Introduction

St. Francis de Sales School offers a variety of sports for both boys and girls in MiddleSchool, including volleyball, basketball, soccer and track. The athletic program also includes cheerleading for all sports. Additional sports are periodically considered if there is sufficient interest on the part of the students and parents. The athletic program falls under the jurisdiction of the School, and is administered by the Principal, the Athletic Coordinator, full- and part-time coaches, and parent volunteers. The St. Francis de Sales Booster Club serves as an advisory board to the Principal, and assists with the administration of the program. St. Francis de Sales is a member of the Greater Houston Catholic Athletic Association, and is bound by all the rules of the league.

[top...]

Philosophy and Objectives

St. Francis de Sales School encourages wide participation in its athletic program so that students will have the opportunity to experience being part of a team and to develop their physical skills and athletic talents. Even though winning and excelling are desirable parts of any athletic program, the primary objectives of our program are the development of sportsmanship and leadership qualities. In order to provide this opportunity to as many students as possible, every effort is made to maximize the number of sports and teams, the roster sizes and each child's playing time, within the practical limits afforded by the sport. However, because of the competitive nature of athletics, and because there are practical limits to team sizes, all students may not have the opportunity to participate in the sports programs to the extent that they may wish. By necessity, the process is selective. The primary goals of the younger teams are to instruct and develop skills. They will be as inclusive as possible, and all participants will be given playing time. Teams at the eighth grade or varsity level will also emphasize these goals, but will include a stronger emphasis on competition and excelling, and will be more selective in participation and playing time.

[top...]

Grade Eligibility

Eligibility requirements for sports are the same as those listed for extracurricular activities in the St. Francis de Sales School Student-Parent Handbook, which are legal requirements mandated by the State of Texas.

In order to participate in extracurricular activities, a student shall maintain at least a C average in each subject and satisfactory conduct in each subject, including homeroom.

Eligibility will be checked every 4-1/2 weeks and a progress report issued to a student not meeting this standard. Students doing below average work or making an N in conduct will be required to have written parental permission requesting that the student be allowed to remain in the activity until the next progress report.

Any student receiving an F or U on the report card is ineligible to participate in extracurricular activities for a period of 4-1/2 weeks. Parental permission does not apply in this situation.

The Assistant Principal must certify that a student is eligible to participate before he or she can try out for a team. If a student becomes ineligible, that student is not allowed to participate in any practices or games. The Assistant Principal must re-certify the student's eligibility. A coach cannot certify or re-certify a student's eligibility.

Cheerleaders maintain their own policies governing eligibility in their "St. Francis de Sales Cheerleading Constitution."

[top...]

Booster Club

The Booster Club is established for the benefit of the school and operates in accordance with bylaws approved by the School Commission. The Booster Club assists the school by promoting parent involvement with and concern for athletic competition which teaches students the dual nature of physical activity and moral growth. All parents are automatically members of the Booster Club, and are encouraged to actively support Booster Club activities and to consider participation as a member of the Booster Club board.

[top...]

Awards

An Athletics Award Ceremony, sponsored by the Booster Club, is held at the end of each school year. The purpose of this ceremony is to recognize all of the athletes who have participated in the various sports programs throughout the year, and to give special awards. For each team in each sport, for both the boys and the girls programs, awards will be given for Best Sportsmanship, Most Improved Player and Most Valuable Player. The recipients of these awards are selected by the team coaches, immediately after each sport ends, and the names are kept by the Principal until the award is made at the Athletics' Award Ceremony. Additionally, the Scholar Athlete Award is presented at this ceremony. The Scholar Athlete Award is for the eighth grade student who has excelled in athletics while at the same time excelling in academics, and who has demonstrated a superior level of good sportsmanship at all times. Specific requirements include participating in a minimum of two sports, and maintaining an A average during the season. The recipients of this award, one girl and one boy, are selected by the Principal and the coaches. Other awards, such as team awards, may also be made at this time.

[top...]