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Media PolicyIn recognition of the importance for security and privacy within the SacredHeart Schools community, the Administration has adopted the followinggeneral policy:1. All requests for media coverage of private school events shall be handled bythe Director of Schools or, in his absence, the Director of Communications.The Communications Office shall handle routine press inquiries.2. The media is normally welcome at Sacred Heart events to which the public isinvited (e.g., sports, plays, Christmas boutique, and guest speakers.)3. Absent exceptional circumstances, the media will not be granted access toprivate school events or non-public facilities. However, the Director of Schoolsmay grant such access after considering needs for the security and privacy ofstudents and the school community and the efficacy of school programs.Authorization for Publication of PhotographsBy signing the Enrollment Agreement, parents grant Sacred Heart Schools theright (through Sacred Heart print, video, and electronic communications) touse, incorporate, and distribute photographs or video footage taken of theirstudent as a result of that student’s participation in approved activities of SacredHeart Schools, unless written notification removing permission is submitted bythe parents to the office.Sacred Heart Schools operates and maintains a public website at www.shschools.org with password-protected areas for student-specific and parentspecificinformation as a means of communication for the greater SHScommunity. During the course of a school year, the school will publishtext and/or images to all areas of the website that positively reflect SHS bycelebrating the activities and/or members of the school community, morespecifically the student body. To preserve the safety and privacy of studentsassociated with the published material, photographs and student names willnever appear together on our website. If the parent/guardian DOES NOT wishhis/her child(ren) to appear on the website as part of the normal posting of textand images of school events and activities, those parents should notify the officein writing, before the start of school.ATHLETICS HANDBOOKThis handbook has been prepared to assist parents and students in grades 4-8understanding essential information about the sports program offered at SacredHeart. Athletics is an important part of the total educational process, and thisHandbook describes both the philosophy and practice of the program.POLICYDevelopment of the whole child is at the core of the values of a Sacred Hearteducation. Athletics at SHS are an integral part of the daily life of the school,and are designed to complement the work that takes place in the classroom.Competitive after school sports begin in the fourth grade. Participation isvoluntary and encouraged. The athletic department supports a no-cut policy,and additional teams will be added each season if numbers warrant. The goal ofeach team is for children to enjoy themselves while developing appropriate skillsand learning the rules of the game.The Athletic program at SHS provides:• An opportunity for each student in grades 4-8 to be a member of anorganized team and to play at a level that is consistent with his/her abilities.• An opportunity for all students to enjoy athletics and the benefits ofworking together as a team.• An opportunity for each student to fulfill the obligations of his/her team,including attendance at all practices and games.• An opportunity for each player to build self-esteem, show respect forteammates, opponents, coaches and officials, and to compete in a mannerconsistent with Christian teachings and beliefs.• An opportunity to use athletics as a means of furthering school and teamspirit.• Opportunities for parents to enjoy seeing their children compete in a teamenvironment.TEAM SPORTSSacred Heart participates in the WBAL (West Bay Athletic League).Current members including SHS are:Castilleja (Palo Alto) (Girls only) Girls Middle School (Palo Alto)Keys School (Palo Alto) Harker School (San Jose)Menlo School (Atherton) The Kings Academy (Sunnyvale)Pinewood (Los Altos) Woodside Priory (Portola Valley)Crystal Springs Uplands (Hillsborough) St. Matthew’s (San Mateo)Eastside Prep (East Palo Alto)Team sports are open to all boys and girls grades 5-8, with the exceptionof basketball which begins in grade four. In addition, fourth graders mayparticipate in tennis and cross country.46 47