Mission Statement

The Altoona School District's Department of Athletics (Grades 7-12), strives to provide an environment that will compliment and enrich the overall quality of all students educational experiences. The emphasis of the program is to provide opportunities that encourage the pursuit of lifetime activities, a sense of commitment and teamwork, and the development of personal character while maintaining an environment that values cultural diversity and gender equity among its student athletes and athletic department staff.

The Athletics' program purpose is to provide competitive experiences that are consistent with the mission of the Altoona School District and which contribute to the growth and development of student athletes, as well as, integrate members of the Altoona Athletic Family (students, faculty, staff, administration) through participation in a broad based program that includes PIAA Interscholastic sports, intramurals, club sports and recreational activities. The athletic program has a firm belief that all participants are students first and athletes second as is reflected by the District's athletic eligibility policy. As a member, in good standing, of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, we are committed to the values inherent in PIAA high school athletics philosophy and place preserving the integrity of the programs as the highest priority.

Philosophy

The Athletic Department strives to achieve the same standards of excellence in its athletic program as exist within the District's academic programs. The Athletic Department recognizes a multiple commitment to serve the District, student athletes, alumni and friends. Further, it embraces the concept that the student athlete is first and foremost a student possessing individual rights, academic abilities, personal interests and ambitions comparable to those of other members of the student body.

Team Rules & Regulations

All Athletic teams in the Altoona School District (Grades 7-12) will have rules and regulations, by sport, along with discipline for infractions of those rules. The rules will include but not be limited to: cut policy (criteria on paper), dress code for away contests, discipline rules & regulations, expectations of parents, tentative practice schedules, fund raising procedures, eligibility requirements. These issues will be presented to both players and parents as to enlighten all involved of the responsibility of the coaches and the expectations of the student athletes. The Secondary Education Student Code of Conduct will be followed.

Cut Policy

All coaches will have, on paper, the criteria they will employ when cuts are being made from their respective teams. These criteria will be given to all students who try-out for a specific team. Coaches will then meet individually with the student who has been cut to discuss the reasons. Parents will also be given a copy of the criteria.

Eligibility

All student athletes will be held accountable for their athletic eligibility on an individual basis. Each student athlete is responsible for obtaining an eligibility form, have it signed by teachers and have it turned in to the appropriate Assistant Principal no later than 12:00 noon on Friday of each week. If there is no school on Friday, eligibility forms must be turned in by noon on Thursday.

Dress Code

All Altoona School District student athletes will dress appropriately for away contests. Males will wear dress shirts, ties, dress slacks (no jeans). District purchased warm up tops or other District purchased clothing over the shirts/ties will be acceptable. Females will wear skirts/dresses, dress slacks (no jeans), dress shoes (no sneakers) and pantyhose, tights or socks.

Fund Raising

NO FUNDRAISING MAY TAKE PLACE UNTIL AFTER TEAMS ARE PICKED AND CUTS HAVE BEEN MADE IF NECESSARY. The following procedure will be followed by coaches for fundraising: Fundraising forms should be picked up in the respective buildings. Coaches fill out all paperwork and return it to their respective buildings. The building principal or designee will sign it and forward it to the Assistant Superintendent for approval. An approved copy will be sent back to the coach. All donations/payments will be made by check, NO CASH. Checks will be made out to "Big A Booster Club - "Specific Sport"."

At no time will parents be required to purchase tickets or merchandise in order for their child to participate! Participation in a fundraiser is optional! At no time will parents be required to purchase anything additional for their child unless they choose to do so.

Drugs & Alcohol

The Altoona School District has been, and will remain, very pro-active with our drug and alcohol policies. We will continue to randomly test our student athletes in grades 7-12 and follow the District policy regarding violation of that policy.