The Intramural Activities
The SJS intramural program is an informal plan that provides opportunity, growth, and experience in a variety of activities through participation in practice and mini-game situations. Students in varying grades are eligible participants. This is a good option for those athletes who are considering being involved in the interscholastic programs so that they may be better developed players. Program cancellations may occur due to lack of volunteers, low enrollment, weather, gym availability, etc. All cancellations are made through school announcements. After school emergency forms must be submitted to the instructor.
St. John School offers the following intramural activities:
Fall Grades Registration Deadline
Developmental Soccer 3-4 Last Friday in Sept.
Winter
Developmental Basketball 3-4 Last Friday in Feb.
Intramural Registration Procedure
Specific intramural information and registration forms will be supplied through the Wednesday envelopes, the class room teacher, or online http://www.stjohnschoolos.com. Registration forms and payment must be submitted before the deadline. Refunds are honored at the discretion of the athletic director. Fees vary accordingly and are clearly marked on all registrations. Program cancellations may occur due to lack of volunteers, low enrollment, weather, gym availability, etc. All cancellations are made through school announcements. After school emergency forms must be submitted to the instructor/coordinator.
The Interscholastic Activities
The SJS interscholastic program is the highest level of play that St. John school can provide. Team placements are made and game competition is formulated with other schools or organizations. The opportunity to participate in the interscholastic athletic program is extended to students in grades 5-8 who are willing to assume all of the responsibilities/regulations outlined in section titled ‘Interscholastic Rules and Regulations’ found on pages 12-16 of this handbook and those administered by the coach. Practice days will vary from 2-3 times each week. The maximum number of games per week is two; excluding tournaments. The maximum number of tournaments per season is three, excluding league play-offs. Program cancellations &/or amendments may occur due to lack of volunteers, low enrollment, weather, gym availability, etc. All cancellations are made through school announcements. After school emergency forms must be submitted to the coach. Detailed schedules will become available within the first weeks of practice. Please review the sport specifications below to get familiar with each team.
St. John School offers the following teams in interscholastic activities:
Fall Grades Registration Deadline
Boys Soccer/Co Ed Soccer 5-8 First Friday in Sept.
Girls Soccer/Co Ed Soccer 5-8 First Friday in Sept.
Boys and Girls Cross Country 5-8 First Friday in Sept.
Winter Grades Registration Deadline
Girls Jr. Varsity Basketball 6-7 Third Friday in Oct.
5 practice players *
Girls Varsity Basketball 7-8 (additional JV Third Friday in Oct.
experience to some
seventh or eighth graders may be advised)
Boys Jr. Varsity Basketball 6-7 Third Friday in Oct.
5 practice players*
Boys Varsity Basketball 7-8 (additional JV Third Friday in Oct.
experience to some
seventh or eighth graders may be advised)
Spring Grades Registration Deadline
Girls Softball TBD 6-8 Last Friday in Feb.
5 practice players*
* In order to meet their needs, those fifth grade athletes who show particular talent at practice may have the opportunity to participate in JV games.
Interscholastic Registration Procedure
All interscholastic sport related information is available at the Mandatory Parent/H.S.A. meeting held on the evening of the first day of school. Enrollment is granted after registration, payment, and health forms are submitted by the deadline. All fees are noted under the sport specification section below and are clearly marked on the registration forms. Tournaments are included in this fee. A full refund will be honored if the participant withdraws before the first game of the season.
Sport Specifications
1. Basketball
Basketball is the highest form of competition that SJA provides. As participants of the Norwich Diocesan League there are specific policies and procedures that must be adhered to. Additional games are established with non-league schools. The basketball season runs from November through March/early April. All games are played on school days, with the exception of tournaments which are usually on the weekends. For basketball tournament requirements, athletes must submit a copy of their birth certificate with their registration. A copy will be kept on file for future reference.
Fee: The basketball fee is $65.
●Varsity: Previous JV basketball experience is essential. Varsity players must commit to a rigorous schedule of two contests and two practices per week (excluding tournaments). The typical Varsity experience per week is four with approximately 20+ games per season. Size, ability, age, and league policy plays a major role in determining Varsity and Junior Varsity status. Please be aware that the coaches, administration, and league coordinators are sensitive to the needs of all players and may advise additional JV experience to some seventh or eighth graders.
●Junior Varsity: Previous basketball experience is highly encouraged but not mandatory (i.e. Park and Rec, Club, or SJ Developmental Intramurals). Junior Varsity has approximately 1-2 games and 1-2 practices per week with a total of 15+ games per season. Size, ability, age, and league policy plays a major role in determining Varsity and Junior Varsity status. Please be aware that the coaches, administration, and league coordinators are sensitive to the needs of all players and may advise additional JV experience to some seventh graders.
●Fifth Grade Practice Players: In order to better prepare our athletes for JV competition, fifth graders who have a particular interest in basketball are encouraged to register as practice players for the JV squad. Here they will learn the basics in basketball, develop their individual talents, and to understand the commitments of being a team member. Furthermore, fifth grade practice players who show particular talent may be invited to participate in JV games.
●Fee: Fifth grade practice player fee is $30.
2. Soccer Specifications
SJ Soccer team does not participate in a formal soccer league. All games are “pick-ups.” The soccer season runs from September through late October. SJ plays a combination of grades 5-6-7-8 in either co-ed games or single sex games, resulting in 4-5 team separations. This is made possible through the dedication and flexibility of the director and coaches. Careful attention is given to the schedule to provide as many game competitions as possible. All games are played on school days. Safety always comes first and is something that the coaches and referees are vigilant with. Thus, the type of game (co-ed &/or single sex), age, ability, and size of a player play a significant role in game time and field position.
Fee: The soccer fee is $50
●Co Ed Varsity: Previous JV experience is highly encouraged, usually 7-8 graders. Careful attention is given to the safety of the players. Players must commit to a schedule that consists of 1-2 games and two practices per week.
●Co Ed Junior Varsity: Previous soccer experience is encouraged but not mandatory (i.e. Park and Rec, Club, or SJ Developmental Intramurals), usually 5-7 graders. Players have 1-2 games and two practices per week.
●5-8 Grade Single Sex Teams: This option is a great opportunity to allow maximum play time. However, careful attention is placed upon safety, thus age, ability, and size play a role in game time or field position.
3. Cross Country Specifications
SJ XC team does not participate in a formal runner’s league. Athletes train three times a week for two weeks before contests begin. Runners are encouraged to have established some level of endurance before the season begins. Any athlete who is not properly conditioned will not be allowed to compete in the early part of the season. Runners must commit to a schedule within the months of September through the first weekend of November that consists of approximately 2 races and 2-3 practices per week. All races take place on school days with the exception of the CT MS Championships.
Varsity status is given to the top consistent scorers.
Fee: The cross country fee is $45
Interscholastic Rules and Regulations
In order to represent St. John School in any interscholastic athletic competition, a student and their parents/guardians must be committed to and abide by the following requirements:
Grade Policy
Studies come before athletics. St. John School teachers will continuously monitor student progress and work ethic. Those athletes who receive unsatisfactory interim or trimester reports in any subject will be placed on probation until their grades improve. Additionally those students who consistently miss their homework will undergo reasonable consequences. The principal will conduct an appropriate intervention with each student and his/her parent and will notify the coach.
A student may be suspended from participation in extra-curricular activities by the principal for severe or repeated instances of disciplinary or academic issues.
Athlete Conduct and Effort
Whether an athlete is in class, at practice, in locker rooms, or at a game, he or she
represents the St. John School and is expected to act appropriately. If an athlete frequently shows lack of respect in any of the following areas, the coach is permitted to take proper and reasonable action (i.e. loss of game time). Extreme cases will be handled by the administration. The following are the behavioral expectations of our athletes.
- Constructive language is expected at all times. Show through your words and actions that Christ is the center of your life. Refrain from disagreeing with a call from an official.
- Refrain from criticizing a player or coach. If you have a concern, please talk to your coach and discuss your concerns in a Christian and mature manner.
- Good sportsmanship, conduct, and effort are expected at all times. Victory takes hard work and discipline. Compete to the best of your ability while treating yourselves, your coaches, teammates, and competitors with dignity and honor. Good-Sportsmanship draws people together in the spirit of healthy competition and in the end the two are better for having competed.
- Athletes must be prepared for all games and practices, by the expected times. Personal preparation is highly valued and affects the entire team. Athletes are not permitted to use the office phone to call home. Coaches will administer reasonable consequences to athletes who are consistently unprepared.
- Athletes must not mistreat or abuse the equipment or facilities. Utmost respect should be given to all property of St. John and that of the opposing school.
- Athletes must properly care for their uniform and return it at the end of the season.
- Players are expected to eat well and get plenty of rest during their season.
- Athletes must remain with their team in the bench area during substitutions and throughout each game.
- All athletes are expected to thoroughly clean their playing and bench area after each game and practice.