High school track and field is a sport with a wide range of individual events that require both skill and dedication, and parents should focus on supporting their child's health and development rather than solely on winning. 

Key aspects for parents to understand include the variety of events, the importance of proper nutrition and rest, and how to provide positive encouragement without pressure. Your role involves fostering a healthy perspective on competition, ensuring your child is prepared for practice and meets, and offering support for their efforts and personal growth. 

What to know about the sport

• Diverse events: Track and field offers 18 events and includes a wide variety of running, jumping, and throwing events. Athletes may compete in up to four events per meet and can often try different events to discover their strengths and interests. NOTE: While most fans see track as sprinting or running, Everyone is not a sprinter or runner, so please understand that your child will be placed where they can best help the team score points and win track meets.
• Individual focus: While it is a team sport, it is highly individual. A student-athlete's success is often a direct result of their personal effort in practice, at home, and in the classroom 
• Track Meets: There are two types of track meets, All-Comers style meets and Invitational meets. Both offer the same events and general operations however, the all-Comers meets are open to everyone, and in most cases, have unlimited entries. The Invitational style meets are by invitation-only, and are typically limited to four team entries per event (if the athlete has a qualifying time). Your child will participate in the meets they qualify for based on their times, marks, meet entry standards, and team needs. 
• Skill and technique: Coaches teach fundamentals like proper running form, breathing, and strength training, with a focus on improving performance and preventing injuries. 

How to support your child

• Encourage health: Support a healthy diet, adequate sleep, and proper hydration. On meet days, avoid high-fat and fried foods, and encourage your child to eat easily digestible foods 2–3 hours before the event.
• Provide positive support: Attend meets and cheer for the team. Avoid criticizing your child's performance or the performance of their teammates. Focus on the effort and improvement, not just the outcome.
• Help with logistics: Ensure your athlete arrives on time for practices and is picked up promptly. A healthy perspective on competition is crucial, understanding that it is about striving to perform your best with the help of a worthy opponent.
• Volunteer: Offer to help with team activities, such as assisting with setup at meets, organizing a year-end banquet, or helping with video, or photography.
• Foster independence: Support your child's passion for the sport, but understand that their self-worth is not tied to their competitive results. Encourage a healthy independence and accountability. 

Our coaching staff's primary form of communication is Remind.  

Remind is a CCSD approved communication platform that connects students, families, and educators, allowing them to exchange messages privately and in real-time. It works across devices and automatically translates messages into over 90 languages. Key features include two-way messaging, photo and file sharing, and the ability for schools and districts to send mass notifications, such as emergency alerts.  

Our Team's Remind Information Is Below:

Athletes only, to join our team chat, please text @dawgstrac to the number 81010. You'll receive a welcome text from Remind. Note: If anyone has trouble with 81010, they can try texting @dawgstrac to (415) 749-9892. 

Parents only, please text @chsptk to the number 81010. You'll receive a welcome text from Remind. 

Distance group only, please text @runandrun to the number 81010. You'll receive a welcome text from Remind. 

Vertical Jump group only, please text @jumpup to the number 81010. You'll receive a welcome text from Remind.

Horizontal Jumps only, please text @jumpfar to the number 81010. You'll receive a welcome text from Remind. 

Hurdle Group only, please text @upupupup to the number 81010. You'll receive a welcome text from Remind. 

Pole Vault Group only, please text @ivault to the number 81010. You'll receive a welcome text from Remind. 

Sprints/Relays group only, please text @kneestrike to the number 81010. You'll receive a welcome text from Remind. 

Throwers Group only, please text @muchpowerto the number 81010. You'll receive a welcome text from Remind. 

Note: If anyone has trouble with 81010, they can try texting @dawgstrac to (415) 749-9892.