Athletics Philosophy

Washington Episcopal School believes that a quality interscholastic athletic program is an important part of a student’s educational experience and strives to offer all students the opportunity to participate in interscholastic competition.

WES Athletics is committed to promoting the ideals of sportsmanship, respect, commitment, integrity, leadership and team competition. By nurturing and encouraging these ideals through athletics, our goal is to improve the athletic ability and fitness of each student and instill in them the basic ideals teamwork and lifelong physical fitness.

Expectations of a Student-Athlete

WES coaches recognize the importance of fostering young athletes in terms of skill development, teamwork, sportsmanship and participation, and look to instill these qualities in our student-athletes while encouraging excellence.

All student-athletes will be expected to adhere to high the standards set forth in the WES community. Taking on the responsibility of athletics is a difficult, but valuable experience. With this responsibility, WES student-athletes are expected to:

• Attend all practices and games.
• Put forth their best effort every time they take to the athletic field or court.
• Conduct themselves with the highest level of sportsmanship before, during, and after competition.
• Respect teammates, opponents, officials, and coaches.
• Serve as role models for younger students and represent WES as ambassadors of the school when off campus.

Parents

WES believes that the role parents play in the life of a student-athlete is an important one. Parents’ positive support of players, coaches, and the total program helps define a part of the athletic environment in which our teams compete. It is our hope that parents will:

• Be supportive of the WES athletic philosophy.
• Keep an open line of communication with coaches and administration.
• Cheer on our teams in the WES spirit.

We request that parents not approach coaches immediately after games or practices about matters of concern or that may be controversial. To give these matters the proper attention they deserve, we ask that parents call or email the coach and schedule a time to meet and discuss the matter.

Playing Time
All athletes will participate in games throughout the course of the season, and though coaches will make every effort to play each player during each game, this will not always be the case. With that, no player will sit, game after game, without the opportunity to compete. Playing time is up to the discretion of the coaches. While it will not be equal, playing time will be fair and will be determined by, but not limited to, the athlete expectations as stated above, skill level, overall attitude, game situations, and competitive balance. We strongly encourage any student-athlete who has concerns about his or her playing time to speak with the coach before or after a practice.

Schedules
The most up to date schedules can be found on the school website, Athletics Calendar. Schedules tend to change over the course of the season so it would be prudent to check each week for any changes.

Uniforms
Students on sport teams wear designated WES team uniforms. Each athlete is responsible for his/her team uniform. They are to be washed on a regular basis and brought in for use during games. Replacement uniforms will not be given out on the day of a game if forgotten. Students will not be allowed to play without the full issued uniform.  Uniforms are not to be worn during practice and are to be returned at the end of the season. Parents will be charged $50 per missing uniform.

Weather Policy
If a game needs to be canceled due to inclement weather, the decision will be made by 12:30 p.m. whenever possible. The information will be posted on the WES website. Parents can also sign up for and “alert” on the website. This will send an email or text when a change or cancelation has been made. Go to the appropriate schedule and click on the alert button (it looks like a bell) and follow the instructions.

Travel Policy
Student athletes will be taken to and from games on WES busses and/or by parent volunteers when needed. Parents can choose to pick up child from an away game, but are asked to let the coach know they have retrieved their child and that they are leaving. Busses will not wait at an away game for a child to be picked up.