Expectations & Responsibilities

FMHS Participants/Athletes are Expected to

1. Know, understand, and strive to achieve the goals as outlined in the Activity/Athletic Goal Statement.
2. Maintain academic eligibility.
3. Take responsibility for his/her behavior and to set a good example on the playing field, in the classroom, and outside of school.
4. Commit themselves to the activity/sport in which they are competing by a willingness to work hard and give 100%.
5. Shows good sportsmanship and respect for teammates, opponents, officials, advisors/coaches, parents, and other students.
6. Keep open and honest communication with teammates, advisors/coaches, and parents.
7. Develop a clear understanding of the fundamentals of their sport, and to improve in their ability to participate both physically and emotionally.
8. Be prepared mentally, physically, and emotionally for practice and games.
9. Set realistic goals and to strive to achieve them.
10. Keep things in perspective and always work towards maintaining a hard-working, positive attitude.
11. Enjoy themselves and have fun during their activity/athletic experience in Fort Morgan Public Schools.

FMHS Expectations of Advisors and Coaches

1. Know and to teach the goals as outlined in the 9-12 Activity/Athletic Goal Statement.
2. Help each participating student to achieve a high level of skill, an appreciation for the values of discipline and sportsmanship, and an increased level of self-esteem.
3. Demonstrate the basic ability to communicate effectively and to get along with young people.
4. Show support of other advisors/coaches and their programs by encouraging students to participate in various programs and by working at other activities and by attending other activities throughout the school year.
5. Demonstrate the ability to treat students, officials, opponents, and fans in a sportsman-like manner.
6. Know and enforce the rules of the School District, League, State, National Federation, and the sport.
7. Plan, organize, and conduct activities/practices that teach fundamentals leading to the success of the group.
8. Strive to instill a positive work ethic and healthful life skills in students.
9. Complete all necessary paperwork to meet various deadlines. (All player paperwork and user fees must be turned in before individuals will be allowed to participate / practice).
10. Promote their sport and the Activity/Athletic program through sound public relations, particularly in working with the media.
11. Stay abreast of the latest methods and techniques of their activity in every way available, including attending in-service programs and clinics.
12. Insure a healthy and safe environment by using safe procedures and being responsible for the safety of those in the Activity/Athletic program.
13. Supervise their activities until the activity/sport is over and the students safely leave school property.
14. Fill out an accident report if an accidental injury occurs under their supervision.
15. Be responsible for the care and security of equipment and facilities.

FMHS Expectations of Administrators 

1. Know, understand, and be committed to the 9 -12 Activity/Athletic Mission and Goal Statements.
2. Know and enforce the rules of the School District.
3. Support on a fair basis all participants/athletes and advisors/coaches who are involved in the Activity/Athletic programs.
4. Follow the District chain of communication policy, especially in terms of encouraging the resolution of the problem at the lowest level possible (usually at the participantadvisor/coach level).
5. Make sure that there is a process in place to handle problems efficiently and effectively through the chain of communication, making sure of follow-up on the results.
6. Provide proper supervision of advisors/coaches to ensure that the provisions of the 9-12 Activity/Athletic Mission and Goal Statements are being addressed.
7. Help to discover and to provide opportunities for advisors/coaches to attend appropriate clinics and in-services.
8. Help educate parents and community members toward understanding the 9-12 Activity/ Athletic Goal Statement.
9. Organize and to facilitate the Activity/Athletic program while managing the Activity/ Athletic budget, facilities, and equipment.
10. Provide job descriptions, evaluation procedures, and annual in-service programs for advisors/coaches.

FMHS Expectations Parent/Guardian

The role of the parent/guardian in the education of a student is important. The support shown in the home is often manifested in the ability of the student to accept the opportunities presented at school in the classroom and through co-curricular activities. There is a value system – established in the home, nurtured in the school – which young people are developing. Their involvement in classroom and other activities contributes to that development. Integrity, fairness, and respect are lifetime values taught through athletics/activities, and these are the principles of sportsmanship. With them, the spirit of the competition thrives, fueled by honest rivalry, courteous relations, and graceful acceptance of the results. A true athlete, whether a student or a parent, is an effective leader within the school and the community. As a parent/guardian of a student, your sportsmanship goals should include the following:

• Realizing that athletics/activities are part of the educational experience and the benefits of involvement go beyond the final score of a game.
• Encouraging our students to perform their best, just as we would urge them on with their class work, knowing that others will always turn in better or lesser performances.
• Participating in positive cheers that encourage our student athletes; and discouraging any cheer that would redirect that focus.
• Learning, understanding, and respecting the rules of the game, the officials who administer them, and their decisions.
• Respecting the task our coaches face as teachers and supporting them as they strive to educate our youth.
• Respecting our opponents as students and acknowledging them for striving to do their best.
• Developing a sense of dignity under all circumstances; and Being a fan…not a fanatic!

The parent/guardian has a major influence on the student athlete’s attitude about academics and athletics. The leadership role taken by the parent/guardian helps create sportsmanship in the student athlete and will help influence our student athletes and our community for years to come. We look forward to serving you in the year ahead and appreciate your continued support.

Student Responsibilities 

A student participant who has been in school all day must have permission of the coach directly in charge of that activity/sport to be excused from that day’s meeting/practice. The participants must contact the advisor/coach before the beginning of practice.

• A student participant who has not been in school the last three periods of the day or has had an unexcused absence for any period of the day shall not take part in practice sessions for that day and may not participate in a contest on that day.
• The exceptions allowed for missing the last two periods of a block day or the last three periods of a seven-period day are as follows:
  • Required college or military appointments that could not be scheduled at another time. o Mandatory court appearances.
  • Funerals.
  • Dental or medical emergencies.
  • Dental or medical appointments that could not be made at other times.
  • Any other situations would require advanced approval from an administrator or the athletic director.
• The student participant missing any portion of the designated periods of the school day for one of the listed exceptions must provide a note verifying the appointment. This note needs to be turned in to the main office when the student participant checks back in to school or to their coach if school has been dismissed when they return.
• If a student participant serves a full day in ISS (In-school Suspension) on a game day, he/she will not take part in a contest on that day.
• A student participant who has checked out for a sport is bound by the team policies of that program and must make a personal commitment to that program. Student participants are expected to attend ALL practices, contests, and meetings unless the participant is ill or unless prior arrangements have been made with their coach. All other absences will be considered unexcused and will be dealt with accordingly.
• Insubordination to advisors/coaches will not be tolerated. Such action may result in loss of participation privileges and/or eligibility.
• All student participants shall be responsible for their own actions in practices, during trips, in contests, in school, and in the community. Student participants may be 12 removed and/or suspended from a program for inappropriate actions in any of these situations.
• Student participants who are habitually tardy to practices or absent from practices may be removed at the coach’s discretion.
• Profanity by student participants at any time or in any situation will not be tolerated.
• Student participants will be expected to always show respect for all members of the coaching staff and their teammates.
  • Student participants are responsible for the care of all equipment they are issued and shall be fined if the equipment is lost or damaged beyond normal use. The head coach and athletic director shall determine the amount of the fine. Equipment shall be turned in on the day designated by the head coach; late items will result in a fine that is equal to the cost of the equipment.
• Student participants will obey all training rules of the Fort Morgan High School Activity/Athletic Department as well as those established by the mandatory contracts of individual coaches. At minimum, the following will be addressed in the contracts for individual activities/sports: practice rules, eligibility guidelines, dress code, grooming, lettering requirements, guidelines for level placement (Varsity, Junior Varsity, etc.), discipline policy, what parents can expect from coaches and what coaches will expect of parents.

Communication Model

Before the start of each sport, the head coach will conduct a mandatory parent’s meeting regarding rules, regulations, and additional team rules beyond the Athletic Handbook. A student athlete, parent, guardian, coach, or a member of the public with a concern or complaints should first try and resolve the matter directly and informally with the individual(s) concerned. This may be done either verbally or in writing to the individual(s) involved. If the matter cannot be resolved informally at the initial level, the complainant should submit a written statement describing his/her concerns in a clear, specific, and detailed manner to the athletic director.