Dear Parents and Athletes,

Welcome to the start of the 2012 track season. We are looking forward to an exciting season building upon the strong foundation from the past seasons. In order to achieve these goals we are all going to have to work together. We have put together this information presentation for you so both parents and athletes know exactly what is going on this season. All the information needed regarding the schedule, fundraisers, and help from parents is included. If you have any questions please feel free to contact any member of our coaching staff.

Thank You, Dublin Fighting Irish Track Coaching Staff

Head Boy’s CoachJamie Abramsjamie.abrams@dublincityschools.us

Head Girl’s CoachRonda Walkerronda.walker@dublincityschools.us

Assistant CoachesReginald Cordy

Erica Wade

Important Home DatesMarch 6th SEB/Bleckley Co/SwainsboroMarch 12th West Laurens/JoCoMarch 21st Laurens County Championships (Hospitality)March 27th Dodge Co/Bleckley Co/Hawkinsville March 31st Dublin Invitational (Hospitality)April 12th Dodge Co/Bleckley Co/West LaurensApril 16th Region 3AA Prelims (Hospitality)April 17th Region 3AA Finals (Hospitality)

For the above dates we will need at least one parent for each athlete to commit to working two blocks in the concession stand. One time block will be for thirty minutes during a quad meet, and the other time block will be for two hours during the invitational and region prelims we will be hosting this year. It is very important that we have your help for these home events so they run smoothly and teams will want to come back and run here in the future.

All home meets during the week will tentatively start at 4:30 p.m. They will begin as soon as the opposing team arrives and warms up.

Our invitational will begin at 9:30 a.m.

DonationsThere are not many things that we ask to be donated by the parents,but there are some things that we just cannot afford to buy. The main thingswe ask for in terms of donation are as follows:Cases of water Cases of PowerAde (any size)Healthy snacks (granola bars, etc…)Occasionally breakfast items (muffins, etc…)

We ask for these things because when we go to an invitational we are there allday, and the athletes will need to replenish themselves in between events. Byproviding these things to the kids we save them from spending so much moneyat the concession stand and buying things they really do not need to be eating.Any of these things that you can donate will be greatly appreciated by the team.

Our goal is to have each athlete bring one of the items listed above.

Athlete Expectations

Contact Us:Please call or email if you need to speak with a coach. (Prefer E-mail)

Everything must go through Coach Abrams or Coach Walker first.

Athlete ExpectationsDiscipline:Any student-athlete who receives OSS, ISS, or excessive detentions will have an immediate meeting with all coaches to determine consequences. The student-athlete’s parents/guardians will be notified as well. Excessive disciplinary actions may result in dismissal from the team.

Other Disciplinary problems (after school detention, behavior problems at practice, behavioral problems in class, bus behavior, and track meet behavior)

1st offense- Running, Player/Coach Meeting

2nd offense- Missed Meet, Running, Player/Coach/Parent Meeting

3rd offense- Dismissal from team (Coach’s Discretion)

Athlete ExpectationsAcademic Classes:

1. Make academics a priority!2. Attend all classes. No excuses!3. Be on time for class. It is rude to walk into a teacher’s class after

he or she has already begun teaching.4. Sit in the front of class.5. Take notes and be attentive.6. Student- athletes will have periodic grade and behavior

performance checks from all teachers.7. No excuses will be given for missing a test, quiz, and or project

after a practice or meet. Players must study in advance when they know there is a test, quiz, or project during the week.

8. Participation and dressing out in PE class (NO EXCUSES!)

Athlete Expectations

Grades:

Must obtain 2.5 units and be on track to graduate to remain eligible for athletics.

Athlete Expectations

Attendance at School:

1. Make school attendance a priority!2. No Excuses for being absent after a meet!3. No Excuses for being absent as a student-athlete

PERIOD!

Athlete ExpectationsAttendance at Practices and Meets:

Be present and on time everyday.

Roll call will be taken before practices and meets.

** See Coach Abrams or Coach Walker after all absences ** Extenuating circumstances will be dealt with on an individual basis**

Practices:

A. All Practices will be held from 3:30 until around 6:00.B. All Athletes must be picked up 15 minutes after practice ends.C. Athletes should not enter the building once practice is over. They will

remain at the track until they are picked up. Athletes may be picked up from the building only in the case of indoor practice or bad weather.

Athlete ExpectationsUnexcused Missed Practice:

**Be on time for all practices.

1st Offense- Running/ Meeting with Coaches.

2nd Offense- Running/ Missed Meet/Meeting with Coaches and Parents

3rd Offense- Dismissal from Team (Coaches Discretion)

** Extenuating circumstances will be dealt with on an individual basis**

Athlete ExpectationsTop 2:

1. Some of our meets are limited to 2 entries per event. These entries will be decided at practice, with each athlete having a chance to challenge for those spots.

2. This is a competitive sport at the high school level. While not every student-athlete will participate in each competition, each student-athlete is expected to be prepared to compete and to contribute to the team’s success as directed by the coaches.

Athlete Expectations

Meet Attire:

We will dress in Dublin attire on meet days, no exceptions.

Athlete ExpectationsRiding on the bus:All student-athletes are expected to ride the bus to all meets. Athletes may ride home with a parent or other adult specified by the parent. Coach Abrams or Coach Walker must speak to the parent before an athlete will be allowed to ride home with anyone other than the parent.

Sign Off Sheet:The student-athlete and the parent or guardian must sign when the student-athlete is leaving following a meet.

Pick upsParents/Guardians must pick up their student-athlete within 15 minutes after practice and when meets have ended. If a student-athlete needs to ride home with another parent, the parent/guardian must speak with Coach Abrams or Coach Walker.

Athlete Expectations

Communication:

1. Student-athletes must be at every practice and meet. Please let the coaches know if a student-athlete will not be at school or will be going home for any reason during the day that prohibits them from being at a practice or a meet.

2. If a student-athlete is sick and plans to go home, they must notify Coach Abrams before leaving campus.

3. If a student-athlete is sick on a day of practice and plans on staying, they must sit and watch.

4. If a student-athlete is sick on the day of a meet and plans on attending the meet, they must wear street clothes (DHS Track attire) and sit in our designated area.

Athlete Expectations

Athletes Role:

1. All student-athletes are subject to the rules and regulations stated in the Student-Handbook. Never do anything on or off the track that could potentially embarrass you, the program, or DHS.

2. Encourage and support each other daily on and off the track, demonstrate respect for the coaching staff and teammates, be a role model for other students, parents, and coaches, and serve as a positive representative of DHS and Dublin City Schools.

Athlete Expectations

MISCELLANEOUS:

1. All athletes should try their best to eat healthy and get plenty of rest during the season to keep up with the physical demands that are required to participate in track. Eating healthy and getting plenty of rest helps to prevent injuries as well as increasing one’s energy.

2. All athletes should try their best to drink plenty of water and sports drinks throughout the season, this means cutting out or limiting soda’s from their diet.

Parent Expectations

Parent Roles:

Be a role model for other fans by cheering and encouraging each athlete.

Do not coach from the stands and do not yell at meet officials/other team’s athletes/coaches/fans.

Concession Duty: Katie Abrams is our concession contact.

Parent Expectations

Sign off Sheet:

The student-athlete and the parent or guardian must sign when the student-athlete is leaving following the meet. Failure to follow this rule could be dismissal from team. Your child is DHS’s responsibility; we need to know where your child is at all times under our supervision. A team manager will have the sheet, please make contact with Coach Abrams or Coach Walker before leaving.

• Mandatory Expenses– Uniform $30 (plus shipping)

• Non-Mandatory Expenses – Spirit Pack Items