Participation in a sports team fulfills the physical education requirement for that trimester. Stuart‘s interscholastic athletic program develops strong women athletes who are physically, mentally, and emotionally prepared to contribute to their team and to society. Experienced and dedicated coaches expect and model commitment to the team, cooperation in an atmosphere of mutual respect, and exceptional levels of sportsmanship. Our athletic program provides girls with vital lessons in leadership, cooperation, teamwork, safety, and sportsmanship, enhancing the overall academic experience and teaching critical life skills.
Students must realize that when they participate in a team sport, they are representing their school. If a varsity or junior varsity player violates school rules in connection with her sport, whether at home or away, she will face action by either the Judiciary or the Disciplinary Committee. Possible penalties include forfeiting participation in a given number of games, suspension from the team, and loss of sports awards and recognition as a team member. Students may also be disqualified from fulfilling their physical education requirement in that trimester, as well as other penalties, which may be imposed through the school disciplinary process.
First Trimester |
Second Trimester |
Third Trimester |
TENNIS
FIELD HOCKEY
CROSS COUNTRY
VOLLEYBALL
SOCCER |
BASKETBALL
INDOOR TRACK
SQUASH
SWIMMING |
LACROSSE
TRACK & FIELD
GOLF
DANCE |
TEAM SPORTS POLICY
All team sports require students to try out for a place on the team and, if they make the team, to attend all practices, team sessions, and games during the season. Team participation will require about two hours each day. There will be Saturday games, practices, and weekend trips. Stuart normally hosts visiting teams on overnight trips, and the girls are encouraged to be hosts. Team members must plan to attend any practices held during Stuart vacations, such as fall sports preseason practices two weeks before the first day of school, basketball practices during the Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks, and lacrosse and track & field practices during spring break. If a student decides not to attend preseason, she will automatically be placed on the junior varsity team in her particular sport. Seniors are ineligible to participate on Junior Varsity teams. Under extenuating circumstances, the Athletic Director and Head of Upper School would allow a student to fulfill her requirement on a JV level team her Senior year.
A student who is too ill to attend academic classes is assumed to be too ill to participate in team sports that same day. A student who is in school must be at practice.
PROCEDURES FOR PARTICIPATING IN TEAM SPORTS
If Stuart Upper School students try out for and make an athletic team, they may use the team practices and games to fulfill the physical education requirement. Coaches will select team members based on their performance at practices from the beginning of the season. Individual coaches will make these judgments in accordance with their own methods of coaching and the needs of the team. Coaches have the option of making changes in teams throughout the season.
Team members are expected to know and live up to the requirements for the athletic program as detailed in the Student and Parent Handbook and Athletic Contract, which is available on the Upper School Information Page. Failure to live up to the terms of the contract may result in a failing grade.
A student who is cut, dismissed from, or voluntarily drops a team is ineligible to participate in any other sport during that season unless she is given prior approval by the Athletic Director and/or the Head of Upper School. A student must fill out an add/drop slip to make this change. Coaches will notify the Head of Upper School when this happens. Extraordinary circumstances will be judged on an individual basis. A student should note that the team is considered her class; all rules pertaining to class attendance and tardiness apply.
The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association requires that students attend a minimum of six practice days prior to participating in an official school game or scrimmage. Preseason (summer) for fall sports and vacation (Thanksgiving and Christmas or Spring Break) practices are especially important in preparing a player physically and emotionally for competition as part of a team; these elements of the team experience would be difficult to make up.
Any students trying out for a team sport must have a yearly physical examination, baseline concussion test, and an emergency medical release form. No student will be permitted to practice or play if she does not have these forms prior to participation. Physical examination forms can be found on the Stuart website under Athletics.