Attendance Policies

IT’S ALL ABOUT DEDICATION, COMMITMENT, AND DISCIPLINE

PHILOSOPHY: Our goal is to run a program where athletes are expected to make a significant commitment to self-improvement, yet which does allow for some consideration of external obligations.  We strongly believe that success in Cross Country, as in any endeavor, is dependent on consistent effort and commitment to long-term term goals.  Participation in high school athletics is not a right but a privilege; while we support all athletes, regardless of ability level, we feel that to earn the privilege of being on the team, all members must be willing to make an equivalent sacrifice.  While we certainly encourage the development of well-rounded individuals, we also recognize that the value of athletics cannot be truly realized if the athlete is unable to make a full commitment to his/her sport.  This may require that athletes have to make some difficult choices, but the team will derive strength from the shared sense of sacrifice that all individual members are making.

Practices start promptly on school days Monday-Friday at 3:05 pm. Meet at the water tower M-F.

 

ATTENDANCE – Every athlete is expected to attend every practice. Any season long conflicts with cross country (i.e.: club sports, work, other school activities) must be discussed with the head coach at the beginning of the season. Practices are extremely important, because that’s how we prepare for competition. Good cross country athletes are made through lots of consistent, appropriately hard work. Missing a practice is a missed opportunity to better yourself and the team. If you are absent from school, you are also excused from practice and may not attend practice. Please email Coach Hedrick (for boys) and Coach Morrison (for girls) when you are absent from school. Please provide a note from your parent, teacher, etc. for any practices or meets that you know you will miss in advance (dentist, doctor, field trip, extra help, etc.). After the conference meet, only the teams top 7 boys and girls (plus 7 alternates) will participate (practices and meets) in the state regional meet and beyond. All non-participating team members are expected to continue to attend the Regional and Sectional meets to cheer on their teammates. A bus will be provided for transportation to these meets for all. A team bus will be available. Attendance at practice during this time is only required for the top 7 plus the 7 alternates.

UNEXCUSED ABSENCES – Missing a practice without a valid reason is a significant issue and will result in being ineligible to compete in the next meet you are scheduled to run. The athlete is still expected to attend the meet to support their teammates as a first step towards remediation. A second unexcused absence will result in being dismissed from the team.

TARDIES – Practice begins promptly on school days at 3:05 pm on Monday-Friday. Attendance will be taken at this time. Tardiness is unacceptable unless it was prearranged with the coaches’ knowledge. Getting help from a teacher would be a perfect example. Please bring a pass from the teacher that was helping you. This tends to me more of an issue on days when there is no school. Please plan to arrive early, not at the last minute to avoid any tardies on these days. If you are late, there will be a 10 pushup penalty for every minute you are late. If tardiness continues to be a regular occurrence, a discussion and remediation will take place if the athlete is to continue to be part of the program.

INJURIES – If an athlete is injured, attendance is still expected at practices and meets. If unable to run, the athlete can still keep in shape in a variety of ways under the advisement from the athletic trainer or doctor. If the athlete is taken out of participating by a doctor, please provide a note from the doctor explaining the nature of the injury. The athlete will not be able to resume participation until we receive a written notification from the doctor stating that the athlete is clear to do so.

CELL PHONES – With the exception of necessary situations, don’t bring them to practice. Athletes should be focused on their practice at hand instead of messing with their phones. We often leave our bags out and unattended while we are out for a run, and ideally, phones should be kept in their lockers for safe keeping. This should hopefully eliminate any issues with lost/stolen phones and distractions at practice. Most of the time, there is no reason for track athletes to be on their cell phones at practice. To be on this team, athletes need to be able to survive for 2 hours without their phones. It is more than acceptable for an athlete to call home for a ride once practice is completely
over, but not during stretching. The same goes for headphones. Besides being a distraction and a safety concern while out running, I want to promote socializing with teammates, instead of isolating oneself with headphones.


Summary – BE THERE & BE ON TIME

ATTENDANCE

  • Contact coaches for any and all absences.
  • Contact coaches directly in the event of emergency.
  • Written excuse must be provided in advance for all non emergency absences.
  • You will be notified of any changes to the schedule.

 TARDIES

  • DON’T BE LATE! Bring a parent note or teacher pass if you are.
  • There will be a 10 pushup penalty for every minute tardy.
  • Habitual tardiness will result in a discussion if the athlete is to continue to be part of the team.

INJURIES

  • Doctor’s note is required to be excused from and returned to full participation.

CONSEQUENCES

  • 1st Unexcused absence: withheld from the next meet you are scheduled to compete in
  • 2nd Unexcused absence: dismissed from the team
  • 10 pushups for each minute you are tardy – habitual tardiness will require a mediation meeting

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