Dodd Middle School Athletics

***Attention to any fans that will be staying after school to watch the Dodd sporting events.  All students must leave the building and Dodd property until 3:30. At that point you are welcome to come back and cheer on the team! Students found in the building waiting to watch the game will be asked to leave and not return.

List of Sports by Season:

Fall - Cross Country, Girls Field Hockey, Boys Soccer, Girls Soccer, Girls Volleyball

Winter - Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball, Cheerleading

Spring - Baseball, Softball, Boys Track & Field, Girls Track & Field

General Policies:

• Students who wish to try out for a Dodd athletic team, must have a parent or guardian complete the online Athletics Registration Forms which may be found on the FinalForms link.  The online forms include important information regarding Concussion and Sudden Cardiac Arrest Consent forms which are mandatory. 

• Students who wish to try out for a Dodd athletic team, must have a current physical on file (physicals are valid for thirteen months after the dated physical).  Physicals need to be valid for the entire sports season.  The current physical must be uploaded to the FinalForms site.

• There is a $140 participation fee for each athletic team that is joined (payment via MySchoolBucks or check made payable to Dodd Middle School).

• You are a student first and an athlete second. It is important that students are working toward passing grades in each subject to participate and follow all behavioral expectations referenced in the Dodd Middle School Student Handbook and Board of Education policies.

• Students are expected to attend all practices and competitions.  At the beginning of the season, the coach will inform team members of the consequences of absences other than for illness or family emergency.

• Students participating in middle school athletics must attend Cheshire Public Schools.

• Students are expected to attend  classes on the day of a competition, with the expectation they are at Dodd by 10:00 a.m. in order to participate in games held on that day. If students are late on game day, the parents are expected to supply an appropriate reason why. 

• Students are expected to travel to and from events on the team bus.  Students that cannot travel home on the bus must have a parent or guardian email the coach and athletic director (mrahn@cheshire.k12.ct.us) prior to the event.  A sign out will also be provided to verify who is taking the athlete home. 

• Students are to conduct themselves appropriately at all times.  Standards of good sportsmanship should be demonstrated at all times.

• Students who initiate fights or verbally abuse officials will be removed from the game and will be suspended for a minimum of one game.

• We believe that developing self-advocacy is an important life skill and is a critical part of a student's athletic experience.  Communication should start with the athlete and the coach. If more clarification is needed for a situation a meeting with the coach, athlete, administration or athletic director can be scheduled.  Attempting to meet with a coach after a game is not the appropriate time for a meeting of this nature.  We ask that you schedule a meeting to take place twenty four hours after a contest. 

• Additional rules and regulations will be determined by each coach.  

Student Behavior and Eligibility for Athletics and Extracurricular Activities :

Participation in interscholastic athletics and extracurricular activities at Dodd Middle School is a privilege, not a right. All student-athletes and students in leadership roles or extracurricular programs are expected to uphold the behavioral expectations outlined in the Dodd Middle School Student Handbook and Cheshire Board of Education Policy #5131.62.

Students in athletics may be required to sign a team-specific behavior contract issued by the coach. This must be returned before participation begins. Coaches may also set additional expectations related to academics, behavior, and work habits, which will be reviewed at the start of each season.

The athletic department fully supports all school rules and expects student-athletes to demonstrate respectful, responsible conduct at all times—in school, during school-related events, and in the community. Athletes serve as role models and are held to high standards on and off the field.

Students serving in-school or out-of-school suspensions may not attend or participate in practices, contests, or extracurricular events during the suspension period. Detentions must be completed prior to participation. It is the student’s responsibility to inform their coach of any disciplinary action. If a suspension ends during the school day, eligibility resumes the following school day.

Coaches, in consultation with the Athletic Director, may impose additional consequences for rule violations. In cases of suspension or removal from a team, parents and administration will be notified. School administrators also reserve the right to suspend or remove students from extracurriculars for behavioral reasons.

Repeated or serious infractions may result in loss of eligibility for future athletic or extracurricular participation.

Equipment:

• Equipment and uniforms are on loan and are only to be worn when authorized by the coach.  Uniforms or parts of uniforms may not be worn for P.E. classes.

• If equipment is lost or stolen, the replacement cost will be charged to the student and collected by the main office.

• Please note that no sporting equipment should be carried in the hallway during the school day.  Equipment should be stored in a locker, coach's classroom or a designated space provided by the coaches.