TABLE OF CONTENTS
Welcome to the Dover-Sherborn Athletic Program
Philosophy of the Dover-Sherborn Athletic Program
Dover-Sherborn Realities
Dover-Sherborn Athletic Programs
The Coach
Program Expectations at Dover-Sherborn
Communication
Pre-Season Meeting
Try-outs and Cuts
Playing Time
Team Captains
Captain’s Practices
Awards
Team Rules
Role of the Athletic Director
Common Sense Guidelines for Parents
Fees and Refunds
College and Career Guidance
Medical and Insurance Requirements
Student/Athlete Responsibilities
After School Help
Daily Team Attendance
Absences, Tardiness, and Dismissal
Bona Fide Team Member
Rules and Regulations
Zero Tolerance Policy
Eligibility
Chemical Health
Hazing
Team Transportation
Security of Personal Belongings
Locker Rooms and School Facilities
School Athletic Equipment
Season Limits
Out-of-Season Sports Participation
Physical Education
WELCOME TO THE
The information presented in this booklet has been compiled
to better acquaint you with some of the policies, practices and regulations
that govern the athletic program at
We look forward to your association with the athletic
program at
The Dover-Sherborn Regional Schools Administration and School Committee believe that the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association statement of Philosophy is a clear articulation of the role and benefits to be derived from a high school interscholastic sports program; therefore, the Administration and School Committee have adopted the MIAA statement as their own. Our sports programs are to be guided by this philosophy.
Program Philosophy and Benefits (from the MIAA Coaches’ Handbook)
Within a high school sports program, young people learn the values associated with discipline, performing under stress, teamwork, sacrifice, commitment, effort, accountability, citizenship, sportsmanship, confidence, leadership and organizational skills, participating within rules, physical well-being and healthy lifestyles, striving towards excellence, and many other characteristics that come quickly to the mind of any educator. If interscholastic athletics are to be justified as school activities, then values such as these must be the priorities of every program. Ethics, playing within the spirit of the rules, and good sportsmanship (which is good citizenship) must be woven into the fabric of the high school athletic program.
In the education of 63% of the young people attending MIAA member schools, athletic participation is a critical component. What should drive those responsible for student- athletes and their programs is the educational mission of school activities. For many students, the most stable environment in their lives is that provided by high school activity programs. Often the best opportunities for crisis intervention, drug prevention, "day care" programs, and the like are school activity programs. The cost is minimal, while the worth is maximal.
While winning contests, rather than losing them, is a laudable goal, it should not supersede the primary priorities of high school sports programs. What should be the rationale behind high school activities is preparing students to succeed rather than merely to win games. Win or lose, students should learn lessons of a lasting and positive nature.
If the success of any high school
athletic program is measured by an undefeated season, then 99% of the thousands
of high school teams that participate annually in
What should be encouraged is participation in varied activities under different teacher/coach role models. The percentage of student-athletes who complete their formal athletic experiences at the high school level is overwhelming (well in excess of 90%). Schools should focus their attention upon goals other than championships or the development of "blue chip" athletes. Young people need varied activities: time at the beach, time to study and, in fact, time just to be kids.
Young people need to learn, to think, and simply to grow up. Schools should guide them, through athletics, to allow that to happen as comfortably as possibly.
Benefits of an Interscholastic Athletic Program
High school activity programs are an integral part of the total education process. Successful interscholastic athletic programs teach young people values such as:
|
Accepting success graciously Accountability Citizenship and sportsmanship Confidence Handling disappointment Leadership skills Organizational skills |
Participating within rules Performing under pressure Persistence Physical well-being and chemical health Responsibility Sacrificing for the common good |
Self-discipline Social skills Striving towards excellence Taking instruction Teamwork Value of competition Work ethic |
DOVER-SHERBORN REALITIES
In putting this philosophy into action in the Dover-Sherborn Regional Schools, we are guided by certain realities: the relatively small size of the school population, the facilities, the budget, availability of quality coaching and tradition. These “realities” must be considered when deciding what programs to start, expand, or discontinue. Programs must be added and expanded cautiously: experience has taught us that it is a lot easier to add a program, but is very painful to reduce or eliminate one later.
The Dover-Sherborn
interscholastic-athletic program strives to offer athletic and competitive
opportunities to as many participants as possible. And while we are not able to offer each
student-athlete the program of his/her choice, we are committed to providing at
least one sport per season that is open to all students who demonstrate that
they are willing to take the program seriously.
To this end, we differentiate between Limited-Roster and Unlimited-Roster teams.
-- Varsity teams compete against opponents at
the highest possible level; the commitment is to field the best team. Coaches have the ability to
use their judgment in picking the “best” athletes for these teams from the four
grades.
-- Junior Varsity & Sub-JV/Freshmen teams
are competitive programs designed to meet the developmental needs of participants. The purpose of the program is to develop
skills, sportsmanship and behaviors necessary to compete at the varsity level.
At
time.
The Athletic Director has taken on the responsibility of
developing criteria that will be used to recommend the addition and reduction
of sports and teams (including clubs sports) to the school committee for
consideration. The Athletic Director has
established an advisory committee of students, parents, coaches, an
administrator and a school committee member to discuss this issue. Until the committee’s work is completed there
is a moratorium on the addition of new sports and teams.
|
Dover-Sherborn Team Sports |
||
|
FALL |
WINTER |
SPRING |
|
CROSS-COUNTRY RUNNING Co-ed, unlimited |
BASKETBALL Boys’ & Girls’ teams 10-12/ team |
BASEBALL 12-15/ team |
|
FIELD HOCKEY 15-20/ team |
ALPINE SKIING Co-ed, unlimited |
LACROSSE Boys’ and girls’ teams, 15-20/team |
|
FOOTBALL Unlimited |
NORDIC SKIING Co-ed, unlimited |
SOFTBALL 12-15/ team |
|
GOLF Co-ed, 12-14 |
BOYS’ ICE HOCKEY 18-20 |
TENNIS Boys’ & Girls’ teams 10-13/ team |
|
SOCCER Boys’ & Girls’ teams 15-20/ team |
SWIMMING & DIVING Co-ed, unlimited |
TRACK & FIELD Boys’ & Girls’ teams unlimited |
Notes:
1. The
roster-sizes are guidelines, which may be changed by the Athletic Director and
Program Director.
2. The school committee has determined that it will not ask MIAA for waivers to permit eighth graders to play on high school teams.
ROLE OF THE COACH
The motto of the athletic department is Scholarship – Citizenship – Sportsmanship and each coach is tasked to work by these priorities. The MIAA Coaches’ Handbook clearly articulates the role of coaches. The Administration and School Committee believe that it is important to share this with the Dover-Sherborn community.
Coach's Code of Ethics
Regardless of whether a member of the high school faculty, the high school coach is a teacher, often the most influential and important one to a student-athlete. The student-athlete is participating within the school's activity program because that young person desires to do so. Consequently, such a student is often more attentive to a coach's lessons than to those offered by teachers in required courses. Coaches must constantly be aware of this opportunity and responsibility.
The function of a coach is to properly educate students through participation in interscholastic competition. The interscholastic program is designed to enhance academic achievement and should never interfere with opportunities for academic success. Every young person should be treated as though they were the coach's own and their welfare must be uppermost at all times. In recognition of this, the following guidelines for coaches have been adopted by the NFICA Board of Directors.
1. The coach must be aware that he or she has a tremendous influence, either good or bad, in the education of the student athlete and, thus, shall never place the value of winning above the value of instilling the highest desirable ideals of character.
2. The coach must constantly uphold the honor and dignity of the profession. In all personal contact with student athletes, officials, athletic directors, school administrators, the state high school athletic association, the media, and the public, the coach shall strive to set an example of the highest ethical and moral conduct.
3. The coach shall take an active role in the prevention of drug, alcohol, and tobacco abuse and under no circumstances should authorize their use.
4. The coach shall promote the entire interscholastic program of the school and direct his of her program in harmony with the total school program.
5. The coach shall be thoroughly acquainted with the contest rules and is responsible for their interpretation to team members. The spirit and letter of the rules should be regarded as mutual agreements. The coach shall not try to seek advantage by circumvention of the spirit or letter of the rules.
6. Coaches shall actively use their influence to enhance sportsmanship by their spectators, working closely with cheerleaders, pep club sponsors, booster clubs, and administrators.
7. Contest officials shall have the respect and support of the coach. The coach shall not indulge in conduct, which will incite players or spectators against the officials. Public criticism of officials or players is unethical.
8. Before and after contests, rival coaches should meet and exchange friendly greetings to set the correct tone for the event.
9. A coach shall not exert pressure on faculty members to give student athletes special consideration.
10. It is unethical for coaches to scout opponents by any means other than those adopted by the league and/or state high school athletic association.
PROGRAM EXPECTATIONS at DOVER-SHERBORN
At
COMMUNICATION
Before the start of
the season and then during the season as the situation may warrant, the Varsity
Head Coach as Program Director, and with approval of the Athletic Director,
will communicate in writing to athletes and parents his/her approach to the
following:
In addition, the Head Varsity Coach is expected to develop
a consistent philosophy across all levels, so that players can move more easily
between levels during the season. He/she
should be familiar with athletes at all levels.
The Head Varsity Coach is also responsible for forming links with town
youth programs if they exist in his/her sport.
PRE-SEASON MEETING
Students are informed of Pre-Season Meetings through postings and announcements at the high school. Releases, medical forms and other paperwork will be distributed at the pre-season meetings.
During the spring there will a meeting for all 8th grade students to introduce them to the fall athletic program and coaches. Each student should have the opportunity to meet a coach in the sport in which the student wishes to participate.
TRYOUTS AND CUTS
Participation in athletics is a privilege. Students try out voluntarily and, for some of our teams, risk being cut. During the tryout period the coach will provide an explanation of his/her expectations. It is the student’s responsibility to demonstrate to the coach that he/she can meet the expectation.
“Cutting” students from athletic teams is the most difficult task that faces a coach. However, at times there are reasons why a student cannot “make” a team. . Some of the factors that a coach has to consider when determining his/her final roster are: skill level, safety (how many athletes can be safely supervised), playing time, attitude, and commitment.
When cuts are necessary, the coach will communicate privately with the player, who will be informed of the reasons by the coach. Once tryouts begin for a particular team, an athlete may be allowed to leave that sport to try out for a different sport with the written consent of both coaches involved and the Athletic Director. Students cut from one team are encouraged to try out for another team if there is space on that team; otherwise, they may sign up for one of the open-roster sports.
PLAYING TIME
Although there are many measures of success in the minds of
each participant, perhaps the most emotional is playing time during contests.
Coaches should privately inform each participant of his/her view of that
participant’s role including starting, substituting, playing time. If a student has questions about his/her role
he/she is encouraged to discuss it with the coach. At
Guidelines for this important topic issue are listed here:
Varsity Teams
The varsity teams compete against opponents at the highest level of the division in which Dover-Sherborn is placed. In many instances, the major burden of the contest will be carried by the most competitive and the most skilled team members.
Sub-Varsity Teams:
At the sub-varsity level (junior varsity and freshman), members of the coaching staff will make a strong effort to play all team members for as much time as is practical.
TEAM CAPTAINS
The number of team captains and how and when they will be selected is a coaching decision. Captains may be elected or appointed on a game-by game basis.
It is expected that a team captain be a leader of his/her team and should be ready to assume duties outlined by his/her coach. Captains are expected to be fully aware of team rules. Captains are expected to communicate with the coach and team members in the event of problems that affect the team. Captains may be asked to meet with the Athletic Director during the school year to discuss the program.
CAPTAIN’S
PRACTICES
The term “captain’s practice” means a conditioning practice organized and conducted by one or more team members without adult supervision, either during or out-of-season. The MIAA does not sanction, encourage, or condone “captain’s practices” in any sport. Nevertheless, if a student is injured during a “captain’s practice”, the school and the captain(s) and his/her/their families could be held legally liable for the injuries. In today’s legal climate, the risk is not worth the small advancement in conditioning. For this reason, “captain’s practices” are no longer permitted at Dover Sherborn. Organizers of “captain’s practices” will be subject to school discipline, including suspension from athletic participation.
AWARDS
To receive an athletic award a student must be a member in good standing of an athletic team at the close of the season. Being a member of a team does not guarantee an award. Awards must be earned.
ROLE OF THE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
q Measure, evaluate and report on programs
q Hire, guide and evaluate coaches
q Communicate philosophy and values of the program to participants,
parents, coaches and community
q Duties as listed in the Athletic Director job
description
COMMON
SENSE GUIDELINES FOR PARENTS
When students become involved in the programs at
Appropriate concerns to discuss with the coach:
1. Mental or physical treatment of your child
2. Your child’s improvement
3. Your child’s behavior
4. Any scheduling conflicts
Issues not appropriate to discuss with the coach
1. Playing time
2. Team strategy
3. Play calling
4. Other student-athletes
Certain situations may require a conference between the coach and the parent. When these conferences are necessary, the following procedure should be followed to help promote a resolution to the issue of concern.
1. Contact the coach.
2. DO NOT CALL THE COACH AT HOME. A coach’s time with family is severely limited during the season. The family’s privacy should be respected.
3. Please do not attempt to confront a coach before or after a contest. These can be emotional times for both the parent and coach. Meetings under these circumstances do not promote resolution.
FEES AND REFUNDS
Once chosen as a member of a team, payment of an athletic fee is required. However, payment of the fee does not guarantee playing time. Fees are to be paid in the Athletic Office by check made out to Dover-Sherborn Regional High School, prior to or when picking up uniforms.
For the 2005–2006 school year, the fee is $250.00 per student per sport with a limit of $1,250.00 per family per year. When fees changed by the school committee, parents and students will be notified.
Refunds will be allowed under the following circumstances:
COLLEGE and CAREER GUIDANCE
One of the most important decisions facing high school students is what to do with their lives after high school. The members of the Dover-Sherborn Athletic Department are willing and eager to assist all students with this extremely important decision. The Athletic Department may be able to answer questions, contact coaches or schools, send videotapes, if available, and write letters of recommendation. At least they will be able to guide students to a more knowledgeable resource who can help with decisions. If a student’s goal is to compete athletically at the collegiate level, it is very important to be aware of the ever-changing NCAA regulations.
The Dover-Sherborn Regional High’s Guidance Department has information on and experience in dealing with NCAA regulations. They also have copies of the NCAA Clearinghouse Registration Forms, which must be completed by all students planning to participate at the Division 1 or Division II college level.
MEDICAL AND INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS
PHYSICALS &
RELEASE FORMS
All students who plan to participate in athletics must have written proof of a current physical exam signed by a physician. In order for the exam to be current, it must be dated within one calendar year of any athletic involvement. It is strongly recommended that an annual exam be scheduled between June and August preceding each school year. Such an exam will cover a student for the entire school year.
Parent permission forms, which contain important emergency and insurance information, must be completed and signed by the athlete and a parent. These forms are available in the Athletic Office and that information will be disseminated to authorized personnel.
Athletes will not be allowed to participate in practice or games in any season without having a current medical form, a parental permission form on file and payment of the user’s fee for that season.
INSURANCE COVERAGE
The Regional School District provides insurance coverage only for those students participating in interscholastic athletic activities. This plan does not cover expenses that are available through the student’s parents insurance company. However, expenses not covered by other insurance are eligible for the benefits covered in our plan.
When an injury occurs, an insurance form may be picked up in the Athletic Office. The school’s insurance form must be submitted to the insurance company within thirty days.
STUDENT-ATHLETE RESPONSIBILITIES
AFTER SCHOOL HELP
Student athletes are urged to use opportunity periods. In general, official practices may not begin until 3:15. Athletic practices and/or games are not legitimate excuses for not attending Make-up or Extra-Help, detention or other school activities unless the Administration had given prior approval.
DAILY TEAM
ATTENDANCE
It is extremely important that a coach be notified if a student is not going to be present at a practice or game when the student is not absent from school. Our coaches expect their athletes to be present at all team related activities and may suspend a team member from contests for unexcused absences. Students may be excused from activities at the discretion of the coach. Students may be restricted from game participation because of lost practice or game time.
ABSENCES,
TARDINESS, AND DISMISSALS
When a student is absent due to injury or illness, he/she will not be allowed to practice or represent Dover-Sherborn in a school sponsored sports event. To be considered present for participation purposes, a student must arrive by 11:00 am and remain for the rest of the day. At no time will an athlete be allowed to participate in school athletics if he/she is dismissed at anytime during the school day because of illness. If a student has been absent on Friday, due to illness, he/she cannot represent Dover-Sherborn on Saturday or Sunday without the written permission of a doctor, the Headmaster or the Assistant Headmaster.
BONA FIDE TEAM
MEMBER RULE -- Loyalty to your High School Team
Bona fide members of a school team are precluded from missing a high school practice or competition in order to participate in a non-school athletic activity/event in any sport recognized by the MIAA. Any student/athlete who violates this standard is ineligible for the next two contests or two weeks (whichever is greater) immediately upon confirmation or the violation and also becomes ineligible for the MIAA tournament(s) in that sport for that season.
RULES and REGULATIONS
ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY: Sportsmanship & Spectator
Behavior
Dover-Sherborn Regional High School expects all parties at a contest to display the highest possible level of sportsmanship. Players, coaches and spectators are to treat teammates, opponents, game officials and visiting spectators with respect.
Dover-Sherborn Regional High School and the Tri-Valley
League (TVL) are committed to the highest ideals of sportsmanship, as well as
to establishing a healthy environment for competition. We will not tolerate negative statements or
actions towards competitors, coaches, game officials or fans in attendance at
our events. This includes taunting,
trash talking, baiting, berating players, coaches or officials or actions,
which ridicule or embarrassment. The TVL
has a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY. We will NOT issue warnings. Offenders will be ejected, and school
disciplinary codes are also in effect.
The Principals and
Athletic Directors of the Tri-Valley League stand committed to hosting events,
which support the highest ideals of sportsmanship.
The MIAA reserves
the right to “warn, censure, place on probation or suspend for up to one
calendar year any player, team, coach, game or school official or school
determined to be acting in a manner contrary to the standards of good
sportsmanship”. Dover-Sherborn Regional
High School also reserves the right to impose the same penalties on spectators
displaying poor sportsmanship at any of our contests, home or away.
ELIGIBILITY
To be academically eligible a student must have passed 30 credits of work and have failed no more than one course in the preceding term. Academic eligibility is determined at the end of each quarter when report cards are distributed. Eligibility for fall sports is determined by a student’s final grade from the previous school year.
An Incomplete mark must be made up and the grade officially recorded in the Guidance Office within one week.
Age
A student shall be under 19 years of age, but may compete during the remainder of the school year, provided that his/her 19th birthday occurs on or after September 1st of that year. For grade nine competition, a student must be under 16 years of age.
9th Grade Students
All students entering grade 9 from a Junior High School are eligible at the start of the school year.
Duration of Eligibility
Once entering Grade 9, students are eligible for 12 consecutive athletic seasons providing they satisfy the academic requirements.
CHEMICAL HEALTH
In addition to the enforcement of the school policy, the following Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association penalties will be enforced by the Athletic Department.
During the season of practice or play, a student shall not, regardless of the quantity, use or consume, possess, buy/sell or give away any beverage containing alcohol; any tobacco product; marijuana; steroids; or any controlled substance. It is not a violation for a student to be in possession of a legally defined drug specifically prescribed for the student’s own use by his/her doctor.
The MINIMUM penalties are:
First Violation: When the Headmaster confirms, following an opportunity for the student to be heard, that a violation has occurred, the student shall lose eligibility for the next consecutive interscholastic contests totaling 25% of all interscholastic contests in that sport. For the student, these penalties will be determined by the season in which the violation occurs. No exception is permitted for a student who becomes a participant in a treatment program. It is recommended that the student be allowed to remain at practice for the purpose of rehabilitation. Decimals will be truncated, i.e. all fractional part of an event will be dropped when calculating the 25% of the season.
Second and Subsequent Violations:
When the Headmaster confirms, following an opportunity for the student to be heard, that a second or subsequent violation has occurred, the student shall lose eligibility for the next consecutive interscholastic contests totaling 60% of all interscholastic contests in that sport. For the student, these penalties will be determined by the season in which the violation occurs. Decimals will be truncated, i.e. all fractional part of an event will be dropped when calculating the 60% of the season.
If after the second or subsequent violation the student of his/her own volition becomes a participant in an approved chemical dependency program or treatment program, the student may be certified for reinstatement in MIAA activities after a minimum of 40% of events. The director or a counselor of a chemical dependency treatment center must issue such certification. Decimals will be truncated, i.e. all fractional part of an event will be dropped when calculating the 40% of the season.
Penalties shall be cumulative each academic year. If the penalty period is not completed during the season of violation, the penalty shall carry over to the student’s next season of actual participation, which may affect the eligibility status of the student during the next academic year.
HAZING - Massachusetts State Law
Section 17. Whoever is a principal organizer or participant in the crime of hazing as defined herein shall be punished by a fine of not more that one thousand dollars or by imprisonment in a house of correction for not more than one hundred days, or both such fine and imprisonment. The term “hazing” (as used in this section and in section eighteen) shall mean any conduct or method of initiation into any student organization, whether on public or private property, which willfully or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health of any student or other person. Such conduct shall include whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to weather, forced consumption of food, liquor, beverage, drug or other substance, any other brutal treatment of forced physical activity which is likely to adversely affect the physical health or safety of any such student or other person, or which subjects such student or other person to extreme mental duress, including extended deprivation of sleep or rest or extended isolation. For purposes of this section, the term “any student organization’ includes school athletic teams.
Section 18. Whoever knows that another person is the victim of hazing as defined in section seventeen and is at the scene of such crime shall, to the extent that such person can do so without danger or peril to his/herself or others, report such crime to an appropriate law enforcement official as soon as reasonably practicable. Whoever fails to report such crime shall be punished by a fine of not more that five hundred dollars.
TEAM
TRANSPORTATION
All team members are expected to travel to and from all scheduled Dover-Sherborn Regional High School events in the transportation furnished by the school. Exceptions to this policy must be requested in writing to the Athletic Director by a student’s parent/guardian prior to the contest. At no time will a student athlete be given permission to drive any other person. A coach may allow students to ride home from a contest
with their parent/guardian provided personal contact at the game site is made between the parent/guardian and coach.
SECURITY OF
PERSONAL BELONGINGS
All personal belongings should be locked up in a locker or team room while the student-athlete is trying out, practicing, or playing. Each student should have a school issued lock for his/her gym lockers and should never leave the locker unlocked or open. If you can’t lock it up, take it with you. Dover-Sherborn Regional High cannot be responsible for loss of personal belongings.
TRAINER AND
TRAINING ROOM
Dover-Sherborn Regional High School has emergency personnel trained in sports related injuries on school grounds to evaluate and treat athletic injuries as they may occur. Coverage is provided for athletic contests and practices. Coverage is not provided on non-school days except as scheduled by the Athletic Director.
In case of an injury, the athlete will be evaluated and recommendations to the parent/guardian will be provided as to the direction of care. If a visit to the hospital or physician is necessary, a written medical note releasing the athlete to return to participation (either practice or contests) is mandatory. Athletes may report to the training room any time after school for treatment or evaluation.
Training room courtesy is expected of all athletes. The room is an emergency facility and will be treated as such.
LOCKER ROOMS AND
SCHOOL FACILITIES
Student-athletes are expected to respect the locker facilities, showers and general areas of the athletic/school facilities both home and away. We expect the student-athletes to take pride in their facilities in good condition. No type of vandalism will be tolerated.
SCHOOL ATHLETIC
EQUIPMENT
Students have an obligation and responsibility for all equipment issued to them for its proper care and retention from the date of issue to the date of return. Students failing to turn in all issued equipment and uniforms, or returning equipment damaged through misuse, are responsible to meet the current replacement cost for such equipment or uniforms. Payment is required at the time of the loss or prior to either the next season of athletic involvement or graduation, whichever comes first. In the event that the equipment or uniform is found and/or returned after payment, a refund will be made. School athletic equipment should only be worn for team activity, i.e. practice, games, spirit events.
Athletes are required to supply and carry their own water bottles. The school will provide the water.
SEASON LIMITS
Fall practice may begin for all teams as early as the second Thursday preceding Labor Day. Football teams must precede their initial contact practice day with an additional three days of single non-contact sessions.
The winter season begins the Monday after Thanksgiving. This season usually affects the winter vacation break and could affect the February vacation if a team or individual qualifies for post-season tournament play.
The spring season begins the third Monday in March. The April vacation may be affected if games are scheduled. Parents and players should check this issue with the individual coach.
All seasons: fall, winter, spring must end with the completion of the regular varsity season or, for qualified varsity teams or individuals, upon completion of their participation in MIAA tournaments.
No student will be prohibited from trying out for a varsity sport because of family or community service commitments during scheduled school vacations.
The Dover-Sherborn School Community is committed to providing students with a competitive athletic program while encouraging an educational atmosphere that respects family commitments and community responsibilities. While it is not possible to avoid scheduling varsity games during school vacations, every effort will be made to schedule games to maximize the vacation time available for family and community service activities. Coaches should be notified as soon as possible if a student plans to miss games or practices over vacations. If a player misses a game that is scheduled during a school vacation, that player may be benched for up to one game for every game missed, not to exceed two games in total. No additional penalty will be imposed for missed practices under these circumstances.
Participation in out-of-season clinics, leagues, or other related sport activities is strictly up to the discretion of the student-athlete and his/her parents. While such participation will undoubtedly improve a student’s knowledge and skill, it is the student’s decision whether or not he/she wishes to become involved in such activities. Participation in such activities will have no bearing on a student-athlete’s participation on a Dover-Sherborn Regional High School athletic team. The Department of Athletics encourages all students to take full advantage of the activities we offer and become involved in more that one sport.
According to MIAA rules, “Neither a coach nor any other representative of the school may require an athlete to participate in a sport or training program outside of the MIAA defined sport season.” Voluntary conditioning sessions open equally to all students in the school and which are entirely devoid of sports-specific activity may be conducted between sessions provided no candidate is either required to participate or penalized for not doing so. A “candidate” is defined as a varsity or sub-varsity athlete who participated in the high school program at some interscholastic level in part of the previous season.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
All students are required to participate in their regularly scheduled Physical Education classes. Any student who is medically excused from Physical Education may not participate in his/her practice or game for that day.
Listed below are guidelines instituted by the Athletic Department to improve the consistency of the interscholastic athletic experience at the High School. The primary goal is implement program requirements across all sports to ensure that the expectations of students and parents are clearly set prior to the start of each athletic season, and to establish a baseline in terms of communication protocol, tryouts, the selection process, participation requirements, etc.
-An initial assessment of the number of interested students and the implication of that number regarding the number of teams to be fielded and cuts that may or may not be required.
-A clear outline of the tryout process, selection criteria, timing, decision date and method of communication.
-Practice and game day requirements vis-à-vis attendance, participation, consequences of absence.