After-School Sports Program
The goal of the St. Simon School Sports Program is to further develop the complete growth of the student. The main purpose is to teach the games being played, broaden the talents and abilities of the individual, generate team spirit and cooperation, and promote good Christian sportsmanship at all times by all involved in the program.
Students in Grades 4-8 may participate in the St. Simon after-school sports program. St. Simon boys compete in the South Peninsula Catholic Athletic League, made up of eight neighboring Catholic elementary schools, plus Pinewood, Keys and Menlo School. St. Simon girls participate in the Girls’ Parochial Athletic Conference, which consists of the same eight Catholic elementary school as the boys’ league, plus Castilleja, Pinewood, Menlo School, and Keys School.
The St. Simon Sports Program is funded by St. Simon Parish plus a nominal fee which is charged each athlete for each sport. All coaches are volunteers (this usually involves 100 or more persons a year) who share in the school philosophy on athletic endeavors. An unacceptable (D or lower) mark in Conduct and/or Effort on the report card disqualifies a student from participation in the Sports Program, including cheerleading, until the next report card. Upon notification of the principal by a teacher that a student is not maintaining these eligibility requirements, the Athletic Director will be notified by the Administration.
Boys’ sports include: basketball, soccer, swimming, and track in Grades 4-8, with baseball and flag football added in Grades 5-8.
Girls’ sports include: softball, soccer, basketball, volleyball, swimming, track, and cheerleading (grade 8 only).
Rules for Earning a St. Simon Block “S” Athletic Award
Boys and girls participating in St. Simon athletics are presented with an emblem designating the specific sport played. This emblem is awarded the first time the boy or girl plays the particular sport and may be worn on the school sweater. The emblem award includes both varsity (7th and 8th grade) and junior varsity (4th, 5th, 6th grade) sports. An emblem in swimming or track is awarded to those who earn ribbons in the meets.
Boys and girls may earn a varsity Block “S” letter award in any of the following ways:
- play two junior varsity sports and one varsity sport
- play two varsity sports
- play a varsity sport in the 8th grade
- play two JV sports in Grade 4 and two JV sports in Grade 5
- play two JV sports in Grade 5 and two JV sports in Grade 6
Note: A Block “S” Award can only be earned from Grade 4 on. A student in Grades 1-2-3 who participates in the swim meet is eligible to earn ribbons at the meet. However, these ribbon awards are not counted toward eligibility for receiving a Block “S” award. Swimming and track are considered “varsity” sports from Grade 4 on, but the athlete must win a ribbon (finish 1st through 6th in an event) to receive such credit. Varsity stars are earned for each varsity sport (swimming, track, or 7th or 8th grade sport) played following the earning of a Block “S”. These stars are not presented for JV sports even though a boy or girl may have already earned a Block “S”.
An annual St. Simon Athletic Awards Assembly is held before the close of the school year at which time awards earned during the year are presented. In addition, there are special awards presented to eighth grade students. Plaques are presented to and names are inscribed on perpetual plaques as follows:
BOYS: Herbert Lamberty Memorial Award for Boy Athlete of the Year, Tommy Smith Memorial Award for Outstanding Boy Scholar-Athlete, Stephen Gerry Memorial Award for Outstanding Boy Athlete, Joe Schram Scholarship Award
GIRLS: Pat Keller Award for Girl Athlete of the Year, Barbara Knowlton Memorial Award for Outstanding Girl Athlete, Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Outstanding Scholar-Athlete Award, Joe Schram Scholarship Award
For further information about the sports program, please see the St. Simon School Sports Handbook.