IMPORTANT EVENTS FOR PARENTS:
MEET THE COACHES NIGHT
(BEGINNING OF EACH SEASON)
The purpose of “Meet the Coaches Night” (Fall, Winter
and Spring) is to provide a forum for coaches, parents
and players to develop a bond of mutual respect,
cooperation and shared responsibility. In addition, “Meet
the Coaches Night” provides coaches the opportunity to
promote their program, answer parent questions, define
their expectations, solicit volunteers and hopefully begin
to build a strong relationship between the studentsathletes and parents.
THOMAS JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL
FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
SPORTS AWARD CERMONY
(END OF EACH SEASON)
The purpose of “Sports Award Ceremony” (Fall, Winter
and Spring) is to recognize excellence and celebrate the
hard work and accomplishments of our student athletes
and coaches.
COLONIAL ATHLETIC BOOSTERS
The purpose of the Colonial Booster Club is to
support the athletic programs at TJHSST though
the Activities Office. Support is achieved through
CAB donations, concessions via parent
volunteers, and program sponsorship.
Funds provided to the Activities Office are used
for athletic equipment, uniforms and general
athletic operations.
JOIN TODAY!
FOR DONATION INFORMATION:
VISIT COLONIALATHLETICS.ORG
PARENT/COACH
COMMUNICATION
GUIDE
GET THE LASTEST INFORMATION AT THE FOLLOWING:
COLONIALATHLETICS.ORG
TWITTER: @CAB_TJ
FACEBOOK: FACEBOOK.COM/TJHSST
ACTIVITIES OFFICE: 703-750-8333
PARENT/COACH RELATIONSHIP
Both parenting and coaching are extremely difficult
vocations. By establishing an understanding of each
position, we are better able to accept the actions of the
other and provide greater benefit to students. As parents,
when your student becomes involved in our program, you
have a right to understand what expectations are placed on
your student. This begins with clear communication from the
coach of your student’s program.
COMMUNICATION YOU SHOULD EXPECT FROM YOUR
STUDENT’S COACH
1. Philosophy of the coach.
2. Expectations the coach has for your student as well
as the players on the squad.
3. Locations and times of all practices and contests.
4. Team requirements, i.e., fees, special equipment,
off-season conditioning.
5. Procedure should your student be injured during
participation.
6. Discipline that may result in the denial of your
student’s participation.
COMMUNICATION COACHES EXPECT FROM PARENTS
1. Concerns expressed directly to the coach.
2. Notification of any schedule conflicts well in
advance.
3. Specific concern in regard to a coach’s philosophy
and/or expectations.
4. Medical or physical limitations of your student.
As your student becomes involved in athletic programs at
TJHSST, they will experience some of the most rewarding
moments of their lives. It is important to understand that
there are also may be times when things do not go the way
you or your student’s wishes. At these times discussion with
the coach is encouraged.
APPROPRIATE CONCERNS TO DISCUSS WITH
COACHES
1. The treatment of your student, mentally and
physically.
2. Ways to help your student improve.
3. Concerns about your student’s behavior.
It is very difficult to accept your student not playing as much
as you may hope. Coaches are professionals. They make
judgment decisions based on what they believe to be best
for all students involved. As you have seen from the list
above, certain things can be and should be discussed with
your student’s coach. Other things must be left to the
discretion of the coach.
ISSUES NOT APPROPRIATE FOR PARENTS TO DISCUSS
WITH COACHES
1.
2.
3.
4.
Playing time.
Team strategy.
Play calling.
Other student-athletes.
There are situations that may require a conference between
the coach and the parent. These are to be encouraged. It is
important that both parties have a clear understanding of
the others’ position. When these conferences are
necessary, the following procedure should be followed to
help promote a resolution to the issue of concern.
IF YOU HAVE A CONCERN TO DISCUSS WITH A COACH,
THIS IS THE PROCEDURE YOU SHOULD FOLLOW:
1. Contact the coach to set up an appointment.
2. If the coach cannot be reached, call the Activities
Office at 703-750-8333. They will set up the
meeting for you.
Please do not attempt to confront a coach before or after a
contest or practice. These can be emotional times for both
the parent and the coach. Meetings of this nature do not
promote resolution.
WHAT CAN A PARENT DO IF THE MEETING WITH THE
COACH DOES NOT PROVIDE A SATISFACTORY
RESOLUTION?
1. Call and set up an appointment with Director of
Student Activities Rusty Hodges to discuss the
situation.
2. At this meeting the appropriate next step, if
necessary, can be determined.
Research indicates a student involved in extra-curricular
activities has a greater chance for success during
adulthood. Many of the character traits required to be a
successful participant are exactly those that will promote
success after high school. We hope the information
provided makes both your student’s and your experience
with Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and
Technology athletic programs more enjoyable.
Sportsmanship and the Role of Parents
Remember that interscholastic athletics are learning experiences
for students and that mistakes are made. Praise student-athletes
in their attempt to improve themselves as students, as athletes
and as people as you would praise a student working in the
classroom. It is not the role of parents to coach from the stands
or to criticize game officials.