Riverside Middle
School
Athletic Handbook
SY 2014-15
The following sports are offered at Riverside Middle School:
Autumn:
Cross Country - Boys & Girls Grades 6, 7, 8
Field Hockey - Girls Grades 6, 7, 8
Football - Boys Grades 7, 8
Soccer - Girls Grades 7, 8
Soccer - Boys Grades 7, 8
Winter:
Basketball - Girls Grades 7, 8
Basketball - Boys Grades 7, 8
Spring:
Baseball - Boys Grades 7, 8
Softball - Girls Grades 7, 8
Track & Field - Boys and Girls Grades 6, 7, 8
Who to contact for information, questions, or complaints: Please speak to your
son or daughter’s coach first (privately and not during a practice or game) prior to
contacting the individuals below.
Appropriate topics to discuss with coaches:
 Treatment of your child mentally and physically
 Ways to help your child improve and develop
 Concerns about your child’s behavior
 If your child has NO playing time during a game.
Issues NOT appropriate to discuss with coaches:
 Playing time (please note that all students are expected to be able to play in
every game, but not everybody is guaranteed equal play time. Also, coaches
have the discretion of benching athletes who have excessive absenteeism or
behavior problems).
 Team strategy
 Play calling
 Other student athletes
Cathy Paul, Athletic DirectorSteve Cone, Interim PrincipalNathan McNaughton, Interim Assist. Principal
376-5943
885-8490, ext. 203
885-8490, ext. 206
Parents’ Roles and Responsibilities When in Attendance of a Contest or
Practice:
 Remain in spectator area during contest
 No derogatory comments directed towards officials, coaches, or players of
either team.
 Do not officiate from the sidelines.
 No attempts to coach from the sidelines during the contest
 Be in control of emotions
 Show interest, enthusiasm and support for your child
 Demonstrate and promote the positive values and characteristics of good
sportsmanship.
 Do not question or criticize the coach or his/her decisions in front of your
child.
 Realize that athletics is an integral part of the school’s total curriculum : the
coach (teacher) and official (ed tech) help facilitate learning.
Riverside Middle School Student-Athlete
Research indicates that students involved in athletics are most likely to succeed in
the work place and make valuable contributions to their communities. Many of the
character traits, qualities, and attributes required to be a successful student athlete
are exactly those that will promote a successful life in adulthood.
A student-athlete is one who excels in the classroom and works hard to show the
same excellence on the sports field. Riverside Middle School encourages
participation in extra-curricular activities, and sports are a major part of the extracurricular package at our school. Students are expected to abide by our school and
district’s policies and procedures any time they are participating in sports, both on
and off campus. It is Riverside’s policy that every player play in every game.
Playing time will be based on several things: effort, attendance, ability and
sportsmanship.
Many practices and games begin well after dismissal from school. Please be aware
that if your child is staying after school to wait for the practice/game there is no
supervision unless they are in a help night or Homework Café.
I. Eligibility
The Springfield Athletic Department recognizes and promotes the priority of
academics within our interscholastic athletic program. While athletics is an
important part of education, academic success remains the primary objective. All
coaches support this position and will make every effort to accommodate students’
needs as they balance academics with athletics. It is essential that all studentathletes and parents understand the following academic eligibility regulations:
A. All students who attend Riverside Middle School are eligible to participate in
Inter-scholastic sports. We have a NO CUTS policy in order to foster a life-long
interest in physical activity amongst our students. It is important that no child be
discouraged because he or she is not a “star” in middle school. People develop at
different rates physically, emotionally, and intellectually. The boy or girl
struggling physically today, may be the most valuable player as a senior in high
school.
B. Our student-athletes are responsible for complying with our school’s academic
eligibility policy. It is designed to encourage students to seek teacher assistance
before they fall too far behind during a sports season:
The Riverside Middle School eligibility policy is based on grades and will provide
frequent feedback and positive reinforcement. This policy recognizes the
importance of effort and responsible school citizenship. It allows a student to
improve in specified ways and maintain a position on a team. Often students have
short-term problems that may cause changes in work habits. This policy allows
redemption for any student wishing to put forth effort.
Any student participating on a Riverside Middle School athletic team receiving a
“D” or an “F” in any class at mid-term or at the end of the marking term will be
placed on probation for one week. That athlete will still be allowed to participate
in games and practices during the one week probationary period. During this
period the athlete will be required to bring their grade(s) up to “70” or better. The
student will bring a grade report for teachers to sign at the end of the week, and
will submit that report to the Assistant Principal, who will determine the athlete’s
eligibility status. Once the athlete regains eligibility, he/she stays eligible at least
until the next mid-term or report card. Failure to bring their grades up to “70” or
better at the end of the probationary period will result in suspension of the athlete
from the team for one week. By the end of that 2nd week, if “70” or better is not
achieved, the student will be off the team.
During the week(s) of probation or suspension, the student will be encouraged to
make good use of quiet studies, academic labs and to attend Help Nights, and or
Homework Café. The purpose of this will be to provide the student with the
additional help he/she needs to improve his/her class performance. Additionally,
open communication will exist with the athlete’s parents and coaches.
C. School athletics promote the values of respect, integrity, cooperation, selfdiscipline, sportsmanship, and citizenship. It is important to learn to control one’s
emotions and conduct, not only in defeat but in victory as well. It is our goal to
have Springfield recognized for our sense of fair-play, sportsmanship, outstanding
effort, and character. We expect our students and parents to accept the officials’
decisions and conduct themselves in respectful manners at all times. Violent,
threatening, negative or abusive language and/or behavior have no place in our
school-sponsored activities. Athletes, coaches, students, and parents are expected
to demonstrate and promote the positive values and characteristics of good
sportsmanship in all aspects of interscholastic athletics. Exhibiting unexpected
behavior at school-sponsored athletic activities may result in one or more of the
following:
 Directed to leave the facility for the remainder of the contest
 Prohibited from attending subsequent games/ events
 Prohibited from attending remainder of season and/or future seasons
 Suspension from school (and/or participation on team)
II. Attendance
A. Attendance at practice and games/meets is required. Only family emergencies,
illness/medical problems, attendance at academic events (including getting Help
Night assistance) and business that cannot be conducted at other times are
considered excused absences. This will allow the student to play in the game but it
will be at the coach’s discretion if they start or how much play time they receive.
Participants will give the coach advance notice of any prior commitments before
the season begins. If a player chooses not to attend practice for other reasons it will
be considered Unexcused. After the first unexcused absence the player may only
return to the team after a discussion with the coach and parents. After two
unexcused practices the student will not be allowed to return.
B. Coaches may elect to sit students out of games or dismiss them from the team
for chronic, unexcused absences.
C. Students must be at school by 9:30 am in order to participate in sports activities.
D. When scheduled for PE class, a student is required to participate in class on
the day of a sports contest or practice. Failure to participate will result in a student
being ineligible to participate in after school sports for that day.
E. Weekend practices are uncommon in Middle school sports, however with the
possibility of snow days and extremely limited gym time there may be an
occasional weekend practice. If this occurs, it will be optional.
III. Dress and Appearance Code
Athletes representing Riverside Middle School at athletic contests will dress
Appropriately and according to the RMS Dress Code as stated in the RMS
Community Handbook.
IV. Injuries
All injuries occurring while participating in athletics must be reported to the coach.
Athletes who are treated by a physician must obtain written permission from the
physician in order to return to the activity.
Due to strict regulations, players with any type of head injury will be removed
from play immediately and the return protocol established by the VPA will be
followed.
V. Uniforms and Equipment
A. Uniforms should be cleaned after every contest.
B. Uniforms or equipment lost or damaged by a participant must be replaced by the
student. Equipment will be paid for at the replacement cost before a new uniform
is issued.
C. Uniforms and equipment will be turned in at least five (5) days after the last
competition. After this time, names will be turned into administration. Participants
who fail to hand in equipment or uniforms will not receive post-season awards.
VI. Bullying
A student is being bullied or targeted when exposed repeatedly to intentional injury
or discomfort inflicted by one or more individuals. This may include physical
contact, verbal assault, making obscene gestures or facial expressions, and/or being
intentionally excluded. Bullying implies an imbalance in power or strength in
which one child is targeted by others. Disciplinary consequences will be assigned
in cases where bullying is substantiated. Offenders are subject to penalties as
stipulated by school district policy, state, and federal laws.
Please note that laws requiring schools to investigate and intervene in bullying
incidents also apply to school-sponsored activities that occur off campus and
outside of school hours. This includes sports activities.
The coach must be notified immediately of any bullying that occurs and he or she
must forward such reports to the administration. Students and their parents need to
also report incidents of bullying to Steven Cone or Nathan McNaughton at 8858490. In case either is unavailable, please contact Pollyanna Bladyka, Life skills
Teacher.
If you feel that your concerns continue to be addressed unsatisfactorily, please
contact either:
David Cohn, Director of Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment
60 Park St., Springfield, VT 05156 phone: 885-5141, ext. 30
Kathryn Wyman, Director of Student Services
60 Park St., Springfield, VT 05156 phone: 885-5141, ext. 12
VII. Harassment
"Harassment" means an incident or incidents of verbal, written, visual, or physical
conduct based on or motivated by a student's or a student's family member's actual
or perceived race, creed, color, national origin, marital status, disability, sex,
sexual orientation, or gender identity that has the purpose or effect of objectively
and substantially undermining and detracting from or interfering with a student's
educational performance or access to school resources or creating an objectively
intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment. Offenders are subject to penalties
as stipulated by school district policy, state, and federal laws.
“Sexual harassment” includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual
favors and other verbal, written, visual or physical conduct of a sexual nature. If a
“reasonable person” would feel he/she was being harassed, that would meet the
legal definition.
The coach must be notified immediately of any harassment that occurs and he or
she must forward such reports to the administration. Students and their parents
need to also report incidents of harassment to Steven Cone or Nathan McNaughton
at 885-8490. In case either is unavailable, please contact Pollyanna Bladyka, Life
skills Teacher.
If you feel that your concerns continue to be addressed unsatisfactorily, please
contact either:
David Cohn, Director of Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment
60 Park St., Springfield, VT 05156 phone: 885-5141, ext. 30
Kathryn Wyman, Director of Student Services
60 Park St., Springfield, VT 05156 phone: 885-5141, ext. 12
VIII. Hazing
All acts of hazing, as defined by Vermont law and school district policy, carried
out by any member(s) of the school community are strictly forbidden. Offenders
are subject to penalties as stipulated by school district policy, state, and federal
laws.
Should you have reason to believe that such behavior has occurred, please contact
Steve Cone or Nathan McNaughton at 885-8490. In case either is unavailable,
please contact Pollyanna Bladyka, Lifeskills Teacher.
If you feel that your concerns continue to be addressed unsatisfactorily, please
contact either:
David Cohn, Director of Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment
60 Park St., Springfield, VT 05156 phone: 885-5141, ext. 30
Kathryn Wyman, Director of Student Services
60 Park St., Springfield, VT 05156 phone: 885-5141, ext. 12
IX. Transportation
All students will be required to ride the bus on a round-trip basis to athletic
contests, unless they have provided the coach with a signed permission slip prior to
boarding the bus.
The Riverside Behavior Expectations apply to riding the bus as well.
It is the parent’s responsibility to be prompt in picking up his/her athlete at the end
of a practice or game.
X. Alcohol and Drug Use
Use or possession of alcohol, and any other drugs or drug paraphernalia, is strictly
forbidden in school, on school grounds, or any school functions at or away from
Riverside. We follow the Springfield School District Policy on alcohol and drug
abuse, including the consequences for using or possessing alcohol or other drugs:
1st offense—Up to five days suspension and/or community service,
parent conference, police involvement, evaluation by substance abuse
specialist, exclusion from extracurricular activities (including the
team) during suspension, School Board notified.
2nd offense—Up to ten days suspension, student and parent conference
with School Board, police involvement, report to Department of
Children and Families, recommendation from substance abuse
specialist for further ongoing treatment, exclusion from
extracurricular activities (including sports) for 45 days.
3rd offense—Same as 2nd offense, except that suspension from the team
may be for the remainder of the year, and possible referral to the
School Board with the recommendation the student be expelled.
XI. Smoking and Tobacco
Possession or use of any tobacco substance is illegal for minors and is not allowed
in school or on school grounds for anyone. Students found smoking or possessing
tobacco products anywhere on school grounds or during school-sponsored events
may be suspended, and the police may be notified.
XII. Dismissal or Suspension
Coaches have the authority to temporarily suspend a student from his/her team due
to violations of team rules the coach has established and submitted to the Athletic
Director, or for violations of the rules set forth in this handbook. A student may be
removed from the team for the remainder of the season or for several seasons
following a meeting with the coach, Athletic Director and an administrator.