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SAD #37 POLICY PHILOSOPHY OF
ATHLETICS The SAD #37 Board recognizes the value of athletics as an integral part of the educational program. The Board believes that participation in sports provides a significant learning experience and opportunity for personal growth. Learning in sports is closely related to learning in the classroom, supporting the Guiding Principles of Maine’s System of Learning Results. In competition and practice, student athletes learn skills, strategies, relationships, leadership, self-discipline, and responsibility. They also learn the importance of setting goals for themselves and the team, and planning how to achieve those goals. The Board also believes that participation in sports is a privilege that carries responsibilities to classmates, the school, community, and health and fitness. Sports provide the incentive for developing and maintaining healthy bodies and active minds. Sports promote habits of exercise and good nutrition that can last a lifetime. Participation in sports builds self-confidence and a sense of personal responsibility for making healthy lifestyle choices. Being part of a team also creates a feeling of belonging and offers a supportive network that contributes to emotional well-being. Based on these beliefs, it is the Board’s intent that the school district offer students the opportunity to experience developmentally sound athletic programs. At the elementary school level, the school district’s athletic programs will be designed to meet the developmental needs of students. At this level, athletic programs will emphasize exploration of various sports, the strengthening of fundamental skills, teamwork, sportsmanship, and health and safety. It is the Board’s intent that programs promote involvement of all students in athletic programs. At the high school level, interscholastic athletic programs will be designed to serve the needs of students who have shown that they are developmentally ready for competitive experiences. At this level, the purpose of athletic programs is to promote healthy competition, sportsmanship, cooperation, integrity and citizenship. The emphasis of all teams below the varsity level should be on the development of skills and attitudes that lead to a lifetime of athletic enjoyment. The Board will be responsible for approving the school sponsorship of interscholastic athletic programs. The Superintendent/designee (e.g., Athletic Director) shall be responsible for making recommendations concerning the approval of new athletic programs or the modification and elimination of existing programs. The Board may articulate, through policy, criteria to be considered in decision-making or may delegate the responsibility for developing such criteria to the Superintendent/designee. ATHLETIC GOALS
AND OBJECTIVES Our Goal: The student athlete shall become a more effective citizen in a democratic society. Our Specific Objectives: The student athlete shall learn team work—to work with others in a democratic society, a person must develop self-discipline, respect for authority, and the spirit of hard work and sacrifice, placing the team and its objectives higher than personal desires. 1. To Be Successful—Our society is very competitive. We do not always win, but we succeed when we continually strive to do so. You can learn to accept defeat only by striving to win with earnest dedication. Develop a desire to excel. 2. Sportsmanship—To accept success and defeat like a true sportsperson, knowing we have done our best, we must learn to treat others as we would have others treat us. We need to develop desirable social traits, including emotional control, honesty, cooperation, and dependability. 3. To Improve—Continual improvement is essential to good citizenship. As an athlete, you must establish a goal and you must constantly try to reach that goal. Try to better yourself in the skills involved and on those characteristics set forth as being desirable. 4. Enjoy Athletics—It is necessary for us to acknowledge all of the personal rewards we derive from athletics and to give sufficiently of ourselves in order to preserve and improve the program. 5. To Develop Desirable Personal Health Habits—To be an active, contributing citizen, it is important to obtain a high degree of physical fitness through exercise and good health habits, and to develop a desire to maintain this level of physical fitness after formal competition has been completed.
Cross References: JJIBA—Hiring and Evaluation of Coaches JJIBB—Sportsmanship JJIBC—Relations with Booster Groups JJIBD—Sponsorship & Evaluation of Athletic Programs Adopted: |
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