Track & Field practice starts on Monday, March 2nd, 3:30 PM at the PHS track.  You must have a clearance card in order to practice.  I am attaching the team rules below.  Please read them and inform me or Coach Sara with a signed note that you have read them and agree to them.  Thanks.  See you at practice.

Chief Joe

2015 PHILOMATH HIGH SCHOOL

      TRACK & FIELD TEAM RULES

1. All athletes will read and abide by the PHS substance and tobacco abuse policy and code of conduct for athletics and all athletes must obtain a clearance card in order to practice with the team.
2. If an athlete is absent from school on a day when there is a regularly scheduled practice or meet, that athlete is NOT eligible to practice or to participate in the meet held on that day. All athletes must pass four classes, and maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or better in order to maintain eligibility for competition.
3. Practice starts promptly at 3:30 PM. All athletes must be on time and complete daily team workouts in a conscientious manner: if an athlete’s effort is undermining team morale, that athlete will face disciplinary action that could include dismissal from the team.
4. All athletes will be expected to train for, and be willing to compete in, more than one event. All athletes will compete in the events assigned to.
5. All athletes must wear school issued team uniforms in all competitions.  T-shirts and basketball shorts cannot be worn over team uniforms when competing.  T-shirts can be worn under a jersey but it must be a solid color and without any design or writing showing.
6. At track & field meets athletes are not excused until the final event is over.  We are a team and it is expected that all team members cheer on one another until the meet has concluded.  All athletes will ride the team bus to away meets unless we have arranged for approved parent drivers to assist with transportation needs.  No athlete may drive his or her own vehicle to a meet without written approval of the school principal.  Athletes may drive home with their parents if the coach has been informed. 
7. Finally, all athletes must show respect to themselves, their teammates, coaches and opponents.  All athletes must clean up after themselves at meets and express their appreciation to the host school officials.           

TRACK & FIELD SAFETY RULES

• All athletes should jog/warm-up/cool-down on the grass or in the three outside lanes of the track.
• Distance runners will use lanes one and two for pace work and Sprinters/hurdlers will use lanes 3, 4 and 5 for speed/form work.
• If someone yells “Track” during a workout you should move to your right (outside) so that they can pass on the inside.
• Know where the discus, javelin and shot throwing areas are and never enter them when athletes are present near the throwing rings.
• No one throws an implement until all athletes are in back of the throwing circle.
• Hurdles are designed to tip over when hit, but only if you are jumping in the right direction. Never jump over a hurdle in the incorrect direction. Make sure that rakes and shovels are removed from the LJ/TJ pits before any jumps
• Watch where you leave equipment, including bags, sweatshirts, spikes, starting blocks, water bottles, and especially rakes and shovels.
• Always return equipment to storage areas after practice.
• Distance runners: when going to the forest never runs without a partner.
• All athletes should have a water bottle and stay hydrated throughout practices and meets.
• All athletes should wear sweats to practice and meets to keep their muscles warm.  No exceptions.

PHS TRACK & FIELD STATISTICS

To keep track of all Oregon High School results for the 2015 season log on to:

www.athletic.net

Our specific Philomath page is: http://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/School.aspx?SchoolID=172

You will find all of your individual stats and how they compare in both the Oregon West League and the 4A State.  This incredible site also has all of the results from the last six seasons.  Philomath has added school results dating back to the 1950s!

Check out the all-time school records to see how you compare to former PHS track & field athletes. Just click Philomath on the tool bar, then click team records and all.

ATTENDANCE

ATTENDANCE RULES:

• Attendance is mandatory at all practices and meets. 
• Attendance will be taken on a daily basis. 
• Athletes are expected to be in proper apparel, and ready to go at 3:30. 
• Assistant coaches and team captains will lead warm-ups until the head coach arrives at 3:45 PM.  If the head coach wants a team meeting he will whistle and all athletes must report to the grandstands.
• If there are changes to the practice schedule, the coaching staff will inform athletes in advance.  
• Mandatory practices will not be scheduled on any non-school day.  Optional practices may be offered weekends and will be offered during spring break.

EXCUSED ABSENSES:

Athletes must provide a written note from a parent, doctor, or teacher in order to be excused from practice.  Written excuses must include:

1.  The date of the practice you will be missing.

2.  Reason you will be absent.

3.  Signature of a parent, doctor, or teacher.

 EXAMPLES OF EXCUSED ABSENCES ARE:

1.  Death of a family member or close friend.

2.  Doctor Appointment

3.  School related functions (i.e., make-up exams, tutoring session)

4.  Religious Functions

5.  Illness

• Attending club sports practices or games does not qualify as an acceptable excused practice.  Nor does a haircut, a party, shopping or just because you want to do something else.     
• Athletes should try to notify the coaching staff in advance of any practices they will be missing.  If it is not possible to contact the coaching staff before the absence, the player must provide a written excuse upon returning to practice.
• The coaching staff understands that extraordinary situations may arise that prevents athletes from attending an occasional practice or even a meet.  In those events, the staff appreciates as much advance notice as possible so that they can make adjustments to workouts and team rosters as needed.
• If you are unsure whether an absence will be considered as excused, check with the coaching staff.  It is not the intent of the staff to prevent athletes from attending necessary appointments.  However, the staff is responsible for knowing the whereabouts of all the athletes at all the times during practices and meets.  Communication is the key in making this possible.  Therefore, athletes coming late to or leaving practice early must have a written note from a parent.
• Attendance will make up approximately 50% of the total points needed to earn a Varsity letter.  Practice attendance will also determine which athletes earn spots to compete in the district championships.  If you do not compete in the district meet, you cannot compete at state. 

• TO EARN A VARSITY LETTER

You must score 80 combined practice/meet points during the course of the season to earn your varsity letter and 38 of those points must come from practice.  The other points come from points scored on the varsity level in track & field meets. In most meets only the top four finisher’s score in each event.  In bigger meets the top eight score.

You can also earn a varsity letter if you score at the Oregon West Championships, as long as you also have the necessary 38 practice points.

I have read and agree to abide by the Philomath High School Track & Field Team Rules.

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Name                                                                            Date