Thanks for the Memories

Don & Lou Collins

After more years then they'd like to remember Don Collins (SJA AD) and Lou Collins (Vice Principal) have retired. We owe them a dept of gratitude for all they have done for SJA over the years. We woudn't be who we are today without them.

 

 

Student Expectations

Students and parents should recognize that participation in the athletic program is not a right of all students, but rather a privilege to those selected individuals who possess the ability, attitude, disposition, cooperative spirit, and desire to represent the St. Joan of Arc community in a favorable way.  By joining the school’s athletic program, a student becomes a representative of his/her team and of St. Joan of Arc School.

Eligibility and Probation

We expect student-athletes to maintain academic and behavioral standards in keeping with the St. Joan of Arc School Student-Parent Handbook and the teachings of the Catholic Church.  These regulations and procedures apply while on school premises, during practices and competitions, and in the public arena.  A student will be considered ELIGIBLE to participate in interscholastic athletics at St. Joan of Arc School if their most recent academic report reflects a passing grade in each subject

A student-athlete will be considered ON PROBATION should their most recent academic report reflect any one or a combination of the following academic grades or conduct:

1. One failing grade in any subject
2. Out of school suspension

Evaluating Probationary Improvement

A student-athlete remains a full, participating member of a team if his/her grades at the end of the probationary period reflect a passing average or better in every class, and the student-athlete maintained conduct in keeping with the St. Joan of Arc Student-Parent Handbook and the teachings of the Catholic Church and has received permission form the administration to resume.

Ineligibility

A student-athlete will be considered INELIGIBLE for interscholastic sports at St. Joan of Arc School should there be no improvement after probationary period.  Ineligibility means that a student-athlete may NOT participate in interscholastic athletics at St. Joan of Arc for the remainder of the season.  This will result in the removal of the student from the team’s roster.

Student-Athlete Expectations

A student-athlete’s behavior is governed by the same rules, regulations, and procedures that apply to all students as set forth in the St. Joan of Arc Parent-Student Handbook.  Each student-athlete is expected to demonstrate and encourage in others behaviors that reflect good sportsmanship.

Attendance

All student-athletes must be marked as present in school on the day of practice or a game in order to participate. Please see the Student-Parent Handbook for what constitutes an absence.

All student-athletes must recognize the time commitment made to a team. One is expected to attend all practices and games.   If one cannot attend a practice or game, please make sure the coach and/or athletic director has been notified in advance.   Consequences for a missed practice or game will be informed by the team rules as outlined by the coach/team at the beginning of the season in addition to the natural consequences that result from missing practice instruction or game experience.

Dress Code/Uniforms

Student-Athletes are highly visible representatives of the school and, as such, are responsible for using good judgment in their overall appearance. All teams, regardless of level, have a responsibility to ensure that their game attire speaks volumes of their class and excellence.  All game shirts will be tucked in.  No player should make modifications to his or her uniform.  Athletes are to wear a school issued uniform and treat their uniform with respect.  Teams that treat their uniforms with respect, exude class.

Uniforms must be returned to the athletic director within seven (7) days of the last game.  Progress reports and/or report cards may be withheld until the uniform is returned.   If a uniform is not returned, parents are responsible for the cost of replacing the uniform.

Sportsmanship

All student-athletes are expected to represent St. Joan of Arc School in an exemplary manner. This behavior is expected both on and off the court or field.  Student-athletes are expected to display the best of Christian courtesy and manners to all officials, coaches, opposing coaches, players, and spectators.  At all times good sportsmanship is the rule, not the exception.  The penalty for unsportsmanlike behavior during a practice or game will be left to the discretion of the coaches for each sport along with input from the athletic director.  This can range from sitting out at practice to a one-game suspension.  In extreme cases when an athlete has been ejected from a game, multi-game suspensions and dismissal from the team may be appropriate. The athletic director and principal will make the final decision following a meeting with the athlete, coach, and parent.

Transfer Students/Injured Students

Transfer students or students injured at the beginning of a season will be awarded a tryout for a team if there is one more than half of the games left in that sport’s season.

Parents Expectations

“It is incumbent upon parents to cooperate closely with the school teachers to whom they entrust their children to be educated; in fulfilling their duty teachers are to collaborate closely with parents who are willingly heard and for whom associations or meetings are to be inaugurated and held in great esteem.” (Code of Canon Law, 796)

St. Joan of Arc School coaches and administrators respect the primacy of the parents as the first teachers of their student-athletes, and will partner with parents in the formation of student-athletes.  Parents and other members of the community play a vital role in the holistic education of children including students’ participation in school-sponsored athletics.  Together, all stakeholders should actively work to ensure that the Catholic mission and identity of St. Joan of Arc School permeates the athletics program.

Top Five Ways to Support your Student-Athlete

1. Be present – Show up to games, cheer, and support our teams!
2. Be positive – Children learn from modeling.  When talking about the game, season, performances and decision-making, please share the gift of a positive outlook on life!  Make sure that your child knows that win or lose, he/she is loved and supported.
3. Encourage independence – Encourage student-athletes to be responsible for the care of their athletic gear and to be prepared for practices and games.  In addition, student-athletes should speak directly with their coach about any questions and/or concerns.
4. Observe the “24 Hour Cushion” – As do all good educators, St. Joan of Arc coaches will naturally and deliberately reflect on game situations and decisions.  Please allow coaches the time they need to process their decisions before approaching them with any questions.  As stated above, coaches need not discuss playing time, coaching strategies and specific plays, or information pertaining to other athletes.
5. Model St. Joan of Arc’s behavior expectations for visiting spectators – Take pride in our athletic program and model for visitors how we…
   • cheer for our team rather than against our opponents.
   • respect the integrity and authority of game officials.
   • allow coaches to coach without criticism from the spectators.
   • help clean up at the end of athletic events.

Transportation

Transportation to/from practices and games is the sole responsibility of the parents.   Please ensure that your student-athlete is picked up promptly at the end of each practice/game.

Removal from Team – Parent Decision

The principal, athletic director and coaches will respect and support the decision of a parent to remove his or her child from a team for any reason.  However, once the child is removed, he or she may not return to that team for the remainder of the sport season.

Coaching Expectations

Coaches are first and foremost educators, and must work in coordination with the parents who are the primary educators of children.  At all times, coaches must be examples of Christ the Teacher who serve as role models for student-athletes to emulate.  They must be messengers of the school mission and ensure that athletic programs embody the Catholic characteristics prevalent at St. Joan of Arc School.

Goal Setting

When working with St. Joan of Arc student-athletes, a successful coach will work towards goals in the following three dimensions: team, personal, and school.

Team Goals

St. Joan of Arc coaches build a team by:

1. Advancing the athletes’ understanding of their role as members of the communal body of Christ.
2. Creating a positive and memorable experience that will be cherished by the student-athlete for the rest of his/her life.
3. Teaching the specific and unique skills of this sport to the very best of his/her abilities by using all means, methods, and resources available.
4. Teaching the skills of healthy competition that will prepare athletes and the team to succeed.

Personal Goals

St. Joan of Arc coaches grow as individuals by:

1. Modeling character, sportsmanship, self-discipline, and a lived faith.
2. Appreciating the moments of grace throughout a season, at times of winning and losing.
3. Becoming a lifelong learner of their sport.
4. Maintaining perspective in and throughout all athletic endeavors, realizing teachable moments exist in all experiences.
5. Fostering positive relationships with all school community stakeholders.

School Goals

St. Joan of Arc coaches contribute to the school community by:

1. Infusing the school mission in all athletic activities.
2. Promoting academic excellence as an essential component in the development of student-athletes.
3. Committing to effective communication with administrators, teachers, parents, and athletes.
4. Supporting the development of student-athletes as leaders and role models in the greater school community.
5. Creating a culture of school unity and spirit as exemplified through sportsmanship, positive fan participation, and respect for all.

Conduct of Coaches

Coaches are called to be models and witnesses to their faith each day, and, as such, coaches are expected to uphold high standards of conduct in and out of season.

Language

Language should be appropriate and constructive at all times.  Coaches are expected to not only monitor their own language, but they should also set and enforce standards of appropriate language for their athletes.  This includes, but is not limited to swearing, harassment, exclusionary language, sexual innuendo, personal attacks, and unsportsmanlike gestures.

Treatment of Opponents

Although opponents are not a part of our school community, they are members of the larger body of Christ and should be treated as such.  Coaches should model such respect for their athletes and should instruct players on how to welcome their opponents and all visitors in a way that conveys a sense of hospitality and community.

Prayer

Athletic experiences play an important role in the spiritual formation of students at St. Joan of Arc School.  Genuine and lasting spiritual development is only possible through careful and conscientious preparation by those in leadership positions.  Coaches, as team leaders, are chosen not just to be mentors and role models for student-athletes, but also to be witnesses.  Prayer should become an intentional component to a team’s culture, not just a rushed event before or after a game or practice.  Rather than emphasizing winning, prayers should focus on embodying the spirit of Christianity.  Coaches are encouraged to build and create spiritual traditions into their approach to coaching at St. Joan of Arc School.

Coaching Duties

In addition to serving as witnesses and models of faith, St. Joan of Arc coaches are expected to fulfill the following duties:

• Plan out practices and games
• Supervise athletes at all times until they are picked up from practices/games
• Condition athletes properly
• Assess athletes’ readiness for practice & competition
• Instruct properly on what to do and what not to do
• Start and end practices on time
• Maintain safe playing conditions
• Ensure cleanliness of facilities
• Provide proper equipment
• Communicate practice and game schedules to athletes and parents
• Select, train, and supervise assistant coaches

Communication with Athletes and Parents

St. Joan of Arc coaches should establish clear procedures and guidelines for communication with athletes and parents that align with the philosophy and mission of St. Joan of Arc School.  E-mail should be used only to communicate basic information, such as time and location of games and practices.  Discussions of concerns should always be done in person.  If a face-to-face meeting is not possible, a phone call is acceptable.  Before meetings, establish clear agendas and communicate that certain topics will not be discussed.  Coaches do not have to discuss playing time, coaching strategies and specific plays, or information pertaining to other athletes.

Awards and Recognition

The St. Joan of Arc Athletics Program hosts an annual Sports Appreciation Night at the conclusion of the season.  Coaches are expected to attend the evening to publicly introduce their players and summarize their season.  Recognition of athletes, however, should be utilized throughout the season as a means of personal athlete formation and team-building.  Particular recognition of athletes should embody the goals and philosophies of the athletic department and program, not only physical talent.  Some areas of recognition may include one’s academics, sportsmanship, and Catholic nature/spirituality.

Prior to becoming a coach

Prior to beginning volunteer services, all persons involved with minors on a regular, recurring basis and those to have opportunity to be alone with children during school sponsored events (e.g. field trips, etc.) are required to complete the following:

• Results of a criminal background investigation (subject to the conditions of the Diocese of Joliet)
• Written acknowledgement of having read and understood the Pastoral Policy Regarding Sexual Abuse of Minors.
  
• Written acknowledgement of having read and understood the Diocese of Joliet Standards of Behavior for Those Working With Minors.
  
• Have completed the Virtus Protecting God’s Children™ program.
  
• Any and all Awareness Sessions indicated by the parish or diocese.

Administrative Control

Since the school administrator has the primary responsibility for all programs associated with the school, it is clearly evident that all aspects of a school’s interscholastic athletic program are subject to the school administrator, as regulated by the Diocese of Joliet Catholic Schools Office.

Right to Amend

St. Joan of Arc School reserves the right to amend this information.  Notice of Amendments will be held in the school office.