PHILOSOPHY

The athletic program of St. John’s Lutheran School is part of the school program. Thus, it is under the direction of the Board of Education. The Board sets all policies for the school and delegates the execution of these policies to the Principal. Thus, the Principal is responsible for overseeing the athletic program either by delegation or by personal action. Because the athletic program is one of the school programs, it needs to operate under the same principles as the school. These principles are summed up under the Philosophy of St. John’s Lutheran School as found in the Student/Parent Handbook.

The four key principles of the Philosophy are:

1. EACH CHILD AND FAMILY IN RELATION TO GOD

2. EACH CHILD AND FAMILY IN RELATION TO SELF

3. EACH CHILD AND FAMILY IN RELATION TO THEIR FELLOW MAN

4. EACH CHILD AND FAMILY IN RELATION TO GOD'S CREATION

The goals of the athletic program are:

1. To develop the body in addition to the mind and the spirit.

2. To foster Christian sportsmanship among teammates and other teams.

3. To promote school spirit.

A sports night will be held prior to each sports season. Coaches and the athletic director will explain policies and expectations to parents at this meeting. All parents must attend these meetings or make special arrangements to receive the information. With this in mind, the following guidelines will further direct the athletic program.

ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

The Athletic Director/Principal will be in charge of the day-to-day operations of the program. This will include but not be limited to the following responsibilities:

1. Arranging for team coaches

2. Setting practice and game schedules

3. Make all coaches aware of the sports policy of St. John’s Lutheran School

4. Order and maintain athletic equipment and uniforms

5. Arrange a fund-raising program to support the operation of the program

6. Make sure that all students who participate in the program truly do participate

7. Deal with whatever other concerns that may be part of the program

STUDENT EXPECTATIONS OF PLAYERS

1. A player’s actions must display a Christian attitude at all times. This would include but not be limited to such behavior as:

a. Cooperating with the coach and teammates at practices and games

b. Complying respectfully with the coachs' rules

c. Treating competing teams with courtesy and respect

d. Trying to do one’s best at all times with the gifts God has given

e. Being an encouragement to teammates and showing consideration of the feelings of others

2. Players must attend all games and practices unless absent from school.

a. Parents will be expected to notify the coach by note or phone for the reason of an absence.

b. It is understood that there may be other reasons besides illness for an absence. The coach, athletic director, and/or principal will decide whether an absence is to be regarded as an excused or unexcused absence.

c. An unexcused absence will result in a one-game suspension with required attendance at the game, sitting on the team bench. Sports letters will not be awarded to students with two or more unexcused absences.

d. A student may not be able to participate in a sporting event if he/she was not in school that day.

ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY

Participation in a sport can benefit a student in other areas by helping the student learn to organize time to maintain all areas of responsibility. Since academic progress must take precedence over sports, participation in a sport should never be used as an excuse for a drop in academic performance. The following guidelines will be used to determine academic eligibility for sports participation:

1. For daily participation, all outstanding assignments due must be completed and turned in to the teacher before the player will be allowed to participate in a practice or game. The teacher will notify the parent and athletic director if any player will not be participating in a game or practice. The athletic director will notify the coach.

2. Any student will be suspended from the team for a combination of two D’s or an F average in any subject at each midterm. The length of the suspension will be a minimum of one week or until the average is brought up.

3. Because we expect our students to do their best in all areas, parents will be notified if the student is having difficulties such as:

a. Chronic lateness of work

b. A steady or sudden drop in grades

c. Discipline problems of any kind which could lead to disciplinary action taken by the coach

DISCIPLINE

The framework for dealing with discipline concerns in athletics will be basically the same as that used in dealing with school concerns.

DROPPING OUT OF A SPORT

Quitting a team in mid-season is a serious matter. It is only fair and reasonable to expect that the student and parent will consult with the coach and talk over the problems that may be occurring.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF PARENTS

Participation in sports can be a rewarding experience when parents join with the school in providing the best program for the children. It is important for parents to help in supporting their child’s athletic experience in various ways by:

1. Attending games

2. Giving encouragement and moral support to coaches and players

3. Taking your turn:

a. Cleaning up after games

b. Donating for concessions

c. Helping where needed during games; for example running the clock or being a line judge

d. Driving to away games

4. Making sure your child is in church

5. Carefully supervising your other children during games

6. Making arrangements so that brothers and sisters of players are not left at school during practices

7. Picking players up promptly after practices and games

8. Handling problems with coaches or officials in a Christian manner

9. Participating in school functions and fundraisers

10. Paying sports fees promptly

11. Providing for the required sports physical for your child

12. Encouraging good health habits, including plenty of rest the night before games

13. Taking care of uniforms, washing them regularly, and returning them clean

COACHES QUALIFICATIONS 

Coaches should possess the following qualifications:

1. An ability to serve as a Christian sportsperson role model consistent with the philosophy of St. John’s school

2. A desire to work with youth athletic programs

3. An adequate time to complete responsibilities

4. A knowledge of the sport (or willingness to learn)

5. Approved by the Athletic Director and Principal

The following guidelines apply to those wishing to serve as coaches:

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

1. Coaches are to be regular in church attendance and prayer life, including prayer before games.

2. Coaches are to attempt to teach the fundamentals of the sport.

3. Coaches are to give every player as much game time as possible. This enhances the building and developing of skills.

4. Coaches are to allow no one to play or practice without the proper equipment or athletic physicals.

5. No school uniforms are to be worn except at regularly scheduled games.

6. During a practice session, players are allowed only in the locker rooms and gym.

7. Coaches are responsible for the supervision of players, including locker room supervision after a practice session.

8. Coaches are to remain until all players have left the building and are to make sure all equipment is put away and the school secured.

9. Adult spectators at practice sessions are there only with the coach’s permission.

10. Brothers and sisters of players are not allowed to remain after school during practice times.

11. The coach should have the names and phone numbers of the players in case of an emergency.

12. Practice sessions are to be coordinated through the Athletic Director and the school office.

13. Coaches are asked to keep a record of attendance for games and practices so that they may be used in determining awards.

14. The coach is responsible for team equipment on out-of-town trips.

COACH-PLAYER RELATIONSHIP

Coaches should:

1. As often as possible, build up each player with positive encouragement

2. Encourage maximum effort from each player in games and practices

3. Maintain team discipline in a Christian manner

4. Be considerate of the feelings of players and parents

5. Handle discipline problems following the guidelines under Discipline

6. Accept the decisions of the officials: If you disagree with an official, ask for an explanation in a courteous manner. Never use abusive or profane language. Remember that you are a Christian example.

 Coaches who are unable to be the Christian example that is expected will be asked to remove themselves from the coaching position, and a replacement will be put in place by the Athletic Director and/or Principal.

THESE GENERAL GUIDELINES WILL DIRECT THE OVERALL PROGRAM:

1. We WILL NOT operate with a 'win-at-any-cost' philosophy.

2. The program will be conducted at three levels:

a. The C level which will include students in grades 3 & 4

b. The B level which will include students in grades 5 & 6

c. The A level which will include students in grades 7 & 8

3. Students will never be allowed to move down to a lower level.

4. Students may be allowed to move up to a higher level under the following conditions:

a. If there are not enough players at the higher level

b. The move has been approved by the Athletic Director and the Principal, and

c. The lower level team will not be negatively affected by the move. Each situation will be handled on an individual basis.

5. All students on all teams WILL participate in every contest that their team competes in. The emphasis is playing and learning, and all members of the team will play and learn.