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Mt. Pleasant

Christian School

STUDENT ATHLETIC HANDBOOK

“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6: 11-12

ATHLETIC HANDBOOK INFORMATION/ACKNOWLEDGMENT FORM

It is the policy of the Mt. Pleasant Christian School Athletic Department to provide each student a copy of the rules and regulations concerning athletic activities.

It is our desire that the material in this handbook is a valuable source of information concerning the MPCS Athletic Department.  Please read this handbook carefully!  Once you have read the handbook, please sign this acknowledgment form in the space provided and return to the appropriate coach or to the Athletic Office.

By signing this form, both student and parent/guardian acknowledge that they have read the information and will abide by the policies, rules, and regulations that are contained in the MPCS Student Athletic Handbook.

KEEP THE HANDBOOK FOR YOUR REFERENCE.

MPCS ADMINISTRATION

  • Wendy Walker, Principal
  • Jimmy Foster, Athletic Director
  • Chris Pratt, Assistant Athletic Director

SCHOOL MISSION

As a witness of God’s love in the world, Mt. Pleasant Christian School, in partnership with parents, is dedicated to the teaching of God-given truth, the nurturing of faith, and the development of individual learning potential.

ATHLETIC PHILOSOPHY

The philosophy of coaching and athletics at MPCS is to encourage and guide athletes to exemplify Christ in whatever they do and to do everything with all their might.  (I Corinthians 10:31; Philippians 1:21; Ecclesiastes 9:10)

Our desire is that each athlete possess and demonstrate Christ-like character qualities, expressing them openly through the medium of athletics.  Our aim is to build eternal values in our athletes; thereby, stressing attitudes and actions that are relative to the principles of God’s Word.

Our purpose/goal is to develop athletes physically as well as spiritually, in order that the total person may be developed and controlled by the Spirit of God.
(I Thessalonians 5:23)

We desire our student athletes to conduct themselves – both in and out of school – in such a manner as to not discredit themselves or Mt. Pleasant Christian School.

Everything we do, including athletics, is for the purpose of glorifying Christ.

OBJECTIVES OF THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM

  • To bring glory to God and be witnesses for Him on the athletic field/court.
  • To enhance and develop the talents with which God has blessed each individual athlete.
  • To enhance and develop the positive attributes of sportsmanship.
    1. Self-Discipline
    2. Respect for self and the opposition
    3. Respect for coaches and officials
    4. An awareness of representing MPCS and the beliefs of the school
  • To strive for the pursuit of excellence both on and off the athletic field.

MPCS  SPORTS

FALL

WINTER

SPRING

  • Baseball
  • Track & Field

PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS

Mt. Pleasant Christian School requires a student be enrolled as a full-time student (4th – 8th grade) in order to be eligible to participate in any athletic sport at MPCS.

A student may only participate in one MPCS sport per season unless approved by the Athletic Director.

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

Students must meet the following academic guidelines in order to participate in MPCS athletics:

  1. The student must have at least a 2.0 average.

a. Grades will initially be determined from the most recent progress report grade or report card.

  1. Ineligibility will be determined on the “progress report” date and/or on the “end of the quarter” date as noted on the School Calendar.
  2. Ineligibility will be for two weeks.  At the end of that, the student’s grades will be reviewed.  If grades have not improved to the acceptable level, he/she will be ineligible for the following two weeks and so on until grades are raised to the acceptable level.
  3. The student must be in good standing with all his or her teachers regarding classroom behavior.

STUDENT SUSPENSION

A student receiving any type of school suspension may not participate in a game or practice on the day they serve the suspension.

GENERAL ELIGIBILITY

General eligibility rules are as follows:

  1. Team rosters are to be turned in to the Athletic Office as soon as team selection is complete.
  2. No student will be allowed to participate in an athletic event before the Athletic Director has declared him/her eligible.
  3. The following items must be turned in to the Athletic Department before the student can participate:
    1. Activity Fee per sport & paid in full
    2. Release of Liability Form
    3. Athletic Handbook Acknowledgement Form – This form must be filled out completely.
    4. If any portion of these two forms is left blank, it will be considered incomplete and will be returned to the student.  The student will not be able to try-out or participate until the forms are complete.
  4. No names will be added to the team roster once the first contest has been played unless approved by the Athletic Director.
  5. Any athlete who quits a team for any reason other than medical may forfeit his/her opportunity to play on a team during the next athletic season.  The final determination will lie with the Athletic Director.
  6. If a student does not participate in scheduled PE classes, he/she will not be eligible to participate in after school athletics.
  7. If an athlete misses practice for any reason, it will be the coach’s decision whether the athlete will be allowed to start the next game or if the athlete will sit out for a portion or for the entire game.
  8. If an athlete forgets his/her uniform for a game, he/she will not be allowed to start and will sit until the coach allows him/her to play.
  9. An athlete must be present at school on the day of a game.  If the athlete misses more than ½ a day on a game day, he/she will not be allowed to play in the game.
  10. If an athletes’ conduct on or off the court/field is found to be detrimental to the philosophy of the athletic department and the mission of MPCS, they can/will be subject to suspension or removal from the team.

SPORTSMANSHIP – PLAYERS/SPECTATORS

  1. All athletes are expected to put forth their best effort and demonstrate good sportsmanship at all times.  Any form of poor sportsmanship, bad attitude, disrespect or foul language will result in removal from a game and possible removal from the team.
  2. Spectator Sportsmanship – The book of Matthew tells us that a tree is recognized by the fruit it bears (Matthew 7:15-20).  In light of this truth, it is only proper that we display outwardly what we confess to believe inwardly.  Spectators need to provide a positive witness to all who are present at each event.  We should cheer for our team and acknowledge a good play by our opponents.  We should refrain from outward explosive criticism of the officials and coaches during the game.  They are God’s authority figures.  Young people watch how their leaders respond.  Adults should strive to be a constant example for Christ to our young athletes in our words and deeds.
  3. If a student spectator’s conduct is found to be unsportsmanlike, the student could be barred from attending any middle school athletic contests.
  4. The unsportsmanlike conduct of any spectator – regardless of age – could cause that spectator to be barred from attending school athletic contests.

COACHING RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. Coaches will have a devotional time with their team before practices and games.  Every practice and game should include a time of prayer.
  2. Coaches will teach/model the values of cooperation, self-control, and the proper spirit of competition.
  3. Coaches will support and enforce policies and standards of behavior and sportsmanship formulated by the school.
  4. Coaches will check on their athlete’s grades at the mid-point and end of each marking period.
  5. Coaches will plan and supervise practice sessions in keeping with the age, maturity, and ability of the player.
  6. Coaches will establish and enforce rules for the proper use and care of athletic equipment.
  7. Coaches will prepare a list of students for eligibility and present it to the Athletic Director by the third day of practice.  Promptly report, in writing, any additions to this list.
  8. Coaches will have a pre-season meeting with the team’s parents.  Items such as concessions, uniforms, road trips, managers, team moms, parties and costs will be discussed.
  9. Coaches will keep the student body informed about their team and its contests and promote your sport as well as the entire athletic program.
  10. Coaches will report the outcome of all your games and requested statistics to the Athletic Director.
  11. Coaches will inventory and store uniforms and equipment (as directed by the Athletic Director) at the completion of the season.
  12. Coaches should ask other teams to pray with their team after games.

PRACTICE RULES/REGULATIONS

General Rules

  1. Each practice should be treated as a classroom session.  Athletes should report to practice on time and in their proper uniforms.  Tardiness should not be tolerated.
  2. Athletes should be permitted and encouraged to attend academic help classes when offered.  This would be an acceptable reason for being tardy to practice.
  3. Each athlete must complete five practices prior to the first meet or match.

Practice Area and Equipment

  1. Practice areas should be clean and safe.
  2. All equipment should be in good repair.

All equipment should be picked up and returned to the equipment room following practice.  It is the coach’s responsibility to account for all equipment and to keep the equipment room neat and orderly.

Length of Practice

  1. The length of practice will vary with each sport.  It is suggested that practice be limited to no more than 1½ hours each day.
  2. Practice days and times should be given to parents prior to the first day of practice.
  3. Practices and/or team meetings are not permitted on Sunday.
  4. Coaches are responsible for each athlete until he/she leaves campus.  A coach should never leave an athlete unsupervised.
  5. Holiday practices are optional, not mandatory.

Injury Protocol

  1. In case of an injury during a practice session, the coach should make an evaluation of the seriousness of the injury.  Parents should always be notified of all injuries.
  2. Call EMS for any head, neck or back injury and for any broken or suspected broken bones.

PARENTAL EXPECTATIONS

Parents are expected to support the core mission of the athletic program at MPCS, which is to honor Christ through athletic competition.  In light of this, the following outlines the behavior expected of MPCS parents.

  1. The testimony for Christ is to be preeminent in every aspect of the athletic program.  The conduct of parents in support of their children, the team, and the coaches is an element of that testimony.
  2. Teams are a part of the school because the athletic experience is part of the extracurricular educational process and provides the basis for teaching valuable lessons to middle school students.
  3. Coaches are responsible for selecting their team members from those students who desire to try out.  Teams are chosen based on the certain criteria each coach has for their specific team.
  4. The management of the team is the responsibility of the coach.  It is the decision of the coach as to the starting line-up, rotation, practice schedule, and playing time.  Within the guidelines of the school, these decisions are non-negotiable.
  5. Parents are expected to lend their support to the team, including the coach, whether as a spectator or as the parent of a player.  If some element of the coach’s management of the team seems to be a problem, the parent should meet with the coach and discuss it in a respectful manner.  Given the tensions and stresses that coaches, and at times parents, feel prior to and just following contests, it is wise to pick a time to meet not directly associated with a game.
  6. Parents in the stands can help set a positive tone to the fan support.  Support can be given to our athletes (your children), without critiquing the officiating, the coaching (theirs or ours), or the other team.  Let them know they are supported.  The real remuneration for coaching is not money but the joy of working with young people in a game that a coach has learned to love.
  7. Parents can help their children deal with the rigors of athletic competition in such a way that the valuable lessons are not lost.  At times young people are not happy with every situation in sports; if that occurs, it is expected that parents will work cooperatively with the coach in working through the situation.  It takes maturity and wisdom to do that well.

BEGINNING AND ENDING THE SEASON

Beginning the Season

As soon as the team has been selected, the coach will have an organizational meeting for the parents.  Information regarding team policies and philosophy will be covered at that time.

Ending the Season

As soon as the season has been completed the following end of season reports should be completed:

  1. Season record and special team accomplishments
  2. Award winners
  3. Inventory of equipment
  4. Inventory of uniforms
  5. Equipment needed for next year

Coaches should also identify any major items they wish to have purchased for next season and give that information to the Athletic Director. 

TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM ATHLETIC EVENTS

  1. Coaches will be responsible for coordinating the use of school van to an athletic event with the Athletic Director.  Due to limited space, parents will be needed for some transportation with larger teams.  Parents who drive other children must have a volunteer form on file with the school office.
  2. Coaches will provide a travel itinerary, accurate directions, and departure and return times for their team parents.
  3. All players are to travel to and from games on school-provided transportation or approved parental transportation.  Players may leave with their parents following a game but must inform their coach before leaving.
  4. Parents should be instructed to pick up their children in a timely manner after practices and games.
  5. Parents should be instructed to be prompt when picking up athletes after away games.
  6. It is the responsibility of the coach to supervise all athletes until they have been picked up by their parents. No team member should be left unsupervised at any time.
  7. Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their team from the time they leave MPCS until they return to MPCS.

BAD OR THREATENING WEATHER POLICY

  1. If school is canceled due to bad weather, all athletic events will be canceled.  This includes games, practices and team meetings.
  2. In case of threatening weather, coaches should exercise extreme caution.
  3. Coaches should not begin practice outdoors when lightning is in the immediate area.
  4. Outdoor practice should be terminated when lightning is observed in the immediate area.