• Please click on the link below for information about all of our athletics and activities.  To view team schedules, select the Calendars link on the left side menu of this page.

  • TJMS                                                                                                                                                    

                                                                                       

     

    Mission Statement:

    “Building Champions”

     “In the classroom, in the community and in competition.”

    We believe:  

    1. Student-participants and their academic success are our highest priority.
    2. Participation in competitive sports and activities produces lessons that will be used in life.
    3. Success is dependent on teamwork, preparation, work ethic, desire, and coach-ability.
    4. Open communication and mutual respect among student-participants, coaches, parents, officials and faculty are essential.
    5. Athletic and Activity programs, led by well-qualified coaches and directors who are positive role models, instill pride in the student body and community.
    6. Positive parent/community support and involvement enhance the growth of the athletic and activity programs.

     

    At Thomas Jefferson Middle School, students have the opportunity to join boys and girls inter-scholastic sports teams, and compete against other schools. Our Middle School is a great coaching and teaching incubator for students who may want to continue their pursuit of athletics at the varsity level.

    All 7th and 8th grade athletes must have a current physical dated February 1, 2018 or after and proof of insurance filed with the school to practice, tryout and compete (physicals are now required every two years with Doctors approval).

    MSHSAA 3.9.1     Each team must have 14 days of conditioning practice and each individual must have participated in 14 school conditioning practices on 14 different days prior to the date of the first interscholastic contest in all sports.  This requirement shall be met if a student has been a member of another school sports team immediately preceding the sport season, has been actively practicing with the sport team, has had 14 days of physical conditioning and begins physical conditioning practice with the new sport team with no more than seven calendar days having passed between the two sports before beginning practice. 

    All students will need to pay a $10 school insurance fee in order to participate (onetime fee a year). 

    Lawrence E. Smith Supplemental Insurance Policy

    Student – Athlete and Parent Responsibilities

    Participation in athletics requires a substantial commitment by those involved, i.e., athletes, coaches, and parents. All TJ athletic programs will meet either five or six days a week depending on practices or games. Student-athletes need to prepare themselves for this next level of athletic competition by keeping up with their school work and using their free time wisely.

    Team Selection Process

    All TJ students are required to try out for positions on interscholastic athletic teams. Team selections are based on selection criteria (sometimes referred to as rubrics or assessments), which address the sport-specific skills and abilities needed to play the sport and, in some cases, performance benchmarks (i.e., the level of performance in the skills and abilities) required to make a given team. Students will be notified of the selection criteria prior to trying out. It is the Athletic Program’s goal to maximize student participation in athletics. At present, many of the TJ teams can accommodate the large number of students who try out. However, this does not guarantee that every student who tries out for a team will be placed on a team. Student-athletes must demonstrate a strong commitment to both team and player development before being placed on a team. Furthermore, once a player is selected for a team, it is his/her responsibility to maintain that commitment for continued team and individual improvement.

    Student-Athlete Playing Time

    Student-athletes in the TJ Interscholastic Athletic Program earn playing time for game and scrimmage situations by, first, being a member in good standing of the school community. Second, a student-athlete must attend practice and work to the best of his/her ability. Third, a student-athlete must be a team player and execute the specific role assigned to him/her by the coach. Fourth, a student-athlete must demonstrate a commitment to fair-play and sportsmanship at all times. And finally, a student-athlete must support the team by contributing in a positive way to the team’s learning environment. In other words, the student-athlete must focus on learning tasks and assignments and not disrupt other players. Playtime is not to be discussed during or after practice and games.

    Attendance Requirements

    Students must be in school the entire day and attending their regular class schedule to be eligible to participate in any student activities scheduled on that day (practice, competition or performance). If a student misses any portion of the school day without having prior approval by the Activities Department, the student shall not be considered eligible to participate on that date. Further, the student cannot be certified eligible to participate on any subsequent date until the student attends a full day of classes.

    Students in In-School Suspension are not considered to be attending their regular class schedule.

    Notification must be made to the schools at which time they will determine if the absence(s) will be approved.

    Physical Education Requirements

    Student-athletes are required to participate in their regularly scheduled physical education classes. A student-athlete who does not attend or participate in physical education may be deemed ineligible for extracurricular sports activities for that day.

    Middle School Eligibility Requirements

    TJ student-athletes are required to be a member in good standing in the school academic and social community. Student-athletes must be up-to-date with their academic requirements and performing at an acceptable level for their abilities. Student-athletes must also be free of disciplinary problems and referrals. When necessary, a review of a student-athlete’s case will be handled by the TJ Eligibility Committee (i.e., teacher, coach, guidance counselor, school administrator, and the athletic director). Contingency programs and consequences will be established and monitored by the Eligibility Committee. The overriding purpose of this program is to be pro-active and supportive in its approach and not punitive, thereby helping the student-athlete over-come his/her difficulty.  However, in severe cases where the student-athlete makes little or no effort to help him/herself, he/she can be removed from extracurricular sports participation.

    Middle School Grade Eligibility 

    Each grading period, an athlete must have no more than one F to be eligible. If an athlete receives two or more F's he/she will not be eligible to play in a game and must wait until the next grading period to become eligible. All incoming 7th grade students are automatically eligible in the beginning of the Fall, until the first grading period. Some students may have mandatory academic support after school. 

     

    Thank you, 

    Kevin Steinmetz

    kevin.steinmetz@jcschools.us 

    Activities Director