athletics page

This athletic handbook has been prepared for the benefit of all parents/guardians, students and coaches involved in the athletic programs at St. Stephen School . The sports programs at St. Stephen start in the fifth grade and continue through the eighth grade. Please read through the information carefully with your son or daughter. Make sure that you understand the purpose, philosophy and responsibilities of participating in our sports programs. By working together, we hope to make your young athlete’s experience in the sports program at St. Stephen School a positive and enjoyable one. Below is a listing of all of the sports available and the season in which they occur.

Fall sports may start practicing the Monday of the week of August 15 th. Boy’s basketball may start practices the Monday of the week of November 15 th. Girl’s volleyball may start the Monday of the week of January 15 th and spring sports may start the Monday of the week of March 15 th.

As Jesus came to invite all to the same table, St. Stephen Catholic School welcomes all to experience our unique learning environment. As we respect diverse academic levels, faith traditions and socio-economic backgrounds, we commit ourselves to the education of the whole person – mind, body and spirit. By our words, actions and attitudes we encourage students to be active in their faith, respectful of others and thirsty for knowledge. It is our mission to equip them for a lifetime of learning, leadership and service.

The purpose of the Athletic Associati on is to complement the school , church and home in the de velopment of the whole person – mind, body and spirit. Activities of the program are for the benefit of the students, and are suited to their age and physical growth. The program is developmental i n its approach and encourages participation regardless of skill level.

Sportsmanship is an important component of sports at St. Stephen. It means playing fair, following the rules of the game, respecting the judgment of referees and officials, and treating opponents with respect. In other words, exemplifying Christian behavior. And, it not only applies to players, but coaches and spectators as well. Each of us has a role and responsibility to model and teach good sportsmanship. We teach that at the core of sportsmanship is respect for oneself and for all other people involved in a game or practice.

The success of our programs takes more than the efforts of the Association. Each family is to share the responsibilities involved with our sports programming to help keep costs as low as possible and to enhance the experiences of all involved. The responsibilities include to:

Volunteer for at least one event coordinated by the Athletic Association.
Pay the $40 participation fee (per child/per year) to the St. Stephen School Athletic Association.* (Due prior to the start of the first program in which your child participates: 9/1 for Fall; 12/1 for Winter; 3/1 for Spring). There is a $25.00 fee for all checks returned.
Submit a completed physical form to the Athletic Association that is dated after May 15 th prior to the school year (i.e. for 06/07, it must be dated after May 15, 2006 ). Your child can not practice or play without this! (For your convenience, the Athletic Association will normally offer physicals prior to the end of the school year.)
Submit a completed participation permission form to the Athletic Association prior to each school year. (Forms are available in the school office and on the web site.)
Cover the child(ren) with valid medical insurance. (If you do not have insurance, accident insurance can be obtained through the Michigan Catholic Conference. Contact the Athletic Association for more information.)
Ensure that your child’s uniform(s) from prior sports seasons has been returned to the Athletic Association or payment in full to replace missing uniforms has been made.
Follow GRACEAC (Grand Rapids Area Catholic Elementary Athletic Council) guidelines for proper conduct during games and practices. (See GRACEAC policy details.)

Any student participating in athletics and representing St. Stephen School must exemplify Christian behavior and good sportsmanship.
St. Stephen students may participate in a sport at St. Stephen and a non-GRACEAC program provided that it is understood that the student’s FIRST priority is to St. Stephen. It is not permissible for a student to miss a St. Stephen practice or game to participate in a game for another league.
Students may not participate in games or practices if he/she is not in school on the day of a weeknight game or practice.
Sports programs enhance the formal education of the student by teaching valuable lessons, such as goal setting, teamwork, commitment, decision making and critical thinking. However, St. Stephen recognizes the PARENT/GUARDIAN as the primary educators of their children with the ultimate duty of promoting academic responsibility at home and at school. The parents are to work with the teachers and principal on their child’s academic eligibility.
Teachers and administration of St. Stephen School have the right to discern any child ineligible. This is to be handled with the parent/guardian and is not the responsibility of the St. Stephen School Athletic Association.

Coaches

All athletes and parents/guardians must show respect to all coaches. The coaches are free to set their own guidelines on tardiness and absences under the supervision of the Athletic Director. If a problem arises between a coach and a player, or parent/guardian of a player, the problem must first be addressed by the parties involved. During or immediately following a competition is not the arena for any dispute. We ask that contact be made by phone to set up a time to discuss any problem. If the problem remains unsolved, either party may contact the Athletic Director for intervention. If the problem still persists, an appeal may be made to the principal. The decision of the principal is binding.

The Athletic Association understands that coaching takes a considerable amount of time and we appreciate these efforts. As a coach, you can expect the following from the Athletic Association:

All league fees and tournament fees paid promptly.
Uniforms for all of your athletes in a timely manner.
Appropriate equipment for your practices/games.
Schedules for practices/games as soon as they are published.
Photographer coordinated for team/individual photos.

The Athletic Association needs the cooperation of all coaches on following:

To exemplify Christian behavior and good sportsmanship.
Profanity is not allowed in any circumstance.
Do not allow any student who is not on your team to participate in practices/games.
Do not allow any student to participate unless a current physical is on file with the Athletic Association. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS.
Do not allow any student to participate unless a participation form has been signed by a parent and a participation fee has been paid to the Athletic Association.
No student should be in the gym before practice without a coach present.
Do not leave school property after a practice/game unless all of the students have been picked up.
Any equipment or special uniform needs must be presented to the Athletic Association in writing.
Communicate any concerns/needs to the Athletic Association or the Athletic Director.
To abide by the GRACEAC league rules and policies of the St. Stephen School Athletic Association.
To set discipline, tardiness and absence policies under the supervision of the Athletic Director.
To attend at least one Athletic Association meeting per year.

The following is a letter that coaches have used to give parents/guardians an idea of what to expect for a season. Note this is for example only – specifics will vary for different teams and sports.

We are happy to have your son as a member of the 5 th-6 th Grade Boys Basketball team. Below is some information about the team and the upcoming season.

Your son should be dressed for practice (shorts, tee-shirt, and basketball shoes) and be ready to begin practice at the starting time. If your son has to miss a practice or will be late, please call (coach name) ahead of time. Attendance at practice is very important. A player who misses a practice and as a result does not know the plays may not be able to suit up for the week’s game. Coaches need the attention and cooperation of all team members at practice. Also, a player who has to sit out during practice because of discipline problems may not be able to suit up for that week’s game.

Games are played on Saturdays in the morning and early afternoon. The league will issue its schedule sometime prior to our first game, but you can count on our first game being on Saturday, (date here). We will forward you a copy of the schedule as soon as we receive it. Beyond the league’s schedule, the team will also participate in a tournament. When arrangements for the tournaments are made, we will let you know about schedules.

Players should arrive at the scheduled gym 30 minutes before game time for warm-ups. If for some reason a player cannot make it to a game, please contact (coach name). However, please make every effort for players to be at games. In games (and at practice) players may not wear any jewelry or other items apart from their uniforms.

With a large team there is less playing time to distribute among players. Some players will play more than others, but all players are guaranteed six minutes of playing time per game (this is an example only – playing time varies by sport, grade, etc.).

As in all organized basketball, our team will run set plays. Each player has responsibilities on every play, and the plays only work when every player is doing his job. We hope parents and fans will cheer our players and encourage them to do their best and play their hardest, but we ask parents and fans to please refrain from coaching players from the stands - such as directing them where to go and what to do - since they already have set positions and responsibilities.

ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY SCHOOL
6393 Belmont Avenue
Belmont , MI 49306

MUSKEGON CATHOLIC CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL
1145 W. Laketon Avenue
Muskegon , MI 49441

SEASON	BOYS	CO-ED	GIRLS
Fall	Football or Soccer	Cross Country (6th, 7th & 8th only)	Basketball
Winter	Basketball		Sideline Cheer (5/6th & 7/8th) Competitive Cheer (7/8th only) and Volleball
Spring	Baseball	Track	Softball or Soccer