Student Athletic and Wellness Plan

STUDENT ATHLETIC AND WELLNESS PLAN A SUPPLEMENT TO THE THREE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN FOR PORTLEDGE SCHOOL 2017-2020

OUR MISSION To reinforce our community ethos and wellbeing via synergies of Athletics and Body Movement as they relate to growth and learning.

STUDENT ATHLETIC AND WELLNESS PLAN This document will outline the direction necessary to retain students and parents for whom athletics are important. It will also offer an opportunity for our students to maintain a physical, mental, and emotional well being. The plan will generate increased school spirit, improve pride in institutional association, create greater intra-family interaction, and provide occasions for family involvement in school activities.

To

The athletic, wellness, and physical education programs aim to pursue excellence by providing an educational, enjoyable, and competitive experience for students to develop personally, athletically, mentally, and emotionally. A successful program creates an environment that fosters growth and nurtures individual talents that emphasize the Portledge Citizen Pillars of kindness, purpose, honor, and respect.

Athletics involves so many student-athletes and because it provides a forum to bring students, parents and faculty together, a successful interscholastic athletic program is vital to maintaining Portledge community spirit.

AIM OF THE PLAN • • • • •

Provide a framework within which to implement our athletic philosophy.

Provide direction to coaches and athletics staff, direction and guidance for planning programs, scheduling games and practices, and equipment needs for future budgets.

Support and enhance participation in each of our sports programs by giving clear guidelines and expectations.

To Develop an organized and well-trained staff to oversee the athletic department.

Clarify the purpose of the student athletics and wellness program.

GOALS OF THE PLAN • To run a program in complete compliance with NYSAISAA rules and regulations − Increase staff education, including a comprehensive evaluation process • To support the education of student-athletes − Provide access to academic support systems through coaches, advisors, and teachers • To encourage alumni interest and support − Communicate with the alumni through various social media vehicles − Build and maintain alumni engaging events around athletics • To have competitive teams at appropriate levels − Set realistic, measurable goals for each program − Develop long-range plans to provide opportunities for success − Ensure adequate coaching support for each program • To fundraise for necessary improvements to existing facilities, and for the construction of new facilities in conjunction with the Portledge Master Plan

OBJECTIVES OF THE PLAN • To develop and adhere to an athletic and wellness mission statement.

• To build and maintain a program that achieves a high level of interest and support from students, faculty, and alumni.

• To employ a staff that fosters a culture of integrity, knowledge, skill, and leadership qualities that develop programs of mental, emotional, and physical benefit to student-athletes in order to promote student growth.

• To administer and compete in leagues with high ideals and integrity.

• To provide student-athletes with adequate practice facilities and proper medical supervision.

• To provide student-athletes with support systems to promote academic success.

• To provide successful competitive athletic opportunities.

• To provide information for all sports to the media.

To

PHILOSOPHY OF THE PLAN

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Portledge seeks to develop not only academically astute students, but well-rounded boys and girls who demonstrate qualities such as kindness, purpose, honor, and respect. Within athletic competition, student-athletes encounter many positive learning experiences and challenges similar to those they will encounter long after their Portledge experience is over.

Athletic competition is an important learning opportunity for student's who lessons will aid them in “real life.” The exception is for those who wish to derive their livelihood from athletic performance.

While we welcome student-athletes of such high ability, the program is not intended to develop every athlete to that level. Yearly scheduling accommodations can be implemented based on the skill level of each team. Everyone can enjoy the benefits of team sports and physical fitness.

The positive role of athletics is on display when students’ interest in competition and sport is used to help develop character, kindness, purpose, honor, and respect. Many students look forward to representing their school in competition. It is within this desire that we can facilitate a love of learning both inside and outside the classroom. After all, better people make better students.

For athletics to serve our students in the best possible way, the school must have a vision for what it wants to accomplish. Without such vision, we To are at risk of falling to the default position that competition is only about victories, trophies, and championships rather than a tool to build selfesteem, to understand how to work within a team toward a common goal, to deal with adversity, and to participate with dignity.

A well-run athletic program should provide the student-athlete with: • An appreciation for means to develop one’s body • The discipline necessary to set a goal, work toward that goal, and see it to its completion • A sense of belonging to something greater than oneself • An ability to handle pressure with confidence and poise • A healthy perspective on victory and defeat • Experience being a leader and subordinate • Deal with adversity and work to overcome obstacles When athletics becomes too “competitive,” far too great an emphasis is placed on the outcome. To counter the negative outcomes from an unsuccessful contest, we must train not only the studentathletes but the parents, coaches, and administrators regarding clear expectations for conduct on the field, court, sidelines and stands. The whole community must ‘honor the game’.

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CORE VALUES The Athletic Department’s core value is creating an environment that will help develop our student-athletes both academically and athletically, in addition to contributing to their growth during and after their time at Portledge. We accomplish this by providing the necessary resources to compete, pursue championships, and become productive individuals in society. We pride ourselves on providing an environment that embraces the diversity of our student body and staff.

PORTLEDGE ATHLETICS MISSION To reinforce our community ethos and wellbeing via synergies of Athletics and Body Movement as they relate to growth and learning.

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES GOAL 1: ……………………………………………………………… Personnel

GOAL 2: ……………………………………………………………… Facilities To

GOAL 3: ……………………………………………………………… Communication GOAL 4: ……………………………………………………………… Programming GOAL 5: ……………………………………………………………… Financial Responsibility

GOAL 1: PERSONNEL Employ a stable and qualified coaching staff that utilizes constructive tactics to carry out the school’s mission and foster the positive development of all student-athletes.

RATIONALE: A strong coaching staff will allow students to have the most positive athletic and wellness experience. Mentors within youngsters life push student-athletes to grow and achieve at the highest levels. Qualified coaches will be able to develop student-athletes skill sets for overcoming adversity both on and off the playing fields.

STRATEGIES 1. Attract and maintain qualified coaching staff by offering stipends competitive with other schools on Long Island.

2. Utilize a performance review process for coaches that help them develop in their implementation of the school’s Philosophy for Athletics.

3. Develop and execute a plan for training coaches in the philosophy, skills, and techniques necessary for success in their respective sports.

4. Staff the athletic department to ensure all coaches are supported properly in order to carry out their duties.

To out all logistical, organizational, and health and 5. Maintain an athletic department staff that is able to carry wellness needs for the students.

RESOURCES • Increase coaching budget • Create time for coaching training and professional development opportunities • Support from the business office through budgeting process • Athletic department role in hiring process of new teachers and full time employees

TIMELINE • Overall: Ongoing and continuous • Specific: #s 2 and 3 implemented by Fall 2018

GOAL 2: FACILITIES Provide the physical resources that are necessary for student-athletes to compete and achieve success in interscholastic athletics.

RATIONALE: Updating existing areas and constructing new, state-of-the-art facilities will allow Portledge to enhance the student experience, which will in turn increase retention of students and strong coaches. New athletic facilities attract new candidates to visit and ultimately enroll in Portledge School. In addition, financial burden of rental facilities, transportation, and liability for utilizing of campus sites will decrease.

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Operate, renovate, and maintain a fully equipped gymnasium with locker rooms, weight room, and athletic training room.

Operate, renovate, and maintain all outdoor facilities, including, but not limited to: soccer/lacrosse fields, baseball field, softball field, tennis court, golf facility, and cross country trails.

Rent additional facilities as needed to ensure adequate practice opportunities are provided for all teams.

Fundraise for necessary improvements to existing To facilities and construction of future indoor and outdoor facilities.

Provide a safe environment for practice and competition by ensuring that all facilities and equipment used meet all safety requirement and guidelines.

RESOURCES • Create space in existing facilities (Wellington Gym) • Space in new and additional facilities • Closer partnership with Buildings and Grounds for upkeep and maintenance of existing facilities • Financial infusion for renovation and improvement of existing facilities

TIMELINE • Overall: Ongoing and continuous • Specific: #1 in the next 12 months, #4 in 3-5 years

GOAL 3: COMMUNICATION Internal Communications Strategy: Provide all constituents with the latest information to ensure continued, active participation.

External Communications Strategy: Utilize technology and local media outlets to promote the school’s athletic program in a positive light.

RATIONALE: By further developing the communication from the Athletic Department both internal and external constituents will remain engaged and will view the overall Athletic Department and school in a positive light. This strategy will go a long way in continuing to improve retention of current families, attraction of new ones, and re engagement of the alumni network.

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Develop and follow a handbook dictating the use of colors and logos on uniforms, gear, and publications related to athletics.

Utilize various social media outlets to promote the Athletic Department and, in turn, Portledge School at large.

Employ annual discussions in which the topics include all aspects regarding the schools’ Philosophy for Athletics.

To Engage with the alumni body to promote news and information regarding Portledge Athletics.

Utilize myPortledge to its highest functionality in order to disseminate information to the Portledge community.

RESOURCES • Closer partnership and collaboration with communication and technology departments • Work with development office and alumni council on initiatives

TIMELINE • Overall: Ongoing and continuous • Specific: #1 by June 2018, #3 each spring

GOAL 4: PROGRAMMING Create opportunities for all within the student body to actively engage in activities to improve physical, mental, and emotional health and wellness.

RATIONALE: By adjusting the programming and offerings, all students will have the opportunity to engage in activities that will improve their mental, emotional, and physical well being. Throughout their time at Portledge, all students will have the opportunity to be exposed to the lifelong lessons that competitive team sports offer.

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Field teams to compete at appropriate league levels.

Develop and sustain an active offseason and summer training program.

Ensure coaches work with the AD to establish and craft schedules for games, meets, tournaments, etc.

Provide offerings that will allow for all students to learn and employ strategies for physical well being throughout life.

Support all students by ensuring the athletic department engages in programmatic offerings that provide opportunities for healthy mental and emotional growth.

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RESOURCES • Collaboration with Admissions, Division Heads, and Scheduler • Small infusion into budget for off season health and wellness program and training as well as potential new programming TIMELINE • Overall: Ongoing and continuous • Specific: # 3 by June 2018, #2 by Fall 2019

PORTLEDGE ATHLETICS MISSION To reinforce our community ethos and wellbeing via synergies of Athletics and Body Movement as they relate to growth and learning.

GOAL 5: FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY To maintain a strong fiscal responsibility as a self-sustaining program by making responsible decisions, capitalizing on sponsorship assets, and maximizing fundraising opportunities.

RATIONALE: Fiscal responsibility will allow for the successful execution of programmatic offerings and quality staffing within the Athletic Department.

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Maintain an annually balanced budget.

Maximize fundraising opportunities by cultivating and stewarding relationships with donors.

Research constructing new facilities which will maximize fiscal responsibility and cut down on both transportation and rental costs.

Work with business office through budgeting process to ensure coaches are compensated at the proper level.

Ensuring that proper inventory records are kept and updated at both the beginning and end of each season.

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RESOURCES • Continue to improve and increase budget to allow Athletic Department to operate at a competitive level • Time to research and collaborate with business office

TIMELINE • Overall: Ongoing and continuous • Specific: #3 in 24 months, #5 annually