Skip to main content

Athletics

Sports/Extracurricular Activities for Boys and Girls

Notre Dame School participates with other Catholic schools in Solano county in several athletic sports for students in grades 5-8. Currently, this includes Girls Volleyball, Boys Football, Cheerleading, Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball, and Boys Volleyball. The athletic program at Notre Dame School is motivated and guided by the philosophy and goals outlined in the beginning of this Parent/Student Handbook. However, for the smooth operation of this program, some additional goals and guidelines are necessary. Prior to listing them, the Administration wishes to acknowledge the support, participation and cooperation of parents and coaches, without whom the athletic program would not exist.

Objectives of the School Athletic Program

  • It is a mark of courtesy and gratitude to coaches to make sure players are dropped off and picked up promptly for games and practices.
  • Children must remain supervised inside the facility. The supervision of non-team siblings is the responsibility of parents. Children must remain with parents/guardians at all times. The school playground equipment is off limits during games and practices.
  • Make sure that your child WANTS to participate in a sport. To get the most out of a sport, children should play to please themselves, not parents or coaches.
  • If, or when, problems arise, they should be addressed at an appropriate time and in a proper manner with the coach. If not satisfactorily settled, the problem should be brought to the attention of the Athletic Director and Principal.
  • Parents should conduct themselves in a proper manner when attending games. NEVER yell demeaning remarks to officials, coaches, or players on either team. There is a great deal of difference between cheering and verbal abuse. Derogatory or profane language will result in ejection from the stands/ballpark. Repeated offenses will result in a permanent ban from all athletic events.
  • Support all efforts to eliminate verbal and physical abuse from children's activities.
  • Encourage your child/children to always play by the rules.
  • Parents should recognize that an honest effort is the primary objective over winning and losing.
  • Remember that the goal of the game is to have the children learn the values of sportsmanship and teamwork.

The Athletes Prayer

Lord, please clear my head of all distractions,
And my heart of burdens I may bear,
So I may perform my very best,
Knowing You'll always be there.
Please lift me up before the moment,
So through Your eyes I may see,
And have a clearer understanding,
As the game unfolds before me.
With great courage I will meet this challenge,
As You would have me do,
But keep me humble and remind me,
That my strength comes from knowing You.
Then when all eyes are upon me,
At the end of this big game,
I will turn their eyes to You O Lord,
And to the glory of Your name. Amen

Requirements for eligibility:

  • Parents must sign permission slips allowing their child to participate in the Notre Dame Athletic Sports Program.
  • Students must be in good physical condition. Students must have medical clearance from a doctor every school year in order to participate in the sports program.
  • Students must follow the rules and regulations as outlined in the Player's Code of Conduct.
  • The Principal or Athletic Director may dismiss any player from any team for violating the rules of eligibility.
  • The Administration retains the right to make exceptions in particular situations regarding eligibility.

Player's Code of Conduct

  • Players shall show respect to coaches, officials, and teammates at all times.
  • Players shall show respect to the members of opposing teams.
  • Players shall cooperate with all reasonable demands from their coaches.
  • Players must maintain a C or above average in every subject and must maintain satisfactory conduct to be eligible. (Grades below the required minimum shall result in ineligibility for ten (10) school days, which will run from Wednesday to Wednesday). Eligibility will be reinstated when satisfactory progress has been made in accordance with academic standards.
  • Players receiving disciplinary suspension shall be ineligible for a period of at least ten (10) days. Additional time may be determined by the principal.
  • Any student who has been suspended from school may not participate in any extracurricular activity during the suspension time.
  • Missed practices and/or games must be communicated to the coach prior to the absence. Non-communicated absences will be unexcused. Three (3) unexcused absences may result in removal from the team.
  • Players will be expected to attend and be on time for all games and practices.
  • Students must attend school for the last half of the day in order to be eligible to participate in extracurricular activities. An absence from school will result in a player being ineligible on that day for either practice or game. Example: If a player is absent from school on Friday and there is a game on Friday night, that player cannot play in that game. If a game is scheduled on a weekend and the player was not in school on Friday, then the player may be allowed to play in Saturday or Sunday's game.
  • Participants guilty of unsportsmanlike conduct or using obscene language may be dropped from the team.
  • Removal of a player from a team shall have the approval of the Principal and Athletic Director.
  • Players shall be considered eligible to play in league games when registration fees are paid.
  • Players will be expected to put forth the effort to condition their bodies and learn the basic skills of the game.
  • Social Media: the positing of mean-spirited videos or other date is strictly forbidden and may result in a minimum 2-game suspension. Further violations will result in removal from the team.

Coach's Code of Conduct

  • No one is deemed eligible to coach unless and until he/she has fulfilled the requirements issued by the Department of Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Sacramento and Oakland.
  • These requirements include fingerprint clearance and blood borne pathogen in-service.
  • Rules adopted by individual coaches must be in conformity with school policy and approved by the Principal and Athletic Director.
  • Coaches act in the name of Notre Dame School and their conduct should reflect this at all times.
  • When difficulties arise, these should be discussed with the Athletic Director.
  • Practices shall be scheduled for not more than six (6) hours per week.
  • Teach your players that the rules of the game are mutual agreements that no one should evade or break.
  • Ensure that the equipment and facilities meet safety standards and are appropriate to the age and ability of the players.
  • Follow the advice of a physician when determining when an injured player is ready to play again.
  • Never ridicule or yell at the players for making mistakes or losing a competition. These are children and they are NOT in training to be Olympic athletes!
  • Coaches should NEVER use foul language. Coaches receiving a technical foul for improper conduct will be given a warning. A second technical will result in a conference with the Principal and Athletic Director and possible dismissal.
  • Coaches will play ALL eligible players a reasonable amount of time in EVERY league game, as determined by the principal and athletic director.
  • Remember that children need a coach they can respect. Be generous with your praise and set a good example.
  • The principal may dismiss a coach for not complying with these rules and codes.
  • Social Media: the positing of mean-spirited videos or other date is strictly forbidden and may result in a minimum 2-game suspension. Further violations will result in removal from the team.

Parent's Code of Conduct

Without the participation of parents, the listed objectives will not be achieved. The Administration relies on you to support the philosophy as it applies to athletic activities. This philosophy will be expressed in conduct at games, relating to officials, and how we encourage our young athletes.

  • It is a mark of courtesy and gratitude to coaches to make sure players are dropped off and picked up promptly for games and practices.
  • Children must remain supervised inside the facility. The supervision of non-team siblings is the responsibility of parents. Children must remain with parents/guardians at all times. The school playground equipment is off limits during games and practices.
  • Make sure that your child WANTS to participate in a sport. To get the most out of a sport, children should play to please themselves, not parents or coaches.
  • If, or when, problems arise, they should be addressed at an appropriate time and in a proper manner with the coach. If not satisfactorily settled, the problem should be brought to the attention of the Athletic Director and Principal.
  • Parents should conduct themselves in a proper manner when attending games. NEVER yell demeaning remarks to officials, coaches, or players on either team. There is a great deal of difference between cheering and verbal abuse. Derogatory or profane language will result in ejection from the stands/ballpark. Repeated offenses will result in a permanent ban from all athletic events.
  • Support all efforts to eliminate verbal and physical abuse from children's activities.
  • Encourage your child/children to always play by the rules.
  • Parents should recognize that an honest effort is the primary objective over winning and losing.
  • Remember that the goal of the game is to have the children learn the values of sportsmanship and teamwork.
  • Social Media: the positing of mean-spirited videos or other date is strictly forbidden and may result in a minimum 2-game suspension. Further violations will result in removal from the team.