2019 Fall Sports Orientation Meeting

1. 2019 Fall Sports Orientation Meeting Presented by: Director of Athletics Joe Piro

2. Areas of Focus Social Media Social media should be used as a positive tool to promote the Athletic Department, the team, and individual accomplishments. It is not to be used as a platform to bully, antagonize, trash talk, or report false or slanderous information. If you wouldn’t want to see it on the front page of the New York Times you shouldn’t post it. If you wouldn’t say it at your Grandma’s dinner table don’t post it. If you read information that may be considered inappropriate or antagonistic it should be reported to your coach, Director of athletics or School Principal immediately.

3. Areas of Focus HIB Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying • “Harassment, Intimidation, and/or Bullying is unacceptable and prohibited by this team, this school and community, and state law.  Anyone found to be a HIB aggressor will be subject to disciplinary action by the school and athletic department. To remind everyone, the definition of HIB is:  • H.I.B.  means any gesture, any written, verbal, or physical act, or any electronic communication whether it be a single incident or series of incidents that:  • Is reasonably perceived as being motivated by either any actual or perceived characteristic* or by any other distinguishing characteristic; and that takes place on school property, at any school-sponsored function, on a school bus, or off school grounds that: • substantially disrupts or interferes with the orderly operation of the school or • the rights of other pupils; and that • A reasonable person should know, under the circumstances, that the act(s) will have the: • Effect of physical or emotional harm to a pupil or damage to their property, or placing a pupil in fear of physical or emotional harm or damage to their property; or • Effect of insulting or demeaning a pupil or group of pupils; or • Create a hostile educational environment for the pupil by interfering with a pupil’s education. • Characteristics under the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights: • Race, Color, Religion, Ancestry,  National Origin, Gender, Sexual Orientation, Gender identity/Expression,  Mental, physical sensory disability, or “any other distinguishing characteristic” , Height/Weight, Socio-Economic Status, Hair Color/Style, BirthMark/Freckles, Accent/Lisp/Stutter,  Academics” 

4. Areas of Focus Hazing • Hazing -Hazing is any humiliating or dangerous activity expected of a student to belong to a group, regardless of their willingness to participate. Hazing is behavior that is based on tradition and is used by members of a group to maintain hierarchy or “pecking order” within the group. The lower group member/persons who want to be included in the group either agree or go along with the hazing activities which may be physically, psychologically or socially harmful. • Some practices associated with high school hazing carry the potential for serious bodily harm or even death. These practices may include: tattooing, piercing, head-shaving, branding, sleep deprivation, physical punishment (paddling and "red-bellying"), "kidnapping," consuming unreasonable/unacceptable foods or beverages, being deprived of personal hygiene and/or inappropriate sexual behavior. • Alcohol abuse is another significant factor in hazing incidents that feature forced consumption of large amounts of alcohol. Hazing of any type will not be tolerated. • Hazing is considered a disorderly persons offense (NJSA 2C:40-3) and consent of the person hazed is not a defense (NJSA2C:40-4). • Hazing is considered any act of harassment, intimidation or bullying whether it is written, verbal or physical.  If student-athletes are involved in any form of hazing they will be terminated immediately from their team for the remainder of the season.

5. Areas of Focus Mental Health and Wellness In addition to your physical health, we care about your emotional/mental health as well, and we think it’s extremely important that we all support each other.  If you, or one of your teammates, is struggling with mental health issues, we want you to know that you have options available to you. You can talk to: Your Coach Although not a trained professional they will get you in contact with the right people School Administrators Again, although not a trained professional they will get you in contact with the right people School Counselors/SAC! Licensed Medical Officials Coaches have a legal and ethical responsibility of reporting any concerns regarding the safety and well-being of individuals in their care

6. Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco & Vapes • All students are required to follow Nutley Public School Substance Abuse policies and procedures which are available on our website. • Students suspected of being under the influence in school or at a school sponsored event will be sent for an immediate medical examination in accordance with NJSA:40A18A. • Vapes are considered paraphernalia according to our policies. • Students found in possession of a vape or any other paraphernalia, will be sent for an immediate medical examination. • Athletes are required to sign a Random Drug Testing agreement to participate. This means athletes may be randomly selected for a monitored drug screen on any given day. • IT’S NOT WORTH IT! We want our students to be free of all substances, as well as positive leaders in our building and in our community! We do not want to have to pull an athlete from his/her sport due to positive drug screens. • If you need confidential assistance, please see our SAC, Lisa Cassilli

7. Communication Website www.nutleyathletics.org This is the heartbeat of the Nutley Athletic Department and all information and helpful hints including registration can be found here. www.secconference.org This is our scheduling software and our daily, weekly, monthly, and seasonal schedules can be found here. Please sign up for daily alerts at the “Notify me” section of this sight on the right hand side of the page. Follow us on Twitter: @nutleyathletics

8. Parent/Coach Communication • Do’s and Don'ts • Do not approach a coach with playing time concerns before or after an athletic contest use the 24 hour rule as a guide. • Encourage you son/daughter to advocate for themselves. If they do not feel they are getting a fair shake they should have a conversation with the coach on their own first before moving it up the chain of command • Use the chain of command Step 1 Player to coach Step 2 Parent to Coach Step 3 Parent to Director of Athletics (with coach and player present) Step 4 Parent to Principal (with DA, Coach and player present) Please follow all of these steps in ascending order

9. Words to live by If you are a parent attending a high school athletic event this fall, you can help by following these six guidelines: • Act Your Age: You are, after all, an adult. Act in a way that makes your family and school proud. • Don’t Live Your Life Vicariously Through Your Children: High school sports are for them, not you. Your family’s reputation is not determined by how well your children perform on the field of play. • Let Your Children Talk to the Coach Instead of You Doing It for Them: High school athletes learn how to become more confident, independent and capable—but only when their parents don’t jump in and solve their problems for them. • Stay in Your Own Lane: No coaching or officiating from the sidelines. Your role is to be a responsible, supportive parent—not a coach or official. • Remember, Participating in a High School Sport Is Not About Getting a College Scholarship: According to the NCAA, only about two percent of all high school athletes are awarded a sports scholarship, and the total value of the scholarship is only about $18,000. • Make Sure Your Children Know You Love Watching Them Play: Do not critique your child’s performance on the car ride home. Participating in high school sports is about character development, learning and having fun—not winning and losing. Purchasing a ticket to a high school athletic event does not give you the right to be rude, disrespectful or verbally abusive. Cheer loud and be proud, but be responsible and respectful. The future of high school sports in our nation is dependent on you.

10. Words to live by Your child’s success or lack of success in sports does not indicate what kind of a parent you are; But having an athlete that is coachable, respectful, a great teammate, mentally tough, resilient and tries their best IS, a direct refection on your parenting

11. Contact Information Director of Athletics: Joe Piro 973 661 8849 jpiro@nutleyschools.org Administrative Assistant JavannaRitacco 973 661 8849 jritacco@nutleyschools.org Athletic Trainer Jaime Aji ATC 973 661 8995 jaji@nutleyschools.org