• Welcome you to a new season of Merrimack High School Athletics. To provide parents and athletes with necessary information • for a successful sports season. To meet many of the members of the school and athletic • department family. To discover the who, what, when and where of Merrimack • Athletics.
Athle letic tic Dir irector or
Athle letic tic Train iner er Ce Center er for r Physical sical Th Thera rapy py & & Ex Exerc rcise ise
Mrs. Sh Sharon n Putney ney – Prin incip ipal al Mr. Peter Berge geron n – Asst. . Prin incip ipal Mr. Ric ichard d Zampi pier eri i – Asst. . Prin incip ipal al Detectiv tive e Mik ike Murray y – Resource ce Office ficer
• Why Interscholastic Athletics • Participation in interscholastic athletics programs: • Complements your school experience. • Fosters a sense of community and teaches lifelong lessons of hard work, teamwork, citizenship and discipline. • Promotes a lifetime appreciation for sports and healthy lifestyles.
• Why Interscholastic Athletics • Participation in interscholastic athletics programs: • Helps prepare you for the next level of your li life as a responsible adult and productive citizen. NOTE: Int Inters rscho cholast lastic ic athl thleti etic program rograms are re NO NOT des designe igned to to prep prepare re stu stude dents nts for for the next le level of of athle letic tics.
• Why Interscholastic Athletics • While participating in interscholastic athletics: • Student academic achievement and success take priority over athletics achievement and success. • The succe ccess ss of of a team is is more re importa ortant nt than indivi ividua dual awards. Participation in interscholastic athletics programs is a privilege, not a right.
• Philosophy • Ou Our P Prior orities ities: Family, School, Sport Ou Our P Purpose: ose: Learning life lessons through competitive sports. Ou Our Be Behav avio ior: r: We represent our community, our school, our families and ourselves, and we strive to be a credit to all of them at all times.
• General NHIAA Eligibility Standards • Eligibility rules exist to help maintain competitive balance in school sports and to promote the purpose of education-based athletics. As a student-athlete, YOU OU are responsible for your compliance. Besides NHIAA regulations, Merrimack also has the authority to establish additional academic standards and codes of conduct.
• NHIAA & MHS Academic Standards • To maintain eligibility, students must receive passing grades in a minimum of four academic courses, or the equivalent, in the immediately preceding grading period. All students that are home educated, non- public, or attend a Charter school must also comply with these standards. Semester and yearly grades have no effect on NHIAA eligibility.
• NHIAA & MHS Academic Standards • The NHIAA has no minimum grade point (GPA) requirement, however, Merrimack High School requires a 1.67 GPA to be eligible. This is a quarterly, not cumulative, GPA requirement.
• NHIAA Semester Standards • No student will be eligible if he or she has been enrolled in high school for more than eight semesters. Students will be ineligible for competition if they turn 19 prior to September 1 st of the school year.
• NHIAA Non-School Team & Out-of- Season Standards • If you are competing on a non-school team during your school team’s season (example: AAU, club, etc.), your high school team must take priority. Whenever a conflict arises between the high school team practice/competition and an out-of-school practice/competition on the same day, the high school team practice/competition must be honored by the student athlete. Any student athlete who violates this rule for the first time shall be declared ineligible for the next four (4) consecutive interscholastic events or three (3) weeks of a season in which the student athlete is a participant, whichever is greater.
• School Attendance • Students who participate in Merrimack High School athletics are expected to attend school on the day of the meeting, practice, or contest. Any student who does not attend school by the be beginn ginning ing of of his his/he her fi firs rst schedu chedule led class class for reasons of sickness or truancy will not be eligible to participate in any scheduled meeting, practice, contest or performance on that date.
• School Behavior & Discipline • Student-athletes are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful and disciplined manner both on and off the athletic fields and courts. All detentions must be served on the day they have been assigned. Student-athletes are not permitted to reschedule a school detention due to games, competitions, or practices. Any student who receives a suspension of any type as a result of a violation of the MHS Discipline Code cannot practice or play during the length of that suspension. Athletes in violation of MHS Discipline Code may also be in violation of the Co-Curricular agreement and subject to additional disciplinary action.
• Athlete/Parent/Coach Communication • Athle lete te Athlete should approach the coach 1 st regarding an issue. Communicate directly with your coach to discuss any of the following: ◦ Play time ◦ Game strategy ◦ Play calling ◦ Other athletes ◦ Academic concerns ◦ Practice schedules ◦ Unacceptable behavior
• Athlete/Parent/Coach Communication • Parent ent Start with the coach by setting up an appointment ◦ Please do not confront a coach prior to, during, or after a practice or contest If not satisfied, set up an appointment with the Director of Athletics ◦ Will not discuss playing time Misinformation and rumors one of the biggest challenges we face PLEASE CONTACT THE ATHLETIC OFFICE WITH CONCERNS OR QUESTIONS
• Athlete/Parent/Coach Communication • Examples of acceptable reasons to communicate with the coach: ◦ Concerns you may have about the treatment of your son or daughter, mentally or physically. ◦ Ways to help your son or daughter improve or develop. ◦ Your child’s behavior. ◦ Academic issues and college planning. ◦ Scheduling conflicts. Topics that should be avoided: playing time; team strategy; tactics; or other players. Parents, please wait 24 hours after an event before communicating with the coach.
• Transportation • Traveling with the team is an integral part of the overall athletic experience. It helps to build team and program camaraderie. The teams that travel together have the opportunity to support each other. It also builds the essential life skills of planning, preparation, and time management as the athlete balances academics with their athletic pursuits. It is expected that all student-athletes travel to and from all away contests with their team in the school provided bus.
• Transportation • Exceptions to the transportation policy will be entertained for extenuating circumstances only. Exceptions must be made in writing to the Director of Athletics at least 24 hours in advance of the game or competition. Transportation is not provided for home contests or practices. Student-athletes can get a bus pass to Reeds Ferry from the Director of Athletics for transportation to practice and home games at that facility.
• Emergency Procedures • Lightning strike – 30 minutes from last strike; time will restart with each new occurrence ◦ Bleachers must also be exited and players/fans will be moved to the nearest indoor facility. School Cancelled – All games and practices are also cancelled. Exceptions will only be made with the approval of the Superintendent. Early Dismissal – Everything cancelled
• Concussions • It is EXTREM TREMELY ELY important for everyone involved in school sports to recognize the potential dangers associated with concussions and review their responsibilities in protecting student-athletes. A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that interferes with normal function of the brain. “Dings” and “bell ringers” are SERI RIOU OUS brain injuries and you do NO NOT need loss of consciousness for it to be considered serious.
• Concussions • Merrimack High School has very strict concussion management protocol and all athletes, parents and coaches are required to adhere to it. The protocol is posted on the athletic page of the high school website under Policies. Your are also highly encouraged to review a short presentation on concussions available at no cost (www.nfhslearn.com).
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