Parent Information Meeting Presentation
The parent information meeting was held in the Keating Theater on August 26, 2026. Here is an overview of the information given on that night.
Use the list below to jump to a specific section:
Kirkwood Athletic Boosters - PBI
Collegiate Athletic Opportunities
Signs of an Ideal sports parent
Signs of a nightmare sports parent
Click here for a pdf version of the presentation
Kirkwood Athletic Boosters - PBI
What is PBI:
- Nonprofit, volunteer run organization
- Revenue supports ALL athletic programs
- $70,000 per year
How can you be involved?
- Memberships: Levels for all needs
- Attend a Meeting
- 1st Tuesday of the Month
- 7:00pm Athletic office
- Volunteer at the concession stand
- Participate in the Annual Golf tournament
For News and Signups, follow us on:
Twitter/X: @kirkwoodpbi
Look for Emails from Athletic office about PBI involvement.
Director: Corey Nesslage Budget/Facilities/Fields/Evaluations/Hiring/Major Awards/PBI Liaison/Suburban Conference President/Work Orders/Game Management
Assistant Director/Activities Director: Brad Sutterer Scheduling/Athletic Transportation/Rentals/MSHSAA/Coaching Certification/Opponent Contracts/Contest Confirmation/Game Management
Administrative Assistant: Devaney Brinker Office Manager/Mailings/Contest Confirmation/Event Staffing/Awards/Budget Management-Pay Vouchers/Deposits/Edline Data Entry
Changes occur with the schedule due to weather and other issues such as umpire shortage, transportation, etc.
Check
- Website-https://athletics.kirkwoodschools.org
- Twitter (@khspioneers) for updates
- Instagram (khspioneers)
- Dr. Seth Harrell 314 213-6100 x1301 Seth.Harrell@kirkwoodschools.org
Coaches will relay information to kids, kids must forward information to you.
Stephanie Brewer/Olivia Hiscox
Dr. Policy
- If an athlete is seen by Doctor-that athlete can only be released
 by the Doctor
- These releases must go to Kelsey and Kelsey will send the 
 athlete back to practice with a NOTE RELEASING THEM.
- Concussions
- Sway Testing for all contact sport athletes
- Must Report
- Seek Medical Attention
- Help take the time to heal
MSHSAA Recommended Use of Wet Bulb Globe Thermometer (WBGT) for Heat and Humidity Monitoring during Activity
The MSHSAA Board of Directors approved the Wet Bulb Globe Thermometer (WBGT) as the recommended measurement practice and device for measuring acceptable heat/humidity levels for practices and contests. The use of WBGT is recommended throughout the calendar year when ambient temperature is above 80 degrees. Member schools can secure and use the instruments found on the suggested list of WBGT’s located on the Sports Medicine page at www.mshsaa.org
The following information pertains to high school athletics only!
If the WBGT Index is below 82.0:
- Normal activities—provide at least 3 separate rest breaks each hour of minimum duration of 3 minutes each. Use discretion for intense or prolonged exercise/practice.
If the WBGT is between 82.1-86.9:
- Use discretion for intense or prolonged exercise
- Watch at-risk players carefully
- Provide at least 3 separate rest breaks each hour for a minimum of 4 minutes in duration for each
If the WBGT is between 87.0-89.9:
- Maximum practice time is 2 hours each.
- Football
- Players are restricted to helmet, shoulder pads, and shorts during practice
- If the WBGT rises to this level during practice, players may continue to workout wearing football pants without changing to shorts
- All Sports/Marching Band/Spirit
- Provide at least 4 separate rest breaks each hour for a minimum of 4 minutes each
If the WBGT is above 90.0-92.0:
- Maximum practice time is 1 hour
- Football
- NO protective equipment may be worn during practice, and there may be NO conditioning activites.
- All Sports/Marching Band/Spirit
- There must be 20 minutes of rest breaks distributes throughout the hour of practice
- Games/Contests/Performances
- Implement additional official's timeouts for water breaks due to unusual heat/humidity/environmental conditions that may create risks for participants
If the WBGT is over 92:
- NO Outdoor workouts
- Cancel or delay practice and competitions until a cooler WBGT is reached.
- Indoor workouts may be permitted in an air conditioned environment.
- Legally enrolled as a student at KHS
- Have a completed AND UPDATED FINALFORMS PROFILE
- Be enrolled and pass 3.0 units of credit in the semester preceding the season of competition to be academically eligible
- Be enrolled in 3.0 units during semester of competition
- ATTENDANCE POLICY
- After 5 "unexcused" on the sixth DROP
- Parents should be hearing from assistant principals after the third
- All incoming 9th graders gain athletic eligibility to participate in athletics in their first semester.
- Attendance
- Be present at least ½ day of any school day
- If a student misses class(es) without being excused by the principal, the student shall not be considered eligible on that date.
- Exceptions must be approved by Dr. Harrell.
- All athletes must participate in 14 practices until he/she may be allowed to participate in an official contest.
- Fall athletes as they transition to winter do not need 14
- Same for winter athletes to spring
- Restorative--not eligible until that assignment is complete
Call the Athletics Office with any questions
Click here to go to the webpage to download a physical exam form.
If a student commits an act for which charges may be or have been filed by law enforcement authorities, shall not be eligible until proceedings with legal system have been concluded and any penalty or special condition of probation has been satisfied. Traffic violations shall not affect eligibility unless they involve drugs, alcohol, or injuries to others.
Each student is responsible to notify the school of any and all situations that would affect his/her eligibility under the above standards. If the student does not do so, prior to the school’s discovery, the student shall be ineligible for up to 365 days from discovery. This can affect their team-forfeits, post-season competition.
Collegiate Athletic Opportunities
Who do you talk to?
- Coach
- Counselor
- Athletic Office
- Advocate for yourself
- ncaaeligibilitycenter.org
NCAA Division 1
- Full Qualifier (2.3)- competition, athletics aid (scholarship), and practice year number 1
- Academic Redshirt (2.0)- athletics aid year 1, practice in first regular academic term(semester or quarter)
- Non-qualifier- no athletics aid, practice or competition the first year
Full Qualifier
- 16 Core Courses-10 must be completed by the beginning of 7th semester
- 7 of 10 must be completed in English, Math, and Science
- Minimum GPA of 2.3 in core courses/Div. II 2.2
- Graduate from high school
Academic Red-Shirt
- 16 Core Courses-10 must be completed by the beginning of 7th semester
- Minimum GPA of 2.00-2.299 in core courses
- Minimum ACT sum or SAT score (critical reading/math only that matches the 16 core course GPA
Non-qualifier
- Cannot receive scholarship during year 1
- Cannot practice or compete during year 1
Team Selection Process
- Every effort will be made to avoid a ‘cut’ system, especially at the lower levels.
- Size Limitations sometimes necessitate competitive tryouts and the need to cut.
Team Attendance Practice/Games
- Students are expected to be at all games/practices.
- Playing time is earned at every level
- Freshman
- JV
- Varsity
- Coaches will go over practice schedules and protocol if athlete cannot attend practice.
Team Bus
- Athletes are expected to ride the team bus to and from all events.
- Alternative transportation must be made in advance with coach/sponsor
VTS Athletes
- Head Coaches of each sport responsible for VTS transportation needs.
Activity Buses (Soccer, Basketball, Girls Soccer)
- Bus to NKMS Departs KHS Essex Lot at 2:52 pm
- Departs NKMS at 5:15 pm back to KHS
VTS
- Departs KHS Dougherty Ferry Lot at 4:15 pm
- Departs KHS Dougherty Ferry Lot at 5:50 pm
Kirkwood Activity Bus
- Departs KHS Dougherty Ferry Lot at 4:15 pm--MUST BE REQUESTED
- Departs KHS Dougherty Ferry Lot at 5:50 pm
IMPORTANT DATES
- Winter season--2026
- November 3
- Girls and Boys Basketball
- Girls Wrestling
- November 10
- Girls Swim and Dive
- Boys Wrestling
- November 3
- Spring season--2026
- March 1, 2027
- Dead week for 2027
- July 31, 2027 - August 8, 2027
- First day of fall sports 2027
- August 9, 2027
Signs of an Ideal Sports Parent
Reasons kids participate in sports
- Have Fun!
- Winning was #10 on the list!
Cheer everybody on the team, not just your child.
- Attend as many games as possible
- Don’t feel the need to come to the rescue at every crisis
Model Appropriate Behavior
- Project poise, control, and confidence, the athlete is likely to do the same.
Know when/what is suitable to discuss with the coach
- Make the coach your ally!
- Not right after a game or practice-unless you have an appointment.
- Mental and Physical treatment- Absolutely
- Advice to help your son/daughter to improve
- Taboo Topics- Playing time/Strategy/Other athletes
Know Your Role
- Coach/Official/Spectator- Suggest that you only choose one of these.
- Extreme Shortage of officials-please be mindful of this as a fan.
- If your child or family members are embarrassed by you- YOU need to change!
Be a good listener and a great encourager!
- All Ears when your child is ready to talk.
- Be your child’s biggest fan!
- Good Athletes learn better when they seek their own answers
Release your child to the coach and the program
Signs of a Nightmare Sports Parent
Overemphasizing sports at the expense of sportsmanship
- Best Athletes perform at an even keel, WIN OR LOSE!
- Encouragement is Crucial- especially during adversity
Having different goals than your child
- Athlete- Have fun, enjoy time with friends, improve, and win!
- Parents- scholarship, making All-Star Team
Treating your child differently after a loss than a win.
- “I love watching you play”
- “I am proud of you”
Undermining the Coach
- Athletes need a single voice during games.
- That voice has to be the coach
Living your own athletic dream through your child
- Taking credit when the child has done well
- Outcome of game means more to you than your child
- You regularly attend practice