Sts. Joan of Arc & Patrick School is committed to offering a varied athletic program combining the pursuit of excellence with Christian values. Remaining mindful that the primary focus of Sts. Joan of Arc & Patrick School is striving for academic excellence, it is the parent’s responsibility to assist the student with striking a balance between academics and extracurricular activities.  Regulations are essential to the functioning of a successful program. Student athletes and their parents must commit to the following statement of shared goals.

The Sts Joan of Arc & Patrick Student-Athlete is expected to:

1. Demonstrate Christian values while participating in the athletic program. Profanity, disrespect, and/or selfishness towards teammates, other students, staff members, referees, opposing players or coaches will not be tolerated.
2. Be on time for all practices and games.
3. Be properly dressed for practices and games. Team coaches will advise student-athletes of proper attire.
4. Take full financial responsibility for any equipment or apparel issued.
5. Make every effort to reach his/her academic potential. Academics come first at Sts. Joan of Arc & Patrick School; a student-athlete must be able to maintain quality work in the classroom while participating in athletics.

GOALS OF THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM

1. To instill in the student-athlete a sense of responsibility by demanding consistently high standards of behavior and making him/her aware and respectful of the needs of others.
2. To engender commitment and personal discipline by the student-athlete through his/her dedication to the goals of the team and his/her teammates.
3. To nurture unselfishness in the student-athlete by requiring that his/her actions on and off the playing field be consistent with the goals of the team as a whole and not directed towards individual honors.
4. To generate in the student-athlete a willingness to sacrifice his/her time and energy towards fulfillment of shared goals.
5. To offer both competitive and recreational sports programs to provide an opportunity for all students to play and maximize their developmental skills.

STS JOAN OF ARC & PATRICK SCHOOL SPORTS POLICIES

Team Selection

All sports at Sts. Joan of Arc & Patrick School have a no cut policy.  However, a maximum number of student-athletes per sport based on schedules and availability of coaches may be established by the athletic director and principal.  In this case, the student-athlete who turns in all needed forms on time will receive priority.  Student-athletes are limited to participating in one sport per season unless special permission is granted.  All eligible student-athletes will play in all regular-season games/matches. Students must sign up for sports with required permission forms by due date stated. A physical exam by a licensed physician is required for all middle school students prior to their participation in the athletic program. Physical exams are encouraged for students in grades 4 & 5; however, parents of students in those grades may sign a Waiver of Physical Exam if they wish.

Coach Selection

The athletic director and principal will select all coaches for all teams. Assistant coaches must be approved by the principal and athletic director. Coach selection will be based upon:

1. Philosophy in line with the School philosophy
2. Ability to work with children
3. Approval by Pastor or designee

Violation of any of the Athletic policies may result in immediate dismissal

Coaches’ Responsibilities

1. All Coaches and assistant coaches must complete the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana Safe Conduct Protocol training prior to any contact with the children.
2. Coaches must also abide by the Athletic Code of Conduct.
3. Coaches must verify that the following items from athletes are on file with the school prior to practicing and participating in games:
   • Sports physical
   • Sts. Joan of Arc & Patrick School A-3 Sports Medical Information and Emergency Care Form
4. Each coach should maintain and keep a binder containing a roster, parent contact information, physical form (if applicable), and an A-3 form for each athlete at all games/matches and practices.

Athletic/Extracurricular Eligibility

Student-athletes must have a C- (75%) average or better in every class or have special permission from the school administration.  Eligibility will be determined at the end of each quarter (grade cards).  A student who is not eligible at the end of a quarter will not gain eligibility again until midterms reflect the grades necessary for eligibility.  If a student has not re-gained eligibility at midterms, he or she remains ineligible until the next grade card reflects the grades necessary. For students receiving academic special services, all grades must be passing (no F’s).

Student-athletes with a discipline incident that is referred to the office must have permission from the school administration before they are eligible to practice or play.

 Student-athletes absent from classes will not be allowed to participate in a practice or contest the day of the absence.  Athletes must be present in school for a minimum of half day of classes the day of an athletic event:  8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. or 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. Exceptions to the rules must be approved by the principal.

Scheduling of Games

The athletic director is responsible for coordinating the schedule including practices, games, and tournaments for all teams. Not more than 4 week days/afternoons/evenings per week (Monday through Friday) may be used for games/practices.  Additional games and/or practices may be scheduled for Saturdays.

Practice

Practices will begin no earlier than four weeks prior to the first scheduledcompetition.  Practice time will be a maximum of two hours per practice.  Practices are to be scheduled to allow for practice to end by 8:00 p.m.  Not more than 4 week days/afternoons/evenings per week (Monday through Friday) may be used for games/practices.  Additional games and/or practices may be scheduled for Saturdays.

Every effort should be made to provide a complete and detailed schedule of games and practices prior to the season.  Modifications to the schedule are highly discouraged and must be approved by the athletic director and the principal.

Uniforms, Equipment, Gym Time

The athletic director will coordinate issuance of uniforms and equipment.  All teams shall be treated as equally as possible when issuing uniforms and equipment. Boys may wear solid white, gray or black shirts under a school-issued sports jersey. Girls must wear a solid white, grayor black shirt under a school issued uniform.  No logos or pictures may be visible. Gym time will be determined based on availability and will only be scheduled by the Athletic Director.

Conflict Resolution

When serious conflicts arise between coaches and student-athletes and/or parents, the athletic director should be notified. The athletic director and coach should discuss the matter with the student-athlete and/or parents, and work toward a solution. In the event of an impasse, the matter will be referred to the principal for final resolution.

Spectator Behavior at Games

Spectators are expected to behave in a manner consistent with the Catholic School philosophy and be good role models for children at all games and practices.  Disagreements with coaches, referees or other parents must be handled in an appropriate manner.  Name-calling and loud, angry voices are not acceptable and reflect poorly on our school.  Spectators who know they become “heated” in the moment of the excitement of the game should remove themselves rather than cause embarrassment to themselves, their athlete, and the school.  A 24 hour “cooling off” period is recommended before a conversation with the coach takes place.  Decisions regarding playing time of student-athletes should be respected. 

Parent/Guardian Responsibilities

Parent/Guardian must attend a meeting at the beginning of each sports season with the coach to go over the Athletic Policy, game schedule, and practice schedule. All parents are expected to share in the responsibility of transportation to and from athletic games and tournaments.  Parents who violate any policy are subject to suspension from games.

Fees

Athletes are required to pay a $25.00 fee per year to cover cost of uniform rental, tournaments, and other athletic costs.  Payment is to accompany sports registration.  If the athletic fee is an issue, the parent/guardian should contact the principal.

Sportsmanship

In order to promote a Christian atmosphere at the games and to encourage good sportsmanship, the following two guidelines were adopted:

1) A prayer will be said at the beginning of each contest. It will be the responsibility of the athletic director or designee to bring the teams and coaches together for prayer if a priest is not available.

2)   All of our students and spectators will conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike fashion at all times. Any student or spectator who is ejected from a game because of poor sportsmanship will be suspended from the following game as well.