Athletics Parent Handbook

Athletic Department

The purpose of this handbook is to provide a guide for Northbrook School District 27 parents and students regarding policies, procedures and responsibilities related to interscholastic sports. A major goal of the interscholastic athletic program is to involve as many student athletes as possible in an educationally sound and successful manner.

Chris Schneider currently serves as the Athletic Director for Wood Oaks Jr. High. A major responsibility of the Athletic Director is to assist all coaches in the implementation of athletic programs and to provide students with the finest athletic program possible. Should you have any questions regarding general athletic program policies or procedures please contact Mr. Schneider at 272-1900, ext. 5543 or schneider.c@nb27.org.

The entire athletic program must work within the framework of the overall school program. No program can be successful without the cooperation and support of the community we serve. We hope that you find this information useful as you and your child begin your experience at Wood Oaks. Best of luck in all your athletic endeavors.

Important Phone Numbers

Wood Oaks: 847-272-1900

Wood Oaks Fax: 847-480-4834

Chris Schneider, Athletic Director: 847-272-1900 ext. 5543

Cari Beake, Principal: 847-272-1900 ext. 5530

Paul Suminski, Assistant Principal: 847-272-1900 ext. 5533

Athletic Seasons

Fall

Winter

Spring

Objectives of the Athletic Program

To provide students with the opportunity to develop and enhance their individual athletic abilities and talents.
To provide students with the opportunity to learn and demonstrate characteristics of good sportsmanship as a means to becoming a good citizen.
To provide students with the opportunity to learn skills and strategies that extend beyond their regular District 27 physical education curriculum.
To provide students with the opportunity to experience the importance and value of working as a member of a team.
To provide students with the opportunity to engage in competitive activities.
To provide students with the opportunity to experience self-discipline, determination, and sacrifice as a means of achieving a goal.
To provide students with the opportunity to experience a feeling of self-worth and to develop self-confidence through athletic participation.

Guidelines for Spectators at Wood Oaks Athletic Events

We are asking for your support as parents/guardians (or any spectator that is supporting Wood Oaks at our athletic events) in providing positive role-modeling for our student-athletes.

The involvement of our students in athletics and activities contributes to the development of their values system. Trustworthiness, citizenship, caring, fairness and respect are lifetime values that are taught through interscholastic activities and are principles of good sportsmanship and character. With these principles, the spirit of competition thrives, fueled by honest rivalry, courteous relations and grateful acceptance of the results.

The following are our expectations for all of our athletic spectators:

Understand the purpose of educational athletics. School sports are about students learning and having fun.
Accept all decisions of officials.
Applaud during the introduction of players, coaches and officials.
Make your cheers supportive and not instructions as to how to play.
Be a positive role model through your own actions.
Remain calm and composed during games. The athletes already place pressure on themselves.
Profanity, degrading remarks, and intimidating actions directed at officials or competitors will not be tolerated and are grounds for removal from the event site.

Thank you for your cooperation in the promotion of good sportsmanship!

Athletic Policies and Procedures

Parent Consent and Concussion Information Fact Sheet

Parent Consent

A tryout permission form Opens in New Window , signed by a parent is required for all students to try out for a Wood Oaks athletic team.
A parent consent form giving permission for the student to participate in Wood Oaks athletics must be signed and returned to the coach if the student makes the team.

Concussion Information Fact Sheet

Prior to trying out for any athletic team, a Concussion Information Fact Sheet Opens in New Window should be read by the parent and student/athlete. Upon completion, parent and student/athlete should sign the bottom of the sheet and return to their coach before tryouts.

Physical Examinations

All students who participate or try out for any interscholastic sport are required to have an annual physical exam by a licensed physician. The physical exam is good for only one year from the date of the exam and must be on file in the nurse’s office prior to the first sports clinic or tryout. Wood Oaks Jr. High School complies with the health and physical examination guidelines established by the Illinois High School Athletic Association.

Extra-Curricular Attendance

If a student is not in attendance by 9:30 a.m. or leaves before the end of the school day, he/she will not be permitted to participate in any extra-curricular activities unless special arrangements have been approved by the administration. In order to participate in interscholastic sports activities a student must be in attendance for the entire day on the day of the activity. This policy is in compliance with the ISBE attendance reporting regulations.

If a student is excused from physical education class on a particular day because he/she was unprepared or was medically excused by a physician or parent, the student cannot participate in athletic practices or games on that day.

Students are expected to attend all clinics, tryouts, practices, games, performances, meetings, meets, etc. Good attendance allows the team/group to reach its full potential. 8TH GRADE BASKETBALL AND VOLLEYBALL MEMBERS WILL TAKE PART IN THE FACULTY GAMES AT WO.

Extra-Curricular Academic Suspension Policy

The Wood Oaks Jr. High School administration and teaching staff has as its highest priority a focus on students’ academic achievement and learning. Academic competency is a prerequisite for participation in any extra-curricular activity, sport, or other related event. Students are expected to maintain a “C” average or better in all of their classes throughout the duration of the extra-curricular activity. If a student’s average in any class drops below the “C” level, he or she will not be permitted to continue in any extra-curricular activity. The suspension will result in full removal from all extra-curricular activities or events.

For example, athletes will not be allowed to practice or travel with the team while on academic suspension. The teachers will notify students if a grade drops below the “C” guideline. The Wood Oaks guidance counselor will notify students and parents on the Friday of each week. The suspension runs Friday to Friday until the grade is at a “C” level or higher. Extra-curricular activity lists will be checked by the staff every Friday. If a student’s grade falls below a “C” in any class at the end of that week, he or she will not be eligible to participate in the extra-curricular activity for the entire following week, beginning on Monday. Students who receive a grade below the “C” level for a quarter grade will also be ineligible for the following week. This list will only be checked on Friday and eligibility will be determined on a week to week basis. There shall be no probationary period. It is the student’s responsibility to maintain grades that will enable him or her to remain eligible for participation each week. Students may continue to try out for any sport or activity, regardless of their academic status.

Appropriate Behavior

Appropriate behavior is expected during all extra-curricular activities. All rules that govern and apply to student behavior during the school day also apply to extra-curricular activities. Student behavior on the bus, in the locker room, on the court/field, on the stage, etc., should promote a positive image of Wood Oaks Jr. High School. Inappropriate behavior will not be accepted or tolerated. All extra-curricular activities are extensions of the school day, so inappropriate behavior during the school day will affect participation in the before and after-school programs. Coaches are encouraged to maintain communication with administrators and parents regarding any discipline situation. The school administration will be directly involved in significant disciplinary matters and will make decisions regarding appropriate consequences. All disciplinary procedures and actions will be adhered to as outlined in the Board of Education Rules of Conduct.

Playing Time

All athletes who have made a team will play in all athletic contests. Playing time will not always be equal and is at the discretion of the individual coach. All coaches are asked to communicate their policies and practices regarding playing time to all athletes and parents shortly after the team is selected. Tournament playing time may differ from regular season playing time.

Practice/Game Student Pick-up

All student athletes are to be picked up immediately following a game or practice by his/her parents. We ask that parents be mindful of their child’s schedule to ensure timely pick-up. Athletes who are routinely picked up late are subject to removal from the team or activity per the individual coach’s policy.

Wood Oaks provides round trip bus transportation to/from away contests. Students have the option to be picked up after games from opposing schools, or take the bus back to Wood Oaks and be picked up there.

Activity Bus

Appropriate Attire

Practice attire must be appropriate for each sport. No clothing with references to alcohol, tobacco, drugs, nudity, or any sexual references will be tolerated. Athletes wearing inappropriate attire to practice should immediately be dismissed to change clothing. Coaches are to clearly communicate this guideline to athletes at the start of the season. This is consistent with the expectations in the student handbook.

Try-out Procedures

Try-outs are usually 2-3 days in length. Two or more coaches are present to help pick the team. All players are expected to be at ALL tryout dates. Absences must be cleared with the coach prior to the beginning of try-outs. The coaches are objective in their viewing of all players. All team lists will be posted on the Athletics Website at the assigned time decided by the coach.

Uniforms

Volleyball, basketball, and spirit squad uniforms are provided by Wood Oaks for the duration of the season. Participants will receive their uniform at the beginning of the season and are responsible for maintaining it during the season. Upon completion of the season, participants for these teams will return their uniforms to their respective coach. Participants in all other sports will purchase their uniforms to keep.
The district allows a student to modify his or her athletic or team uniform for the purpose of modesty in clothing or attire that is in accordance with the requirements of his or her religion or his or her cultural values or modesty preferences. A student is not required to receive the prior approval of the school board for such modification.

Sportsmanship Pledge

The Wood Oaks community believes that sportsmanship is very important. We ask all players, coaches and fans to commit themselves to a healthy competition and good sportsmanship.

We will always play hard, but our play will be safe, clean, and fair.
We may be outscored, but we will never be outclassed.
We will support our team while never degrading our opponent.
Our opponent will be treated with courtesy, dignity, and respect.
We will always appreciate a great play, no matter who makes it.
We will always extend a hand and an encouraging word.
When we win we will celebrate without boasting and if we lose it will be without excuses.

We will win by bringing honor to our team, our school, and ourselves.