ATHLETICS

St. Mary’s has a long history of athletics and we pride ourselves in offering a variety of sports and extra curricular activities for students. Organized teams are formed for students in grades 5-8 in boy's basketball, girl's basketball, volleyball, track and field, and cheerleading. All St. Mary’s students who are in 4 th grade are permitted to participate at the 5 th grade level when additional players are needed to complete a roster.

Athletic Association

The Athletics Association, with the approval of the principal, plans all aspects of the athletic programs at St. Mary's. Our entire athletics’ staff is comprised of volunteers. We would not be able to provide our students with an athletics program without everyone's assistance. The Athletics Association is open to any family with a student involved in athletics at St. Mary’s School and any parish member with an interest in promoting school athletics. The Athletics Association will operate according to the Athletics Association By-Laws as approved by the St. Mary’s Parish Education Commission. A copy of these by-laws will be made available upon request.

Athletics Association Board for 2009-2010:
Charles Ely, Athletic Director
Frank Ripsom, Treasurer
Megan Namoff, Volunteer Coordinator
Lisa Falasz, Secretary Suzette Hawkins, Faculty Advisor

back to top

Athletic Association Meetings

The Athletics Association Board will meet on a regular basis throughout the year. If you would like to address the Athletics Association Board, please contact the Athletics Director.

The Athletics Association will hold general member meetings at various times throughout the year. All Athletics Association Members are welcome to attend. Meetings will be announced through Tuesday Notes and the parish bulletin.

back to top

IESA

Illinois Elementary School Association (IESA) r egulates interscholastic activities in the state, including sports, scholastic bowl, speech, and music competitions. St. Mary’s School holds a limited membership to the IESA, however, we strive to follow IESA guidelines whenever possible and practical.

For 2009-2010, we hold an IESA Membership for Track.

back to top

Student Participation

Based on Catholic Diocese of Peoria School Athletics Policy, only students enrolled in St. Mary’s school are eligible to participate in athletics and extra curricular activities that represent our school.

back to top

Participation Fee

There will be $5 or $10 “Activity Fee” required of each participant per each sport or activity they participate in. The specific amount of this fee is determined by length of season and specific budgetary needs for the athletic department.

back to top

Eligibility

Participation in sports and other extra-curricular activities is a privilege offered through the school. Students forfeit this privilege if academic standards are not met and/or conduct is deemed unacceptable. Extra-curricular activities include, but are not limited to, athletics, cheerleading, drama club, student council, yearbook club, and chess club.

Conduct Eligibility

A student may be deemed ineligible to participate for inappropriate conduct. School personnel will notify the student, parent, coach or moderator, Athletic Director and other key personnel involved when the student becomes ineligible.

Academic Eligibility

A student shall be doing passing work in all subjects in order to participate in athletics and extra curricular activities. Academic Eligibility will be determined every Thursday. School personnel will notify the student, parent, coach or moderator, Athletic Director and other key personnel involved when the student becomes ineligible.

For fall sports, the first eligibility check will be made following the first full week of attendance at the beginning of the school year. During the succeeding weeks of the school year, the eligibility check will begin the week prior to the first contest of the activity.

A student will be placed on probation for receiving an average grade of "D" in any subject.

A student will be deemed ineligible for receiving an average grade "F" in any subject.

A student on probation may practice and participate in games/activities.

A student deemed ineligible may practice but will not be allowed to participate in any game/activity for that week. The student may attend the game, but will not wear a uniform. A student who is ineligible to play and violates this rule will be suspended for 2 games.

After a total of three weeks of probation in a quarter, the student may be suspended from all activities for one week. Additional weeks of probation may result in further suspension and/or expulsion from the team/activity.

A student ineligible to play may be required by the coach to complete homework during practice time rather than participate in the practice. Additional weeks of ineligibility may result in further activity suspension and/or expulsion from the team/activity.

The principal reserves the right to review individual cases and make adjustments in the best interest of the student, the team/activity and the school. Exceptions will only be granted under exceptional circumstances.

back to top

Parent Meeting

At least one parent must attend the parent meeting scheduled before the start of the season.

back to top

Service Requirements

Each family must complete 20 hours of serviceper athlete. This service must be related to athletics and is in addition to school service hours. This level of service is necessary for our school to be able to hold athletic events. Without everyone’s help, we can not staff all of our athletic events. Any hours of service beyond the required 20 per athlete may count toward school service hours.

Parents will be asked to sign up for home-game shifts at the parent meeting. Once you sign up for a shift, if you are not able to work your shift, it will be your responsibility to find a substitute. In order to work at athletic events, parents must comply with all volunteer requirements listed below.

All volunteers must have on file:

• Volunteer Code of Conduct (see addendum)

• Background check through DCFS (CANTS form)

• Background check through the Illinois State Police (Fingerprinting)

• Proof of completion of the Safe Environment training or the VIRTUS Program, "Protecting God's Children for Adults".

Service hours may be completed by parents, grandparents or other family members as long as they have completed all volunteer requirements listed above.

If you are unable to complete any of the volunteer requirements listed above, please contact the principal or athletic director. Volunteer opportunities that do not involve working around children will be arranged.

back to top

Student Insurance

For the school year, St. Mary’s School has purchased Accident Insurance for every student. This insurance is in effect for athletic events at both home and away games.

back to top

Liability Waiver

All students involved in athletics must have a signed Liability Waiver on file.

The Liability Waiver must be on file before the first tryout or practice.

back to top

Physicals for Athletics

All students in grades 4-8 planning to participate in any formal athletic program must submit a physical, performed within the last calendar year and signed by a physician, stating that the student is in good physical health. The physical form must be on file before the first tryout or practice.

back to top

Uniform Care

St. Mary’s Athletic Association purchases new uniforms for teams on a rotating basis. In order to keep our uniforms in good condition, all uniforms should be turned inside out (except reversible jerseys) and laundered in cold water on a gentle cycle. Hang or lay flat to dry. Avoid ironing or exposing the decals to dryer heat.

back to top

Uniform Deposit

In order to ensure the prompt return of all uniform pieces at the end of each season, a deposit of $25 per player per sport will be required before a uniform is issued. This deposit will be returned at the end of the season when all uniform pieces are returned. Athletes should bring a change of clothes to the final game so that uniforms may be collected at that time. The Athletics Association will launder all uniforms before they are stored at the end of each season.

back to top

Spectators/Gymnasium

• Gum is not permitted in the building at any time. Please wrap gum in a piece of paper and put it in the trash can located near the front door.

• Food and drink are not permitted in the gymnasium. Food and drink must be consumed in the cafeteria area.

• Players who are involved in school sponsored athletics may have water or sports drinks in the team bench area located by the stage and in the locker rooms. Any spills must be cleaned up immediately.

• The balcony located above the bleachers is off limits to everyone, except authorized personnel. Students are not permitted to hang on or climb the ladder leading to the balcony.

• During warm months, the curtain located on the stage should remain closed at all times with the exception of special performances and athletic events. Our building’s cooling system is designed to work most efficiently with the curtains closed.

• Students are not permitted to operate the stage curtains without permission from the principal or parish staff. Students should not play with the curtains.

• Do not jump off the stage to the gym floor. Please use the stairs.

• The newer halogen lights are to be used for all activities. These lights take several minutes to warm up and perform at capacity. Please be patient. The smaller, older lights come on instantly, but use a great deal of electricity and should not be used without permission from the principal or parish staff.

• The storage area under the stage is off limits to students. Doors should remain closed and locked at all times.

• Do not kick balls at the lights, speakers, banners, or at other items hanging in the gym. Violators will be held responsible for intentional damage.

Updated: 12/8/09