Mendota High School Athletic Department Meeting Updates

1. Athletes and Parents Welcome 2019-20 Parent/Athlete Rules Meeting

2. Steve HansonAthletic Director/Dean of Freshman Students MENDOTA PRIDE!

3. Steve Hanson • Athletic Director & Freshman Dean • shanson@mendotahs.org • 815-539-7446 ext. 300 • 630-816-0884

4. Handbook/Materials from tonight You can view the Parent/Athlete Handbook at any time on our website http://www.mendotahs.org/index.php/athletics We have hard copies of the handbook here tonight for those of you who would like a copy. You will need to sign the back page of the handbook before you leave tonight!!

5. Goals For Tonight Update you on MHS Athletic Department Fall Sports starting dates IHSA updates Update on Coaching Staff New rules from IHSA Let you know what all of our Student Athletes must do before they can participate Review Athletic Code of Conduct Review Concussion protocol Review Chain of Command Sign off…Please don’t leave here before signing the back page of the HANDBOOK!!

6. Margin of Excellence at MHS Last Year the Mendota High School Athletic Department started the Margin of Excellence Campaign. Year 1: -Created the foundation for all MHS programs with the assistance of our coaches, parents, community members and student athletes. -created surveys to be taken by our varsity student athletes to determine if their needs were being met -created a survey for our coaches to determine if the AD position is meeting the needs of our coaches. Year 2: -We will be instituting a Varsity club that will meet 2 times per month to discuss the Athletic programs with the coaches and AD to continue to enhance our programs. -Results from last year were very good..16 question survey, 4.02 was the average response on a 1-5 scale. -Continue to collect data from our athletes and coaches

7. What sports does MHS offer? • Along with a variety of clubs to get involved in!

8. IHSA Classification Changes • 4 classes • Baseball – 2A • B/G Basketball – 2A*** • Volleyball – 2A • Softball – 2A • 3 classes • B/G Cross Country – 1A • B/G Soccer – 1A • Wrestling – 1A • Golf – 2A • B/G Track and Field – 2A • B/G Tennis is now a 2 class system. We are 1A • Bowling is still a 1 class system • Football is determined at the end of the season (8 classes)

9. Mendota High School Head Coaches Fall: Football: Keegan Hill Volleyball: Hallie Monroe** Boy’s Soccer: Nick Myers** Golf: Brian Blumhorst Girls Tennis: Shawn LeRette Cross Country: Kevin Wohrley Cheerleaders Fall: Ali Eddy** Trojanettes: Rachel Moore **dentotes new coach 2019-20 Winter & Spring: Boys Basketball: Justin Jacobsen** Girls Basketball: John Hansen Wrestling: Dale Meyers Cheerleading: Jennifer Escatel** Baseball: Aaron Sester Softball: Joel Perez Boys Tennis: Shawn LeRette Boys Track: Keegan Hill Girls Track: Heath Raley Girls Soccer: Nick Myers**

10. Who are the Trojans? • When WE think of the Mendota Trojans…the following thoughts come to mind: • Pride…a lot of pride in Athletics at MHS • Support…the community has always supported MHS Athletics • Comradery…great team comradery when it’s all said and done • Passion…ever talk to a former player? They are passionate about MHS athletics • Sportsmanship..The Trojans do things the right way! • Student/Athlete…this is a term that has always been used at MHS • --This was confirmed in our Margin of Excellence meeting. • …OUR JOB IS TO CONTINUE THIS TRADITION AND PASS IT ON!!

11. A few things to remember….. • There is a real referee shortage in Illinois • Treat the officials with the utmost respect..always • You may see smaller referee crews at the younger levels • Participation numbers are down across the state it’s not just a Mendota problem. • Our children live in a world very different from the world we grew up in. Encourage your children to participate and enjoy the experience • Support all teams as much as you can • Coaching vacancies are getting harder and harder to fill. BE POSITIVE WITH OUR COACHES. It is a difficult job that fewer and fewer people are wanting to attempt. • The BIG NORTHERN CONFERENCE has a big push towards sportsmanship from fans this year. We will pilot a program this winter where student athletes read a sportsmanship announcement prior to every conference game.

12. Help Needed We are in need of the following help for our fall sports: --Assistant Coach for Soccer --Bowling Coach..Boys and Girls --Volleyball score keepers and libero trackers --Soccer scoreboard operator and starting lineup announcer --Football ticket taker, scoreboard operator, and video board operator

13. Important Dates • Fall Sports begin tomorrow! • Golf 6am at Mendota Golf Course • Football 4-7pm • Cross Country 4pm at the cafeteria entrance • Soccer 10am • Volleyball tryouts 7:30-9 and 3-5:30 on 8/12 & 8/13 • Tennis 3pm • Winter Sports Begin – October/November • Spring Sports Begin – March (Jan/Feb)

14. Football Changes for 2019! • Scheduling • IHSA policy change: No player can play in 2 different games in the same night • If a Sophomore player plays in the sophomore game they are ineligible for the Varsity game if it is played that evening. • Big Northern • Friday Night Freshman game 5pm followed by Varsity at 7pm • Monday Night  Sophomore game at 5pm • UNLESS teams agree to alter the schedule • Mendota prefers to keep the traditional schedule of 2 games on Friday. • Week 1 Sophomore game and Varsity game are on Friday night. • Week 2Sophomore game and Varsity game are on Friday night • STAY TUNED..The schedule will update as the year goes on.

15. How do I access information?

16. @mendotatrojans (Twitter) • Mendota High School Booster Club (“Like” us on FaceBook) • Mendota Trojan Athletics Facebook Page • www.thezonelive.com (school calendar) • www.mendotahs.org • Call the school • Big Teams App • Remind App Send text @ebcdbkto the number 81010 to join MHS AD Remind updates

17. School Day • MHS will run a regular 8 period school day from 8:05 to 3:05. • Everyone has M.O.D. 8th Period. Seniors NOT failing can leave at the end of 7th period (2:31). • Students who are ineligible WILL NOT be allowed to leave school early to attend away events. • All students are dismissed at 3:05. • Practices will start no earlier than 3:20 unless your coach works out of the building. • Stay out of the locker rooms, off the courts, and off the fields until your coaches arrive.

18. What is the “Attendance Policy “?Page 11

19. ATTENDANCE POLICY • A student must be in attendance by the beginning of his/her fourth (4th) period class in order to practice or play that night. • 10:38 am on a regular school day and 9:35 am on 11:30 dismissals. • Exception • Approved by the principal, on the day of competition to be eligible to participate in athletic events or practices. Administrative approval for pre­arranged absences or emergency situations will supersede this requirement. Emergency situations will be dealt with as they arise. • In season vacations are to be discouraged and playing time is at the discretion of the head coach for missed practices and games.

20. What are the transportation procedures? Page 13

21. Transportation • Mendota Township High School District 280 provides transportation to and from all contests. • It is required that all athletes use the transportation provided by the school district to participate in an event . • Special circumstances that would require a student athlete to not ride the bus to an event has to be prearranged with the coach, preferably at least 24 hours prior to the departure time . • The transportation home is at the discretion of the coach. A parent signature is required for all athletes who ride home with a parent. Athletes that ride home with another parent, grandparent, or an aunt/uncle will be required to give the coach a written note. • Please note that an athlete may not ride home with an individual under the age of 21 (twenty-one). Coaches may require athletes to ride home on the bus as part of their team rules.

22. Parent ChecklistPage 8

23. PARENT/ATHLETE PARTICIPATION CHECKLIST • To be eligible to participate in the interscholastic athletic program at Mendota Township High School District 280, each interested athlete must “clear” the eligibility clearance procedure. To do so, the interested athlete must: • NOBODY WILL BE ALLOWED TO BEGIN PRACTICE OR TRYOUTS WITHOUT COMPLETING STEPS 1-4 and 6-9

24. #1Meet the Academic Requirements Per MHS Policy. IHSA Rule • Student-Athletes must pass a minimum of 25 credit hours a week. • That is 5 classes weekly. • That is 5 classes per semester to be eligible for the next semester. At Mendota High School… • If you are taking 5 classes, YOU MUST PASS ALL 5 classes weekly and for the semester. • If you are taking 6 or 7 classes you can only be failing ONE CLASS weekly or fail ONE CLASS for the semester (school board policy).

25. Weekly and Semester Eligibility • If you are ineligible 3 times (does not have to be consecutive) you will be removed from the team. • If you do not pass 5 classes per semester, you will be academically ineligible for the entire next semester. • If you become ineligible during extended holiday breaks, you could be ineligible for two weeks. This will only count as 1 week towards the 3-strike policy.

26. #2Mandatory Athletic Meeting • Attend the mandatory parent-athlete preseason meeting each year.

27. #3Athletic Physical Form • Each interested athlete must show proof of an examination by a licensed physician. • Freshmen athletes may count their freshmen entrance physical toward this requirement. • An athletic physical will NOT count towards a freshman entrance physical. • Sophomore, junior, and senior athletes must have an "IHSA Physician's Certificate" on file for this school year (A copy of which is found in the back of Student & Parent Athletic Handbook). • MHS will have physicals at the end of the school year!

28. #4 IMPACT TESTING • Every 2 years it is mandatory for each athlete to complete the IMPACT TEST. • If you miss the IMPACT Testing date and time for your sport you will need to got IVCH and schedule an appointment. So it’s important that you attend. • IMPACT testing dates have been set up and communicated with the head coaches of each sport that tests.

29. # 5 Obtain and Read • Student & Parent Athletic Handbook • “STUDENT DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING POLICY”. • Illinois Valley Community Hospital & OSF Hospital consent form to allow IVCH and OSF to provide medical treatment.

30. Code of Conduct

31. PARENT-STUDENT ATHLETIC HANDBOOK SIGNATURE PAGE • We have received, read, understand, and agree to abide by the Mendota Township High School Parent-Athlete Handbook, the Code of Conduct, and Training Rules. The signature below by the parent(s)/guardian(s) and athlete indicates they received the following forms and information. • MTHS Parent-Athlete Handbook • MTHS and IHSA Concussion Policies and information, Asthma, and Performance-Enhancing Substance information and testing procedures. • MTHS Student Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy and MTHS Random Drug Testing Consent Form • IVCH Medical Consent Form • This signature also indicates the parent(s)/guardian(s) consent for their athlete(s) to enter and be randomly drug tested by Mendota Township High School and the IHSA. • I have read and agree to abide by the Expectations of Parents, the MTHS Handbook, and consent to all other forms. • I have read and agree to abide by the Expectations of the Athlete, the MTHS Handbook, and consent to all other forms.

32. #6Participation FEE • Finally, submit participation fee of $55 per sport prior to the student-athlete’s first contest of the season. No athlete will be able to compete for his/her team without this fee being submitted. Participation fees are NOT refundable. Any student who qualifies for free/reduced lunches will have their participation fee waived.

33. Medical Conditions, Medication Reminder • Please make sure your student informs their coach of any medical condition. Example: Asthma, Allergies requiring the use of an Epi-pen, Seizures or Diabetes. Please make sure student has medication with him/her at all times to manage medical condition. Also have them inform coach where medication is when they are in play in case of an emergency. • Athletes will not play or practice if they do not have the proper medication with them. • Please fill out the emergency form (page 43) and return it to use tonight or turn it into the athletic office.

34. What if I want to talk to the coach?Page 7

35. Chain of Command • Meet or talk to the Coach first! Athlete’s attendance is mandatory. • Meeting with the Parent/Athlete, Coach and Athletic Director. • Meeting with the Parent/Athlete, Coach, Athletic Director, and Principal. • Meeting with the Parent/Athlete, Coach, Athletic Director, Principal, and Superintendent. • Meeting with the Parent/Athlete, Coach, Athletic Director, Principal, Superintendent, and Athletic Committee. • Meeting with the Parent/Athlete, Coach, Athletic Director, Principal, Superintendent, and Board of Education.

36. Communication with Coaches • You can • Talk to a coach about ways your athlete can improve, your athlete's behavior, and treatment of your athlete mentally and physically. • Coaches WILL NOT discuss • Playing time, team strategies, play calling, or other athletes

37. Please Remember • Refrain from talking to the coach after a game or practice. Please email or call to schedule a time. • Refrain from contracting the coach at home unless it’s an emergency. • Please be open, honest, and most importantly…Respectful. • You might not always agree with what is said.

38. Advocating is a part of growing up • We highly encourage your athlete to ADVOCATE for themselves and speak with the coach about issues that they are having with the program. Please encourage your athletes to speak with the coach first. It’s part of growing up and a vital skill that they will use throughout their lives.

39. What can you expect from our coaches? Positive Leadership Sportsmanship Discipline Strong Communication Skills Commitment to Team Positive Attitude

40. What our Athletes want from their Coach Time Management Supportive Technical Knowledge Leadership Passionate Help them improve Constructive Positive Relationships Fun Approachable Caring Don’t yell Help attain goals Teach Reliable Mature Understanding Know us outside of our sport

41. What do I do as a parent or fan when I come to watch a game?

42. Cheer and Enjoy! “Why? Because our athletes are worth it and deserve it.”

43. Everyone has a role There are 5 roles you can be An Athlete A Coach An Official A Worker Or A Fan Choose one

44. Parent and Fan Expectations Be supportive of your athlete’s efforts; Be supportive of their teammates; Be supportive of their coach. Respect all those involved and create a positive environment. Be part of the solution, not part of the problem. Cheer in a positive manner at the games; There is no place in high school athletics for yelling negative, insulting remarks at players, coaches, officials, and workers. Stand and cheer during our lineups. Understand that winning is just one of our goals, not the only one. Be a positive ambassador of our school and community. Release your athlete to the game. It’s their game/their team.

45. Booster Club • Please volunteer your time to help support the boosters. • Donating is appreciated, but donating your time is greatly appreciated.

46. Summary • Be supportive and enjoy the experience • Get involved • Come support all programs. • Volunteer – Join the Boosters. • Sign the back page and leave it before you leave tonight!!! • Electronic Signature: • Text to 81010 • @ebfg39 Once you receive a confirmation text send an additional text with parent & athlete name, year in school, as a reply. • Leave a Legacy.

47. Individual Sport Breakout Sessions • Tennis—Mr. LeRette’s Room 207 • Football—Stay here • XC—See Coach Wohrley

48. Questions? Contact me at anytime! Steve Hanson shanson@MendotaHS.org 815-539-7446 Cell: 630-816-0884