SCHOOL DISTRICT LAKE HOLCOMBE ACTIVITIES POLICY

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1 SCHOOL DISTRICT LAKE HOLCOMBE ACTIVITIES POLICY INTRODUCTION Participation in activities means more than competing between individuals or two schools. A student learns fair play, sportsmanship, teamwork, leadership and cooperation from which the student will benefit continually. This policy covers all students in grades The students shall receive a copy of the policy in their folder that they receive on the first day of school. A copy is available from the office upon request. Parents and students must sign and date the pledge signature form at the end of this document and turn that into the office (See Section 4). This acknowledges that both have read the document and agree to adhere to the Activities Code. Participation in the activities program is desired but not required. It is urged that all members of the student body participate in our available programs based on their interests and abilities. Students who elect to participate in extra curricular activities must also recognize that they have additional responsibilities beyond those required of the rest of the student body. Students must realize that they will be representing not only our school, but also their families and the community of Holcombe. They should exemplify positive behavior not only to their classmates but also to the younger children in our school system that looks up to them as someone to emulate. The extra curricular activities programs are an integral part of the Lake Holcombe Junior High and High School curriculum. Athletics and the extra curricular offerings provide certain opportunities and emphasize definite goals, which are impossible to duplicate in the classroom and, therefore, they compliment the academics in the educational process. The school district strongly feels that it takes a Dedicated kind of student to accommodate the sacrifices dictated by the school s normal academic load, plus be in an activity. The school district has come to expect more from these students. These demands are manifested in the form of specific rules and regulations demanded only of those students who partake in such activities. Some rules are put in this handbook because they have been specifically stated by the WIAA. In addition to the minimum requirements set by the WIAA for athletics in Wisconsin schools, the Lake Holcombe Board of Education, coaches and the athletic department and other activities expect the following rules to be adhered to if a student chooses to participate on any activity or athletic team. 2. PURPOSE The purpose of this Activities Policy is to provide parents and student participants with a reference of responsibilities and expectations. Lake Holcombe students participating in the activities program are expected to conduct themselves at all times and at all places in a manner which will bring credit to themselves, their classmates, school and community. They are expected to provide the right kind of modeled behavior and inspiration for the non-participants in school activities and for the students who are so eager to copy them. Students should be prepared to follow the rules. Those who are not willing to comply with all the regulations of this optional phase of the curriculum should expect to disciplined accordingly and not expect to participate 3. INSURANCE All students will be covered under the school insurance while participating in an activity. A student s family s insurance policy will be the primary coverage and the Lake Holcombe School s insurance policy shall be the secondary policy. This means the school s policy is EXCESS ONLY; it will not duplicate benefits paid or payable by any other insurance plan. For those students who do not have health insurance coverage, minimum coverage is provided.

2 4. STUDENT/ PARENT OBLIGATIONS The Lake Holcombe School shall present two (2) parental meetings in the fall prior to the beginning of the school year for the purpose of discussing the student/athletes obligation according to the activities. Parents/guardians who have a student entering activities for the first time, have a student going out for activities during a year that they need only a parental permission card, or have a student returning to participation after an activity policy violation must attend one of these meetings before their child is eligible to participate in any activities. If students choose to participate in extra curricular activities, they must have the following items on file in the high school office to be eligible to participate in activities where each is required: Record of a parent attending an athletic meeting; Signed parental/student athletic pledge; Completed physical (expense will be the responsibility of the athlete) or parental permission card (alternate year card); Paid student fee; Medical information card. 5. SUMMER, BETWEEN SEASON AND OFF SEASON VIOLATIONS The Activity Policy is in effect year round. This means that all summer, between season and off-season violations will be treated the same as in-season violations. Suspensions for summer and off-season violations will apply to the first activity the student elects to participate in. If a student does not willfully finish a sport season in which the student chooses to participate, the suspension shall not be satisfied and shall be transferred to the next sport season of total participation. 6. ACTIVITY FEE An activity fee of $25 will be charged to every participant in Category I (excluding managers/statisticians) above at Lake Holcombe School District. A$5 fee will be charged to each participant in Category II unless they have already paid the $25 fee for participating in a Category I activity. There will be a $75 limit per family. This fee will be collected at the beginning of the first activity that the student participates in during the school year and will cover all subsequent activities. The fee should be collected by the coach/advisor of the activity who will advance this to the Activities Director. The Lake Holcombe School District does not wish this fee to be a detriment to anyone who wishes to participate in an activity. Any student experiencing problems in attaining this amount should contact the Activities Director for possible alternative financing. 7. ENFORCEMENT Any coach, school board member. School staff member, law enforcement agency or parent who has a son/daughter violating the activity policy should present the violation in writing to the Activities Director or the Administration. The Activities Director will investigate and administer all infractions in accordance with the Activities Policy. All infractions occurring at the same time will be considered as one (1) violation. The Activities Director will determine if there was sufficient time between violations to consider them as two or more discrete violations. 8. QUESTIONS/COMPLAINTS The Lake Holcombe School District understands that there are times when questions are asked about how activities are run. Many times, these questions/complaints can be taken care of by notification to the coach/advisor of that activity. Student, parents, or any others with questions/complaints about any activity should follow the proper chain of command when registering the questions/complaint. The questions/complaint should first be brought to the attention of the coach/advisor of that activity. If unsatisfied, the questions/complaint may proceed to the Activities Director, Principal, District Administrator, and finally the School Board. Each of these parties should ensure that all preceding parties have been contacted before they make a ruling. 2

3 9. CATEGORIES OF PARTICIPATION For the purpose of establishing equitable standards for the many activities offered to students in the Lake Holcombe School District, four categories of participation are defined. A. Category I - Athletics, Cheerleading, Pom Pons, Managers/Statisticians This category includes those activities where involvement in the activity occurs outside of the regular school day. Letter and/or certificate awards are presented for successful completion of the activity as determined by the coach/advisor and administration. The public is the primary audience. In addition to all requirements listed in this document, ALL ATHLETES must conform to the eligibility requirements set by the WIAA. B. Category II - Forensics, Drama This area includes those activities, which, for the most part, are conducted on the regular school day. In most cases, awards and/or recognition are accorded for successful completion of the activity. This area includes activities, which have less public visibility than Category I activities. C. Category III - Homecoming Court, Prom Court, Badger Boys State, Badger Girls State, Music Camp/Science Camp, Spell Down or Bee, Quiz Bowl, Swing Choir, National Honor Society This category includes those activities that have as their membership representatives elected or appointed to positions of leadership and public recognition from the respective student constituencies. D Category IV - H-Club, Spanish Club, Science Club, VICA Club, FFA, SOAC, FACE, Class Officers Student Council, T.A.T.U., Teen Court This area includes activities in which students volunteer to participate or are elected. It is understood that students should be encouraged to be involved in these activities. However, it should be stated that commitment to regular schoolwork should take precedence over involvement in any of these activities. 10. CONDUCT Students represent their school in all sponsored activities. Their conduct is a reflection on the school. Their conduct should be beyond reproach and in a manner that brings nothing but pride to themselves and the school. The Activities Council shall deal with any act that is considered detrimental to the reputation of the school. These acts could include such things as un-sportsmanlike conduct during an athletic event or something done outside the area of competition. This inappropriate behavior could result in a variety of punishments with the most severe punishment being suspension from the team/activity for a period of time or expulsion from the team/activity for the rest of the season. If a student is suspended for wrongful conduct, the student shall not be eligible for any extra-curricular activities during the time of the suspension. If a student is suspended permanently from a team, the amount of participation before the suspension will be disregarded and the letter will not be awarded to the student for that sport. 11. GRADE REQUIREMENTS A suspension from activities will be dealt with in the following way: 1 failing grade = 2 week suspension 2 failing grades = 4 week suspension 3 or more failing grades = 9 week suspension Eligibility will be based on the first quarter, second quarter/first semester, third quarter, fourth quarter/second semester. Students receiving any failing grades at the end of the fourth quarter/second semester will be declared ineligible in the fall season as the rule states in the first paragraph If the student's grades are failing after the minimum period of ineligibility, the student will remain ineligible. If the student's grades are above failing, the student then may file for reinstatement. 3

4 After successful reinstatement, the student will be placed on academic probation. If on academic probation, a student's grade average in any class falls below 65% (F) in the same 9 (nine) week period, the student will become ineligible again for the period of time stated in paragraph one. The parents will be notified of this ineligibility. Incompletes will be treated as an "F" unless special circumstances exist and are approved by the administration or until formal grade is issued. The point at which a student is deemed ineligible for one, two, three or more failing grades shall be on the date when grades are due in the main office. 12. TRAINING RULES Eligibility criteria are established for the best interest of the student and performance group. The student who complies with these rules demonstrates a desire to dedicate himself/herself to self-improvement as well as to enhance the best interest of teammates, coach, advisor and school. All participants must observe the following training rules at all times. 1. If a student becomes or is ineligible for major/minor infractions or failing grades, he/she cannot dress for games, matches, events, etc., but must attend all practices. 2. If a student has an unexcused absence from practice during the period of ineligibility, he/she will miss an additional event. 3. If a student becomes ineligible for any reason, HE/SHE MUST fill out a reinstatement form to become eligible. The reinstatement form must be completed and turned into the Activities Director/designee. 4. A student must be in school the full day to perform in, or attend school activities that day or evening. Any exceptions must have prior approval of the principal 5. If the event an activity falls on a day followed by a school day, participants must be in school the following day. Absence on the day following will eliminate the student from the next regularly scheduled event. Only an acceptable parent or doctor's excuse will be accepted, and must be evaluated by the attendance officer. 6. Students will be clean and well groomed. 7. When a student joins an activity he/she is expected to dedicate the time specified for practice by the coach/advisor. Regular attendance at practice session/events is required. 8. All incoming freshman shall begin with no violations on their record. 9. All violations will remain on file for one calendar year with the exception of incoming freshman. 10. If student has another violation during the calendar year stated in the Major Infraction part of this section, a new year will start at the time of the violation. 11. If a student wishes to discontinue an activity, the student shall discuss this in person with the coach and will turn in all issued school equipment assigned to them within two (2) days of the discussion. 12. Students who voluntarily enter the Not on Tobacco (NOT) program will be held to the same standards of this code, but will not have their participation held against them. This does not include anyone caught smoking prior to entering the program or while in the program. Students caught smoking will follow the penalty system of this policy. All school rules shall apply to all of the categories stated in Section 9. The school shall not honor any penalties served for WIAA activities if a student chooses to quit the WIAA activity or is suspended from the WIAA activity he/she is in after the student has fulfilled the penalty. They must complete the WIAA activity in order for the penalty to be honored. 4

5 13. Penalties for Breakage of Rules: A. Minor Infractions: 1. Absence from practice: a. On an event for reasons other than serious illness, death in the family or excused absence by the coach prior to the practice, the penalty shall be exercised at the discretion of the coach. b. Repeated absences: If there are three (3) or more, the coach may request the student to appear before the Activities Director to certify continued eligibility. 2. Inappropriate language or behavior will not be tolerated: a. Within the sport and during practice, the coach will determine the penalty. b. Any complaint to the school or action during an interscholastic event shall be subject to review by the Activities Council. 3. Equipment a. Students shall take full responsibility for equipment given to them. b. Abuse of uniforms, and/or other school property shall not be tolerated. c. If any equipment or property is abused or equipment is not returned at the end of a season; 1. The student shall be charged the cost of the equipment and/or reparations of property damage, 2. The student shall not be allowed to participate in any activity in that category until the bill has been paid, damage repaired or equipment is returned. c. Equipment shall not be worn or used for regular daily activity unless approved by the coach or advisor. 4. Riding the Bus Student will ride to and from an event on the bus or designated school vehicle or be issued a suspension from the activity unless one of the following is obtained: a. A parent present at the activity signs a sheet at the activity stating they will transport their child home. b. If the parent will not be at the event but wishes their child to ride home with another adult, a signed note should be sent to the office by the morning of the event. This note should include a telephone number the parent can be reached for confirmation. B. Major Infractions: 1. Receiving a second minor infraction: as stated in A in the same school year. 2. Possession or consumption of alcohol. (Includes look-alike products) 3. Possession or use of tobacco products, including, but not limited to chewing tobacco. (Includes look-alike products) If a student is asked to show what is in his/her mouth or pockets, and refuses, he/she will be considered to be guilty. 4. Possession or use of unauthorized drugs. 5. Stealing: This includes stealing of Lake Holcombe School property, property from other schools while on school activities, property from other students while in school or on a school activity 6. Inappropriate behavior as determined by the Activities Board. This includes, but not limited to, behavior that is contrary to healthy involvement, good citizenship, ethical considerations, school rules, or violations of law, hazing, and gang related activities. 7. Attending a party with alcohol or drug abuse: If a student is attending or present at a party where drug abuse and/or alcohol are present and they do not leave the premise or party immediately, the student will be held accountable in the same as if he/she were using said materials. By the student's presence, the student shall be viewed as condoning their use. Exceptions may be weddings, graduations, family reunions, etc., and/or a party when sponsored by the parents or guardians and no alcohol is being served minors under the age of 21. 5

6 8. Penalties for Major Infractions a. 1 ST offense Ten (10) school days from date of notification to the Activities Director. School must be in session. Suspension shall carry over into tournament play for each of the activities a student is involved in at the time of the infraction. No loss of earned recognition if the student is a member of the team at the end of the season. If the penalty occurs at the end of the season, between seasons, in the summer or the student is not in an activity, the suspension will extend into the next activity of similar nature unless there is athletics is involved. If that is the case, there may be athletic suspensions depending on the rule breakage. Any infraction from the previous spring shall begin on the date of the first game and proceed as if school were in session. b. 2 nd Offense - Nine (9) school weeks from date of notification to the Activities Director. School must be in session. Suspension shall carry over into tournament play for each of the activities a student is involved in at the time of the infraction. No loss of earned recognition if the student is a member of the team at the end of the season. If the penalty occurs at the end of the season, between seasons, in the summer or the student is not in an activity, the suspension will extend into the next activity of similar nature unless there is athletics involved. If that is the case, there may be athletic suspensions depending on the rule breakage. c. 3 rd Offense - One (1) year from date of notification to the Activities Director. If a student is on the third offense and another infraction occurs, the year of suspension will start on the notification of the second infraction. This will be done accordingly until the student has served a year s suspension without any infractions. Major infractions will be cumulative from one academic year to the next based on the last infraction on record. Student s rights under the law shall be recognized. The Lake Holcombe School District believes students should understand that through the participation in the activities program the District is committed to teaching that substance abuse is not in a person's best interest and is a detriment to one s health. The school regards alcohol and other drug abuse, addiction, or dependency (including tobacco) as a behavior/medical problem and recognizes that the use of alcohol and other illegal drugs precedes more severe dependencies. It is not beneficial to attach a moral or social stigma to such personal problems of anyone so involved. The school wishes to cooperate with all segments of the community in the development of constructive programs to avoid the use of alcohol, tobacco and other illegal drugs. The school also believes that assistance should be provided for those who develop such dependency(s). Good Behavior Clause: The student shall have one offense removed from their record when there is 18 or more months between individual major violations on the student's school record. This will be done on a one-time basis. 6

7 14. GENERAL BOARD OF ATHLETIC REVIEW PROCEDURE "Due process" is a procedure, which courts of law recognize as a necessary part of any rules and regulations. Furthermore, "Due process" recognizes the rights of an individual and it outlines student recourse in the event he/she feels an incorrect decision has been made. "Due Process" as outlined below is the procedure for a student and/or his/her parents to follow in appealing decisions relating to eligibility. It should be understood that students and parents would be expected to follow the "Due Process" steps. During "Due Process" students will not be eligible to participate in school activities. To initiate disciplinary action against a student in an activity, the activities director shall submit a report of an alleged violation to the principal and the accused student. The accused student shall be called into a conference with the activities director. The student will be informed of his/her alleged violation. The alleged violation will be discussed. If it is established to the satisfaction of the activities director that an offense did occur, the established penalty appropriate to the rule violation shall be formalized and enforced. A letter shall be sent to the parents of the student explaining gall the details of the situation. If the Activities Director feels the allegation is untrue, the incident will be dropped without record. All cases are subject to review if sufficient new facts become known. If the parties are in disagreement, the student has two (2) school days to appeal the decision of the Activities Director so he/she may set up an Activities Board of Review. If the student does not appeal the decision within two (2) school days, the student has agreed to accept the penalty that has been invoked. All appeals will only eliminate the information from the student s records, but not interfere with the penalty established by Step 1 Appeal to Activity Board: In the event that the result of the formal conference with the Activity Director does not satisfy the student and an appeal has been formally requested, an Activities Board hearing shall be scheduled. This board shall meet within three (3) school days. The activity board of review shall, upon request, interpret, review, and pass judgment on alleged violations of current Activity Handbook rules and regulations for students. The Activity Board of Review shall consist of the following people: one (1) coach representing boys sports one (1) coach representing girls sports two (2) non-coach faculty members one (1) students appointed by Student Council not involved with the case. A community member at large shall be appointed by the Activities Director. An Administrator will be chairman of the Activity Board of Review and be a nonvoting member. The entire Activity Board will be appointed by the Activities Director During the interim between receipt of a report of alleged violation and the actual hearing, the student shall not be able to participate. A written notice shall be mailed or presented directly to the student and to his/her parents/guardian indicating the nature of the alleged violations, the date the violation occurred, the penalty invoked, the date, time and place of the hearing; and an invitation to the parents/guardians to be present at the hearing and notice of the student s right to legal counsel. The Activities Board will then hold in a hearing with the student, his/her parents/guardian and counsel, if one is requested by any of the above to ascertain the facts. The student will be provided with an opportunity to testify and present evidence in his/her behalf. A majority vote of the Board is required to decide that a violation has been committed, the penalty set down by the activities director will be enforced. The Board s findings shall be made available immediately and shall be put forth in written form and presented to the parents/guardians within one week of the Board s hearing. All cases are subject to additional review if any member of the Activities Board feels sufficient new facts have been established. 7

8 The student may appeal the case to the Lake Holcombe School Board of Education if he/she does not agree with the decision. The student has two (2) school days to make this appeal after the activities council has rendered a verdict. This appeal shall be a written request and must be turned into the Superintendent of schools or his/her designee. The School Board has the right to reject an appeal at which time the penalty established should be immediately put into effect or hear the case. If the School Board chooses to hear the case, it shall do so within five (5) school days after they have received the appeal. This shall be the last appeal the student will have in determining his case. The decision of the School Board shall be made by a simple majority vote of the Board. A letter shall be sent to the student and his/her parents/guardians stating the decision of the School Board. The provisions, as outlined, shall be the sole and exclusive means for an appeal of the rulings referred to in paragraph one The decision of an appeal does not set precedence. Each case shall be decided upon its own merits and situation. 15. WIAA RULE CLARIFICATION WIAA rules require that a school have a code of conduct, which the school they enforce on a year-round basis. WIAA rules do not indicate specific penalties, other than stating in-season violations involving use of alcohol, including chewing of tobacco and/or use, possession, buying, or selling of controlled substances, must result in at least a one-game suspension. Any suspension, which occurs after a school has played in its first WIAA tournament contest, will result in that athlete being ineligible for the remainder of that WIAA tournament series. A student that transfers from one school to another, with a suspension due to violations of the athletic code(s) from the previous school, must serve the mandated suspension at the new school. If a student decides to appeal a suspension, according to the school s appeal procedure, the student is ineligible during the appeal process. A student ejected from a contest is suspended for the rest of that competition and the next scheduled competition. If it happens that the competition is multi-schools meet, which counts as one meet on the schedule, the student shall not be eligible for that entire competition. 8

9 16. WEIGHT ROOM RULES General Rules: The overall supervision and control for the operation of the weight room shall be under the direction of the Activities Director with the help of the coaches of each sport. The weight room will be open only when there is a responsible supervisor to oversee the time it is open. For the purpose of district rules, a Responsible Supervisor is a person who is 18 years of age or older and who has experience and/or training in the safe use of weight room equipment. The number of supervisors in the weight room will not be limited, but at no time can a supervisor take time away from another active lifter or over ride a decision of the supervisor in control. At no time is the weight room to be open without a responsible supervisor present. No person can be lifting in the weight room alone. This includes adults and supervisors. The youngest age any person can lift is 13 years and only after they have had weight training education via the Phy. Ed. program, or a program specifically by a trained supervisor. All lifters shall be trained in weight lifting prior to being allowed to use any equipment. Hours of Operation: Students and classes of the Lake Holcombe Schools shall have priority to use the weight room during the school day and between the hours of 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Adults may lift prior to 7:45 a.m. and after 6 p.m. They must have a qualified supervisor in attendance. This means that they cannot lift alone. Students may lift the same time as adults, but then are considered equal to the adults in the use of equipment. The supervisor shall make all decisions about the weight room. This includes equipment and the use of TV and radio. All weight lifters must check in when they are to use the weight room and check out when they leave the weight room. 9

10 LAKE HOLCOMBE ACTIVITIES POLICY

11 TABLE OF CONTENTS SUBJECT AREA PAGE Introduction 1 Purpose 1 Insurance 1 Student/Parent Obligation 2 Summer, Between and Off Season 2 Activity Fee 2 Enforcement 2 Questions/Complaints 2 Categories of Participation 3 Conduct 3 Grade Requirements 3 Training Rules 4 Penalties for Rule Breakage 5 General Board of Athletic Review Procedure 7 WIAA Rule Clarification 8 Weight Room Rules 9 Lakeland Conference 10 Athletic Schedules 11 11

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