TMS TRACK AND FIELD - 2011

Dear Athletes,

Thank you for your interest in joining track and field at Tolt Middle School this spring. We compete with the Issaquah and Snoqualmie middle schools, as well as Islander Middle School (Mercer Island). Students in grades 6, 7, and 8 are eligible to be on the team and compete; however, due to league rules, 6th graders have slightly fewer meets.

Athletic eligibility forms must be completed and turned in to the main office before you participate in practice. All athletes must also purchase a TMS ASB card and pay an $80.00 sports participation fee (maximum $160.00/athlete, $320/family for the year). Fees must be paid by Monday, April 18^th in order to participate this year.

Practice is from 3:00 to 4:30 Monday through Friday except for half days. An activity bus leaves Tolt at 4:45 every Monday and Wednesday and drops students at Stillwater Hill Church, Cedarcrest High School, and the intersection of 2^nd and Stevens in Duvall.

Your attendance at practice is mandatory. WIAA requires each athlete to participate in ten practices before being eligible to participate in a meet. If you are going to miss a practice, please inform one of the coaches ahead of time. Do not send someone else to inform us; we want to hear from you directly. If you are sick, have your parent/guardian call or e-mail Coach Stewart or Coach Nic. Unexcused absences, even for one period, will prevent you from practicing that day. If you accumulate two unexcused absences (anything other than a medical appointment or illness), you will not participate in the next meet.  If you are unable to make a commitment to practicing Monday through Friday, between the hours of 3:00-4:30 p.m., you will have limited to no participation in the meets and may not be able to be on the track team.

At practice, we coaches work hard to guide your improvement. Therefore, we expect you to work hard as well. If you are too ill or injured to participate, it is better to go home and get well than to attend practice. Please respect yourself and others by giving your best effort or staying home to recover.

The meets will start between 3:00 and 3:30 p.m., as noted on the schedule, and are usually finished by 6:00 or 7:00 p.m., depending on how large the meet is or how many schools are competing. A bus will take us to every away meet and bring us back to Tolt. If you are going to ride home with a parent/guardian from an away meet, they must check you out in person. If you need to ride home with someone else, your parent/guardian must email a coach or send a signed note with that person specifically named.

For practices you'll need to have shorts, a t-shirt (no tank tops), sweatshirt, sweatpants, and a good pair of running shoes. Look for running shoes with good arch support and heel cushion. Please bring a full water bottle to school and drink water during the day, especially while the weather is hot. Be sure to ask your teachers for permission first. You must bring a full water bottle to practices and meets.

We will provide you with a uniform for meets that must be returned clean at the end of the year to avoid a fine. Since there are a limited number of newer uniforms, we often use our back-up uniforms for some sixth-grade athletes. Sixth graders who receive back-up uniforms will be selected at random. Track shirts and other gear will be available for purchase, but they are optional.

We follow the TMS academic policy for sports. Be sure your grades are passing at all times. Poor grades will limit your participation in track and field.

We're looking for athletes who are dedicated, enthusiastic, and hard-working. Let's have a great season!!

Coach Nic                             Coach Stewart                         Coach Haley           Coach Grassley

206-300-2181                          425-844-4634

nicpitts@gmail.com             stewartma@riverview.wednet.edu