PRESEASON INFORMATION

Sign-ups were held today at lunch time. Each student that signed up received several sheets of paper - hopefully everything gets to the parents! If not, here are the main points: 

- Practice starts on Monday, September 9

- Our meet schedule is posted in the column on the left.

- In order to participate in the first practice, your child needs:
     a) an up-to-date physical on file with the school nurse (taken within the last 12 months)
     b) a signed permission form returned to the school office
     c) a signed pre-participation concussion form returned to the school office
     d) to have completed a free online concussion education course. NFHS Learn or CDC - either will suffice (hyperlinks are on test names)

- Before your child can race in a meet, they need a paid user fee of $55. All monies should be brought to the school office, and checks should be made out to Hale Middle School. 

- Practices will be held from right after school to about 3:30pm, Monday through Thursday. Occasionally, I will hold optional Friday afternoon practices at a site off campus. Attendance is not mandatory. 

- Team members must plan on attending all meets. It is expected that team members attend all practices. I will excuse absences in the case of illness or religious reasons, and I will allow missing practice to attend another school-sponsored event (like a club, extra help, instrument lessons, etc.). However, an athlete CANNOT miss a practice or meet to attend another sports' practice or competition. If you have questions regarding what classifies as excused, do not hesitate to contact me. 

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One last thing: I love cross country because of the interesting dynamic it creates. You have the team race: where you are looking to do well for your teammates and school; but you also have the individual race: where you are looking to better your own time by going just a little bit faster. 

There are no cuts - everyone makes the team, and everyone (who is healthy and in good standing) will compete. It is an effort sport: if you are at practice every day, working hard, following instructions, and making a concerted effort to get better, I guarantee that you will get better. If you are just showing up and going through the motions, I cannot offer you the same guarantee. 

Don't hesitate to contact me with questions, comments, or concerns: blangelo@nrsd.net. I consider myself fairly good at responding - I will get back to you as soon as I am able.