Athletic & Activity Code of Conduct

ACTIVITIES ARE A PRIVILEGE

Extracurricular and interscholastic activities are strictly a voluntary program. Those who participate must give extra effort and time. The student has the privilege of participating in a well organized program of special interest for which the school provides coaches, sponsors, equipment, and facilities.

Because inter-scholastics are voluntary and because those participating represent their school, we expect the behavior of those who try out and participate to be of the highest order. This is particularly true of academic requirements, honesty, school citizenship, and sportsmanship. The dignity of the school is reflected in its athletic/activity program. Since it is a privilege to participate and represent the school, it is logical that the school has the authority to revoke the privilege for those who do not conduct themselves in a responsible manner. This sense of responsibility extends to the activity as well as to conduct inside and outside the school.

ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY (BP 730.02)

In order to be eligible to participate in any co-curricular activities, students must be in good academic standing as proscribed by the Board of Education in compliance with state law. Coaches and sponsors will review eligibility standards at the beginning of each season and as new members join the activity.

PARTICIPATION RULES

Participation and training rules are in effect for athletics/activities for the entire calendar year (i.e. summer months as well). A student accused of a violation will be informed of the charge and given the opportunity to explain or respond.

For violations which occur at school or at school-sponsored events, a school administrator/dean will be informed and will follow the normal school conduct code. With regard to the extra-curricular penalty, the administrator/dean will inform the athletic/activities director, head coach/sponsor, and parents.

For reported violations which occur outside of school or in the summer, the athletic/activities director will investigate and inform the head coach/sponsor, student, and parents. The athletic activities director will meet with the student and render a decision regarding athletic/activities participation.

APPEAL

Since athletic/activity participation is a privilege, it is not protected by due process procedures applicable to regular public education. A participant may appeal the declaration of the ineligibility to the building principal. Such appeal must be submitted within 48 hours of the declaration. A parent must attend the appeal. The penalty remains in force during the appeal.

SCHOOL SUSPENSIONS

During out-of-school suspensions, the student cannot participate in any practices or contests. In addition, the student may not participate in a practice or a contest that conflicts with an assigned school penalty (e.g. P.M. detention, Saturday School).

CRIMINAL ACTION

When the school has substantiated knowledge that a student has been charged with a criminal offense, he/she will immediately be temporarily suspended from participation in all extracurricular activities. The high school administration and athletic/activities director(s) will consider duration of the suspension and reinstatement of the student to a program based upon a review of the information.

SUBSTANCE USE OR POSSESSION

Schools have a significant interest in discouraging the use of prohibited substances to provide a safe and healthy environment conducive to learning. It is considered a violation of the athletic and activity code if a student possesses, uses, distributes, or sells illegal drugs, look-a-like drugs, paraphernalia, controlled substances, or alcoholic beverages, and if a student attends a party or gathering where alcohol or drugs are being consumed.

The following procedure will be used if a student who tries out or participates in athletics or activities is involved in an alcohol or drug-related situation.

Voluntary Admission of a 1st Offense: A student may admit that he/she violated the code provisions regarding drugs and alcohol only one time in his/her high school career. The voluntary admission of the coach/sponsor/athletic or activities director must occur on the first school day following the rule violation. The student may be required to attend an in house education program. The athletic/activities director may suspend the student from one or more contests/events.

1st Offense: The student will be suspended for four weeks from athletic/activity participation. If the student elects to participate in either a recommended education program and/or assessment program from a professional agency, the suspension may be reduced to two weeks following the completion of the recommendations of the educational program/assessment, with documentation provided of completion of the program.

During this suspension the student may practice but will not participate in contests/events. If the student does not complete the suspension or does not complete the assessment, the penalty will continue into the student’s next activity. It is the responsibility of the student to provide the athletic/activities director with prompt evidence of the required assessment/evaluation.

The student who does not obtain an assessment will be suspended for four weeks. During this suspension, the student will not practice or compete/participate.

2nd Offense: The student will be suspended for one calendar year from participating in all school activities. It is the responsibility of the student to provide the athletic/activity director (s) with prompt evidence of the required assessment/evaluation prior to reinstatement of athletic/activity privileges.

3rd Offense: The student will not participate in any school activity for the rest of his/her high school years (i.e. sports events, dances, prom) until submitting substantial evidence of rehabilitation to the athletic/activities director to seek reinstatement of activity privileges.

TOBACCO

It is a violation of this code to use or be in possession of tobacco or smokeless tobacco products.

1st Offense: The student will be suspended from two athletic/activity contests/events.

2nd Offense: The student will be suspended for a total of six weeks of the season, which could result in the consequence being served over two seasons. The student will participate in all practices and attend contests during the time they are serving the consequence. It is the responsibility of the student to provide the athletic/activity director(s) with evidence of completion of the required education program.

3rd Offense: The student will be suspended for one calendar year from participating in all student athletics/activities. It is the responsibility of the student to provide the athletic/activity director(s) with evidence of completion of the required education program.

4th Offense: The student will not participate in any school activity for the rest of his/her high school years (i.e. sports events, dances, prom) until submitting substantial evidence of rehabilitation to the athletic/activities director to seek reinstatement of athletic/activity privileges.

HAZING/HARASSMENT/BULLYING

Hazing/harassment/bullying in any athletic/activity program or outside the program is unacceptable. Building Administration need to clarify in advance any practice or behavior. Student involvement in hazing/harassment/bullying may be suspended from athletic/activity contest/events or removed from team.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

1. All athletes will have on file a current physical exam certificate in order to practice or participate.

2. If the athletic/activity director has reasonable cause to believe a student’s health condition may pose a risk to the student or others in the athletics/activity, he may require a more current certification of fitness to participate from a physician.

SPORTSMANSHIP

The IHSA and the Upstate Eight Conference recognize and support positive sportsmanship. Any student/adult demonstrating unsportsmanship behavior will be asked to leave the event. Administration will enforce IHSA By-Laws 6.011 (player) and 6.012 (adult).

MEDICAL EXCUSES and VACATIONS

1. Students participating in a contest/event will attend school the full day in order to participate. Exceptions can only be made by the activity/athletic director(s) with advice from the head coach. It will not be the practice for participants to purposely miss part of the school day.

2. Athletes who are medically excused from regular physical education classes may not participate in school activities, practices, or games without a doctor’s release or a release from the school nurse. However, participation in athletics for such students may be limited by the school based on the safety judgment of the athletic director after consultation with the coach.

3. Participation in regular preseason practices is important for the safety and health of students. Absence from such practices for vacations will be considered by the coach in restricting participation. However, absences due to illness will be considered in a different light and will be subject to individual review by the athletic/activity director(s) in perspective of what is best for the student participant and school.

4. Vacation absences during an activity or team season can result in being penalized or released from the activity/team. See the individual coach/sponsor at the start of the sport/activity for details about absences.

POLICY STATEMENT: Participation in Extracurricular Activities

The Board of Education of District 204 encourages its students to broaden their skills, knowledge and citizenship by participating in school-sponsored clubs, councils, interscholastic and intramural athletics, theatrical productions, and other extracurricular activities. However, participation in school-sponsored and school-supported athletic and extracurricular activities will be subject to the following:

High School Participation

In order to be eligible for participation in any school-sponsored or school-supported athletic or extracurricular activity, each student in grade 9, 10, 11 or 12 must maintain a passing grade in no less than (5) courses, as determined on a weekly basis.

Any student who fails to meet the aforesaid requirement will be suspended from further participation in all school-sponsored and school-supported athletic and extracurricular activities for seven (7) calendar days.

In addition, any student who fails to maintain a passing grade in no less that five (5) courses for a given semester will be prohibited from participating in any school-sponsored or school-supported athletic and extracurricular activities for the following semester.

Participation in school-sponsored or school-supported athletic or extracurricular activities may also be subject to additional eligibility requirements imposed by the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) or other governing bodies.

School-sponsored and school-supported athletic and extracurricular activities include, but are not limited to:

• All activities sanctioned by the IHSA
• Cheerleading, pom pons, and drill team
• All events of a competitive nature between two or more schools.

The list of included activities will be periodically reviewed and updated by the administration. Activities which are linked to a student’s grade will not be considered to be school-sponsored or school-supported athletic or extracurricular activities. Performances which are not linked to a students’ grade will be considered on a semester basis only.