River Hill High School�Sports Information Night

November ?, 2022

5:30 PM

Athletics & Activities Manager

• Jimmy Creighton
• james_creighton@hcpss.org
• 410-313-7114

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River Hill Boosters

• Jen Martin
• Boosters President
• jendavemartin@gmail.com

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River Hill Sports Medicine

PIVOT Physical Therapy

• Various Trainers
• Alli Hammond
• Contact: allison_hammond@hcpss.org

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River Hill Spring Coaches

• Allied Softball: Brian Van Deusen
• Baseball: Craig Estrin
• Boys’ Lacrosse: Keith Gonsouland
• Girls’ Lacrosse: Amy Weinberg
• Outdoor Track: Donnie Richmond & Ammera Schmidt
• Softball: Marni Rosenbaum
• Tennis: Kelley Pfefferkorn

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*Coaches contact information is on our athletic website, if you need any specifics regarding where/when tryouts and/or practices occur please email our head coaches.

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Philosophy of an Education Based Interscholastic Athletic Program for HCPSS

• The philosophy of an Education Based Interscholastic Athletic Program for the Howard County Public School System is to foster the quest for excellence by creating an educational and competitive experience with an atmosphere of good sportsmanship. Interscholastic athletics is an integral part of the total educational process and is designed to have a positive influence on students. Interscholastic athletics is one of a number of experiences available at the high school level to assist students in their personal and social growth and development as well as help prepare them for the responsibilities of adult life.��Interscholastic athletic participation is secondary to the student’s academic responsibilities. Practices and games are not scheduled to conflict with the academic class schedule, and a balance must be maintained between the demands of a competitive athletic program and the challenging academic schedule that all students carry.��In addition to athletic skill development and gaining competency in knowledge of the game and strategies, interscholastic athletics can provide enriching and rewarding experiences which enhance self-esteem and self-confidence; build self-discipline; promote the importance of teamwork and team unity; assist students in establishing goals and working diligently towards their achievement; and provide educationally sound sportsmanship practices and fair play.��The health and well-being of our students is more important than the outcome of any athletic contest. Interscholastic sports are a “tool” which can be used to teach and practice good citizenship. To this end, we believe winning and losing are important only when considered in the context of how we play the game and how we represent ourselves and our school under the pressure of competition. Winning, losing or placement is of secondary concern in comparison to the manner in which students conduct themselves on the field, exhibiting dignity and grace in the midst of adversity.��Interscholastic athletics is a privilege that carries with it responsibilities to the school, the team, to the community and the students. The student shall conduct him or herself in accordance with all Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association and Howard County Public School System policies, rules and regulations as a requisite for participation on any interscholastic athletic program.

OUR CORE VALUES: THE RIVER HILL WAY�

• Passionate
• Responsible
• Innovative
• Determined
• Excellence

It’s all about our “WHY”

We do the right thing, the right way

We challenge the status quo to build a better way

We are relentless in our pursuit of success

We are committed to being the best

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#HawkPRIDE

*CHAMPIONSHIP CULTURE*

“DO THE RIGHT THING ALL THE TIME”

Athletic Excellence

• 49 State Championships
• 41 State Finalists
• 78 Individual State Champions
• 120 Region Championships
• 142 County Championships
• 2019 People Tree Cup Champions (16x winners)
• Overall Excellence in HCPSS Interscholastic Athletics
• Named an Exemplary Athletic Program by the NIAAA
• Recognized as a Safe Sports School – 1^st Team by National Athletic Trainers’ Association

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Electronic Information

• www.CountySportsZone.com
• Follow Us on Twitter:
• @AthleticsRHHS
• @hcpss_rhhs
• Sign Up for E-School News Daily:
• Updates – www.hcpssnews.com
• River Hill Athletics Webpage: http://rhhs.hcpss.org/athletics

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River Hill High School�Athletics

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

River Hill Athletics �JV & Varsity Philosophies

Junior Varsity

• Developmental for varsity level
• Playing time is NOT guaranteed.
• Practice times/locations may vary
• All games may NOT be played (weather)

Varsity

• Developmental for higher level
• Playing time is NOT guaranteed.
• Practice times/locations may vary
• Priority over JV games (make-ups)

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Policies and Procedures

• Late Arrival/Early Departure
• Student must be present for a half day to participate in athletic events held that day (minimum of three periods or in school by 10:40 a.m.)
• All exceptions need PRIOR administrative approval.

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• Academic Help & Locker Room Security
• In the event a student needs to stay after school for academic help, he/she should go to the locker room/after school meeting area, inform the coach, then go see the teacher by 2:30.
• The locker rooms will be LOCKED by the coach when he/she heads out to practice. All belongings MUST be locked in a locker. RHHS is not responsible for lost or stolen items that are not locked in a locker.

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Entrance Into Athletic Events

• All Admission to athletic competitions is a privilege.
• Any acts of unsportsmanlike conduct may result in removal from the event.
• Tickets are $3/students and $5/adults. No re-entry into events.
• No outside food or drinks are permitted into the gym (no food/drink in gym at all) or stadium.
• ALL Football and Friday night Stadium games have admission charges.
• All playoff games will have admission charges per the MPSSAA.
• Masks must be worn at ALL indoor events.

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Masks for Indoor Athletic Events/Practices

• Athletes will be expected to wear a mask when they are on the bench or sitting out of a drill in practice.
• When active they have the option to remove the mask.
• ALL SPECTATORS MUST WEAR THEIR MASK FOR THE ENTIRETY OF THE GAME/EVENT INDOORS.
• This is HCPSS policy and we ask all to follow it once in our school building.
• If something changes the community will be informed.

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THIS JUST CHANGED: MARCH 1 MASKS ARE OPTIONAL

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Covid Weekly Testing

• This is only for the unvaccinated.

Stay tuned for updates on fully vaccinated definition by HCPSS, things change often.

Currently: *Students that are not "up to date"(Boosted) do not have to test weekly but will have to quarantine for 5 days and mask for another 5 days if considered a close contact.

• Unvaccinated must be tested weekly, preferably at our school.

Testing won’t start until March 14 for spring sports.

• If not, athletes will be ineligible to play the following week.
• You can get tested off site as long as long as you get a copy of the negative test to share with your coach and/or me.

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• HCPSS Covid Information & Testing Sign-Up: https://rhhs.hcpss.org/news/2021/11/student-athletes-must-provide-proof-vaccination-or-undergo-weekly-testing-order

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Communication

Expect from Your Child’s Coach

• Philosophy of the coach
• Expectations the coach has for your child, as well as for the team
• Dates, times and locations of all practices and contests
• Player accountability
• Additional team policies

Issues NOT Appropriate to discuss with Coaches

• Playing time and/or position
• Team strategy
• Play calling
• Other student athletes

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Coaches/Parents/Participants

• Coaches have the final say over team selection, playing time and discipline of players (communication with AAM as well).
• Coaching strategy is determined by the coaching staff.
• Accepting a position on the team includes acceptance of the procedures and guidelines of both HCPSS and River Hill High School for the student and parent/guardian.
• Parents are not to attend practices.
• If a parent needs to talk to a coach, please email the coach to set up a meeting time OR conference call. All conversations should be conducted in a calm and professional manner. If the issues are not resolved, contact the AAM.
• Encourage ALL student-athletes to engage in conversations with their coaches first and foremost.

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Ways You Can Help the Program

• Join Boosters (membership, corporate sponsorship, special events, etc.)
• Volunteer at concession stands
• Help keep up with scores on CSZ
• Be a POSITIVE FAN
• Ask the coaches if they need help with administrative tasks
• Do NOT yell at referees OR any one for that matter
• Pick up your athlete or fan at the end of a contest in a timely manner.

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Questions???

• james_creighton@hcpss.org
• 410-313-7114

Thank you!

• Athletics Registration Review
• If there is an issue, please log back onto www.hcpss.org/connect to look into what is missing as part of the registration process
• Sport Specific information

Coaches will hold individual sport meetings once teams are finalized, contact them for these details.

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