Communications
Q: How do I stay up to date throughout the season?
A: Emails are the primary way families will receive updates throughout the season. Please refer to the "Team Updates" page for instructions on how to subscribe.
Registration
Q: How can I check if all the necessary paperwork has been submitted for my child?
A: If you’ve registered in person or through SPARC, make sure you also fill out the yellow medical release paper form at the QA community center. Feel free to call them if you want to make sure they have all the necessary paperwork.
Q: My child is on the waitlist. How do I know if s/he has been cleared?
A: Please check with the Queen Anne Community Center.
Coaches
Q: Can you tell me who my child's coach will be?
A: On the first day of practice, we will start with an all-team warm-up at the park and then the coaches will split the kids off into their respective groups down on the field. We’ll make sure that no one gets left behind!
Practices
Q: My child can't make it to every practice. We might only be able to come once a week Is that ok?
A: Yes, that is ok. Please let your child's coach know.
Q: Will there be practice during Spring Break?
A: We will have practice during the week of Spring Break, as scheduled. No need to email the coaches if you can't make it.
Q: Are parents allowed to walk/jog around the track during practice?
A: The coaches have asked that everyone who isn't helping with practice stay clear of the track... we know it's a good opportunity for the parents to get some training in as well, but we've had a few instances where kids have been bombing down the track and running into people who don't realize they are in the way! Please also keep the field clear of soccer playing, frisbee tossing, or any other non-track related activity (including pets).
Q: Will there be practice if it's raining?
A: Yes! Practice will be held regardless of the weather. We will cancel only if there is a thunderstorm.
Lost and Found
Q: My child has lost an item. Do you have it?
A: Items that are picked up for lost and found will be kept in our equipment bin, so if you are missing something, please check with a coach at practice.
Gear
Q: Does my child need running cleats?
A: Spikes are not allowed on the QA track for practices and they are entirely optional for meets.
Q: Do you have any used cleats I can buy or borrow?
A: Some of you have mentioned that you have extra pairs of cleats that your kids have outgrown and that you're ready to pass on. Donations are very much appreciated! We'll have a bin available at the meets and practices to accept your donations. Or, if you're looking for a pair of cleats, feel free to rummage through the bin. We'll also gladly take your cleats at the end of the season and make them available to other kids next year.
Q: My child didn't make it to practice when the T-shirts were distributed. Where can I pick one up?
A: We keep track of the T-shirt orders and will continue to bring them to the practices and meets until you've picked yours up.
Meets
Q: Which events are allowed for my child's age division?
A: Please check the "Rec Rules" link.
Q: It's pouring rain!! Is the meet still on?
A: Yes, meets are held regardless of the weather. Parks and Rec will only cancel a meet if there are thunderstorms. Have your child(ren) wear layers. They can keep a raincoat on up until their event. Some kids wear their coats while they are lined up on the field (waiting for their heat or turn), and take their layers off just before their individual race. If you are in the stands, bring a big umbrella, tarp, blankets, etc. Remember that the kids must wear their light blue Parks and Rec T-shirt as their top-most layer! Also, note that the stands at Nathan Hale do not have any overhead covering.
Q: My child changed his/her mind about which events to compete in but I've already filled out a tag. What changes should I make to the name tag I've been given?
A: Make sure the tag has your child's name, date of birth, age division, and events. We will have blank tags on hand. If there are any changes to what has been marked, you can simply cross out with a pen and circle the correct event and/or make other changes (e.g., DOB) as needed. Remember to pick two field events and one running event, OR two running events and one field event (relays can be chosen as a fourth event; see the info about relays below).
Q: Are parents/families allowed on the field at events? What if I need to tell my child to line up for an event?
A: If your child is on the field and you need to communicate something to them, please grab one of the coaches and they will relay the message or direct your child to the right location.
Q: Do all the Quicksters families sit together at the meets? How will I find you?
A: Generally, we try to get to the meets early and sit as close to the finish line as possible. Please arrive early if you can to help us snag a block of good seats!
Q: What do I need to know about the relays?
A: The relays are 4x100's and can be chosen as a 4th event. Participation requires a firm commitment on the part of the children as well as their families, as you must stay until the very end of the meet (even in miserable weather with no overhead covering!). This also means that your kids must be able to attend practices so that the team can prepare together. If your child is a Mosquito or older and is interested in participating in the relay, we ask that you send an email to your coach letting them know that you consent. Please note: We'd love to be able to accommodate everyone who is interested in the relay event, however, the number of kids who can participate is limited to four kids per team, with only two teams per each boy/girl group in every division (Mosquitos, Bantams, Midgets, Youth; boys and girls compete separately). In the event that we have a large number of kids who are interested, coaches will hold tryouts at practice.
Q: Are Fleas allowed to participate in the Championship meet?
A: Fleas are allowed to participate in the Qualifying meet, in order to give them an extra chance to practice before the Lowell Barry Meet, but will not be allowed to continue to the championship meet based on their performance at the quals.
Q: How do I know if my child qualified for the Championship meet?
A: Athletes with the top four times/distances at the quals, or those with a better time/distance than the top four at any other qualifying meet, will advance to the city championships. A few days after the quals are over, Parks and Rec will send the coaches a spreadsheet with the results, which we will distribute to you via email. Note that kids will only be able to compete in the championships in the events that they qualified in (for example, if a child qualified in the 100m only, s/he won't be able to participate in any events other than the 100m at the championship meet). Note that although Fleas are allowed to participate in the quals, they will not be able to advance to the Championship meet.
Q: I thought my child qualified for the Championship meet based on the above criteria, but his/her name isn't listed.
A: You may need to "read between the lines" a bit as you look through the qual meet results; some kids may be listed under the wrong community center, under the wrong age group, or their names may be misspelled. Be sure to look through the whole document (through all the tabs and beyond all the blank rows) to check for your child's name and event that they qualified in (running as well as field events). If you think your child should have qualified based on their performance at the last meet, and you don't see their name on the list, email me with the details and we will try to sort that out with the officials. Note that relay teams are not listed on the qualifiers list. If your child is on the relay team, they are invited to come to the City Championship meet. Remember that your child must be able to commit to staying until the end of the meet in order to participate in the relay.
Q: Can any age group participate in the Lowell Barry Meet?
A: Yes. Fleas, Mosquitos, and Bantams will be competing in the morning, and Midgets/Youth will compete in the afternoon. Ribbons will be awarded for 1st-6th places in all preliminary races, and medals will be awarded (on podiums!) for 1st-3rd places in all finals.
Q: What is the Hershey Meet?
A: After the Championship meets are over, the only remaining meet on the schedule is the Hershey Meet at West Seattle. This is the qualifying meet for those who aspire to compete in the state championship. Historically, the Quicksters have not attended the Hershey Meet as an organized group, but your kids are of course encouraged to compete if they have the interest, and band together with other Quicksters who are attending. Registration begins at 4 pm on the day of the meet. You can find more information about the Hershey Meet here: https://www.hersheystrackandfield.com/#/Inspire-Excellence
Q: How do I stay up to date throughout the season?
A: Emails are the primary way families will receive updates throughout the season. Please refer to the "Team Updates" page for instructions on how to subscribe.
Registration
Q: How can I check if all the necessary paperwork has been submitted for my child?
A: If you’ve registered in person or through SPARC, make sure you also fill out the yellow medical release paper form at the QA community center. Feel free to call them if you want to make sure they have all the necessary paperwork.
Q: My child is on the waitlist. How do I know if s/he has been cleared?
A: Please check with the Queen Anne Community Center.
Coaches
Q: Can you tell me who my child's coach will be?
A: On the first day of practice, we will start with an all-team warm-up at the park and then the coaches will split the kids off into their respective groups down on the field. We’ll make sure that no one gets left behind!
Practices
Q: My child can't make it to every practice. We might only be able to come once a week Is that ok?
A: Yes, that is ok. Please let your child's coach know.
Q: Will there be practice during Spring Break?
A: We will have practice during the week of Spring Break, as scheduled. No need to email the coaches if you can't make it.
Q: Are parents allowed to walk/jog around the track during practice?
A: The coaches have asked that everyone who isn't helping with practice stay clear of the track... we know it's a good opportunity for the parents to get some training in as well, but we've had a few instances where kids have been bombing down the track and running into people who don't realize they are in the way! Please also keep the field clear of soccer playing, frisbee tossing, or any other non-track related activity (including pets).
Q: Will there be practice if it's raining?
A: Yes! Practice will be held regardless of the weather. We will cancel only if there is a thunderstorm.
Lost and Found
Q: My child has lost an item. Do you have it?
A: Items that are picked up for lost and found will be kept in our equipment bin, so if you are missing something, please check with a coach at practice.
Gear
Q: Does my child need running cleats?
A: Spikes are not allowed on the QA track for practices and they are entirely optional for meets.
Q: Do you have any used cleats I can buy or borrow?
A: Some of you have mentioned that you have extra pairs of cleats that your kids have outgrown and that you're ready to pass on. Donations are very much appreciated! We'll have a bin available at the meets and practices to accept your donations. Or, if you're looking for a pair of cleats, feel free to rummage through the bin. We'll also gladly take your cleats at the end of the season and make them available to other kids next year.
Q: My child didn't make it to practice when the T-shirts were distributed. Where can I pick one up?
A: We keep track of the T-shirt orders and will continue to bring them to the practices and meets until you've picked yours up.
Meets
Q: Which events are allowed for my child's age division?
A: Please check the "Rec Rules" link.
Q: It's pouring rain!! Is the meet still on?
A: Yes, meets are held regardless of the weather. Parks and Rec will only cancel a meet if there are thunderstorms. Have your child(ren) wear layers. They can keep a raincoat on up until their event. Some kids wear their coats while they are lined up on the field (waiting for their heat or turn), and take their layers off just before their individual race. If you are in the stands, bring a big umbrella, tarp, blankets, etc. Remember that the kids must wear their light blue Parks and Rec T-shirt as their top-most layer! Also, note that the stands at Nathan Hale do not have any overhead covering.
Q: My child changed his/her mind about which events to compete in but I've already filled out a tag. What changes should I make to the name tag I've been given?
A: Make sure the tag has your child's name, date of birth, age division, and events. We will have blank tags on hand. If there are any changes to what has been marked, you can simply cross out with a pen and circle the correct event and/or make other changes (e.g., DOB) as needed. Remember to pick two field events and one running event, OR two running events and one field event (relays can be chosen as a fourth event; see the info about relays below).
Q: Are parents/families allowed on the field at events? What if I need to tell my child to line up for an event?
A: If your child is on the field and you need to communicate something to them, please grab one of the coaches and they will relay the message or direct your child to the right location.
Q: Do all the Quicksters families sit together at the meets? How will I find you?
A: Generally, we try to get to the meets early and sit as close to the finish line as possible. Please arrive early if you can to help us snag a block of good seats!
Q: What do I need to know about the relays?
A: The relays are 4x100's and can be chosen as a 4th event. Participation requires a firm commitment on the part of the children as well as their families, as you must stay until the very end of the meet (even in miserable weather with no overhead covering!). This also means that your kids must be able to attend practices so that the team can prepare together. If your child is a Mosquito or older and is interested in participating in the relay, we ask that you send an email to your coach letting them know that you consent. Please note: We'd love to be able to accommodate everyone who is interested in the relay event, however, the number of kids who can participate is limited to four kids per team, with only two teams per each boy/girl group in every division (Mosquitos, Bantams, Midgets, Youth; boys and girls compete separately). In the event that we have a large number of kids who are interested, coaches will hold tryouts at practice.
Q: Are Fleas allowed to participate in the Championship meet?
A: Fleas are allowed to participate in the Qualifying meet, in order to give them an extra chance to practice before the Lowell Barry Meet, but will not be allowed to continue to the championship meet based on their performance at the quals.
Q: How do I know if my child qualified for the Championship meet?
A: Athletes with the top four times/distances at the quals, or those with a better time/distance than the top four at any other qualifying meet, will advance to the city championships. A few days after the quals are over, Parks and Rec will send the coaches a spreadsheet with the results, which we will distribute to you via email. Note that kids will only be able to compete in the championships in the events that they qualified in (for example, if a child qualified in the 100m only, s/he won't be able to participate in any events other than the 100m at the championship meet). Note that although Fleas are allowed to participate in the quals, they will not be able to advance to the Championship meet.
Q: I thought my child qualified for the Championship meet based on the above criteria, but his/her name isn't listed.
A: You may need to "read between the lines" a bit as you look through the qual meet results; some kids may be listed under the wrong community center, under the wrong age group, or their names may be misspelled. Be sure to look through the whole document (through all the tabs and beyond all the blank rows) to check for your child's name and event that they qualified in (running as well as field events). If you think your child should have qualified based on their performance at the last meet, and you don't see their name on the list, email me with the details and we will try to sort that out with the officials. Note that relay teams are not listed on the qualifiers list. If your child is on the relay team, they are invited to come to the City Championship meet. Remember that your child must be able to commit to staying until the end of the meet in order to participate in the relay.
Q: Can any age group participate in the Lowell Barry Meet?
A: Yes. Fleas, Mosquitos, and Bantams will be competing in the morning, and Midgets/Youth will compete in the afternoon. Ribbons will be awarded for 1st-6th places in all preliminary races, and medals will be awarded (on podiums!) for 1st-3rd places in all finals.
Q: What is the Hershey Meet?
A: After the Championship meets are over, the only remaining meet on the schedule is the Hershey Meet at West Seattle. This is the qualifying meet for those who aspire to compete in the state championship. Historically, the Quicksters have not attended the Hershey Meet as an organized group, but your kids are of course encouraged to compete if they have the interest, and band together with other Quicksters who are attending. Registration begins at 4 pm on the day of the meet. You can find more information about the Hershey Meet here: https://www.hersheystrackandfield.com/#/Inspire-Excellence