Week 1 Info/Updates:
Hello RRMS Track and Field Athletes and Families-
Please bookmark/save/print this email for future reference. This will be a long email, but it (along with reading the website) should answer most questions and get everyone ready for the start of the season. I typically send out one weekly email and post the updates on the website in the weekly update section as well.
Website and Website Exploration/How to: Website lists coaching staff, basic info, records, practice/calendars, meets, spirit wear (coming soon), spring break info,etc. I recommend printing the monthly calendars.
Required Documents: Log into Final Forms and make sure that an updated physical is on file and that all documents have been signed by parent/guardian and athlete. Final Forms will alert you when your physical is near expiration. An active one needs to be on file for the entire season.
Practice: Our first day of practice is Monday March 9. At the 3:18 bell, athletes will change in the locker rooms and meet ready to go by 3:30 sharp in the west gym where attendance is taken and announcements are given. If it is 30 degrees or warmer we go outside. However, if an athlete is not dressed appropriately for outdoor practice, they will be asked to go home or get proper clothes. Please make sure a water bottle is provided daily. Please pick your child up promptly in the front of the school or make arrangements for them to go to the library or rideshare home. Coaches have to say until every athlete is picked up or walks/bike rides home. Practice end time varies. Please refer to the calendars under the practice tab on the website for details.
Spirit Wear/Uniforms: all athletes will get a uniform on Friday March 27. Spirit wear is optional and I will update our website once the link is active. It should run from March 9- March 16. Running shoes are provided by families. Spikes are not required but if your son/daughter wants a pair for meets, I recommend getting a proper fitting at a running store like Second Sole. We have some donation ones we share with XC that athletes can try out as well.
Attendance: Attendance is taken daily. Please email me, Coach Dybowski, with absence notifications or letting me know of any conflicts so I can document them. I try to be as flexible as possible, however, safety is my #1 priority. If someone is absent often, it is not safe to allow them to compete in certain events nor fair to adjust relay teams on the fly. Repeated absences without notification/valid reason, is grounds for not continuing on the team.
Meets: Track meets are long. We do our best to keep them moving. A typical home meet/meet with one-two other schools lasts about 3 hours. Invitationals can be longer or shorter depending on what events are taking place. All athletes are invited to participate in our regular meets whereas invitationals are by invite only. Coaches select athletes based on best times/throws/jumps/etc. If you know of any meets that your child cannot attend, let me know ASAP. For home meets, we walk over to RRHS as a group. For away meets, everyone takes the bus there and back. If you need to take your child home from an away meet, you must fill out a transportation release form. Refer to the order of events tab under meets to see the order of events. This helps plan when your child may participate. A hard copy will be given to each athlete at practice.
Interested in helping out at a home meet? Please fill this form out. Thank you!
Stretching/Injuries: Stretching is so important. Properly warming up is equally as important. Coaches will lead athletes through warm up exercises and provide recommended stretches. Sometimes we end without enough time to fully stretch and ask athletes to do it on their own. Athletes that don't take warm up/cool down time seriously will be spoken to and a parent email will follow. While not glamorous, these activities help prevent injuries. If your child thinks they are injured, please let a coach know ASAP. We will likely refer you to see a Doctor but can try to help with stretches/other remedies if it is just mild soreness.
Athletics Handbook: Please review the athletics handbook (linked in the track website and here). Athletes are expected to follow directions, listen, and treat others with respect (both from our school and others). With 140+ kids participating in Track, it is very important we can trust our student athletes. Warnings will be given and then phone calls home will be made for student athletes not upholding the rules.