ISK Middle School Sports Bulletin
2013-2014
Dear Middle School Students and Parents,
The ISK Athletic Department officially welcomes you to the 2013-2014
school year! We are continuously working to enhance our athletic programs,
adding opportunities for students whenever possible. ISK offers
interscholastic teams for students in 6th-8th grade. There are three athletic
seasons. Our goal is for all middle school students to be afforded the
opportunity to explore their passions and discover new skills in an
encouraging, stimulating, competitive and supportive environment. Please
read carefully through the following program, evaluate your options, and be
sure to return the sign up sheet and athletic contract to the MS office if you
plan on trying out for one of our teams!
ISK Middle School Athletic Philosophy
The Middle School recognizes that team sports and interscholastic
athletics are an essential part of the total education process. ISK is dedicated
to instilling positive self worth in students and developing responsible and
reflective citizens of the world. The athletic program believes that teamwork,
leadership, responsibility, and a commitment to excellence can be learned
through competitive sports interaction. The emphasis of the Middle School
athletic department is not on winning at any cost, but rather building selfconfidence and presenting a well-rounded educational experience. ISK sports
teams are competitive, but the program tries to ensure that every athlete has
the opportunity to reach his/her fullest potential. The athletics program strives
to create an environment in which students experience the enjoyment of sports
and fitness that they will sustain into adulthood.
Tryouts:
To maximize the teaching and learning opportunities for our students
we must keep all of our interscholastic teams to a manageable size. Therefore
many of our interscholastic teams will hold tryouts. During tryouts, every
athlete will be observed and evaluated with fairness and equality by our
knowledgeable coaching staff. While athletic ability is always valuable,
demonstrating responsibility, teamwork, good sportsmanship, and exceptional
effort will play an important role in the decision-making process.
Following the tryout period, athletes will be placed on the team best
suited for their age, ability, attitude, and level of development. Tryouts will
begin August 26th, with most MS teams practicing or playing every Monday
and Friday, with Wednesday mornings. Track & Field athletes and swimmers
may have more flexible schedules. Players will have the opportunity to
compete and play at the level best suited to their ability. Tryouts may continue
into the following week or until final placements have been posted. For players
who are not selected for the A or B team, we will offer a ‘club’ opportunity for
that sport if numbers permit.
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Middle School 1st Season Tryout Schedule (Week of August 26th)
 Boys Football (A & B) Mon. and Fri. after school
 Girls Basketball (A & B) Mon. and Fri. after school
 U-15/U-13 Track & Field Mon/Wed morning, Tues/Thurs after school
SWIM TEAM STARTS PRACTICE WEEK OF AUG. 19
o Mon.-Fri. morning for more advanced swimmers
SWIM TEAM CONTINUES PRACTICE WEEK OF AUG. 26
o Mon/Thurs/Fri After school
o Mon.-Fri. morning for more advanced swimmers
ISK SEASONAL SPORTS – MIDDLE SCHOOL
SEASON
FIRST
SEASON
AugustNovember
SECOND
SEASON
DecemberMarch
Track until April*
THIRD
SEASON
March-May
TEAM SPORT
MS Boys ‘A’
Football
MS Boys ‘B’
Football
MS Girls ‘A’
Basketball
MS Girls ‘B’
Basketball
Track & Field
Cross Country
Swim Team
MS Girls ‘A’
Football
MS Boys A
’Basketball
MS Boys B
Basketball
Swim Team
MS Girls Hockey
MS Boys Hockey
Track & Field
MS Volleyball
Swim Team
Girls Tennis
Boys Tennis
U-14 Rugby
Athlete Expectations:
Attached at the back of this program is our ISK Athletic
Participation Contract, which must be read, returned and signed by both
athlete and parent. ISK holds high expectations for all its athletes. Our
coaches work hard to ensure a positive learning environment, and we expect
our athletes to bring a positive attitude and desire to work hard each and
every day. Our interscholastic teams value their practice time and expect that
all team personnel will be present without exception at games and practices. If
you plan to tryout for one of ISK’s interscholastic teams, please ensure that
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you are willing and able to fulfill your commitments to the team, coach, and
school. With focused effort and a willingness to work together we will
accomplish many great things.
Role of Parents:
Parents are vital to the success of our program. We need parents to
understand the commitment that we expect from our student-athletes. During the
season there are a number of late nights, and the burden of balancing classroom and
team expectations can be challenging. We ask that you not schedule any outside
appointments during scheduled practices or games. We want to ensure the success
of all of our students, so support for your child, the coach, and the program is
essential.
Parents are also important role models in our program. By demonstrating
sportsmanship and respect for all competitors, coaches, and officials, you help to
reinforce ISK’s educational philosophy.
Communication:
Communication is extremely important to the on-going success of our
program
m. Change is a perennial issue surrounding athletics in Nairobi. Bad weather
or extreme traffic will occasionally result in the cancellation of a game or practice.
Other factors can sometimes affect game time or venue.
The athletic department will try and communicate any changes as early as
possible via twitter (@isklions), e-mail, website calendar (subscribe to athletic) or
notice home.
Each team coach will send a letter of introduction with his/her contact
information and will send out all relevant updates regarding tournament dates,
departure times, and what to bring and expect.
Transportation:
Athletes will travel to away matches and tournaments on ISK buses, together
as a team both to and from the venue. Athletes will not be collected or dropped off
en-route under any circumstance. Parents can collect athletes from an away venue
only in person or with a written note to go with a driver.
Parents are also reminded:
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Late buses leave ISK at 5:00 every day after practices.
Nairobi traffic requires patience. Students may not always return on time.
There is no transport after games, except home games that finish before
5:00pm.
For all games/meets/matches - home or away - that finish after 5:00 pm (and in
all instances when students are on campus after 5:00 pm), it is the
responsibility of parents to collect their student from the ISK Upper Parking Lot
in a timely manner. Students will be expected to await collection at the upper
gate pick-up area next to the ISK security office, and the High School and Art
Center parking lots will no longer be available for after-hours student pick-up. If
needed, students can use the security office phone at the upper gate to let
parents know that they are awaiting collection.
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ISK ATHLETIC PARTICIPATION CONTRACT
2013-2014
1.

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
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Athletes are expected to attend 100% of all practices, meetings, games and all-team events
(awards, meetings, etc).
All appointments should be scheduled outside of practice time.
If an athlete has an unexcused absence from practice, he/she shall not play in a game that week.
Athletes who are absent from school or serving a suspension may not practice/play that day.
Athletes must always consult/inform their coach before missing practice in the event of a conflict.
Students who skip a class may not attend practice or play on that day. In the event that class
cutting is established too late to prevent participation on the same day, the student must miss
the next practice/competition.
2.
Athletes who make a team following tryouts and commit to playing must be prepared to remain with
the team for the entire season. Students who ‘quit’ mid-season will not be allowed to join another
activity until the next season begins.
3.
Athletes representing ISK are required to follow all ISK, AISK, and ISSEA rules, guidelines and
policies. Athletes are expected to exhibit excellent sportsmanship and respect for opponents,
officials, coaches and spectators at all times
4.
ISK athletes are students first and must maintain academic standards as outlined in the ISK student
handbook. Positive citizenship and satisfactory levels of effort are expected in all aspects of school
life.
5.
ISK student-athletes must strictly adhere to the ISK’s policies regarding tobacco, alcohol and illegal
drugs. Athletes will be suspended or banned from competition, practice and team membership for
an unspecified period of time for using these substances.
6.
Each student-athlete must have a completed and updated medical form on file in the health office to
be allowed to participate in athletics. Athletes are responsible for reporting all injuries and disorders
to their coach immediately.
7.
All uniforms and equipment are to be returned in good condition. Uniforms and equipment issued to
ISK athletes shall be worn only during appropriate team events. Loss or damage to ISK equipment
or uniform(s) will be billed to the student. Report cards and transcripts will be withheld until all
uniforms/equipment are returned or paid.
8.
Athletes will travel to away matches and tournaments on ISK buses, together as a team both to and
from the venue. Athletes will not be collected or dropped off en-route under any circumstance.
Parents can collect athletes from an away venue only in person or with a written note to go with a
driver.
9.
Athletes missing class time due to games or travel are responsible for all missed work. Athletes are
responsible for consulting with their teachers and returning a pre-planned absence form to the H.S.
office prior to missing any school.
10. Athletes are required to host a minimum of two visiting athletes during any sports exchange
during the season. Athletes who do not host will lose priority for any ISK traveling trip that
year/season.
11. For all games/meets/matches - home or away - that finish after 5:00 pm (and in all instances
when students are on campus after 5:00 pm), it is the responsibility of parents to collect their
student from the ISK Upper Parking Lot in a timely manner. Students will be expected to await
collection at the upper gate pick-up area next to the ISK security office, and the High School and
Arts Center parking lots will no longer be available for after-hours student pick-up. If needed,
students can use the security office phone at the upper gate to let parents know that they are
awaiting collection.
_________________________
(STUDENT NAME)
_________________________
(STUDENT SIGNATURE)
________________________
(PARENT NAME)
________
(DATE)
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________________________
(PARENT SIGNATURE)
TRYOUT SIGN UP SHEET
FIRST & LAST NAME:_____________________________________
GRADE:___________
Please check which sport(s) you plan to tryout for this 1st Season:
________ SWIM TEAM (Mon./ Fri., afternoon and/or Mon. - Fri. morn)
*Two practices per week minimum
________ BOYS FOOTBALL (Monday & Friday)
________ GIRLS BASKETBALL (Monday &Friday)
________ MS TRACK & FIELD (Tues/Thurs. pm, Mon/Wed. am)
*Two practices per week minimum
________ MS CROSS COUNTRY (Tues/Thurs. pm, Mon/Wed. am)
*Two practices per week minimum
*TRYOUTS BEGIN MONDAY, 26 AUGUST*
PLEASE RETURN TO MS OFFICE BY
23/08/13
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