Team Policies

Attendance Philosophy
Swimming, unlike any other sport, requires a tremendous aerobic and endurance base.  Because of that, consistant practice attendance is essential to successful career.  Coaches break up the workouts to include dryland workouts including strength training, core work, and stretching programs.  Because of the tremendous demands of the sport, athletes are asked to commit to as much practice as they can.  Being an academic centered institution, we realize and enforce a positive academic environment.  Swimming can only be done successfully if the classroom is successful.  Athletes need to meet with coaches and develop a plan in the event of academic needs such as extra tutoring and studying are required. 

Please read some of our Q&A articles for more info and examples. 

Attendance Policies 

1. Athletes are expected to attend all assigned practice sessions.  Please see our practice schedules and calendar for more details. 

2. Athletes must be in school a minimum of five periods in order to participate in extra-curricular activities. 

3. Athletes are expected to announce all absences in advance to coaches.  

4. Email is the preferred method of notification, however text messages, and phone messages to the Athletic Office will be accepted.

5. Word of mouth, Facebook postings, or other methods not mentioned in #4, are not considered communication with coaches. 

5. Absences are categorized into the following: 

    a. Excused Absences - To be approved by coaches PRIOR to absence. 

        1. Illness, Classwork, Study periods

        2. School Club “competition” (i.e. Fine Arts production)  

        3. Family Plans/Vacations  

    b. Unexcused Absences - If an absence is not approved ahead of time, it is considered unexcused.

       1. 3 Unexcused Absences – Referral to Attendance Remediation Policy

       2. 3 Tardies = 1 Unexcused Absence 

       3. Unexcused absences would be given for ditching workouts (sleeping in is in this category).

       4. Non-school sponsored activities are considered unexcused absences regardless of notice. 

       5. TAC, SAC, or other school discipline that results in missing practice. 

6. Absences (excused or unexcused) are to be made up within one week.  Failure to do so will result in loss of eligibility to participate in meets.  While not supposed to be a punishment, it is meant as a safety mechanism to prevent injury form improper training.  

Attendance Eligibility Policy

1. Attendance eligibility will be conducted once each week on Thursday AM.  

2. An athlete that has missed any mandatory practice, will be required to attend a Make Up Session prior to the next Eligibility Check. 

3. Athletes who fail to make up practices prior to the eligibility check, will be ruled ineligible for competition until the following check. 

4. Athletes are still required to attend practices and meets during ineligible period to be re-considered eligible.  

Attendance Remediation Policy

An athlete who has failed to meet the attendance expectation will be referred to our Attendance Remediation Policy. A meeting will take place between parents, athlete, and Head Coach to discuss attendance infractions and expectations.  A plan of remediation will be discussed and corrective action will be documented.   A probation period will be recommended on first offense.  During a probation period, the swimmer will be required to attend practices assigned by the Head Coach.  After a successful period of probation, the athlete will return to the regular attendance policy.  

A subsequent attendance violation will result in an immediate one week suspension followed by a remediation meeting and probation.  The third violation will result in immediate termination from the team.  During remediation periods, any violation of attendance contracts will result in immediate termination from the team. 

Academic Eligibility

The student athlete must ensure they are keeping grades up.  Weekly checks are made by the Athletic Department.  Any athlete posting a grade of D or lower will be referred to Coach Tutoring. The Athletes will be asked to attend Coach Tutoring both Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 7 am to 7:40.  The athlete will get a pass from the lead teacher to present to the head coach when they enter practice in the afternoon.  The athletes will be required to attend Coach Tutoring until they are off the D and F list.   Athletes who are not passing at least 5 academic classes will be ruled  ineligible for competition per IHSA by-laws.  A remediation plan including Coach Tutoring will be established for students not eligible by the coaching staff in order to assist in bringing grades back up.  Athletes are still required to attend practices during academic ineligibility.

District 207 Policies

All District 207 policies and procedures are in effect.  Please familiarize yourself with the District 207 athletic policies.  Click here for District 207's Code of Conduct Policy. 

Maine West 24/7 Extra Curricular Conduct Policy

All student involved in extracurricular activities shall comply with rules and regulations and conduct themselves in a manner that will bring credit and honor to themselves, their schools and their communities. The Code defines the specific rules for student participation in extracurricular activities and guidelines and procedures to be followed for violations, which may also be applied to student behaviors as defined in Section II of the District 207 Discipline Procedures.

Click here to read the full policy. 

Communication & Chain of Command

1. Parents and swimmers should communicate regularly with coaches. 

2. The website and email will be the primary forms of communication from coaches. 

3. When possible, parents and athletes should schedule appointments to meet with assistant coaches rather than drop in. 

4. Members who have concerns of assistant coaches, program operations, and polices should talk with the Head Coach. 

5. Only after consulting with Head Coach, should any member approach the Athletic Director or Principal.

Pre-Season Parent Meeting

Each parent and athlete must attend a pre-sesaon meeting.  The meeting will share policies and procedures.  

General Guidelines

1. Shoes and shirts are required at all times when not in the pool area. 

2. No shoes or outside footwear is permitted on the pool deck, including shower areas. 

3. Belongings should be locked inside of lockers.  Belongings that don't fit, should be brought on the pool deck and stored in the bleachers.  We are not responsible for lost or stolen items. 

4. Swimmers are not permitted inside of offices, closets, or other storage areas without approval. 

5. Towels are provided by the school, however, swimmers must respect the service by placing used towels in bins and only taking the number of towels they will use.  Excessive use or waste may result in loss of privilege. 

Locker Room Guidelines

1. Each athlete is assigned a locker with a school-issued lock.  

2. Swimmers should notify coaches of any malfunctions of the lock or lockers immediately. 

3. Lockers are to be kept free of debris, towels, and food. 

4. Coaches supervise the locker room via a connection to the coach's office.  Changing should be not be done near this area. 

5. Use of cell phones, electronic devices, cameras, or other recording devices are prohibited inside the locker rooms. 

6. Towels should be deposited inside provided waste receptacles.  

After School Practice Procedures

1. Swimmers may not enter the pool area or locker rooms until a coach has arrived.  

2. Swimmers may wait outside the Boys Pool Entrance (Door 15) in the hallway while waiting for coaches. 

3. Food and debris must not be left behind in the hallways or other school common areas. 

Morning Practice Procedures

1. Athletes attending morning practice must follow building security policies. 

2. Those who drive to practice, must park in C-Wing or E-Wing/Spec Gym lots.

3. Swimmers may trade their C-Wing parking pass for a Spec Gym pass during season.  See the Dean's Office for details.  

4. Those who drive, enter the building at Bus Concourse, doors open at 5am.  

5. Athletes may not park in the Pool Lot on school days. 

6. Those who are dropped off, should be dropped off at Bus Concourse or Pool Lot.  

7. Door 15 will be opened at 5:15am. It may be locked after 5:45am.  

After Practice Procedures

1. Swimmers should plan to clear the locker rooms no later than fifteen (15) minutes after dismissal. 

2. Those waiting for rides are required to wait in Bus Concourse after fifteen minutes of dismissal.

3. Swimmers may not loiter in the building or pool area.   

Equipment Policies 

Swimmers are required to possess at least two practice swim suits and a pair of goggles.  These can be purchased through commercial swim shops or retail shops.  The Swim Team Store, our preferred vendor, sells a variety of good quality items through our own swim store portal.  

Team Suit/Uniform Policy

For swim meets, swimmers and divers are required to possess a team meet suit.  The 2016/2017 competition suitf.  It can be purchased a discounted rate from The Swim Team Store.  Additionally, previous year's black Speedo suits with logo are also approved. For information regarding finical assistance, please contact the Head Coach. 

Athletes are not to wear suits that represent another high school.  If they do they will be asked to wear another suit.

A limited number of team uniform items consisting of warm-up jump suits, bags are available.  Seniors will receive first dibs, then juniors, then sophomores, then freshmen.  The equipment that is loaned to the student by the school must be returned at the end of the season.  

Personal Equipment Policy

Additional personal equipment may be purchased for swimmers' personal use.  This includes bags, warm-up gear, kickboards, pull buoys, fins, and paddles.  Discounted items are available through the Swim Team Store. While highly encouraged, these items are not mandatory.  Please label all personal equipment and plan.  

Paperwork

All swimmers and divers are required to have necessary forms on-file with with the Athletic Department. Please visit the Maine West Athletic page to acquire the forms.  All forms must be turned in prior to participating. 

Transportation For Meets

Transportation is provided by the District to all away competitions and practices (if necessary).  Coaching staffs supervise all activities.  Student athletes are accounted for an are required to return to the school with the coach on the school-provided transportation vehicle.  The only exception is if a parent/guardian makes contact with the coach at the meet site or has prior approval from the Athletic Director or the Principal. 

Brain Injury Video - http://www.brainshark.com/IllinoisPrincipalsAssoc/concussion_ihsa