Competing in middle school athletics is a privilege, not your right. Being a part of our athletic program carries with it a responsibility to your family, teammates, coaches, school and community as a whole. We view the athletic department as an extension of the classroom which mirrors the philosophy of our school and its core values.

Holliston Panther Athletics boasts a proud winning tradition. We are focused and committed to developing tremendous leaders, tough competitors and outstanding communicators. Collectively these qualities will enable our student-athletes to be able to handle and deal with adversity at Robert Adams Middle School and beyond.

Our coaching staff is committed to the student-athlete first and foremost. We look for coaches who are hard workers with outstanding character. We expect them to be proactive communicators and have solid depth of knowledge in their sport. We expect them to support our school’s core values and demonstrate/teach the qualities of good sportsmanship

Activities/Athletics: Rules Governing School Privileges:

In addition to adhering to the tenets of the MIAA academic eligibility policies, Robert Adams Middle School requires students to attain passing grades in all courses (incomplete grades are not considered to be passing grades) - in the term immediately preceding participation sport (for students attending an approved summer school program the final grades of program will be considered in determining eligibility for fall athletics). Eligibility for a succeeding term is determined on the day report

1. Fees for participation on teams or in extracurricular clubs, etc. must be paid in full before participation begins. Only the Principal or his/her designee may grant waivers of this rule.

2. Both student athletes and students involved in extracurricular activities must be present for at least 50% of a school day to be eligible for participation in that day’s event.

3. Students shall not possess, use, sell, give or otherwise transmit alcohol, drugs, or drug paraphernalia or be under the influence of alcohol or any illegal drug or regulated substance, as defined in M.G. L. Chapter 94C on any school property or at any school-sponsored activity or event away from or within the school. This includes the use of any illegal drug or regulated substance prior to attendance at, or participation in, a school-sponsored activity.

4. Members of the student body who are not active participants in any extracurricular activities may also be subject to suspension from attendance at school functions.

5. Any student who acts in a dangerous way or brings discredit to Robert Adams Middle School may have all privileges, including attendance at school activities, suspended as determined by the school administration.

Specific to involvement in athletics, the penalties for violation of these rules are: See Chemical health Rule.

Fall: X-Country, Field Hockey, Volleyball

Winter: Wrestling

Spring: Track & Field

1. Interscholastic competition exists for its educational value. Although winning is important, the prime objective is to appreciate the educational and athletic development of our young people.

2. Spectators and participants are all guests at this educational experience and have the responsibility to uphold the ideals of good sportsmanship.

3. Game officials do their best to make quick, fair, and unbiased decisions and should be treated with respect.

4. Every competitor is worthy of our respect and should be treated with courtesy.

5. A true competitor is humble in victory and steadfast in defeat.

To be eligible to be a Tri-Valley League All Star, athletes must represent good citizenship in all aspects of school and community involvement. Any student suspended for academic ineligibility or chemical health violations, occurring during the season of play or academic year, will not be considered for all star selection.

School discipline and team discipline is also considered in determining eligibility for All Star participation.

The coach of each sport will hold an informational meeting prior to the start of the season; candidates are expected to attend. Any candidate for a team must meet the following requirements prior to attending any tryout or practice:

1. Be academically eligible

2. Have a “passed” physical examination on file with the School Nurse

3. Have submitted a signed parental/guardian permission form

4. Be under nineteen years of age by September 1st

5. Submitted sports form and fee

Athletes who have made a team, have made a commitment to be at all practice sessions, contests, and team meetings. Any team member who must be late, or miss a practice or contest, for any reason must communicate with the coach. Absences from practices or contests may jeopardize playing time during interscholastic competitions.

Some practices and games are held on non-practice days. No practice may be held without a Robert Adams Middle School coaching staff member present.

The coaching staff of each sport has the sole responsibility for selecting team members, determining the level of play most beneficial to the development of the player and team, and the amount of playing time. Player concerns must be addressed first between the coach and the player. If a significant issue is not resolved, parents should plan to meet with the coach. If a resolution is not reached between the student-athlete, parent(s), and coach, the matter may be presented to the Director of Athletics. Playing time is not a debatable topic.

$175 per person/sport/season

The maximum family contribution for athletics is $1,000.00 per school year.

Payment in full must be received prior to any participation. All fee payments should be made at the Robert Adams Middle School Main Office. Checks should be made payable as follows:

Athletic Fees: Checks made payable to Town of Holliston – Athletics

Athletic fees are turned in to the Main Office. A separate check is necessary for each participant. Payment of the fee permits a student to participate in an activity. It does not entitle or guarantee the participant a minimum playing or performance time in scrimmages, games, etc.

No refunds will be made for voluntary or involuntary withdrawal from an activity after the first contest has been held. When a sports injury prevents participation in the activity, a refund may be made at the discretion of the Principal.

Severe or habitual violations of the disciplinary code may result in administrative removal of school privileges and/or of participation in school activities.

The emphasis at the Middle School level is to focus on the proper approach and attitude as well as the overall development of basic skills and team concepts through competition. Coaches make all their decisions based on what’s best for the team as a whole and not on any one individual. We strive for excellence within the Bay League and throughout the state. Our coaching staff will evaluate and determine the level most beneficial for their athlete’s development.

Students are responsible for and are expected to maintain proper care of all athletic equipment and uniforms issued to them. Once issued, students are responsible for payment of any items lost, stolen, or damaged. Each item not returned is assessed at a rate comparable to the current replacement cost. Any student-athlete not returning their equipment and uniforms will be billed for the equipment or uniforms at a rate comparable to the current replacement cost.

In accordance with the MIAA handbook, Rule #45, members of a school team are required to actively participate in all team competitions and practices. Team members are precluded from missing practices or competitions of any MIAA recognized sport to participate in a non-school athletic event. Any student who violates this rule is ineligible for two weeks or two contests.

-A second offense carries with it a 25% penalty of their season.

-A one-time waiver may be granted, but it needs approval of the coach, athletic director, principal and ultimately the MIAA governing body (30 days in advance of the event).

Students removed from an athletic event due to disruptive, uncooperative or unsportsmanlike conduct will lose the privilege of fan participation in future school-sponsored events as determined by the Athletic Director.

Taunting includes any actions or comments by coaches, players, or spectators which are intended to bait, anger, embarrass, ridicule, or demean others whether or not the deeds or words are vulgar or racist. Included is conduct that berates, intimidates, or threatens based on race, gender, ethnic origin, or background, and conduct that attacks religious beliefs, size, economic status, speech, family, special needs, or personal matters.

Examples of taunting include but are not limited to: “trash talk”, defined as verbal communication of a personal nature directed by a competitor to an opponent by ridiculing his/her skills, efforts, sexual orientation, or lack of success, which is likely to provoke an altercation or physical response; and physical intimidation outside the spirit of the game, including “in the face” confrontations by one player to another and standing over/straddling a tackled or fallen player.

At all MIAA contest sites and tournament venues, event organizers may give spectators one warning for taunting. Thereafter, spectators who taunt players, coaches, game officials, or other spectators are subject to ejection.

Student athletes are subject to school rules and regulations governing student behavior as cited previously in this handbook. All participants are reminded that they must be good citizens in order to represent their school and community in co-curricular activities. Violations of school rules resulting in suspension from school will automatically preclude student involvement in athletics or other co-curricular activities for the length of the suspen­sion. Repeated violations may result in the loss of any co-curricular privileges. All student-athletes must abide by the following:

• No student may practice or play unless the coach has a completed Athletic Registration Form in his/her possession.

• Students absent from school on the day of a game, scrimmage, or practice will not be permitted to participate in the activity. In order to take part in any athletic or extracurricular activities, a student must be present for at least 50% of the day. Anything less will exclude a student from taking part in any after school or evening activity. This includes athletic events, social and academic activities and any other extracurricular activity. Only the administration can excuse an absence.

• A player who is absent from a contest (game) without good and just cause may be suspended for a maximum of the next two contests. Any repeat of the behavior, or such absence from the last contest of the season, will result in automatic suspension from the team and loss of the right to any awards or activities that may be due other members of the team.

• During a sports season, a student who decides to attend a trip not sponsored by Robert Adams Middle School, or elects to go on a vacation, upon his/her return, will participate in all practices and will not participate in the first interscholastic event. Family related activities may be excused upon prior approval of the Athletic Director or an Administrator. The student's status as to his/her eligibility for an award is not affected.

• No participation on "outside" teams during the season, except those permitted under MIAA rules.

• Satisfactory attendance at practice, as required by the coach. If there is a need to be excused from attending a practice or meeting, it is the responsibility of the student-athlete and/or his/her parents to communicate with the coach before, not after, the practice/meeting.

• A student must be present at the practice preceding a game in order to participate in the game, unless excused by the coach.

• A student may not change from one sport to another once the first game of either sport has been played (special exceptions may be decided by the Principal of his/her designee for involvement in open enrollment sports). No student may play more than one sport per season.

• A student reporting late for team membership will be required to report regularly to all team practices, games and activities for a period of two weeks prior to participating in a scheduled contest. No student may try out for a team after final cuts have been made unless prior approval for extenuating circumstances (e.g., injuries). In such cases, no displacement from the team of squad members may occur. A student who is cut from one team will be given a full tryout for a second “non-cut” open enrollment sport, provided s/he is present at the next available practice.

• Team members will at all times maintain a satisfactory academic level of performance, as required by Robert Adams Middle School and MIAA guidelines. Members in violation of the code of conduct as prescribed in the Student Handbook are subject to suspension from a team.

• A student whose actions bring discredit to his/her team, teammates, and/or school may be suspended for a period of time determined by the coach, Athletic Director and Robert Adams Middle School Administration.

• No person, other than members of the team, coaches, or authorized persons will occupy any part of the bench during the game.

• A student must have school insurance or equivalent insurance coverage approved by the Superintendent of Schools.

• All players must have a physical examination within thirteen month before trying out for any sport.

• A student excused from physical education class for medical reasons may not participate in athletics as long as s/he does not participate in physical education classes.

• All athletes must ride the bus to and from games unless excused by the Athletic Director or an Administrator. Coaches may not grant this permission except in the event of a student riding with his/her parent.

• It is the responsibility of the athlete to report all injuries to the coach. Athletes are responsible for working with the trainer and the coach to insure that an accident report is submitted in a timely fashion to cover school and insurance company requirements.

• Each student will be held accountable for all equipment issued and must return the equipment promptly in clean and good condition at the request of the coach. A student who does not meet his/her responsibility in this area will be denied awards and further participation in the athletic program until restitution is made at current replacement cost for said equipment.

• MIAA and league rules will be followed in all contests.