Meaningful Running Opportunity

Meaningful Miles 5K
Saturday, August 24 at 7:30 a.m.
680 Dallas Street (across from the new Ponce City Market)

The second annual Meaningful Miles Run/Walk 5k sponsored by AT&T gives Atlantans the chance to run alongside - not past - individuals transitioning out of homelessness in our city.

Back on My Feet (BoMF) is a national for-purpose 501(c)3 organization that uses running to help those experiencing homelessness change the way they see themselves so they can make real change in their lives that results in employment and independent living.

The organization’s mission is not to create runners within the homeless population, but to use running to create self-sufficiency in the lives of those experiencing homelessness. The program’s success is measured by how many Members achieve independence through employment and housing.

Each mile honors one of our partner facilities-  Trinity Community Ministries, Gateway Center, and Salvation Army.  As Back on My Feet grows so will this annual race, always adding one mile per partner shelter.

Register online in advance or register on race day for $35 at the Packet Pick-Up tent.

Parent Meeting 2013

AGENDA

1.  Introductions: Jeff Cramer, Tamara Aldridge, and Denise Romeo (Team Parent)

2.  Review of requirements for participation:

• Physical forms
• Insurance cards
• GHSA Student/Parent Concussion Form
• 15 official practices before competition

3.  Practices Schedule and Expectations:

• Schedule: Monday through Friday 4:00pm - 5:30pm and Saturdays at 8:00am 
• Typical routine
• Safety from weather and traffic (poison ivy)
• Safety of personal property/belongings
• NO Jaywalking 
• Positive attitudes and statements ONLY
• Leadership 
• Teamwork Focus
• Embrace the Cramer Philosophy

4.  Meet schedule & protocol:

• Wednesday meets are for EVERYONE
• Conflicts please let us know now
• APS championship is for top 7 only
• Saturday meets are for invited runners. Will be running a Varsity and JV team whenever possible.
• Transportation (APS school buses)
• Uniforms: T-shirts - will look at technical fabric costs vs. Cotton (property of the student, no cost); Jersey/shorts - distributed after school on meet day (only to those with the 15 practices); Sweats - distributed to the top 12 on each team before the region meet; and, Clean and return all school equipment the Monday after the last meet

5.  Parents at meets:

• Help with meets by providing simple healthy snacks and drinks
• Give the kids room to warm up and concentrate on the meet and their team 
• Stay off the course!
• Cheer for everyone
• Help clean up at the end of the meet

6.  Team Finances:

• Corporate Challenge Fundraiser (Thursday, September 12th at 4:00pm)
• Season Expenses: T-shirts, Entry fees, Awards for end of year banquet (Need host family!)

Concussion Awareness

DANGERS OF CONCUSSION:
Concussions at all levels of sports have received a great deal of attention and a state law has been passed to address this issue. Adolescent athletes are particularly vulnerable to the effects of concussion. Once considered little more than a minor “ding” to the head, it is now understood that a concussion has the potential to result in death, or changes in brain function (either short-term or long-term). A concussion is a brain injury that results in a temporary disruption of normal brain function. A concussion occurs when the brain is violently rocked back and forth or twisted inside the skull as a result of a blow to the head or body. Continued participation in any sport following a concussion can lead to worsening concussion symptoms, as well as increased risk for further injury to the brain, and even death.

Player and parental education in this area is crucial – that is the reason for this document. Refer to it regularly. A GHSA Student/Parent Concussion Form must be signed by a parent or guardian of each student who wishes to participate in GHSA athletics. One copy needs to be returned to the school, and one retained at home.

COMMON SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF CONCUSSION:

• Headache, dizziness, poor balance, moves clumsily, reduced energy level/tiredness 
• Nausea or vomiting Blurred vision, sensitivity to light and sounds 
• Fogginess of memory, difficulty concentrating, slowed thought processes, confused about surroundings or game assignments 
• Unexplained changes in behavior and personality 
• Loss of consciousness (NOTE: This does not occur in all concussion episodes.)

BY-LAW 2.68: GHSA CONCUSSION POLICY: In accordance with Georgia law and national playing rules published by the National Federation of State High School Associations, any athlete who exhibits signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion shall be immediately removed from the practice or contest and shall not return to play until an appropriate health care professional has determined that no concussion has occurred. (NOTE: An appropriate health care professional may include, licensed physician (MD/DO) or another licensed individual under the supervision of a licensed physician, such as a nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or certified athletic trainer who has received training in concussion evaluation and management.

1. No athlete is allowed to return to a game or a practice on the same day that a concussion (a) has been diagnosed, OR (b) cannot be ruled out.
2. Any athlete diagnosed with a concussion shall be cleared medically by an appropriate health care professional prior to resuming participation in any future practice or contest. The formulation of a gradual return to play protocol shall be a part of the medical clearance.
3. It is mandatory that every coach in each GHSA sport participate in a free, online course on concussion management prepared by the NFHS and available at www.nfhslearn.com at least every two years – beginning with the 2013-2014 school year.
4. Each school will be responsible for monitoring the participation of its coaches in the concussion management course, and shall keep a record of those who participate.

2013 Parent Meeting Scheduled

We would like to have a parent information meeting on Thursday, August 15 at 6:00 p.m. in the gym health classroom. We will discuss the schedule, team policy regarding attendance and behavior, end of year festivities and the like. We hope many of you will be able to come.

Refreshments for XC Meets

The coaches have asked that we (parents) provide snacks for runners after the weekly City Meets to include water, fresh fruit and healthy treats like bagels, muffins, granola bars, etc. We are using Sign-up Genius to coordinate the snack schedule. I sent out an email to the parent emails that I had. If you did not receive that email, you can visit http://www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C0D48AFA828A2FC1-team to sign up. If you are a student receiving team emails, please send forward a copy to your parent(s).


You will notice that there are no sign-ups for Saturday invitationals, Regional or State meets. The reason is that traditionally we have asked that ALL runners’ families provide a snack of their choosing for these meets to share with everyone.

Physical forms and copies of your runner’s insurance cards are past due. If your student is truly interested in participating in the Grady XC team, these forms must be returned immediately.

We look forward to a great XC season! Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.

~Denise Romeo

  Team Parent

First Week of Official Practice

Today is the first day of official practice sessions.  We will be at Piedmont Park at 6:00.  Also tomorrow at 6, and Saturday at 8 am.  Next week will be Mon and Tues at 6:00, then we begin 4:00 practice after school every day and 8 AM most Saturdays.

You must have a physical form, insurance waiver, and copy of your insurance card on file with me before you can workout with us.  Bring a water bottle and a good attitude.  June and July at Candler were very productive.  We made a lot of progress.

You must have 15 practices on the attendance sheet starting today, to be able to get a uniform and run in races.  I sent a schedule last week.  The first meet is Sept 4, about 5 weeks from today.  If  you are regular you will have no trouble making the 15 workouts.  If not, you will wait.  Our expectation is that you will be running with us at least 5 days a week.  If you have other activities, come to the roll call and warm-ups, then we will dismiss you and count the day toward your total.

Every school that will field a competitive team has been running all summer.  Let's stay in the race.  See you tonight and daily until November 10th.  You can take that day off.

2013 Schedule & Guidelines Announced

Please pencil these dates on your calendar.  The only dates that are obligatory are Region and State.  Others can be negotiated, although we would like everyone to come to each meet.

Dates are pending acceptance of entry to invitationals, and verification of region date at the region meeting August 20th.  Bus will leave from Grady at 6:00 am for invitationals.  We will split the team into varsity and JV at invitational meets to allow everyone to participate.

Uniforms will be issued before the first meet to all team members who have attended at least 15 practices after August 1st.  Runners are responsible for cleaning the uniform each week, and returning it in good condition at the end of the season.   Regular practice during the season is expected in order to participate in weekly meets.  Individuals who are trying to balance other activities may come to cross country team warm ups each day, then be dismissed to another practice and receive credit for that day.

City championship is for the top 7 on each team.  ALL others will come to the meet to cheer and take pictures.

The region team must come from a list of 12 boys and 12 girls that will be submitted to the state offices before October 20th.  The fastest 12, based on meet times will be sent in.  Any combination of 7 from that list may be selected to run varsity at region and at state.  We can change the grouping for the state meet if the team qualifies.  The top 4 schools from each region meet will qualify for the state meet.  We will run a JV team at region, but not at state.

School will end each day at 3:30 this year.  We will try to begin practice at 4:00.  It will be tough to be organized by then, but we will do our best.

Summer Drawing to a Close

We have only two more weeks at Candler Park. On Thursday, August 1st, we will begin meeting at Piedmont Park.  We will start at 6:00 pm on week days (M-F) and 8:00 am on Saturdays.  When school starts, August 7, we will meet in the gym at 4:00 pm and walk to the park together.  Yes..... we will practice the first day of school, so bring your stuff.

You must have a signed physical form, insurance waiver, and photo copy of your insurance card to practice with us on August 1st.  Please get those in to me this week if possible so I don't have a whole stack at the last minute.

We had a good group today and got in a good workout.  Ability sub-groups are beginning to identify themselves.  We will be using the Beltline as well as the new trails on the north end of the park.  Everything is beautiful after our wet summer.  Be ready for warmer weather in August and September. I will have the schedule ready next week.  Put it on your calendars and let's get ready to race.

Peachtree Road Race Results

I saw many of you running this morning.  I didn't make it to the park, but stayed at WSB for most of the morning watching the world run past.  If you finished and have a time, send it to me.  The official results are up on the Atlanta Track Club website, but not all of you ran under your own name.  Nice weather!

We will return to Candler Park Monday afternoon.  I hope to see some new faces in July, along with the regulars.  If you are out of town, keep running on your own.  We are making solid progress so far this summer and we need to keep pushing all the way to state.

Practice Today & Nest Week

We had a small group Monday.  It looked like rain, but we had cool temperatures and mostly dry conditions so we were able to do a nice long run.  Yesterday the group was robust and we ran a good set of 1/2 mile repeats in the Ponce parks.  Everyone is looking stronger week by week.  If you have not been running every day, please get out the door.  Join us if you can, but if you are not free at 6:00, still lace up the shoes and get out there.

Physical forms are trickling in.  Some of you have not given me a copy of your insurance card.  You must have all paper work in by August 1.

Next week is GHSA "dead week".  No sports are allowed to practice.  Today will be a regular day at Candler Park.  The next scheduled practice will be Monday July 8 at Candler Park.  Then only three more weeks until we move to Piedmont Park daily, and then school starts.

I will send a schedule of meets after July 12th.  The state meet is November 9th.  Mark it on your calendar now.

Get Your FREE Physical for XC

Schedule a FREE Sports Physical at http://www.wellstreet.com/freephysical.

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School Sports & Camp Physicals: Students who plan on participating in school-sponsored sports in Georgia may need to have their annual Sports Physical Examination performed. Students planning to participate in summer camps, music camps, and other activities may also need a physical exam.

Fitness Check Physicals: Adults, teens or children who are participating in a sport or fitness program are eligible to receive a physician exam to determine fitness for exercise and sports.

Get a FREE Sports/Camp or Fitness Check Physical (a $35 value) at your local WellStreet by scheduling a day and time to come in and see our doctor. Use the form to the left to let us know when you’d like to come in and get your free Sports/Camp or Fitness Check Physical!

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Virginia Highlands Urgent Care

882 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306

Just east of Atlanta City Hall East

First Week of Summer Practices

We had a very good first week of summer practice.  Average attendance was about 20.  We only got caught in the rain once!  We will meet Saturday at Piedmont Park at 8:00 am for a longer run.  The plan is to go outside the park into the neighborhoods.  Meet at the circle near the flagpole at the Charles Allen entrance.

Hope to see some new faces and the faces of some old timers who have not yet come out.