Parent/Student Athlete Handbook

Dear Village Christian Family,

Diana Putignano I am thrilled to begin a new season of VCS Athletics. As the AD at VCS, I can honestly say I am humbled and do not take this position lightly. I lead to model empathy, integrity and love for others. I am excited to see God’s will for our program and build upon a vision and mission that impacts all involved with VCS athletics.

The athletic program at Village Christian School is an integral part of the total school programing. While the spiritual and academic growth programs are the foundation of the school, athletics offers student-athletes the opportunity to develop physical skills and abilities, to work toward goals with other members of a group, and to express Christian values in a competitive atmosphere.

Below you will find some important highlights that will help you understand what it means to be a Village Christian student-athlete.

I look forward to a great season and I ask that you keep our department in your constant prayer. We desire to compete in a way that brings honor and glory to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It’s a great day to be a Crusader!

Sincerely,

Diana Putignano
Director of Athletics

Philosophy

VCS is dedicated to providing a Christ-centered education so that student-athletes will pursue the goal of achieving excellence with character. Our athletic program is more than competition between two teams representing different schools; it is an ongoing educational and relational experience between the coach and the players through practice, games, travel, training and fellowship. Participation in VCS athletics contributes to character building, physical and spiritual development, perseverance, mental toughness, a sense of achievement, self-esteem and sportsmanship.

Athlete Conduct and Expectations

An athlete’s conduct is expected to be above reproach on and off campus. Each player is expected to conduct themselves according to Christian principles. Any conduct not worthy of the mission of Village Christian School will not be tolerated and may result in immediate dismissal from the team and possibly from school. We believe that athletes who do well off the field will be equally if not more successful on the field. The personal discipline and ethics of each VCS player should reflect the dedicated pursuit of excellence. Each relationship – with teammates, coaches, parents, fans, or officials – should reflect the values of the school. Respect and self-control must prevail in the classroom and on the field of play even through the most intense game situations. Athletes are highly visible representatives of Village Christian School. Do not let your teammates, coaches, or school down. Players are expected to inform family and friends that practice and game fields/courts are a place of concentration and hard work. Socializing and visiting with friends and family is not to occur at practice or during games.

Academics and Eligibility

At Village Christian School, students are given opportunities to participate in athletics, fine arts, and student activities that further the school's mission. For continued eligibility to participate in any extra-curricular program associated with Village Christian School, or to receive school privileges, students must meet the required academic standards, exhibit personal responsibility, comply with school policies, and fulfill all guidelines for the athletic team, fine art group, or student activity.

To be eligible to participate in extracurricular activities (athletics, fine arts, student activities, etc.), a student must meet both the standards set by CIF Southern Section and the standards required by Village Christian School. The following rules govern extracurricular eligibility:

Eligibility – Any student, whose grades for the previous grading period (1st Quarter, 1st Semester, 3rd Quarter, and 2nd Semester) fall below a 2.0 GPA, is ineligible for participation in sports and student activities for the current grading period. If a student has between a 2.0 – 2.29 GPA, the student is put on probation. If the grading period in question is the fourth quarter, the ineligibility carries over to the next academic year unless the class is made up and the student becomes eligible over the summer.
Ineligibility - Ineligibility should release students from some time commitments of being on a team so that they may spend more time concentrating on schoolwork. When necessary, team membership may be terminated or additional time commitments relaxed at the discretion of the coach or A.D.
Ineligible students are required to attend (but not participate during) home games but are not allowed to travel with the team to away games or receive early dismissal.
Ineligible students are required to attend all team practices and rehearsals unless otherwise instructed by the coach or a teacher. The athlete is responsible to inform the coach as to why he/she will not be at practice in advance.
Probation – A student on probation is allowed to participate in extracurricular activities. Probation should allow students an opportunity to work to increase their GPA in order to avoid ineligibility at the next grade check. Students may not be placed on probation consecutive grading periods. If a student’s GPA has not improved, the student would become ineligible.
Appeal – Each high school student has two opportunities to appeal ineligibility. Once in 9th and 10th grade, and once in 11th and 12th grade. The appeal will be decided by a 3-person panel who is not directly involved with the student. Each middle school has one opportunity to appeal ineligibility.

Athletic Absence Policy

Student-athletes are required to meet with their teacher(s) prior to leaving school early for athletic competitions. Student-athletes must turn in all assignments due on the day of the competition and make arrangements to complete all assignments, including tests and/or quizzes, missed during the period(s) absent. Teachers may require a student-athlete to take a test or quiz before the scheduled dismissal

time. Student-athletes who fail to comply with these requirements may earn zeroes on work missed due to absence. Sports schedules are planned months in advance and student-athletes have ample time to make arrangements with their teacher(s) prior to missing class for an athletic competition.

PE/Elective Credit

All students that are on a team roster will be enrolled in “Athletics” for PE or elective credit. High school students will receive one semester of PE credit for participation in one season of sport (Varsity, JV and Frosh). Students may only receive credit for two sports per year and a total of four sports for PE credit. Four additional sports may be used for elective credit. Successful participation in four seasons of sport within four years will cover their PE requirement for graduation. Students who drop a sport, other than for medical reasons, later than six weeks after the official CIF start date for the season will not receive PE credit and the class will show as a ”Withdraw F” on their transcript. Credit for PE will be made up with another sport or in their Junior and/or Senior year. Any student dropped from a team for disciplinary reasons will result in an “F” grade for that semester.

“Athletics” will show on a student’s schedule as meeting daily during eighth period, but student athletes will not necessarily meet daily during that time. For example, students may show as enrolled in basketball all of the first semester, but practices for basketball might not officially start until November. Once practices begin, the students will be expected to participate past the end of eighth period. Practice and game schedules will be determined by the coach and are posted on the VCS website.

Team Uniforms and Equipment

A Spirit Pack consisting of practice and game equipment and/or attire will be purchased by each and every player. The spirit pack provides required equipment and clothing and ensures uniformity and a sense of team identity for practice and games.

Players may be issued game uniforms. These uniforms are the property of Village Christian School. Athletes will be held responsible for each part of the uniform assigned to them from the moment they are issued. If a uniform or part of a uniform is lost or damaged in any way, the athlete will be liable for replacement, repair and/or financial reimbursement to the school. Do not leave team uniforms or equipment unattended at any time. An athlete’s grades and/or awards will be withheld until all VCS issued equipment and uniforms are returned to the coach in satisfactory condition.

Student-athletes may wear their jersey or game day polo with Land’s End uniform bottoms to school on approved game days.

Travel

Information about away games can be found on the VCS web site athletic calendar, the VCS Crusaders app, or by calling the Athletic Office.

Communicating the travel information to parents is the responsibility of the player. Athletes may ride school transportation to and from away games. Players who plan to ride home from away games with their parents or another team member’s parents must have WRITTEN parental consent submitted to the head coach. Students who are licensed drivers should never drive other students to or from VCS practices or games.

Athletes are to dress in VCS approved travel attire only, which may include game uniforms, team warm-ups, or other team attire as directed by the head coach and/or the athletic director during travel.

Summer Program

VCS athletes are asked to participate in informal summer practices, weight training and conditioning clinics, and an occasional summer camp to sustain and/or develop their skills. VCS abides by all CIF-SS rules related to summer workouts and official “dead periods” for CIF-sanctioned sports.

The College-Bound Student-Athlete

The athletic and college counseling departments at VCS provide multiple forms of information related to college and university athletic programs. Athletes with the athletic and academic abilities and desire to compete at the college level are encouraged to see their coach, a counselor and/or the athletic director to schedule a meeting to discuss these goals.

Crusader Code of Ethics

To emphasize the proper ideals of sportsmanship, ethical conduct and fair play.
To eliminate all possibilities which tend to destroy the best values of the game.
To stress the values derived from playing the game fairly.
To show cordial courtesy to visiting teams and officials.
To establish a respectful relationship between visitors and hosts.
To respect the integrity and judgment of sports officials.
To achieve a thorough understanding and acceptance of the rules of the game and the standards of eligibility.
To encourage leadership, use of initiative and good judgment by the players on a team.
To recognize that the purpose of athletics is to promote the physical, mental, moral, social, and emotional well-being of the individual players.
To remember that an athletic contest is only a game - not a matter of life and death for player, coach, school, officials, fan, community, state or nation.

Prohibition Against Hazing and Initiation

No student, or other person in attendance, at any public, private or parochial school, or any event or activity associated with any public, private or parochial school, shall conspire to engage in hazing, participate in hazing, or commit any act that causes or is likely to cause bodily danger, physical harm, or personal degradation or disgrace resulting in physical or mental harm to any fellow student or person attending or associated with the institution. Hazing and initiation includes any method of initiating or reinitiating into a student organization, or any pastime or amusement engaged in with respect to such an organization, which causes or is likely to cause bodily danger, physical harm, or personal degradation or disgrace resulting in physical or mental harm. Hazing and initiation does not include customary athletic events or similar contests or competitions approved by the school administration. Any infraction will result in consequences that will be appropriate and consistent with school policy as determined by the administration.

Athletic Policy Regarding Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs (ATOD)

Participating in athletics at Village Christian School is a privilege. As a VCS athlete you represent the school to the community and other schools against whom we compete, and as such are expected to maintain high standards of behavior. While participating in any athletic program at VCS, athletes are required to abide by the current school ATOD policy (see VCS Student/Parent Handbook along with our athletic ATOD policy).

From the Handbook: “If you are present at a party or a gathering where any of these behaviors are occurring, whether you are participating in the activity or not, and you do not remove yourself immediately from the situation, you will be subject to suspension from one or more contests (games/meets/matches) and/or removal from the team.”

The Student/Parent Handbook is given to every high school student and can be found in our Student/Parent section.

Parent Guide

You play an essential role in helping your child learn the value of winning and losing. Below are suggested topics you can discuss with your child in these situations.

The Value of Winning: help your child learn the value of winning by:

Offering congratulations for winning and identifying and discussing the efforts made by individuals and the team.
Recognizing the improvement and growth of both individuals and the team
Emphasizing competitiveness and doing one’s best

The Value of Losing: help your child learn from losing experiences by:

Crediting the other team
Focusing on improvement by individuals and the team
Discussing what was successful
Accepting the loss, setting individual goals, and moving forward

Parent Conduct

The importance of parents behaving as model spectators cannot be overstated. Parents who support the rules of conduct provide a model for other parents and students alike. Of particular concern are parents who harass officials or make comments in the stands regarding judgment decisions made by the coach or referees, this is counterproductive and tends to destroy the values of good sportsmanship and the game.

Issues of concern: What are the appropriate issues to discuss with the coach? This is often the question many parents have when their children are participating in sports.

Parents are encouraged to discuss:

The treatment of their child
Concerns about their child’s behavior
Team rules and requirements
Sanctions incurred by their child
Scheduling
College participation

Parents may NOT discuss:

Placement on teams
Playing time
Strategies used by the coach during contests
Other student-athletes

Coach or Program Complaints

It is very difficult to accept that your child is not playing as much as you hoped he or she would. Coaches are professionals. They make judgment decisions based on what they believe to be in the best interest of the team. The coach must take into account all members of the team, not just your son or daughter.

It is imperative that parents respect the position of the coach and direct any concerns in the following manner.

Steps to take for conflict resolution

Encourage your student-athlete to speak with the coach
If the conflict is not resolved, contact the coach and schedule a meeting.
Please make sure the conflict is regarding one of the six items listed under the “parents are encouraged to discuss” section
If the conflict is not resolved, contact the AD to schedule a meeting.
If the conflict is not resolved with the AD meeting, contact the principal. Please note that the AD will be present in this meeting.
Lastly, if the conflict is not resolved with the principal, contact the head of school. Please note the AD will be present in this meeting.

Note: Do not approach the coach after a game. Please make an appointment to speak with the coach prior to or after game day for production communication.

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