Athlete’s Code of Conduct

Michael J. Meyers

Principal

Michael Clancy

Assistant Principal

Michael Mayer

Director of Athletics & Assistant Principal

Athletic Department Contact Information

201-652-9000 Ext. 5015

Email: mayerm@waldwickschools.org

STUDENT-ATHLETE CONTRACT

INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS

The Athletic Department of Waldwick Middle School encourages all students to participate in the sports program. As a student-athlete, your performance and conduct are a direct reflection of you, your team, your family, school and community. The following contract is an agreement that

the student-athlete will adhere to in order to participate.

Sportsmanship

The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) defines sportsmanship as follows:

"Sportsmanship is the ability to accept graciously, winning and losing. It is the ability to    know that life is made up of both successes and failures and to know that we must be able

to deal with both. Sportsmanship is that attitude which projects the opponent as an equal       not an enemy. Your rival is worthy of your respect and admiration. Sportsmanship is the  ability to recognize the talents and abilities of others, even when it means accepting the        fact that someone else is more proficient than ourselves. Sportsmanship is the courage             it takes to play the game within the rules. It is the ability to accept the decision of the      officials and the coach without demonstrating inappropriate behavior. Sportsmanship        allows the individual to be able to offer his/her hand in victory in order to console the   opponent and to offer his/her hand in defeat in order to congratulate the opponent.               Take your responsibility to be a good sport in a very serious manner."

Student-athletes and parents/guardians of student-athletes must understand that it is a privilege        to represent Waldwick Middle School. The student-athlete is representing not only Waldwick  Middle School, but also the town of Waldwick and its residents.

Athletic Activities

Waldwick Middle School participates in the following athletic activities and they are open to all 7th and 8th graders:

WALDWICK COACHING PHILOSOPHY

• Athletic achievement requires a sincere commitment from all athletes, parents, coaches     and administrators.

• The school administration and athletic department believe strongly in being accessible         to parents and supporting our coaching staff to deliver an educationally sound experience

for all student-athletes.

• The athletic department continually strives to improve communication with students          and parents. For our sports to be successful, it is necessary for everyone to understand        the focus and direction of our program.
• The athletic department believes strongly in good sportsmanship by its athletes as demonstrated through ethical and fair play, and treating our opponents with respect            and courtesy as we represent our school and community.

RULES & REGULATIONS

Attendance/Extracurricular Conflicts:

• Attendance at all practices and games is mandatory. If circumstances arise that you         cannot attend a practice or game, the coach must be notified prior to the missed           practice by personal contact, a phone call or a written note from a parent/guardian.
• Unexcused absences may result in:

 a) reduced playing time

 b) suspension from the team

          c) dismissal from the team

• Practice officially begins at 3:30 p.m. Many sports will begin early for a variety of      reasons. Students who have other extracurricular commitments or need extra-help 

should meet those commitments and notify their coach that they will be at practice at       3:30 p.m. This does not apply to game or scrimmage days.

• Students who leave school from the health office due to illness are not permitted to           return for practices or games.
• Students who arrive late to school must be in attendance as per the student handbook or     they will be ineligible to participate in practices or games.
• Athletes who miss practices/games for an extended period of time due to family       vacations, class trips, illness/injury or other related activities will not participate in a

game situation until they are physically prepared to compete. This will be determined           at the coach and/or trainer’s discretion.

• NOTE: Certain sports will have additional rules that are pertinent to their particular  situation.
• An individual who attempts to participate in many extracurricular activities will,

undoubtedly, be in a position of conflicting obligations. The athletic department

recognizes that each student should have the opportunity to engage in a broad variety

of extracurricular activities. However, students have a responsibility to do everything        they can to avoid continuous conflicts.

Behavior:

• Students suspended from school may not participate in practices or games.
• Detention will be considered an unexcused absence.
• Athletes will display good sportsmanship, which equates to being modest in winning and

gracious in losing.

• Student-athletes are asked to set a positive standard of behavior for others to follow both in and outside of the classroom. Treat all teachers, staff members, and fellow students with courtesy and respect.

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Equipment: 

All athletic equipment issued to the student is the property of Waldwick Middle School and is loaned to the student on a temporary basis. Upon completion of the season, all issued

equipment must be returned to the athletic department in a timely fashion.

• Equipment that is lost or stolen is the student’s responsibility and they will be charged accordingly.
• Students who fail to return their equipment will not be issued uniforms for the next season.
• Eighth graders who fail to return or pay for lost equipment will not receive their diplomas.

Sport Change:

Students who wish to change sports in a particular season must inform both coaches. This must be done before the end of the official tryouts for that season. Once teams have been selected,

students are not permitted to change sports for that season.

Transportation Policy: 

Athletes must travel to and from contests in transportation provided by the Athletic Department.

• Athletes may not leave away games with another student or parent. Only the parents/guardians of an athlete may transport their son/daughter. Transportation

Release Form below must be completed.

• Both the athlete and his/her parent should inform the coach before leaving a contest.
• Transportation Release Form 

Hazing: 

“Hazing” means the performance of any act or the coercion of another to perform any act of initiation onto a team that causes or creates a substantial risk of causing mental or physical

harm. The Board of Education believes that hazing activities of any type are inconsistent with   the educational process and prohibits all such practices at any time. Any student that is involved in any type of hazing will be automatically removed from the team, suspended from school, and

the police will be notified.

Middle School Athletics Cut Policy: 

It is the policy of Waldwick Middle School to encourage students to participate in athletics at each opportunity. Accordingly, the cutting of an interested athlete from a Middle School sports

team will not occur unless it is necessary in order to maintain a workable number for the program.

If this is the case, the following guidelines will be used:

1. A minimum of a 3-day tryout/workout will be given to all candidates in the overall program.
2.  Each head coach will establish specific criteria for the evaluation of all players.

1. The criteria will include the following elements:  
2. Attendance during tryout period  
3. Positive and cooperative attitude
4. Effort related to, and during practice
5. Relative skill within the particular sport

3. A member of the coaching staff shall notify any student designated to be cut from the team via a personal, individual meeting.
4. If a student wishes to discuss his/her being cut, that student will make an appointment with the head coach by seeing the head coach directly. If the head coach is not available

at the time, the student may contact the Athletic Director’s office to assist in setting up an

appointment between the head coach and the student.

5. Under no condition are lists of cuts to be posted.

Parents Expectations of the Coaching Staff 

It is reasonable that we inform you:

• When and where practices and games are scheduled and changes that may occur
• About each particular sports coaching philosophy and requirements (via a meeting and/or letter)
• About the expectations for your child in regards to the team, as well as, the

individual student-athlete

• Of what is required of the student-athlete to be part of the team such as in and out of season training, special equipment needs, etc.)
• About injuries and the services available through our certified athletic trainer

Coaches Expectations of Parents 

It is inappropriate to discuss with a coach:

• Playing time
• Team strategy or play calling
• Other student athletes

Coaches often need parents to:

• Informally tell them about any specific health problems and/or concerns at a mutually convenient time

• Notify coaches of any student-athlete schedule conflicts well in advance
• Share strategies that have worked successfully when dealing with your athlete

Procedure to follow if you have a concern to discuss with a coach:

• Make an appointment with the coach.  Please do not attempt to confront a coach before, during, or following a contest or practice. (These can be emotional times for both the

parent and the coach. This time frame does not promote an objective analysis of the situation and can cause an embarrassing moment for the student-athlete). A 24 hour wait

period is recommended before speaking to the coach.

•  If a coach cannot be reached, call the Athletic Office and the coach will be given the

information and return a call as soon as possible.

• If a meeting with the coach does not result in a resolution to the problem, you are encouraged to call the Athletic Director to set up an appointment to discuss the

situation.

• Parents are asked to put concerns in writing and submit to the Athletic Director.
• CHAIN OF COMMAND:

• 1. Coach
• 2. Athletic Director
• 3. Principal
• 4. Superintendent

Athletic Schedules

For the latest athletic schedule information, please visit the district website at

wms.waldwickschools.org  under  the middle school page and look under the “Athletics”          channel to view the calendar or click here for: Waldwick Athletic Schools Calendar 

where you can access the schedule.