Trinity Lutheran School, Centralia, Illinois

Trinity Lutheran School Athletic Handbook

PHILOSOPHY
The primary reason for an athletic program at Trinity Lutheran School
Is to give glory to God with the talents that He has so richly blessed us. Also, to instill in the hearts of the children a greater love and child-like faith in our God, Jesus Christ and love for other human beings.

It is the aim of Trinity's athletic program to facilitate these goals through various sport activities, through student's participation in interscholastic sports and cheerleading. It is hoped that through our athletic program the students will develop spiritually, mentally, emotionally, physically and socially. The students will be encouraged to be the best they can to the glory of God.

The athletic director and coaches will assume the roles to facilitate this growth and development.

Trinity's interscholastic sports and cheerleading programs are designed for 5-8 grades to provide the interested students a competitive program by participating on teams which play competitively against other schools.

PARENTAL ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE STUDENT ATHLETE
The parents of the student play an important role in their child's decision to participate in athletics. Since we encourage all of the children to be Christians first, students second, and athletes third, the responsibilities of the parents are vital for the child becoming a total and complete student athlete at Trinity Lutheran School.

1. Teach by example with a Christian attitude towards all. That all members involved
are part of the Body of Christ, brothers/sisters in Christ.

2. Assist the child to establish proper priorities with respect to God, family, studying and
athletics.

3. Support he student athlete's commitment to groups and the team.

4. Help to encourage and participate in the development of the student athletes' abilities.

5. Instill in the student athlete the need for good health habits; proper sleep, nutritious
food, proper exercise, and discourage the use of cigarettes, chewing tobacco, liquor
and drugs.

6. Make a commitment to help support the athlete and his/her team by attending sporting
events and encouraging the coaches. Displaying Christian sportsmanship and vocal
support of the players and coaches.

7. Develop within each student athlete foresight which enables him/her to accept
responsibility for both their own individual actions and the collective actions
associated with team membership.

8. The parents are the key link in a successful athletic program and success in school.
One part will carry over positively to the other.

9. If a parent has a concern, they should share it at the proper time first with the person
or parties involved. The second step is to speak with the Athletic Director. The third
step is to speak with the principal and finally to the Board of Christian Education.

Membership
Trinity Lutheran School is a member of the Little Six Conference and the Lutheran Sports Association. Trinity Lutheran School is a member of the Southern Illinois Junior High School Athletic Association in Track and Cross Country.

Sports for Participation

Cross Country - the boys and girls run in August to October.

Volleyball - the girls play in August to October.

Basketball - both the girls and boys play during October to February and later if in the LSA State.

Track - the boys and girls participate in meets from March to May.

Physical Examinations
Arrangements will be made by the Athletic Director for physical examinations before any student participation. Physical examinations will be required of all 6th - 8th graders wishing to participate in any sport during the school year.
Physical examinations will be required of students wishing to be on the cheerleading squad.

Fifth graders do not need to have a physical for sports since they are required to have a physical to enroll in fifth grade.
Parents who do not wish to have their child's physical examination here at school must take the child to the doctor and pay for the exam prior to allowing the child to participate in sports or cheerleading.

Scholastic Standing GPS (all sports)
Students wishing to participate must maintain at least a C- average in each subject area. Eligibility will be determined on a week by week basis. The grade point average will be determined on the last school day of each week. If a student is ineligible, they will not be able to attend practices or games until the last school day of the following week.
An exception to the rule may be made if the student seriously lacks the ability to perform up to standard. This determination will be made by the teacher, athletic director and the principal.

Awards
-A chenille letter "T" will be given the first year a player is on a team.
-A pin will be given to each athlete in every sport each year they participate.
-All 8th grade participants will receive a plaque for cross-county, volleyball and basketball.
-Ribbons will be given to track participants.
-A special award will be given to the player with the highest free throw shooting percentage in A games only. That player must have attempted at least 25 free throws in the season.
-All awards will be handed out at the PTL Awards Night.
-If a player is removed from the team or quits, no awards will be given.

Substance use/Abuse
Trinity Lutheran School Policy manual includes a substance use and abuse policy. This policy extends to the regular school days and school-sponsored activities held before or after school or on weekends. It extends to the school building, the school grounds, school buses, and wherever school sponsored activities are held.

Removal from Teams
A player may be removed from a team for the following reasons:

1. Unexcused absences. An unexcused absence occurs when the student fails to participate in a practice or game without notifying the coach and/or not having the proper clothing.
2. Unchristian-like conduct in practices or games.
3. Low grade point average.
4. The coach has the responsibility of removing a player from the team. Removal will take place after a consultation between parent, athletic director, coach and principal.

CROSS COUNTRY
Participation: The team will consist of boys and girls from 5th - 8th grades.

Eligibility: Eligibility is based on SIJHSAA guidelines.

Responsibility of Players

-Christian conduct is expected at all practices and meets.
-Players are expected to attend all practices and meets unless they are absent from school or they are excused by the coach.
-Players not attending at least ½ of the school day will not be permitted to attend a meet or practice that evening. If a player has an excused absence he/she will be able to play. i.e. doctors appointments, family emergency, etc.

VOLLEYBALL
Participation:
-The teams are open to all 5th-8th graders and will be divided into an A, B, and C squads depending on number of participants within the grades.
-The A team will consist of 8th graders and could include 5th-7th graders chosen by the coach.
-The B team will consist of 7th graders and could include 5th-6th graders chosen by the coach.
-The C team will consist of 5th and 6th graders.
-The make-up of the teams may vary as the season progresses.
-At the A team level, coaches will try to get all players in games for reasonable amounts of time; however, no playing time is guaranteed, particularly in tournaments. At the B and C level, playing time will be made as equal as possible.
-The number and composition of the teams may vary contingent on student participation numbers and/or coaching availability.

Eligibility: Eligibility is based on SIJHSAA guidelines.

Responsibility of Players

-Christian conduct is expected at all practices and meets.
-Players are expected to attend all practices and meets unless they are absent from school or they are excused by the coach.
-Players not attending at least ½ of the school day will not be permitted to attend a meet or practice that evening. If a player has an excused absence he/she will be able to play. i.e. doctors appointments, family emergency, etc.

BASKETBALL
Participation

-The teams are open to all 5th-8th graders and will be divided into an A, B, and C squads depending on number of participants within the grades.
-The A team will consist of 8th graders and could include 5th-7th graders chosen by the coach.
-The B team will consist of 7th graders and could include 5th-6th graders chosen by the coach.
-The C team will consist of 5th and 6th graders.
-The make-up of the teams may vary as the season progresses.
-At the A team level, coaches will try to get all players in games for reasonable amounts of time; however, no playing time is guaranteed, particularly in tournaments. At the B and C level, playing time will be made as equal as possible.
-The number and composition of the teams may vary contingent on student participation numbers and/or coaching availability.

Eligibility: Eligibility is based on SIJHSAA guidelines.

Responsibility of Players

-Christian conduct is expected at all practices and meets.
-Players are expected to attend all practices and meets unless they are absent from school or they are excused by the coach.
-Players not attending at least ½ of the school day will not be permitted to attend a meet or practice that evening. If a player has an excused absence he/she will be able to play. i.e. doctors appointments, family emergency, etc.

TRACK
Participation: The team will consist of boys and girls from 5th - 8th grade.

Eligibility

Eligibility is based on SIJHSAA guidelines.

Responsibility of Players

-Christian conduct is expected at all practices and meets.
-Players are expected to attend all practices and meets unless they are absent from school or they are excused by the coach.
-Players not attending at least ½ of the school day will not be permitted to attend a meet or practice that evening. If a player has an excused absence he/she will be able to play. i.e. doctors appointments, family emergency, etc.

CHEERLEADING
Participation
Cheerleading squads may be organized for teams A, B, or C when there is a sponsor and sufficient student interest.
There are no try outs for the cheerleading squad. We do ask, however, that the student consider the time and effort required before making this commitment. Cheerleading is a team activity that requires the attendance and cooperation of all students that with to get involved.
Trinity Lutheran School will provide a uniform for the A squad. It is the responsibility of the cheerleader to purchase socks, shoes, and tights. The shoes are to be used only for cheering until the end of the season.

Responsibility of Players
-Christian conduct is expected at all practices and meets.
-Players are expected to attend all practices and meets unless they are absent from school or they are excused by the coach.
-Players not attending at least ½ of the school day will not be permitted to attend a meet or practice that evening. If a player has an excused absence he/she will be able to play. i.e. doctors appointments, family emergency, etc.
-If a cheerleader is on the girls basketball team, that schedule will take priority over the cheerleading schedule.
-Academic eligibility for cheerleading is the same as any athletic team.

DUTIES OF COACHES
-Being a Christian example at all times.
-Be present at all practices. Be present at all games.
-Be responsible for keeping all score books.
-Be in charge of equipment for games and practices. Make sure all items are put away after use.
-Select the team players.
-Ride the bus to out-of-town games.
-Upon returning from out-of-town games, remain until all students have been picked up or have left.
-Set up practice schedule with the athletic director.
-No games or practices are to be scheduled during any worship services.

The Trinity Lutheran School Mission Statement

"Trinity Lutheran School celebrates God's gift of eternal life by providing children and their families with a Christ-centered, quality education in a caring and nurturing environment. "

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them,
for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14

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Trinity Lutheran School is a ministry of Trinity Lutheran Church, 201 S Pleasant Avenue, Centralia, IL 62801 (618)532-2614, a member congregation of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod with offices in St. Louis, Missouri and seminaries in St. Louis and Ft. Wayne, Indiana.The Synod also operates 10 colleges and universities in the United States.

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