Immaculate Conception School
ATHLETIC CODE
2008-2009 School Year
Revised: August, 2008
Athletic Philosophy:
Immaculate Conception School is the Parish School of Immaculate Conception Church in Monmouth, Illinois. The school is a member of the Illinois Elementary School Association, and is responsible for adherence to I.E.S.A. regulations as well as to the Diocese of Peoria’s Athletic Code.
This Handbook is a compilation of the Diocese’s regulations and those of the I.E.S.A. as well as expectations of the Parish School.
Immaculate Conception School, as a Parish School, is dedicated to the development and growth of the whole person in our students.
Jesus’ teachings remain at the heart of virtues that ultimately contribute to making the athletic program a Catholic Christian experience. The program exists to develop and enhance the relationship between faith development and daily living.
First and foremost, parents and legal guardians are the first teachers and models of faith development for I.C.S. students.
Myriad opportunities for spiritual, intellectual, physical, social and emotional development exist within the religious and academic environment.
The Mission of Immaculate Conception School is to “provide and nurture effective Catholic religious education and quality elementary academic education for students from Immaculate Conception Parish in grades K through 8.”
It is our vision that our students will “Learn Now and Lead Later.”
Athletics, as an extra-curricular school activity at the elementary level, is a privilege that is earned and fostered by a student’s Christian character and academic efforts. Athletics are recognized as a supportive component to the total educational process, offering balance rather than prominence within its educational scope and practices.
Objectives:
A balanced athletic program, a privilege in which elementary students may choose to participate, exemplifies and witnesses to the meaning of living in a Catholic Christian community by:
At the minimum, outcomes flowing from the Philosophy and Objectives will include:
Governance:
The Diocese of Peoria Athletic Handbook for Elementary Schools shall serve as policy for all diocesan schools.
Diocesan Schools with athletic programs are encouraged to seek membership in the Illinois Elementary School Association (I.E.S.A). Schools with membership in the I.E.S.A. should abide by the associations regulations.
Lines of Authority:
Recognizing that the Pastor is ultimately responsible for all parish activities, the Principal will provide the leadership and responsibility for all athletic programs at the local elementary school level.
These responsibilities will then extend to the Athletic Director, coaches and moderators, students-athletes, and their parent(s) or guardian(s).
Safe Environment Training Program:
“Every person is uniquely created and gifted by God. Catholic social teachings remind us that human life is sacred and… that every person is precious, that people are more important than things, and that the measure of every institution is whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of the human person.”
--United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
In order to guard against incidents of sexual abuse of minors, Safe Environment Training (SET) is required of adults who work with youth on a regular basis. The training establishes acceptable behavior that is legal, professional, and responsible. It includes standards of conduct regarding sexual abuse and harassment. A further description of SET can be found at www.usccb.org/comm/envguide/shtml.
Participation Expectations and Responsibilities:
“It must be emphasized that an authentic human and Christian formation of athletes indirectly becomes an Educational instrument on a more vast social level.”
Pope John Paul II
The Most Authentic Dimension of Sports
Student-Athletes:
Students who demonstrate Christian conduct and achieve academically according to their abilities may participate in athletic activities at Immaculate Conception School.
Only full-time students enrolled in Diocese of Peoria Catholic elementary schools may participate in their respective athletic programs.
Previous to the beginning of each sport during the school year, participants will be required to have on file:
Code of Conduct:
Student-athletes are expected to model appropriate Christian behavior at all times. Immaculate Conception School has written expectations for the behavior of all persons participating in or attending any athletic events. See ATTACHMENT A to this Handbook.
Sanctions for inappropriate and unacceptable behaviors may include, but not be limited to, verbal and written warnings, documentation, communication with parent(s) or guardian(s), limited suspension, permanent suspension, and expulsion.
Immaculate Conception School’s behavioral policies and administrative regulations shall have precedence over I.E.S.A. behavioral guidelines and sanctions.
The Principal will determine the final sanctions for unacceptable behaviors, other diocesan policies not withstanding.
Academic Responsibilities:
Immaculate Conception School has determined that a student must maintain a C average or higher in all classes. This means the student must achieve an average of 77/100 in all classes.
Academic eligibility will be reviewed by the Athletic Director on a weekly basis (Thursday to Thursday). Teachers will be required to sign an affidavit certifying grades. The Athletic Director will notify the Principal if any students are not academically eligible to participate in sports. The Athletic Director will then notify the student, parent(s)/guardian(s), and coach of the ineligibility. The Coach of an academically ineligible student will determine if the student is able to participate in practice or not.
Conduct Eligibility:
If a student’s behavior is inconsistent with the goals of the Immaculate Conception School Athletic Program, the Athletic Director will confer with the Principal to determine if the behavior necessitates suspension of the student from a sport for a period of time.
Attendance Eligibility:
Students are not allowed to participate in practice or a game on a day when they are absent from school for any part of the day unless the absence is authorized by the Athletic Director or Principal. An example of an allowable absence would be to attend a funeral in the morning; student attended classes in the afternoon. Another example would be that the student had a long-standing or emergency medical appointment during the school day but attended the rest of the school day.
Age eligibility:
Immaculate Conception School, as a member of the I.E.S.A. adheres to that organizations’ age requirements for student-athletes. See attached information from I.E.S.A. regarding this requirement.
Parent(s)/Legal Guardians:
Parents or legal guardians are the first teachers of faith formation in their children’s lives.
Display of Christian conduct is paramount to modeling what is expected of one’s own child. Parents and legal guardians represent themselves, their children, the coaching staff, and the school community. Encouragement and positive role modeling through acceptable words, actions and support of the local school’s policies and administrative regulations give evidence and example of commendable sportsmanship.
It is a gift to student-athletes when their parents and legal guardians emphasize good sportsmanship rather than excessive competition and when they praise rather than criticize the efforts of their children, their children’s teammates, opposing team members, coaches, and officials.
It should be remembered at all times that the program belongs to the children.
Athletic Director:
The Athletic Director will be selected and approved by the Principal and will be directly responsible to the Principal.
The Athletic Director will meet the following requisites before being employed:
The Athletic Director will oversee all aspects of the athletic program, working in close collaboration with the Principal in matters beyond routine responsibilities. Examples of collaboration include fundraising decisions, purchase of uniforms, purchase of equipment, athletic activities that require transportation to out of town locations, and significant concerns warranting administrative guidance.
The Athletic Director will maintain a permanent record of coach’s certifications. A copy of the record will be filed with the Principal.
The Athletic Director’s agreement will include a job description.
The Principal will evaluate the Athletic Director on a periodic basis.
Coaches, Assistant Coaches, and Moderators:
The Athletic Director will recommend the employment of specific coaches at Immaculate Conception School to the Athletic Commission and Principal. The Principal is ultimately responsible for hiring of coaches.
Before coaches and moderators can begin the position in any sport, they must have completed:
Each coach or moderator must be at least 21 years old. In the event that someone wishes to coach or moderate who is under 21 years of age, he or she may be recommended by the Athletic Director to assist a coach under the guidance and supervision of the coach or moderation. Assistant coaches are responsible to meet all of the above-listed requirements.
All coaches shall be trained toward the goal of certification. Training should include, but not be limited to:
The Illinois Elementary School Association is offering online coaches training programs. Effective with the 2009-2010 Academic Year, the I.E.S.A. By-Law 2.121 states that “Athletic Coaches in all member schools shall be designated by their Board of Education or governing board as personnel responsible for the supervision of the school’s contestants. Athletic coaches in member schools shall be regularly certified to teach in the schools of Illinois or must complete an approved coaching education course.” For the 2008-2009 Academic Year, Immaculate Conception School recommends that non-certified coaches begin their certification process. Immaculate Conception School will reimburse any coaches for certification classes they complete. Coaches should give a request for reimbursement to the Athletic Director before they complete the classes so that the reimbursement can be approved in advance.
See 2.122, 2.123, and 2.124 of I.E.S.A By-Laws for further information. A copy of this information will be given to each coach for his or her follow-up.
Coaches who complete classroom coaching training or on-line coaching training are required to present copies of their certification to the Athletic Director within 5 days of completing a course so that this document can be placed in their Coaching File.
A listing of responsibilities shall be attached to and signed by the coach or moderator. These responsibilities shall guide Immaculate Conception School in the expected and acceptable practices of coaches.
Coaches and moderators will:
Spectators:
Spectators have distinct roles as participants at athletic contests. While they may be considered guests, they are bound by the same rules of conduct as student-athletes and their coaches and moderators.
See ATTACHMENT A for expectations of behavior by spectators.
The Principal of Immaculate Conception School, the Athletic Director, and other officials have the right and the responsibility to eject spectators whose behaviors are not acceptable.
Structure, Organization, and Management:
“The interscholastic athletic program should be looked upon as the pinnacle and not the foundation of a school’s physical education endeavors. A school should provide, first a program of physical education for all children, second an intramural sports program for all who desire. Some participation in competitive sports, and finally, an athletic program of competition in the skill sports.”
--Archdiocese of Milwaukee
All students in Grades 5-8 at Immaculate Conception School may participate in the I.C.S. athletic programs, whether those programs are intramural or interscholastic.
Students in grades 5 and 6 will primarily be involved in skill-building programs that provide the student-athletes as much participatory time as is possible. These programs are intended to help students learn basic skills they will use in interscholastic programs in grades 7 and 8. While students in grades 5 and 6 may be part of interscholastic teams, their participation may be limited.
Students in grades 7 and 8 will be considered as participating in interscholastic programs in which every player usually plays a portion of every game in order to build individual and team skills and self-confidence.
Approval of all schedules games, requisites for grade participation, practice times, and a schedule of athletic contests will be planned by the Athletic Director and Coaches prior to the beginning of each athletic season. A complete schedule will be communicated to student-athletes and their parent(s)/guardian(s) before the season begins.
Ordinarily, games should not be started after 8:00 pm on school nights.
The Athletic Director and coaches for each sport will conduct a meeting prior to the start of the season for parent(s)/guardian(s) and student-athletes. The purpose of the meeting will be to instruct participants in the school’s plans for the season, to advise them of expectations, and to communicate practice and game schedules with them. This will also be an opportunity for parents to ask questions.
Cheerleading/Pom-Poms:
The moderator for this sport will be under the directon of the Athletic Director. All cheerleaders and pom-poms must follow I.E.S.A. rules and regulations.
Games/Tournaments, and Practices:
The Principal of Immaculate Conception School will determine the number of games and tournaments at each grade level before the beginning of each school year.
Whether or not I.C.S. participates in the sport as an I.E.S.A member, I.C.S. will adhere to the following maximum number of games and tournaments each season:
Tournaments:
The Diocese of Peoria does not sponsor diocesan tournaments. Therefore, no tournaments may be referred to as “Diocesan” or “Diocesan-wide” tournaments.
I.C.S. may not sponsor or participate in tournaments that require overnight stays.
Tryouts:
At Immaculate Conception School, all students going out for a team will make the team as long as they adhere to academic, conduct, and attendance eligibility regulations.
Team Rosters:
I.C.S. will publish an official team roster which will be kept on file with the Athletic Director, Principal, and individual coaches and/or moderators. Rosters will also be made available to other schools with whom I.C.S. competes.
Rosters will contain student-athletes names and birth dates as well as the academic grade in which the student is currently enrolled.
Participation:
Ordinarily, every student-athlete should play in every game.
Coaches and moderators at grades 7 and 8 levels may use discretion in allowing participation as far as possible based on student-athlete attitudes, behavior, attendance and effort at practices, and cooperation with coaches, moderators, and teammates.
Practices, Games, and Tournament Exclusions:
No games or practices, including tournaments or Open Gyms, may be scheduled or played on Sundays.
In addition, no practices, games, tournaments, and Open Gyms may be scheduled or played on Holy Days of Obligation, Holy Thursday, or Good Friday. The Diocese of Peoria’s Festival Letter will be used to determine Holy Days of Obligation and other dates upon which student-athletes may not be engaged in team activities.
Practices will not exceed one and a half (1.5) hours per day.
Practices, games and tournaments will be limited to four days a week, per team. If a team is scheduled to play one game during a week, they may have no more than three 1-1/2 hour practice sessions. If a team is scheduled to play two games, they may have no more than two 1-½ hour practice sessions. If they have three games, they may have no more than a single 1-½ hour practice. Practice schedules will be part of the information communicated in writing to student-athletes and their parent(s)/guardian(s) when a student signs up to play a sport.
Parish events and school events such as seasonal programs, fairs, and concerts will take precedence over practice, games, and tournaments. The Athletic Director is responsible for scheduling of the use of the I.C.S. Gymnasium for all events.
Scrimmages and Drills:
All scrimmages and drills with any outsiders will be considered as scheduled games.
Playing Up:
In the event that a grade level does not have sufficient members to form a team, the Athletic Director and Principal may allow student-athletes to play up. However, those playing up will be from the next lower grade only. The total number of team members will not exceed a reasonable number if there is a need to have lower grade student-athletes play up. The Principal will determine what the “reasonable” number is.
Dress Code on Game Days:
Students are to dress up on game days at school and when arriving at the home or away gym for their contest. Young ladies should wear slacks, skirts, or dresses (no jeans) to school on game days with a collared shirt or blouse. Young men should wear khaki slacks or dress slacks on game days with a collared polo shirt or dress shirt and tie.
Students should wear this attire to the contests. Students may not leave the contest in their uniforms for basketball, volleyball, and cheerleading, but should change to street or dress clothes.
Complaint Procedures:
In the event of a complaint made for non-compliance to the Immaculate Conception School Athletic Code, I.E.S.A. rules, diocesan policies, or I.C.S. policies and administrative regulations, a written complaint should be completed by the complainant and submitted to the Athletic Director and/or the Principal.
The Principal will make all final decisions regarding complaint resolution.
Disputes Between or Among Schools:
In the event of a dispute between schools with opposing teams, the Principal and Athletic Directors of the affected schools will meet to address the concerns. The Principal of I.C.S. will resolve the matter internally.
I.E.S.A guidelines will be utilized if the parties involved in the dispute hold I.E.S.A. membership. If not, the schools may seek a resolution through the Diocesan Office of Schools from the Superintendent or his representative.
Open Gym:
Open Gym may be held occasionally as gymnasium use permits and the Principal approves. As stated before, Open Gym may not take place on Sundays and the additional dates as ascribed.
Coaching, competitive play, and offering of critical comments during Open Gym will take place only when a sports season has officially begun. An adult trained in CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) must be present at all Open Gyms. Open Gym should last no longer than 1-½ hours at a time.
The minimum standard for supervision of Open Gym will be a person who is 21 years of age or older who has completed the Safe Environment Training (SET), has had a background and fingerprinting check, and has been screened for drug usage, if paid.
Fundraising/Support from Businesses:
The Principal will approve fundraising from businesses that wish to support the Immaculate Conception School Athletic Programs.
The Principal will make final decisions regarding the type and number of fundraising projects.
Technical Fouls:
Technical fouls committed by student-athletes will result, at minimum, in exclusion for the remainder of the game of the technical foul resulted from unsportsmanlike conduct. If a player is ejected from a contest for unsportsmanlike conduct, he or she shall be ineligible for the next interscholastic contest at that level of competition, and all other interscholastic contests at any level in the interim, in addition to other penalties the I.E.S.A. and/or school may access. (I.E.S.A. Rule 5.121) Following an ejection from a game for unsportsmanlike conduct, the student will meet with the Athletic Director and Principal to discuss the issue. The Principal may invite the student-athlete’s parents to attend the conference.
If a student-athlete commits two technical fouls related to unsportsmanlike conduct in a season, he or she will be ejected from the game for the remainder of the day’s interscholastic contests and the next two interscholastic contests at the level at which the ejection occurred, in addition to other penalties the I.E.S.A. and/or school may access. (I.E.S.A. Rule 5.121)
Any coach ejected from a contest for unsportsmanlike conduct shall be ineligible to coach for the next two interscholastic contests at that level of competition, and all other interscholastic contests at any level in the interim. In addition, the I.E.S.A. and/or school may assess additional penalties (I.E.S.A. Rule 5.122)
Following receiving a technical foul for unsportsmanlike conduct the Principal will put sanctions in place and act on them as soon as possible after the game. The coach will be asked to have a face-to-face meeting with the Athletic Director and Principal after a technical foul is called and may be replaced as the coach. If an I.C.S. Coach receives two technical fouls for unsportsmanlike conduct in a season, he or she will be replaced as the coach for that sport for the remainder of the season. He or she may or may not be able to be considered for rehire for any additional seasons.
Per I.E.S.A regulation 5.123, any player or coach ejected from a contest for unsportsmanlike conduct who fails to sit out the remaining interscholastic contest(s) as required in I.E.S.A. By-Laws 5.121 and 5.122 shall cause the team(s) to forfeit that contest and possibly receive other penalties as determined by the I.E.S.A. Board of Directors.
In addition, per I.E.S.A. By-law 5.124, if a school has any coach ejected from two contests for unsportsmanlike conduct in a school year, that school’s administration shall be required to communicate in writing with the Sportsman Review Panel on the steps the school is taking to address the issue. The panel may recommend additional sanctions to the Board of Directors if they deem necessary.
The Sportsmanship Review Panel shall consist of an I.E.S.A. administrative staff member, a member of the sportsmanship advisory committee, as well as no less than one member of the I.E.S.A. Board of Directors. (I.E.S.A. By-law 5.1241)
Any school that receives two ejections in a school year will be required to have school administration communicate in writing with the Sportsmanship Review Panel on the steps the school is taking to address the issue. The panel may recommend additional sanctions to the Board of Directors if they deem necessary. (I.E.S.A. By-Law 5.125)
Weather-Related School Days, Saturdays, and Holidays:
If inclement weather occurs on a game day or practice day, the Athletic Director and Principal will determine whether or not practices, games, or tournaments will take place or be cancelled. Generally, if there is no school or if the school day is shortened due to inclement weather, activities are cancelled.
The Athletic Director will institute a communication tree to communicate with coaches, referees, student-athletes, and parent(s)/guardian(s) to ensure that all are notified of changes in schedules.
Uniforms and Equipment:
The Principal of Immaculate Conception School will be responsible for approving the purchase of team uniforms. Volleyball and track and field team members will purchase their own uniforms and will keep them at the end of the season.
Basketball and cheerleading/pom-pom uniforms will be issued at the beginning of each season and must be returned at the end of the season. While normal wear and tear of uniforms can be expected, if a uniform is returned in less than acceptable condition, the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) will be assessed the cost for its replacement. If a uniform is not returned, the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) will be assessed for the cost of replacement.
Special shoes, socks, warm up’s, and/or other parts of uniforms will be at the expense of each student athlete and their parent(s)/guardian(s). If a family will have a financial difficulty providing any of these items, they should let the Athletic Director know as soon as possible and the school will attempt to assist as much as possible. Coaches should take care to ensure they are not asking students to pay for additional items of the team uniform that are not necessary.
Coaches will inventory equipment after practices and well as after athletic contests. No I.C.S. equipment is to be taken out of the Gym without the approval of the Athletic Director.
Adult supervision:
Adequate adult supervision must be provided to student-athletes each time they arrive, practice, or participate in any manner and/or wait for rides. It is expected that the coach will be one of the supervisors. Students will not be let into Immaculate Conception School until their coach or an assistant coach has arrived to take responsibility for them. Students will be asked to stay in the car with their driver until the coach is present to supervise the student-athletes. Parent(s) and legal guardian(s) must show their respect by bringing student-athletes to school events at the designated time and picking them up at the time the event ends or at the recommended window of time designated by the school.
Coaches may not leave the school until all student-athletes have gone home with parent(s)/guardian(s).
While the coach is the person responsible to supervise students at practices and sporting events, parent(s)/guardian(s) who are present at those events are still responsible to oversee the student-athletes at any time they are in the school, on the school premises, or at contests away from school.
First Aid:
It is the responsibility of the Athletic Director to provide First Aid supplies to the coaches and moderators of Immaculate Conception School sport teams.
A box that can be accessed only by the Athletic Director, the Principal, and coaches and moderators should contain student-athlete emergency information, the scorebook, and student-athlete addresses and phone numbers.
OSHA guidelines must be followed in the event of bodily fluid spills. Disposable bags for containment of blood and bodily fluids are mandatory at the teams’ benches.
Coaches and assistant coaches shall participate in an annual
Blood borne Pathogens training. This training will provide basic information
and policies regarding exposure to Blood borne Pathogens, including Hepatitis
B, Hepatitis C. and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) through bodily blood
and fluid spills. Strict procedures are to be followed by everyone
involved with the sports program regarding exposure to blood- borne pathogens.
This training will be conducted either by the School nursing staff
or the athletic director.
Medications and Supplements:
Under no circumstances may medications or supplements be supplied, recommended, permitted, or dispensed to student-athletes.
Reporting Injuries:
All student-athlete injuries must be reported to the Principal, Athletic Director, and parent/guardians as soon as possible during or after an athletic event. This includes all injuries--whether serious or not.
The Athletic Director or designee will report all injuries to the parents/legal guardians. If the Athletic Director is not at the sporting event, a designee will have been named and this person will also report the information to the Athletic Director, who will in turn report the information to the Principal and I.C.S. nursing staff. An incident report will be completed for all injuries that occur.
Intramural Programs in Lower Elementary Grades:
The Principal will approve volunteers who oversee intramural programs. They should be at least 21 years of age and should have completed Safe Environment Training (SET) as well as background and fingerprinting checks. If paid, they will also be screened for drug usage.
Awards:
Awards including trophies are traditionally part of athletic programs. Awards should recognize team effort and their size, cost, appropriateness and proportionality should be considered.
The Athletic Director or Principal must officially approve all athletic awards regardless of the funding source of the awards.
Transportation:
Bus transportation will be provided to a limited number of out- of-town contests. Parent(s)/guardian(s) will be notified when they receive sport schedules of which contests will include bus transportation.
If no bus transportation is provided by I.C.S. it will be the responsibility of parent(s)/guardian(s) to have the student-athlete at the location of the competition by the time the coach specifies.
Immaculate Conception School will not be responsible for transportation except when a bus is contracted.
Questions or Problems:
All questions or problems regarding the application of the Immaculate Conception School Parent/Student Athletic Code should be addressed to the Athletic Director or Principal.
“I have completed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.”
-2 Timothy 4:7