Athletics Policies

Washington Latin’s Athletic Program is for students at both campuses and designed to encourage participation and a variety of opportunities.

Physical Education Classes (Grades 5-6)

At both the Cooper and 2nd Street Campuses, all 5th and 6th grade students take Physical Education classes. The Washington Latin physical education program is designed to develop and strengthen the physical, social and emotional needs of children participating in athletic, fitness related, and recreational activities. The program encourages students to participate in and enjoy various activities. Each student is introduced to skills and lead-up games to offer a better understanding of a particular activity. Physical education is offered weekly with units of instruction lasting two or four weeks.

It is the primary goal of the physical education program that each student enjoys every activity while participating in a socially comfortable atmosphere. Competition and winning and losing have little emphasis within the parameters of the physical education curriculum. Fair play and good sportsmanship are encouraged and expected in all activities.

The Washington Latin Physical Education program seeks to develop:

Fundamental and age-appropriate skills
Physical, social, and emotional growth
Compassion and good sportsmanship
A sense of responsibility to one’s team, coaches, and the sport
A feeling of enjoyment and self-accomplishment
The understanding that winning and losing is not the ultimate end in athletic participation

Physical Education Uniforms

Each child in 5th and 6th grade is required to purchase a PE uniform at the beginning of the school year. Latin provides financial assistance to any student who is not able to purchase uniform or necessary personal equipment. The uniform consists of a gray Latin t-shirt and cardinal red Latin mesh shorts; optional items include a gray Latin sweatshirt, Latin sweatpants, and a PE bag. The PE uniform is required to be worn during all classes to participate. If a uniform is lost, then a new one will need to be purchased from G-Land or the PFA Used Uniform Sale (see Latin’s Uniform Policy for details). Students are asked to bring a pair of lace-up sneakers that can be kept in their locker for use in class.

The majority of the Washington Latin Physical Education classes take place outside throughout the school year. Students will be able to wear their jackets, along with a knit winter cap and gloves or mittens on days that warrant use. Baseball caps are not permitted.

Athletic Requirements Grades 7-12

Athletic participation plays an important role in helping the individual student develop a healthy self-image, as well as a healthy body. From 6^th grade on, Latin students may participate in our cross-campus athletic program, including competitive team sports and non-competitive classes and training sessions offered in three seasons each year.

Requirements include:

Middle School (Grades 7-8) – One season during 7^th grade, one season during 8^th grade
Upper School (Grades 9-12) – Four seasons during grades 9-12; 12 seasons are offered (Varsity/JV)

Athletic Credit through Out-of-School Activities

Some students may wish to pursue other activities outside of school to fulfill their Athletic Requirement. This is possible, with the following conditions:

Athletic credit may be granted for out-of-school activities for the equivalent of one school year.
Credit is granted at the discretion of the Athletic Director.
A request for credit for out-of-school activities must be received before the activity begins and any permission can be granted to receive credit. Requests should be made no later than two weeks before the start of the corresponding sports season. For a fall request, the deadline is September 15, winter is November 15 and spring is February 15. Forms are available from the Athletic Director.
The activity time commitment should be commensurate with on-campus athletic activities, which average 180+ minutes per week for at least an eight-week period.
The activity must have a qualified coach and/or instructor. Work with a personal trainer does not qualify for credit.
Participation in a club or AAU team does not qualify for credit, unless the sport/activity is not offered at Washington Latin and/or a student is not offered a roster spot on a Latin team.
Before credit can be granted for approved out-of-school activities, a formal evaluation signed by the coach or instructor must be submitted to the Athletic Director at the end of the season.

Latin Team Sports

Washington Latin has more than 30 teams for students in grades 6-12 (open to students at both campuses) that foster the same values of integrity, respect, responsibility, and participation that are embodied in the classroom. An experienced coaching staff, primarily drawn from our faculty, fosters a positive attitude about learning and challenges our athletes to achieve their highest potential in all aspects of their development. Lessons in sportsmanship, teamwork, competition, and how to win and lose gracefully are an integral part of each Latin team. Participation in interscholastic sports also adds to school spirit and helps all athletes, spectators, as well as the student body as a whole, develop pride in their school. Below are Washington Latin’s team sports (subject to some variation):

Sport	Season	Middle School (grades 6-8)	High School (grades 9-12)	Boys, Girls, Co-Ed	Junior Varsity	Varsity
Baseball	Spring	X	X	Boys		X
Basketball	Winter	X	X	Boys/Girls	X	X
Cheerleading	Winter	X	X	Co-Ed		X
Cross Country*	Fall	X	X	Co-Ed		X
Flag Football	Fall	X		Co-Ed
Indoor Track	Winter		X	Co-Ed		X
Lacrosse	Spring	X	X	Girls		X
Soccer	Fall	X	X	Boys/Girls	X	X
Softball	Spring		X	Girls		X
Track & Field	Spring	X	X	Co-Ed		X
Tennis	Spring	X	X	Co-Ed
Ultimate Frisbee	Spring	X	X	Co-Ed		X
Volleyball	Fall	X	X	Girls		X
Wrestling	Winter		X	Co-Ed		X

* We also offer Girls on the Run for grades 5-6.

Participation in athletic teams at Washington Latin is both a privilege and responsibility. As members of a Latin team, student-athletes are expected to make a personal commitment to represent Washington Latin in an exemplary fashion and to follow rules of training and conduct necessary to maintain strong, healthy minds and bodies. Because student-athletes are in a highly visible position requiring leadership and responsibility, they will be held to a higher accountability of conduct and behavior than students who choose not to participate in interscholastic athletics. Athletic consequences, therefore, will be implemented in addition to any recommended by the Dean of Students and Principal.

Academic Eligibility

Middle School students must maintain a grade point average of 2.0 and have no failing grades to participate fully in our athletic programs. A student in grade 6, 7 or 8 must be eligible at the end of the published grading period immediately preceding the sports season in which the student wishes to participate.

Eligibility for Middle School athletic seasons is based on the following:

Fall – All students are eligible
Winter – 1^st Quarter of the current school year
Spring – 2nd Quarter of the current school year

Upper School students must maintain a grade point average of 2.0 to participate in our athletic programs. A student in grades 9, 10, 11 or 12 must be eligible at the end of the grading period immediately preceding the season in which the student wishes to participate. All new-to-Latin 9th graders are eligible for the fall season.

Eligibility for Upper School athletic seasons is based on the quarter preceding the season as follows:

Fall – All students are eligible
Winter – 1^st Quarter of current school year
Spring – 2nd Quarter of current school year

In addition, Upper School athletic participation for ineligible students is restricted in circumstances:

A student who is ineligible to participate in interscholastic athletics may not play, practice, or otherwise, participate with the school sports team during the period of such ineligibility.
If the student is ineligible at the beginning of the season, then the student may not try out, or join, the team at any point during the season.
The period of ineligibility will last until the end of the next grading period when report cards are issued.

Team Sport Registration

Students and one of their parents/guardians must complete the Arbiter Sports online registration process by the deadline set for each season in order to participate. This process includes providing emergency information (including parental consent to emergency medical treatment), the student agreeing to a participation contract, and confirming parental permission. In addition, all student athletes must have a current health form on file in order to participate in any athletic activity at Washington Latin, including practices and pre-season activities.

Families and students will be notified by email about the opening of the portal for the next season and provided with the link; Upper School students also receive notice, though a parent/guardian must complete the registration. Please watch for these announcements in Legenda. If you have any questions or difficulties with this online process, please contact the Athletic Department for help.

Attendance Requirements for Participation in Team Sports

Every player must attend every practice and every game (including any championship contests and post-season tournaments) to receive credit.
Any student absent from school for three or more periods in any school day is not eligible to participate in any athletic contest or practice that day. Any part of a period beyond two periods counts as the third missed period.
Excused absences from school are also excused absences from athletics.
Absences from practices and games will be excused in the following cases: documented illness or injury, religious observance and family emergency or event (i.e., wedding, funeral). Athletes should notify the coach of an expected absence as soon as possible. Notification after the absence will not be excused.
If an athlete has an injury that requires rehabilitation, this needs to be worked out with a trainer/doctor and coach. If working with the school’s trainer is prescribed, the athlete is required to attend these sessions (generally during practice hours). If an athlete is unable to begin rehab sessions right away, the athlete is expected to attend practice and observe unless the coach permits the absence.
A student may not participate in practice or games when he/she is serving an in-school or out-of-school suspension. The student becomes eligible to participate on the next school day following the suspension. Any type of suspension will be counted as an unexcused absence from the team.
If, for any reason, a student decides to stop participating on a team, or the student is removed from a team, then he or she will not be permitted to participate in any sport for the duration of that season.
Two unexcused absences from practice may result in removal from a team and no credit for the season.
Failure to fulfill his or her commitment, regardless of the timing (beginning, middle or end of the term), will result in a loss of athletic credit for the term.
The Athletic Director will have the final say in determining athletic credit and participation on the team.

Participation on Athletic Teams Outside of School

Many students participate on teams outside of school, and the Athletic Department strongly encourages this. Playing on teams outside of school along with participation on Washington Latin teams can be beneficial but also time-consuming. The policy of Latin’s Athletic Department is that a student’s school team commitment must come first. Missing a practice or game for other non-Latin team participation will count as an unexcused absence with consequences for playing time as outlined above.

Other Requirements for Participation in Team Sports

Students must meet residency requirements as set in the DC Municipal Regulations, Chapter 27.
Post-graduates of any high school are not allowed to play on Latin interscholastic teams.
For students in grades 9-12, eligibility shall cease at the end of the 8th semester after first entering 9th grade.
A student who has attained the following ages on or before August 1 preceding the following school year shall not be eligible to participate in interscholastic athletics offered for the grade levels indicated:
- Grade 6: 13 years old
- Grades 7 and 8: 15 years old
- Grades 9-12: 19 years old
A student may not play in both a varsity and junior varsity game on the same day.

Uniforms and Equipment

Middle School students are required to purchase their team uniforms through the Athletic Department. The uniform is worn for all Middle School team sports. Students are expected to provide their own personal equipment such as cleats, gloves, bats, etc. Essential equipment to play the sports, such as sport specific balls, protective helmets, etc. will be provided by the school. Latin provides financial assistance to any student who is not able to purchase uniform or necessary personal equipment. Parents/guardians can speak to the coach or athletic director for any such need.

Upper School students do not purchase their uniforms. Students are issued a school-owned uniform that must be returned at the end of the season. If an item is lost, then the student will be billed for the item and for its replacement. The cost of replacing a single uniform item can be very expensive, so we hope that the students will make every effort to return all uniform pieces. Students are expected to provide their own personal equipment such as cleats, gloves, bats, etc. Essential equipment to play the sports, such as sport specific balls, protective helmets, etc. will be provided by the school. Some teams place orders for team items such as sweatshirts, jackets, etc. which must be paid for by each athlete. These items are not mandatory for participation.

Practices and Games

All students are expected to participate in all practices and play in all games of their teams. If a student is required to remain after school for extra instruction with a teacher, then he/she needs to proceed to practice, with a note from the teacher, as soon as the extra instruction is completed. Students may not miss athletic participation to complete homework. Team coaches email team members and their parents/guardians with information on the practice and game/meet schedules.

Because Washington Latin’s Athletic program is cross-campus, students are provided free shuttle service to the campus where practice or games take place. Until the opening of the new Cooper Campus on Harewood Road, all teams practice at 2nd Street, and Cooper students may take the school shuttle at no cost to attend team try-outs, practices, and games.

All team games and Middle School practices are scheduled on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Practice times are from 3:30-4:30 pm, and all practices will end before the late bus departure unless noted otherwise. Under special circumstances, the coach may schedule an extra practice. The coach will inform team families, and this special practice cannot be mandatory in any way. Middle School games are scheduled on a Monday, Wednesday or Thursday with limited exceptions.

Upper School practices take place Monday-Friday and begin at 4:00 PM during the fall and spring (unless otherwise noted). Saturday practices may be required. All Varsity practices during the fall and spring will end by 6:00 PM. Winter practices vary depending on the activity, and it is the coaches’ responsibility to inform all parents/guardians of the practice schedules. Upper School games are typically scheduled on school days, but Saturday competitions should be expected.

Team Practices During Vacations

Most of the Upper School varsity teams, and some junior varsity teams, practice during vacations. The level of commitment on a varsity team requires that all athletes participate in these practices during vacations. Families of varsity athletes need to understand that for our teams to be competitive, mandatory formal practices will and do take place during vacations. If you are the parent/guardian of a varsity athlete, plan on your son/daughter having to participate in these practices. If your son/daughter cannot attend these practices, then it has to be understood that there may be consequences for failure to attend. Consequences vary and are handled by each coach. Parents should inform the coach of special circumstances as soon as possible.

Transportation to and from Games

Transportation is provided to and from all competitions, and all students will be returned to Washington Latin unless other arrangements are made in advance and the coach is informed. Whenever school transportation is provided, students must travel to and from events with their group unless parents/guardians have made prior arrangements with the coach.

If parents/guardians go to away games, they may take their children home with them, as long as they inform the coach. A coach will not leave a student at an away game site if the parent/guardian is not there. If parents/guardians are in attendance at away games, their children may ride home with them or with another player’s parents/guardians with parent permission. At no time are students permitted to ride to games or home as a passenger in a car driven by another student, even if his or her parent/guardian accompanies the driver.

There will be days that teams will arrive back to school after the late bus has departed. It is the responsibility of the parents/guardians to pick up their child or arrange for transportation home on these days, and coaches will notify parents/guardians of such days in advance so that proper planning can take place.

Early Dismissals for Games

Early dismissal for games happens throughout the year. The Athletic Department tries to avoid scheduling games before 4:00 p.m. When we travel to visiting schools, there are times when the students are dismissed from classes early. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure they inform their teachers of an early dismissal. Students are also responsible for all of the assignments that they miss.

Game/Practice Cancellations

In the case of inclement weather, games may have to be rescheduled. For Middle School games, a decision is made as close to departure time as possible. This may mean that a decision is not made until 1:30 p.m. For Upper School games, decisions are made between 2:30 and 3:30 p.m., depending on whether it is a home or away contest. All game day changes or practice cancellations due to weather are emailed to the team members by coaches. If school is closed for inclement weather, all practices and games are also canceled.

Injuries Occurring at Games/Practices

If a serious injury occurs during a practice or game, the coach or Athletic Director will contact parents/guardians immediately. The sports trainer present at the game will examine the student athlete. If the injury is serious enough that medical attention by a doctor is required, parents/guardians will be notified as soon as possible. If the injury prevents the athlete from participating in team activities for a period, a note from the attending physician clearing the student for athletic activity is required.

Weather Policy – Guidelines for Hot Weather Play/Practice

Temperature	Humidity	Air Quality Index	Activities
Less than 80F	——–	Code Green 0–50; Good Air Quality	No Restrictions
80–90F	Below 70%	Code Yellow 51–100;Moderate Air Quality	Watch Carefully
80–90F	Above 70%	Code Yellow 51-100;Moderate Air Quality	Provide 10 minutes cool down/rest each hour
90–100F	Any	Code Orange 101-150	Monitor carefully with frequent water breaks
90–100F	Any	Unhealthy for sensitive groups	Shortened practices; mandatory water breaks every 20 min
90-100F	Any	Code Red 151-200	Limit outdoor exertion
90-100F	Any	Unhealthy Air Quality	Avoid all outdoor physical activity

Code Red Policy

A Code Red Day occurs when the temperature exceeds 100 degrees and the air quality is deemed unhealthy. The Athletic Director will be responsible for informing the coaches if there is a Code Red Day. If Code Red Days occur during pre-season practices, practice will be held early in the morning and later in the day to avoid the hottest part of the day. Practice times will also be shortened. Athletes will be kept well hydrated and will be monitored carefully by the coaching staff for any signs of distress.

Lightning Policy

The officials, or the head coach in charge, at the first sign of lightning, will suspend any game or practice in session immediately. All players and fans must leave the field immediately. No contest or practice will resume until 30 minutes have elapsed since the last sign of lightning or thunder. Officials will always have the final word on the continuation of the game.

Varsity Letter for Upper School Athletes

A varsity letter is an achievement that represents perseverance and success. Athletes receiving letters are subject to criteria for earning the letter. At Washington Latin, the first criterion that needs to be satisfied is the student-athlete remaining academically eligible for the entire sports season. Coaches will communicate team-specific criteria to earn a varsity letter.

In addition to the academic qualifier, all students who participate in Latin Athletics sign and agree to the player contract at the beginning of the season that states that they will abide by all eligibility requirements and team standards developed by the coaching staff. If, in the eyes of the Athletic Director and/or the Head Coach, an athlete does not satisfy the terms of the agreement, then a letter will not be awarded. This does not mean that the student will not receive credit towards graduation.