Nettleton Raiders Athletics

Student-Athlete / Parent Handbook

2025-2026

Nettleton Student-Athlete / Parent Handbook

2025-2026 Table of Contents

1.1                Athletic Mission Statement

1.2                 Philosophy

1.3                 Sports Offered

1.4                Transportation Procedure

1.5                Participation In Sports

1.6                Discipline Procedures        

1.7                Missing Practice/Games

1.8                Quitting a Sport

1.9                Physical / Four (4) AAA Requirements on DragonFly

1.10                Injuries

1.11                Insurance

1.12                Summer Workouts

1.13                Care of Equipment

1.14                Behavior  and Citizenship

1.15                Social Media

1.15                Bullying / Hazing

1.17                Drug Policy

1.18                 Eligibility and SIP Guidelines

1.19                Parent / Coach Communication

1.20                Proper Communication Procedure for Parents

1.21                Relationship with Officials for Team and Student Athletes

1.22                Spectators

1.23                Student Athletic Participation per Grade

1.24                AAA Rules and Regulations

1.25                Dead Weeks

1.26                Acknowledgement / Consent Page

1.1 Athletic Mission Statement

The Nettleton Public Schools Athletics creates a positive experience for all student-athletes by emphasizing accountability, sportsmanship, loyalty, and competitiveness.  We provide student-athletes with quality instruction and tools that equip them for success to reach their fullest potential and development.

1.2 Philosophy

We are committed to a broad-based, inclusive program that offers every student with athletic interest the opportunity to participate safely, positively, and meaningfully.

• At the elementary level, the emphasis is on participation, skill development, and fun, helping young athletes build confidence while learning fundamentals.
• At the junior high level, athletes experience increased structure, discipline, and team accountability, learning how to compete while growing physically, mentally, and emotionally.
• At the varsity level, the goal is to compete for championships. Playing time is determined by the head coach and is based on readiness, effort, and team needs. Varsity athletes are expected to show maturity and a commitment to the program that reflects the privilege of representing their school and community.

1.3 Sports Offered (AAA Arkansas Sanctioned)

        Boys (Grades)                                        Girls (Grades)

Baseball                (9-12)                                Softball                 (9-12)

Basketball                 (7-12)                                Basketball                 (7-12)                        

Bowling                (9-12)                                Bowling                (9-12)

Cross Country        (7-12)                                Cross Country        (7-12)

Football                 (7-12)                                Cheer/Dance                 (7-12)

Golf                        (9-12)                                Golf                        (9-12)                        

Tennis                 (9-12)                                Tennis                        (9-12)

Track                        (7-12)                                Track                         (7-12)

                                                        Volleyball                (7-12)

Soccer                        (9-12)                                Soccer                 (9-12)

1.4 Transportation Procedure

1. All student-athletes will travel to the game with coach

2. If a coach allows his team to ride home with their parents/guardian or grandparents, the parent/guardian or grandparent must sign their student-athlete out with coach you prior to leaving

3. No student-athlete can leave with anyone other than their parent/guardian or grandparent

1.5 Participation in Sports

1. If an athlete misses 3 or more classes the day of a contest, he/she cannot  participate in that contest. Any exception would have to be approved by the  principal.  

2. Athletes will be encouraged by all coaches to participate in as many sports as  their interests and abilities allow.  

3.  In-season sports have priority over all other sports.  

4.  If two sports have conflicting schedules, a sharing of the athlete’s time will be agreed upon by the athlete, head coaches and athletic director

5. ISS or OSS Suspension.  Student-Athletes may neither practice nor play games during the time of suspension or after school hours on the day of the suspension

1.6 Discipline Procedures

1. Coaches should be fair and consistent.

2. Our general philosophy is that we will attempt to help someone who  makes a mistake. However, if this is repeated, the welfare of the team  must take priority. This violation might mean breaking training rules,  missing practice, poor attitude, etc.

3. Coaches have the right to discipline athletes on their individual teams, but should exercise sound judgment in administering specific penalties keeping in mind the welfare of the team and the individual.

4. No coach should dismiss an athlete from a team before discussing it with the head coach and athletic director allowing a 24-hour evaluation  period in extenuating circumstances.

1.7 Missing Practice/Games

Team members are expected to be at all practice/games. A missed practice/game will be determined to be excused or unexcused. The determination on excused/unexcused miss is determined by the coach on an individual basis. Communication on a missed practice/game is critical. Athletes are required to contact their coach prior to a missed  practice/games within coaches prescribed time to communicate.  Examples of an excused miss include a school function, student being sick, or attending a funeral. Medical reasons should be considered when holding athletes out of contests for missing practice.  

1. Excused miss – Make up work only  

2. Unexcused miss – Disciplinary action at the discretion of the coach plus make up work.  

3. Tardy – Coaches discretion

4. An athlete that continually misses practice/games is subject to removal from the team.  

1.8 Quitting a Sport

1. An athlete who quits one sport cannot participate in any other sport until the sport he/she quit is over.  

2. If an athlete quits a sport before the season ends and circumstances warrant it, the head coach of that sport and athletic director can give permission for the athlete to go to the next sport.

3. No coach shall ever attempt to influence an athlete to give up participation in one sport in order to devote more time to or concentration on another sport. Recruiting from another sport will not be tolerated.  

1.9 Physicals / Four (4)  AAA  Requirements on DragonFly

Student athletes will not be allowed to participate in practice or games without a  documented current (within 15 months) physical examination by a licensed physician due to AAA Arkansas Rules. Listed below in #4. Please give a copy of the completed physical to your sport coach or upload to DragonFly.  All Parents and Student-Athletes must register on Dragonfly for Nettleton Athletic compliance with AAA. Four (4) AAA requirements are listed below in #’s 1, 2, & 3

Four (4) AAA Requirements on DragonFly

1. AAA Sports Medicine Fact Sheet for Student and Parent Acknowledgement
2. AAA Participant Agreement, Consent,Release, and Venue Form
3. AAA Pre-Participation Health History
4. AAA Pre-Participation Physical Form  - Please click here to go to the DragonFly MAX website.

1.10 Injuries

Any injury, large or small, should be reported to the coach immediately. Any injury not  requiring a doctor’s care will be assessed by the coach in charge and/or athletic trainer in order to determine the athlete’s ability to play or practice. Nettleton School District, in  cooperation with St. Bernard’s Healthcare, have supplied Athletic Training Services. The  trainer will assess an injury and make recommendations to the student athlete and/or their parents/guardian. The trainer will also work with the rehabilitation of our athletes.  

1. If at all possible, injured student athletes should be required to be at all workouts to watch.
2. Parents/Guardian will be notified if a player has to be taken to the doctor or emergency room.  

1.11 Insurance

The school provides a secondary insurance policy, which will supplement the student  athlete’s family policy. The school policy alone may not cover all expenses incurred from

a severe injury during a Nettleton public schools designated sports practice or competition. The parent/guardian is responsible to file claim forms provided by the  school. The supplemental accident claim form may be picked up from your Head Coach or Athletic Director’s office. Additionally, the Arkansas Activities Association provides catastrophic insurance  coverage.  

1.12 Summer Workouts 

All student athletes are expected to maintain their physical conditioning throughout the summer. Coaches will inform student athletes of any special workout programs to be  followed.

  1.13 Care of Equipment

Equipment should be turned in immediately following the end of the season. A student  athlete is financially responsible for all equipment checked out to him/her. The cost of  destroyed/lost equipment will be at the student athlete’s expense. A student athlete  must treat school equipment as though it were his/her personal property. It should never  be abused. If a student athlete is involved in the theft of school equipment, he/she could  be dismissed from the team.

1.14 Behavior and Citizenship

The conduct of an athlete is closely observed by many and it is important that an  athlete’s behavior be above reproach. Appearance, expression and actions always  influence people’s opinions of the athletes as well as the sport. Once you have volunteered to be a member of a team, you have made the choice to uphold certain  standards expected of all athletes in this community. Be proud to be an athlete, for it is  a privilege, not a right. The way an athlete acts and looks is of great importance; thus proper dress, appearance, grooming and personal cleanliness are expected. Athletes should be leaders and fellow students should respect and follow them. Proper dress  and appearance will be established by the coach and is a continual process.  

1.15 Social Media

Social Media posts are a great way to promote the athletes themselves, and the school but can also pose a way to present negative images or comments about the program or themselves.  While it is everyone’s right to speech, posts must remain respectful and non-detrimental to the team.  This includes but is not limited to speaking negatively on or about a player, staff member, coach, and school in any way. All Student athletes will adhere to the Social Media - Section 4.14 Student Discipline policy in Nettleton Student Handbook

1.16 Bullying / Hazing

Any form of bullying, hazing, and/or harassment will not be tolerated, whether adult to adult, adult to student, or student to student.  If this occurs to a student-athlete, they should report this immediately to their building administration or athletic director while documenting the information given the the new bullying guidelines by the ADE.  Student-athletes committing the offense may be subject to suspension or dismissal from the team for the remainder of the season.  And from the athletic program for an entire school year.  Hazing - Section 4.12 / 4.18 Bullying - Section 4.43  Student Discipline policy in Nettleton Student Handbook

1.17 Drug Testing Policy

You should never use tobacco, vape, alcohol or drugs; it has been proven that athletes  that refrain from the use of these substances have a better performance level than  those that use them. Besides being illegal, research clearly states that the use of  tobacco, vape, alcohol and any type of mood modifying substance produces harmful  effects on the human organism. If you wish to be a Raider, you must make the choices that will have a positive effect on you and your team.  

4.24- Drugs and Alcohol Nettleton Student handbook - The Nettleton School Board hereby adopts a drug screening policy for all athletic/spirit  groups/bands in grades 8-12 who represent the Nettleton Public Schools.  The board believes that the policy is necessary for the health and safety of the  individuals involved.  

The objectives of this program are to:

1. Provide students an avenue to combat drug and alcohol use by arming  them with a well-developed, firm, and consistent policy that discourages  the use of illicit drugs and alcohol.  
2. Provide drug education programs for students who test positive for drug  use.  
3. Ensure the health and safety of participating students during performances.
4. Allow student participants an opportunity to say "no" to drugs.  
5. Provide a deterrent to drug use for all participating students in athletic/spirit groups/band.  
6. Help maintain a drug-free school environment.  

1.18 Eligibility Guidelines for High School and SIP Program / Jr. High

The athletic department encourages the academic excellence of all athletes. The eligibility  requirements are those set forth by the Arkansas Activities Association, and the State  Department of Education. No student will be allowed to try-out, participate, or be a  manager unless they meet all eligibility requirements.  

AAA - Student Eligibility - HS Level and SIP

In order for a student to participate in athletics or other extracurricular activities that  involve competition in interscholastic activities, the student must meet the  requirements set forth in (a) residency, (b) age, (c) enrollment, and (d) scholarship. A  student must have earned a minimum grade point average of 2.0 the previous semester  (or term).  

If a student has not earned a minimum of a 2.0 GPA the previous term, the student  must participate in our supplemental instruction program for at least 100 minutes each week. All students in the SIP program will have one semester to improve their GPA a  minimum of one tenth of a point to maintain eligibility for a second consecutive  semester. The maximum length of involvement in SIP is two consecutive semesters. If a  student earns a GPA of 2.0 and leaves the SIP, that student may later return to the SIP  for a maximum of two semesters if the GPA drops below 2.0.  

AAA - Student Eligibility - Jr. High Level

On the junior high level, students in seventh grade and first-semester eighth-graders  automatically qualify for activities. Second semester eighth-graders and first semester  ninth graders must successfully pass four academic courses the previous semester, three  of which shall be core curriculum areas (math, science, English, social studies) approved  by ADE. First semester ninth-graders must pass four academic classes to be eligible for the second semester of the ninth grade. Ninth grade students must meet senior high  academic eligibility by the end of second semester in order to be eligible for the fall of  their tenth grade year.

1.19 Parent / Coach Relationships

Both parenting and coaching are very difficult vocations. By establishing an  understanding between coaches and parents, both are better able to accept the actions  of the other and provide a more positive experience for everyone. Parents have the  right to know, and understand, the expectations placed on them and their children.  Coaches have the right to know that if parents have a concern, they will discuss it with  the coach at the appropriate time and place.

1.20 Proper Communication Procedure for Parents

Communication parents should expect from their child’s coach:  

1)  Coach’s overall program philosophy.  

2)  Expectations the coach has for your son/daughter and other players on the team.  

3)  Locations and times of practices and contests.  

4)  Team requirements, i.e., fees, special equipment needed, school & team rules

5)  Procedures that will be followed if your child becomes injured during participation.  

Communication coaches expect from parents:  

1) Concerns regarding their son/daughter expressed directly to the coach at the  appropriate time and place.  

• The mental and physical treatment of the player.  
• What the player needs to do to improve.  
• Concerns about the player’s behavior

    2) Specific concerns in regard to the coach’s expectations.  

3) Notification of any schedule conflicts well in advance.  

Communication that is NOT appropriate for discussion with your child’s coach:  

1)  Playing time.  

2)  Team strategy.  

3)  Play calling.  

4)  Any situation that deals with other student-athletes.  

Proper Procedure Order of Communication with Coach should be followed:  

    1)  Coach - Do NOT confront the coach before, during or after a practice or contest.

    2)  Athletic Director - Set up meeting with Coach and Athletic Director

    3)  Building Principal - Set up Meeting meeting with Coach, AD, and Principal

    4)   Superintendent of the Nettleton School District - Set Up meeting with All

1.21 Relationships with Officials for Team and Student-Athletes

Every game is controlled by officials. We must show respect for the judgment of these  officials. Officials are human and may make mistakes, however, we feel that these are  honest mistakes. We do not believe any official would deliberately help one team over  another. We do believe that an official might lean toward a team who has players that  

always act like ladies/gentlemen. We will treat officials with the respect due them.

1.22 Spectators

Spectators by their behaviors and reactions often to a high extent determine the reputation for sportsmanship for their school district and community.  This can be evident in the treatment of opposing rival teams, other spectators, and officials.

        Important Aspects for all Spectators

1. Know and demonstrate the fundamentals of good sportsmanship
2. Respect, cooperate, and respond enthusiastically to the cheerleaders, coaches, and athletes of all teams
3. Censure fellow spectators whose behavior is inappropriate
4. Be positive toward players and coaches regardless of the outcome of the contest
5. Respect the judgment and the professionalism of the officials and coaches

        Inappropriate Behaviors for Spectators

1. Verbal / Physical Abuse of contest officials
2. Contacting officials via phone, test message, or social media
3. Berating athletes, coaches, officials, or other spectators with chants, signs, and cheers
4. Interruption of contests by throwing objects, entering the area of competitions or becoming involved in disruptive behavior

Consequences for Ejections from Spectators

1. 1st Ejection - Ejected for remainder of game and the following 3 contests.  Meeting with Athletic Director and Principal
2. 2nd Ejection - Ejected remainder of game and the remainder of current season.  Meeting with Athletic Director and Principal
3. 3rd Ejection - Ejected for the remainder of the game and prohibited from attending Nettleton athletic events  Meeting with Athletic Director, Principal and Superintendent

        *This Policy is Cumulative*

1.23 Student Athletic Participation per grade

1. Seventh grade teams will be composed solely of seventh grade students. (Procedure for Advancement thru AD) Eighth grade teams will be composed solely of eighth grade students.
2. Jr. High (A and B) teams will be composed of eighth and ninth grade students.
3. Senior high teams will be composed of tenth through twelfth grade students.  
4. Students in grade nine can compete on senior varsity teams with permission of the  coaching staff, administration, and parents.
5. Ninth grade students can participate in senior high varsity if there is no corresponding junior high team offering.  

1.24 AAA Rules and Regulations

Each student should be fully aware of the rules and regulations for the sport, as well as recruiting, eligibility, coaching requirements, etc. The information is available on the AAA website www.ahsaa.org

1.25 Dead Weeks

All AAA member schools will observe an annual mandatory two-week athletic dead period running the week prior to July 4th and the week of July 4th. During this time coaches (licensed teachers and registered volunteers) shall be prohibited from engaging in any type of activity involving student athletes whether it be practice, training, weight lifting, competition, or travel.  Further athletic facilities will be closed to student athletes during this period.

1.26 Acknowledgment / Consent Page

I have and understood and read the entire contents of the Student-Athlete /Parent Handbook set forth by the Nettleton Public School District.  I abide by all rules and regulations.  The handbook is located on the district website athletics page.  A paper copy of the Student-Athlete / Parent Handbook can be requested.

1. We hereby give consent for the below named student athlete to compete in approved sports and go with the coach on any approved trips.  

2. We give consent, in case an accident or injury occurs, for the coaches to secure treatment at the best facilities available to them.  

3. We understand that there is a chance a participant can be injured. It is understood that the school assumes no responsibility in case an accident or  injury occurs.  

Student Name ______________________________________        Grade _______________

(Print)

Student Signature ___________________________________        Date _________________

Parent Name _______________________________________        

(Print)

Parent Signature ____________________________________        Date _________________