" jenabai
I would have asked what are the disciplined actions???
All the school activities have a parent meeting PRIOR to the start of the sport/band/etc. If there seems to be an "open end" question then ask it! I am also sure that others before your child had made comments-or other kids talked of being kicked off-or how strict the policies were.

I agree, this totally seems unfair to the kids and something should be done-maybe file a suit against the school/coach/and board!

Personally, If these are the facts,then I wouldn't WANT my child to be on the high school team. If a game cannot be fun, and the values of the game have been broken down then I would walk away and be glad that I did. There are many other teams outside the school-where a child may learn to LOVE the sport better.
"

" This note is to CM who wrote "I would be sure to know the rules PRIOR to joining the team"

This is the rule you are referring to:
Athletes are to attend all practices and all contests. No one is excused from practices or contests without the prior permission of his or her coach. Athletes are to inform their coach during the first two days of practice i they have a commitment that will affect their attendance at practices or contests during that season. Any unexcused absenses MAY result in the athlete being disiplined" **Does this rule really say if you tell your coach you will miss a day or two from practice you will be kicked off the team?????***

It seems they have this rule so they can trick the kids into telling them the truth, some kids have caught on to this trickery and came back after a day or two off and said they were sick, so they could stay on the team. ONLY the honest kids got kicked off the team "the death sentence to a child".
For a child this not only hurts them emotionally it also affects their lives as a whole, I try to teach my child family values and morals - Not to lie- and I am sending her to a school where she is suppose to look up to these leaders and mentors with respect and what does she learn. "You will get farther in life if you lie" Unacceptable in my book. What we are talking about here is the 2nd week of practice not the middle of the season. If they miss a whole week for Spring break its ok they can still be on the team but if they miss the second week of practice and not miss spring break they are off the team. My child also missed practice this past week and was kicked off the team, She told her coach on the first day of practice, she was told it was not up to him but up to Mr. Mosher and his policy is to dismiss the kid from the team. So we went to Mr. Mosher and he absolutely refused to change his mind, we then went to Mrs. White who told us she is ONLY the intern principal and could not change the rule, so we went to the superintendent Mr. O'Conner and was told he would get back to us. Only to find out Mr. Mosher and Mrs. white had a meeting with all of the Varsity Coaches and they decided the kids would be dismissed from the team if they chose to miss practice to visit family. Last night there was a school Board meeting and we were told today that the Board upheld the decision of the Athletic director, Intern principal and the superintendent. I just seems like a bullying tatic to me, no regard for what they are doing to the children just an ego booster for coaches and all involved.
"

" This is sickening, and abusive to the children who should be playing for FUN, not for the glory of the school or the damned coach.
Who do these tyrants think they are? I have heard similar stories from kids who I teach--the coaches and policies are unrealistic and injurious to the kids' mental health.
To place that much pressure on these kids to perform like adult athletes is perverse.
Something should be done to rectify this situation. An investigation should be made, and action taken to restore the voluntary nature of these RECREATIONAL activities!!!! "

" I am not a resident of Weedsport but wanted to comment as I do have children that participate in sports. This has become the norm and it is such a shame. There is too much focus on creating a winning team vs. a HEALTHY group of kids playing a sport. I agree it has to be fair, you cannot have kids routinely missing practice or not committing to the team but the pressure on these kids today is unbelievable. I feel so sad for them. We as parents are suppose to strive to have such things as family dinners, this is just not even a possiblity when your children are involved in sports. Weedsport coaches, as well as all of you coaches that demand this kind of commitment from theses CHILDREN, shame on you. Understand and appreciate all of the other aspects of their lives, such as family, schoolwork and sleep. And no the answer is not "then don't play the sport" the answer has to be compromise. "

" No I didn't know, BUT
if my child is planning on participating in a school sport, I would be sure to know all the rules PRIOR to he/she joining the team! "