MIDDLE SCHOOL ATHLETICS/ACTIVITIES

ARTICLE IX.   MIDDLE SCHOOL

ATHLETICS AND ACTIVITIES

PREAMBLE

It is the belief of the Vermont Principals' Association that all aspects of middle level, (5-8) education should be driven by an understanding of the unique physical, psychological, emotional, and educational needs of the middle level children we serve.           

The VPA has developed these standards in order that our middle school athletic/activities programs may consistently apply the best of what we know to this centrally important part of the larger middle grade program.           

Section 1. Standards           

A. Student activities, intramural, and interscholastic are an integral part of the Middle Level educational program.           

B. The emphasis of a Middle School activities program is on teaching, participation, and progression without the competitive pressures which are part of the Senior High School athletic program.           

C. The highest ideals of sportsmanship shall  be upheld, and no single phase of the educational program shall be promoted at the expense of other equally important programs.           

D. The supervision of activities should be in the hands of trained personnel of the school. The selection of this leadership should be based on their knowledge of teaching activities to this age group, their understanding of the modified sports/activities program, and safety procedures.           

E. The program operates with minimal loss of school time, limited publicity, competent officiating, and limited awards.

F.  Participants are properly examined, equipped, insured according to school  district policy, selected, instructed, and supervised so that a safe and healthy program is conducted.

ARTICLE X. MIDDLE SCHOOL ATHLETIC/ACTIVITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS

Section 1. Principal's Responsibilities

A. Principals are responsible for operating all middle level  activities within the guidelines established by the Vermont Principals' Association.           

B.  Member schools may compete with other member schools.  Member schools may also compete with teams from schools and programs, in state or out of state, that are not members, but which substantially follow the VPA Middle Level Standards and Regulations.

C. Only VPA Member schools may participate in VPA sponsored activities, namely Spelling Bee, Geo Bee, Math/Science, Music Festival, Student Council.

Section 2. Regulations

A. The student must be enrolled in their school or state approved school and must meet the VPA school's prescribed academic and eligibility rules.           

B. No more than two (2) games per week, will be scheduled Monday through Thursday,  including tournaments.                       

C. No school shall schedule interscholastic athletic/activities on a Sunday.           

D. Playing rules shall be NFHS rules adopted by the Vermont Principals' Association.           

E. Practice time shall be limited to one and one-half hours during any calendar day.

F. Participants in all interscholastic athletic activities must have a minimum of ten days of practice before competing in interscholastic contests.           

 Section 3. Game Regulations

     "The VPA believes that middle school sports should be kept in perspective. To that end, we concur with the National Middle School Association Research Summary,

Sports in Middle School, which states: "many positive benefits for young adolescents may result from participation in sports which can enhance their self esteem and increase their interest in sports. However, when young adolescents needs and interest become secondary to pressures and unreasonable expectations from coaches, parents and even themselves, sports often have the opposite effect. Young adolescent's psychological well being should be a priority in developing middle level sports programs."

The VPA supports and encourages middle level schools to provide young adolescents opportunities to participate in both sports and in other developmentally appropriate activities (music, drama, dance, etc.). With this in mind, the VPA has developed sports seasons (including maximum number of games) for the middle level on the premise that a middle level program should reflect 75% of an allowable high school sports program.

A. Soccer (Boys and Girls) (NFHS Rules will be used)

1. No school shall schedule more than twelve (12) games including authorized tournaments.

2. The halves shall be limited to a maximum of thirty (30) minutes. In the event of a tie, there will be no overtime.

B. Basketball (Boys and Girls) (NFHS Rules will be used)

1. No school shall schedule more than  sixteen (16) games, including tournaments.

2. A basketball game shall consist of a maximum of four six-minute quarters.

3. No basketball player shall play more than four (4) quarters in any day, exclusive of the need of overtime play. Participation in a quarter constitutes a quarter of play.

C. Baseball (NFHS Rules will be used)

1. Games shall consist of seven-innings or schools may enter into a mutual agreement as to a time limit prior to the start of the games.

2. No pitcher shall pitch more than seven innings during any six (6) day period.

3. No school shall schedule more than twelve (12) games including tournaments.

D. Field Hockey (NFHS Rules will be used)

1. Games shall consist of a maximum of thirty (30) minute halves.

2. No school shall schedule more than twelve (12) games including tournaments.

E. Softball (NFHS Rules will be used)

1. Games shall consist of seven innings or schools may enter into a mutual agreement as to a time limit prior to the start of the game.

2. No school shall schedule more than twelve (12) games including tournaments.

3. No pitcher shall pitch more than seven innings in a four day period.

F. Cross Country (Boys and Girls) (NFHS Rules will be used)

1. No school shall schedule more than ten (10) meets including tournaments.

G. Wrestling (NFHS Rules will be used)

1. No school shall schedule more than twelve (12) matches including tournaments.

H. Track (NFHS Rules will be used)/Gymnastics (USGA Gymnastics FIG)

1. Gymnastics - No school shall schedule more than twelve (12) meets.

2. Spring Track - No school shall schedule more than ten (10) meets.

I.  Lacrosse (Boys and Girls) (NFHS Rules will be used)

1.  No school shall schedule more than twelve (12) games including tournaments. 

2.  Total game or jamboree playing time shall not exceed the limit of one game (48 minutes).

3.  No body checking shall be allowed.

J. Cross Country Skiing

1. No school shall schedule more than ten (10) meets, including tournaments.

Section 4. Sports Seasons

A. The Fall Sports Season shall open on the first Wednesday before Labor Day and conclude on the last Saturday in October, inclusive of tournaments.

B. The Winter Sports Season shall consist of a maximum of 15 consecutive weeks.  The earliest start of the season shall be the third Monday in November.

C. The Spring Sports Season shall open on the first Monday in April and conclude on the second Saturday in June, inclusive of tournaments.

ARTICLE XI.  COOPERATIVE INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC TEAMS FOR MIDDLE LEVEL COMPETITION

Section 1.  Cooperative Sponsorship

A.            Cooperative sponsorship of an interscholastic athletic activity(ies) by member schools will be considered under the following conditions:

1.              The schools must be located in the same geograhic area.

2.            Cooperative sponsorship agreements must be reviewed on an annual basis, and be for a minimum of two years.

3.            The principal of each member school must jointly make the application to the Vermont Principals’ Association Executive Director and/or his/her assistant.

4.            The request must include a resolution adopted by each Board of School Directors.

5.            Requests must be submitted to the VPA by April 1 to be considered for the following school year.

VERMONT PRINCIPALS’ ASSOCIATION STATEMENT OF BELIEF ON CHEMICALS AND HEALTH

ARTICLE I. PHILOSOPHY AND PURPOSE

The VPA recognized the use of chemicals as a significant health problem for many adolescents, resulting in negative effects on behavior, learning and the total development of each individual.  The misuse and abuse of chemicals for some adolescents affects extracurricular participation and development of related skills.  Others are affected by the misuse and abuse by family, team members and other significant persons in their lives.

The close contact in VPA activities of advisors and coaches and other athletic department personnel provides them with a unique opportunity to observe, confront and assist young people.  The VPA, therefore, supports education and awareness training in adolescent chemical use problems including the symptomatology of chemical dependency and special issues affecting athletic activities for administrators, athletic directors, coaches, advisors, participants and their families.

ARTICLE II.  CHEMICAL AWARENESS

1. Put the training and conduct rules of your coaches and school in writing.

2. Have your school attorney review the rules.

3. Have your School Board review and adopt your rules.

4. Have the rules printed in the student handbook.

5. Print the rules in the school paper.

6. Post the rules in the locker rooms and on bulletin boards.

7. Give your athletic participants a copy of eligibility rules.

8. Send the rules home to parents.

9. If possible, have your local newspaper publish your rules.

10. Sponsor a Chemical Awareness evening with parents, coaches and student athlete candidates.

A STATEMENT OF BELIEF

A COACHES’ CODE OF ETHICS

The responsibility of a coach is to teach attitudes, proper habits, knowledge and skills.

The athletic program is designed to enhance academic achievement and should never interfere with opportunities for academic success.  Each student athlete should be treated as an individual whose welfare shall be primary at all times.  The coach must be aware that he or she serves as a model in the education of the student athlete and, therefore, shall never place the value of winning above the value of character building.

The coach must constantly uphold the honor and dignity of the teaching profession.  In all personal contact with the student athlete, officials, athletic directors, school administrators, the state high school athletic association, the media and the public, the coach shall strive to set an example of the highest ethical and moral conduct.

The coach shall support and enforce school rules for the prevention of drug, alcohol and tobacco use and abuse, and under no circumstances shall authorize the use of these substances.

The coach shall promote the entire interscholastic program of the school and direct his or her program in harmony with the total school program.

The coach shall be thoroughly acquainted with contest, state, league and local rules, and is responsible for their interpretation to team members.   The coach shall abide by the letter and spirit of these rules at all times.

Coaches shall actively use their influence to enhance sportsmanship by their spectators, working closely with cheerleaders, booster clubs, and administrators.

Contest officials shall have the respect and support of the coach.  The coach shall not indulge in conduct which will incite players or spectators against the officials or against each other.  Public criticism of officials or players is unethical.

Before and after contests, rival coaches should meet and exchange friendly greetings to set the correct tone for the event.

A coach shall not exert pressure on faculty members to give student athletes special consideration.

It is unethical for coaches to scout opponents by any other means than those adopted by the state high school athletic association and the league.