FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

!"#"$%&' ATHLETIC POLICY GUIDE

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First Publication: November 01. 2010 Updated: July 30, 2011

OVERVIEW Introduction Fellowship Christian School strives for excellence in all areas of the student-athletes educational experience. We have set our expectations high for all athletics through a dedication to training our hearts, minds and bodies to glorify God on and off the field. In order to fulfill our mission as a school the athletic department at FCS put a plan in motion to move our athletic teams from ones which have participation to ones which demonstrate excellence through a constant focus and concentration on pushing our student athletes in the areas of fundamentals, toughness and discipline. We believe that all student athletes should be motivated to surpass their God given ability and play beyond their capability. This level of excellence can only be achieved if the focus is a year-round plan in which all programs attempt to discipline their bodies through speed, strength and agility training while emphasizing the individual fundamentals of the game. No matter what sport or what level of play we will continue to march forward and glorify God with our commitment to excellence in athletics. FCS Mascot The Paladin is our school mascot and was chosen for what its character has historically represented. A Paladin is a Christian knight, concerned not only with valor as a warrior, but also virtue.

ATHLETIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Use of School Logo, Font and School Name The FCS School Logo should only be used with the written permission of the FCS Athletic Department and/or the Administration. Acceptable Examples:

 

Roles and Responsibilities of Parents and Coaches Like faculty inside the classroom, coaches are a major component of every successful athletic program. Below is a list of some of the core roles and responsibilities of all of our coaches. While some of these may appear to be less important than others we believe they are all essential to the success of FCS athletics. 1. Learn and teach the game 2. Support faculty, parents and student-athletes in the area of academics 3. Have timely, well organized, meaningful practices 4. Communicate with parents and encourage them to follow the chain of command 5. Understand and abide by all GHSA and/or league rules 6. Treat all student-athletes, fellow coaches, parents, fans and officials with respect 7. Enforce student-athlete standards and provide discipline for all 8. Honor Christ – Use appropriate behavior at all times on and off the field/court 9. Take responsibility for securing school equipment, facilities, vehicles and student-athlete valuables 10.

Respect the athletic budget and procedures

11.

Support all FCS Booster Club Activities, Policies and

Procedures

Roles and Responsibilities of Parents Parents are a vital role of the success of the FCS Athletics Program. In order to accomplish our goals we must work together with parents to build a relationship in which we can support one another. With communication between student-athletes, parents and coaches, FCS is able to provide an Athletic Program with clear goals and responsibilities of all parties. 1. Support coaches in their duties 2. Meet times schedules for submitting participation fees and any other financial obligation 3. Support the FCS Booster Club Activities, Policies and Procedures 4. Provide positive encouragement to your child and the other student-athletes 5. Assist with FCS Athletic Activities 6. Assist your child with meeting the academic obligations 7. Honor Christ - Use Appropriate conduct during games and practices 8. Communicate with the coaches and follow the chain of command 9. Help your child arrive and leave on time

Roles and Responsibilities of Student-Athletes 1. Maintain Academic performance 2. Attend and give 100% at all practice and games 3. Respect coaches and teammates 4. Be a team player 5. Be committed 6. Take pride in your performance and your school 7. Demonstrate sportsmanship and be a positive influence in your school and community Participate in Off-Season and In-Season Weight, Speed and Agility Training Participation Fees Participation Fee Link

Multi-sport Participation Policy Multi-Sport, Same Season Athletes Standards for Students 1. Must remain academically eligible during the entire season with current grades. If student begins to perform at a level less than the pre-season set expectations then he or she will only be allowed to participate in the Primary sport. 2. Primary and Secondary sport status established pre-season and is irreversible. 3. Coaches of differing teams and the student-athlete are to meet pre-season to organize calendar of games and practices of shared athletes according to the Primary and Secondary status. 4. Player shall pay the full fee for the primary sport and 100 for the secondary sport.

Multi-Sport, Same Season Athletes Standards for Student/Coaches 1. A cap/maximum on the amount allowed for all teams (5) 2. Primary and Secondary sport status established pre-season and is irreversible. 3. Coaches of differing teams are to meet pre-season to organize calendar of games and practices of shared athletes according to the Primary and Secondary status. 4. Establish priorities of level of games, all made in reference to Primary and Secondary status. a. Area/Region game over non-Area/Region game b. Post Season over non-Area/Region game c. Athletic Director determination in the following three areas: i. Post Season over Area/Region game ii. Area/Region game over another Area/Region game iii. All discrepancies and adjustments needed for the benefit of the entire FCS Athletic Program

Try-outs and Non-Participation During a Season Students who are academically eligible may try-out for any sport as long as they have fulfilled the requirements set by the athletic department and/or coach of their sport. Students may not try-out for another sport until their sport season has been completed. Students who try-out and become part of a team may not terminate their commitment to the team until the season has been completed. Termination of their commitment will result in their inability to participate in their next season sport.

Gender Specific Teams The possibility for inappropriate physical contact between male and female students is greatly increased when both genders participate in a contact sport.

FCS has had

tremendous growth in athletics over the last three years and offers many sports for both genders.

Teams that are

gender specific, and where inappropriate contact could occur, will not allow members of the opposite gender to tryout or participate.

Athletic Department Communication Through the use of calendars, websites, and the Athletic Hotline, we hope to make finding athletic information easy and very user friendly for the families at FCS. In general, all questions pertaining to practice and game scheduling should be directed to the TEAM Website, There you will find schedule, Resent Highlights, Season Archives, and Coaches Corner (times, locations, departures, returns, etc.) Daily games and last minute changes are posted on The athletic hotline at 770-641-6815.

FCS AND GHSA POLICIES Sportsmanship We strive for Paladin athletics to be fiercely competitive while representing Christ on and off the field.

God has

given us the opportunity to witness to other schools, and families through our sports teams.

This fact must be kept

in mind as we participate in the games, or watch them from the stands.

Right or wrong, our actions can have an impact

on how someone may view our entire school community, Christianity, and ultimately Jesus.

The FCS athlete should

embody humility, grace, compassion, courage, strength, skill, respect, fairness, and honor.

Above all, the FCS

athlete should conduct themselves in a way that is pleasing to the Lord.

We will compete with every ounce of fight we

have, but do so in a manner that will bring glory and honor to God.

FCS athletes and fans will accept the ruling of

the officials, good or bad, and will practice humility in victory and graciousness in defeat.

Any athlete that does

not reflect these ideals will be dealt with by the coach, then AD if necessary.

If a change is not made the athlete

will be dismissed from the team.

Athletes need to remember

that we are to do all things as unto the Lord.

It is expected that FCS fans will observe the same guidelines as our athletes.

They will cheer loudly and

support their team, but not do so at the expense of other fans or the other players.

We do not want our attitudes at

games to bring dishonor to the name of Christ.

Fans are to

refrain from any personal comments towards officials, players, coaches, or opposing fans.

Spectators that

reflect poor judgment and sportsmanship will be asked to leave the premises.

If this is shown to be a pattern of

behavior, the fan may be banned from all FCS athletic contests in that season, and possibly for the year.

All

fans should remember that we are not only representing our school, but we are representing Jesus Christ.

Spectator Conduct We believe that it is in keeping with God’s word in Romans 8:29, “For from the beginning God decided that those who come to Him should become like His son.” Our fans are a vital part of the success of FCS athletics and we encourage vigorous positive participation by our fans. We do believe cheering should be cheerful, never negative or demeaning. FCS fans are also ambassadors of Christ and of our school and should cheer our teams in an appropriate manner. Our cheering should build up and encourage all who hear (Ephesians 4:29). Our emphasis on sportsmanship and character amongst our student athletes and student body begins with the example set by our parents. Derogatory taunting (or any kind of derisive singling out of opponents), arguing, or disputing directed at any participant (Players, coaches, officials, and fellow fans) will not be tolerated and will be considered grounds for

removal from FCS sport events. Spectators should NEVER approach an official before, during, or after a sporting event. Never ridicule or shout criticism toward officials and referees. During a game, the team bench is for coaches, players, and officials only. Do not approach the bench area during a game (including halftime). A parent’s/fan’s inability to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner while at a FCS athletic event could jeopardize their future attendance at FCS events. Conducting ourselves in this manner should be done for one reason above all; we are not our own. Our old self has been crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20), and we now have our minds set on higher things (Colossians 3:2). “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but be new and different people with a fresh newness to your thinking. Then, you will learn from your own experience how His ways will really satisfy” (Romans 12:2).

GHSA Sportsmanship Statement "The GHSA and its member schools have made a commitment to promote good sportsmanship by student/athletes, coaches, and spectators at all GHSA sanctioned events. Profanity, degrading remarks, and intimidating actions directed at officials or competitors will not be tolerated, and are grounds for removal from the event site. Spectators are not allowed to enter the competition area during warm-ups or

while the contest is being conducted. Thank you for your cooperation in the promotion of good sportsmanship at today's event." Athletic Game Day Dress On game days FCS student- athletes will be required to either wear Athletic Department approved options or be in school dress code. Eligibility

High School Eligibility can be a very confusing topic within athletics. Below are links to the GHSA Eligibility Information Site. Transferring and Hardship information is given on this site and any questions should be directed to the FCS Athletic Office. You will also find a link to the FCS Information on Eligibility as well. GHSA Eligibility Information

Middle School An FCS Middle School student-athlete must maintain a passing grade (70% or higher) in all core courses (Bible, English, history, math, and science). Failure to do so makes him or her ineligible to compete in games. Eligibility will be checked at the end of each 9 weeks. If an athlete is ineligible at that

time, he/she will be excluded from competing in games. It is expected that the athlete will practice with the team. If an athlete is declared ineligible, their grades will be checked at 4½ weeks and if the athlete is passing all core courses at that time, they will then be eligible for the remaining 4½ weeks. The headmaster, principal, and athletic director would review any special circumstances that may have bearing upon a student’s eligibility.

Attendance policy Student athletes must be in school by 11:30 or for 4 FULL class periods in order to practice or play that day.

If a

student athlete does not meet this requirement they will not be allowed to participate in any practice or games that take place on that same day.

Exceptions to this would be a

justified medical reason with a note from a doctor, or a previously scheduled doctor’s appointment.

Extreme

circumstances must be approved by the administration.

Academic Probation Students who fail one course or earn below a 74% in two or more courses at the end of a semester or upon entering FCS will be placed on academic probation. Students will be informed of their probationary status by letter and a meeting with a principal. If the student fails two courses for the year, the student will either be asked to make up

those specific courses or another equivalent course. At this time the administration will determine if FCS is the appropriate academic setting for the student or if the student would be better served in another educational environment. Each case is handled individually, but in considering continuance in the program, the administration will evaluate the student’s completion of assignments, work habits, use of time in class, attitude, ability, behavior and effort. In cases where a student may not return to FCS, the parents and student will be notified, and FCS will work with the family in effecting a transfer to another school. If the student remains at FCS, he/she will be retained on a continued probationary status. If a student fails more than two courses, the student must repeat the grade. Ending Academic Probation: A student must maintain a cumulative semester average of 74% and maintain a passing grade in all classes. If he/she successfully completes the criteria by the first semester meeting and is not considered by the staff to be at risk, he/she will be removed from probationary status. However, at the end of the first semester, if the student is still considered to be at risk, he/she will remain on probation for the duration of the year. If either of the criteria is not met by the end of the first semester, the administration will determine if FCS is the appropriate

academic setting for the student or if the student would be better served in another educational environment. At the end of the first semester, the student and parents will receive a letter notifying them of their child’s probationary status.

ATHLETIC TRAINING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Overview FCS is pleased to announce that all athletic training needs are provided to our school by Children's Health Care of Atlanta. Children’s has a proven track record of providing world-class care to its patients in more than 30 pediatric specialties, and Children's offers a model for other pediatric hospitals. Their reputation in our community makes them the premier choice for athletic training support at Fellowship Christian School. Athletic Trainer - Adam Gustavson Representing Children's at FCS is Adam Gustavson, a Certified Athletic Trainer (CAT) and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). Adam was born and raised in Lawrenceville, GA. He is a graduate of GCSU with a Bachelor’s of Science in Health Education. Following graduation, Adam moved to Savannah and began working on a Master’s Degree in Sports Medicine. While in Savannah, he worked with Armstrong Atlantic softball in the fall and

baseball in the spring. He went on to work with Coach Chadwick at Savannah Christian Prep School as their Athletic Trainer until he returned to Atlanta to, as he stated, "become a part of something special here at FCS." Heat Policy All sports adhere to several health-related policies which are enforced by the Athletic training staff as well as all coaches. Since many of our sports compete and train outdoors it is important for all students to read and understand our Heat Policy. Below is a link to our Heat policy. Heat Policy

Concussion Recognition and Management Policy All sports adhere to several health-related policies which are enforced by the Athletic training staff as well as all coaches. We strive to have all students participate in IMPACT testing which is administered on campus prior to competition beginning. Below is a link to our concussion policy. Concussion Recognition and Management Policy Link

Emergency Plans All sports venues and teams are asked to complete an emergency plan which is developed and practiced by each teams. Below is the link to all of the FCs Emergency Plans.

Emergency Plans Link

Athletic Injury Protocol All parents and athletes should understand the protocol of the athletic training staff at FCS. Below is a link to the Athletic Injury Protocol. Athletic Injury Protocol Link

Insurance Claim Information Fellowship Christian School maintains an insurance policy cover accidents which occur at or during school related activities. Please visit the link below to find more information. Insurance Policy Information Insurance Claim Form