Upper School Curriculum Guide

RCDS Physical Education is designed to balance personal choice at a developmentally appropriate level while maintaining standards of excellence in teaching lifelong lessons regarding health and exercise. Every student is required to take Physical Education. At Rye Country Day School, to be an eligible candidate to receive a passing grade for the year, the School requires that students successfully complete each of the three seasons by participating on an athletic team, by enrolling in the Physical Education program, or by fulfilling the requirements of a granted sport exemption. A student who plays on an interscholastic athletic team will receive PE credit for that season of participation.

The Athletic Program at RCDS is designed to enhance each student’s athleticism and self-esteem by emphasizing skill development, camaraderie, and a dedication to compete. The program stresses sportsmanship and strives to instill a sense of team responsibility and school spirit. The program is broad enough to prepare gifted athletes to compete at the college level while at the same time ensuring that all students are exposed to the lifelong benefits of athletics and physical fitness.
 
Varsity interscholastic teams compete in one or more of the following leagues: FAA, NEPSAC, WNESPA, WIHLMA, NYSAIS, MIFL, and ISFL. The varsity teams are selected based on ability. Students must attend all practices and games in order to remain in good standing on a team. Eighth grade student-athletes may try out for a position on an Upper School varsity team. The student must pass the New York State classification fitness test, obtain medical and parental approval before attending tryouts. Upon passing the fitness test, the student must have the skills and tactical knowledge to earn a starting position on the varsity team.
 
The Junior Varsity Interscholastic Athletic Program emphasizes skill development, teamwork, team responsibility, and participation. Every effort will be made to include all interested students in the junior varsity programs. In some instances, however, space or facilities could limit the number of participants on a particular team.
 
Pre-season for the fall sports begins in late August, and the spring sports training trips take place during the second week of spring vacation.

Formation of Teams

• Varsity or junior varsity rosters, at times, are limited due to space or facilities constraints.
• A team may have two managers and no more, unless approved by the Athletic Director.
• Team cuts are generally made by the time of the team’s first contest.
• New players may not be added to a team’s roster after the first contest.
• If a student has been cut from a team or has stopped participating before the end of a season, it is that student’s responsibility to report to the Athletic Director or the US Physical Education Coordinator and begin attending a Physical Education class.

Teams Offered at the Varsity & JV Interscholastic Levels

FALL	WINTER	SPRING
Boys' Varsity Football Boys’ JV Football  Girls’ Varsity Soccer  Girls’ JV Soccer  Boys’ Varsity Soccer  Boys’ JV Soccer  Girls’ V Field Hockey  Girls’ JV Field Hockey  Boys’ V Cross Country  Boys’ JV Cross Country  Girls’ V Cross Country  Girls’ JV Cross Country	Girls’ Varsity Ice Hockey Boys’ Varsity Ice Hockey  Boys’ JV Ice Hockey     Girls’ Varsity Basketball Girls’ JV Basketball     Boys’ Varsity Basketball     Boys’ JV Basketball     Varsity Wrestling JV Wrestling     Boys’ Varsity Fencing Boys’ JV Fencing      Girls’ Varsity Fencing     Girls’ JV Fencing     Girls’ Varsity Squash         Girls’ JV Squash Boys’ Varsity Squash     Boys’ JV Squash     Indoor Track	Boys’ Varsity Baseball Boys’ JV Baseball Girls’ Varsity Softball Girls’ JV Softball Girls’ Varsity Lacrosse Girls’ JV Lacrosse Varsity Sailing Boys’ Varsity Lacrosse Boys’ JV Lacrosse Boys’ Varsity Tennis Boys’ JV Tennis Girls’ Varsity Tennis     Girls’ JV Tennis Boys’ Varsity Golf Girls’ Varsity Golf Boys’ Varsity Track & Field Boys’ JV Track & Field Girls’ JV Track & Field Girls’ Varsity Track & Field

Physical Education Policies

Students in grades 9-12 who are not playing a sport during a season will choose a physical education elective. The objective is to maximize physical activity for three days in a six-day cycle for a minimum of thirty-five minutes of workout time. The value of an elective PE program is enhanced by increased student investment through personal choice. Managers are granted a partial exemption and will be required to fulfill 2 days in the 6-day cycle in addition to their responsibilities as managers. All clothing worn must have the RCDS Logo and can be purchased online and at the Wildcat Den. Sneakers are required.
 
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS

1. Physical Education meets at specific times and students must confirm that the class is conducive to their schedule.
2. The time requirement is three days in a six-day cycle, except for boot camp and dance.
3. Students who miss more than three classes in a season will meet with the Director of Athletics and the Upper School Principal after the third miss.

FITNESS CENTER GUIDELINES

1. Students will receive a fitness orientation before using the RCDS Fitness Center.
2. Students in grades 9-11 will choose three periods in the six-day cycle to attend Fitness.
3. Seniors will choose three days within the six-day cycle to complete their workout. The Fitness Center is open Monday through Friday from 8:00am - 5:30pm.
4. Seniors who miss more than three days in a six-day cycle will be assigned set times to attend class.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION EXEMPTIONS

1. Exemptions can only be granted for sports and activities that are not offered at RCDS during that season and must be executed at a high level in the opinion of the committee.
2. Deadlines for submitting an application (found on the Family Portal) will be communicated by the Director of Physical Education. Failure to meet these deadlines may result in a denial of the application.
3. Time requirements for an exemption must be a minimum of 10 hours per week (Monday-Friday).
4. Applicants seeking an exemption should be prepared to discuss this request with the Director of Physical Education.
5. At the end of each season, a comment by the supervisor must be completed and emailed to the Director of Physical Education on or before the published deadline. Late comments may result in a grade of incomplete or denial for future consideration for an exemption.
6. Incomplete comments may result in denial for the following season

TEAM EXPECTATIONS
At the beginning of the season, each head coach will establish team expectations for the members and include minimum consequences that will be imposed if a violation of these rules takes place.

ATHLETICS TRAINING ROOM HOURS
Monday–Friday: 1:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m. (or until practices/games are completed).

Weekends: The training room will be open 30 minutes prior to a practice, game warm-up, or departure time. Special arrangements can be made with the Athletic Trainers.

TRANSPORTATION
The School provides the majority of the athletic transportation through the County Coach Bus Company for all away games, meets, matches, scrimmages, and off campus practices. Players may request to drive to a game if they provide a note giving specific permission in writing and signed by a parent. This note should be given to the Athletic Director 24 hours before the scheduled contest to have the consent of the Athletic Director and coach. Students with permission to drive to a contest shall not drive anyone else to that contest. All student-athletes are expected to travel to and from contests and practices on the bus with the team. In order for athletes to be driven home by someone other than a parent, they must have received permission in advance from the Athletic Director by providing a parent-signed note, email, or a parent phone call to the Athletic Director. Any student going home from an away contest must be signed out by a parent/guardian with the coach.