Frequently Asked Questions
Are sports optional?
All students must be involved in our afternoon program for all 3 seasons. This requirement can be met through being on a sports team or electing to participate in a drama production. Examples: 1) a student can participate in all 3 seasons of a sport 2) a student can participate in 2 seasons of a sport, and 1 season in a drama production 3) a student can participate in 1 season of a sport, 2 seasons in the drama production.
When are game days? How do I find out the where a game is being played, time of game, field location, pick up time, or game day status?
Please visit the Middle School athletics calendar. Game days are Wednesdays and Fridays. Occasionally a team might play on a different day. Sometimes a team will not have a game on a given Wednesday or Friday. If this is the case, they will practice from 1:30-2:45 on Wednesdays and 2:15-3:45 on Fridays.
It is important you visit the Middle School website as this will have more detailed information on Middle School games. This is the first place to be updated when a game is canceled or changed.
What equipment does my child need for sports?
They will need to have appropriate footwear for the sport they are participating in—e.g. cleats, basketball sneakers, running shoes. They will need shorts, t-shirt, sweatshirt/pants to change into.
You can ask the athletic director or your child’s coach for more specifics regarding additional needs for each sport. We supply all protective equipment for football, goalkeeping equipment, balls, cones, scrimmage vests and game uniforms.
Are there locker rooms and water available during practice and games?
Every athlete will be assigned a locker at the beginning of the school year. Students should keep their equipment, uniform, and practice clothes in this locker and they should make sure that the lockers are actually locked – school will provide a combination lock if you want one. We expect all students to have their own water bottle, and they are responsible for filling it before every practice and game. There are water sources in Ware Hall and the locker rooms and gym spaces. We also provide extra water on the team benches on game days.
What happens if my child suffers a concussion? Can you explain what impact testing is?
Developed by clinical experts who pioneered the field, ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) is the most-widely used and most scientifically validated computerized concussion evaluation system.
Every middle school student has impact testing at the beginning of the school year. If your child suffers a concussion in school or out of school, they should see their family doctor for further evaluation. Our athletic trainers will conduct the impact test only when the child is asymptomatic. The child’s physician should plan to evaluate and reevaluate the condition. We require a note from the physician restricting him/her from participation as well as a follow up note when he/she is allowed to return to play. The athletic director must be notified immediately and will work together with the student’s advisor on any classroom/academic accommodations that may be required.
What if my child has to miss a practice or game for an appointment? What is the procedure?
Students must follow the early dismissal protocol if they plan to miss a practice or game. Athletics is part of the school day; any student who leaves before 3:45pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and 2:45pm on Wednesday (if a game is not scheduled) must sign out in the main office and provide a signed Early Dismissal Slip.
The Early Dismissal Slip can be signed by the athletic director when the student plans to miss a full practice. Any student missing practice will need to be picked up by 2:15pm (1:15pm on Wednesday’s). Otherwise, the student will attend practice until their ride arrives. When a student leaves athletics early they must have an Early Dismissal Slip signed by their coach and return to Ware Hall (with the slip) to sign out before leaving campus. If you would like to pick up your child from the field you will need to sign them out in the main office before hand. In that situation the student would not have to return to Ware Hall to sign out or produce an early dismissal slip.
All appointments should be scheduled after 3:45 on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, or after 2:45 on a Wednesday if your child does not have a game that day.
My child is injured, or is not feeling well, and cannot participate in practice or a game. What time should I pick him or her up from school?
Regardless of how long the student is unable to participate, it is important that the parent notify the athletic director. If it means the student missed a day or two of practice, they will be expected to stay with the team or receive rehabilitation from one of our athletic trainers. If it appears to be a long-term or season ending injury, the athletic director, parents, and advisor, will come up with a plan that makes the most sense for the student and the situation.
My child has an injury and cannot participate in sports. I am hoping to get an appointment for them to see the doctor as soon as possible. What is the best plan in this case?
Certainly, if your child has an injury and cannot participate, it makes sense to get an appointment with a doctor, if necessary. If the only appointment time you can schedule is in the afternoon, then it is not a problem for him/her to miss sports. Please notify the athletic director as soon as you know that your child will be missing a practice or a game. The athletic director will contact the coach to not to expect the student in practice. We will also need a note from the doctor that he/she cannot participate, as well as a note of “return to play” when the student is cleared to participate.
It is raining or supposed to be stormy. What time should I pick up my child?
If it is a practice day, Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday, the students will practice indoors during that 2:15-3:45 time that they usually have sports practice. Pick up will remain the same. On game days, cancellations will be posted online (go to athletic website), and the students will have practices from 1:30-2:45 on Wednesdays and 2:15-3:45 on Fridays. Please check the website for game day cancellations.
What if my child returns from a game late, and misses the 6 p.m. bus home?
Most of our buses return back to school on or before that 6 pm time. If a student relies on the 6 p.m. bus home, in most cases it is not a problem. However, we do anticipate that some teams will not make it back by 6 p.m., or can be unexpectedly delayed in traffic. Please arrange an alternative plan with your child, to ensure that they are picked up upon return to the school. Coaches will have a cell phone for students to use in the event they do not have one. A student has permission to use a cell phone to contact family to let them know if return to school is delayed and approximately what time the bus is due back to Milton.
Will games be made up if they are canceled?
We will try to reschedule games when we can. However, games are rarely rescheduled because most open dates we have in our schedule do not line up with an open date in the opponent’s schedule.
How can I contact my son's or daughter’s coach?
If it is a part-time coach who does not teach at the school, you can contact the athletic director for his/her contact information.
I heard that there is an exemption that a student can obtain for a season. How do we apply for this?
In special circumstances, by permission only, a student may apply for an exemption, for one season. There is an application process involved which is due two months before the season begins. Contact the athletic director for more information.
