Athletic Handbook

We carefully consider both the physical, cognitive, psychological, and affective growth of each child when we plan and implement our athletic programs. 

Our staff is aware of the individual needs of youth as well as the social importance of being able to work as a team member. Student participants will be given the opportunity through training, safe and appropriate equipment, and good coaching to reach their athletic potential. 

Our primary goal is to develop young athletes who will become successful young adults in our highly competitive society. We, faculty members and coaches in District 28, are committed to achieving this goal. We also want the students of our school to be able to say that they were proud to have been a part of Northbrook Junior High School Athletics. 

Cognitive Knowledge

• Learn the rules and techniques of a particular athletic activity 
• Learn individual and team strategies
• Develop an understanding of the value of being on a team 

Social-Emotional

• Acquire habits and attitudes of loyalty, cooperation, self-control, and courtesy 
• Demonstrate fair play and positive sportsmanship
• Exhibit responsible and cooperative behavior
• Improve socialization, self-esteem, and psychological well-being 

Fitness and Muscle Development

• Develop specific skills to allow for successful competitive play
• Train and condition to meet the challenges of the athletic activity
• Develop a regular exercise habit and a commitment to physical activity 
• Acquire skills for safety 

Students who, on a class by class basis: 1) are not meeting standards - equating to a failing grade in any class; and/or 2) have excessive missing work, will be ineligible for extracurricular activities until performance is improved to meet standards and/or missing work is addressed. A failing grade would cause a student to be ineligible to participate in athletics. Additionally, students who have been suspended or have exhibited gross misbehavior in school will also be deemed ineligible. Eligibility is reviewed every two weeks. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the principal.

Athletes are representatives of Northbrook Junior High School and their behavior and attitudes reflect directly upon our school as much as it does on them. We expect our coaches and player to model our core values at all time.  The way they represent themselves on the bus, in the locker room, on the court and field, at NBJH and at visiting schools sends a message to everyone. Possible consequences may include parent conference, loss of playing time, or dismissal from the team.

Clinics are held before volleyball and basketball tryouts for 6th graders ONLY. The purpose of the clinics is to provide students with the opportunity to further develop their skills and knowledge prior to trying out for the team.

The principal’s Weekly Update publishes a calendar of all athletic activities. Flyers, on the student bulletin board outside the large/small gyms, the Athletic Webpage, and NBJH news informs students of all important sports information. Team competition schedules will be provided to the student-athletes and will be available through NBJH’s Athletic web page, the Athletic Calendar, and the student bulletin boards. Coaches will provide a monthly practice calendar and a a schedule of games/meets to all athletes. Please do not hesitate to call any of the coaches with any questions. 

There is no uniform fee for the 6th grade basketball teams. Coaches will distribute team uniforms for 6th grade girl’s and boy’s basketball to use during their season. Uniforms must be washed and returned within two weeks at the end of the season. Any team member not returning a uniform will be billed for the lost uniform. 

The following fees are assessed per each sport. This fee is for a shirt to be worn as part of their uniform during their athletic contests. The 7th/8th grade basketball teams will receive a shirt and shorts as their uniform.  Team members can then keep these items at the end of the season and wear them in future seasons if possible.

Girls Volleyball- $32
Soccer - $25 (Socks included) Players need to purchase their own shin guards 
Cross Country and Track - $15 (Same shirt worn for both teams) 
Basketball- $45
Boy’s Volleyball - $32

When traveling to another school, athletes will dress in uniform before leaving Northbrook Junior High School. Sweat clothes are recommended for use over uniforms. All personal items should be labeled and are the responsibility of the player.

Students are required to attend all practices unless prior arrangements have been made with the coach. A commitment must be made to practice and play with the team on a regular basis. An athlete must be healthy enough to participate in physical education class in order to practice or play with the team. 

To participate in an interscholastic event, a student must attend at least an afternoon (classes by 5th period) on the day of the contest. If a student is absent for a full day of school or is absent due to illness, they will not be permitted to participate in an athletic practice/contest that day. Exceptions to the above may be made by the principal or assistant principal. If a student has a note excusing them from participation in physical education class on the day of a scheduled practice, game or contest, the student will not be allowed to participate in that event. Students should notify their coaches if they will miss a practice, game, or contest.

Opportunities for student participation on the soccer, basketball and volleyball teams are limited. Coaches will select players based upon the following criteria: 

• athletic ability in the sport 
• sportsmanship
• team work
• effort and attitude
• coachability 

After final tryouts, students will be asked to check the web page for names of those who have been selected for the team.

The school provides bus transportation to all away athletic contests and back to NBJH following all athletic contests. Students are expected to ride the bus to all away games unless prior arrangements are made between the parents and the coach. Parents may take their own child home directly from a game as long as the coach is notified.  If a child is being transported home by somebody other than their own parents, written permission must be provided by the child’s parents. 

All students participating in any interscholastic sport are required to have an annual sports physical health exam by a licensed physician. The sports physical is good for 13 months from the date of the exam, and it must be on file in the health office prior to a student joining or trying out for a team. Our guidelines for sports physicals are the same as those at Glenbrook North and were developed by the Illinois High School Association. Download the Sports Physical Form obtain one from the NBJH Health office.

The Illinois state legislature has passed legislation stating that all student athletes suspected of having a concussion need to be removed from the game or practice immediately. No athlete may return to play after a concussion, regardless of how mild it seems or how quickly symptoms clear, without medical clearance. This policy requires athletes to provide the school with written clearance from their physician prior to returning to play or practice following a concussion. 

A concussion is a brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head. Concussions can range from mild to severe and can disrupt the way the brain normally works.  Even though most concussions are mild, all concussions are potentially serious and should be managed properly. For more information please visit:  http://www.cdc.gov/ConcussionInYouthSports.

 A concussion is a brain injury and all brain injuries are serious. They are caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. Concussions can range from mild to severe and can disrupt the way the brain normally works. Even though most concussions are mild, all concussions are potentially serious and may result in complications. Even a “ding,” “getting your bell rung,” or what seems to be a mild bump or blow to the head can be serious. You can’t see a concussion and most sports concussions occur without loss of consciousness. Sign and symptoms of concussion may show up right after the injury or can take hours or days to fully appear. 

When is a student ready to return to school after a concussion?

A student with a concussion should be seen by a health care professional experienced in evaluating for concussion. The student-athlete should be kept out of play and/or school until a healthcare professional says s/he is symptom-free and it’s OK to return to school or sport activities.  Rest is key to helping an athlete recover from a concussion. Exercising or activities that involve a lot of concentration may cause concussion symptoms to reappear or get worse. After a concussion, returning to sports and school is a gradual process that should be carefully managed and monitored by a health care professional.  

What can happen if my child keeps on playing with a concussion or returns too soon?

Athletes with the sign and symptoms of concussion should be removed from play immediately. Continuing to play with the signs and symptoms of a concussion leaves the young athlete especially vulnerable to greater injury. There is an increased risk of significant damage from a concussion for a period of time after that concussion occurs, particularly if the athlete suffers another concussion before completely recovering from the first one. This can lead to prolonged recovery, or even to severe brain swelling (second impact syndrome) with devastating and even fatal consequences. It is well know that adolescent or teenage athletes will often fail to report symptoms of injuries. Concussions are no different. As a result, education of administrators, coaches, parents and students is the key to student-athlete’s safety.

If you think your child has suffered a concussion

Any athlete even suspected of suffering a concussion should be removed from the game or practice immediately. No athlete may return to activity after an apparent head injury or concussion, regardless of how mild it seems or how quickly symptoms clear, without medical clearance.  Close observation of the athlete should continue for several hours. In accordance with state law effective July, 2011, student-athletes are required to provide their school with written clearance from either a physician or a certified athletic trainer prior to returning to play or practice following a concussion. 

You should also inform your child’s coach if you think that your child may have had a concussion. Remember it’s better to miss one game than miss the whole season. And when in doubt, the athlete sits out. 

For current information on concussions please visit Concussion in Youth Sports

All students participating in any interscholastic sport are required to have an annual sports physical health exam by a licensed physician. The sports physical is good for 13 months from the date of the exam, and it must be on file in the health office prior to a student joining or trying out for a team. Our guidelines for sports physicals are the same as those at Glenbrook North and were developed by the Illinois High School Association. Download the Sports Physical Form or obtain one from the NBJH Health office.

All student athletes and their parent/guardian must sign the Parent/Athlete Concussion Information Sheet before the student is allowed to participate in a practice or interscholastic competition.