Greetings From The Athletic Director
The Athletic Department at St. John School is committed to serving our young people by helping them to develop themselves as athletes, team members, and virtuous citizens of our community.
Pope John Paul II taught that "every Christian is called to become a strong athlete of Christ that is a faithful and courageous witness to His Gospel." He reminds us that “sport is a vital instrument for the moral and spiritual elevation of the human person…and that the Church approves and encourages sports seeing in it a form of gymnastics of the mind and of the spirit.”
Per our Catholic Catechism, “Coaches and parents have the honor and responsibility of “initiating” children into our great sports, their traditions, and legends. Part of that initiation process is helping children to discover for themselves the nobility
and grace that shines through sports experiences. The exertion or the exhilaration of sport activity, brings an awareness of “the divine image” present in every person.” Catholic Catechism, 1978
In participating in our athletic programs we hope that our student athletes learn to appreciate and develop their God given talents as they grow with their teammates in virtue, perseverance, and sportsmanship.
God Bless you and your families. Thank you for your support.
Aimee Finnegan
Athletic Motto
“Sport,…a school of human virtue.” John Paul II
Athlete’s Prayer
Danita Pagel, 1991
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.
With great courage I will meet this challenge,
As You would have me to.
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.
Patron Saint of Athletes
St. Sebastian. Pray for us! Feast Day: January 20th
When the church calendar permits, a Mass for Athletes is said on the feast day of St. Sebastian at 9AM in St. John Church. All are welcome.
Mission Statement of the School
Saint John School is a Roman Catholic School serving Grades PreK – 8 in Old Saybrook, Connecticut and surrounding communities. We provide challenging academic, extracurricular, and spiritual programs which encourage the following of Jesus as set forth in the Gospel. Recognizing we are disciples, teachers and families work together to inspire individual growth, self discipline, confidence and Christian service. - Updated 11/10/08
Introduction
The purpose of this handbook is to give student athletes and their parents/guardians a guide to the specific policies, procedures, and beliefs of the extracurricular athletic program of SJS. Physical Education is not under the jurisdiction of this handbook. Participants, parents, coaches, and spectators are expected to adhere to certain standards established by the athletic department, the coach, instructor, and club coordinator; all found within this handbook. The athletic program offers activities on the intramural, club, and interscholastic realm at varying levels.
The Principal and Athletic Director reserve the right to amend the Handbook at any time.
Philosophy of Athletics
Athletics are an integral part of the educational experience. Sport infuses the children with courage, honesty, responsibility, discipline, friendship, and loyalty. These virtues are nurtured at home and must be encouraged within the school and its extracurricular activities. The program of athletics at St. John School is designed to develop within each athlete Christian values and Christian attitudes toward one another. It allows for the development of physical skills in individual and team sports and for the formation of proper health habits within a sport and throughout life.
Objectives of Athletics
- To recognize that each student is a unique creation of God, and to provide opportunities for participation in a variety of activities and play.
- To develop within each athlete individual and team skills necessary to compete successfully and reach for that individual's God given potential.
- To develop within each athlete strong team spirit and a loyalty to each other and the school.
- To teach good sportsmanship.
- To provide opportunities for athletes that encourage self confidence, sociability, and initiative.
- To promote an understanding of body growth and development and the importance of good health habits.
- To provide a positive athletic experience and develop a lifelong enjoyment for sports and recreational activities.
- To provide the leadership, rules, and disciplines necessary to assist each athlete in attaining all of these objectives.
Non-Discriminatory Policy
The St. John School Athletic Department does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, sex, national and ethnic origin in administration of its athletic programs and activities.
The Athletic Department
The athletic department at SJS makes it a priority to reinforce the teachings of Christ that make up the foundation of the school. The branch consists of parent-volunteers and the Principal. The athletic director/s is assigned by the principal to aid him/her in administering the athletic program. He/She must complete the Safe Environment Workshop Training (VIRTUS) and undergo a criminal background check. He/She is exempt from their volunteer requirements and their total assessment.
Directors of Athletics
Principal Mother Martin
Athletic Director Mrs. Aimee Finnegan
Administrative Assistant Mrs. Karen Jensen
Assistant Athletic Director Mrs. Jan Ulanowicz
The Directors of Athletics makes it a priority to meet the needs of the student athletes, their families, the school, and the coaches when devising policies. Parents of athletes are encouraged to give aid to the directors when ever possible, i.e. field maintenance, equipment management, publicity, etc. Please contact the Athletic Director to offer your services.
Athletic Staff
All staff members work under the supervision of the Directors of Athletics and are allocated through an application process each year.
Club and Intramural Instructor/Coordinator
It is mandatory that St. John instructors complete the Safe Environment Workshop Training (VIRTUS) and undergo a criminal background check. All instructors/coordinators are compensated for volunteer hour requirements. Each instructor is given a set of guidelines to ensure the proper training, safety, supervision, and conduct is given and taught to the children. The instructors must sign a contract which states their understanding of their responsibilities and agreement to abide school policies (this does not apply to the employees/volunteers of independent (off campus) facilities). The instructors are compensated volunteer hours for their time.
Interscholastic Coaches
Coaches are recruited and evaluated to assure student-athletes are receiving proper instruction through knowledgeable coaches in the sport and in Christianity. (If an experienced coach with knowledge of the sport can not be obtained, any parent may be allocated in order keep the sport active.) It is mandatory that coaches complete the Safe Environment Workshop Training (VIRTUS), undergo a criminal background check, and attain online certification as a “double goal coach” through the Positive Coaching Alliance. A double goal coach is one who wants to win but has a second, more important, goal of using sports to teach life lessons. Each coach is given a set of guidelines to ensure the proper training, safety, supervision, and conduct is given and taught to the children. The coaches must sign a contract which states their understanding of their responsibilities and agreement to abide school policies (this does not apply to the employees/volunteers of independent (off campus) facilities). All coaches are volunteers and are exempt from their volunteer requirements and their total assessment (exemption and assessment values may change annually.)
Team Manager
A Team Manager may be allocated to help meet the needs of the team, especially if a volunteer for the assistant coach position is not attained. It is mandatory that the manager complete the Safe Environment Workshop Training (VIRTUS). The Team Manager(s) is compensated volunteer hours for their time and will organize and coordinate some or all of the following tasks either alone or with the support of team parents:
- Assist Coach at games and practices when prompted and necessary *
- Be the “2nd Adult Present.” School policy requires 2 adults be present at all games & practices*
- Scorekeeping (Encourage student involvement)
- Concessions
- Uniforms
- Help clean up after games and practices
- Wednesday Relays
- Develop a phone tree of team parents. Supply team parents, Coach, and AD with copy
- Take game photos and post on Sports Board or submit to newspapers
- Take videos of games
- Develop team cohesiveness/spirit
- Team picture
- Team party/get-togethers
- Sport Night/End of Season Party
- Other