Pre-K4 - Fourth Grade Athletic Handbook
- The Philosophy of Lower School Sports
- West Houston Christian Sports Association (WHCSA)
- Registration
- Forming Teams
- Schedules
- Volunteer Coaches
- Behavior and Discipline Policy
The Philosophy of Lower School Sports
The philosophy of the Regis Lower School Sports Program is in accordance with the school’s overall philosophy statement. The primary goal of Regis is centered on the development and formation of the Five Goals of the Sacred Heart through athletics. Education is based on the spiritual formation of Christian values and teachings, strong academics, and the development of social skills. All who sign up on time are placed on a team in accordance to the appropriate grade level.
Regis recognizes that physical development is an important component of a student’s well-being and thus seeks to aid in the total development of the individual through organized and cooperative team settings. In addition, it is important for students to develop socially as they learn to work in a team situation and to practice good sportsmanship. The Lower School Sports Program aims to develop an athlete’s self-esteem, respect for teammates and opponents, and show school spirit through the Five Sacred Heart goals.
West Houston Christian Sports Association (WHCSA)
The West Houston Christian Sports Association (WHCSA) was established for the purpose of making supervised athletic activities available to the children of various member churches/schools. WHCSA’s motto is “Compassionately Competitive.” WHCSA provides competitive athletics within the Christian framework where there is no need for a “win at all cost” approach.
The WHCSA is committed to a program which helps the member institutions do their best to ensure that the teams they field meet the standards. The principle by which we govern ourselves is the commonly held desire to give all children a chance to compete on a fair and equal basis. Our basic athletic objectives are to have the students:
- Participate in an active, vigorous sport
- Enjoy a feeling of acceptability in their performance
- Meet new friends in a different setting
- Come in contact with “positive and caring” older teens and adults who serve as coaches, referees or helpers.
The measure of success for WHCSA is the growth of each sport and the response from the children who participate. WHCSA strongly believes that commitment to this philosophy and these objectives will keep WHCSA successful.
Registration
Parents will receive an email with registration link prior to the start of each season. Soccer registration occurs in August, basketball in November, and baseball in February.
Registration Fees
The registration fee is $205 per sport due at the time of registration.
The registration fee includes:
- league fees
- officials
- league games
- uniform
- team and individual photos
- spirit wear
*Refunds are considered on a case-by-case basis. Contact Coach Lepera at nlepera@theregisschool.org
Forming Teams
The Lower School Athletic Director will determine how many teams will be formed based on registration. If high participation dictates multiple teams per grade, the Lower School Athletic Director will split the teams with help from parent volunteer coaches. Combining players from different grades may be required depending on numbers. All teams must have at least one parent volunteer coach.
Schedules
Teams generally practice once per week at the coach’s discretion. Practices are based upon field and/or court availability. Games are played on Saturdays. Games are played against fellow schools and churches in the West Houston Christian Sports Association (WHCSA). Make-up games can be scheduled separately by the volunteer coaches. All participants must have a parent/guardian present or have made arrangements to have your son looked after before, during and after practices/games. Coaches reserve the right to send your son to after school care if no guardian is available.
Volunteer Coaches
Regis cannot offer Lower School Sports without our Parents.
As a volunteer coach, you will have the entire support of the Regis community. Regis offers its volunteer coaches coaching clinics and our Positive Coaching Alliance Programs.
You’ll have fun! The number one reason kids play a sport is because it’s fun. And honestly, so is coaching. Remember, kids STOP playing sports when they stop having fun.
All volunteer coaches must attend the coaches’ meeting at the beginning of each season.
All lines of communication must be open between the Lower School Athletic Director, volunteer coaches, homeroom teachers, and parents during the season. To ensure clear communication, we ask that the Lower School Athletic Director is included in all emails between the coach and the parents.
All volunteer coaches must provide to the Lower School Athletic Director 1 or 2 possible practice days during your season. Please note that ALL MIDDLE SCHOOL activities on the field or in the gym have FIRST PRIORITY over Lower School Sports during their season. If a practice day is a Saturday or Sunday, the Head of School needs to give approval.
If a coach would like to hold an extra practice or make up for a loss practice day, the coach would have to contact the Lower School Athletic Director to schedule the make-up day.
The coach is responsible for returning any borrowed equipment at the end of the season.
Behavior and Discipline Policy
The Regis School of the Sacred Heart is founded on the principles of the Sacred Heart goals. The School is committed to educate to:
- a personal and active faith in God
- a deep respect for intellectual values
- a social awareness which impels to action
- the building of community as a Christian value; and
- personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom.
The following policies and procedures related to expected student behaviors seek to shape gentlemen:
- in a faith-filled environment for spiritual growth (Goal I)
- in an atmosphere where boys are inspired to create, innovate, lead, and serve (Goal II)
- in the development of compassion and respect who respond to the needs of others (Goal III)
- in the formation of a brotherhood (Goal IV)
- in an environment that equips boys for success (Goal V)
Goal V of the Sacred Heart Goals & Criteria is the desire “to promote personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom.” This growth comes from self-discipline within each boy. To that end, Regis’ goal for discipline is the fostering of responsibility and independence in every Regis boy.
In Early Childhood, a Regis boy learns to identify the difference between good and bad and the balance in making the right choices for yourself and those around you. In the Lower School, a Regis boy begins to understand what the acceptable limits of his behavior are and what consequences may follow when he “over-steps” a limit. In Middle School, a Regis boy is making strides to achieve self-discipline and gain control of actions regardless of their emotional state.
The expectations and discipline policy outlined in this document are enforceable at school, or anytime that the student is representing the school (sporting events, field trips, social awareness events, etc.). While it is not possible to list every situation for which a disciplinary response is appropriate, in general, faculty and administration will address conduct unbecoming of a Sacred Heart student, and apply consequences consistent with the Goals & Criteria, which guide all members of the Network of Sacred Heart Schools.
Contact Us
NICK LEPERA
Lower School Athletics Director
nlepera@theregisschool.org
713-682-8383 x 2225