PHS PARENT/STUDENT ATHLETE HANDBOOK

GRADES 9-12

 

THE MISSION OF PHS ACTIVITIES IS:

To provide an educational opportunity for students to progressively grow in a variety of activities so they can become lifelong participants and spectators.

 

BELIEFS:

1. We believe in taking care of students and our programs.
2. We believe in an activity program that balances the demands of academics with activities.
3. We believe that activities teach us to balance obligations and prioritize tasks.
4. We believe in multi-activity participation and realize tradeoffs exist when conflicts arise.
5. We believe that participation enhances leadership skills, relationships, and maturity.
6. We believe that participation is a privilege, not a right.
7. We believe in the highest standard of sportsmanship and fair play.
8. We believe that decisions are made with a balance between the integrity of school rules and the best interest of students, and coaches.
9. We believe in conducting oneself in an ethical manner.
10. We believe that activities should challenge students to push themselves to their potential.
11. We believe in respecting diversity among people.
12. We believe in providing skills to properly handle adversity and success.
13. We believe that activities will develop loyalty, cooperation, fair play, and other desirable social traits.
14. We believe in promoting a positive image of Plains High School for our community.

 

REQUIRED FORMS FOR PARTICIPATION

1. PHYSICAL FORM
• Every person trying out for a team must have a completed medical history/physical form on file with the school, activities director, or the coach on or before the first day of practice. Student athletes will not be allowed to practice until physical form is turned in. Physicals are valid for one school year. Physicals must be after July 1^st to be valid for the following school year.

 

2. EMERGENCY/MEDICAL RELEASE FORM
• This will allow treatment of your son or daughter when our teams are on the road or when we cannot notify a parent for the treatment of their children. Parents, please make sure proper contact numbers are kept current.

 

ELIGIBILITY

If you have any questions regarding Plains High School training rules or academic eligibility please reference the PHS Student Handbook. If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact the high school principal or activities director. Also, a letter will be sent to parents at the end of the fourth quarter to notify you if your child will be ineligible to participate in extra curricular activities for the first quarter of the following school year.

 

ACTIVITY TICKET

All students who participate in Montana High School Association activities will be required to purchase a $14.00 activity ticket prior to their season’s first contest. All money collected from activity tickets will go into the PHS athletic fund. The activity ticket will allow entrance into all home athletic and drama events. Activity tickets will not be honored for any post season athletic events.

 

 STUDENT ATHLETE SPORTSMANSHIP

Good sportsmanship is viewed by the National Federation of State High School Association and Plains High School as a commitment to fair play, ethical behavior and integrity. In perception and practice, sportsmanship is defined as those qualities which are characterized by generosity and genuine concern for others. Athletes must:

• Play fair, be humble in victory and gracious in defeat.
• Treat others as you wish to be treated.
• Be respectful of others and one’s self.
• Impose self-control, be courteous, and gracefully accept results of one’s actions.
• Display ethical behavior by being good citizens and acting appropriately.

 

SPORTSMANSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT

The following announcement will be read or included in the program at all home contests. Welcome to tonight’s contest. Your admission to this event entitles you to enjoy an exhibition of skills developed by some of Montana’s finest athletes. Please give these students your positive encouragement and support. Booing, taunting or intimidating the officials, coaches or opponents is disrespectful, unfriendly and unacceptable. Thank you for your cooperation and remember, good sports are winners.

 

Plains High School will strive to be good hosts to visiting teams. Parents of athletes are a key element in creating good sportsmanship in the stands. Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated.

 

TRAVEL

1. Students must be in school all day on the day of a scheduled event. An unexcused student may not participate that day. Coaches/advisors will encourage regular class attendance and be aware of its impact on academic performance. Coaches are required to check in the office to make sure all athletes/participants have complied with the attendance policy.
2. Supervision of student athletes at all times is especially important. Coaches are expected to monitor students closely on the bus, in motels, at eating establishments, and other pertinent times. 
3. On overnight stays it is the responsibility for the coaches to assign rooms, set curfew, cell phone use, and emphasize the importance of exemplary behavior. Any infractions of these rules may result in removal from the team and parents may be notified to pick up their child.
4. For the protection of students, coaches, and advisors, no student will be dismissed for disciplinary or other reasons from an activity and allowed to travel home unescorted. This administrative procedure recognizes the fact that coaches and the district are responsible for the student’s safety and supervision for the duration of any activity. Students are to be released directly to their parent(s) or legal guardian
5. If a student is released to their parents, coaches must visit with the parent directly or receive a written statement from the parents. It is advised that if an athlete will be traveling home with a parent he/she notifies the coach prior to departure.
6. If a student misses the bus on a scheduled activity trip, participation by that student on that day may not be allowed. Coaches/Director will use their professional judgment when there are extenuating circumstances.
7. The only passengers on activity buses shall be team members, coaches, and chaperones. Coaches are responsible for the behavior of the team and will take care of discipline problems. Students are expected to abide by the same rules expected in a classroom when traveling on buses contracted by the district.
8. Student behavior during all phases of any trip is subject to school policy.
9. General rules while on the bus: 1. remain seated at all times and speak softly, 2) use personal stereos and headsets, 3) gambling for money is prohibited, 4) dispose of all garbage and make sure all personal and team gear are removed from the bus upon return to Plains.
10. Student dress should be neat and clean. Specific dress codes set by coaches must be met.
11. Treat other people and the bus with respect.
12. Travel manifests will be filled out by coaches and one copy will be left with the activities director or school secretary.
13. It is strongly advised that student athletes should make every attempt to ride the bus home after a contest to help build team unity.
14. Towels will not be provided by host schools, athletes are required to take their own towels on away games.

 

WINTER TRAVEL

While traveling during winter, please remind your son or daughter to bring extra clothing as well as hats and gloves. Salient points about winter travel include:

1. We want to maintain our schedule if at all possible.
2. We will not travel if the opposing team advised against traveling to their town.
3. We will have our bus drivers along with consultation with coaches to determine whether or not to proceed to or from a contest.
4. Parents always have the final determination if their son or daughter will travel to a specific site. Please notify the coach or school if you are not allowing your child to travel.
5. Parents need to be updated during severe conditions.
6. All of our programs are directed to stay overnight if conditions become too severe while returning to Plains.
7. When severe weather dictates an unscheduled overnight stay, parents must be notified and given an update on departure and arrival times.

 

MHSA RULES AND REGULATIONS

The Plains High School Interscholastic Athletics Program is subject to all current rules and regulations of the Montana High School Association concerning eligibility, age, transfers, residence, awards and student recruitment. All rules and regulations of the MHSA may be found in the MSHA Handbook for the current year. 

 

ATTENDANCE

A student may not participate in a practice or competition on the day of an absence unless the coach/advisor or AD has granted prior approval. A student may not, under any circumstances, take part in practice or competition on a day he/she has been suspended or is truant from school. A student who has in school suspension will be allowed to practice and compete. If a student has a recurring attendance problem, the Head Coach/Advisor and Activities Director will meet and discuss proper disciplinary action. If a student athlete is going to miss practice, the student must communicate with the coach or high school office prior to the absence.

Students who plan to participate in any extra-curricular events must attend school for four consecutive periods.

 

AWARDS NIGHT

The Head Coach/Advisor will be responsible for scheduling a night to honor the student athletes/participants in his or her program. The coach must communicate with parents and students to make sure everyone is informed of the time, date, location and format of the awards ceremony. Coaches/Advisors must turn in individual awards and names to the Activities Director so medals can be ordered. It is strongly suggested that awards night take place within two weeks from the end of the season.

 

SENIOR NIGHT

The Activity Director will notify senior parents with a letter to inform them of the date and time of senior night.

• The event is usually at or near the last home contest.
• PHS will provide one flower per senior participant.
• The flowers will be issued prior to introduction of both the parents and seniors.
• Student athletes/participants are required to turn in their senior paper write up to the Activities Director on or before the due date.
•  Special programs may be made if athletes/parents would like a picture added to the program.

 

UNIFORMS/LOST EQUIPMENT

All uniforms/equipment assigned to the students from an activity, must be returned, or if lost or damaged, must be paid for before a student may tryout or join another activity. Students have one week from the beginning of an activity to pay for or return their uniform from the activity in which they have a fine. Coaches are required to inform the Activities Director of any missing uniforms. Coaches are responsible to complete a uniform/equipment inventory with in one week at the end of the season and turn in to the Activities Director. Coaches will receive evaluation when inventory is completed.

 

WALL OF FAME

Any athlete that wins a State Championship, places at a State Tournament, or is selected for an All Star Game will be eligible to have their name displayed on the Plains High School Wall of Fame. Coaches are required to submit a list of all athletes meeting these requirements to the Activities Director. Awards will be displayed on the wall as soon as possible.

 

BOOSTER CLUB

The Plains Booster Club is an invaluable organization to Plains High School activities. They offer many benefits to the students of Plains High School. The Booster Club has purchased numerous team uniforms and helps pay for meals when programs are competing in tournaments. All parents are encouraged to become members and support the Booster Club. The Plains Booster Club primary mission is to support all students in extra-curricular activities.

 

COMMUNICATION-5-STEP COMMUNICATION PROCESS

Plains High School has initiated a 5-step process of communication to use in resolving conflicts. Communication in this order helps to ensure strong relationships and trust among all who are involved in resolving problems.

1. Student meets with coach/advisor
2. Student and parent(s) meet with coach/advisor
3. Student, parent(s), and coach/advisor meet with activities director.
4. Student, parent(s), coach/advisor, activities director meet with high school principal.
5. Student, parent(s), coach/advisor, activities director, principal meet with the superintendent.

 

At step 5 if issues are not resolved student and parent(s) have the option of presenting their concerns to the school board. Parents are not to disrupt practice sessions to discuss matters with the coach. Parents are not to confront a coach following a contest. Parents should schedule a meeting with the coach on the following day.

 

HAZING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED IN ANY EXTRACURRICULAR PROGRAM.

“Hazing” refers to any activity expected of someone joining a group (or to maintain full status in a group) that humiliates, degrades or risks emotional and/or physical harm, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate. –www.stophazing.org

Hazing, in any definition or example, is not acceptable in any degree. Any incident which could be considered hazing, in any sense of the word, will result in an immediate investigation of the incident. If hazing did occur, all athletes involved will be removed from the team for the remainder of the season. Any coach involved or condoning hazing will be relieved of all coaching responsibilities.

 

COACHES COMMUNICATION RESPONSIBILITIES

All coaches need to keep open communication with athletes and parents. Parents and athletes should expect written communication from coaches, which will include, but is not limited to the following.

1. Letter discussing coaching philosophy and program goals.
2. Team dress code.
3. Team contract indicating special rules team is to follow during the season. This contract should be signed by the athletes and their parents.
4. Team curfew.
5. Lettering criteria. Lettering criteria for Horsemen and Trotter basketball programs will be identical.
6. Summer and off-season camps.
7. Notification of pre-season parent/athlete meeting.
8. Turn in program inventory and receive coaching evaluation.
9. Must check with high school office on a daily basis to check attendance.

 

VARSITY PROGRAMS

It is incumbent upon head coaches to field the best possible team. The coaching staff will evaluate athletes in their program. Athletes selected to start or substitute will be determined on various aspects. Playing time may be determined, but is not limited to, the following: Attitude, attendance, skill level, and leadership. Coaches will play athletes based on ability and not by grade level.

 

SUB-VARSITY PROGRAMS

Sub-varsity programs will expand skills in our younger athletes to help them develop as athletes and team members. It is important to strive for victories, but it is also important for younger athletes to participate in game situations.

 

 Plains High School Activities

Parent/Student Athlete Handbook

 

 

 

 

 

CODE OF ETHICS

1. To emphasize sportsmanship, ethical conduct, and fair play.

2. To eliminate possibilities and situations which tend to destroy the values of athletics.

3. To show courtesy to visiting teams and fans.

4. To respect the position and judgment of sports officials and coaches.

5. To encourage leadership, use of initiative, and good judgment.

6. To recognize that the purpose of activities is to promote physical, mental, moral, social, educational, and emotional well-being.

 

7. To remember that an athletic contest is only a game – not a matter of life and death for a player, coach, school official, fan, parent, or the community.

8. To emphasize to our students that they are representing the people of this area at all times and to conduct themselves accordingly.