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Middle School Policies

Article I Code of Conduct
Article II Athletic Eligibility
Article III Coaches
Article IV Supervision
Article V Hosting Responsibilities
Article VI Athletic Commitment
Article VII Rescheduling
Article VIII Conveyance of Athletes for Athletic Activities
Article IX Substitute Teachers
Article X Awards

 

Article I Code of Conduct

All participants and parents must sign the RVSA Code of Conduct for Players and Spectators and submit it to their home school. Coaches must also sign the RVSA Code of Conduct for Coaches. Without a signedform, coaches, participants and parents are not allowed to participate in any RVSA-sanctioned sport.

RVSA Code of Conduct for Players and Spectators

Whether I am a player or a spectator at a school function, I realize that I am under the school’s jurisdiction. Because my actions reflect upon the school I represent, I recognize my responsibility to exemplify the highest standards of conduct.

I will:

  1. Offer constructive support of my team, rather than criticize the opposition.
  2. Show appreciation of good plays by both teams.
  3. As a host, welcome the visitors as guests, offering all possible assistance.
  4. As a visitor, respect the property of the host school and accept the host’s regulations.
  5. Recognize the officials’ integrity, realizing the difficulty of their decisions.
  6. Accept the officials’ decision as final.
  7. Respect the feelings of all participants and show empathy for an injured or disqualified payer.
  8. Learn the rules of the game.
  9. Accept victory or defeat graciously, respecting the efforts displayed by all.
  10. Express thanks to those responsible for the opportunity to enjoy a school sports activity.

RVSA Code of Conduct for Coaches

The coach:

  1. Will, by word and deed, offer leadership to his students in the area of sportsmanship.
  2. Will establish sportsmanship above winning as a team goals, and will cooperate with the opposing coach’s goal where possible.
  3. Is responsible for the actions of his/her students and is expected to supervise them at al times that they are under the school’s jurisdiction.
  4. If unable to resolve the issue after discussion with the opposing coach, may lodge a complaint through the proper channels. (Article XII By-Laws)
  5. Recognizes the authority of the RVSA and the school administration in all matters pertaining to extra-curricular sports.
  6. Spectators
  7. Artificial noisemakers are not permitted at any RVSA tournaments or events. These include, but are not limited to: air horns, cowbells, plastic tube horns, and garbage can lids. Those violating this policy may be, after one warning, ejected from the venue.

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Article II Athletic Eligibility
  1. The principal of each school is responsible for the eligibility of the schools’ competitors for any competition.
  2. If schools have questions or concerns regarding a student’s eligibility they are required to complete the Athletic Eligibility Review form.
  3. Teams that play ineligible players are suspended, pending a ruling by the RVSA governing body. Teams will forfeit all points and awards received while playing the ineligible athlete.

Home Schooled Students

An RVS home-schooled student may participate in the RVSA provided they meet the following criteria:

  1. The student must reside in the attendance area of the school in which they participate.
  2. The student must be registered in home schooling through the school.
  3. The principal of the school must support the student’s involvement in the extra-curricular program.

Schools must understand that by agreeing to accept home-schooled students they may have to compete at the next appropriate level of competition according to their school population.

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Article III Coaches
  1. The principal, or designate, is ultimately responsible for the proper organization and supervision of the extracurricular activities as outlined in the RVS's policy handbook.
  2. Coaching Qualifications
    1. Head coaches (community or school staff) should meet the following criteria:
      1. Be at least 21 years of age.
      2. Encouraged to have the Level I Technical  certification of the National Coaching Certification Program in their sport(s).
      3. Encouraged to have the Level I Theory certification of the National Coaching Certification Program.
      4. Have current certification in standard first aid and CPR.
    2. Community coaches should also meet the following criteria:
      1. Be approved by the principal of their school.
      2. Complete a police record check and have references reviewed.
    3. Teacher sponsors should:
      1. Be available to attend games and tournaments.
      2. Ensure that the community coach follows the by-laws and policies set forth by the RVSA.
  3. Where there is no team sponsor, the principal must ensure that the community coach assumes the duties outlined in Article IV and Article V.
  4. It shall be the responsibility of all coaches to conduct themselves within the guidelines of the RVSA Code of Conduct for Coaches and to distribute to his players and parents the RVSA Code of Conduct for Players and Spectators.  Any breach of the Code of Condcut may be subject to disciplinary action.

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Article IV Supervision
  1. It is recommended that coaches be responsible only for their team players.
  2. Supervision of Extra-Curricular Activities for RVSA Sanctioned League Games
    1. The host school principal is responsible for arranging adequate supervision, including designating a responsible adult to supervise the place where the activity is being held and the other publicly accessible areas of the school facility.
    2. The requirement for additional supervision over and above the coach(es) is at the discretion of the host school principal.
    3. If additional supervision is deemed necessary and a responsible adult volunteer cannot be obtained, the host school principal may arrange for a community use supervisor to supervise hallways, washrooms and other public areas of the school facility, except the place where the activity is being held. The community use coordinator requires a minimum of two weeks notification prior to the activity arrange for a community use supervisor.
    4. Community use supervisor costs are the responsibility of the host school.
  3. Supervision of RVSA Sanctioned Tournaments and Divisional Play-offs
    1. The host school principal is responsible for arranging for adequate supervision, including designating a responsible adult to supervise the place where the activity is being held and the other publicly accessible areas of the school facility.
    2. The host school principal is responsible for recruiting a responsible adult volunteer to assist the coach in the supervision of the place where the activity is being held.
    3. The RVSA sports coordinator assists the host school principal by arranging for a community use supervisor to supervise the hallways, washrooms and other public areas of the school facility, except the place where the activity is being held. The community use coordinator requires a minimum of two weeks notification prior to the activity to arrange for a community use supervisor.
    4. Community use supervisor and care taking costs are the responsibility of the RVSD.
  4. Non-RVSA Sanctioned Events (Exhibition Games, Invitational Tournaments and Zone and Provincial Championships)
    1. The host school principal is responsible for arranging adequate supervision, including designating a responsible adult to supervise the place where the activity is being held and the other publicly accessible areas of the school facility.
    2. A responsible adult volunteer is to be recruited by the host school principal for the place where the event is being held if additional supervision over and above the coach is deemed to be required.
    3. A responsible adult volunteer is to be recruited by the host school principal to supervise hallways, washrooms and other public areas of the school facility, except the place where the activity is being held.
    4. If a school is unable to recruit a responsible adult volunteer to supervise the hallways, washrooms and other public areas of the school facility, except the place where the activity is being held, the community use coordinator may be requested to supply a community use supervisor to provide this supervision. The community use coordinator requires a minimum of two weeks notification prior to the activity to arrange for a community use supervisor.
    5. Community use supervisor and care taking costs are the responsibility of the host school.

Community use supervisors are not responsible for supervision of the place where the event is being held. If a responsible adult volunteer is not available to supervise the place where the activity is being held, then supervision responsibilities this place are to be provided by the volunteer who is coaching the extra-curricular activity should be reviewed by the host school principal.

The tournament host school may not be utilizing their school, but the principal of the tournament host school is responsible to ensure adequate supervision of both the place where the activity is being held and the other publicly accessible areas of the school facility.

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Article V Hosting Responsibilities
  1. The term host refers to home game or tournament hosts.
  2. The sports coordinator makes every effort to ensure that hosting duties are rotated equally through the RVS.
  3. The sports coordinator arranges for community use supervision where available. Community use coordinators are responsible for supervision of hallways, washrooms and all other accessible areas.
  4. All schools are to follow the list of duties listed at the end of this section.
  5. All schools are responsible for supervising their own students.
  6. When schools host at a school other than their own, the coach must contact that school’s athletic director to arrange for set up, equipment and security.
  7. Athletic directors must assist the host school with the set up and equipment, understanding that middle schools and high schools must work together and share facilities when hosting a tournament.
  8. Any unreasonable cleaning and/or repair costs are charged to the offending school.
  9. The following persons have free entry to all events:
    1. Players
    2. Coaches
    3. Managers
    4. Trainers
    5. Cheerleaders
    6. Bus drivers
    7. Parent drivers
    8. RVSA personnel
  10. Any monies collected at the gate remain property of the host school.

Tournament Responsibilities for Host Schools

  1. Assign locker/change rooms for all teams and ensure these rooms are supervised at all times when students are present.
  2. Set up gym – players’ benches, spectators’ chairs, nets, hoops, signage, etc.
  3. Take down gym and return gym and surrounding areas to pre-event condition, including sweeping or mopping floors.
  4. If food is to be provided, or sold as a fundraiser, it can not be taken into any gym area, locker room or change room. Ensure there is space provided outside the gym for food distribution and consumption.
  5. Ensure the area where food was eaten is back to pre-event condition.
  6. Ensure all participants, spectators, officials, etc. abide by the two-shoe policy and adhere to all rules associated with the host school.
  7. Arrange a room for coaches, referee and volunteers (optional).
  8. Arrange scorekeepers and timers for all games and train them prior to the game.
  9. Communicate special requests to the community use supervisor, if there is one. Block off restricted areas and make sure no students are in these areas.
  10. Visiting coaches must supervise their own team, including while in the change/washrooms. No food is allowed in change rooms.
  11. Be the first to arrive and last to leave the school. Treat the school (evn if it isn’t’ your home school) like your own.
  12. Confirm referees with the sports coordinator a day before the tournament.
  13. Confirm school use with your administration, or the administration of the school being used. Discuss protocol for using the facility and equipment, concession stand, etc. with the administration of the school if it is not your home school.
  14. The host school supplies game balls.
  15. The host school is responsible for assisting the community use supervisor (if present) in cleaning the facility after the event. Community use supervisors are only available for one half hour following the event.

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Article VI Athletic Commitment
  1. Inherent in the submission of the plug-in fees form is the intent of the school to meet its entire league and play off obligations.
  2. Should a team default a game, the opponent is awarded credit for a win, and the defaulting team is reported to the sports coordinator.
  3. A defaulting team shall be suspended immediately until the case is reviewed by the sports coordinator. A decision shall be made within two school days following the incident.
  4. If, during any game sanctioned by the RVSA, the referee(s) deems the general conduct of the players and/or the coaches and/or the spectators to be unsatisfactory and uncontrollable through the regular process, he/she may stop the game and hold an immediate conference with the coaches and/or the captains involved. Efforts, through the coaches, to elevate play to acceptable standards, must be upheld, failing which the referee may declare the game ended. The situation shall then be referred to the sports coordinator, in writing by the host school. 

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Article VII Rescheduling
  1. Coaches requesting a change to a tournament schedule must have their principal's approval before contacting the sports coordinator.
  2. Changes are only made to a schedule for extenuating circumstances.
  3. Tournament schedules are sent to the schools, by email, four days prior to the event. Any requests to a schedule must be made at least two weeks prior to the tournament.
  4. The sports coordinator sends written confirmation to all parties affected by a change.

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Article VIII Conveyance of Athletes for Athletic Activities
  1. The RVS pays for all RVSA teams traveling by bus to Divisionional tournaments.
  2. Extra-Curricular Bussing forms are to be submitted to the sports coordinator and must be approved by the principal.

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Article VIX Substitute Teachers

The RVS covers the cost of substitute teachers for the following:

  1. Sports commissioners attending Sports Parameters meetings for half a day.
  2. Track & Field coaches at the Divisional Championship meet at a ratio of 35 students to one coach, up to a maximum of three teachers.
  3. Track and Field commissioner for the Divisional Championship meet. 

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Article X Awards
  1. RVSA Divisional Championship banners are presented to Divisionional Championship Boys and Girls teams. Specific sports banners are presented to the school with the highest aggregate points.
  2. Gold, silver and bronze medallions are presented to the first, second and third-place teams at a Junior 'A' Divisional Championship tournament for both Tier 1 and Tier 2. The RVSA orders 15 medals per team. If a team requires more than 15 medals, the school is responsible for the cost of the extra medals.
  3. Gold medals are presented to the grade 7 and grade 8 male and female athletes with the most aggregate points at the RVSA Divisional Championship Track & Field meet.
  4. Gold, silver and bronze medals are presented to the first, second and third-place athletes at the middle school RVSA Divisional Championship Badminton tournament in both grades 7 and 8.
  5. Athletes participating in Junior ‘B’ tournaments receive participant ribbons for each sport.
  6. Athletes participating in Grade 6 tournaments receive participant ribbons for each sport.

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