“ A cœur vaillant rien d’impossible - To a valiant heart nothing is impossible.”

1. “A cœur vaillant rien d’impossible - To a valiant heart nothing is impossible.” Winter Sports Orientation October 22, 2009 JAGUAR ATHLETICS

2. Overview of the Winter JAGUAR Athletics Winter Sports Girls’ Basketball (Varsity and JV, 6-8th Grade) Boys’ Basketball (8th Grade, 7th/6th Grade, 6th/5th Grade) Girls’ Soccer (6th/5th Grade) The Winter Season lasts from November to the first week of February including playoffs.

3. Participation Requirements • Forms • Sports Emergency Card • Permission and Waiver We strongly encourage you to make an appointment for a physical for your child. • Commitment • Patience • Good Academic Standing

4. Associate Director of Athletics - Rob Rafeh • New emphasis on communication. • Orientation Nights • Web Site - www.frenchamericansf.org • 24 Hour Rule • Broader Participation with the addition of 5th Graders • New Emphasis on Sports Medicine and the care of our Student-Athletes What’s New

5. Middle School Overview The objective of the middle school athletic program is to provide students with multiple opportunities to participate in organized athletics. Given that athletes of this age participate at levels of differing abilities, talent, and experience, we have created an athletic program that supports this notion. Accordingly, French American International School competes in the Bay Area Interscholastic Athletic League (BAIAL) as well as the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO). Participation in both leagues allows French American the flexibility to field more teams at the most appropriate competitive levels. Under the tutelage of experience and inspiring coaches, interested students can discover strengths in new sports through practices, conditioning and team play. Seasoned athletes can raise their level of play in more challenging arenas. Being part of an athletic team is a big commitment for both the athlete and his/her family. Therefore, we continually work to improve our program and to make it the best possible experience for our students. Our Philosophy

6. Basketball • Schedules • Practices • Varsity/8th Grade 3 day commitment during the week. Possible one weekend practice • JV/7th Grade/6th Grade/5th Grade 2 day commitment during the week. Possible one day on weekend. • Leagues • BAIAL • CYO • Clinics/Hooked on Hoops • Facilities • Transportation • Uniforms

7. Schedules Practices Tuesdays and Thursday Leagues BAIAL Facilities Polo Fields Crocker Amazon Transportation Uniforms Soccer

8. To have fun
 • To improve skills • To develop fitness/exercise habits • To spend time with their friends
 • To experience the thrills and excitement that comes from • participating in interscholastic athletics • Being on a team • Opportunities for personal accomplishment
 • To develop confidence • Doing something that they excel in and enjoy • The opportunity to compete and win Why Kids Participate in Sports

9. Values We Teach • Few other endeavors will offer our students-athletes the opportunity to learn: • Respect • Industriousness • Teamwork • Sportsmanship • Commitment • Leadership • Joy from hard work • Focus • Confidence • Accountability • Self-control • Time management • Desire • Adaptability

10. Things to Remember • 1. KEEP ATHLETICS IN PERSPECTIVE • Emphasize the right priorities: Family, Academics, Athletics • Place value in the positive participation, not the winning or losing of a contest • Remember you as a parent at French American represent the school and • its Goals and Mission • Do not publicly demean participants in an athletic contest (Players, officials, • coaches, other parents or spectators, etc.) • 2. SUPPORT YOUR STUDENT-ATHLETE • Talk to your child about how things are going with his/her sport • Let your child select a sport based on his/her perceived ability and preferences • Come to as many of your child’s contests as possible • Stress and model the importance of a healthy lifestyle free of drugs, tobacco, • and alcohol • Do not support “quitting” as the best way to solve problems, but rather • perseverance • 3. SUPPORT THE PROGRAM • Be supportive of the coaching staff and respect their professional judgment • Follow the communication procedure outlined in the handbook • Model positive adult behavior when attending contests • Understand the time commitment and needs of the particular sports as many of • them involve significant commitments of time and financial resources • Display, by your actions and words, an understanding of the Goals and Mission • of French American International School, in order to promote and enhance the • image of our school to the community.

11. Friends of Sports Be a part of the team without being on the team. Join Friends Sports - “The Team behind the Teams” - Contact Frank Drolet Ways to be supportive: Become a team parent. Game Operations Take pictures Snacks for Teams Assist Athletic Department on Special Events Understand the time commitment and the sacrifice one makes when participating on an athletic team. Games and practices may affect vacations. Early Dismissals - Because of the nature of athletics and the travel involved, it is often necessary for student-athletes to be released from class. This in no way releases the student-athletes from any academic responsibility. Student-athletes are expected to respectfully notify the teachers in advance of their release time, leave class only at the time announced by the Athletic Department and make up all assignments and tests. Early dismissal due to athletic events does not exempt a student-athletes from turning in assignments by the due date. If student-athletes demonstrate an inability to perform these functions, athletic privileges may be curtailed or revoked.

12. The Athletic Department expects this from you: To agree with our mission and support it To pick up your child on time from practices or games To abide by the Spectator’s Code when attending a game or match To communicate concerns at the appropriate time To seek involvement in appropriate ways To support our values and discipline To seek information and facts, not believe rumors Support our teams and their coaches Respect Expectations You can expect this from the Athletic Department: • Fulfilling our mission • A safe, caring, challenging environment • Close communication about your child • Communication about athletics in general • An invitation to be involved • Fairness and consistency • Discipline • An “open ear” when concerns arise • The desire and pressure to win is not placed above education • Professionalism • Respect

13. Communication Parent to Coach Parents and coaches are two of the most important role models in a child’s life, and clear communication between these individuals is essential. The guidelines listed below are intended to clarify the athletic department expectations for this relationship. • Communication parents can expect from coaches: • Philosophy of the coach. • Expectations the coach has for your child and the team. • Team requirements: i.e. practices, special equipment, out of season training. • Location and times of all practices and games. • Procedures to follow should your child be injured during participation. • Disciplinary action that may result in your child being denied the privilege to • participate.

14. Communication coaches expect from parents: Concerns regarding a coach’s decision, philosophy and/or expectations. Notification of any illness or injuries or missed practices. Appropriate concerns to discuss with coaches: Treatment of your child, emotionally and physically. Ways to help your child improve. Concerns about your child’s behavior. Communication (cont’d)

15. If you have a concern, express it at the appropriate time and place. Please do NOT attempt to confront a coach before or after a contest or practice. These can be emotional times for both parents and coaches. Meetings of this nature do not promote resolutions. Listed below is the Athletic Department procedure for addressing any concern you may have regarding your child’s athletic experience. We ask that you use the following procedure until you feel the issue is resolved. Parent Procedures for Communicating Concerns • Arrange an appointment to speak with your child’s coach. • Arrange an appointment with the Director of Athletics. • Arrange an appointment with the Principal.

16. It’s great to be a Jaguar! Thanks for your support! QUESTIONS? “A cœur vaillant rien d’impossible - To a valiant heart nothing is impossible.”