration in Guidance

34. Booster Club
Helps raise funds for the program that help support ALL sports
Athletics always has expenses that need to be taken care of each year that the budgeted money can not take care of
WCPSS Athletics may only do ONE fundraiser per school year, Booster Club is not as limited

35. Booster Club Needs You
Enthusiastic people that have connections to businesses
Officers that have time to fill a leadership role
People who are good with paperwork
Parents who want the best for their Athlete

36. Watch D.O.G.S./Cougar M.O.M.S.
Dads Of Great Students
Moms of Marvelous Students
Positive, strong female role models around campus
Looking for Dads to volunteer in the school
Have positive male role models around campus
Can get more information from Main Office