TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL
MISSION STATEMENT

Trinity Lutheran School is a ministry of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church established for the purpose of providing an education of the highest quality within a Christian environment.
It is our mission to enable each student, with the support of their family, to grow intellectually, emotionally, physical and spiritually; to develop moral values, discipline and courtesy; to learn respect for themselves respect for others and respect for core human values.
It is our mission to actively strive to be socially, racially and economically diverse.
It is our mission to ensure that the leadership of the school consists of qualified personnel who maintain a close relationship among the church, school, family and community, enabling students to achieve success and joy in life as productive citizens.

HISTORY OF ATHLETICS AT TRINITY

Trinity Lutheran School was one of the founding members of the Peninsula Athletic League in the early 1980’s. The league was set up by local private schools to provide an opportunity for students to learn basic sport skills, sportsmanship and teamwork.
Trinity has enjoyed many successful years of soccer, girl’s volleyball, boys and girls basketball, cross country, baseball, softball and cheerleading. Students who have participated on Trinity teams leave here with a basic foundation in sports that make them talented enough to make Junior and Varsity level teams in high school.

STATEMENT OF PHILIOSOPHY

Trinity believes in the education of the whole person and athletics is an integral part of that. The athletic program attempts to introduce students to sports in a school setting.
The program attempts to teach new skills and refine skills already learned. It provides opportunities for students to try a variety of sports, learn teamwork, sportsmanship and leadership. It attempts to built self-esteem and responsibility through sports. It also provides an opportunity to establish individual and team goals. It’s not always about winning but the journey through the season and the comradie of the team.

GOALS

Goals for our athletic program consist of the following:
The school shall provide a safe environment for our athletes to practice and play.

The school shall provide coaches that will provide opportunities for the athletes to develop skills and continually improve their playing ability.

The school will provide opportunities for students to develop discipline, sportsmanship, responsibility, teamwork, leadership and a healthy competitive attitude.

The school will provide physical conditioning and healthy nutrition information.

The school will attempt to provide a positive experience whether the team wins or loses.

The school will require that students, while playing sports maintains a high academic standard.




SCHOOLS IN P.I.A.L.

P.I.A.L. stands for Peninsula Independent Athletic Schools. The Athletic Directors from each member school meets three times each year to discuss items and to schedule sports. Meetings occur in the fall, winter and spring. Member schools of the P.I.A.L are: Hampton Roads Academy (H.R.A.), Our Lady of Mount Carmel (O.L.M.C.), St Mary Star of the Sea, Summit Christian Academy (S.C.A.), Trinity Lutheran School (T.L.S.), Walsingham Academy and Williamsburg Christian Academy (W.C.A.).


SPORTS OFFERED

FALL Girl’s Volleyball Practice begins in mid August.

Coed Soccer Practice begins in early August.

Boy’s and Girl’s Cross Country Practice begins in early August.

WINTER Boy’s Basketball Practice begins in late October.

Girl’s Basketball Practice begins in late October.

SPRING Boy’s Baseball Practice begins in late February

Girl’s Softball Practice begins in late February

Cheerleading Practice begins in mid May of the previous school year.




STUDENT ELGIBILITY

Any student in the Middle School may try out for a sport. To be eligible a student must have a “C” (2.0) average or better in all subjects at all times. If a student’s grade dropped below a “C” average the athlete will be placed on probationary status for two weeks. If the grade(s) do not return to eligibility status in two weeks the student will be dismissed from the team. The student may practice and play during the two week period while on probation. During the two weeks the student’s grades will be monitored. At the end of the two weeks if the grades are not at eligibility status the student will be dismissed from the team. Once a student is dismissed he will not be allowed to practice or play with the team during the sport’s season.
Students in the fifth grade may practice, tryout and play for Soccer, Boys and Girls Basketball, Girl’s Volleyball, and Cheerleading. They may run Cross Country where no tryouts are required. Fifth graders cannot practice, tryout or play Girl’s Softball or Boy’s Baseball. All 5th graders must sign a P.I.A.L. release form before practicing in any of the sports they are allowed to participate in. Fifth graders need to understand that it may be difficult to make a team since these are middle school sports but it is felt that trying out is a worthwhile experience.


PARTICIPATION

Participation on a Trinity sport requires a tremendous commitment. You have a great responsibility to your coach, team and the school. It is expected that you will attend practices, games and sometime camps. Failure to do so will result in lost of paying time or dismissal from the team. If you are playing on another sport’s team and it is the same sport you may get the approval of the coach and athletic director to miss some practices, however you must be present to play for all games. If you are participating in another Trinity sport (example a cheerleader could still play soccer and cheer or run Cross Country on Wednesdays and miss Volleyball practice on the same day).
Student athletes must be in school at least two class periods on the day of practice or athletic competition. Exception: In an emergency situation a decision will be made by the Head of School or Athletic Director.
If participants are in school they must participate in physical education class the day of the event in order to participate in practices or games.
Student athletes should let their coach know ahead of time if they are going to miss a practice or game for any planned event such as doctor’s appointment or going out of town. Failure to do so may result in lost of playing time. Students who get sick during the school day and go home should let the athletic director know they will not be at practice or the game. This helps the athletic director when organizing bus and carpool for the games.
Athletes who are injured should not be allowed to participate. A doctor’s note will be required before play can be resume if it is a serious injury. (ex. broken arm) A note from the parent, guardian or doctor will be required to resume practice or play if the athlete has been sick. This note should be given to the athletic director and the student should inform the coach.


RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE OF THE STUDENT ATHLETE

All student athletes including cheerleading should have a permission slip on file with the Athletic Director before participating in a sport. 5th graders should also have the P.I.A.L. waiver form on file with the Athletic Director before participating. This would also include a medical form if required.


An athlete must maintain their academic code of eligibly. Failure to do so will result in the athlete being put on probation and dismissed from the team.
An athlete should strive to do their best on the field and in the classroom daily.
An athlete is to abide by the rules of the Peninsula Independent Athletic League, Trinity Lutheran School, the athletic program and the coaches.
An athlete shall show the highest level of leadership and sportsmanship on and off the field.
An athlete shall maintain all equipment and uniforms given to the student and return it to the Athletic Director at the end of the season cleaned. Lost of equipment/uniform or unusually damage equipment may result in the student paying for the equipment/uniform.
An athlete should be in team dress on the day of a scheduled game or meet and will continue to be in team dress until dressing for the athletic event. Shirttails must remain in and pants belted.
An athlete will be responsible for all school work missed if he/she must leave for an athletic event before the school day ends.
An athlete may not us an athletic game or meets to avoid participation in physical education.
An athlete is to refrain from using foul language and significant force in play that could cause injury upon him or others. Officials may remove athlete from the game and the student may lose playing time and if serious enough could be dismissed from the team or other action being taken. This will be decided by the Coaches, Athletic Director and Head of School.


SPORTMANSHIP

Trinity has been a wonderful role model in the past for good sportsmanship in the league. It is important to remember that these players are learning not only good playing skills, teamwork, fairness and discipline but a way to conduct themselves on the floor, field or court. Each of us, whether we are a parent, coach or fan are role models to these players and others that are around us. We need to remember at this age it is great to have competition but it’s still important to have fun and just play the game.
All players, fans, coaches, and parents shall refrain from unsportsmanlike conduct that shall reflect upon Trinity, another school, their players, fans and officials. If there is an offending person they shall politely be reminded of good sportsmanship. If the offensive behavior continues they may be asked to leave the athletic event. Should this be a person from another school their Athletic Director will also be notified.
Players, who show poor sportsmanship in a game or meet, shall be benched, with the amount of time to be determined by the coach. This offensive act may also result in the players not participating in the next game or meet. If this behavior continues they will be dismissed from the team and will not receive an athletic letter.
Coaches are to exhibit good sportsmanship and must present themselves as a positive role model to the school, their players and fans at all time. Failure to do so may result in the coach being dismissed.


ATHLETIC DRESS

Athletes should be neatly dressed every day of the week following the school’s dress code. The following is required for game day attire:


Boy’s Teams: white, button-down collar shirts with ties and navy slacks

Girl’s Team’s: yellow polo shirts with navy pants or skirts.



During cooler weather, both teams will wear hunter green sweatshirts with the TLS logo. Collars are to be worn outside of the sweatshirt. All pants with belt loops must be belted and shirt tails in. Consequences of infractions of the athletic dress code will follow the school’s dress code.
Any clothing that has Trinity represented on the clothing must have the approval of the Athletic Director and Head of School. This includes tee shirts, sweat suits, socks, hats sweatshirts etc, Failure to have the above clothing approved will result in the student not being able to wear the clothing at school or Trinity sporting events or at other times.
Items to be sold at games should be approved by the Head of School and the Athletic Director. No food or drinks are allowed for consumption in the gym.


ATHLETIC AWARDS

At the conclusion of the athletic year in late May an Athletic Banquet is held in the school’s social hall. At this time players and coaches are recognized for their athletic endeavors from the previous seasons. Players who have participated throughout their sport’s season and completed the season without academic or unsportsmanlike conduct problems may receive an athletic letter. Playing on a Trinity team is a privilege and should be earned. All students must play in each game or meet unless they are being discipline, injured or sick. They should not dress out in their uniform but may sit with the team if they are being discipline, injured or sick.
Athletes who are injured during the season may still earn an athletic award. This decision will be determine jointly by the coach and Athletic Director. Athletes may still attend practices, games or meets. Injured athletes may be given other jobs to accomplish.
A P.I.A.L. trophy will be given to the top team in the league. Trinity gives Most Valuable or Best awards in each sport to the student(s) most deserving of the award(s). This will be decided upon by the coaches and Athletic Director. These will be given out at the Athletic Banquet.


STUDENT PERMISSION

Any student desiring to attend an athletic event after school other than athletes participating in the event must have a written note from their parent or guardian. This note should be given to the athletic director during the day of the athletic event. Ride arrangements and pick up times should be prearranged to avoid last minute conflicts.
Students who have made arrangements to ride with parents who are driving athletes to games should check with the athletic director also to make sure there is room in the vehicle.


PEP RALLIES

There will be two pep rallies during the course of the school year. One will be in the fall and the other in the winter. Players will be recognized during these pep rallies as to what sport’s season it is. Cheerleaders will be performing during the pep rallies. The student body is encouraged to participate in cheering and applauding our athletes and the school.