Dear Parents and Student Athletes:

Thank you for choosing to participate in sports and extracurricular activities here at Newton High School, home of the Rams!  Newton High School has a rich history of high performing athletics’ programs, and we take much pride in the work of our students, coaches, and the people who make this work happen.  You will find information in the Newton High Athletic Handbook that will allow for our programs to continue operating at high levels of performance on and off the field.

As principal, I must stress that our student athletes are students first and foremost. Our students are expected to live up to high standards for both academic achievement and behavior.  Student athletes serve as role models for other students, and this is not a responsibility that can be taken lightly.  Student athletes must demonstrate good habits during the competition season and during the off season.  They must demonstrate positive sportsmanship at all times. Again, this is a great responsibility. Students who do not comply with school requests or who engage in inappropriate activity on or off the field may ultimately be subject to removal from the athletic team by the coach at the coach’s discretion.

The chain of command is listed in this handbook. Please follow the handbook accordingly. It is very important to note that unless the coach requests a student athlete to do something that any reasonable person would consider to be unsafe, illegal, immoral, or unethical, the coach’s decision will most likely be final.  All parents are expected to support the decisions of the coach; the coach is a trained expert in his or her craft, and that training has led to much success for Newton High’s athletic programs.  Distractions that impair the regular operation of our athletic programs will not be tolerated, and all issues should be resolved through the chain of command.

It is our desire to educate the whole child here at Newton High School. We have very talented and gifted young people at our school, and we fully intend to help them reach their full potential with your support. Together, we shall keep building on the rich legacy of impressive athletic performance that is expected at Newton High School. We look forward to a productive year at Newton High School, and we thank you in advance for your support.  GO RAMS!

Respectfully,

Craig Lockhart, Ed.D, NBCT

NHS Principal

 

The Mission Statement of NHS Athletics

 

It is the mission of Newton High School Athletic Department to create RAM Spirit, demonstrate RAM Pride, and strive for RAM Excellence, while focusing all of our resources on providing "Every Child Every Chance" to succeed through the fortitude of competition.

The Purpose of the Newton High School Athletic Handbook

Through this athletic handbook we hope to accomplish the following:

            1. Develop the guidelines which can be used to establish the foundation for a respectable athletic program which can be enjoyed by the athletes and supported by the administration, student body, and community.

            2. Provide rules and regulations where the student will be able to clearly understand what will be expected of him/her and what the discipline will be for violations of those rules and regulations.

            The Newton High Athletic Department believes that participating in high school athletic programs brings valuable life lessons. We know students can gain many positive characteristics as participants. Participation can be a rewarding experience. It can build confidence, increase discipline, and teach teamwork. It can also teach the participants the values of competition. The participants can develop many positive characteristics which will help in their future endeavors.

Along with these positive characteristics also comes responsibility on the part of the participant. The student should realize that certain guidelines and rules are expected of him/her from both the state athletic association and the local school district. If the student expects to represent a school on the playing fields or courts of competition, then he/she must accept this responsibility and act accordingly.

 The Vision of the Newton High School Athletic Department

We believe that:

·       Athletics is an important part of our school culture, the community, and it adds to the development of the student-athlete.

      Athletes are students first and we are committed to their academic success.

      Athletes who are committed to their sports program will have the opportunity to participate as game conditions permit.

      Coaches will teach and model the concept of sportsmanship and athletes are expected to adhere to those concepts.

      Coaches teach discipline, teamwork, perseverance, and skills.

      Coaches are patient with athletes and treat them with respect and dignity.

·     Coaches may fuss at kids when necessary, but profanity is not acceptable, nor will it be allowed by student-athletes either.

 

 Newton Rams Teams and Coaches

FALL SEASON	August - November
Boys/Girls Cross Country - V	Football - V/JV/9th
Cheerleading V/JV/9th	Softball - V/JV
Girls Volleyball - V/JV
WINTER SEASON	November - February
Boys/Girls Basketball - V/JV/9th	Cheerleading V/JV/9th
Wrestling- V/JV
SPRING SEASON	February - May
Baseball - V/JV/9th	Boys/Girls Golf - V/JV
Boys/Girls Tennis - V/JV	Boys/Girls Track and Field - V/9th
Boys/Girls Soccer – V/JV

  Newton High School Rams Coaching Staff  2011-2012

Cross Country	Aaron Robinson-Head Coach Patrick Parsons-Assistant Coach
Cheerleading	Belinda Smith-Head Coach Akeelah McTier-JV Coach Jennifer Johnson- 9th Grade
Football	Cortez Allen-Head Coach Camiel Grant-Assistant Head Coach Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Spencer Fortson- Defensive Coordinator/Def. Backs Roury Jones-Offensive Line Coach Charles Jordan-Running Backs Coach Chris Ray-Wide Receivers Coach Keith Curry-Tight Ends Coach Melvin Richey-Defensive Line Coach Charles Chavous-Linebackers Coach
Softball	Virginia Waters-Head Coach Ashley Coles-Assistant Coach
Volleyball	Shandelyn Carter-Head Coach
Boys Basketball	Rick Rasmussen-Head Coach Bill Dolan-Varsity Assistant Coach Andrew Keeling-JV Coach Robert Holder-Freshmen Coach
Girls Basketball	Tiffani Johnson-Head Coach Chris Ray-Varsity Assistant Coach Lavon White-JV Coach
Wrestling	Paul Nelson-Head Coach
Baseball	Vincent Byams-Head Coach Assistant Coach-Jim Stansell Freshmen Coach- Andre Byrd
Boys/Girls Golf	Stephen Spruell-Head Coach Jackie Mattison-Assistant Coach
Boys/Girls Tennis	Andrew Clink-Boys Head Coach Michael Bryan-Girls Head Coach
Boys/Girls Track Coach	Cortez Allen-Boys Head Coach Patrick Parsons-Assistant Coach Kelia Thomas-Girls Head Coach Jeff O’Neal-Assistant Coach
Boys/Girls Soccer	Timothy Hardison-Boys Head Coach Nilesh Patel-Girls Head Coach

 

NHS Administration
Tracey Curtis Assistant Principal of Athletics	Dr. Craig Lockhart Principal	Stephen Spruell Athletic Director

 

Assistant Principals
Ms. Debbie Stephens	Dr. Sandra Owens	Mr. John Ellenberg

 Newton High School
Athletic Rules and Regulations

I.  Eligibility  - To be eligible to participate each player must meet the following requirements:

A.   Academics
            1.   All students athletes must have passed 5 out of 6 units (subjects) from the previous semester’s report card (70 is passing)
            2.  Candidates must be on track. This means:
(a) First-year students (entering 9th grade) are eligible academically. Second semester first-year students must have passed courses carrying at least 2.5 Carnegie units the previous semester in order to participate.

(b) Second-year students must have accumulated five (5) total Carnegie units in the first year, AND passed courses carrying at least 2.5 Carnegie units in the previous semester.

(c) Third-year students must have accumulated eleven (11) Carnegie units in the first and second years, AND passed courses carrying at least 2.5 Carnegie units in the previous semester.

(d) Fourth-year students must have accumulated sixteen (16) Carnegie units in the first three years, AND passed courses carrying at least 2.5 Carnegie units in the previous semester.

(e) Students may accumulate the required Carnegie units for participation during the school year and eligibility will be reinstated at the beginning of the next semester.

(f) For the 2011-12 school year, fourth-year students must have accumulated seventeen (17) Carnegie units.

B.  Students must have a certificate of an annual physical examination on file at the school prior to participating in any athletic try-outs, practices or games that indicate the students are physically approved for participation.

(a) Physical examinations will be good for twelve (12) months from the date of the exam. EXCEPTION: Any physical examination taken on or after April 1 in the preceding year will be accepted for the entire next GHSA school year.

(b) The physical exam must be conducted by a licensed medical physician, doctor of Osteopathic medicine, nurse practitioner or a physician’s assistant. An M.D. or D.O. must evaluate the student’s health history form.

(c) The exam must be signed by an M.D. or D.O., but the doctor's stamp is acceptable if it is in script, and if information appears elsewhere on the form identifying him/her as a medical doctor.

(d) The GHSA requires that member schools use the latest edition of the pre-participation physical evaluation form approved by the American Academy of Pediatrics, et. al., found on the GHSA web site.

 C.  Insurance - Athletes must have school insurance or family coverage in order to participate.

D.  Parent Consent Forms - Parent consent form must be on file.  This form states that the parent has read the handbook and has given the athlete permission to participate as well as consent to abide the expectations of the NHS Athletic Department.

E.  Fall Workouts - All candidates for Varsity, JV and 9th grade teams must begin practice at announced times and dates if not already involved in a previous sport.

 F.  Migrant Studies - A student may try out for one of our teams when he/she has registered at our school and is eligible.

 

NHS Athletic Rules & Regulations

G.  Multiple Sports- Having selected a sport, a student athlete shall not quit the program in season to try out for another sport or take part in an off-season program until the sport in season terminates or permission is granted by the coach in season.

II. Team Conduct

 A.  The Newton High School athlete must remember that their actions are representative not only of themselves, but also the entire program, the school, and every other individual involved.  Any deviation from high standards of general conduct will necessitate disciplinary action. These standards apply to the classroom as well as the athletic program.  All players are to be respectful to all Faculty and Staff members throughout the school year and follow school rules. 

B.  Any rules violation can be dealt with at the discretion of the coach.  It is a privilege to participate on a team, and this privilege can be taken away anytime at the discretion of the Athletic Director. 

C.  Because of the time which must be committed to the team, athletes must not allow other activities, clubs, or jobs to interfere with athletic activities.  Only academics will come before athletics.

III. General Guidelines

A. Attendance - It is your responsibility to be aware of practice schedules, and time attend, and be on time.  If you cannot attend or must be late, you must notify one of the coaches in advance or consequences will occur.

B. OSS/ISS/Suspension from school  Beginning one week prior to the first contest or event scheduled for any designated sport or extra-curricular activity, students suspended to OSS (Out-of-School) will be suspended from all activities (practices, playing, dressing out, sitting with the team. etc.) during each full day of suspension. Suspension ends when the student is physically readmitted to the classroom.  Students assigned to ISS (In-School Suspension) will be suspended from the next appropriate game or event scheduled from the date they are assigned to ISS. Students may practice with their team when assigned to ISS, and students can play in games while in ISS, after first serving a one game suspension when they were assigned to ISS. **Additional consequences may result as determined by the coach.

C. Dismissal from Team - Violation of any team, school, or Georgia High School Association rules. 1^st Offense- Warning; 2^nd Suspension; 3^rd Removal

D. Transportation
1.  Practice - Players are expected to have transportation to and from practice.  All athletes should be picked up no later than 30 minutes after practice is scheduled to end. If this is not possible on a given day, see your coach to make arrangements. Students who are repeatedly without a ride home due to parents not coming on time, may be removed from the team. Rides home are the responsibility of the parent of the student-athlete.
 2. Games - Team members are expected to travel to and from away activities on the bus with the team.  Parents should contact coaches for exceptions in special circumstances.

E. Grooming –All athletes should adhere to current school dress codes and should not violate any school rules regarding appearance in school settings. All athletes should be well groomed. Hair should be neat and trimmed and should not preclude you from wearing equipment necessary for each sport.  Each sport may have specific guidelines according to its specific Georgia High School Association rules.

F.  Coaches’ Discretion- Head Coaches of each sport will make all final decisions regarding their respective programs. If there are questions or concerns, please contact the coach first, followed by the Athletic Director, before the NHS administration. Coaches’ discretion for each sport may include, but is not limited, to the following:

* Team Attire, Playing Time, Conditioning, Retreats/Camps, Cuts Process, Fundraising, Team Player Fees, Games Schedules, Earning a Varsity Letter

NHS CHAIN OF COMMAND

Students and parents should adhere to all protocols. Administrators will not meet with parents until proper protocol has been followed.  Please adhere to the following chain of command:

 

Conflict Resolution Procedures

Students and/or parents who have a complaint or grievance MUST follow these procedures:

• School related conflicts should be brought to the Athletic Director first.

• The athlete should bring all other matters to his/her coach. A meeting should be set so that the athlete and coach can set aside time to address the issue.

• If the student/coach meeting does not resolve the issue to the satisfaction of the parties involved, a parent may call to set up a meeting time with the athlete, parent and coach.

• If the issue is still not resolved, the parent may ask to meet with the athlete, coach and Athletic Director.

• Finally, the parent may ask for a meeting with the Assistant Principal of Athletics and all other parties if a resolution cannot be reached. 

• At this point if an agreement can’t be reached the parent is expected to follow the next outlined step in the NHS chain of command.

Please note, if the following procedures are not adhered to you will be redirected to the appropriate level of our conflict resolution procedures.

NHS Student-Athlete Expectations

• Maintain high academic standards

• REQUIRED to attend every practice and game

• Must be punctual at all times, ready to learn and participate

• Show positive attitude and leadership at all times

• Keep parents informed regarding practice days, game days, and any changes in schedule

• Encouraged to develop skills in the sport, during the off-season through participation on and off campus clinics and summer camps.

• Display good sportsmanship at all times.

• Take appropriate care of all issued uniforms, warm-ups, and school owned equipment.

• Not be under the influence of, using, sharing or possessing alcohol, drugs, or other illegal substances at any time.

• Adhere to any additional expectations given out by a specific coach

• REMEMBER - - being a part of the Newton High School Ram Athletic Program is a privilege, not a right.

 Newton High School Parent Expectations

 Parent Expectations

• Make appropriate arrangements for pick-up after practices and contest. The coach must wait until the last athlete is picked up. Picking up your child late more than once could jeopardize their future participation in that sport.

• Support your child by attendance at home and away contests as much as possible.

• Display good sportsmanship while attending athletic contests.

• Support the coaches for their work, effort and expertise in the sport.

• Let the coaches’ coach, officials officiate, and players play!

• Support the Booster Clubs by becoming a member.

• Support the Athletic Program by volunteering to work and assist with games, fundraisers, and other team functions.

• Read and sign all release, transportation and participation agreements.

• Ensure child is present and prepared for practice on designated start date.

Newton High School Participation Fees

Parents please be advised that there will be a one-time per year $20 participation fee that every NHS student-athlete in the Newton County School

System will be expected to pay to help support our middle school athletics programs.  There may also be team participation fees that vary depending on the sport and equipment costs.  This information will be provided by each individual sport.  Please note that all player fees that students pay to their respective sport, including the middle school fee, are non-refundable.  Also, we are not responsible for inaccurate sizes of uniforms, materials, etc. if student/parents have provided information regarding what needs to be purchased.

Injury Treatment Basics for Home

    As a parent, you may find yourself treating a sports injury at home.  When treating an injury at home, remember   R-I-C-E.  This stands for:
    • Rest - Stop working the injured area and rest.  Avoid anything that causes pain in the injured area.
    • Ice – Apply ice to control swelling and reduce pain.  Do not apply heat.  While applying heat may “feel good,” this actually increases swelling and recovery time.  Always apply ice first.
    • Compression – Wrap the injured area to control swelling.  If the skin is discolored (blue or purple), a doctor should be consulted.
    • Elevation – Elevate the injured area. Please inform your son or daughter's athletic trainer and coach about any injuries as soon as possible.  These are guidelines only and should not be interpreted to supersede a qualified medical evaluation.