Wyneken Memorial Lutheran School

Athletic Handbook

Table of Contents

Purpose

Athletics at Wyneken Memorial Lutheran School are considered to be an important part of the total educational program of the school.  The program offers a variety of opportunities and is set up to cultivate traits of Christian character including cooperation, loyalty, good sportsmanship, self-discipline and team play.  The athletic program at Wyneken is conducted as an educational tool for the training of Christian citizens.

Statement of Philosophy

The focus of the athletic program shall be, in a Christian atmosphere, to emphasize that students attend school to receive an education first and participate in athletics second. Competitive sports are an integral part of the culture in which we live and are valuable tools that may be used to enrich the lives of students at Wyneken Memorial Lutheran School.

Winning is important, but secondary to the principles of fair play and good sportsmanship.  Desirable outcomes can be achieved only through competent coaching and a desire to abide by the rules.  The coaches shall exemplify, through their behavior, those personal and professional qualities that will influence the development of high ideals and standards in others.  The coaches shall be good teachers of skills and techniques and above all else be fair and consistent.

Student athletes shall be encouraged to participate in a variety of activities.  Student athletes shall make a commitment to the sport in which they select by attending practice regularly, abiding by team and school rules, and working for self-improvement.

Program Objectives

1)      To provide an opportunity for the achievement of the highest potential in both academics and athletics.

2)      To teach new skills and offer opportunities to improve those already possessed.

3)      To provide students with opportunities to understand that they can and are a witness to their faith in all they do.

4)      To provide opportunity for the students to place "group" above "self" and learn to practice self-discipline for the overall benefit of the team or group of which he/she is a member.

5)      To give students an early understanding that participation in athletics is leadership training that is a privilege which also carries responsibilities.

6)      To provide opportunities to learn the benefits of following rules.

7)      To provide opportunities for lasting friendships with both teammates and opponents.

8)      To provide an opportunity for growth and development.

9)      To provide an opportunity for the student to have fun, and at the same time develop self-worth.

Organization

Policies for the athletic program are recommended by the athletic director and Wyneken Athletic Booster officers and submitted to the principal and Wyneken School Board for approval.  The assistant athletic director and coaches are directly responsible to the athletic director as to carrying out the conduct of the athletic program as described in the athletic handbook.  The Wyneken Athletic Booster Club shall exist as an extension of the athletic director and shall coordinate the funds necessary to run the athletic program.  The athletic director is in turn ultimately responsible to the Wyneken School Board for the total conduct of the athletic and physical education program and use of the athletic and physical education facilities. The athletic director secures coaches on a volunteer basis for all sports.

The principal shall act as the liaison between the school board and athletic director and consult the athletic director as to the operation of the program.

Participation and Eligibility

In general, all 5th-8th grade students who maintain Wyneken's religious, academic and social standards are eligible to participate in athletics.  Participation by any athlete meeting these requirements will be limited only when it is apparent that the welfare of the student or the school is endangered.

Athletic Injuries

Wyneken Memorial Lutheran School, through its insurance policy, will assume a financial responsibility when an injury occurs, only where an athlete's own insurance fails to cover.

All athletes are expected to be covered by some form of health and accident insurance.  Physical exams are required before any student may begin practice.  A physical exam will be considered valid for up to one year.

Athletic Guidelines

1)      At the 5th and 6th grade level, participation will be the major emphasis.  As the numbers of participants on a particular team increases, separate games for 5^th graders will be sought to ensure this participation.  Each coach at these levels will strive to play all participants as equally as possible, understanding that failure to follow team and school policies could have an impact.

2)      At the 7th and 8th grade level, the success of the team will receive increased emphasis.  As the numbers of participants on a particular team increases, an A and B schedule will be created.  This affords the opportunity to field our most competitive squad and still find chances for all to participate and receive quality playing time.  The coaches will have the final say as to which 7^th and 8^th graders will play on the A squad.  Throughout the course of the season, the coaches will also have the authority to make roster changes to the squads as he/she sees fit.  Also, any 8th grader, informed by his or her coach that he or she would receive more playing time on the B team, will be afforded one of the following options:

A)    Participate only on the B team.

B)     Participate only on the A team with clear understanding of the limits of playing time.

C)     Participate both on the B team and the A team with clear understanding of the limits of playing time on the A team.

3)      Regular (Sunday) church attendance is expected of all athletes.  Failure to attend church on a Sunday forfeits that athlete's right to participate in any scheduled contests for that Sunday.  Poor attendance (less than 75%) will also jeopardize an athlete's eligibility.

4)      Grades are monitored on a regular basis and poor performance could have an effect on an athlete's day-to-day eligibility.  Mid-quarter report or quarter report card grades that are failing make a student ineligible for athletics until the next mid-quarter or quarter break.

A) Specifically, any grade that falls below a D- prevents that student from participating until the next mid-quarter or report card.  Mid-quarter or report card grades below a C- average places that student on academic probation.

B)     Teachers reserve the right to evaluate each student individually to account for 

unique characteristics.  A probationary status is a possible route used to deal with an individual problem. 

C) Students on academic probation will be allowed to play at the teacher’s discretion.  The student’s grade will be monitored on a week-by-week basis.  Students with an Incomplete will receive and automatic 2-week suspension which begins the day that grade cards are sent home.  All incomplete work must be into the teacher within one week of the end of the quarter or mid-quarter.  Failure to do so will result in ineligibility until the next quarter or mid-quarter.

5)      In the event of a cancellation of school, all practices and contests scheduled for that day are also canceled.

6)      Wyneken relies on parents to provide transportation for our teams.  Parents willing to assist in this area are requested to furnish the office with a proof of insurance.

7)      A completed physical exam and signed parent/student agreements must be received before an athlete is eligible for practice and competition.

8)      In addition, to offset the costs of the athletic program, a participation fee is collected before an athlete is eligible.  The fee schedules are published regularly and available from the school office.

9)      Many practices and games are scheduled for 5:00 or later.  Students are not allowed to remain at school to wait for these events to begin, unless there is a game prior that would allow them to be spectators. Practices for all Wyneken team sports and activities will be held only on school grounds. Any exceptions to this would need approval from the principal and/or athletic director.

10)   Uniforms are issued for all sports and are the responsibility of the athlete.  Prompt return of the uniform at the end of the season is expected.  When possible, uniforms will be collected at the conclusion of the last event of the season and cleaned as a group.

11)   Practice and contest schedules are published on a monthly and weekly basis. Changes are possible and highlighted in the weekly parent note.

12)   Fall sports practices cannot begin until the second day that school is in session. Winter sports cannot begin until the Monday following the completion of their fall counterpart.  Spring sports cannot begin until the completion of the LSAA wrestling tournament.

13)  Practice limits for teams are as follows:

a)      Varsity teams (grades 7 & 8) are limited to four or fewer practices per week.

b)      Junior varsity teams (grades 5 & 6) are limited to three or fewer practices per week.

c)      Practices over Christmas break are limited to three or fewer, and teams are also limited to either one individual game or tournament.

d)      The athletic director may grant exceptions to the above-mentioned items as needed.

e)      Practices and games are prohibited on church holidays (for example, Advent or Lenten service dates, Epiphany, etc.).

14)   Wyneken is a member of the Lutheran School Athletic Association of Ft. Wayne and follows the guidelines as set forth in the L.S.A.A. handbook.

15)   Athletes are expected to be prompt in both arrival and departure from practices.

16)  All returning coaches shall have first opportunity to retain previously held positions unless sufficient proof has revealed that the coach has not fulfilled his/her duties as outlined in the handbook.  Any vacant coaching positions may then be filled as needed. People designated as head coaches will be a minimum of 18 years of age and no longer attending high school. Head coaches should also carry less than a “full course-load” if attending a local university.

17)   There will be a mandatory meeting with all coaches, parents, and players before a sports season may begin. 

WYNEKEN GYMNASIUM USAGE POLICY – AUGUST 2003

Concept behind the policy: As stewards of God’s gifts, the Wyneken community

encourages and demonstrates responsible use and care of our facilities.

Purpose/Mission Statement: Our gymnasium provides opportunities for Christian fellowship for the Wyneken students and community through athletics and other endeavors.

PRIMARY USAGE = School curricular activities (school day)

SECONDARY USAGE = School extracurricular activities (post-school day or weekends)

TERTIARY USAGE = Church-related activities (post-school day or weekends)

OTHER USAGE = Community activities (post-school day or weekends).