Athletic Department 

Athletic Program Introduction 

INTRODUCTION 

This handbook was prepared in an effort to establish guidelines to help those who are connected with the administration of any phase of the athletic program in the Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District. While the information presented is designed for the entire coaching staff, it is extremely vital to the "walk-on" personnel involved in our program. Every Coach on our campuses has been approved by the A.D., Principal and the District office. The guidelines on the following pages are meant to enable all staff members to function with increased confidence and effectiveness. 

The coach of an athletic team is primarily responsible for the compliance of his/her squad members to the rules, regulations, and policies governing athletics at his/her assigned school. Compliance is enhanced when athletes are informed of and understand the policies. All coaches are directly responsible to the Athletic Director at his/her school for the application of these rules and regulations. The Athletic Director will administer these rules and regulations as they relate to inter squad and inter coach relationships. 

You have chosen an honorable profession and must be an example of honor and dignity for our student-athletes. 

The MVLA family is proud to be associated with all of you and ask that you join with us in dedicating ourselves to upholding the proud traditions of the schools in our district. 

PURPOSE 

The purpose of the Athletic Program in Mountain View-Los Altos USHD schools is to promote, direct, and conduct interscholastic athletics in such a manner as to further the aims of general education, promote friendly relations with other schools, to encourage participation by students, and to teach good sportsmanship. 

PHILOSOPHY 

The Athletic Department is an integral part of the total educational process of Los Altos, Mountain View, and Alta Vista High Schools. Being involved in athletics provides our students with opportunities to develop leadership skills and to learn the ideals of fair play and ethical behavior which are necessary for competition and cooperation in our society. It should also provide our students with unique opportunities for self-discipline, self-sacrifice, and loyalty to the community, the school, and the team. 

MVLA High Schools encourage all students to participate in athletics by offering a well-rounded program of interscholastic athletics for both young men and women. Competition and cooperation are prized in our culture, and both are fostered by a well-conducted athletic program under competent leadership. Athletics which are regulated to meet educational objectives can provide a major contribution to the physical and moral development of students. 

Interscholastic athletics is a voluntary program. Students are not obligated to participate and participation is not required for graduation. Thus, competition in high school athletics is a privilege and not a right. Accompanying this privilege is the responsibility to conform to standards established for the high school athletic program. This privilege may be revoked if the athlete fails or refuses to comply with the rules. 

Sportsmanship and Code of Conduct 

CIF/Central Coast Section defines sportsmanship as a person who can take a defeat without complaint, or victory without gloating, and who treats his/her opponents with fairness, courtesy and respect. Sportsmanship is a primary goal of this school and of the Central Coast Section. Good sportsmanship does not happen accidentally. It takes a lot of hard work, a great deal of courage and dedication to stand up and tell people when they are wrong or take the extra time to make sure things happen right. As Coaches, this is one of our most important responsibilities and if we are successful in this, we will have attained a more lasting mark than any championship could bring. Because the values we seek from athletics cannot exist without good sportsmanship, we can insure support from educational institutions only if those involved in high school athletics promote the highest sportsmanship possible. 

Good sportsmanship is expected at all games from all coaches and athletics. This includes respect for other teams, their fans, and the officials. The CCS Sportsmanship policy states that the following behavior is unacceptable at all CIF/CCS high school contests: 

Berating your opponent’s school or mascot, berating opposing players, obscene cheers or gestures, negative signs, artificial noise makers, or complaining about officials calls (verbal or gestures). 

Coaches and athletes are expected to behave in a manner that demonstrates good sportsmanship, use appropriate language and to otherwise act in ways that are not detrimental to the reputation of the team or the High School. 

In this handbook you will find additional documents from CCS (Central Coast Section of CIF) and CIF, the governing bodies for athletics in California: 

● CCS Sportsmanship Policy 

● CIF Principles of Pursuing Victory with Honor 

● CIF Code of Conduct for Coaches 

These standards have been adopted by CCS and it is the expectation of the district and the school that coaches will adhere to the guidelines outlined in these documents. 

Standards and Expectations for Coaching Staff 

In addition to the CCS standards referenced above, our district has adopted our own set of standards and expectations. Each coach will receive feedback about his/her performance and his/her program as noted in the Employment section of this handbook. Evaluation will be provided by the Athletic Director in cooperation with the Principal. This evaluation will be based upon expectations outlined below as well as the job description and student athlete survey results. The job description, survey instrument and evaluation document are included in this section. 

MVLA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC PROGRAM GOALS 

 To promote the development of good health and positive character of each athlete through the values of self-discipline, teamwork, competition, leadership, time management skills, fair play, ethical behavior, high academic standards and an overall commitment to personal excellence. 

 To provide safe, supportive, and knowledgeable coaching to promote the physical, mental, ethical, social and emotional well-being of the athlete. 

 To help students and parents understand the responsibilities which accompany the opportunity and privilege of sport and team participation by providing a model of good sportsmanship. 

 To clearly communicate behavioral expectations and to enforce consistent consequences for violations of school rules and regulations. 

 To provide a positive and meaningful experience for all athletes. 

CODE OF ETHICAL CONDUCT 

The Educational Code requires each school district to implement the following listed standards of ethical conduct for each temporary, probationary, or permanent employee of a school district providing supervisory and instructional services in interscholastic athletic programs and activities. Any specified person providing such services to the district shall: 

 Show respect for players, officials, and other coaches. 

 Respect the integrity and judgment of game officials. 

 Establish and model fair play, sportsmanship, and proper conduct. 

 Establish player safety and welfare as the highest priority. 

 Provide proper supervision of student at all times. 

 Use discretion when providing constructive criticism and when reprimanding players. 

 Maintain consistency in requiring all players to adhere to the established rules and standards of the game to be played. 

 Properly instruct players in the safe use of equipment. 

 Avoid exerting undue influence on pupils to take lighter academic courses in order to be eligible to participate in athletics. 

 Avoid recruitment of athletes from other schools. 

 Avoid exerting undue influence on a pupil’s decision to enroll in an athletic program at any public or private post-secondary educational institution. 

 Avoid suggesting, providing, or encouraging any athlete to use nonprescription drugs, anabolic steroids, or any substance to increase physical development or performance that is not approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, the Surgeon General of the United States, or the American Medical Association. 

 Follow the rules of behavior and the procedures for crowd control as established by the local board of education and the league in which the district participates. 

FORM OF ADDRESS 

Require all athletes to call you “Coach”, Mr., Miss, or Mrs. as appropriate. Keep a professional distance between yourself and your athletes. 

LANGUAGE 

Please carefully consider the language you use when speaking to or near any of our students, parents, and members of the community. Remember that District high schools are educational institutions first and foremost and that you are now part of a team of educators. The language and habits that your student-athletes observe will become a part of their make-up. If you lose control of your emotions, it is difficult to expect the athletes under your direction to maintain theirs. Coaches may not swear. 

A COACH SHOULD NEVER: 

 Allow any student to participate in try-outs, practice, or games without proper athletic clearance  Allow students to participate without proper supervision. 

 Leave students unattended after practice or game. Coaches should make sure that all athletes have been picked up by their parents after games/activities. 

 Allow students to be transported to or from contests in other than prescribed transportation. (Students may not drive themselves to games or offsite practices. Doing so will result in exclusion from that game or practice.) 

 Allow him or herself to be alone with an athlete in a room with the door closed. 

 Take an athlete home or to your residence. 

 Allow hazing of athletes. Examples of hazing would be: tying an athlete to a pole, putting athletes in a trash can, any type of embarrassing dress, any type of physical attack and anything that would make somebody uncomfortable. 

 Give your keys to any student or parent. 

 Contact students from other schools or allow them to visit the school. 

 Allow confidential information concerning students to be made public. 

A COACH MUST: 

 Be concerned first and foremost with the academic achievement as well as the health and safety of the athlete. 

 Know and understand all the administrative responsibilities that are involved in being a coach at your assigned high school. 

 Know and understand the CIF and SCVAL By-Laws that pertain to your sport. 

 Make sure that all athletes have appropriate authorization to participate. 

 Make sure that all coaching staff members and they themselves are cleared by the district to Coach.  Familiar with the school site processes. 

 Have emergency cards, training kit, and ice available for every athlete at practices and games.  Use only school-approved transportation to all games and practices. 

 Look, act, and sound like a professional educator. 

 Inform his/her Athletic Director by the next day of any time that a coach is ejected from a game.  Supervise athletes at all times when using school facilities. 

Administrative Responsibilities 

This section contains information about general administrative responsibilities that all coaches assume as part of their employment expectations. Please contact your Athletic Director if you have any questions. 

Athletic Clearance 

Before an athlete can participate in a sport, they must have completed all the information on the Athletic Program Enrollment form and sign up on the Athletic Clearance website. The link is located on the athletic website. They may not practice until this form has been completed in its entirety and submitted through the online clearance to the Athletic Director. This enrollment contains emergency contact information, physical exam verification, and health insurance information as well as other required information. 

Ensure Eligibility 

Coaches must ensure that all participants on his/her team meet these eligibility requirements. If a student participates without being eligible, the team will forfeit the games in which the student completed. 

Each student must meet these requirements to be eligible to participate in the athletic program. 

 A student must be enrolled in the school and live within the boundaries of the district or have an interdistrict transfer. 

 Athletes are expected to follow all school rules and regulations. Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District and the state of California eligibility rule demands that all athletes must have a 2.00 GPA at the end of the previous grading period of his/her sport. If the student is below a 2.00 GPA he/she will not be allowed to play. The athlete must also be enrolled in five classes and passed 20 semester credits in the previous grading period. The student must also be making successful progress towards meeting graduation requirements. 

 A student must fall within the prescribed age limit, which is no older than 19 years of age prior to June 15. In addition, to play Varsity Football, a student must be at least 15 years of age. 

 A student may not join a school varsity team after the first league contest of that team if the student has competed on an outside team in the same sport during the school/league season of that sport. He/she becomes ineligible to compete on the high school team. The high school games in which the student participated after violation of this rule shall be forfeited. 

 A student visiting from a foreign country may compete on a team only if he/she is part of an official exchange program and the necessary transfer papers have been approved and signed. Violation of these rules may result if forfeiture of the games in which the student participated. 

 When a student transfers to any Mountain View-Los Altos USHD high school from any other high school, all the necessary transfer papers must be approved and signed prior to participation. Violation of this rule may result in forfeiture of the games in which the student participated. Transfer form CIF – 207 and 510 are available from the Athletic Director. 

 All athletes must have a yearly physical exam and have insurance. School insurance can be purchased through the bookkeeper’s office. 

Associate Student Body Membership 

All Athletes are required to become members of the Associated Student Body (ASB) by purchasing an ASB card. ASB funds the cost of referees, league dues and tournament entry fees. Participation in athletics is a privilege. 

Drugs and Alcohol 

Alcohol, tobacco, narcotics and other controlled substances negatively affect the athlete’s physical well being. Student athletes are expected to refrain from use of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs. All athletes must acknowledge in the online clearance section the District Co-Curricular Drug and Alcohol Policy Agreement Anyone who violates this policy will be subject to disciplinary action as outlined in that policy. Coaches are expected to be familiar with and help enforce this policy. 

League Meetings 

Varsity head coaches are required to attend a pre-season and a post-season league meeting. If you are unable to attend please send your assistant coach so a representative may attend the meeting. The school is charged $100 for each meeting and sport a coach is not in attendance. Be sure to take complete statistics to the post-season meeting so members of your team can be selected to the represent your school on all-league teams. 

Schedules 

Coaches are responsible for scheduling any pre-season contests. The complete league schedule for all sports should be given to the athletic director by June 1stNon-league games are not assigned adjunct duty. Please get approval for tournaments or overnight road trips before you schedule them. 

Team Rosters 

Give an accurate roster of your team to the Athletic Director to verify eligibility as soon as possible and update it as necessary. 

Team Pictures 

Team pictures are scheduled 2 to 3 weeks after the first day of practice by the Athletic Director with the school’s photography vendor. Envelopes will be distributed a few days prior to picture day. It is your responsibility to distribute the envelopes and help organize your students on the day of the event. 

Emergency Cards 

Each coach is responsible to have a copy of the students emergency card available at each practice and contest for every student present. This would include managers, scorekeepers, and statisticians. 

Coaches should also have an EAP (Emergency Action Plan) in place for practices. 

Medical Kit 

Each coach is responsible for re-stocking his/her teams' medical kit with the Athletic Trainer. Always check supplies before an away practice or contest. The medical kit is also a great place to keep emergency cards, that you are required to keep with you at all games/and practices. Please do not hand out medical supplies indiscriminately. 

Accident Reports 

It is the responsibility of the supervising coach to fill out an accident report as soon as possible and present it to the trainer and athletic director within 24 hours of an accident. In general, a report of an accident should be filed if the athlete misses practice due to injury, sees a medical practitioner, or if, in the coach's opinion, the situation warrants a report. Communicate with the parent/guardian of the student-athlete as soon as possible. If an athlete misses practice on the request of a physician the athlete must have a note of clearance before returning to practice. Please contact the parent no matter how minor the injury might be. 

Safety 

There are inherent dangers in all sports activity. Coaches must alert student-athletes of potential injuries even though certain risks are consented to by students and parents. Coaches must inform the Athletic Director of faulty equipment and unsafe conditions in the practice or playing area immediately upon their discovery. Culpability is assured if any of us are found negligent in our assignments. 

EAP- Emergency Action Plan 

Coaches will have an Emergency Action plan for their practice/game site. Assign athletes tasks in case an emergency arises. 

Report Suspicious Activities 

As a coach you have a unique relationship with many students, much more than a classroom teacher. Because of this you might be able to spot suspicious behavior earlier than others. If an athlete seems troubled, report this to the Athletic Director immediately. 

Publication Relations* 

Each head coach of a Varsity sport is expected to report scores to our local newspapers and MaxPreps. Allow yourself at least ten minutes after the contest in order to “cool off” and formulate your thoughts. Be sure that you are calm and in control of your emotions whether speaking with members of the media in person or over the phone. Plan your comments from a positive perspective and in such a way that you can be proud of any quotes attributed to you concerning your program or a particular contest or individual. Coaches or their designee should call in their scores to the appropriate news sources. 

Max Preps – Coaches need to register with MaxPreps.com (all scores need to be published here. CCS will use these scores for varsity post season playoffs. 

Home Campus –updates our athletic website for your sport. 

SCVAL- Winning team texts score to 408-230-0452 

Palo Alto Daily News is published daily and can be reached at 327-6397 x311 

The Palo Alto Weekly is published weekly and can be reached at (415) 326-8210 ext. 248. *Publicity is important to our athletes and our community. 

Daily Bulletin Notices 

All information must be in before 10:00am the day before the announcement needs to be given. We have video announcements for the bulletin which means everything is taped one day in advance. 

Athletic Department 

ATHLETIC GOVERNANCE 

The governing organization under which we participate is the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF). The CIF is divided into sections, ours is the Central Coast Section (CCS). CCS encompasses the area from King City to San Francisco running up the west side of the Bay. CCS includes over 110 schools, public and private. 

Our league within the CCS is the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League (SCVAL). Fourteen schools participate in boys and girls sports. In an attempt to assure a “level playing field’, the league is divided into two divisions, the De Anza Division (relatively stronger teams) and the El Camino Division. Assignment is based on past performance and may occasionally change based on results from the previous season. Assignment is on an individual sport basis; therefore, one school may have some teams in each division. 

PARTICIPATING SCVAL HIGH SCHOOLS 

Cupertino Los Gatos Palo Alto 

Fremont (Sunnyvale) Lynbrook Santa Clara 

Gunn Milpitas Saratoga 

Homestead Monte Vista Wilcox 

Los Altos Mountain View

Athletic Department 

The Athletic Director and the Activities Director work together along with the Principal to ensure that the athletic program is able to function at a high level. Staff support is critical in running our program. Coordination for all supervisors and ticket takers is handled through our Activities Director. School spirit, rallies and other special activities are handled through ASB (Associated Student Body) in coordination with the Activities Office. An Administrator is at every home game to assure sportsmanship of all fans. 

The Principal, as administrative head of the school, is the head of all activities in the school, including athletics and makes all final decisions on Personnel. Responsibility for day-to-day operation of the athletic program is delegated by the Principal to the Athletic Director. 

The Athletic Director has primary responsibility for facilities, personnel, officials, game supervision (with administrators), scheduling, transportation, budget, equipment, eligibility, team photos, awards, scholarships, and communications (including news and media). The Director reports to the Principal. 

The Assistant Principal overseeing student activities has primary responsibility for assigning staff for various duties at each sporting event, coordinating activities for special games with the Athletic Director, and overseeing the school rallies. 

Student/Team Protocols 

Behavior 

Student athletes assume the obligation to appear in public appropriately dressed and to engage in behavior that reflects credit to their school, team, and community. Disruptive behavior in or out of school may result in suspension from athletics. The school has the authority to revoke that privilege when the athlete does not 

comply with the rules. No awards will be given at the end of the season to athletes who do not maintain their academic eligibility or quit a team. 

Team Uniforms 

Athletes are financially responsible for all equipment and uniforms that they have checked out. The athlete will receive credit on items checked in only if they are the identical items checked out. Athletes are held from competition from another sport until all equipment has been returned. 

Athletes are financially responsible for all equipment and uniforms checked out. All uniforms will be issued by the Coach/and or with the help of Team Parents. It will be the coach’s responsibility to do the following: 

 Schedule a day and time with the AD to get uniform cards. 

 Keep an accurate record of uniforms and equipment issued. 

 Collection of uniforms at the end of season by scheduling with the AD if assistance is necessary. 

 Turn in any names of athletes with cost of uniform/equipment not turned in. A fine will be placed on their account. 

Practice/Games 

Practices are mandatory and can be held daily, (CIF RULES PROHIBIT PRACTICING ON SUNDAY). Practice schedules for each sport are determined by the availability of the coach and facility. Practices may start 7th period or after school. The coach, in coordination with the Athletic Director, sets the practice times. Each coach should provide the students with a practice schedule. 

The athlete must always consult with the coach if he/she must miss practice or game. Employment is not a valid reason for missing. Consequences for absences will be based on the head coach’s rules that will be told to the athletes on or before the first practice. 

Termination of Participation by an Athlete 

Cut from a team because of lack of ability: An athlete cut from a team may try-out for another sport immediately. 

Dropped from a team by mutual consent: An athlete may terminate association with a team by approval of the coach prior to dropping the sport. The athlete is eligible to try-out for another sport subject to approval by the athletic director and the coach of the new sport. 

Quitting a sport: An athlete who quits any sport without approval of the coach and athletic director will be suspended from participating in any athletic program until the next sport season. 

Loss of academic eligibility: An athlete who losses academic eligibility cannot play in any contests. They will not receive any credit or be eligible for awards. 

Appeal Procedure 

All student-athletes have the right to appeal their suspension from any sports program. The appeal process must be initiated by the student-athlete in the form of a written request to the Athletic Director within one week of the suspension. It will then go to the Athletic Review Board. 

Athletic Review Board 

The Athletic Review Board at each school site shall be composed of the Principal or School Administrator, Athletic Director, and a neutral coach. The purpose of the Review Board is to hear appeals from suspended athletes who desire to return to the sports program. 

Team Selection 

Three Day Tryout Period 

All Athletes are given five days to tryout. This is a SCVAL rule. After five days you can make selections for your team. If a student is participating in another sport during try-outs, they are also guaranteed a five day tryout when they arrive. Athletes are only allowed to participate on one team during each season. 

Handling Cuts 

Please handle this decision with respect to the athletes who do not make the team. While there is no exact rule on how to do this, most coaches post the names of the athletes who make the team and encourage athletes who do not to meet with the coach to see what areas they need to improve. Telling an athlete they did not make the team can be quite heartbreaking for that athlete and how you handle it can play a big part in the development of the student athlete. 

Back to Back Seasons 

An Athlete, who is ending one season and immediately starting another sport, may have up to three days off (a weekend counts as two days). It is the responsibility of the athlete to see the coach whose season he/she is starting and confirm how many days he/she can take off. These athletes are given the five day tryout requirement. 

Varsity or FS/JV 

If you have an athlete who age wise would most likely be on the FS/JV team (9th or 10th grade), but you think they are good enough to play varsity, the rule of thumb is that an athlete who age wise fits in with FS/JV should play at least 50% of the time for the varsity squad to justify their positioning on that roster. If they are not going to play that much they should stay on the FS/JV team. Seniors may only participate at the Varsity Level – no exceptions! 

The Role of Your FS/JV Team 

While winning is always important, the primary focus is to develop the players skills through practice and competition. All FS and JV players should have equal opportunities to develop their skills before entering the varsity level. 

The varsity coach should have an active role with their FS/JV program. A successful program has to have cooperation between both teams. As a varsity coach you need to support your FS/JV coach and his/her

Transportation and Trips 

All student-athletes must ride in school provided transportation to and from all contests. Students may be released to their parent/guardian after a contest upon approval of the coach and a note from the parent/guardian. Students may not be released to another teammate/friends parent. Please meet the parent/guardian and make sure that only their child is going home with them. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES MAY A STUDENT DRIVE. Coaches are to see that school vans are kept clean or cleaner than when first boarded. When your team is to use a van you should pick up the keys and a Vehicle Check List from the Athletic Office. The keys should be returned immediately with a completed vehicle check list. 

There is a $100.00 transportation contribution for each activity. If a student cannot afford this he/she may obtain a waiver form from the Assistant Principal Suzanne Woolfolk. 

Release Time 

Class release times for away contests are set at the beginning of the season and are not to be changed except with the approval of the Athletic Director and the Principal. In most cases, athletes are excused from class up to 15 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time. Athletes are to be in class as much as possible. Time management is very important for your athletes. 

Buses/Vans 

Buses are reserved for teams who have 18 or more athletes. For teams with fewer than 18 athletes it is coaches responsibility to arrange vans. Contact Julie Focaracci at Mountain View and Georgina Davila at Los Altos to arrange transportation. 

Parent Drivers 

A parent may drive a group of students to a competition only if that parent has been approved by the district as a driver. The forms to obtain this clearance which will include a copy of the applicant’s driving record from the DMV are available on the school’s web site and athletic office.

Facilities and Equipment 

Facilities 

Each of our high schools has some of the best facilities in the area. It is all of our responsibility to maintain the facilities. Each sport has specific things that need to be done before practices or games. It is expected that the coach will make sure that these thing are done correctly. Students should be supervised and the coach should check to make sure facilities and set up of equipment is done correctly. 

All athletic equipment and facilities are restricted to use by Mountain View-Los Altos UHSD students and staff only. Use of facilities will be arranged by the Athletic Director and respective coaches. The High School facilities are not to be used for activities that fall outside of a High School event. For example a coach cannot use the gym for a basketball game with his/her friends. Any use of the facility beyond games or normal practice hours must be approved in advance by the Athletic Director and the Facilities Director. 

Summer Program & Facilities 

Coaches who plan to have their teams participate during the summer months need to be fully aware of CIF and SCVAL policies regarding such participation. All activities need to be cleared through the Athletic Director. Present a calendar of activities showing date, day, time, location, and level of participation. All facilities on campus must be reserved in advance through the Athletic Director and Facilities Coordinator Galen Rosenberg @ (650) 960-8814 (Los Altos) or Mike Mathiesen @ (650) 940-4604 (Mountain View). Coaches and players are financially responsible for all costs incurred. 

Locker Rooms and Team Rooms 

The Boy’s Team Room is located next to the Boys Locker Room and is used by multiple teams during the seasons of sport. The Girl’s Team Room is located between the girl’s locker room and the large gym. All Baseball/Softball Bats, Field Hockey Sticks, Lacrosse Sticks Must be locked up and not seen during the school day by players. Any student who damages the facility will need to pay or fix the damage and will be 

subject to school disciplinary action. It is the expectation that the coaches supervise and insure the rooms are kept clean. Please keep the rooms clean by assigning your athletes to clean and sweep the rooms daily. See that these areas are supervised as long as any of your squad members are present. All athletes are to use the locker room to change and store personal belongings. Please do not tolerate athletes changing on the field, on the pool deck or in the gymnasium.

Gym 

All teams using the gym must sweep, pick up trash, and insure bleachers are in before and after using the gym. There should be absolutely no food or drinks or hard shoes permitted on the floor. The Coach should be the last person out and ensure lights are off and doors are locked. 

Athletic Weight Room/Fitness Room 

The Athletic Weight Room is located next to the gym. Coaches must supervise their athletes at all times, there are no exceptions. In order to use the weight room you must set up days and times with the Athletic Director. Teams will be responsible for putting all weights and bars back properly, cleaning the pads and sweeping the floor after use. Music must be appropriate and kept at a reasonable volume. Damage to sound system will be billed to the team. 

Athletic Grass Fields 

The athletic grass fields must be maintained. Coaches need to organize their practices, vary their drills, and use all of their assigned field space and not stay in one area every practice. On days that it rains our grass fields will be shut down so please have a Rain Out Plan. 

Parent Involvement 

Parents can play a very important role in our athletic program. They can do many off the field tasks that will enhance your program. It is the hope of the Athletic Director that each sport will have a Team Parent to assist with these activities. However, there are guidelines on their role. Please make sure to follow the expectations set up by High School to ensure the best athletic program for your team. 

Driving 

Buses and vans are provided for all teams. A parent may only drive if they have been approved through DMV and our District Office with the proper paper work. Under no circumstances is an athlete allowed to drive to or from an event. Allow at least 2 weeks for paperwork to be processed. 

Team Parent 

A Team Parent can organize drivers, half time refreshments, team meals, run the snack bar, sign up parents to run clocks, etc. However, a Team Parent should never tell the coach who to play or interfere with the coaching of the team. You have been hired to coach your sport and we trust your judgment in areas such as game strategy, position placement, substitutions, etc. 

Parent Meetings 

A parent meeting is MANDATORY before the 1stleague game to help explain your policies and meet the parents. One meeting with JV and Varsity Parents and players. The meeting can be held at school or at someone’s home. Remember, any meeting held at a private residence that has students in its presence must be a dry event. No alcohol can be served. Items that should be discussed in the individual team meetings should be as follows: 

 Your coaching philosophy. 

 Team rules. 

 Safety requirements/rules/policies 

 Transportation Policy 

 Letter requirements 

 Hand out schedules 

 Remind parent about transportation fee. 

 Have Team Parent do a sign-up sheet for the various off the field tasks your team will need.  Other items the head coach feels should be included that will make your job easier.  Encourage parents to participate in Athletic Booster Fundraising events. 

Communication with Parents 

Every year there are misunderstandings between parents and coaches concerning a variety of issues. In order to minimize these problems, it is recommended that you send home a letter each season to all the parents of the participants on your team. This letter should contain the following information: 

 How to contact you. Email, phone number. 

 Practice schedules – days and times as well as where those practices are to be held.  Game Schedules and our web site (www.mvla.net/LAHS) for information 

 Criteria for being selected to play on your team. 

 Team Rules and consequences for violating those rules. 

 Eligibility requirements as set forth by CIF, our league, and MV/LA High School District.  Physical exam, Insurance and drug policy requirements. 

 Transportation information – If you have the need to call upon parental help in transporting your team, this would be a good time to ask for it. 

Parent Limits 

Be very careful to avoid showing favoritism towards specific parents. It is critical that you are equal with all parents. Parents have the right to ask a question about practice schedules, how playing time is decided and what could their child do to improve. If you have parents who are exceeding their roles, please contact the 

Athletic Director for assistance. In your parent meeting please establish the appropriate time and place that parents can approach you with questions. 

Parent Complaints 

Set up a meeting to address their concerns and find a respectable resolution. If that does not work or you don’t feel comfortable and would like assistance contact the Athletic Director to be involved. There will be times that Parents will go directly to the Athletic Director, concerning information will be passed along to Coaches to help support them and their program. 

Awards Night 

LAHS AWARDS AND RECOGNITION 

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MOUNTAIN VIEW-LOS ALTOS UHSD 

COACHES’ HANDBOOK 

At the end of each sport season, an awards night is presented by LAAL – Los Altos Athletic League and the Athletic Department. Certificates, blocks, pins, plaques and trophies are presented to athletes at this event. The fall sports night will be early in December, the winter will be early March, and the spring in mid-late May. All sports for that season will attend and the coach will present Scholar Athletic Awards, 4 year athletes and Team Plaques. 

VARSITY BLOCK LETTER 

All athletes that play on a Varsity team for the first time receive a block. Once a student has received their block, they are given a pin representing additional years of varsity play. 

CERTIFICATES 

An athlete on a Varsity, JV or F/S team will receive a certificate of participation for each sport they play. Scholastic Certificates- given to athletes with 4.0 and above. 

All League-given to athletes who have been selected by the Coaches at the end of the season. Each sport is different for their criteria. 

Trophies 

Three trophies may be awarded per Varsity sports team. For F/S and JV, two trophies. Team members vote on some awards and coaches determine the recipients of other awards. 

No awards are be given at the end of a season to an athlete who fails to maintain his/her academic eligibility or quits a team. 

Please do not schedule a team party and/or disclose award winners before the official Awards Night! 

The Athletic Director and principal shall review all recommendations for awards by coaches. Varsity Awards Junior Varsity Awards 1 Most Valuable Player 1 Most Valuable Player 1 Most Improved 1 Most Improved Player 1 Coaches Award 

ATTIRE 

Whenever possible, the awards ceremony will be held in the theater and therefore, it is expected that coaches and student-athletes dress appropriately for this occasion. The large gym is the other venue we will hold the awards night.