Policies » Section J: Students » JJIB: Athletics

Policy Date: 11/10/2009

ASD File: JJIB
AUBURN SCHOOL DISTRICT
ATHLETICS

The Auburn School District will offer athletic programs subject to budgetary considerations.
Athletics are an integral part of the total educational program. As an extension of the core school program, the Auburn School District’s after-school athletic program will afford as many students as reasonably possible, the opportunity to compete in a supervised team sport. The Auburn School District’s focus regarding all activities and athletics is participation and the development of skills. The goal of the program is to help students develop an active and healthy lifestyle, in a non-threatening situation – a learning environment. We believe that participation in athletics affords the student the opportunity to learn teamwork, fair play, and self-confidence, attributes that are essential to success in life.
In light of this philosophy, the school district is committed to providing an extra-curricular interscholastic athletic program in grades 6 through 8.
The interscholastic program will serve to provide students with an opportunity to compete with area schools at the same grade level. The competition will foster an understanding of the nature of sportsmanship in American culture.
In addition, it will provide students with an opportunity to refine athletic skills in a competitive environment.
Opportunity for participation is open to all students at the middle school. Membership on teams shall be the result of individual selection by the team coach, on a season by season basis. This selection process shall involve a fair and adequate “try out” period. Team coaches will submit for approval specific guidelines for participation in each sport. The guidelines will be approved by the Principal and/or designee prior to the first practice/try out.
Students not selected for the school team shall be encouraged to continue participation on teams sponsored by the town of Auburn or other appropriate agencies. Team coaches are strongly encouraged to talk individually with non-selected students.
Should a situation arise in the selection process where students must be eliminated from the school team due to squad size, decisions should be made on merit, demonstrated in the try out process.
Should a situation arise where a decision regarding participation must be made among students of equal abilities, then preferences shall be given to students in the higher-grade level.
Participation in interscholastic athletics at the middle school level is subject to the rules adopted by the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association (NHIAA) and other rules adopted by the Superintendent and the Principal.
Adopted: December 12, 2000
Revised: November 10, 2009