Fall Sports Orientation September 1, 2011

1. branson Fall Sports Orientation September 1, 2011 bull athletics

2. Overview of the Fall Girls Volleyball (Varsity and JV) Boys’ Soccer (Varsity, JV and Freshmen) Girls’ Tennis (Varsity and JV) Girls’ Varsity Golf (Varsity) Boys’ & Girls’ Cross Country (Varsity) The Fall Season lasts from September to the end of November including playoffs.

3. The goal of the Athletic Program at Branson is to promote learning and provide student-athletes with opportunities for interscholastic athletic participation and competition. Branson encourages a highly competitive attitude within the athletic program and takes great pride in winning, however, the school does not condone “winning at all cost.” We discourage any and all pressures that lead to poor sportsmanship and words or actions contrary to the Mission and Goals of Branson. Our Philosophy

4. Director of Athletics • New Logos • New emphasis on communication. • Orientation Nights • Web Site – http://www.branson.org/athletics • 24 Hour Rule • When we don’t communicate. • New Emphasis on Sports Medicine and the care of our Student-Athletes. • Strength and Conditioning • Uniformity What’s New

5. To have fun • To improve skills • To develop fitness/exercise habits • To spend time with their friends • To experience the thrills and excitement that comes from participating in interscholastic athletics • Being on a team • Opportunities for personal accomplishment • To develop confidence • Doing something that they excel in and enjoy • The opportunity to compete and win Why Kids Participate in Sports

6. Not having fun
 • Too much pressure from parents, peers
and coaches • Too much emphasis on winning
 • Concerns about coaching
 • Not getting enough playing time Top Reasons Why Kids Quit Sports

7. Values We Teach • Few other endeavors will offer our students-athletes the opportunity to learn: • Respect • Industriousness • Teamwork • Sportsmanship • Commitment • Leadership • Joy from hard work • Focus • Confidence • Accountability • Self-control • Time management • Desire • Adaptability

8. Things to Remember • 1. KEEP ATHLETICS IN PERSPECTIVE • Emphasize the right priorities: Family, Academics, Athletics • Place value in the positive participation, not the winning or losing of a contest • Remember you as a parent at Branson represent the school and • its Goals and Mission • Do not publicly demean participants in an athletic contest (Players, officials, • coaches, other parents or spectators, etc.) • 2. SUPPORT YOUR STUDENT-ATHLETE • Talk to your child about how things are going with his/her sport • Let your child select a sport based on his/her perceived ability and preferences • Come to as many of your child’s contests as possible • Stress and model the importance of a healthy lifestyle free of drugs, tobacco, • and alcohol • Do not support “quitting” as the best way to solve problems, but rather • perseverance • 3. SUPPORT THE PROGRAM • Be supportive of the coaching staff and respect their professional judgment • Follow the communication procedure outlined in the handbook • Model positive adult behavior when attending contests • Understand the time commitment and needs of the particular sports as many of • them involve significant commitments of time and financial resources • Display, by your actions and words, an understanding of the Goals and Mission • of Branson, in order to promote and enhance the image of our school to • the community.

9. BULLPEN Be a part of the team without being on the team. Join THE BULLPEN - “The Team behind the Teams” - Contact Laurie Wentzel Ways to be supportive: Become a team parent. Game Operations Take pictures Snacks for Teams Assist Athletic Department on Special Events Understand the time commitment and the sacrifice one makes when participating on an athletic team. Games and practices may affect vacations. Early Dismissals - Because of the nature of athletics and the travel involved, it is often necessary for student-athletes to be released from class. This in no way releases the student-athletes from any academic responsibility. Student-athletes are expected to respectfully notify the teachers in advance of their release time, leave class only at the time announced by the Athletic Department and make up all assignments and tests. Early dismissal due to athletic events does not exempt a student-athletes from turning in assignments by the due date. If student-athletes demonstrate an inability to perform these functions, athletic privileges may be curtailed or revoked.

10. The Athletic Department expects this from you: To agree with our mission and support it To pick up your child on time from practices or games To abide by the Spectator’s Code when attending a game or match To communicate concerns at the appropriate time To seek involvement in appropriate ways To support our values and discipline To seek information and facts, not believe rumors Support our teams and their coaches Respect Expectations • You can expect this from the Athletic Department: • Fulfilling our mission • A safe, caring, challenging environment • Close communication about your child • Communication about athletics in general • An invitation to be involved • Fairness and consistency • Discipline • An “open ear” when concerns arise • The desire and pressure to win is not placed above education • Professionalism • Respect

11. Communication Parent to Coach Parents and coaches are two of the most important role models in a child’s life, and clear communication between these individuals is essential. The guidelines listed below are intended to clarify the athletic department expectations for this relationship. • Communication parents can expect from coaches: • Philosophy of the coach. • Expectations the coach has for your child and the team. • Team requirements: i.e. practices, special equipment, out of season training. • Location and times of all practices and games. • Procedures to follow should your child be injured during participation. • Disciplinary action that may result in your child being denied the privilege to • participate.

12. Communication coaches expect from parents: Concerns regarding a coach’s decision, philosophy and/or expectations. Notification of any illness or injuries or missed practices. Appropriate concerns to discuss with coaches: Treatment of your child, emotionally and physically. Ways to help your child improve. Concerns about your child’s behavior. Communication (cont’d)

13. Communication (cont’d) It is very difficult to accept your child not playing as much as you may hope. Coaches are professionals. They make decisions based on what they believed to be the best for all student-athletes involved. As we have previously discussed, certain things can and should be discussed with your coach. Other things, such as those listed below, must be left to the discretion of the coach. • Issues not appropriate to discuss with the coach: • Playing time • Team strategy • Play calling • Other student-athletes

14. If you have a concern, express it at the appropriate time and place. Please do NOT attempt to confront a coach before or after a contest or practice. These can be emotional times for both parents and coaches. Meetings of this nature do not promote resolutions. Listed below is the Athletic Department procedure for addressing any concern you may have regarding your child’s athletic experience. We ask that you use the following procedure until you feel the issue is resolved. Parent Procedures for Communicating Concerns • Have your child speak to the coach. • Arrange an appointment to speak with your child’s coach. • Arrange an appointment with the Director of Athletics. • Arrange an appointment with the Head of School.

15. OUR VISION OF OUR ATHLETIC TEAMS We play with great confidence Very exciting to watch We are the best practice players We never beat ourselves Great players, great tradition Execute to perfection Win with grace, lose with dignity Never quit Pride Respect for ourselves and our opponents Everyone looks the same, it makes us special The BransonMystique

16. It’s great to be a Bull! branson BULLS ATHLETICS Thanks for your support!