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The athletic program at Robert F. Kennedy High School is a vital component in the overall educational experience. We ask our student-athletes to be competitive both on the field and in the classrooms. We value sportsmanship, growth of the spirit, mind and body. We expect to contribute to the students' experience in school while developing desirable character traits including persistence, determination, dedication, tenacity and the will to win. It is our goal to enhance the student athletes' well-being as an important part of our community. The goals of RFKHS athletics are to encourage maximum participation of the student body in athletics while maintaining high standards of achievement. RFKHS Athletics supports the academic mission of the school, reaffirming that the student comes before the athlete. We are not separate but rather an extension of a quality educational program. Interscholastic athletic programs have been established because research indicates a student involved in co-curricular activities has a greater chance for success during adulthood. Your student athlete will learn values such as hard work, teamwork, sportsmanship, interpersonal relationships, honesty, and how to strive for success. Many of the character traits required to be a successful participant are the same as those that will promote a successful life post high school graduation.
PARENTS AND SPECTATORS Thunderbird parents and fans are a tremendous asset to our program and we are extremely grateful for your cooperation, support, and loyalty. With your help and positive support of our student athletes, staff, and sports officials, the experience will be rewarding for all. As spectators at contests, parents and fans can significantly contribute to the fine reputation we have earned in the area of sportsmanship. We expect student athletes to hold themselves to high standards of sportsmanship, and hope parents and other fans will themselves serve as role models for our students by exhibiting high standards of sportsmanship as well.
PURSUING VICTORY WITH HONOR CODE OF CONDUCT
At Robert F. Kennedy High School we honor the words and spirit of NFHS's essential elements of character building that are embodied in the concept of sportsmanship and six core ethical values: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and good citizenship (the “Six Pillars of Character”) to provide a safe, healthy, and fulfilling experience for all student athletes.
THE SIX PILLARS OF CHARACTER
TRUSTWORTHINESS
Trustworthiness: Be worthy of trust in all you do.
Integrity: Live up to high ideals of ethics and sportsmanship and encourage players to pursue victory with honor. Do what’s right, even when it’s unpopular or personally costly.
Honesty: Live honorably. Don’t lie, cheat, steal or engage in any other dishonest conduct.
Reliability: Fulfill commitments. Do what you say you will do.
Loyalty: Be loyal to the school and team; Put the interests of the team above your child’s personal glory.
RESPECT
Respect: Treat all people with respect at all times and require the same of your student-athletes.
Class: Teach your child to live and play with class and be a good sport. He/she should be gracious in victory and accept defeat with dignity, compliment extraordinary performance, and show sincere respect in pre- and post-game rituals.
Disrespectful Conduct: Don’t engage in disrespectful conduct of any sort, including profanity, obscene gestures, offensive remarks of a sexual nature, trash-talking, taunting, boastful celebrations or other actions that demean individuals or the sport.
Respect for Officials: Treat game officials with respect. Don’t complain or argue about calls or decisions during or after an athletic event.
RESPONSIBILITY
Importance of Education: Support the concept of “being a student first.” Commit your child to earning a diploma and getting the best possible education. Be honest with your child about the likelihood of getting an athletic scholarship or playing on a professional level. Reinforce the notion that many universities will not recruit student-athletes who do not have a serious commitment to their education. Be the lead contact for collegiate coaches in the recruiting process.
Role Modeling: Remember, participation in sports is a privilege, not a right. Parents/guardians should also represent the school, coach and teammates with honor, on and off the court/field. Consistently exhibit good character and conduct yourself as a positive role model.
Self-Control: Exercise self-control. Don’t fight or show excessive displays of anger or frustration.
Healthy Lifestyle: Promote to your child the avoidance of all illegal or unhealthy substances including alcohol, tobacco, drugs and some over-the-counter nutritional supplements, as well as of unhealthy techniques to gain, lose or maintain weight.
Integrity: of the Game Protect the integrity of the game. Don’t gamble or associate with gamblers.
Sexual Conduct: Sexual or romantic contact of any sort between students and adults involved with interscholastic athletics is improper and strictly forbidden. Report misconduct to the proper authorities.
FAIRNESS
Fairness and Openness: Live up to high standards of fair play. Be open-minded, always willing to listen and learn.
CARING
Caring Environment: Consistently demonstrate concern for student-athletes as individuals and encourage them to look out for one another and think and act as a team.
CITIZENSHIP
Spirit of the Rules: Honor the spirit and the letter of rules. Teach your children to avoid temptations to gain competitive advantage through improper gamesmanship techniques that violate the highest traditions of sportsmanship.
“Pursuing Victory With Honor” and the “Six Pillars of Character” are service marks of the CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition, a project of the Josephson Institute of Ethics. For more information on promoting character education and good sportsmanship, visit www.charactercounts.com.
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