Timberline Athletics 2025 - 2026

Middle School Athletics Format

- 2025 – 2026 School Year –

• 3 Interscholastic Seasons (8 Weeks each) – Competing against other schools.

• 6 Intramural Sessions (2 Weeks each) – Competing with other TMS students.

- Tryout and Non-Tryout Sports each season

- No Regional program

Tryout Sports vs.

Non-Tryout Sports

Tryout Sports

• Limited number of spots available.

• Coaches will evaluate athletes’ skills and abilities to the best of their ability.

• Evaluation criteria will be used for athlete selection.

• Results and selections will be communicated to families and students via email. Team rosters and levels (Varsity/Junior Varsity) will be posted on Microsoft Teams or communicated through FinalForms.

• Tryouts will last for 3-4 days and will be organized into Varsity and Junior Varsity based on evaluated skills and abilities.

• Athletes must be present during tryouts to be considered. They may miss up to one day and still be eligible for team selection.

  Non-Tryout Sports

• All athletes, regardless of skill level, are welcome.

• Athletes who tried out for a tryout sport but were not selected for a Varsity or Junior Varsity team will have the opportunity to switch to a non-tryout sport during the current season.

• To request a switch, athletes must email Mr. Jones within one week of the tryout selections. Payment must also be made within one week to continue participating in non-tryout sport.

Not Making a Team

• Student athletes not selected for a varsity or junior varsity team can participate in non-tryout sports for the current season. The practices held during tryouts will count towards the required 7 practices for eligibility for the first competition and 9 practices before the first wrestling competition.

• We encourage all student athletes who are not chosen to join an intramural session. This offers an excellent opportunity to enhance their skills in a supportive environment.

Payment Format (Interscholastic Seasons)

Tryout Spots

• Payment window will be open for one week following the completion of tryouts and team selections.

• If payment is not received during this time, the athlete will be unable to participate until payment is made.

  Non-Tryout Sports

• The payment window will open approximately four weeks before the Friday that marks the start of the season. This window will close the Friday prior to the season's commencement.

• Failure to make the payment within this timeframe will result in non-participation of the athlete. No exceptions will be made to late or missed payments.

Practice Times

• Practice will be Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.

• Practice times will range from 1 hour to 2 hours.

• Coaches will communicate how long practices will be. (some sports take longer to set-up and clean up)

• Practices are closed to the parents and the community.

Attendance

Practice Attendance:

• Athletes must attend a minimum of 7 practices (9 practices for wrestling) to be eligible for their first competition.

• All students are required to be physically present and actively participating in practice for it to count towards the 7 required practices (9 for wrestling), regardless of any excuses.

  Competition Eligibility:

• Once an athlete has attended and participated in 7 practices (9 for wrestling), they will be eligible for all competitions throughout the season.

  Attendance Monitoring:

• Attendance is recorded at each practice. Parents will be informed of any absences, even if they were pre-arranged.

• Attendance is mandatory for tryouts. Athletes may miss one tryout day but must attend the other to remain eligible for team selection.

  Commitment to Team:

• A full commitment is essential for tryout sports. Multiple unexcused absences may lead to removal from the team.

  School Attendance Requirement:

• To participate in same-day practices and competitions, students must be present for at least half of the school day (3 out of 6 periods).

Academic Grade Policy

Grade Monitoring Summary:

• Grade Updates: Every 2 weeks (TMS Policy)

• Monitoring: At the 3-week mark of the 8-week season.

• Reporting: Athletic Director reports student athletes with "N" grades.

• Support Plan: Meetings with affected athletes to create a support plan.

• Supports: Flex sign-up and Athlete Grade Tracker sheet.

• Check-in: One week post-plan, athletes must show progress.

• Athletic Participation:

  • Allowed if engaging in support.

  • Practices and team-building allowed.

  • No game participation until "N" grades are raised to “D” or higher.

• Eligibility:

  • Submit signed Athlete Tracker Sheet.

  • Grade verification by Athletic Director.

  • Eligibility restored after both criteria are met.

Transportation

- Transportation is provided exclusively for athletes traveling from TMS to the opponent's school and back on competition days.

• Parents/Guardians must pick up athletes at the front of TMS after practices and when buses return from competitions. Prompt pick-up is essential; failure to do so may result in the student being unable to participate or facing removal from the team.

• Families are welcome to attend and watch the athletes, but they must adhere to all school rules and sportsmanship protocols while on LWSD school property.

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Communication

• Students: Communication will be through the specific sports Microsoft Team’s page. Once added to the Microsoft Team’s page you can find schedules, team rosters, coaches’ information, and a channel for general questions.

• Parents: Communication will be through email via FinalForms.