Athletics are an extension of the classroom and all student-athletes should remember that academics support the mission of our educational programs. Student-athletes and coaches are constantly observed and are expected to be role models both on and off the field and within the school and community. All coaches involved with the athletic program have the unique opportunity to teach young people positive life skills and values. Desire, dedication, and self- discipline should be developed in order to ensure the commitment and personal self-sacrifice required by athletes. It is the nurturing of these personal skills that assists in developing integrity, pride, loyalty, and overall character which is the intended culmination for these student-athletes to use throughout their lives. The determination of success will be based on the ability to teach the student-athletes to prepare their minds and bodies to reach for their maximum potential, be modest in victory, and accept defeat with dignity. The nature of competitive sport is such that a primary focus becomes the pursuit of excellence. This creates situations where stress, concentration, self-sacrifice, hard work, joy, sorrow, elation and disappointment, both mentally and physically occur. Athletics is one place where a person cannot hide the results of his/her effort. Competition does reveal the extreme positive and, unfortunately, sometimes negative human attributes of the players. The sports experience contributes to the overall education of each participant through emphasis on the pursuit of excellence Competitive sport does not always lend itself to complete fairness. The majority of athletes must work, sacrifice and develop their ability in order to compete. All participants do not always get the same amount of playing time. The coach will determine the amount of playing time for each athlete. It is usually a function of the quality of practice time. The coach will communicate with players about playing time and what he/she can do to improve. This is part of the self-sacrifice that is required to be a team member and the team should come first. Winning is important in life and sports is a reflection of life. Winning at any cost is not a reflection of life and has no place in our program. Play hard, play smart, play fair, and be satisfied when you have played your best. The Director of Athletics, in consultation with other district administration and coaches, reserves the right to make decisions on any situation(s) regarding athletics not covered in the Parent/Student-Athlete Handbook.

#### ATHLETIC PLACEMENT PROCESS FOR ATHLETICS (APP):

Greene CSD participates in the New York State Education Department approved Athletic Placement Program that provides the opportunity for 7th and 8th grade students to participate on Junior Varsity and Varsity teams. This program has been designed for the few in each school that would be served by playing on a higher level team than age and grade might indicate. The Athletic Placement Process (APP) is a program for evaluating students who want to participate in sports at higher or lower levels, as approved by the Board of Regents as a part of the school eligibility rules in 1980, and is aligned with Learning Standards 1 and 2. Commissioner’s Regulation Section 135.4(c)(7)(ii)(a)(4)states: