Teaching girls to have faith in themselvesMOUNT ALVERNIA HIGH SCHOOL | GRADES - CENTRE STREET | NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS | T. ..

www.mountalverniahs.org

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page School Philosophy 4 Mission Statement 5 Athletic Program Mission Statement 5 Athletic Program 6 Starting and Closing dates/Tryouts/Practice 6 Sports Managers/Scorekeepers/Timers 7 Captains Expectations 8 To the Parents 8 Communication Within the Athletic Program 9 Coach’s Code of Ethics 10 Student-Athlete’s Code of Ethics 11 MIAA 12 Team Athletic Wear 15 Sportsmanship 15 Practices and Games 15 Cell Phones 15 Parking for Home Games 16 Spirit Games 16 Detention/Academic Eligibility Policy 16 Transportation of Student-Athletes 17 Uniform Procedure 18 First Aid Kits/Accident Procedure 18 Emergency Procedure/Life Threatening Allergies 19 Concussion Policy 19 Athlete Recognition 21 Senior Awards/Varsity Letter 22 Mount Alvernia Athletic Booster Club 23 Sports Travel Permission Slip 24 Acknowledgment of Receipt of Athletic Handbook 24

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Athlete’s Prayer

Dear God, Help me to be a good sport in this game of life. I don’t ask for an easy place in the lineup. Put me anywhere you need me. I only ask that I can give you one hundred percent of everything that I have. If all of the hard drives seem to come my way, I thank you for the compliment. Help me to remember that you never send a player more trouble than he or she can handle. Help me, Lord, to accept the bad breaks as just part of the game. May I always play on the square no matter what others do. Help me to study the Book so that I will know the rules. Finally God, if the natural turn of events goes against me and I am benched for sickness or old age, help me to accept this as part of the game, too. Keep me from whimpering that I was framed or that I got a raw deal. And when I finish the final inning, I ask for no laurels. All I want is to believe in my heart that I played as well as I could and didn’t let you down. Richard Cardinal Cushing

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Introduction

The reason for this handbook is to assist you with any questions you may have about the Athletic Department. This handbook has information on tryouts, practices, eligibility, policies and athletic recognition. Please keep a copy of this handbook and refer to it if you have any questions or concerns about your daughter’s athletic experience at Mount Alvernia. If this handbook cannot answer your question, please feel free to speak with the coach and/or call the Athletic Director.

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Philosophy of Mount Alvernia High School Since 1927 Mount Alvernia High School has encouraged young women of vision and action. The school is founded on the Judeo-Christian beliefs that there is a God and that life has a purpose, most notably to choose the "good." It is committed to instilling the spiritual and intellectual values that will enable students to discern that good and to make appropriate choices. As a Catholic community in the Franciscan tradition of service to others, Mount Alvernia's members believe that they are part of one people and one world. This sense of communal belonging and the responsibility inherent in it is among its strongest traditions and is reinforced by an effec-tive community service program which enables each student to experience the universal truth that we need people in our lives who care for us and about whom we care. Mount Alvernia is a place where students explore the connections in all learning and see that the ideas of the biol-ogy lab can be reflected in literature, that mathematics and history do overlap, and that theology and physics share themes such as the search for the ultimate origin of all things. The curriculum is founded on the premise that all subjects are roads to knowledge and that realization of this is essential in shaping students' academic and professional goals. At each grade level the curriculum is designed and im-plemented not only to impart the knowledge needed for higher study, but also to form habits of concentration, re-flection, and critical thinking. The course of study helps students explore what it will mean to be a woman of the twenty-first century. It helps them separate old stereotypes from new possibilities so that they can bring a woman's way of knowing into the classroom, the office, the home, the laboratory, the hospital, the boardroom, the courtroom, and the legislature and work to transform society into a partner-ship in which both women and men are valued.

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Mission Statement 1. To provide for the spiritual, intellectual, and technologi-

cal needs of the students 2. To instill in the students an awareness of their relation-

ship with the Creator, the world, and its inhabitants 3. To offer a strong core curriculum based on traditional

disciplines which fosters an interdisciplinary approach to learning

4. To encourage courageous, compassionate, articulate

women who believe that life has a purpose, who are able to discern the "good," and who will be an effective force for it in the world

Athletic Program Mission Statement Mount Alvernia High School (MAHS) is a member in good standing of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Asso-ciation (MIAA) Catholic Conference Division. The Head of School and Athletic Department agree to abide by all the rules and regulations of both the MIAA and the Catholic Conference. The Athletic Program at Mount Alvernia strives to:

1. Provide a quality athletic program in which each stu-

dent-athlete has the opportunity to practice and par-ticipate in a safe environment, to be creative in her sport, and to develop a spirit of self-discipline, re-sponsibility, and friendship to her school, teammates and coaches.

2. Provide our student-athletes with coaches who are teachers and who instruct student-athletes as learn-ers, encourage them to participate, and assist them in accepting the role they play on the team.

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3. Allow each student-athlete to seek, through athletic

achievement, her own personal identity; to complete each competition and athletic season with a strong sense of fulfillment, achievement, and dedication, and to develop the self-esteem that will ultimately express the spirit of love and commitment practiced by Saint Francis and taught at MAHS.

Athletic Programs Playing a sport at Mount Alvernia is a privilege, which can be a valuable and rewarding experience. Students can play a sport during all three seasons. Some of the sports below have different levels: Varsity and JV. Fall Winter Spring Cross Country Basketball Golf Cheer Cheer Softball Soccer Indoor Track Tennis Swim Ice Hockey Outdoor Track Volleyball Starting and Closing Dates According to the MIAA, Fall practices may begin for all teams at MAHS, at the latest, on Monday before Labor Day. The Winter season at MAHS must not begin before the first Mon-day after Thanksgiving. The Spring season at MAHS must not begin before the third Monday in March. Each season must end with the completion of the regular season varsity schedule or tournament play. Tryouts/Practice Mount Alvernia would like everyone to play a sport if they would like to play. No one can tryout without an updated physical, see p. 12 and there are some academic requirements, see p. 16. In some of the sports we offer, there is a selective process. We encourage coaches to keep as many students as they can without compromising the performance of the team.

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Time, space, facilities, equipment, personal preference and other factors will place limitations on the most effective squad size for any particular sport. All student-athletes are expected to be at the tryouts/practice. The 7th and 8th graders are eligible for the lowest level offered for that sport. Academic and behavioral requirements will be adhered to before tryouts begin. Student-athletes who do not make the team will be encouraged to play on another team if available or to be a team manager. Also, those who are not selected for the team should be informed as to why they were not selected, provided that the student-athlete or parent requests an explanation from the coach. When trying out for a team and after making a team, all athletes are expected to attend all practices and games of that team. All teams will practice or have a game 5-6 days a week. Due to some space limitations, some sports may require practices or games to be held later on in the afternoon. Weekend practices or games will vary for different sports but 100% participation will be expected whatever the schedule.

Sports Managers/Score Keepers/Timers All teams benefit from having a team manager. The team manager is responsible for keeping the book and working with the coach on other duties. Basketball and volleyball also need to have scoreboard operators and timers. Anyone who participates in any of these activities will be considered part of the team and receive credit for a co-curriculum activity. They also will have the same academic requirements as a player. A parent may not do any of these duties. Before or right after tryouts, these positions need to be filled.

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Captains Expectations Captains play a vital role on a team and are expected to set a positive example for the team members. They do this by knowing when the practice/games are, arriving to practice/games on time, being the first one on the field/court for practice and the last one to leave, showing team/school spirit, writing the morning announcements of the scores, next game, location of the next game and remind the team to wear the entire warm up suit for any away games. Also the captain will need to communicate to the AD at sched-uled meetings or when it is necessary.

To the Parents When your daughter becomes involved with the athletic program at Mount Alvernia, communication becomes an integral part of the process.

At the beginning of each season there will be a meeting with the parents, coaches and administration. At this meeting, the Athletic Director communicates all material pertaining to each student-athlete, including safety, transportation, phi-losophy, training procedures, academic requirements, ath-letic attire and alcohol, tobacco, and drug abuse regulations. The coaches will explain their expectations for the season and answer any questions. Expectation sheets, practice schedules and game schedules, along with locations and times will be passed out. Attendance at the meeting is highly recommended. Changes may occur after the schedule has been handed out. Communication of these changes will happen as soon as the Athletic Director has become aware of the changes. Any concerns should be communicated directly to the coach. It is not appropriate to confront a coach before or after a game or practice. These are emotional times for both the coach and parent and do not result in a positive

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resolution. Any scheduling conflicts should be communi-cated to the coach well in advance of the conflict. Before a student-athlete tries out for a sport, she must be sure that:

1. Academic and behavioral requirements are met. 2. A completed emergency contact form is completed

by parents and a valid physical form is completed by her physician and returned to the school. See page 12 for the rule.

3. Pr e -Pa r t i c i p a t i o n H e a d I n j u r y/C on c u s s i o n Reporting Form for Extracurricular Activities is com-pleted by a parent.

As stated in this handbook, coaches and student-athletes follow a code of ethics. Parents/guardians are expected to support the coaches and student-athletes in upholding their respective code of ethics.

Communication Within the Athletic Program Everyone is asked to use the line of communication on the next page when addressing any athletic questions or con-cerns. While the administration wishes to remain receptive to parents’ concerns and questions, it is not involved in the day-to-day workings of the department. Therefore, athletes and parents must first respect the authority of coaches to resolve any issues that develop. Please approach the coach directly in charge of your daughter with questions or for clarification. If any situation warrants further concern, or is not resolved to a parent’s satisfaction, then the athletic di-rector will address any concern in a timely fashion. A refer-ral to the Head of School, if deemed necessary, will only be addressed when all other avenues have been exhausted.

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Line of Communication

Coach (cell and e-mail are on the individual team page). Head Coach (if concern originates at a sub varsity level) Athletic Director, Mrs. Julie Gosselin Assistant Head, Ms. Patricia Daley Head of School, Ms. Eileen McLaughlin

Athletic Department Contacts

Mount Alvernia High School 617-969-2260 Mount Alvernia High School (fax) 617-969-4246 Athletic Director 617-969-2260 x35 Athletic Dept. Email jgosselin@mountalverniahs.org Athletic website: www.mountalverniahs.org/athletics/

teams.cfm Coach’s Code of Ethics Over the years, MAHS coaches have exhibited a caring atti-tude, superior athletic knowledge, and a witness to Catholic values. This tradition has helped form student-athletes with sound moral values and highly developed physical skills who demonstrate a wholesome school spirit and attitude. MAHS coaches must serve as a positive influence on our student-athletes, who will become the leaders of the future. The coaches’ behavior must reflect the belief that you teach what you are before you teach what you know. On the athletic field, on the running course, in the gymna-sium, in the pool, on the ice rink, or on the tennis court, MAHS coaches must represent themselves and the school in the most professional manner. Behavior, language, dress, and demeanor must be consistent with the values and the philosophy of the school. If a coach’s habits or conduct either in or out of school are inconsistent with the standards of the school, then he or she will be removed from his or her coaching responsibilities immediately. The coach is responsible for all athletes affiliated with the team until they are picked up by the parents. If a particular parent is habitually late, the coach should inform the Ath-letic Director.

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The coach is to formulate an expectation sheet which clearly states the practice schedule and policies regarding sicknesses, lateness and cancellation due to weather. After approval by the Athletic Director, coaches are to distribute this information to the athletes and parents.

After tryouts the coach is to notify the Athletic Director regarding students status twenty-four hours before team rosters are posted.

The coach is to notify the Athletic Director if he/she notices any changes in an athlete’s behavior or personality.

All the coach’s contact with the Mount Alvernia administration and staff should be through the Athletic Director. Coaches must obtain the approval of the Athletic Director for any team celebration. A coach will never host a party at his/her home.

The coach is never to drive an athlete anywhere for any reason. The coach is advised never to be alone with a student-athlete. The coach is never to show an inappropriate film on a bus or initiate or participate in conversations of a sexual nature with students.

Student-Athlete’s Code of Ethics The Athletic Program is a privilege which students earn by meeting and maintaining the following MIAA/MAHS standards:

Student-athletes must represent MAHS in a manner which is consistent with the values and philosophy of the school. Proper behavior, language, dress, and demeanor are mandatory for all student-athletes. If a student-athlete’s behavior or conduct on the athletic field, on the running course, in the gymnasium, in the pool, on the tennis court, on the ice rink, or in the classroom is inconsistent with the standards of the school, she will be removed from the team. Student-athletes will address the coach in a professional manner. They will not address the coach by his/her first name. Smoking, using alcohol, drugs or abusive language, and

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hazing fellow student-athletes will not be tolerated at MAHS. Any student-athlete who violates this policy will be reported to the Athletic Director. Dismissal from the team may result. The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association As a member school, Mount Alvernia agrees to abide by and enforce all rules and regulations of this association. Rules and regulation of the association are available on-line via the MIAA website, www.miaa.net.

The primary role of the state association is to maintain rules and regulations that ensure equity in competition for the student athletes and a balance with other educational programs. The association solicits input and is responsive to requests for rule modifications from member schools, appointed committees, and coaches’ associations.

The state association attempts to enforce such rules that assure the greatest good for the greatest number and to ensure that competition is conducted in an appropriate manner.

It is every coach’s responsibility to know and communicate the rules of the association to all involved in the athletic process. Rules such as the chemical health or bona fide team member rules are important examples of association guidelines that each member school must adhere to. Parents are first and foremost requested to support our compliance with the state association rules and provide the appropriate guidance to your daughters on potential rule violations. When violations occur, parents are encouraged to report them to the Athletic Director. Life lessons are being taught, modeled and learned. Winning at all costs should not be our motivation, but rather doing the right thing.

MIAA Rule 56.1 – Physical Examinations – All students must pass a physical examination prior to participation in High School Athletics. A physical exam covers the student for 13 months from the exam date. A student’s eligibility

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will terminate once a physical has reached the 13 month limit. A duly registered licensed Physician, Physician’s Assistant or Nurse Practitioner must perform physical examinations.

MIAA Rule 62.1 - Chemical Health - During the season of practice or play, a student shall not, regardless of the quantity, use or consume, possess, buy/sell or give away any beverage containing alcohol; any tobacco product; marijuana; steroids; or any controlled substance. This policy includes products such as “NA or near beer”. It is not a violation for a student to be in possession of a legally defined drug specifically prescribed for the students’ own use by her doctor. This MIAA statewide minimum standard is not intended to render “guilt by association”. Example: Many student athletes might be present at a party where only a few violate this standard. If a student in violation of Rule 64.1 is unable to participate in interscholastic sports due to injury, academics, or otherwise, the penalty will not take effect until that student is able to participate again. The minimum PENALTIES are: First Violation: When the Head of School confirms, following an opportunity for the student to be heard, that a violation occurred, the student shall lose eligibility for the next consecutive interscholastic contests totaling 25% of all interscholastic contests in that sport. It is recommended that the student be allowed to remain at practice for the purpose of rehabilitation. Additional violations will be handled with the Head of School.

MIAA Rule 45 - Loyalty to the High School Team: Bona Fide Team Members A bona fide member of the school team is a student who is consistently present for, and actively participates in, all high school team sessions (e.g. practices, tryouts, competitions). Bona fide members of a school team are precluded from missing a high school practice or competition in order to participate in a non-school athletic activity/event in any

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sport recognized by the MIAA. First Offense: Student athlete is suspended for 25% of the season. Second Offense: Student athlete is suspended for an additional 25% of the season, and is ineligible for tournament play immediately upon confirmation of the violation.

MIAA Rule 40 – Out-of-Season Coach-Athlete Contact Limitations A coach may not directly or indirectly require an athlete to participate in a sport or a training program outside of the MIAA defined sport season. Voluntary conditioning sessions open equally to all students in a school and which are entirely devoid of sports-specific activity may be conducted between seasons provided no candidate is either required to participate or penalized for not doing so.

MIAA Rule 47 – Amateurism The MIAA “amateur rule” is quite similar to such standards in every state association. The amateur standard precludes a student athlete from accepting anything of intrinsic value, resulting in any way from her athletic ability or success. Student athletes cannot receive gift certificates, golf balls, sneakers, skis, warm-up suits, and etc. without violating the amateur rule. Because such violations will generally occur off campus and outside the supervision of school personnel, it is important that athletes and their parents understand the strict limitations of this rule. Violation of this rule renders the athlete ineligible for one full year.

MIAA Rule 48 – Sportsmanship: Taunting Taunting includes any actions or comments by coaches, players, or spectators which are intended to bait, anger, embarrass, ridicule, or demean others, whether or not the deeds or words are vulgar or racist. Included is conduct that berates, needles, intimidates, or threatens based on race, gender, ethnic origin or background, and conduct that attacks religious beliefs, size, economic status, speech, family, special needs, or personal characteristics. Examples of taunting include but are not limited to: "trash

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talk", defined as verbal communication of a personal nature directed by a competitor to an opponent by ridiculing his/her skills, efforts, sexual orientation, or lack of success, which is likely to provoke an altercation or physical response; and physical intimidation outside the spirit of the game, including "in the face" confrontation by one player to another, standing over/straddling a tackled or fallen player, etc.

Team Athletic Wear/Memorabilia No athletic wear/team memorabilia will be ordered by a coach, parent or student athlete without the approval of the Athletic Director. All athletic wear/team memorabilia can be ordered through the on-line store on the home page of the schools website.

Sportsmanship Sportsmanship is playing fair. Student-athletes lose without complaining and win without gloating. It is essential for everyone at a sporting event to exhibit this behavior: student-athletes, coaches, officials, parents and any other spectators.

Practices and Games A schedule of practices and games will be distributed to all members of each team and is on the school website. Any student-athlete who is unable to attend a practice or a game must notify the coach in advance. If a student-athlete misses a practice before a scheduled game, she will be unable to participate in the game unless permitted by the coach. A student must be in attendance at school for at least five periods on a full day or 2.5 periods for a half day to be eligible to play in that day’s game or attend any sport related activity/celebration. Cell Phones Cell phone usage during a practice or game will be up to the discretion of each coach. Refer to the Parent/Guardian

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Student Handbook regarding the taking of unauthorized pictures with your cell.

Parking for Home Games We request the cooperation of the student body, parents and spectators in the enforcement of the parking restrictions in certain areas of the campus. Parking is prohibited along the fire lane/access drive along the driveway. Cars will be towed at the owner’s expense. Athletes, parents and spectators are requested to use the lots in the front or back of the school.

Spirit Games A spirit game provides a special opportunity for the school community to support a team by attending the game.

Detention Detention takes precedence over all athletic activity. Deten-tion is served on Wednesdays and a student-athlete will not be allowed to miss it for a practice and/or a game. When detention is over and a student athlete has an away game, only her parent/guardian may take her to her game.

Academic Eligibility Policy In order to participate in a sport, a student-athlete must maintain a minimum of 60% in every subject and a mini-mum GPA of 70% in the following marking periods: Sport Season Date of Tryouts Marking Period Fall August 29 *Final GPA of previous year (MIAA Rule) Winter November 28 1st Quarter GPA Spring March 20 3rd Quarter GPA

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If a student is ineligible at the beginning of a sports season, she may not join the team after play has begun. During the winter and spring season the second and third quarter grades, respectively, may result in an athlete being removed from the team. Required academic assistance takes precedence over all ath-letic events. It is the responsibility of the student-athlete to notify her teacher the day before a class is missed due to an athletic event. All work must be made up at the conven-ience of the teacher. *Summer school does not apply for the academic eligibility with the sports program.

Transportation of Student-Athletes All student-athletes, timekeepers, managers and coaches will travel by a bus/van driven by a school-approved bus/van company driver. Each student-athlete must submit to the Athletic Director at the beginning of the sports season a Sports Travel Permission Slip that has been completed by her parent or guardian. The permission slip is in the back of this handbook. Team members are expected to return to the school on the bus/van unless a parent has requested otherwise in writing. The parent should submit this note to the Athletic Director or coach at least one day before the athletic event. The Ath-letic Director will notify the coach before the team leaves MAHS regarding students who will be picked up by parents. Any violation of the above procedure should be reported immediately to the Athletic Director. Parents are responsible for the transport of their daughters from the school after athletic events and should plan to ar-rive before the sports teams return to the school to avoid unnecessary waiting by both their daughters and the coaches.

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Uniform Procedure

Coaches will check out all uniforms and will keep a record of the assignments to ensure the return of the uniforms. Each student-athlete will have her parent or guardian sign an equipment form stating the student-athlete’s responsibilities for the uniform. The responsibilities include keeping the uniform clean and presentable for each athletic event and returning the uniform, cleaned and ready for reuse, within one week of the end of the sports season. A student-athlete who does not return a uniform or whose uniform is not returned in proper condition will be billed for the cost of the uniform. A student must return or pay for the uniform in order to take a final exam. All athletes are required to purchase an official Mount Alvernia warm up suit*. The winter uniform pants and a jacket to match is the warm-up suit This is to be worn to all away games. If not, the athlete will not be able to play in her game on that date. *Note: Golf is not required to purchase the warm-ups.

First Aid Kits

The Athletic Director will assign a first aid kit to each level of each sport. The kit must be taken to all practices and events and be carried on the bus to away events.

Accident Procedure

All injuries, which occur while participating in athletics, should be reported to the coach. Any injury which prevents an athlete to participate in the current session (game or prac-tice) and which prevents the athletes’ return to that session or the following day's session is reportable. An athlete, treated by a physician, must obtain the doctor’s orders prior to her return to the activity and disclose any prescribed treatment to the coach and athletic director. All injuries will be reported and reviewed by the school nurse.

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In the event of an accident, the coach must complete an inci-dent report immediately. Incident reports are available in the Athletic Director’s office.

Emergency Procedure

In the event of an emergency, the coach will immediately call 911 to secure medical assistance for the student-athlete. Refer-ring to the student-athlete’s emergency information card, the coach or other designated adult will make the necessary tele-phone calls to the parent/guardian, and Athletic Director. The Athletic Director distributes the emergency information to the coaches at the beginning of each sports season.

Life Threatening Allergies

Any student athlete who has been diagnosed with a life threat-ening allergy and who has been prescribed an EpiPen by her care provider, must have their prescribed EpiPen on their per-son at all times while participating in their chosen sport should an emergent situation related to their known allergy occur re-quiring its administration.

Concussion Policy

All athletic directors, coaches, athletic trainers, school nurses, parents/guardians of student athletes and student athletes them-selves must annually complete the Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports from the Center for Disease Control and Preven-tion video available on the MAHS website. This required annual training applies to one school year and must be repeated for every subsequent year. Before the start of every sports season, there are a series of forms required by the above stated agencies that must be com-pleted and submitted for review. A current physical must be on file in the MAHS Wellness Center. The MIAA states that the physical exam must be within 13 months of the start of each season.

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Both the student athlete and parent/guardian shall com-plete a Pre-Participation Head Injury/Concussion Re-porting Form for Extracurricular Activities form found on the MAHS Team webpage.

If a student athlete is removed by a coach from a practice and/or game for a suspected head injury and/or concussion- the coach will immediately complete the Report of a Head Injury During Sports Season form or a parent/guardian would be required to complete this form if their daughter has sustained a head injury outside of school related extracurricu-lar athletic activities. This form is found on the MAHS web-page.

Any student athlete, who is removed from a practice and/or game for a suspected head injury and/or concussion, must receive medical clearance by a medical licensed profes-sional in order to return to her sport. The licensed profes-sional may be a Physician, Licensed Athletic Trainer, Nurse Practitioner, Neuropsychologist, or a Physician Assistant. The Post Sports-Related Head Injury Medical Clearance and Authorization Form is found on the MAHS Team webpage for the stated providers’ completion.

If a student athlete requires academic accommodations due to a sustained concussion, the student may not return to play until their academic make-up work is completed. Academic accommodations will be coordinated at the direction of your daughter’s care provider, by both the school nurse and her guidance counselor.

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Athlete Recognition The league all-stars are chosen by the coach and given to the player who exemplifies skill and sportsmanship in her sport. The number of all-stars are determined by the league depending upon the position the team has earned. The Coach’s Award is presented to the junior varsity level play-ers. It is a recognition by the coach for her dedication and hard work on the team. Varsity players will be recognized for their contribution to their team. Awards will be given for the Most Valuable Player, Most Improved Player, and Unsung Hero. The Paul A. St. Martin Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $1000.00 to be applied toward the student’s senior year tui-tion will be awarded annually to a junior who has played soccer for three years and has frequently achieved academic honors or effort recognition. This award is given in acknowledgement of the student’s dedication to personal excellence and her commit-ment to the ideals of teamwork. The Daley - O’Brien - Donnelly Award is awarded to a golfer who exemplifies dedication to the spirit and the courtesy of the game, obvious love of golf and has the determination to con-stantly improve her skills. This award is in honor of the way golf was and is played by the fathers of Ms. Daley, Mrs. Kent and Mrs. Riley.

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Senior Awards The National Girls’ and Women in Sports Day The MIAA sponsors this day every year and allows each school to select two female athletes to represent their school on this day. Each girl should be a positive, contributing member of both her team and her school. The Mary Lou Corkery Award, in memory of a graduate of the Mount Alvernia High School Class of 1974, is given annually to a senior student-athlete who plays more than one sport and best displays the character of Mary Lou Cork-ery as a student and an athlete. The following prayer helps to illuminate how Mary Lou lived her life. Believe in the sun, even when it is not shining, Believe in love, even when you are alone, Believe in God, even when He is silent. The Sr. Celestine Coyle Award is given annually to the senior student-athlete who plays more than one sport and displays an exceptional spirit of sportsmanship.

Varsity Letters The Athletic Director and coaches of each sport will deter-mine the standards and qualifications of student- athletes who will receive a varsity letter. Generally a varsity letter will be given to members of varsity sports teams based on their skill and sportsmanship.

Only one letter will be awarded to an individual during her high school career. When receiving the letter for the first time, the individual will receive a certificate with a pin for the particular sport. For each subsequent Varsity Letter award, the individual will receive a certificate and a pin. Three Sport Athlete Appropriate recognition will be given to senior athletes that played three sports at a varsity level for four years.

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Mount Alvernia Athletic Booster Club All parents of student-athletes are members of the Mount Alvernia Athletic Booster Club. The boosters volunteer their services to promote spirit within the sports program and sponsor the Sports Banquets and Homecoming. Fund-raising activities have included working at the Boston Col-lege concession stands during athletic events and the spirit fee. The administrative board includes a president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, BC Coordinator and a Parent Representative Coordinator. Also, a parent representatives for each level of each sport is needed to help out the Boosters Anyone interested in being an active member of the booster club will be able to earn PIP hours. The parent rep duties are

Attend all the MA Booster Club meetings during your assigned sports season.

Take photos at the games and practices for use in the banquet slide show.

Assist with the Varsity Night . Purchase flowers for senior athletes on the last

home game of the season. Help the team members collect money. Assist with any fundraising efforts. Liaison between team and MA Booster Club. Assist in the Spirit Games Help organize the end of the season pizza parties

for the JV teams. Meetings are held in the dining room at 7 p.m. once a month during the school year. Dates are published in the school calendar. All parents are welcome.

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Sports Travel

Permission Slip

Please complete this page, detach it, and return it to the Athletic Direc-tor, Mrs. Julie Gosselin. This form will be kept on file in the Athletic Director’s office. Thank you for your cooperation and support. I hereby request that my daughter ______________________________________________ travel to and from athletic events scheduled by the Mount Alvernia High School Athletic Department. I understand the department policy will be to provide transportation by school bus/van.

Acknowledgment of Receipt and Review of Athletic Handbook

I have read the Mount Alvernia High School Athletic Handbook including the rules, regulations, and policies. I fully under-stand its meaning and consequences and support its en-forcement by persons responsible. Signature of Student-Athlete Date Signature of Parent or Guardian Date