Volume 4. No 2 *** August 28, 2023

Fall sports is upon us...DHS Athletics is ready!

Our respective coaching staffs have concluded the first week/tryout period, finalized rosters and are excited to lead our student-athletes into the regular season.

Aligning with our department goal of continuing to strive to offer effective, timely communication with families, here is the newest publication of our "Between the Lines" athletic department newsletter.

This newsletter features the following helpful topics:

• Fall Sports Informational Virtual Presentation - 8/17/23 (YouTube Link)
• Fall Coach Roster & Contact Emails
  
• Coach Communication
  
• Master Practice Schedule
• Fall Sports Game Schedule
• MIAA Fall Power Ratings
• MIAA Fall Tournament Alignments
• MIAA Fall Tournament Formats
• Southeast Conference League Website
• Athletic Handbook w/ Highlighted Rules, Regulations & Expectations
  
• Athletic Code of Conduct
• Academic Eligibility Standards
• Daily School Attendance & Tardiness
• Absences
• Playing Time
• Bona fide Team Rule
• Chemical Health
• Parent/Guardian Role & Expectations
  
• Conflict Resolution Guidelines
  
• Athletic Event Expectations for Fans & Spectators
• User Fees
• Athletic Department Website
• Game Schedule Program
• Athletic Trainer Re-Welcome - AT Office & Information
• Athletic Equipment Storage & Busing to DMS
• Parking at Dartmouth Memorial Stadium
• No Pets Allowed on School Grounds and/or Athletic Facilities
  
• Twitter - AKA "X"
  
• One Final Thought

In closing, our Athletic Department's goal of offering a first-class educational athletic experience remains in the forefront of every decision that we make. Once again we look forward to serving the people of this great community the best way we can!

Sincerely,

ANDREW D. CRISAFULLI

Director of Athletics

Each coach has created their own mode of communication with student-athletes (and families) within their respective program(s). These communication methods include; email, Google Classroom, Parent Square app.

As of this publishing, if you are unaware of how your son/daughter's respective coach plans to communicate, please contact them using the email address provided above.

**Please be sure to read the handbook in its entirety**

Click on the Handbook for document access

All student-athletes must be a student in “good standing” in order to participate in athletics. “Good standing” is defined, but not limited to, adherence to school rules that regulate behavior and attendance - including, but not limited to a major suspension or multiple minor suspensions, detentions or class cuts.

A student-athlete who receives one or more major suspensions and/or multiple minor suspensions, detentions or class cuts prior to the season of play, but in the same school year, may be considered not to be in good standing.

Adherence to Pursuing Victory with Honor and the Six Pillars of Character:

1. Trustworthiness

• Trustworthiness – be worthy of trust in all you do!

• Integrity – Do what’s right even when it’s unpopular!

• Honesty – Live and compete honorably.

• Reliability – Do what you say you will do! Be on time!

• Loyalty – Put your team above personal glory.

2. Respect

• Respect - Treat all people with respect all the time.

• Class – Be a good sport. Be gracious in victory and accept defeat with dignity.

• Disrespectful Conduct – Do not engage in trash-talking, taunting, or other actions that demean individuals or the sport.

• Respect for Officials – Treat officials with respect. Don’t complain or argue about calls or decisions.

3. Responsibility

• Importance of Education – The primary responsibility of a student-athlete is academic achievement.

• Role Model – Remember that participation in athletics is a privilege, not a right. Be a positive role model.

• Self-Control – Don’t fight or show excessive displays of anger.

• Healthy Lifestyle – Safeguard your health. Don’t use illegal or unhealthy substances.

4. Fairness

• Fairness and Openness – Live up to high standards of fair play. Be open-minded, always be willing to listen and learn.

5. Caring

• Concern for Others – Put safety and health considerations above the desire to win. Never permit student-athletes to intentionally injure any player or engage in reckless behavior that might cause injury to themselves or others.

• Teammates – Help promote the well-being of teammates through positive encouragement. Report unhealthy or dangerous conduct to your coaches.

6. Citizenship

• Playing by the Rules – Have a thorough knowledge of and abide by all applicable game and competition rules. Demonstrate and demand integrity.

• Spirit of Rules – Honor, observe and enforce the spirit and letter of the rules. Do not engage in or allow any conduct designed to evade the rules governing fair competition.

A student found not to be in good standing might be denied the privilege of participation

In order for a student-athlete to remain eligible for participation in extracurricular clubs, activities and interscholastic athletics (Winter & Spring seasons), the student must earn a passing grade (65) in a minimum of five (5) classes at the time of the most recent marking period.

To be eligible for the Fall period, a student-athlete must earn a passing grade (65) in a minimum of five (5) classes that met during Semester 2 of the previous school year and/or earned a passing grade(s) during summer school.

In order for a student-athlete to be eligible for daily participation in extracurricular clubs, activities and interscholastic athletics, they must attend at least ½ day (3 hours - 15 minutes) of school.

DHS school day is 7:30am - 2:03pm

Any student-athlete who does not meet the minimum requirement of a ½ day is not allowed to participate that said day.

Student-athletes absent from school for reasons approved by Administration, such as medical appointments, may be permitted to participate in school-sponsored activities.

Every team member is expected to be present for all team practices and games. Because of scheduling parameters, many of our teams practice and/or play during scheduled school vacations. Student-athletes, who plan to be absent for an extended period of time due to vacation or a planned extended absence, must discuss this situation with the coach prior to trying out for the team.

End of Summer Vacation - student-athletes are expected to be present on the first day of practice. If a student-athlete is not at practice/try-outs, he or she may jeopardize his or her chances of making the team.

Winter Vacation - No games scheduled on December 24, 25 or 26. No practices scheduled on December 24 or 25. The Athletics Department will make every effort to minimize the number of games scheduled during winter vacation.

February Vacation - the Athletic Department will make every effort not to schedule regular-season games during February vacation, however, tournaments and rescheduled games due to inclement weather may occur.

April Vacation - Due to inclement weather, holidays, and school events, the number of days is very limited during the Spring Season. Please plan on having games scheduled throughout the week.

Commitment to the team is a major component of the educational athletic program at Dartmouth High School. This should be taken into consideration by every student-athlete before trying out for any team. Commitment includes the belief that every team member will make every effort to be present for all team practices and games. This includes weekends and during scheduled school vacations due to various scheduling parameters.

Excused absences (with proper documentation) will not prevent a student-athlete from participating in interscholastic athletics. Examples of exempt absences include: when a student is absent for medical reasons (doctor’s note required), religious observance (parent call required), court appearance (court documentation required), funeral, college visit (juniors and seniors only) - letter from college or university required, and field trips. Further information concerning excused absences can be found in the Dartmouth High School student handbook.

Student-athletes who need to be absent during the season are required to speak with their coach ahead of time. This is the student’s responsibility. This may be done after a student-athlete tries out for a team, but in all cases before the first game/event. The Athletic Director will be notified (by the coach) of any extended absences. These planned absences may include pre-arranged college visits (the student-athlete must fulfill all of the requirements of a documented college visit as stated in the student handbook), school sponsored trips, family vacations or other “once in a lifetime” events. While such absences shall be allowed and excused, it should be understood that they may have a detrimental effect on the team and are discouraged.

In general, a student-athlete may expect to sit out the equivalent number of games/events that they missed as a result of their absence. In all cases, when a student-athlete is excused for a trip, a vacation or extended absence, they will have to continue to compete for their position upon their return. As previously noted, decisions regarding playing time, team strategy and/or circumstances involving other student-athletes, remain with the coach exercising their judgment and discretion.

Unexcused and/or chronic absences from practices or games will affect a student-athlete’s place on the team and may result in suspension or exclusion from continued participation and team membership.

Religious Obligations; There is no penalty for any student-athlete who misses a practice or game due to a religious obligation. Student-athletes should notify the coach prior to the day of the religious obligation.

Playing time is determined by practice attendance, attitude, commitment, athletic skill and team needs. It is the coach's responsibility to decide which student-athlete should start a contest, which position, and how long each student-athlete should play. These coaching decisions are made only by the coaching staff and are approached very seriously after having observed the student-athletes in practice sessions, game-like situations, scrimmages, and actual games.

**Payment of the user fee does not guarantee playing time**

A bona fide member of the school team is a student-athlete who is consistently present for, and actively participates in, all high school team sessions (e.g. practices, tryouts, competitions). Bona fide members of a school team are precluded from missing a high school practice or competition in order to participate in a non-school athletic activity/event in any sport recognized by the MIAA. Student-athletes cannot be given special treatment (late arrival, early dismissal, etc.) for non-school athletic programs.

First Offense: Student-athlete is suspended for one (1) contest and shall not participate in the next scheduled interscholastic competition that is part of their regular season schedule or in tournament play.

Second Offense: Student-athlete is suspended for an additional 25% of the season, and is ineligible for tournament play immediately upon confirmation of the violation.

From the earliest fall practice date, to the conclusion of the academic year or final athletic event (whichever is latest), a student shall not, regardless of the quantity, use, consume, possess, buy/sell, or give away any beverage containing alcohol; any tobacco product (including e-cigarettes, vape pens and all similar devices); marijuana (including synthetic); steroids; drug paraphernalia; or any controlled substance. This policy includes products such as “NA or near beer,” inhalants (defined as any substance that produces a mind-altering effect when inhaled), and misuse of over-the-counter medications and substances used for the purposes of altering one’s mental state. It is not a violation for a student to be in possession of a legally defined drug specifically prescribed for the student’s own use by their doctor.

This MIAA statewide minimum standard is not intended to render “guilt by association”, e.g. many student-athletes might be present at a party where only a few violate this standard.

This rule represents only a minimum standard upon which schools may develop more stringent requirements.

If a student-athlete in violation of this rule is unable to participate in interscholastic sports due to injury or academics, the penalty will not take effect until that student-athlete is able to participate again.

Minimum PENALTIES (percentage chart can be found on pages 58 & 59 of MIAA Handbook):

First violation: When the Principal confirms, following an opportunity for the student-athlete to be heard, that a violation occurred, the student-athlete shall lose eligibility for the next consecutive interscholastic contests (regular season and tournament) totaling 25% of all interscholastic contests in that sport. No exception is permitted for a student-athlete who becomes a participant in a treatment program. It is recommended that the student-athlete be allowed to remain at practice for the purpose of rehabilitation. During the suspension the disqualified student-athlete may not be in uniform and attendance at the competition site is determined by the high school principal. All decimal part of an event will be truncated i.e. All fractional part of an event will be dropped when calculating the 25% of the season.

Second and subsequent violations: When the Principal confirms, following an opportunity for the student-athlete to be heard, that a violation occurred, the student-athlete shall lose eligibility for the next consecutive interscholastic contests (regular season and tournament) totaling 60% of all interscholastic contests in that sport. All decimal part of an event will be truncated i.e. All fractional part of an event will be dropped when calculating the 60% of the season.

If after the second or subsequent violations the student-athlete of own volition becomes a participant in an approved chemical dependency program or treatment program, the student-athlete may be certified for reinstatement in MIAA activities after a minimum of 40% of events provided the student was fully engaged in the program throughout that penalty period. The high school principal in collaboration with a Chemical Dependency Program or Treatment Program must certify that student-athlete is attending or issue a certificate of completion. If the student-athlete does not complete program, penalty reverts back to 60% of the season. All decimal part of an event will be truncated i.e. All fractional part of an event will be dropped when calculating the 40% of the season.

Penalties shall be cumulative each academic year, but serving the penalty could carry over for one year. Or, if the penalty period is not completed during the season of violation, the penalty shall carry over to the student-athlete’s next season of actual participation, which may affect the eligibility status of the student-athlete during the next academic year (e.g. A student-athlete plays only football: he/she violates the rule in winter and/or the spring of same academic year: he would serve the penalty (ies) during the fall season of the next academic year).

If a student-athlete is not an athletic participant for one full year after affirmation of a violation, then the penalty period would close and the student-athlete would face no consequence. Prior to any chemical health violation a student-athlete’s request for and enrollment in a substance abuse treatment shall not in and of itself constitute a violation of the chemical health/alcohol/drugs/tobacco (MIAA Rule 62).

The following expectations are highly encouraged

• Be publicly supportive not only of your player and his/her role, but also all student-athletes and their roles and the program.

• Be respectful and supportive to coaches at practice, games and at home. It is very important that a positive atmosphere is fostered concerning your student-athlete’s role on a team. Many successful teams are destroyed when parents are not supportive of fellow players or coaches.

• Stay away from the sideline, bench and/or dugout, as it is a place where student-athletes and coaches can focus, communicate, strategize and defuse.

• Let the coaches coach the student-athletes

• Be a model of good sportsmanship and appropriate, adult-like fan behavior at games. Please do not engage in confrontational behavior with, or direct negative comments or actions towards coaches, opposing coaches, players, fans, officials or anyone else in attendance at games.

Parental Role In Assisting Student-Athletes To Achieve Success in Athletics

• To attend informational meetings offered by the Athletic Department

• To work closely with school personnel to assure an appropriate academic as well as athletic experience for your child while he/she is in high school

• To assure that your child will attend all scheduled practices and athletic contests

• To require your child to abide by the Athletic Department’s training rules

• To acknowledge the authority of the coach in determining strategy and player selection

• To model mature behavior as well as expect the same from your child

• To work cooperatively with other parents and school personnel to ensure a wholesome and successful Athletic Program for Dartmouth High School

• To identify a reasonable and realistic future for your child as a student-athlete

Guidelines for Parent / Coach Communication

Both parenting and coaching are extremely difficult vocations. By establishing an understanding of each position, we are better able to accept the actions of the other and provide greater benefit to all children. As parents, when your child becomes involved in our program, you have a right to understand what expectations are placed on your child. This begins with clear communication from the coach of your child’s program.

Adhering to the communications guidelines provided, we are better able to understand each other's roles and thereby provide greater benefit to our student-athletes. To be successful, communication is vital and requires involvement, dedication, sacrifice, and commitment from parents, student-athletes, and coaches.

COMMUNICATION YOU SHOULD EXPECT FROM YOUR STUDENT-ATHLETE’S COACH

• Coach and program’s philosophy

• Individual and team expectations

• Location and times of all practices, special equipment required, off-season conditioning

• Any discipline that may result in the denial of your student-athletes participation

COMMUNICATION COACHES EXPECT FROM PARENTS

• Concerns expressed directly to the coach

• Notification of schedule conflicts well in advance

• Specific concerns with regard to a coach’s philosophy and/or expectations

• Support for the program and the attributes of dedication, commitment, and responsibility that are essential ingredients for success and excellence

APPROPRIATE CONCERNS TO DISCUSS WITH COACHES

• The treatment of your son/daughter, mentally and physically

• Ways to help your son/daughter improve & develop

• Concerns about your student-athletes’ behavior

ISSUES NOT APPROPRIATE TO DISCUSS WITH COACHES

• Playing time

• Team strategy

• Team selection

• Other student-athletes

Please use the following communication protocol to resolve conflicts regarding student-athlete team participation.

• Step 1

• The first contact should be between the student-athlete and the coach. The athletic experience at DHS provides the opportunity for young people to develop communication skills with adults and those in positions of authority.

• The student-athlete and coach must develop a mutual respect and understanding that allows them to discuss issues openly and honestly while striving to gain a better understanding of each other’s roles, responsibilities and perspectives. If that doesn’t work, the parent of the student-athlete should set up a meeting involving the student-athlete, parent and coach.

• Step 2

• If step 1 didn’t provide a satisfactory resolution, parent/guardian should contact the coach (through email) to set up a meeting with the student-athlete, parent and coach

• Step 3

• If step 2 didn’t provide a satisfactory resolution, the student-athlete contacts the athletic department and meets with the athletic director to discuss the matter and work towards a resolution

• Step 4

• If step 3 didn’t provide a satisfactory resolution, parent/guardian contacts the Athletic Director and a meeting is scheduled with the student-athlete, parent, coach and Athletic Director

• Athletic Director will listen carefully to concerns and mediate a resolution between all parties involved

IMPORTANT DETAILS:

• DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CONFRONT A COACH BEFORE OR AFTER A CONTEST OF PRACTICE. These can be emotional times for both the parent and the coach. Meetings under these circumstances do not promote resolution.

• DO NOT CALL A COACH AT HOME. (Unless the coach has made his/her home phone available to parents and athletes). A coach’s time with family is severely limited during the season. The family’s privacy should be respected.

• Attending a high school event is not a right, but rather a privilege.

• Cheer for your team in a positive manner, rather than belittling the opposition. Do not verbally assault or abuse players, coaches, other spectators, or officials.

• Obey and respect faculty supervisors who are responsible for providing a safe and friendly venue.

• Respect the integrity and judgment of game officials.

• Negative chants are prohibited. Examples include the use of players' names, uniform number, gender, physical appearances (etc) in a negative way, cursing, or any form of taunting.

• The booing of cheerleaders is not allowed.

• Noisemakers, inappropriate signs, newspapers, etc., are not allowed.

• Stay off the playing area at all times.

• Respect school property. Do not damage bleachers, school equipment or any part of the facility.

• The use of alcohol, tobacco, vaping products, and drugs are strictly forbidden.

In summary, cheer for Dartmouth High School and our student-athletes, do not belittle opposing teams, home and/or away coaches and/or officials. Enjoy the game and respect the competition.

FAILURE TO ABIDE BY THESE GUIDELINES MAY RESULT IN REMOVAL FROM THE GAME SITE.

Spectators who are removed from a game must leave the school grounds immediately.

Further disciplinary action is a follows:

Ejection from a game (home or away):

(same MIAA policy that our student-athletes follow)

• 1st offense: 2 game suspension + completion of the NFHS Parent Course and/or NFHS Sportsmanship Course (as directed by the athletic department. Said course completion certificate must be printed and forwarded to the athletic department before game attendance reinstatement is revisited.

• 2nd offense: event attendance is suspended for a calendar year.

At this time, we are soliciting the student-athlete "user fee" payment for the Fall season.

We ask that the $50 user fee ($25 if you have started and completed both the Fall and Winter season) is paid ASAP using one of the following options:

• Pay on-line by clicking on the "Athletic User Fee - On-Line Payment" tab on our athletic department's website: www.BigGreenSports.org
• Pay by check (made payable to "Town of Dartmouth/Athletics" and either mailed or dropped off to 555 Bakerville Road.

Please disregard this request if you have already provided payment.

We have linked Arbiter Live to our athletic department website www.BigGreenSports.org. By clicking on the "team schedules" tab, you will find each sport offering, level and current game schedule. You can also click the link below or download the Arbiter Live application.

You also have the ability to sign-up to receive notifications of game changes through the site and application.

Kathy returns to Dartmouth High School with decades of experience, having served as the primary Athletic Trainer for Bishop Stang (24 years), along with numerous stints at local high schools (Wareham, Westport, Diman, Dartmouth), providing coverage for prolonged AT absences and/or additional coverage per school contracts.

Since 2014, Kathy has been the Team Leader for Athletic Training, Injury Prevention and Ergonomics at Southcoast Health. In her role at Southcoast, Kathy oversees ten (10) Athletic Trainers.

Kathy is also the former President of Athletic Trainers of Massachusetts and has served in various roles with the DPH Youth Sports Advisory Committee and Clinical Experts panel on concussions.

A fun fact, Kathy was Dartmouth High School's AT during the 2015-16 school year, highlighted by DHS's second (of back to back) MIAA Football State Championships!

All injuries, sicknesses and subsequent medical clearances for DHS student-athletes are handled by Kathy. We respectfully ask that families communicate any medical issues that surface (especially the ones that we may not be aware of) so that our student-athlete needs can be addressed appropriately.

Kathy goes above and beyond her duties in an effort to keep all of our student-athletes safe and healthy...she can be reached by both email and phone:

kathleenthornton@dartmouthschools.org

508-961-2700 Ex: 7133

Fall student-athletes who need after school transportation from Dartmouth High School to Dartmouth Middle School for team practices/games have two options:

• When the school day concludes, parents/guardians (or other family arranged transportation) can transport their student-athlete to Dartmouth Middle School

• At dismissal, student-athletes can board one of the 4 after-school Tremblay buses that depart DHS for DMS (buses 4, 5, 9, 11) and those respective buses will drop student-athletes off at Dartmouth Middle School

When student-athletes arrive to Dartmouth High School in the AM, sports equipment can be stored in the HS locker rooms...those areas will be secure during the school day.

After the school day concludes, student-athletes whose practices take place at Dartmouth High School can change in the on-site locker rooms and then report to practice...those student-athletes who practice at Dartmouth Middle School will retrieve their equipment bags (at the end of the school day), board the after-school buses (if needed), and have the ability to change in the locker rooms at Dartmouth Middle School.

**Sports equipment should not be stored in Dartmouth High School

classrooms and/or stairwells**

• Dartmouth Middle School parking lot (both the front and back of the school)
• The new parking lot located below Dartmouth Memorial Stadium (driveway leads down the hill)

**There is no parking inside the Dartmouth Memorial Stadium gates, at Dartmouth Town Hall (during the work week/hours), on Slocum Road, and/or along the sidewalk/curb access road that runs between Dartmouth Town Hall and Dartmouth Memorial Stadium (south end zone).**

**POLICE WILL BE TAKING NOTICE**