Middle School Parent/Coach Communication

PARENT-COACH RELATIONSHIP

Parenting and coaching are both extremely difficult vocations. By establishing an understanding of each position, we are better able to accept the actions of the other and provide a greater benefit to children. As parents, when your child is involved in our program, you have the right to understand what expectations are placed on him/her. This begins with clear communication from the coach of the sport.

COMMUNICATION COACHES EXPECT FROM ATHLETES & PARENTS

Concerns expressed directly to the coach.
Notification of any schedule conflicts in advance.
Notification of illness or injury as soon as possible.

As your child becomes involved in his/her programs at middle and high school, he/she will experience some of the most rewarding moments of their lives. It is important to understand that there also may be times when things do not go the way you and your child wish. At these times, discussion with the coach is encouraged. It is the first and most integral step to understanding and resolution.

APPROPRIATE/INAPPROPRIATE CONCERNS TO DISCUSS WITH COACHES

The following topics are appropriate for discussion:

The treatment of your child.
Ways to help your child improve.
Concerns about your child’s behavior.

It is very difficult to accept your child not playing as much as you had hoped. Coaches are professionals. They make decisions based on what they believe to be best for all student-athletes involved. As you have seen from the list above, certain things can be and should be discussed with your child’s coach. The three items listed below should be left to the discretion of the coach.

Playing time, positioning, and event entry.
Team strategies, game tactics, play calling.
Any discussion about other student athletes.

There are situations that may require a conference between the coach and player, or coach and parent. These conferences are encouraged. It is important that all parties involved have a clear understanding of the other person’s position. When a conference is necessary, the following procedure should be used to help resolve any concerns.

Student-Coach—open-door policy for all coaches
Parent-Coach—done by appointment

IF YOU HAVE A CONCERN TO DISCUSS WITH A COACH, THE PROCEDURE YOU SHOULD FOLLOW IS:

Call the coach to schedule an appointment.
If the coach cannot be reached, call the School Athletic Director; he/she will set a meeting for you.
Please do not attempt to confront a coach before or after a contest or practice. These can be emotional times for both the parent and the coach. Meetings of this nature usually do not promote positive resolutions.

THE NEXT STEP

What can a parent do if the meeting with the coach did not provide a satisfactory resolution?

Call and schedule an appointment with the School Athletic Director to discuss the situation.
At this meeting the appropriate next step can be determined, if necessary.

ELIGIBILITY

Must complete a WS/FCS Middle School Athletic Participation Form and turn in to the school’s Athletic Director. (A physical is valid only for 365 days from the date of the examination.)
Must not turn 15 on or before August 31 of that school year.
Must meet promotion requirements to be eligible for fall semester, and advance to the next grade. Students retained either by the school or the parents will be ineligible.

· To be eligible for participation in middle school a student must pass all his/her courses and earn a 1.75 grade point average (GPA). If a student does not qualify academically, the student shall be placed on academic probation the next nine-week grading period. The student shall be eligible for participation while on academic probation if the student participates weekly in a tutorial/remedial program conducted beyond the instructional day. However, if the student does not pass all courses and earn a 1.75 GPA during the nine-week grading period that he/she is on academic probation, the student shall be ineligible in subsequent nine-week grading periods until he/she passes all his/her courses and earns a 1.75 GPA.

· Must not have more than 10 total absences in the semester prior to athletic participation.

· Must NOT practice OR play if ineligible.

Must practice a total of six (6) days (practice days only) before playing in a game in all sports. Must be present 50% of the student day on the day of an athletic contest in order to participate in the event.
Upon first entering grade seven (7) is academically eligible for competition. All academic and attendance requirements must be met the first semester (fall) in order for this student to be eligible for athletic participation the second semester (spring).
No student may be eligible to participate at the Middle School level for a period lasting longer than 4 consecutive semesters beginning with student’s first entry into 7th grade.

INSURANCE

The Winston Salem/Forsyth County Schools (WS/FCS) does not carry accident or medical insurance to cover students’ accidental injuries or illnesses. A student accident insurance policy is available on an individual basis and covers accidental injuries that occur during school-sponsored activities. An application and purchase information can be obtained from your child’s school. In addition, parents’ insurance may also provide coverage for injuries to their child(ren).

TRANSPORTATION

Schools provide transportation to and from athletic events. Athletic events include practices and/or games of the sports offered by the WS/FCS. If student transportation is by a WS/FCS-owned vehicle, the school system vehicle liability coverage is applicable to any vehicular accident. If student transportation is by private vehicle, the vehicle owner’s liability coverage is applicable to any vehicular accident. All student athletes who travel with a team to an away athletic event must return to the school with the team. The only exception to this policy is when both the coach and parent/guardian agree that it is beneficial for the student athlete to ride home with the parent/guardian. Student athletes are not to ride home from athletic events with any other person. Student athletes who elect to ignore this policy may jeopardize their position on that team.

PARENT CODE OF CONDUCT

Interscholastic athletic competition should demonstrate high standards of ethics and sportsmanship and promote the development of good character. Sportsmanship is achieved when participants are committed to pursuing victory according to the eight sportsmanship traits: courage, good judgment, integrity, kindness, perseverance, respect, responsibility, and self-discipline. This code applies to the parents of all student-athletes involved in interscholastic sports in the Winston Salem Forsyth County Schools.

Courage—having the determination to do the right thing even when others don’t.
Good Judgment—setting priorities in accordance with team, county, state, and national rules.
Integrity—having the inner strength to be fair and courteous during athletic events.
Kindness—being considerate, courteous, generous in spirit to the opposing team; treating others as you would like to be treated.
Perseverance—being persistent in pursuit of worthy objectives in spite of opposition.
Respect—showing high regard for coaches, officials, opponents, fans, administrators, self, team, and the school you are representing.
Responsibility—showing reliability and consistency in words and conduct, and being accountable for your actions.
Self-discipline—refraining from inappropriate behaviors and maintaining self-control at all times

PARENT PLEDGE

As a parent, I acknowledge that I am a role model. I will remember that school athletics is an extension of the classroom, offering learning experiences for the students. I must show respect for all players, coaches, spectators, and support groups. I will participate in cheers that support, encourage, and uplift the teams involved. I understand the spirit of fair play and the good sportsmanship expected by our school and school system. I hereby accept my responsibility to be a model of good sportsmanship that comes with being the parent of a student athlete.