Section 10: Athletics Program I. Afternoon Athletics and Activities
Avon Old Farms believes that participation in athletics is a vital part of each student’s educational experience. Accordingly, the School requires each student to participate in a school-sponsored sport or activity every season. Each season, a student has three options: he can elect to play an interscholastic team sport; he can participate in a non-competitive sport activity such as AIP, yearbook, recreational skiing, or intramurals; or he can pursue a community service-related school offering such as theater. Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors must play on a competitive team or join a community service activity in at least two of three seasons. Seniors are required to participate in an interscholastic sport or in a community service activity at least one season. Students with special interests may petition a standing committee (composed of the Associate Head of School, Athletic Directors, Dean of Students, and Provost) to pursue mission-appropriate activities offcampus. Exemptions to our three-season sport/activities policy may be granted on a case-by-case basis with special consideration given to ensure that students limit or avoid conflicts with required school programs while meeting all academic and athletic commitments. Students who do not maintain their current academic standing will be restricted from pursuing off-campus interests. Students are expected to make up ALL of their missed, postponed, and/or modified work in a reasonable amount of time after being out for a concussion, surgery, injury, etc. Once back at school, students are expected to check in with the trainers EVERY day during the afternoon activities period. The trainers will work with the student to make a plan for the day depending on the student’s individual situation. After seeing the trainer, the student may be sent to the library for an afternoon study hall to work on missing assignments, down to the field to watch practice, back to his afternoon activity, or to the Health Center for rest/treatment. If a student does not adhere to these guidelines, it will result in an unexcused absence from their athletic or afternoon activity commitment. Since athletic participation as described above is mandatory every season, students who miss their commitments will be disciplined appropriately by their respective coaches and the Athletic Directors. Repeat offenses will be handled more severely and may require the student to complete community service, be assigned to Saturday Night Study Hall, or appear before the Discipline Committee.
II. The Founders League
Avon Old Farms School is a member of the Founders League and adheres to the following principles: The Founders League is an association of excellent schools with similar educational missions and athletic philosophies. As a league, it aspires to hold students and teachers to standards of behavior that reflect the very highest values in society. Athletic competition should exemplify these standards, and serve the broader purposes of education within our schools. We are committed to providing students with a full, rich, and balanced athletic program. Important lessons are taught through athletics. Like the classroom setting, games and practices are forums for our teachers to teach. We acknowledge that students, coaches, parents, and other spectators can, on occasion, be caught up in the intensity of a particularly heated athletic contest. This, however, is no excuse for irresponsible behavior. Just as we expect civility and self-control in the classroom and in the dormitory, we must demand it on the athletic field. Sportsmanship and healthy competition must prevail. 47
