Goals:
We hope to achieve the following through our athletic program:
1. To provide students with the opportunity to engage in competitive activities and to come together to understand the word “compete” which is derived from the Latin words meaning “to strive together.”
2. To provide students with the opportunity to experience self-discipline, sacrifice and dedication as means of achieving goals.
3. To provide students with the opportunity to exemplify good sportsmanship as a means for learning good citizenship.
4. To provide students with the opportunity to experience working as a member of a team in order to achieve a goal, and in the process, learn that cooperation and competition are not mutually exclusive concepts.
5. To provide students with the opportunity to experience both winning and losing. Students should come to understand that losing provides opportunities to learn, setting the stage for future winning, and that winning is not as important as the end result. It is a feedback indicator that you’re probably doing a pretty good job as an individual and as a team.
6. To provide students with the opportunity to engage in competitive experiences in an acceptable manner.
7. To provide students with the opportunity to engage in organized activities with other students whose backgrounds and academic abilities may be dissimilar from their own.
8. To provide students with the opportunity to develop the ability and desire to use their time effectively.
9. To provide students with the opportunity to have a positive rallying point for the school in order to help them develop school loyalty and a sense of participation in a larger whole.
East Literature Magnet Rules & Expectations
1. All school rules apply while participating in athletics, whether at home or out of town.
2. As an athlete, you become a role model for other students. People will watch you on, as well as off, the field of competition. You represent yourself, your family, your school and your community. It is up to you to determine if you will be a positive or negative role model.
3. Uniforms will be provided by the school and worn in accordance with school policy.
TSSAA Eligibility Rules
1. Students must be enrolled in 6 classes.
2. No athlete shall participate in an independent or church league until the school season in over.
3. No student shall be eligible to participate if they reach the age of 19 on or before August 1st.
4. No student may participate in Freshmen sports if they reach the age of 16 on or before August 1st.
5. No student may participate in games or practice until a physical exam has been performed and a Consent Form, signed by parent or legal guardian, is on file. (See copy of Physical Form attached)
6. To be eligible to participate in athletic contests during any school year, a student must earn five credits the preceding school year (if less than 24 credits are required for graduation) or six credits the preceding school year (if more than 24 credits are required for graduation.) All credits must be earned by the first day of the beginning school year. Academic eligibility for a student is based on the requirements of the school the student was attending at the conclusion of the previous school year. Students who are ineligible for one semester may gain eligibility for the second semester by passing five subjects (1/2 credit) or three blocks.
*NOTE: See attached TSSAA insert for additional information.
Insurance
1. Parents or guardians are to file on their insurance 1st (primary carrier).
2. Athletic insurance is a secondary policy.
3. All claims must be filed in family insurance 1st.
4. If the family has no insurance, this must be stated on the group insurance claim form.
5. Neither East Literature Magnet nor Metro Nashville Public Schools will be responsible for asking for bills or information. Parents or guardians must provide all necessary information in order to file a claim.
6. Neither East Literature Magnet nor Metro Nashville Public Schools will be responsible for any balance that school insurance does not pay.
Risks
Athletic programs at East Literature Magnet are not required for graduation. Participation is a choice; therefore, there are certain risks involved.
1. There is a potential for injury, even with the use of proper equipment and supervision. If you choose to participate, you run a risk of being injured.
2. The coaching staff of East Literature Magnet will teach you how to play, but again, this does not eliminate the risk of injuries.
Awards
Any athlete who participates in a varsity sport and earns a letter for that sport may purchase a letter jacket. Only one letter is given per sport. If an athlete letters in more than one sport, he/she will be given a certificate of participation.
An Athletics Awards Banquet is held annually. It is held in the spring, after all athletics are complete. All athletes are encouraged to attend. There is no charge for athletes.
TSSAA Sports Calendar
Article III, Section 13
. . . A school may open its facilities to all students in their school and coaches may serve in a supervisory capacity only. No practice schedules may be followed, the facilities must be open to everyone in the school, and coaches may serve in a supervisory capacity only . . .
OPEN FACILITIES
1.) Question: Can a basketball coach be present after school while students at his/her
school are in the gym playing in October?
Answer: Yes. As long as the coach is present only in a supervisory capacity.
2.) Question: Can students hit in the baseball/softball cage in the fall and the coach be
present?
Answer: Yes. As long as the coach is present only in a supervisory capacity.
3.) Question: Is conditioning defined as part of open facilities?
Answer: No. Conditioning (running, etc.) is separate from open facilities. Conditioning
must be open to all students and not required.
4.) Question: Can open facilities be mandatory for students going out for the basketball team?
Answer: No. Open facilities cannot be required of students.
5.) Question: Can a coach leave practice plans with their players during open facilities?
Answer: Open facilities cannot be organized and no practice plans can be provided.
6.) Question: Are try-outs a part of open facilities?
Answer: No. Try-outs are defined as practice. Try-outs would be a violation prior to the beginning of the practice date.
7.) Question: When can open facilities be held?
Answer: Prior to the sport’s first practice date and after a school has completed their season.
8.) Question: Can anyone come to a school’s open facility?
Answer: No. Only students enrolled in the school.
9.) Question: Where can a school hold open facilities?
Answer: Open facilities can be held at school facilities or on school grounds.
THE ATHLETE’S PLEDGE
Individual and team success in sports results from commitment. Our motto is “commitment to excellence.” The extent to which young athletes are able to make such commitments reflects their maturity as well as their dedication to family, friends, school, and team. We ask you to read and agree to the following pledge:
As an athlete at East Literature Magnet School, I pledge:
1. To be a worthy representative of my teammates and coaches, abiding by school expectations and reflecting my team’s values of commitment and hard work.
2. To reflect the knowledge that a commitment to victory is nothing without the commitment to hard work in practice.
3. To attend every practice, unless excused by my coach.
4. To understand that my future as a responsible adult relates more to academics than my athletic activities.
5. To find the time to satisfy my family relationships and responsibilities.
6. To accept the responsibilities of team membership, cooperation, support of my teammates, shared responsibilities, positive interaction and mutual respect.
7. To reflect maturity by expressing my feelings and ideas intelligently and appropriately.
PARENT PLEDGE
As a parent, I am a role model. I will remember that school athletics are an extension of the classroom, offering learning experiences for the students. I will show respect for the opposing players, coaches, spectators and support groups. I will participate in cheers that support and uplift the involved. Using inappropriate language and taunting are contrary to the spirit of fair play and the good sportsmanship our school, our district, and the TSSAA expects of its members. I accept my responsibility to model good sportsmanship that comes with being the parent of a student-athlete.
ATHLETIC PHILOSOPHY
Officials and coaches of athletic teams believe students who are selected for the privilege of membership of teams should conduct themselves as responsible representatives of the school. In order to assure this conduct, coaches enforce a code of conduct. Furthermore, members of teams who fail to abide by this code are subject to disciplinary action.
Members of teams must always serve as examples of high moral character and must demonstrate appropriate academic commitment, which is expected from all students. As recognized representatives of East Literature, members are expected to exhibit appropriate behavior during the season or out of season, in uniform or out of uniform, on campus or off campus.
East Literature has as its primary goal the academic education of all students. Therefore, each coach has the obligation to encourage students to perform within reasonable academic standards.
All students’ use of tobacco products, alcoholic beverages or possession or use of non-prescribed controlled substances or paraphernalia for their use will not be tolerated, and the violators will be subject to disciplinary action.
*Students are not guaranteed any position in any school-sponsored organization. To included, but not limited to: athletic teams, band, cheerleading teams, student government, or any other group representing the school. Infractions of any disciplinary rules of the school may result in removal from any organization and its activities. As a result of a suspension, students who represent their school in any school-sponsored activity will forfeit their opportunity to participate in or attend said activities for the duration of that suspension.
If the student does not attend school the entire day on the above mention days, he/she will not be permitted to participate in or attend the next planned extra-curricular activity. Exceptions to this rule would be those groups attending school-sponsored functions out of town and are unable to return to school the next day.
*Each coach has the prerogative to establish additional rules pertaining to the activity supervised. These rules may include: attendance at practices, curfew, dress, and general conduct of participants during practices, contests, trips, etc. Rules set by individual coaches must be in writing and be approved by the athletic director and principal and communicated to the student participants.
My signature acknowledges that I have read the code of conduct regarding the policies and procedures of the East Literature Magnet School athletic department.
______________________________________________ ________________________________________
Signature of Parent or Guardian Date Signature of Student Athlete Date
RETURN THIS SIGNED FORM WITHING 3 DAYS OF RECEIPT TO BILLY WHITTAKER, ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
EAST LITERATURE ATHLETIC CODE
Athlete’s Name ______________________________________ Sport ____________________________________
Year in School (Please Circle) 9 10 11 12 Date ____________________________________