Parents Guide - Code of Conduct

 

PARENT/COACH RELATIONSHIP

 

Both parenting and coaching are extremely difficult vocations. By establishing an understanding of each position, we are better able to accept the actions of the other and provide a greater benefit to children. As parents, when you become involved in our program, you have the right to understand what expectations are placed on your child. This begins with clear communication from the coach of your child’s program.

 

While we appreciate your support, please stay in the grandstands or in the spectator areas provided. It is not appropriate to mingle with the coaches and athletes on the bench or sidelines, nor is the trainer’s vehicle a place to congregate or sit in. Let the coaches coach, and the athletes play. This should extend to practice time as well.

 

 

COMMUNICATION YOU SHOULD EXPECT FROM YOUR CHILD’S COACH

 

1.                  Philosophy of the coach.

2.                  Expectations and goals the coach has for your child as well as for the team/season.

3.                  Location and times of practices and contests.

4.                  Team requirements: special equipment, strength and conditioning programs.

5.                  Procedure should your child be injured during participation.

6.                  Team rules and guidelines; consequences for infractions.

7.                  Varsity letter requirements.

8.                  Criteria for captain’s selections.

 

 

COMMUNICATION COACHES EXPECT FROM PARENTS

 

1.                  Notice of schedule conflicts in advance.

2.                  Notification of illness or injury as soon as possible.

3.                  Observed changes in your child’s academic performance or behavior.

 

As your child becomes involved in the athletic programs of Hackensack High School, they will experience some of the most rewarding moments of their lives. They will only appreciate the complete experience later in life. It is important to understand that there may be times when things do not go the way you or your child wish. At these times, discussion with the coach is encouraged. It is the first and most integral step to understanding and resolution.

 

APPROPRIATE CONCERNS TO DISCUSS WITH COACHES

 

 

  1. The treatment of your child.
  2. Ways to support your child at home. How the family can contribute to success.
  3. Concerns about your child’s behavior.

 

It is very difficult to accept your child’s not playing as much as you hope. Coaches are professionals. They make judgment decisions based on what they believe to be the best for all student athletes involved. As you can see from the list above, certain things can be and should be discussed with your child’s coach. Things, such as those listed below, must be left to discretion of the coach.

 

ISSUES NOT APPROPRIATE TO DISCUSS WITH COACHES

 

  1. Playing time.
  2. Team Strategy.
  3. Play calling.
  4. Other student athletes.

 

There are situations that may require a conference between the coach and player or coach and parent. These are to be encouraged. It is important that all parties involved have a clear understanding of the other’s position. When these conferences are necessary the following procedure should be followed to help promote resolution to the issue of concern.

 

IF YOU HAVE A CONCERN TO DISCUSS WITH A COACH

 

PLEASE FOLLOW THIS PROCESS

 

  1. Call the athletic office to set up an appointment with the coach: 201-646-7940.
  2. Please, do not attempt to confront a coach before or after a contest or practice. These can be emotional times for both parent and coach. Meetings of this nature usually do not promote positive resolutions.
  3. If a resolution is not satisfactory, please contact the athletic director for second meeting.
  4. Due process would then allow you to meet with the principal, and then the superintendent if meeting with the coach and athletic director were unsatisfactory.

 

Please Note: Letters or emails sent to the athletic director will be discussed with the coach. However, anonymous notes will not be considered nor forwarded.

 

 

SPORTSMANSHIP

 

Hackensack High School agrees with the state athletic association that sportsmanship must be a preeminent value to be demonstrated by player, spectator, coach, and official. Additionally, the State of New Jersey has passed legislation covering the conduct of spectators at high school sports events. To that end, we have included the NJSIAA good sportsmanship Code of Conduct. Please read it carefully. We will count on your support at our competitions, and we will count on your good sportsmanship. As an act of good faith we are asking you to sign off on the attached form to indicate you have read this booklet and the Code of Conduct. Additionally, your child must sign this form indicating they have read both the booklet and the code of conduct. ATHLETES MUST RETURN THE SIGNED FORM TO THEIR COACH. FAILURE TO RETURN THE SIGNED FORM MAY RESULT IN THE ATHLETE NOT BEING PERMITTED TO COMPETE.
New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA)

 

The Responsibilities of Sportsmanship

 

The Spectator . . .

 

1.    Attempts to understand and be informed of the playing rules.

2.    Appreciates a good play no matter who makes it.

3.    Cooperates with and responds enthusiastically with cheerleaders.

4.    Shows Compassion for an injured player; applauds positive performances; does not heckle, jeer or distract players; and avoids profane and obnoxious language and behavior.

5.    Respects the judgment and strategy of the coach, and does not criticize players or coaches for loss of a game.

6.    Respects property of others and authority of those who administer the competition.

7.    Censures those whose behavior is unbecoming.

 

 

The Player . . .  

 

1.                Treats opponents with respect

2.                Plays hard but within the rules

3.                Exercises self control at all times and sets the example for others to follow

4.                Respects officials and accepts their decisions without gesture of argument.

5.                Wins without boasting, loses without excuses, and never quits.

6.                Always remembers that it is a privilege to represent Hackensack High School and the City of Hackensack.

 


 

CHAPTER 74

 

N.S.D.A. 5:17-2

 

Any person who:

 

  1. Engages in verbal or physical threats or abuse aimed at any pupil, coach, official, parent, or other spectator; or
  2. Initiates a fight or scuffle with any pupil, coach, official or parent, or other person

 

If this conduct occurs or at or in connection with a school sponsored youth sports event, said person shall be banned from being present at subsequent events.

 

Any person who has been banned may petition the Hackensack Board of Education to be allowed to return to sport’s event. However prior to petitioning the BOE, must show evidence of completion of an approved anger management-counseling program.

 

 ACADEMIC

 

  1. To be academically eligible to participate, athletes must pass 27.5 credits at the end of the school year. This will allow participation in the fall and Spring seasons.

 

  1. Students must earn 13.75 credits by February 1st to be eligible for the Spring season.

 

  1. Incoming freshman students may participate in their first fall and winter season without meeting the 27.5 criteria.

 

  1. Any student/athlete shall maintain a 2.0 Grade Point Average or be subject to a tutorial program while in season.

 

MEDICAL

 

  1. Students must pass a sports specific physical once every 12 months. The school physician or the family physician may conduct these. If the family physician completes the form he must use the NJ Department of Education form available in the athletics office.

 

  1. At the beginning of each season the parent must complete a health questionnaire. This form is available from the school nurse or in the athletic office.

 

  1. Injuries are part of the risk of participation in athletics. While we will provide appropriate equipment and proper coaching techniques to minimize this risk, we cannot guarantee your child will be injury free. If an athlete is injured he/she must report it to the coach and the trainer. Also he/she must complete an accident report with the school nurse.

 

  1. The trainer is a Hackensack Board of Education appointed and New Jersey certified health professional. He/she may evaluate and make certain recommendations to you or your child. Additionally, he/she has the authority to hold an athlete from participation due to injury.

 

  1. Athletes who are seen by a doctor due to injury must submit to the trainer a note of clearance to return to participation.

 

  1. No student can participate in any practice without full medical clearance.  Medical clearance and academic eligibility lists will be distributed before the first match/game. Coaches will ensure that no student participates in an athletics practice without medical clearance based on a review of eligibility rosters.

 

PERMISSION TO PARTICPATE

Students must submit a signed permission to participate form (Yellow) to the school nurse for each sport the student intends to participate in. The student and parent must sign the form.

 

 

 

 

EQUIPMENT

 

The Hackensack Board of Education will supply most of the equipment necessary for your child’s participation.

 

Please remember all equipment issued to your child must be returned at the completion of the season. If the season is completed and you see BOE equipment, please encourage your child to return these items to the coach immediately.

 

Failure to return issued equipment may result report cards being delayed, and the withholding of diplomas.

PRACTICE

 

  1. Most athletic squads practice Monday thru Saturday. Irregularly some practice may be held on Sundays.

 

  1. On school days practice may not start before 3:10 PM (with certain exceptions when practices are remote and starting times are set by the facility. i.e. The Ice House.)

 

  1. During the 10th period students should take advantage of the opportunity to seek extra help from teachers or participate in the wide variety of available activities and clubs.

 

SCHEDULES

 

Up-to-date Schedules are posted at: www.highschoolsports.net. If you see a conflict with newspaper and Internet schedules, go with the Internet.

 

 

STUDENT ATHLETE INSURANCE COVERAGE

 

PLEASE NOTE: This policy is a supplement to any other insurance you may have. The PARENTS MUST USE THEIR OWN INSURANCE FIRST. This policy will then pick up those bills not covered by your own insurance, up to the limits in the policy. If you do not have insurance for medical expenses, this policy will go into effect immediately.

 

Although this coverage is very broad, there are restrictions, limitations and exclusions in this policy. IN MANY SITUATIONS MEDICAL BILLS MAY NOT BE COVERED IN FULL. Parents should understand that medical expenses are their responsibility, not the school district’s.

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