A caregiver's guide to Middle School athletics
Damon Ray, Athletic Director dray@gordonschool.org 401 434-3833 x182
Who can play?
Gordon is proud to guarantee each Middle School student a place on a team. Regardless of playing experience or ability level, students are encouraged to participate.
Athletics are open to all fifth through eighth grade students, with these exceptions:
1. Due to Rhode Island Interscholastic League regulations, fifth graders may not participate in cross country and track and field.
2. Interscholastic basketball is open to sixth through eighth grade students only. Fifth grade students may participate in a separate fifth grade basketball program, described below.
The seasons
Fall September 2nd to late October
Cross country, field hockey, soccer, Friday Run Club, instructional tennis
Monday to Thursday except tennis and Friday Run Club, which are Fridays only
Winter December 1st to late February
Sixth to eighth grade basketball, fifth grade basketball, instructional tennis
Sixth to eighth grade program is Monday to Friday, fifth grade basketball and tennis are Fridays only
Spring March 30th to mid or late May
Lacrosse, track and field, competitive tennis
Monday to Thursday except tennis and Friday Run Club, which are Fridays only
Practice times and game days for interscholastic sports
Tennis is always Fridays only. In the spring, tennis matches will be played on Fridays.
For all sports besides tennis: fall and spring athletic practices run Monday through Thursday from 3:30-5:00pm. In the winter, basketball practices run Monday through Friday with varying times. Generally, basketball practices run from 3:30-4:30pm or 4:15-5:30pm. Games are scheduled Monday through Thursday, with possible Saturday tournaments or meets at the end of the season that all participating student-athletes are expected to attend.
Commitment and general expectations
Parents and students should understand that team membership is a privilege and that students must be committed to their chosen program. Attendance at all team meetings, practices, and games is expected unless a child is absent from school or has been excused in advance by his or her coach or the Athletic Director. To the greatest extent possible, we encourage student-athletes themselves to communicate directly with coaches and the Athletic Department. We want Gordon students to grow socially, emotionally, and physically through their athletic experience. Student-athletes are expected to demonstrate a positive attitude, strong work ethic, superior sportspersonship, and responsibility. See the commitment statement for additional expectations.
Students who cannot attend school for health reasons, or are sent home during the day, cannot participate in after school
programs, including athletic games or any performances.
Paperwork requirements
Students must submit the permission and liability release form in order to participate. A copy of Gordon School Health Service After School Programs Policy and Gordon’s Concussion policy referenced in the permission form can be found on www.gordonschool.org/nurse
If your child is participating in cross-country or track and field, you must also submit a notarized “Assumption of Risk Form” that is downloadable at www.gordonschool.org/crosscountry. Carmen Garcia in Gordon’s Business Office is available to notarize.
A team and B team composition
Seventh and eighth grade students generally comprise our A teams and fifth and sixth graders our B teams. Alternative placement within programs may occur when it seems critical to providing a better social, emotional, and physical growth experience for a particular student and team. Due to smaller rosters in basketball, all eighth grade students are placed on the A team before sixth or seventh graders are considered.
If a program is under- or over-enrolled for what we feel we can support and adjustments must be made, interested students and their families will be notified.
Blue team and Green team composition
In athletics, Blue indicates teams for students who identify as boys or nonbinary. Green indicates teams for students who identify as girls or nonbinary. This is an expression of Gordon’s Statement on Inclusivity, and the school’s commitment to allowing every student to participate fully in the Gordon experience while remaining true to their own identity.
Friday Run Club
Open to all Middle School students including fifth graders, the Friday Run Club provides a welcoming, cross-grade environment where students can improve their running skills, build endurance, and enjoy being part of a team without the commitment of a four-day practice schedule. Because the Run Club meets only on Fridays, students can also participate in another athletics offering or Middle School theater.
Fifth grade basketball
Fifth grade basketball offers all fifth graders the opportunity to enjoy a limited practice and game schedule throughout the winter season. The program meets on Fridays only from 3:30-5pm. There is no fee for this program.
More information, announcements, and athletics schedules
Up-to-date information, including game and weekly practice schedules, directions, and estimated return times to Gordon’s campus from away games is available on the school’s Google calendar. Instructions for using this calendar are at www.gordonschool.org/athleticscalendar
In the event of same-day cancellation or postponement due to inclement weather or other extenuating circumstances, changes will be announced via text by 1:00pm.