Reminder

Don't forget that all associations charge an admission fee for the games. $3 for adults and students $1. Players, coaches (with badge), and the 2 MPR checkers (with badge) get in free.

GO ORANGE COUNTY TAR HEELS!

September 1st

Good Luck to our

Tiny-mite, Mighty-mite, and Peewee

ORANGE COUNTY TAR HEELS!!!

HAVE FUN!

Practice change due to Labor Day

Due to Labor Day on Monday, Sept 3rd, there will not be any practices. Please note the following changes:

• Optional TM football practice has been cancelled and will not be rescheduled
• MM, JP, and PW teams practices have been moved from Monday, Sept 3rd to Wednesday, Sept 5th

HELP NEEDED!!

We need volunteers for minimum play checkers for all teams except JP. Please help!! This is not something that you will need to do every game. However, we need 2 for each game starting with this weekend. A crash course in minimum play checking will take place this Thursday. If you are interested, please contact Eileen immediately (orangecountypopwarner@yahoo.com) so that you know which appropriate forms need to be submitted no later than by Thursday's practice. WE NEED YOUR HELP!!

PRACTICE TIMES

Please remember that the practice times change starting Monday, August 27th.

Practices will be from 5:45-7:45 PM.

SATURDAY PRACTICE CANCELLED

There will be no practice on August 25th (Saturday) due to the heat as mandated by the league. Practices will begin the school schedule starting August 27th (SEE CALENDAR).

Hope to see you everyone Monday.

Make-up Weight Certifications

The make-up day for weight certifications will be Thursday, August 30th, at West Millbrook Middle School. As soon as the time schedule is sent, it will be posted and placed on the calendar.

Anyone that missed today's certification MUST go next Thursday to get weighed or your child will not be allowed to play in the first game or any other games until weight certified!!!

WEIGH-IN CERTIFICATION

We know that there are some "Meet the Teacher" nights going for Thursday, August 23rd but please get to practice BEFORE 6:30 PM. That is when the league board members will begin weigh-ins. Practice still begins at 6 PM--they will stretch and warm up.

• Come in SPIRIT PACK SHIRTS, SHORTS, and HELMETS
• Bring Practice pants and shoulder pads--players will change into practice gear as soon as the league members certify them.

REMEMBER: Your player must be weight certified in order to be able to play in games.

Opening Gameday Changed

The games set to kick off this season this Saturday, August 25th, have been cancelled and will be rescheduled (tentatively for October 27th--will post once revised schedule once received). Instead, the first games of the season will start on September 1st.

Weather permitting and field availability, there will be a practice Saturday, August 25th, from 8:00-10:30 am.

REMEMBER THAT WEIGHT CERTIFICATION WILL BE ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 23RD, EVEN IF PRACTICE IS CANCELLED.

TUESDAY PRACTICE CANCELLED

Tuesday's (8-21-07) practice has been cancelled due to the heat by the league (sorry: sent the email but forgot to post). They will let us know day to day about practices.

The weigh-in on Thursday will still occur even if practice is cancelled. Remember to show up in shorts and t-shirt but bring all other practice gear to change into after being weighed (if we have practice).

Game Schedule

The games have been posted on the calendar.

The start of the season will be August 25th at Cedar Ridge High School. These dates may be affected if any more hot weather (as it's predicted for the middle of next week) causes cancellations of practices so please be patient if they do change.

Kickoff Dinner

• Football players may wear game jerseys to the kickoff dinner.
• Don't forget to bring your remaining raffle tickets if you have not yet turned them in.

Kickoff Dinner and Raffle at The Big Barn in Hillsborough from 4-6 pm.

Raffle

The raffle is just 2 days away!!

Don't forget that it will be held at the Kickoff Dinner on Sunday, August 19th. So, SELL, SELL, SELL.

• If you've already sold your raffle tickets or you haven't RSVP'd for the Kickoff Dinner, please bring it all to give to Kimberly at Saturday's practice (August 18th).

Friday Night Lights

Since we don't have practice Friday, August 17th, the high schools have their season opener if you are interested in attending (but don't stay too late--you've got practice in the morning). Cedar Ridge High School (one of the hosts of OCPW home games) will be playing at Chapel Hill High School @ 7:30pm.

Practice

There will not be a practice on Friday, August 17th per league instructions due to the heat.

There will be practice on Saturday, August 18th, from 8:00-10:30 AM. Full practice gear (unless you are notified otherwise).

Practice Update

Practice is cancelled for Wednesday and Thursday (8-15 & 8-16) per league due to the heat.

Raffle ticket venue at Southern Seasons

Due to the cancellation of the Jamborees for Saturday (August 18th), please contact Kimberly Nevin if you are interested in selling your raffle tickets at Southern Season after practice. You must sign up for time slots so contact Kimberly as soon as possible (Knevin@nc.rr.com).

PRACTICE CHANGES (again)

We just received notice from the league commissioner to tentatively cancel practices starting Wed (August 15th) through Friday (August 17th) due to the forecast of high temperatures. Also, the Jamboree for all teams on Saturday (August 18th) has been cancelled because teams will not have enough practice hours to scrimmage against other associations. During those three cancelled practice days, please make sure that your players continue to keep themselves hydrated by continuing good fluid intake as well as exposing them to the heat in small increments so that they remain acclimated to the heat.

Therefore, practice for Tuesday (August 14th) will be extended for an additional 30 minutes (6:00-8:30 pm) and there will be a practice on Saturday (August 18th) from 8:00-10:30 am since there will not be a Jamboree (cheer practice to be determined for Saturday). Also, practices for next week (August 20-24th) will be changed to 6:00-8:30 pm.

We apologize for the slight inconvenience but the players need to get the practice hours necessary in order for them to be eligible to play by the first game (still scheduled to begin August 25th--for now). They also need practices so that they will be safe because they know what they are doing out on the field during a game.

We realize that there will be "Meet the Teacher" events next week and encourage players to do so but also encourage them to come to practice late (better late than never).

If the weather forecast changes and the league commissioner allows associations to resume practices for the rest of the week, it will be immediately posted.

Please continue to be patient as last minute changes are made due to the extremely unusually high temperatures.

Weight Certification for Football Players

A league board member will be present on Thursday, August 23rd to begin weigh-ins for football players' weight certification at 6:30pm. All football players will need to come to practice in spirit pack shorts and t-shirts and bring practice equipment (helmet, pants, and shoulder pads) to change into as soon as they are weighed.

If your child is not present or does not make weight certification on this date, you will be responsible for getting your child to a TBD location to become weight certified in order for your child to be able to play in games (last year it was in Garner). If your child is not weight certified, your child cannot play in games.

If you are unsure about the weight limits, please go to the age/weight matrix on our website or the main Pop Warner website.

• Your child must come within a pound of the maximum weight to be certified for the roster.
• In order to be able to continue practice even though not weight certified, your child must be within 2-6 pounds above the maximum weight limit and continue to try to get weight certified before being allowed to play in a game.

Kickoff Dinner Reservations

If you have not turned in your OCPW kickoff dinner reservations to Kimberly Nevin , please bring them to practice as soon as possible. [We need to get the caterer a number for the dinner.]

Dogs and trash at Practices

We have noticed more families bringing their dogs to practice which is fine. However, make sure that you are picking up after your dog and placing it into the trash cans. If owners are not picking up after their dogs and their messes are becoming a problem, dogs will be banned from practices.

Also, there are plenty of trash cans available. PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE PLACING YOUR OR SIBLINGS' TRASH INTO THE TRASH CANS. If trash becomes a problem, we will begin a trash pickup schedule.

Cane Creek Baptist has been gracious in letting OCPW use this field. Don't give them any reason to change their mind.

PLEASE HELP KEEP THE AREA CLEAN AND BEAUTIFUL!

Practices

Unless you have been contacted, your child has met the initial 10 hours of conditioning. Therefore, your player should come to practice in full practice gear (helmet with mouthguard, navy practice pants with all pads in, carolina blue practice jersey, and shoulder pads).

We have been working them up to full gear to get them ready for game day situations. Players will not have the time or opportunity to frequently take helmets or other equipment off during a game. Remember that the game will not stopped so that your child can get his/her equipment back on to go in for a play. This is the reason that Pop Warner mandates that they go through so much conditioning before being allowed to go into full contact practices and this is why we have been strict on them keeping helmets on during breaks and will be even more important now that most will be in full gear. They will continue to get frequent breaks during practices.

It is pertinent that you make sure that your child is drinking plenty of water as well as some gatorade/powerade (for the electrolytes) throughout the day as they begin practicing in full gear. Also, make sure that they are not eating just prior to coming to practice (this makes them more susceptible to getting sick).

• Good rule of thought for food: make sure that they eat and finish about 1 hour before the start of practice or a game (i.e. practice is at 6pm so make sure that they have eaten by 5pm). Milk is usually not the best thing to drink before a practice or game. Remember to eat fruits and vegetables as well.


• Good rule of thought for fluids: make sure that they have a water bottle with them throughout the day. It is even more important if you are taking them to the pool during the day (they can become dehydrated easily and not know it b/c they don't believe they can become so since they are in water). PLEASE NOTE THAT DRINKING AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF WATER AT ONE TIME IS NOT HEALTHY.

**IN ORDER TO PREVENT DEHYDRATION, IT IS IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THAT PLAYERS ARE WELL HYDRATED BEFORE PRACTICE OR GAMES.

They are still children so they will need constant reminders to drink fluids throughout the day. Please help keep the all football players as well as cheerleaders well-hydrated before they come to practice or games.

PHOTO REMINDER

PHOTO REMINDERS:

1. Meet at 3:45 pm at Gate 5 of Kenan Stadium. We will leave for photo set up at 3:50 pm. DO NOT BE LATE if you want your child to be in the organizational photo.
2. You can park anywhere--it's a weekend so there's no permit parking.
3. Bring your photo order form and payment. You will give these to the photographer (there will be extra forms available).
4. Your football player should be in game pants with pant pads, shoulder pads, game jersey, game socks, and cleats (just as if going to play in a game). You do not need to bring helmets. NO HELMETS NEEDED. If you did not receive your game socks at practice today, they will be handed out at Gate 5 where we are meeting. COME A FEW MINUTES EARLY so that your player will have enough time to get them on before we go into setup for the first photo.
5. Your cheerleader should be in her white and blue cheer top and navy cheer shorts. Pom poms came in so they will be brought and distributed to be used in the photo. Cheerleaders can leave after organizational pictures. Your group and individual pictures will be rescheduled since we are still waiting on all uniforms to come in.
6. Football players, DO NOT LEAVE UNTIL AFTER YOUR TEAM PICTURE. Individual pictures will be taken after the team picture. After your individual picture is taken, you are free to leave. YOU MUST LEAVE THE STADIUM--NO WANDERING, PLEASE.

Orders photos will be mailed directly to your house in about 2 weeks or so.

SEE YOU AT 3:45 PM, Gate 5!

Friday (8-10-07) Practice

Practice has been cancelled per league commissioner for Friday, 8-10-07.

There will be a practice on Saturday, 8-11-07, from 8:00-10:30 am.

• Players with 10 hours of conditioning are to come to practice in shorts, helmet and pads.
• Players without 10 hours of conditioning are to come in spirit pack shirt and shorts.

Practice Updates

Thank you all for being patient as we wait on news of when we can resume practice. We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding as we try to get the required practice hours in.

• We still do not know if we are having practice on Friday. As soon as we hear something we will post it in the updates and on the calendar.

• There will be a football practice on Saturday, August 11th, from 8:00-10:30am. Helmet and shoulder pads for those players who have completed their 1o hours of conditioning. Spirit pack shirt and shorts for those who have not complete their 10 hours of conditioning.. If you are not sure about your hours, please contact me ASAP.

PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOUR CHILD HAS BEEN AND CONTINUES DRINKING PLENTY OF FLUIDS AND HAS HAD SOME EXPOSURE TO A LITTLE OF THIS HEAT AND HUMIDITY. WE WILL BE GETTING INTO FULL GEAR SOON AND DO NOT WANT THEIR BODIES TO BE IN SHOCK WHEN THEY DO SO.

More Practice Information

• Practice for Thursday (8-9-07) has been cancelled per the league commissioner. We will be notified about Friday's practice on Thursday evening so we will let everyone know as soon as we hear something (remember to check the calendar).
• Also, if the field is available, we will have an optional but highly encouraged football practice (not cheer) on Saturday morning (time and what to wear will be posted once we find out about field availability).

Thanks for your patience and understanding as we deal with what is determined by the league.

Football Socks

We just got the football socks in. One pair per player will be passed out at the next practice (or at the gate on Sunday). Please see Eileen to pick them up.

PRACTICES CANCELLED

Practices have been cancelled for Tues (8-7-07) and Wed (8-8-07) per the league commissioner due to the heat and humidity. An email was sent out as soon as we received the information and calls were placed by team parents and coaches in attempts to reach everyone before they left for the field. We're sorry if you didn't get the message but we didn't receive the news until after 4 PM. Thanks for understanding. Hopefully we'll see everyone Thursday (please check the calendar).

Gate Change for OCPW Picture Day

We will meet at 3:45pm at GATE 5 of Kenan Stadium (this is the gate next to the Hall of Honor) on August 12th. REMEMBER, photos will start promptly at 4pm so DO NOT BE LATE (the pictures will not be retaken b/c of late players).

Raffle Ticket Venues

Don't forget to sign up to sell your raffle tickets this Saturday, August 11th, at either Southern Seasons (University Mall in Chapel Hill) or at the Super Walmart (in Hillsborough). If you are interested, please contact Kimberly Nevin (knevin@nc.rr.com) ASAP.

NO EQUIPMENT FOR PRACTICES

Due to the heat and humidity, the our league has mandated that all associations are not allowed to wear helmets and other equipment until otherwise notified. Therefore, until we received notification rescinding this, OCPW players should come to practice in spirit pack shirts and shorts ONLY. **Please check the calendar daily to determine what your football player is to wear to practice for that day.

PICTURE DAY

Mark your calendar for OCPW picture day:

August 12th @ 4pm (meeting at 3:45pm, Gate 2).

• To be dressed in full gear except helmets
• Organizational, team, and individual photos will be taken at Kenan Stadium and start promptly at 4pm (Do not be late; group pictures will not be retaken for late players).
• Pre-orders will be required and taken up at time of pictures (fill out order forms).
• The organizational picture is not on the order form and can be ordered as an extra item (procedure to be announced on picture day).
• No make-up pictures available at this time.

Kickoff Dinner Reservations

Don't forget to turn in your reservations for the Kickoff Dinner and Raffle that is scheduled for Sunday August 19th from 4pm - 6pm at The Big Barn in Hillsborough.

The forms along with payment can be brought and turned in to Kimberly Nevin at any of the practices. Bring your whole family for some good food and fun while interacting with other families of OCPW.

Venues for Raffle Tickets

Don't forget that this Saturday, August 11th, OCPW has 2 venues (Southern Season at University Mall in Chapel Hill and Super Walmart in Hillsborough) for anyone interested in selling their raffle tickets. Anyone interested should contact Kimberly Nevin immediately to sign up. It's a great opportunity for us to sell a lot of tickets and the kids have fun. A parent must accompany the players and stay during the time they are selling. If one parent is interested in bringing a couple players, that is fine.

Practice Wear Changes

• Spirit pack shirt and shorts with helmets (with mouthpiece) ONLY for Friday, August 3rd, practice.
• Add shoulder pads (with navy practice jersey) for Monday, August 6th, practice.
• Starting Tuesday, August 7th, players will be in full gear.