Interscholastic Athletics FAQ

WELCOME TO GAYNOR INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS

Dear Families,

Thank you for your continued interest and commitment to the Gaynor Interscholastic Athletics program. In an effort to provide clear and concise information, we have created this helpful tool consisting of many “FAQs.” Please reference this resource for answers to frequently asked questions pertaining to the Interscholastic Athletics program. Seeking additional information? Contact athletics@stephengaynor.org for further insight related to specific or individualized questions or concerns.

Before registering for Interscholastic Athletics, please review the FAQs below about completing the registration process.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - 2026-27

Everything You Need to Know
About Our Interscholastic Athletics Program

General Information

Who do I contact regarding Interscholastic Athletics?

For general athletics inquiries, please contact the Interscholastic Athletics Coordinator Noah Jefferson (njefferson@stephengaynor.org). For in season, sport-specific questions during the season, please reach out directly to the team's Head Coach, who will be identified in the sport's weekly email updates.

What sports are offered here at Gaynor?

Please note that the days for each sport outlined below is tentative until the start of each sport's season. Competition days and venue availability are subject to change based on league-wide rulings and scheduling adjustments.

  • Fall Season:
    • Co-Ed Soccer: Mondays and Thursdays
    • Girls Volleyball: Tuesdays and Wednesdays
    • Co-Ed Cross Country: Tuesdays and Thursdays
  • Winter Season:
    • Girls Basketball: Tuesdays and Thursdays
    • Boys Basketball: Mondays and Wednesdays
  • Spring Season:
    • Boys Volleyball: Tuesdays and Wednesdays
    • Co-Ed Softball: Mondays and Thursdays
    • Co-Ed Track and Field: Tuesdays and Wednesdays

For which clusters is Interscholastic Athletics offered at Gaynor?

Interscholastic Athletics are available to students in the Green and Blue Clusters. Students in younger clusters are invited to participate in the After School program, which offers a variety of engaging activities to keep students active. For more information regarding the After School program, please visit the After School FAQs, or contact afterschool@stephengaynor.org

Can my student participate in a different cluster team?

At Gaynor, our sports team are strategically structured to support student-athletes within their designated clusters, accommodating all skill and experience levels. By keeping students within their respective cluster levels, we ensure tailored guidance through every stage of athletic development. When roster numbers permit, we may introduce a 'Flex' team, combining clusters, to maximize competitive opportunities and ensure optimal playing time for all participants.

Please note that all student placements and roster adjustments are made solely at the discretion of the Interscholastic Athletics Coordinator and coaching staff. These decisions are based on a holistic evaluation of the student, including maturity, attitude, daily classroom behavior, and other key developmental factors.

What time does Interscholastic Athletics run?

Interscholastic Athletics typically runs from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm. However, times may vary on days when teams require early dismissal for away competitions. Logistics regarding early dismissals will be shared with families as soon as schedules are confirmed. Teams may also participate in athletics past 5:30 pm due to double header games, or away games with late arrival back to Gaynor due to traffic.

How many days does a team meet in a week?

Interscholastic Athletics teams practice two days a week. While we make every effort to maintain a consistent weekly schedule for practices and competitions, days may vary due to field permits, opponent availability, or inclement weather. Please note that team competitions may be scheduled for any day from Monday through Thursday.

Who do I notify if my child will not be attending a practice or game?

To ensure accurate attendance tracking, please notify the following staff members as soon as possible regarding any absences or changes to your student's daily schedule:

Within your communication, please include all pertinent information, including:

  • What time your child will dismiss, if present for a regular school day
  • Who will be picking up your child, if applicable

Can my child be self-dismissed from an away competition?

No. Students are not permitted to self-dismiss from away competitions under any circumstances.

Can my child be picked up from an away competition?

Yes! For a student to be dismissed directly from an away event, a parent or authorized guardian must be physically present at the end of the competition to visually and verbally confirm the checkout with the team's coaches.

Can my child participate in the musical and Interscholastic Athletics?

Yes! In the fall and winter seasons, students involved in the musical generally attend rehearsals until 4:45 p.m on Wednesdays and then join athletic practices for the remainder of the session. If a Wednesday game is scheduled, students prioritize the game, and athletics take precedence over rehearsal. 

During the spring season, however, balancing both commitments becomes more tedious. The musical occurs in the middle of the athletic season and includes a two-week period where students are fully committed to rehearsals every day and are unable to participate in athletic activities. As a result, spring sports, particularly track and field, are more significantly impacted, with students often missing a number of meets during that time. But the option to do both is still available to all students!

Can my child participate in After School/tutoring and Interscholastic Athletics?

Yes! If your child participates in both, they can choose whether to attend their After School class(es) or Athletic Study Hall, both of which occur from 3:00 pm-4:00 pm. Often, if a student has an abundance of homework, they will attend Athletic Study Hall and skip their After School class. If the student has a limited amount of homework, they can attend After School instead. The only exception is when the student’s Athletics team needs to travel to an off-site game location, which may preclude them from participating in either Athletic Study Hall or After School on that day.

Students may substitute study hall for tutoring, please communicate these accommodations to the Interscholastic Athletics Coordinator in advance.

***There are no partial or pro-rated refunds issued if a scheduling conflict exists between both programs.***

Can my student leave the building and come back to practice?

From 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm, student-athletes are required to attend a mandatory study hall (or previously communicated program). Upon dismissal, students must check out with their homeroom teacher and proceed directly to the South Cafeteria to check in with the Interscholastic Athletics Coordinator. While a light snack will be provided, families are encouraged to pack additional food if their student requires a more substantial meal before sports activities.

How do I update my child's dismissal permissions?

Having up to date self-dismissal permissions on Veracross is crucial to our dismissal procedures. If a student's status is not updated or is listed as ‘Pending’ we may not dismiss a student until parent confirmation is received, the parent/guardian is present for pick up, or the permission is updated. To update these permissions please follow the steps below:

Where can I find the code of conduct?

The code of conduct will be provided in the welcome letter for each season, as well as each weekly email sent out at the beginning of the season. You can also find the code of conduct here.

Please ensure the code of conduct is signed and returned by the date specified in the welcome email. The Interscholastic Athletics Coordinator and coaches reserve the ability to hold athletic participation of a student athlete until the code of conduct has been signed and returned.

Registrations, Payment, and Withdrawal

When does registration begin for each Interscholastic Athletic season?

Registration for the upcoming 2026-2027 interscholastic athletic seasons launches on the dates below*.

  • Fall Season
    • Monday, August 24, 2026 at 12:00 pm noon.
  • Winter Season
    • Monday, November 19, 2026 at 12:00 pm noon.
  • Spring Season
    • Monday, February 25, 2027 at 12:00 pm noon.

*Tentative to change.

When does registration and full refund period close for each Interscholastic Athletic season?

Registration and full refund periods for the upcoming 2026-2027 Interscholastic Athletic seasons close on these dates:

  • Fall
    • Friday, September 25, 2026 at 12:00 pm noon.
  • Winter
    • Thursday, December 3, 2026 at 12:00 pm noon.
  • Spring
    • Friday, April 16, 2027 at 12:00 pm noon.

If families request to withdraw their students from interscholastic athletics after the dates listed above, we cannot guarantee any form of refund.

How do I withdraw my student from an Interscholastic Athletic team?

Please access the Interscholastic Athletic Withdrawal Form to request a withdrawal from an athletic team. Requests of this nature will be honored until the dates specified in the answer for "When does registration and full refund period close for each Interscholastic Athletic season?" After this date, rosters will be finalized, and no additional withdrawal and/or refund requests will be permitted.

Interscholastic Athletics and After School

What is the difference between the After School program and the Interscholastic Athletics program?

The After School program is a club-based enrichment program that functions as an extension of the school day. The Interscholastic Athletics program consists of our Green and Blue Cluster sports teams who practice and compete against neighboring schools within the community.

Who is in charge of the After School program?

Can my child participate in both the After School AND Interscholastic Athletics programs?

Yes, students can participate in both the After School and Interscholastic Athletics programs. Listed below are the important dates associated with both programs:

After School Fall and Spring Semester Start and End Dates
After School (Fall Semester): Tuesday, September 22 to Thursday, January 28
After School (Spring Semester): Monday, February 1 to Thursday, June 3

Interscholastic Athletics Program Season Start and End Dates
Athletics (Fall Season): Monday, September 14 to Thursday, November 5
Athletics (Winter Season): Monday, November 16 to Thursday, March 4
Athletics (Spring Season): Monday, April 5 to Thursday, June 10

Please note that the spring semester of After School does not align with the winter and spring seasons of Athletics. If your child participates in both programs, they can choose whether to attend their After School class(es) or Athletic Study Hall, both of which occur from 3:00 pm-4:00 pm. Often, if a student has an abundance of homework, they will attend Athletic Study Hall and skip their After School class. If the student has a limited amount of homework, they can attend After School instead. The only exception is when the student’s Athletics team needs to travel to an off-site game location, which, may preclude them from participating in either Athletic Study Hall or After School on that day. 

***There are no partial or pro-rated refunds issued if a scheduling conflict exists between both programs.***

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At Stephen Gaynor School, students with learning differences develop essential academic and critical thinking skills through individualized and evidence-based approaches, empowering them to reach their full potential. Students learn to advocate for themselves and others while actively building an inclusive community, a sense of belonging, and a belief in their own possibilities.
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