HERITAGE MIDDLE SCHOOL LADY BRONCOS ATHLETICS 2019-2020

HERITAGE MIDDLE SCHOOL
     LADY BRONCOS
       ATHLETICS

      2019-2020

COACHING STAFF

• Nichole Cruson (Coordinator)   nichole.cruson@gcisd.net
• Elise Dooley
• Stephanie Maupin
• Lindsay Rollins
• Addison Walker
• Amy Heilhecker (Tennis)
• Kaley Brejcha (Soccer)

AGENDA
•   Introduction
•   Goals
•   What we expect of our Athletes
•   What you can expect of your Coaching Staff
•   Frequently Asked Questions
•   Seasons Step by Step
•   Paperwork / Physicals
•   Policies
•   Clothing
•   Booster Club
•   Summer Camps
•   Open Gym

GOALS OF LADY BRONCOS ATHLETICS
• To develop overall as well as sport specific skills for the young
  ladies to move on and be successful at the next level
• To build winning teams and programs
• Most importantly, to develop strong character traits in self-
  discipline, responsibility, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, and
  citizenship to name just a few

WHAT WE EXPECT OF OUR ATHLETES
• On time
• Dressed Out, Hair Up, No Jewelry
• Give 100% at all times
• Represent our program on and off the court at all times
  positively
• Be an upstanding member of the school and community

WHAT TO EXPECT OF YOUR COACHES
•   100% of our best effort day in and day out
•   We will push you to do your best and we will test your limits
•   We will make you stronger and improve your skills
•   We will prepare you to move on to the next level
•   We will be involved in your overall day, not just Athletics
          • Academics
          • Behavior
          • Etc.
•   Communication
     • Don’t be afraid to ask

FREQUENTLY
  ASKED
QUESTIONS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. When do they begin Athletics?

      Athletics does not begin until the 7th grade school year by
      UIL guidelines.

      Practices will begin the first or second day of school.

      There can not be an early start during the summer.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
2. Is it required?

      No. Students in 7th grade are required to take a fitness
      course of some sort and may choose between Physical
      Education or Athletics.
      For 8th grade students, it is strictly an elective course.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
3. What sports are there to participate in?

      Volleyball (girls only)   Football
      Basketball                Cross Country
      Track                     Tennis
      Soccer

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
4. When are the different seasons?

      Football / Volleyball        August – October
      Basketball / Cross Country   November - February
      Track / Tennis               February – April
      Soccer                       April - May

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
5. When are the tryouts?

      Tryouts for each sport happen at the very beginning of
      each season.
      For example, football and volleyball tryouts will begin the
      first week of school. Basketball tryouts will begin after the
      conclusion of the previous seasons.
      Cross Country and Track tryouts are ongoing weekly.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
6. How many people make each team?

     This varies based upon each sport.

     Volleyball – 32-36 maximum
     Basketball - 27-30 maximum
     Cross Country – 7 “A” team, No limits for “B”
     Track – 3 people per event each meet
     Tennis – 10-15 maximum (combined grades)
     Soccer – 14-16 “A” team, Numbers vary for “B” team

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
7. What do they do if they are not in a certain sport?

      Students must participate in one of the sports that is in
      season at all times.
       If she does not make a travel team for volleyball or
      basketball, she will participate in cross country* and
      conditioning.
      We do not have an “Offseason”.
      (*Minimum practices are required to earn weekly grade)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
8. Are there before/after school practices?
      Yes. Students must be prepared to practice before or after
      school during each season.
      7th grade teams begin practice at 6:45 a.m.
      8th grade teams begin practice during the last period and
      may stay as late at 5:00 p.m.
      Cross country practices have options of before or after.
      Track field events are at 7:30 a.m. for 7th grade/ until 4:30
      for 8th grade.
      Tennis/Soccer are all after school.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
9. What nights are the games?

      Schedules vary by sport and are determined by the Athletic
      Directors of the three school districts in which we
      compete.
      We will not have these schedules until sometime in May/
      June.
      Please check the website after that time for more
      information.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
10. How many sports do they have to participate in?
      Every student must participate in one of the sports that are
      in season at all times.
      They must compete in order to receive credit for Athletics
      and be eligible to participate the following year.
      Volleyball and Cross Country are both non-cut sports –
      students will participate.
      All students complete a Track workout during the period for
      credit.
      (Participation in competitions may have additional minimum
      requirements).

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
11. Can they just take one semester of Athletics?

      NO.

      Athletics is a two-semester course. Students may not drop
      out of Athletics at any time throughout the school year.

      Students not completing an “off-season” will not be allowed
      to tryout for sport the following year.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
12. What if they are in band/choir/dance/cheer?

      Other school related activities will not be affected by
      participation in Athletics and your role in Athletics will not
      be affected by them.
      As coaches, we work closely with the sponsors of these
      other groups in order to make sure students can participate
      in all activities that they would like to experience and to be
      able to benefit from each one.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
13. Do they run every day?

      YES.

      7th grade trains at 1.5 - 2 miles per day.

      8th grade trains at a minimum of 2 miles per day.

      (If you do not want to run, Athletics is not the right fit.)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
14. Do they have to be a good athlete?

      No.
      They simply must be willing to participate and work hard
      every day. As middle school coaches, we are here to teach the
      athletes the skills and sports to prepare them for high
      school and future athletic endeavors.
      It is a learning and developing process.
      However, they must put forth their best effort daily and they will
      improve and not all students will be developed in every sport if
      they do not make a travel team (i.e. basketball, tennis)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
15. When do they get a physical?

      Every student in Athletics must have a physical on file
      before being allowed to participate in any practices or
      tryouts. They are good for the following school year only.
      The window for next school year begins April 1st, 2019
      and they are valid until July 31st, 2020.
      DO NOT get it before this date…we cannot accept it!

There is a specific physical form that must be signed by the
physician and may be found on the HMS website under
“Athletics” and “Forms.”
These may be submitted before the end of this school year or
you may bring them with you to Registration Day in August.
DO NOT MAIL THEM over the summer.

There may be a “Physicals Day” offered this Spring after school.
We are in need of physicians willing to volunteer their time to
assist in order for this to happen. Please contact Coach Cruson
if you or anyone you know is available.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
16. Do I have to be in Athletics to play ___________?

      Only students who make a volleyball, football, or basketball
      travel team MUST be in the Athletic period to participate
      due to practice times.

      However, missing out on the Athletic period also means
      missing out on key conditioning and strength training to
      improve your abilities in other sports. This could lead to
      not making the travel squads in those.

THE YEAR
IN ATHLETICS
Step by Step

The year / seasons – step by step
First day of school
                  – Volleyball Tryouts Begin
                  - 3-4 days of tryouts
                  - There will be small cuts along the way
                  - 1st game is typically the second week of school, so we
                  don’t have much time

Anyone not trying out or who does not make the cut, will report to PDL
Volleyball (Player Development League) immediately. They will be placed
on teams, taught skills, and compete in an in-school tournament with a
chance to go to a District Tournament.

The year / seasons – step by step
August – November
      - Volleyball season
      - “PDL” will continue to improve volleyball skills 2-3
      days per week
                               AND
      they will begin an overall conditioning program 2-3 days a
      week to begin preparing for Cross Country season.

The year / seasons – step by step
~ November 1st (approx.)
         - Basketball tryouts
         - Cross Country begins

         - Anyone who does not make basketball will automatically
         participate in Cross Country. There are no options.
         - You can do both sports!!
         - Cross country requires 4 practices per week (8 opportunities to
         choose from) with a minimum number over the whole season.
         - Everyone will have the opportunity to attend at least one cross
         country meet during the season.

The year / seasons – step by step
January
      - Basketball Continues
      - Cross Country begins overall conditioning as the season
      has concluded. Preparation for track season will begin as
      well.

The year / seasons – step by step
Mid- February
       - TRACK season begins
       - Athletes will be timed in all running events and placed into
       workout groups based on qualifying times
       - Running workouts are during the class period
       - Field events take place before and after school only
       (optional)
       - TENNIS season begins after school only

The year / seasons – step by step
Mid- April
        - Soccer begins after school
                (7th and 8th grade combined teams)
        - Off season preparation workouts begin
        - 7th grade reviews of Volleyball and Basketball
        - Strength and Conditioning training
        - 8th grade begins CHHS crossover

GIRLS ATHLETICS
   POLICIES

PAPERWORK & PHYSICALS
Required forms* will be on RankOneSport for you to fill out. They
must all be completed before students may participate.
       - HMS Girls Athletics Policies (HMS webpage)
       - Extra / Co-Curriculur Activity Pledge*
       - UIL Acknowledgement of Rules*
       - Steroid Agreement*
       - Concussion Acknowledgement*
       - Sudden Cardiac Arrest / Heat Illness Acknowledgement*
       - Physical Exam (cannot be dated before April 1st, 2019)

Physicals
       - Must be the mandated UIL form only
       - May be completed by any licensed physician
       - Earliest date to complete is April 1st, 2019
       - Valid until July 31, 2020
       - HMS and CHHS Physical Days
               - more information will be provided as soon as it is
                       received

MAKING IT INTO ATHLETICS
Prior to getting into 7th grade Athletics, students must demonstrate that
they are prepared to handle the physical demands of the course.

6th grade girls MUST demonstrate that they can run a 1 mile course
without walking. (7th grade competes at 1.5 miles).

Athletics is a difficult class. It comes with a lot of hard work and often
times seems like very little reward. Students must be willing to continue
to work hard, regardless. While it may not always pay off with a spot on a
team, it does reap greater benefits in different ways in the long run.

GRADING POLICY
    Students will be given a grade every 3 week grading
    period.
    Students start with a "100" and points are earned/deducted
    daily on the following scale:
          Participation = 5 points
          Preparation = 5 points
          **preparation means correct clothing, hair up, no
          jewelry, and on time.

CLOTHING
Girls Athletics and PE clothing are the same:
         - White or Gray Athletics shirt (or may be plain)
                   - Team t-shirts that are sold are acceptable
                   - Shirts from previous years are also acceptable
         - Shorts must be navy blue or black
                   - No prints (brand logos are ok, leopard print is not)
                   - School appropriate length
                   - Running shorts OK in Athletics ONLY
                   - Spandex (navy/black) for volleyball
                   (must have cover-ups outside of the gym)

CLOTHING
    - Navy Blue, Gray, or Black sweats ONLY
             (no other colors will be accepted)
    - Proper Athletic Shoes
    - Socks
    - Sportsbra (required under uniforms)
    - Sport specific equipment will either be issued or you may
    purchase your own
    - Colors need to be neutral
              (white, black, gray, navy)
             - Shoes are an exception

CLOTHING STORE
      The HMS Girls Athletics Store will be open online
                  during the month of MAY.

            Please check the website for the links.

  An email will also be sent out notifying you that it is open.

STUDENT ATHLETE CODE OF CONDUCT
 Members of the Heritage Middle School Athletic Program need to
conduct themselves in a manner that will bring pride and honor to
   HERITAGE MIDDLE SCHOOL, the athletic program, and the
Grapevine-Colleyville Community. No athlete has the right to do or
 say anything that might hurt, embarrass, or degrade themselves,
         his/her family, teammates, coaches, teachers, or
 school. Detrimental conduct will be handled with the appropriate
                          disciplinary action.

H.E.R.I.T.A.G.E. GIRLS CORE VALUES
Honesty - Do what’s right and speak the truth
Excellence - Work to be your best (100% Every Day, Every Way)
Respect - Value one’s beliefs, rights, wishes, and abilities
Intensity - Be fully present in the moment/task
Team First - We comes before Me
Attitude - Positive Mindset
Growth - Work to improve on Yesterday
Every Day - Become your habits!!

STUDENT ATHLETE CODE OF CONDUCT
Penalties for Inappropriate Player Conduct:
       1. Physical Conditioning
       2. Game or games Suspension
       3. Player Contract
       4. Dismissal from team
       5. Dismissal from program

TRYOUTS STATEMENT

    Tryouts for teams at Heritage Middle School are highly
    competitive. With this in mind, team members should
    understand that the HMS teams take priority over any club
    team affiliation. HMS players should never miss a practice or
    game due to a club team obligation. Any player who violates this
    rule could be subject to immediate dismissal.
    There are many girls trying out for the teams. Making the team
    means making a commitment and often times sacrifices for
    others and for the whole. Inability to meet the time
    expectations will not be accepted. Essentially you are taking a
    spot from someone else who is willing to make the sacrifice.

INJURY/ILLNESS EXCUSES
 Students MUST have a note from a parent to sit out of an athletic
practice. There are no exceptions.
      Acceptable Notes           Unaccepted Notes
           Injured            Asthma during cold (1)
         Has been ill
                                 Menstrual Cycle (2)
          Feeling ill
                                   Didn’t sleep
(1) We work with asthmatic students to teach them how to be proactive rather than
    reactive.
(2) Exercise aides with pain from menstrual cramps.
        **Rest assured, we would never put your child in danger!

Injury/illness excuses cont…
Students sitting out are still expected to dress out in their Athletic
       gear for the day.
Students on a travel squad are still expected to be in attendance
       for the full practice time.
Parent notes will excuse participation for up to two days
        maximum at a time.
Only two parent notes are allowed per grading period.
If a student will be out for more than two days, a doctor's note is
         necessary for their well-being.

CONFLICT RESOLUTION GUIDELINES
This section is included for conflict resolution purposes between
PLAYER and COACH or PARENT and COACH. Any conflict
should be addressed in accordance to the following protocol:
     1. Meet with the specific coach directly at a mutually
        appointed time (not after a game or practice).
     2. Meet with the Head Coach of the sport at a mutually
       appointed time.
     3. Meet with the Campus Athletic Coordinator and Principal
       at a mutually appointed time.

ADDITIONAL
  ITEMS

BOOSTER CLUB
Please join our amazing Booster Club!

Cost $25 annually per household

Money goes towards providing HMS student-athletes with the best
resources available. This comes in the form of equipment and uniforms
as well as tournament entry fees to name a few things.

We are always looking for new board members and volunteers!! If
interested, please contact Coach Cruson or Richard Webb (HMS Athletic
Booster President).

SUMMER CAMPS
Any camps are a good idea!

Play in a league or on a team!!

CHHS camp information will be made available online through
Peachjar as it comes to us and fliers will be in the locker room by
the white board.

OPEN GYM
There will be several Open Gym days the week prior to school in
                            August.
 These will be posted online as soon as dates can be solidified.
               (This maybe August before they are posted)

It is for any girl who would like to practice volleyball some prior to
                                tryouts.
 Coaches will be present for safety supervision, but we are not
         allowed to give any instruction at this time.

QUESTIONS?

Please feel free to contact Coach Cruson with any
questions you have or if you would like to schedule
        a time for a meeting or phone call.
            Nichole.cruson@gcisd.net