2022-2023 Independence Middle School Handbook

are attending the field trip. Permission slips will be kept on file in the Main Office along with the list of students riding ATHLETICS Athletics is a vital part of a comprehensive school program. Students in grades 8-12 are eligible to try out for varsity, junior varsity, or eighth grade athletics if they have passed three of four classes the previous semester and are in good standing. The new classification system places GCHS in the 2A West Region in Conference #39 (Southern Empire Conference) of the Virginia High School League (VHSL). GCHS will also remain a member of the Mountain Empire District, and is subject to all policies and regulations of these governing bodies. Athletes will ride to and from athletic activities with the team unless permission is given from the principal or designee. Athletes will not be allowed to ride to or from activities with friends, (and parents must obtain written permission from the principal or designee for the student to ride with anyone other than their parents.) At the conclusion of an athletic contest, parents need to tell the coach, in person, that their child will be going home with them if they are not riding the bus. We strongly disapprove of students staying home on school days to rest for events that day or night. Athletes will have to be in school at least half of the day (two blocks) to be eligible to compete in that day’s athletic contest. All coaches will decide if an athlete will practice if they are absent from school. The administration reserves the right to limit participation of students in cases of nonattendance at school. All athletes will sign a Code of Athletic Conduct at the start of each sports season. Athletic Teams Varsity Football Girls’ Tennis 8-9 Football Middle School Volleyball Varsity Baseball Girls’ Varsity Volleyball Junior Varsity Baseball Girls’ Junior Varsity Volleyball Middle School Baseball Wrestling Boys’ Varsity Basketball Varsity Soccer Boys’ Junior Varsity Basketball Varsity Track and Middle School Track Boys’ Middle School Basketball Varsity Cross Country Girls’ Varsity Basketball Girls’ Varsity Softball Girls’ Junior Varsity Basketball Girls’ Junior Varsity Softball Girls’ Middle School Basketball Girl’s Middle School Softball Boys’ Tennis Varsity, JV and Middle School Cheerleading

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