Athletics at AFA

ATHLETIC STATEMENT:

This Al Falah Academy athletic handbook is designed to inform the Al Falah community of the rules, regulations, and information that conduct competition in Al Falah Academy athletics. Participating in athletics is a privilege, and those who choose to participate are expected to follow the rules of Al Falah Academy as well as the rules of individual coaches. Each student athlete represents the school and student body. It is the student athlete’s duty to conduct himself/herself in a manner becoming of the student athlete, his/her family, school and the community. Al Falah Academy will enforce all rules and regulations as described in this handbook.

Please keep in mind, this handbook may be revised from time to time to ensure efficient operations.

DEPARTMENT PHILOSOPHY:

The goal of athletics at Al Falah Academy is to provide student athletes with the opportunity to excel in teamwork, sportsmanship and self-discipline. In addition to developing sports skill in a sport, Al Falah athletics aims to foster student athletes’ dedication, responsibility, and overall character, which will benefit them in future endeavors.

STUDENT-ATHLETES AND ACADEMIC PRIORITIES:

Student-athletes attend Al Falah Academy primarily for a quality education. Student-athletes are expected to prioritize their academic work. To do so, he/she must have self-discipline and demonstrate work habits that balance his/her academic and extracurricular responsibilities. In addition to performing well in academics, students must also exhibit exemplary behavior and consistent attendance. Participation decisions for all extra-curricular activities will be made by evaluating each student and final decisions will be made with the student’s academic, behavior, and attendance record in mind. More information on specific academic requirements can be found in Al Falah Academy’s Athletic Academic Policy.

ATHLETIC ACADEMIC POLICY:

It is the Al Falah Academy core value that in order to excel and develop into a well-rounded student-athlete, students must be academically eligible to participate in athletic competition. We hope to encourage excellence in academics through participation in athletics.

Student-athletes are expected to maintain passing grades in all classes. Students’ grades will be reviewed and monitored on a biweekly basis. If a student‐athlete receives a course average grade below 70 (F) in any class, or below 80 (C) in two or more classes on the day of Mid-Quarter Report Cards or Quarterly Report Cards, that student will be placed on academic probation for a period of two weeks. Student‐athletes who are placed on academic probation may continue to practice up to two weeks but will not be permitted to play competitive games. They will be expected to seek academic assistance and work to improve their course average grade. At the end of the two-week probationary period, if the student‐athlete improves their course average grades so there are no Fs and no more than 2 Cs, then they will be eligible to participate in both practice and competitive games. If the student‐athlete does not improve the failing grade after the two-week probationary period, then he or she may be removed from the team. To participate in sports team, students must present Quarterly Report Cards and Mid-Quarter Progress Reports with admissible grades: no more than 2 C’s and no F’s

PHYSICALS FORMS/PARENTAL CONSENT:

ALL students who participate in interscholastic athletics must have a current Physical Form and have passed a physical examination prior to the official start date of the specific sport’s start date. Record must be on file in the athletic office. The form is available in the athletic office or on the athletic department website under Forms. COMPLETED FORMS MUST BE TURNED IN TO THE ATHLETIC OFFICE PRIOR TO THE FIRST DAY OF PRACTICE, NO ONE WILL BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE WITHOUT THIS FORM. NO EXCEPTIONS.

EXPECTATION OF PARENTS:

It is important that the rules of decorum be observed by both players and parents when participating in athletic events. In regards to games, parents are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that will bring honor and respect to our teams and school. At no time should there be a display of inappropriate behavior toward an official, coach, and student-athlete. There will be “bad calls” by officials, “perceived” poor play calling by coaches, and mistakes made by players. However, keep in mind that officials, coaches, and players are all doing their best. Parents are not allowed to approach coaches and officials during and after a game for any questions, concerns, or negative comments. Parents should also not address any concerns or negative comments toward other student-athlete. When and if you have a concern about the coach or play in the game, please make an appointment with the coach and/or athletic director to discuss your concerns so that we as Muslims can resolve the matter. Oftentimes, we forget what our beloved Prophet Muhammad (swt) said:  “Don’t Get Angry.  Don’t get angry.  Don’t get angry.”  It was so important that he repeated it three times, Alhamdulilah. Let us respect each other as he did.

ALTERCATIONS/FIGHTING PRIOR TO, DURING, OR AFTER ATHLETIC CONTEST:

Al Falah Academy Athletic Department holds a **ZERO TOLERANCE** policy when it comes to fighting while an athlete is representing AFA. Fighting will not be tolerated for any reason. This position does not change if the athlete is the victim of an unsportsmanlike act, is provoked or taunted, verbally or physically abused, or is subjected to any other set of circumstances. Athletes are expected to walk away from any altercation and let the coach or other professional personnel intervene

If a student-athlete breaks this rules, he/she will be subject to serious repercussions such as:

– Suspension of a game or multiple games
– Potential suspension from school based on the nature of the incident
– Possible dismissal from the team.

If an official suspends a student athlete for fighting from an athletic game, as a minimum he/she will not be eligible to participate in the next game. Any further athletic suspensions for fighting can result in a more significant suspension and/or dismissal from the team. If the incident occurs after the game, the athlete might face two games suspension. Suspensions will be enforced.

IN-SCHOOL AND OUT-OF-SCHOOL SUSPENSION:

Students will not be allowed to participate in athletic activities on the days they have been assigned to in-school suspension or out-of-school suspension until they have served their suspension.

GAME EJECTION GUIDELINES:

The following additional consequences are to be applied to student-athletes who are ejected from a competition for unsportsmanlike conduct:

1. Student-athletes will be withheld from the next contest.
2. Student-athletes will be required to write a half-page essay explaining the value of sportsmanship.
3. Student-athletes will be required to turn in the half-page essay to the athletic director.

SPORTSMANSHIP:

Knowing that athletics has become an integral part of the total educational program in Al Falah Academy, sportsmanship must be taught, modeled, expected and reinforced in the classroom and in all of our competitive activities. Good sportsmanship requires that everyone be treated with respect. This respect extends to members of the opposing team, officials, coaches and spectators. Negative treatment of any participant is outside the spirit and interest of the athletic contest and of AFA and is not acceptable.

POSTPONEMENTS OF ATHLETIC EVENTS:

In the event of inclement weather the day of an athletic game, a decision to postpone or cancel an athletic event will be made as early as possible by the athletic director or school administrator. The athletic director or the principal will notify athletes and parents of any cancellations. In the event of an early release or a school cancellation due to weather, all extra-curricular activities are cancelled, including team practices.

PRE-SEASON PARENT MEETINGS:

Al Falah Academy will require a mandatory meeting to parents and students that are planning to anticipate in sports activities in the beginning of each sport. The purpose of meetings are to provide parents with important information regarding the impending season. Items of importance to be discussed at this meeting include AFA eligibility requirements, team goals, injury, team attendance policies, playing time considerations, (possibility of tryout procedures) and anything else the coach or athletic director deems necessary for athletes and their parents to know. Parents should make every effort to attend.

NON COMMITMENT/UNEXCUSED ABSENCES:

Al Falah Academy upholds this policy to a great deal. Each member of an Al Falah Academy Athletic team must assume the responsibilities of commitment to their teams. The athlete has an ethical obligation to the team and the school. This obligation includes regular attendance at practices and athletic contests. Commitment to teams should come before any club or outside team. An athlete should always consult his/her coach before missing a practice and/or game. Missing practice or a game without a good reason will be dealt with by the individual coach with consequences approved by the Athletic Director. THREE (3) UNEXCUSED ABSENCES from Practice or Games may result in expulsion from the team. If a player is ill, or a similar unavoidable matter, the parent needs to send an email or letter stating the reason for the absence, within 3 days of the absence, for it to be reviewed and accepted as an Excused Absence by the Athletic Director.

Both Practices and Games with teams involve a great deal of investment and hard work to arrange. Students must not approach athletic commitments lightly; deciding not to participate for unimportant reasons. Sport programs benefit students partly because they demonstrate that being part of a team is a commitment to the others and to the school, thus reinforcing the character trait of Responsibility. All students are expected to comment to the sports they choose to play.

DROPPING FROM A SPORT:

Dropping out of a sport without a valid reason is always considered a serious matter. If an athlete wants to quit a sport, he/she will need to write a letter stating that he/she will no longer participate with the team. Once a student quits from the team, they cannot return to that team and are not allowed to participate in that sport with the team during that particular season.

ANTI-BULLYING POLICY:

The administration, faculty and staff at Al Falah Academy believe that all people are created in the image of Allah, and have intrinsic worth, value and dignity. We believe we have a responsibility to provide a respectful, safe and healthy school environment, an obligation to promote mutual respect and acceptance for our students. We recognize that love and respect are the foundation for our relationship with Allah and others, and we demonstrate love and respect toward all students. Therefore, we will not tolerate behavior that infringes on the safety and dignity of any student. Such behavior includes, but is not limited to:

Physical–  Any direct physical contact such as pushing, biting, spitting, scratching, damaging or stealing victims property, mean faces, initiating or forcing inappropriate touching, shoving, hitting, hair pulling, spitting, tripping and locking others in a room.

Verbal– Equivalent to physical bulling, the following verbal remarks are not tolerated: name calling, teasing, sending inappropriate (violent, sexual, malicious, etc.) notes or pictures in any medium, teasing, spreading rumors, put downs and racial remarks.

Social– Just like the physical and verbal capacity, these following inappropriate social actions are not acceptable: social isolation, damaging someone’s reputation, ignoring, alienating, spreading rumors, being unfriendly, ostracism, and exclusion.

Psychological– Any acts that instill a sense of fear or anxiety, menacing or gestures or being aggressive

TEAM PICTURES:

Team pictures will be taken at the beginning of each sport season.

The goal of athletics at Al Falah Academy is to provide student athletes with the opportunity to excel in teamwork, sportsmanship and self-discipline. In addition to developing sports skill in a sport, Al Falah athletics aims to foster student athletes’ dedication, responsibility, and overall character, which will benefit them in future endeavors.

Goals of the Athletic Department:

• To ensure students receive the opportunity to promote athletic values by conducting and cooperating with others in way that displays loyalty, faith, and integrity.
• To promote athletic completion amongst the teams and allow the students to grow through academic excellence.
• To provide the students with the right tools, expose them with positive challenges, the importance of discipline, strong commitment, and motivation to achieve lifelong goals.
• To allow students the opportunity to build and maintain a healthy lifestyle and strong physical development