SIMONDS ELEMENTARY & U-CONNECT

20190 48th Avenue, Langley B.C. V3A 3L4

Phone: (604) 530-2361 Fax: (604) 530-9671

Principal: Ron Stare rstare@sd35.bc.ca

Vice Principal: Jason Malo ljmalo@sd35.bc.ca
Admin Assistant: Sue Goss sgoss@sd35.bc.ca
Educ. Software Systems Coord: Cynthia Dobbs Cox cdobbs@sd35.bc.ca

January 23rd, 2024

To: Parents/Guardians

Re: Grade 5 Basketball

The 2024 basketball is starting up this week! We will be running a co-ed Grade 5 basketball team this
year that will learn the basics and fundamentals of basketball and play some games with other schools in the
Langley School District. Mr. Latham, Ms. Profitt, and Ms. Nauta will be coaching the team this year.

We will be practicing on Mondays at 3pm to 4pm, during lunchtime on Wednesdays, and Thursdays at
3pm to 4pm. Our current game schedule (subject to change if necessary) includes 6 games plus an additional
play date. We are currently scheduled to host games on Tuesday, Jan.30 vs Nicomekl, Tuesday, Feb. 20 vs
Uplands, and Tuesday, Feb. 27 vs Shortreed. We will be visiting other schools on Tuesday, Feb. 6 @Parkside,
Monday, Feb. 12 @James Hill, and Wednesday, Feb. 28 @Douglas Park. Games will generally start as close to
3pm as possible and conclude at 4pm. The final playdate on Wednesday, Mar. 13 will be at Aldergrove
Community Secondary School and run from 3pm to 6pm. Please take a look at the schedule to see if the game
dates and times are a fit for your family. Players may be permitted to practice only and not participate in
games, but please contact Mr. Latham if that’s an option you are seeking for your child.

For the away games and final playdate, we will need parent drivers to help take players to and from the venues
with the goal of leaving by 2:35pm. In terms of expectations, we do expect some absences for some practices
and games, but students and families should do their best to notify the coaches if they are unable to attend.
There are many students who would like to be a part of this team, and commitment and communication are
key elements of the learning process connected to this activity.

Student athletes are expected to commit to the following:

• Be at all practices on time and in proper athletic gear. As mentioned above, it is considered the
student’s responsibility to notify coaches if they cannot attend ASAP. U-Connect students may decide
not to attend Thursday’s practices for example, but we do expect notification if that’s the case.
• Participate to the best of their ability in both practices and games. There is no formal tryout for this
team, but there is a level of commitment and dedication that is required for individual and team
success.
• Demonstrate appropriate sportsmanship. One of the key goals of this activity is that players develop a
healthy sense of teamwork and competition. Students are expected to conduct themselves
appropriately as representatives of the school and district.
• Be respectful to coaches, referees, and players. Coaches and referees have volunteered their time to
provide students with a fun opportunity to develop their basketball skills and learn the values of
teamwork and competition. Players are welcome and encouraged to participate, but the opportunity
to play could be limited if expected behaviors are not met.
Please contact Mr. Latham (slatham@sd35.bc.ca) if you have any questions or concerns. We are looking
forward to a fun and successful basketball season!

Zone Basketball Rules – Grade 5 Boys and Girls

1. Basic Rules – no contact, slapping, pushing or tripping

• only 5 seconds in the key (flexible based on skill level of players) (removed for 2024)
• no double dribble
• no carrying the ball
• no travelling (only 2 steps without a dribble)
• no over and back at the centre line
2. Man to Man Defense Only
• everyone must have a check on defense and must stay with their check
• players can switch checks (and offer help side defense to defend a player driving to the
hoop) but no double-teaming and no zone defence
3. Half-Court Defense Only
• allow the ball and both feet to move beyond the centre line before checking
• defense cannot line up along the centre line
4. Basket Height
• 9 feet (if possible)
5. Playing Time
• All players should get equal playing time
6. Time periods
• 8 – 4 minute shifts (may play more if time permits)
7. Fouls
• When a player is fouled, the play is stopped and the team that was fouled keeps
possession. If the foul is committed while shooting, the basket counts Hard fouls will
result in one warning. If an additional hard foul occurs, the player will be directed to sit out
a few shifts. Intentional fouls (where there is a clear intention to harm/hurt) will result
in the player being directed to sit out for the remainder of the game). (Update for 2023)
8. Change of Possession on Jump Balls
• a jump ball will be used at the start of each time period. During loose ball scrambles where
two players grab the ball at the same time, alternate possession of the ball is given first to the
away team and then to the home team.
9. Start times
• The games should start as close to 3:00 as possible so it can end near 4:00
10. Referee
• Please have a ref available at the host site and discuss how closely certain infractions should be
called. It is a good idea for the schools to confirm the game the day before the game.

The main goals are to learn the game and have lots of fun. There is a good chance many players in
this league will end up on the same team next year at HDSMS or BGMS so remind students that the
“opponents” are future classmates, teammates, and friends. Score keeping is not mandatory, but if
one team is winning by a large margin, the score should be left off the board.
 Permission Form: Grade 5 Basketball Team 2024

I, ____________________________ give permission for my child ___________________________

to participate in the Simonds 2024 Grade 5 Basketball team. I understand that student/athletes are

required to attend all practices and games, apart from illness, injury, or prior commitments.

I am tentatively able to drive on the following days (please check all that apply):

Tuesday, Feb. 6 @ Parkside ______________

Monday, Feb. 12 @ James Hill ______________

Wednesday, Feb. 28 @ Douglas Park ______________

Wednesday, Mar. 13 @ Aldergrove Sec. ______________

(If you are willing to drive, please ensure you sign and return the driver abstract)

I am unable to drive but give permission for my child ____________________________________

to drive with another grade 5 parent or coach.

Parent Signature Date

_____________________________ _______________________