Table of Contents
Introduction
Athletic Program
A Philosophy
Sportsmanship and Citizenship
School Attendance
Eligibility
Academic Standing
Smoking, Substance Use/Abuse and Steroids
Late and/or Missing Practice
Transportation
Equipment and Responsibility for Proper Care
Participation on Outside Teams
Inclement Weather Procedures
Physical Education Participation
Requirements for Participation
INTRODUCTION
This handbook describes the rules, policies, procedures, and framework within which the Northwood High School Athletic Department functions. The contents should be carefully reviewed both by the prospective student-athlete and his/her parents/guardians. Upon reviewing the contents, the student and his/her parents/guardians should sign the attached player contract and submit it to the coach prior to the first contest.
ATHLETIC PROGRAM
The Athletic Department of Northwood High School consists of the following sports or activities:
Fall:
Cheerleading
Cross Country (Co-ed)
Football
Field Hockey
Golf
Poms
Soccer (Boys)
Soccer (Girls)
Tennis (Girls)
Volleyball (Girls)
Winter:
Basketball (Boys)
Basketball (Girls)
Indoor Track (Co-ed)
Swimming/Diving (Co-ed)
Wrestling
Spring:
Baseball
Softball
Tennis (Boys)
Track (Co-ed)
Volleyball (Boys)
Volleyball (Co-ed)
Lacrosse (Boys)
Lacrosse (Girls)
A PHILOSOPHY
Interscholastic sports include a variety of programs and experiences available at the high school level to assist students in their personal growth and development. Among other awareness’s, athletics can assist in promoting the importance of team work and team unity; the importance of hard work, loyalty and dedication to tasks; the importance of establishing goals and working toward their achievement; and the development of principles relating to sportsmanship and fair-play. Winning or losing becomes a secondary issue when compared to the manner that athletes conduct themselves on the field. Exhibiting dignity and pride in the face of adversity is considerably more important than the outcome of an event. Winning is secondary as well when compared to the extent of the effort put forth by the individual in whatever endeavor he/she undertakes. All athletes do not perform at the same level, but maximum effort, commitment, and a winning attitude are requisite expectations for any and all team members.
SPORTSMANSHIP AND CITIZENSHIP
Northwood High School athletes and team members will be expected to display appropriate conduct and sportsmanship at all times throughout the season, both on and off the field. Specific violations might include, through are not limited to, misbehavior in the classroom, fighting, theft, use of improper language and misuse of school facilities and equipment. The conduct of individual athletes reflects on the entire team, the Athletic Department, and the school, and certainly contributes to the image and success of all of the above. Accordingly, exemplary behavior is a requisite for continued participation on all Northwood High School athletic teams.
Be advised that MCPS policy states that "Athletes who are ejected from contests for unacceptable behavior or who exhibit unsportsmanlike behavior before or after a contest, are suspended from participation in the next contest."
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE
Unexcused absences or chronic tardiness to class or team practice may be sufficient reason for declaring a student ineligible at any time. The coach, in consultation with the athletic director and grade level administrators, will determine the date and time of ineligibility.
In order to participate in any athletic event or practice, athletes must be in all of their scheduled classes the day of the practice or event. The athletic director, principal or grade level administrator may excuse an athlete for prescheduled appointments, such as driver's test, court appearance, and medical appointments or for unforeseen emergencies. Remember, the student's absence must be excused in advance of the date that he/she will not be in school. A student who is absent (including even a single class) and who has not obtained prior approval for the absence (at least a day in advance) may not compete on that day - whether a game or practice. Obtaining prior approval requires the following: 1) notifying the coach; 2)notifying the athletic director to obtain permission and to record absence even is out-of-the-ordinary. 3)presenting a note to the attendance secretary. Whenever a student's absence is deemed unexcused, then that student is automatically suspended from participation in the next scheduled contest after the absence is verified.
ELIGIBILITY
MCPS rules and regulations are determined largely through restrictions imposed by the Maryland Public Secondary School Athletic Association (MPSSAA), which governs interscholastic athletics in the State of Maryland. Pertinent eligibility rules include:
- A student must not have reached his/her nineteenth birthday before September 1 to compete in the school year that follows.
- Students shall not be permitted to participate in more than one interscholastic sport in one season.
- A student who is ineligible for any season may not try out, practice, or play during the period of ineligibility except trying out for poms and/or cheerleaders.
- Students must be officially registered in the school, which they represent. The student must legally reside in the appropriate attendance area of that school, unless a waiver has been signed by the proper MCPS authority (Dr. William Beattie, Coordinator of Secondary Physical Education and Athletics).
- A student has eight consecutive semesters to complete his/her eligibility, beginning with the student's enrollment in 9th grade. These semesters must be consecutive.
- Student shall maintain amateur status. Any student who has not used or who is not using this athletic skill as a player for financial gain or has not competed under an assumed name as a player shall be considered an amateur.
- Student must meet all the attendance, academic, and other eligibility requirements established by the state and MCPS.
- Student may practice or compete with or against only high school students and teams.
- Students may play in one all-star game per sport per year, and only upon completion of their eligibility in the sport in which this participation occurs.
- Students may not have graduated from high school in the previous semester.
ACADEMIC STANDING
The following guidelines apply regarding a student's academic eligibility to compete:
- A student's academic eligibility is determined by his or her quarter grades. Semester or career grades or averages have no bearing on extracurricular eligibility.
- A marking period begins on the day that a report card is issued and continues until the day the next report card is issued.
- A student must maintain a 2.0 average with no more than one failing grade to participate in the next marking period. Exempt are students who are entering from a non-MCPS school or are entering high school for the first time. Grades earned in night or Saturday school have no effect on a student's eligibility.
- Grades of E, NC, or LC shall be considered failing, and grades of D or better shall be considered passing. Each NC or LC is considered as an E when determining a grade point average, while a grade of CR (credit) is not counted when determining a grade point average. An unsatisfactory evaluation in a noncredit assignment, such as a student aide, shall not be considered failing for eligibility purposes.
- When a student withdraws from a course after 25 days, the grade at the time of withdrawal will be used when determining eligibility for the next marking period. A student may not withdraw from more than one course after the 25-day drop/add period for eligibility purposes. This does not apply to withdrawal because of level of class, i.e., honors to regular.
- If a student is ineligible because of a grade of LC and the grade is changed to passing and the student has the required 2.0 average, the student will become eligible as soon as the teacher notifies the athletic director of the change.
- Grades reported as incomplete as a result of excused absences shall be considered passing until changed. However, incomplete grades that are not changed to a passing grade within 10 school days after report cards are issued will be considered failing grades for eligibility purposes until they are changed.
- The fourth quarter grades will be used in determining eligibility for the fall season. Students may repeat failed courses in summer school. If a failed course is not offered during summer school, the student can take a different course in the subject area. If there is no course in the subject area, then the student and his/her counselor will decide on an appropriate course. The summer session grade will replace the lowest course grade for the final marking period and will be factored in to determine the 2.0 minimum averages for participation.
SMOKING, SUBSTANCE USE/ABUSE AND STEROIDS
The use of alcohol or drugs is strictly prohibited by or among members of a Northwood High School athletic team. At the least, the use of either adversely affects the performance of an individual, which in turn impacts upon the success, unity, morale, and performance of the team. The safety of individual team members can be compromised in the process. Even further, abuse of alcohol or drugs is inconsistent with the philosophy of athletics at Northwood High School, which features dedication, loyalty, personal development, and dignified conduct among its tenets. The abuse of alcohol or drugs by a team member will automatically result in disciplinary measures, which might include criminal charges, suspension for one or more contests, or removal from the team.
The use of steroids is likewise prohibited at Northwood High School, as medical evidence clearly documents the ill effect that steroids have on an individual. The policy regarding drug abuse will be applied equally to the use of steroids. The well-established harmful effects of smoking also render cigarette smoking as a violation of the philosophy of athletics at Northwood High School and accordingly are not allowed among student athletes. Mandatory discipline action will occur when a student is determined to be smoking during the season, which might include a suspension from a contest or dismissal from the team upon subsequent offense.
LATE AND/OR MISSING PRACTICE
Prompt and regular attendance at practice sessions is necessary for the safety and conditioning of the student as well as for the benefit of the team. Team members should notify their coach prior to any practice that they must miss and should offer an adequate explanation for the absence. Chronic tardiness to practice or unexcused absences will be dealt with by the coach, and unless the coach specifies otherwise, the following measures will be taken:
1st offense: Conference between coach and team member where coach determines appropriate action to make up for lost practice session.
2nd offense: Suspension from next practice session or contest.
3rd offense: Dismissal from team
TRANSPORTATION
Some teams are transported to contest by MCPS busses, while others are driven by coaches, and or parents. Parents must sign a transportation form granting their child permission to attend a contest in the manner checked on the form.
All athletes on teams that take busses are expected to return to the school on the bus, unless the coach determines that the student can return with his/her parents. Similarly, students who are driven to contests must have the approval of their coach if alternative means of return travel is arranged. At all times, the coach reserves the final decision on how a player can return from any away event.
EQUIPMENT AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROPER CARE
Most uniforms and equipment are assigned to student-athletes strictly on a loan basis for the duration of the sports season. It is the responsibility of the student-athlete to maintain that equipment/uniform in the same condition in which it was received. Any damage to - or loss of equipment/uniform will be considered the direct financial responsibility of the student-athlete responsible for its care.
Any athlete withholding property from one sport is suspended from participating in any other sport until the equipment is returned. He/she is ineligible for any sport award until that equipment is returned.
Student-athletes will be charged the replacement cost of any equipment or uniform not returned. This cost must be paid before participating in any other sport. Financial obligations must be settled with the 1) coach, 2) athletic director, and 3) business manager.
PARTICIPATION ON OUTSIDE TEAMS
The MPSSAA (the governing body of the state athletic association) is very specific on this issue. Students, while participating on a school team, are permitted to participate in the same sport outside of school during the sports season. However, such participation must meet the following criteria:
1. The outside participation may not conflict with the school team practice or contest schedule in any way or for any amount of time, including district, regional, and state championship play. Conflicts with an outside activity that are specifically prohibited include practice, competition, tryouts, travel time to and from, registration, award ceremonies, etc.
2. A student who elects to participate on an outside team and does not participate on the school team during the designated sports season is ineligible to represent his/her school in all meets and games that determine a county, district, regional or state championship.
3. A principal may authorize in advance an absence from a school scheduled practice or competition.
4. A student may not wear a Northwood High School uniform, or otherwise use school equipment when participating in a camp or clinic that is not directly associated with the team during the season.
INCLEMENT WEATHER PROCEDURES
Montgomery County Board of Education policy states that in the event schools are closed due to inclement weather conditions, all activities are automatically canceled. These activities include practices, contests, meetings, or other events. Team members should make certain to contact their coach regarding interim or adjusted practice schedules.
When it might appear that rain or inclement weather conditions may alter the status of a contest or practice session, athletes should consult the message board outside the athletic director's office for alterations in practice, and/or game plans. If a game is cancelled, or practice is moved inside, or times adjusted, such changes will be noted outside the athletic director's door, and will not be announced over the public address system.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION PARTICIPATION
Athletes should not expect preferential treatment. Any student who has enrolled in physical education class will be expected to dress and participate in the daily activity. On the day of a contest, his/her participation may be limited if permission is granted by the teacher.
Anyone failing to take part in the daily activity without prior permission from the instructor will be ineligible to practice or participate in contests that day.
REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION
Prior to a student's participating in any tryout, practice or contest with a team, he/she must supply to the coach the following items:
- medical evaluation form (MCPS 560-10) properly completed by a physician
- written acknowledgment of insurance coverage from his/her parents, which also serves as permission to participate in an athletic activity
All students who are candidates for participation in interscholastic athletics are required to have an annual medical evaluation. If a student has a medical evaluation on file from a previous sport or activity, it will be applicable as long as twelve months have not elapsed since the evaluation was completed. The medical evaluation must cover the entire season (thus the twelve months must not elapse until the season is concluded).
