Sartell Sapphire Rules & Policies

Attendance and Participation
1. Sartell Sapphires is open only to Sartell area resident who pay taxes to the Sartell-St. Stephen school district.
2. Gymnast whose accounts are not up to date will not be allowed to participate in practices, performances or competitions.
3. Attendance will be taken regularly.
4. Gymnasts are expected to be at practice on time. The warm-up/stretching period is critical to their safety.
5. Schedules will be provided monthly and will be available through email. Schedules will also be posted on the this web site.
6. Most correspondence with families will be done through email. It will be the responsibility of each family to inform the coaches if you do not have email access or if your email is not working.

Tuition/Fees
1. There is a $35.00 yearly membership fee due at time of registration.
2. All tuition is due on a monthly basis and should be mailed directly to the treasurer.
3. A $5.00 late fee will be charged if payment is received after the due date.
4. Mailboxes will be provided for each Sapphire family to receive tuition statements and gym information. Each gymnast or family member is responsible for checking their own mailboxes on a regular basis.
5. Any gymnast whose account is one month delinquent or more will be contacted and will not be allowed to participate until the account is up to date.
6. A two week notice is required if a gymnast discontinues Sapphires. If two weeks notice is not given, then two weeks tuition will be charged from last practice attended.
7. If a gymnast chooses to "take a break" from Sapphires it will be considered quitting unless tuition is paid throughout the entire break. If the gymnast wishes to return to the Sapphire program, she will be re-evaluated for skill level and placed appropriately based on space availability in the program. Medical conditions (see below for more info) and family vacation are exceptions to this policy as long as coaches are informed and required tuition is paid.
8. Updated medical information must be presented to coaches on a regular basis.
9. Parents/Guardians are required to complete an emergency form and provide proof of insurance when registering.
10. Each individual member will be required to purchase a team uniform. Gymnasts who are competing will have a separate uniform expense. Uniform information will be provided at the fall parent meeting each year.
11. Gymnast participating in competitions will be expected to pay competition fees in excess of regular tuition costs. A competition budget will be provided for each competition season.

Injuries
1. A gymnast who is injured is required to pay 50% tuition until the gymnast is able to participate again. The gymnast will have to pay full tuition when she returns to practice on at least one piece of equipment. Example: sprained ankle = should not tumble but can do bars.
2. It is recommended, subject to parent's discretion, that all injured gymnasts still attend practice to maintain strength, flexibility and team involvement.
3. If an injury requires a doctors visit, the gymnast must present coaches with a return to practice form from the attending doctor. This included same day visits.

Dress Code
1. Sapphire gymnasts are required to wear a leotard to all practices with either bike shorts on top or gymnastics briefs underneath.
2. Hair must be pulled back and up away from face. Please use clips if needed and also pull all hair into holders. Please do not leave hair half down.

Competition Policies
1. If a gymnasts skill level is ready for the competition team, they may choose not to compete for that season, but may still practice with that team. Competition is a choice when it has been offered.
2. As a general rule, competitive gymnasts should attend at least 75% of all practices during the competitive season (November- March).
3. Competitive gymnasts are expected to attend all but one competition during the competitive season. Preferably, gymnasts will attend all meets and performances. It is essential for gymnasts to be involved and attend all competitions as one of our primary goals is learning the value of teamwork.
4. Competitive gymnasts are expected to be at all practices prior to meets.
5. Only competitive gymnasts are allowed on the competitive floor during meets.
6. Competitive gymnasts and families will receive detailed competition information prior to each scheduled meet.
7. Gymnasts and families are expected to follow the rules of etiquette provided for competition.

Team Alignment/Tryouts
1. Tryouts are usually held in the Spring and may also be held in the fall based on coaches discretion. Openings will be filled based on ability level and space availability within the program.
2. Current Sapphire teams may be realigned in the spring and fall. Placement of gymnasts on which team will determined and set by October 1st of each year.
3. Sapphire gymnasts may continue in the program through the 8th grade. Upon completion of the 8th grade, gymnasts will transfer over to the Sartell JV/Varsity program. Gymnasts may also choose to enter the high school programs in 7th grade. Gymnasts who meet the Sartell resident requirements, but who attend another school district that does not provide a high school gymnastics opportunity, may continue in the Sapphire program through their high school senior year.
4. Gymnasts who are transitioning to the high school program must make a decision before June 1st so that their position can be filled by someone else who will be eligible for that placement.