LMS FAQs

List of 28 frequently asked questions.

• What sports are offered for Lower/Middle School Students and when?

  Sports offered include boys flag football and co-ed cross country in early fall; boys basketball and girls soccer in early winter; girls basketball and boys soccer in late winter; and girls volleyball, boys baseball, coed tennis and coed water polo in the spring. These sports are open to all students in grades 5, 6, 7, and 8. Fourth graders are invited to participate in the boys (early winter) and girls (late winter) basketball seasons only. Occasionally, if space is available on 5th grade teams, 4th graders may have the opportunity to play up, but that varies based on student interest. In addition to the team sports, we also have a League Swim Meet in October and League Track Meet in May for grades 4-8.

• When exactly are the four seasons?

  This is information is in the Parent-Student Handbook, but briefly:

  • Fall Season: start of school through mid-October
  • Early Winter: mid-October through December, or mid-January for Varsity Boys Basketball teams
  • Late Winter: January through mid-March
  • Spring: mid-March through mid-May

• How do I sign my child up to play on a team?

  To participate in sports teams, the Athletic Directors ask that you sign-up in advance, using forms posted on the Athletics tab of the website, under Lower/Middle School. Students are told at school when sign-up time is. A reminder is also sent to parents via an e-bulletin announcement.

• Are there tryouts, and how does that work?

  Evaluations often occur in PE class. Sacred Heart Lower/Middle School has a no-cut policy, so everyone who signs up is placed on a team. On mixed grade level “A” teams, there will be afterschool tryouts.

• How are teams selected, or balanced?

  Team selection is based on four factors: evaluations before the start of the season, performance in PE class related to that sport, performance on teams in prior years, and outside camp/league experience. The Athletic Director, PE teacher, and individual coaches jointly select players.

• When are teams single-grade vs. mixed grades, and why?

  Within each division, SHS may have one or several teams depending on the number of students who participate. Some may be single grade and some may be mixed. While grade-level teams obviously provide opportunities to strengthen relationships among peers, mixed grade level teams provide a greater degree of interaction between players of different grades as well as helps build strong friendships outside one's class. It also provides a strong cooperative learning experience. The Athletic Directors decide which option best fits each group of athletes. Since everyone who signs up plays, the number of students participating may also be a factor.

• How do I find my child's practice and game schedule online?

  • Click on the Athletics tab at www.shschools.org and then go the left bar and click on "Lower/Middle School Teams and Schedules.
  • To find games, find your team. Teams are listed by season.
  • To find practice and other handy information, look back at the left column and click on "Boys Sports Tryouts or Practices" or "Girls Sports Tryouts or Practices" and find your team. If you do not know which team your child is on, refer to the introductory email sent by your team parent, or ask your child. Coaches names are listed too, so that may help narrow it down.

• Can my child play club and school sports at the same time?

  Yes. The Athletic Department asks that you put our games ahead of club practices. You will be asked to list conflicts on the sign-up form; the more details you give the Athletic Directors helps them place your child on the team that works best with your schedule. "A" teams are asked to make more of a commitment.

• Can my child be in the school play and play a school sport?

  Yes. The Athletic and Drama Departments work closely together to help make this work. However, your child may not be able to play on the A team or have a large play part if he/she chose to do both.

• How can parents volunteer to help with teams?

  The Athletic Department asks for you to volunteer to be a Team Parent or Team Photographer annually for each of your children. Team Parents primarily send helpful weekly reminders that summarize website information regarding upcoming games, practices, and sports policies. Team Photographers take group and individual action or candid shots which are used year-round on the website and at the annual May Sports Celebration year-end DVD. If you would like to assist in another way, please contact Girls Athletic Director, Sue McDonald smcdonald@shschools.org, or Boys Athletic Director Jeff Reynolds jreynolds@shschools.org.

• When do teams practice and where?

  Teams practice afterschool and in PE classes. Not all teams can practice at the same time however, so practice start times begin as early as 3:15 and start as late as 5:00. All practices are on campus. Study hall is available as needed for athletes (and their siblings) who have late practices.

• Why do some teams practice in PE and not afterschool?

  There are several reasons for this. One is that fields or floor space are limited and on some days if all teams were to practice afterschool, practices could run until 9 or 10pm, and that’s late for students. We have found that PE practices alleviate space and time constraints, allowing mixed grade level teams to have earlier afterschool practices – meaning fewer trips back and forth to school for parents. However, they are dependent upon coach availability and the team being the same grade level. If a team practices during PE, it occurs twice a week and the other 2 days are with the rest of their class.

• Do teams practice in the summer or during breaks?

  After long breaks, occasionally "A' teams will have practice the day before school starts. Generally speaking, there are no games and practices during breaks.

• Are there weekend games?

  Yes, there can be. Most games are typically afterschool, but basketball, football, baseball and water polo matches can occur on weekends.

• Where are games played?

  Games are played inside at the Spieker Lower/Middle School gymnasium, or outside on SHS or SHP fields when games are at home. Away games are hosted by the competitor at the location of their choice. Some schools have multiple campuses, so parents need to make sure they have the correct location for a given game. Some schools compete off campus, at alternate facilities.

• How far in advanced of games are players supposed to arrive?

  All players are to arrive 30 minutes before a game. Middle School athletes are typically dismissed early for away games that start at or before 4pm.

• Who coaches teams?

  Each team has a head coach. Some teams have assistant coaches. Many coaches teach at Lower/Middle School, but some come from Sacred Heart Prep or are not affiliated with the school.

• What equipment does the school provide and what do we need to purchase?

  Equipment needs vary by sport, but generally speaking, Sacred Heart provides most game equipment. Players always need to provide their own shoes. Team parents will tell families what gear needs to be brought individually; items typically include socks, shorts, and personal items like mouth guards or shin guards, baseball gloves/bats, towels, and water bottles for practices and games.

• Who is responsible for away game transit?

  Sacred Heart Lower/Middle School generally does not provide transportation. It is the parents' responsibility to transport, or arrange carpool transit, to away games. A select number of coaches are cleared and willing to drive the school vans to games when available. In those cases the athletic director will let the team parent know a van is being driven to the game. For cross-country meets we always take 3 school vans to the meets.

• Can students stay on-campus afterschool, before practices or games?

  Yes – there is a supervised study hall afterschool for all student athletes or arts performers (and their siblings) attending a campus practice or rehearsal. However, if a student leaves campus for any reason (including going home to change or getting something to eat), they are not admitted back into supervised study hall.

• Is food available after school?

  Food is not guaranteed after school hours. Many days the Student Council opens a Snack Shack. Students needing food or drink should purchase a snack at lunch or bring a snack from home.

• How do I know if an outdoors game or practice is rained out?

  You should hear from your team parent or AD shortly after 1pm the day of the event if there is a rainout. Alternatively, you can contact the appropriate Athletic Director if you are unclear.

• Besides participating on teams in each of the four seasons, how else can my child participate in sports?

  The Athletic Department hosts several League Meets that are open to entrants. These include:

  • October WBAL Cross Country Meet (open to all 4th-8th graders)
  • October WBAL Swim Meet (open to all 4th-8th grade swimmer) as well as two additional swim meets in the fall
  • Our league has two middle school golf tournaments, one in the fall and one in the spring. When possible we also have a qualifying tournament in the fall.
  • May WBAL Track Meet (open to all 4th-8th graders; runners qualify for individual events based on times in PE classes. Softball throw and long jump are open events.)

• How are athletes and teams recognized?

  This is done once a year at the annual May Sports Celebration. Envelopes are prepared for each student and contain ribbons won at League meets, medals for championship teams, and medals for participation on a team. Students pick up these envelopes as they enter the gym. A program will list championship teams. The evening event includes dinner, a video highlighting the year’s athletic events as well as a small number of individual awards.

• What awards are given annually?

  At the Sports Celebration, awards are presented for the early May track meet competitions in running and field events. Great honor is associated with receiving one of the Class Sportsmanship Awards, given to one boy and girl athlete in 5th, 6th, and 7th grades. Additionally, a boy and girl "Athlete of the Year' are selected from the 8th grade. Eighth graders are eligible for 'The Four Sport Award' if they have participated in four sports for each of their three years in Middle School (twelve seasons total, four per year). Great honor is associated with receiving the Eagleson and Lochtefeld Sportsmanship Awards; these are given for outstanding sportsmanship to one 8th grade female and male athlete. A new honor for 8th graders is a coach’s award. Finally, recognition is given to 8th grade families whose youngest child is graduating from Middle School – thanks parents for supporting your child in SHS Athletics all these years!

• Why are tournament games scheduled on the nights before tests or major assignments are due?

  League scheduling gets very complicated and if every team whose players had a conflict tried to move games, sports scheduling would not be manageable. The Athletic Department works with the school to minimize conflicts and apologizes for tough nights when they happen.

• When will Lower/Middle School get Lacrosse?

  We are currently doing lacrosse units in PE classes.

• Will Lower/Middle SChool have a Swim Team?

  We currently have three swim meets in the fall for our swimmers to compete in (grades 5-8, 4th for the league championship)