General Information

Students are offered a wide variety of extra-curricular sports activities. Every attempt will be made to allow as many students as possible to participate in athletics. It is important to know that Caledonia is a member of the WMMSC (West Michigan Middle School Conference) League. 7^th & 8^th grade students are eligible to participate in the following sports offered by membership in this league: Cross Country, Girls Basketball, Boys Basketball, Track, Girls Volleyball, Wrestling, Tennis, and Cheerleading. Parents will be requested to attend parent meetings, per individual sport, which will be conducted by the coach of the sport.

Physicals:

Students must have on file a current physical issued after April 15 of the prior school year. Physical cards are available in the main office or high school athletic office.

Physicals must be on file before participating in the first scheduled try-out and/or practice.

Each year, in June, sports physicals are offered at the high school, for a minimal fee.

Participation Fee Schedule:

$75.00 per sport. The fee will be $50.00 for each additional child from the same family participating in a sport during the same season. There will be a $300.00 limit collected per family per academic year. (Note: Middle school participation fees are separate from high school fees.)

Fees are due prior to and no later than the first game of the season. If the fee constitutes a financial hardship for the family, the Athletic Office should be notified in writing before the first contest so that financial arrangements may be made.

Uniform Policy:

Uniforms will be issued to athletes to use during the sports season.

Uniforms are to be worn only during scheduled contests, not to and from contests or during school hours.

Uniforms need to be returned in the same condition as they were received.

Uniforms will be turned in to the athletic office within one week of the last scheduled contest.

If a uniform is not returned, the student will be charged for the cost of a new uniform.

Game Cancellations:

Every effort will be made to adhere to the posted schedules handed out by coaches. There may be times game dates must be changed. Cancellations will be made by 1:30 pm. All attempts will be made by the school to inform parents and/or guardians of practice or event cancellations. Parents and /or Guardians may check the school website for cancellations.

Travel/Transportation:

Transportation to and from games must be carried out using school busses. An exception to this policy would be the lack of available busses or a very limited number of athletes to be transported. The coach or other responsible adults may drive a school-owned van.

A schedule of departure times is to be worked out with the athletic office before the start of the season. It is the head coach’s responsibility to check these times. If private vehicles must be used, then parental permission slips must be obtained.

Busses do not stop for meals going to or returning from sporting events. Nutritional sack lunches, brought from home, are recommended for athletes.

Trip Conduct:

Caledonia Middle School Athletes are expected to look and act appropriately. This is especially important when they are on the road. Discipline in this area is manifested in the following manner:

Everyone should be on the bus, ready to leave, at the set time of departure.
Everyone should be properly dressed and remain so throughout the trip.
Mannerly conduct must be maintained on all road trips.
Athletes must obtain permission from the bus driver ahead of time to eat on the bus. Athletes are to make sure all trash is picked up before leaving the bus.
All athletes should maintain emotional stability in the face of failure or success.
Athletes riding the bus will return home on the bus unless the coach allows them to ride home with an authorized adult. Written notification must be submitted to the coach well in advance of the away contest. Athletes not riding the bus home from a competition must be signed out with the coach before leaving.

Changing/Quitting a Sport:

Quitting any team sport must be regarded as a serious matter. No athlete should quit a sport without being in “good standing”. This means that the athlete has talked with the coach involved, notified the athletic office in writing, paid all fees, and returned all equipment. An athlete will be permitted to participate in the next sport season if he/she is cleared according to the “good standing” guidelines.

Academic Eligibility

Eligibility will be checked every two weeks.

A grade below C- (70%) is considered failing for eligibility purposes.

A student-athlete who is below a C- in two or more classes will appear on the ineligibility list.

Eligibility Cycles

Athletes who are ineligible will be required to attend all team functions (i.e. meetings, practices, etc.). Once a “Plan of Action” sheet is presented to a student athlete, it is the athlete’s responsibility to return the completed form to the coach. If a completed “Plan of Action” sheet has not been returned, students are still expected to attend the scheduled practice or competition, but will not be allowed to participate.

1^st Offense

The student athlete is placed on probation.

Athletes must submit a written “Plan of Action” prior to participation.

2^nd Offense

The student athlete is ineligible to play in the next middle school athletic contest.

Athletes must submit a written “Plan of Action” prior to participation.

The student athlete is ineligible to play in the next middle school athletic contest. The student athlete is expected/required to attend any games for which they are ineligible, sit on the bench with the team, and take part in any non-game related activities.

3^rd Offense

The student athlete will not participate in athletic competitions for 1 week and must schedule a parent meeting with the middle school athletic coordinator/administrator before further participation will be allowed.

Appeals may be submitted to the Athletic Office for extenuating circumstances. The principal must approve ALL decisions at this level.