St. Jerome School is a registered member of the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) and competes with over 170 Catholic elementary schools in the archdiocese. In addition to
participating in CYO competitive play, the school periodically participates in privately sponsored tournament play during the school year as well as competitions against other private schools in the local area.

 

The Athletic Department is one part of the School’s overall curriculum. In light of this, the Athletic Department’s mission is, through sports and competition, to educate Christian Leaders for our world. While we encourage our coaches and players to perform their best on the athletic field, our sole focus is not on winning or losing. Rather, we are equally focused on the character development of our athletes. We are striving to provide as many athletic opportunities for our students so that they can grow and learn about themselves, about working with others and about competition.

Parents are responsible for transportation to and from all practices and games not occurring on school grounds during the school week. Students who do not go home before reporting to practices or games held during a school day must report to Extended Care. Siblings of team members must be enrolled in Extended Care or have alternate transportation home. Siblings are not allowed to attend practices or games without adult supervision of their own. If siblings do attend practices or games, for their safety and well being they should not be running up and down the stairs or outside in the parking lot. Those who do not cooperate will be asked not to return.

 

QUALIFICATIONS TO PARTICIPATE ON SPORTS TEAMS:
The after-school sports program is primarily for students in grades 3 - 8 who (A) meet the Academic Qualifications, (B) sign and adhere to the Spartan Student Code of Conduct, (C) have their parents sign and adhere to the Parent Permission and Adult Code of Conduct and (D) fulfill the Participatory Requirement. A student must have an "S" or better in behavior and effort and maintain a 70% cumulative average in all subjects (use the formula found in Honor Roll). Students will be suspended for a minimum of two (2) weeks at any time that his/her behavior, effort and/or academics fall below the above-identified levels. Students who are serving suspensions may not participate in practices or games during his/her suspension. If the student's behavior, effort and/or academics do not improve, the suspension may be extended.

 

A Participatory Fee helps defray the many costs associated with the after-school sports program such as the CYO registration fee, facility fees, officials fees, uniforms, equipment, coaching stipends as well as other administrative costs. The standard Participatory Requirement may be met in one of two ways (a) a nonrefundable fee per player or (b) a nonrefundable discounted fee of per player plus six hours of service per player for any Athletic Department Event. The service hours are NOT in addition to the family obligation of 30 hours per year; rather, they are included as part of the family obligation. Please note that certain sport teams may have a slightly different participatory requirement due to added expenses associated with that particular sport.

 

SCHOLAR/ATHLETE OF THE YEAR: For our 8th graders who participated on any varsity sports teams, the Athletic Department recognizes at the graduation
ceremony the female and male Scholar Athlete of the Year and the Athlete of the Year. One student is eligible to win both the Scholar Athlete of the Year and the
Athlete of the Year awards.

 

The Scholar-Athlete is presented to the boy and girl who during 8th grade (a) participate in at least two varsity sports, (b) have a minimum ‘good’ in conduct and effort
and (c) maintain the highest grade point average amongst those who qualify. The GPA must be at least 87% during the 8th grade school year. A “Needs Improvement”
grade during any trimester in 8th grade is automatic disqualification.

 

The Athlete of the Year is presented to the boy and girl who during 8th grade (a) participate in at least one varsity sport, (b) receive the most cumulative points as the Most Outstanding 8th grader from each varsity team on which they played (c) have a minimum ‘good’ in conduct and effort . A “Needs Improvement” grade during any trimester in 8th grade is automatic disqualification.

 

The coach of each Varsity team (all sports with the exception of Cheerleading may participate in the voting for the Athlete of the Year) has the option to submit a
ballot to the Athletic Department listing up to but no more than four 8th grade students that played on the team who, in the coach’s opinion, displayed the skills and
attitude throughout the team’s season to warrant receiving votes as the Most Outstanding 8th grader on the team. The point system is as follows: First place receives
5 points, second place 3 points, third place 2 points and fourth place 1 point. If two or more students end up with the same number of points after the ballots have
been submitted, the tiebreaker to determine the Athlete of the Year is the student who has participated in the most 8th grade varsity sports. If still tied, then there will
be multiple winners. While a student who excels in only one sport may have a chance to win the Athlete of the Year award, the award is designed to honor the student
who displays the skills and attitude of an all around athlete in more than one varsity sport.

 

CHEERLEADING will be offered to girls in grades 5-8 who meet the qualifications set forth for other teams. There will be two main functions of the Cheerleading Team: (1) to
provide organized spirit and cheer at Football and Basketball varsity games as well as all school pep rallies and (2) to participate in the CYO Cheerleading competition in January.

Cheerleaders are subject to the same academic qualifications listed above.

More information is available in a sports policy manual that will be distributed to those students participating in the after school sports program.