Reading Jr/Sr High School Athletic Department Parent Communication Guide

Our goal is to provide a positive and enriching experience for all student-athletes. This guide outlines the communication policies, expectations, and procedures to ensure effective and respectful interactions between parents, coaches, and administration.

Communication Expectations

Communication You Should Expect From a Coach:

Team requirements, including schedules and expectations.
Procedures for injuries, discipline, or team issues.
Updates on team activities and events.
Philosophy and goals of the program.

Parent-to-Coach Communication:

Inform the coach of any scheduling conflicts well in advance.
Share concerns about your student-athlete's physical or mental well-being.
Follow the proper chain of communication if an issue arises.

Appropriate Topics to Discuss with Coaches

Ways to help your student improve their performance.
Concerns about your student's behavior or well-being.
Team rules, expectations, and scheduling.

Conversations between coaches and athletes, or between coaches and parents, should always center on your child, the concerns you have, and potential solutions to address them. While the aim is always to find a resolution, achieving one may require aligned expectations from all parties involved.

Inappropriate Topics to Discuss with Coaches

Playing time decisions.
Team strategy and play calling.
Other student-athletes.

We trust our coaches to make decisions they believe are in the best interest of the team as a whole. While it can be challenging if your child is not playing as much as you had hoped, playing time remains at the discretion of the coaching staff. Discussions should focus on your child's development rather than other team members, coaching strategies, or playing time decisions.

Communication Protocol for Concerns

Wait 24 Hours - If an issue arises from a game/contest, wait at least 24 hours before addressing it to allow emotions to settle and reflection to occur.
Schedule a meeting between the athlete and coach.
Schedule a meeting between the athlete, parent and coach at a mutually convenient time.
Escalation Process - If the concern remains unresolved after speaking with the coach, parents may schedule a meeting between the athlete, parent, coach, and the Athletic Director for further discussion.

A key aspect of growing student-athletes is promoting problem-solving skills. In most cases, the first step should involve the athlete communicating directly with the coach. We recognize that there may be sensitive situations where a parent needs to speak with the coaching staff without the student-athlete. However, whenever possible and appropriate, we encourage families to support their student-athletes in addressing concerns with the coach first.

Game Day Communication

Parents should support their student-athlete and the team in a positive manner.
Do not approach a coach or address concerns immediately before, during, or after a game.
Encourage good sportsmanship at all times.

Parents should refrain from addressing a coach before or after a game or practice, as these can be emotional moments for both parents and coaches. Such discussions are unlikely to lead to a productive resolution.

Social Media Policy

Parents are expected to use social media responsibly when discussing Reading Athletics.
Negative or inappropriate comments about coaches, players, or officials will not be tolerated.
Encourage and model positive interactions online.
Parents should not communicate their concerns to coaches through social media accounts.

Conclusion

The Reading Jr/Sr High School Athletic Department values the partnership between parents, student-athletes, and coaches. By following this guide, we can create a positive and productive environment that fosters growth, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Failure to follow these guidelines could result in disciplinary action for our parents/spectators. Thank you for your support of our athletic programs!

"The Parent Seat" - Here is a short video from the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) explaining the role of a parent in high school athletics.