1. Zebulon Middle School Athletics Hard work earns rewards

2. Beginning Dates for Seasons Fall Sports 8/25/15 -First games the week of 9/15/15 Winter Sports 11/12/15 -First games the week of 12/1/15 Spring Sports 2/16/16 -First games the week of 2/29-3/4/16

3. Practices before 1 st Game All athletes must participate in a minimum of 6 team practices before being allowed to compete against another team The only exception to this rule is Football. They must have 10 practices. The first 5 practices must be conditioning ONLY. Game days can not count as practices

4. Practice Times Practices should run from the conclusion of school until 5pm. All students need to have transportation provided at that time Coaches should wait no longer than ½ hour past practice time for rides and/or the activity bus

5. Activity Bus Schedule W GANNON & PONY RD (DOLLAR TREE) W ACADEMY & WENDELL BLVD (WENDELL ELEM) SMITHFIELD RD & RIDGE ST (KNIGHTDALE ELEM) EAST WAKE HIGH SCHOOL

6. Activity Bus Students are to meet in front of the school before 5pm to get on activity bus Riding the activity bus is a privilege. Students may be asked not to use this service if behavior is not acceptable All riders must have an activity bus pass. You can get these in Student Services/Guidance

7. Equipment requirements Comfortable clothing Shorts T shirt Comfortable shoes No Jeans Mouth Guard if child has braces

8. Equipment Requirements School will provide all uniforms The only parts of the uniform that will need to be purchased are pieces that the student will keep: – Socks – Mouth guard (must have for football)

9. Soccer Requirements Shin Guards* Spikes/Cleats Mouth guard for Braces *Must meet NOCSAE Standards (will be written on the items)

10. Volleyball Requirements Comfortable Shoes Knee pads Comfortable clothing All are needed on the first day of try outs

11. Cheerleading Requirements Comfortable clothing Cheerleading will have a mandatory spirit pack that the girls will need to purchase for games and competition Has been between $100-200 in the past

12. Spirit Wear Coaches may offer the option of buying team T-shirts The Athletic office will offer spirit wear orders at the beginning of each season The only sport where spirit wear is Mandatory is Cheerleading

13. What is the Ticket to Play? AD’s check to make sure all paperwork has been turned in. Makes the coach know that the student has had a physical within 365 days and that students meet all academic requirements. Communication between coach and AD/Sports Safety Tech to give the student the OK to participate.

14. How do I get a Ticket to Play Before try outs, the student will need to: -complete WCPSS Athletic Participation Form -bring in a copy of previous semester’s report card -bring paperwork directly to Mr. Lesh (do not leave it in the main office) -complete the season’s information survey -Mr. Lesh will issue a Ticket to Play -Student gives Ticket to coach on first day of try outs. -Student may try out for that specific sport -Tickets will be issued for 2 weeks prior to each season

15. Eligibility Must have a valid physical every 365 days Must be in attendance at school 85% of the previous semester Academic requirements must be met from the previous semester: – Must be passing BOTH Math and Language Arts – Must be passing Science OR Social Studies – Must be passing ½ of elective classes

16. Athletic Participation Forms It is a requirement of all WCPSS athletes to have one on file in the athletic office The form can be obtained from one of these sources: From the Athletic office From the Main Office Can be printed from the school’s Athletic Web Page under Tryouts/Forms Fill out Sports Information Survey – Located under Tryouts/Forms on the Athletics Web Page

17. Attendance Students need to be at school every day Students must be in school the entire day in order to compete that school day (exceptions can be made for Dr. Appts., etc.) If a student is not at school, they are not eligible to practice OR compete A student who has missed 14 or more days the previous semester will not be eligible to compete on any athletic team – Hardship rules can apply in certain situations for attendance

18. Suspensions Per WCPSS policy, any student serving In School Suspension (ISS) time, or Out of School Suspension (OSS) are not permitted to practice or play until their suspension is completed. ZMS will not allow students serving ISS or OSS to attend practices OR games for their respective sport.

19. Grades Student Athletes are expected to complete ALL assignments and have them turned in on time to their teachers Athletics is a privilege AFTER school work is completed Students may be pulled from practices to make up required schoolwork

20. Weekly Grade Sheets Checklist to see that students are completing their work Making sure student athletes displaying positive behaviors in the classroom Turned in to coaches at the end of the week to determine eligibility the following week These are offered to coaches as an option to keep up with student performance

21. Making up Incomplete Assignments Know which teachers will allow you to go make up work Know when teachers stay after school to provide extra help Don’t fall behind because you feel that sports are more important than classwork…… Put the NEED to do ahead of the WANT to do

22. Expectations at practice Just like a class, athletes are expected to be dressed and on time to practice Athletes are expected to be at EVERY practice Athletes are expected to do every drill coaches set up for them STUDENT ATHLETES MUST BE UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A COACH AT ALL TIMES

23. Off Season Training The best things to do when not “In Season” for middle school students are: – Run – Stretch – Very light strength work (push ups, sit ups) – Sport Specific drills – Go to camps to focus on a specific sport

24. Off Season Team Training Specific Sports ARE allowed to work on sport specific drills in the off season Must have a WCPSS Athletic Participation Form on file before engaging in such activities Coaches must fill out proper forms before holding off season training Must be available to all students who are eligible to compete in WCPSS Athletics

25. Sportsmanship Good sportsmanship is viewed by the National Federation of State High School Associations 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.

26. High 5’s of Sportsmanship Everyone’s “High Five” Show respect for the opponent at all times. Show respect for the officials. Know, understand, and appreciate the rules of the contest. Maintain self-control at all times. Recognize and appreciate skill in performance regardless of affiliation.

27. High 5’s of Sportsmanship Coaches’ “High Five” Always set a good example for participants and fans to follow, exemplifying the highest moral and ethical behavior. Teach good sportsmanship and establish high standards for the athletes, parents, and fans. Develop and enforce penalties for participants who do not abide by sportsmanship standards. Treat opposing coaches, participants, and fans with respect. Shake hands with officials and opposing coaches. Teach the value of honest effort in conforming to the spirit as well as the letter of the rules.

28. High 5’s of Sportsmanship Student-Athletes’ “High Five” Accept seriously the responsibility and privilege of representing your school and community; display positive public action at all times. Treat opponents with the respect that is due them as guests and fellow athletes. Exercise self-control at all times, accepting decisions and abiding by them. Accept both victory and defeat with pride and compassion, never being boastful or bitter. Live up to the high standard of sportsmanship established by your coaches and help fellow athletes and fans maintain these standards.

29. High 5’s of Sportsmanship Parents, Students, and Other Fans’ “High Five” Realize that a ticket is a privilege to observe a contest and support athletic activities, not a license to verbally assault others. Be an exemplary role model by positively supporting teams in every manner possible, including content of cheers and signs. Recognize and acknowledge good performances by athletes on either team. Give support to those participating in, conducting, and/or officiating the athletic event. Respect the judgment and strategy of the coach.

30. Student-Parent Code of conduct Please see handout Note: Disciplinary actions for violation of WCPSS Code of Student Conduct are named in WCPSS Board Policy 6500. Consequences for violation of student athlete pledge and conduct guidelines can result in suspension from team based on NCHSAA guidelines for high schools, State Board of Education guidelines for middle schools, and/or school athletic departments.

31. ZMS Expectations at Athletic Events Cheer positively FOR our team Please do not boo or cheer against the other team, coaches or officials. They are all on the same level and are there to learn. Provide a positive atmosphere for the children to do their best!

32. NFHS You can go to the National Federation of High School Athletics and take free online classes to help get a better understanding of the following subjects: -Role of the Parent in Sports -Concussion -Sportsmanship www.nfhslearn.org

33. Volunteering in Athletics Before you volunteer, you need to be approved by WCPSS To coach, you must complete the following before volunteering: Completed WCPSS Employment Application 2 sealed letters of reference 2 Telephone references Background check Do online volunteer registration in Guidance

34. Booster Club Helps raise funds for the program that help support ALL sports Athletics always has expenses that need to be taken care of each year that the budgeted money can not take care of WCPSS Athletics may only do ONE fundraiser per school year, Booster Club is not as limited

35. Booster Club Needs You Enthusiastic people that have connections to businesses Officers that have time to fill a leadership role People who are good with paperwork Parents who want the best for their Athlete

36. Watch D.O.G.S./Cougar M.O.M.S. Dads Of Great Students Moms of Marvelous Students – Positive, strong female role models around campus Looking for Dads to volunteer in the school – Have positive male role models around campus Can get more information from Main Office