GREENWOOD MIDDLE-HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES CODE APPROVED 07/14/04

2004-2005 GREENWOOD MIDDLE-HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES CODE APPROVED 07/14/04

PHILOSOPHY ACTIVITIES POLICY Revised Spring 2004, Effective for 2004-05 School Year The Greenwood School District recognizes the importance of co-curricular activities as an important part of the total educational opportunity in the Greenwood Schools. We believe participation in school-sponsored activities is vital to the development of socially active and responsible young men and women. Through involvement in co-curricular activities, we hope students can build on the following important characteristics: a. Developing respect for themselves and the people around them. b. Taking responsibility for their actions and accepting consequences for those same actions. c. Developing a sense of pride in their work and accomplishments. d. Students need to be aware that when they participate in activities they are not only representing themselves, but also their families and the Greenwood School District. RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STUDENT Participation in activities is a privilege at the School District of Greenwood. In order to keep this privilege, students must accept certain responsibilities. As students are the most visible representatives of our school, they are expected to be exceptional examples of the quality of Greenwood School District students. They are expected to display the highest standards of social behavior and respect for those in authority, including teachers, coaches, advisors, administration, officials and other school personnel, as well as fellow participants and competitors. RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COACH/ADVISOR Coaches and advisors are some of the most influential people in the Greenwood School District. Their methods and results are a matter of record and discussion each time their group performs or competes. In most cases, the attitude, desire, and spirit possessed by a group is a reflection of those same qualities in the coach or advisor. Coaches and advisors are influential role models and need to be aware that students learn a great deal from observing their actions. RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PARENT/GUARDIAN Parents are the greatest role models for a young person. The Greenwood School District seeks parental assistance to help develop outstanding young men and women who possess the self-discipline and motivation to make a difference in the world. The administrators, faculty, staff, and coaches ask that parents be supportive of the programs and personnel at 1

Greenwood School District and demonstrate that support by respecting the decisions and efforts of the coaches/advisors who work with the young people of Greenwood. Parental assistance is also requested in enforcing this activities code so that a fair and healthy environment will exist for all students. While spectators, at any extra/co-curricular events either at Greenwood or any other site, parents are expected to display sportsmanlike behavior. An individual or group who willfully interferes with or interrupts the proper order or management of a school sponsored extra/co-curricular event by an act of violence, boisterous conduct, threatening language, or unsportsmanlike conduct toward coaches, players, or officials, or disobeys board policies or administrative rules may be removed from the event and may be prohibited from further attendance for a period of up to six weeks. Individuals prohibited from attendance may follow the established grievance procedure. ATHLETICS ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY 1. Quarter grades determine eligibility. A. One Failing Grade If an athlete receives one failing grade for a nine week grading period, he/she will be ineligible for 20% of the scheduled varsity events for the sport in question. (The number of events is rounded up to the next whole number.) An event is a scheduled competition(s) that takes place on a given date. Tournaments count as one event. Athletes that are academically ineligible are expected to practice and uphold all activity policies during the period of ineligibility. 4 th quarter grades will determine eligibility for football, volleyball, and crosscountry. 1 st quarter grades will determine eligibility for basketball, wrestling, and poms. 3 rd quarter grades will determine eligibility for baseball and softball. B. Two or More Failing Grades If an athlete receives two or more failing grades for a nine-week grading period, he/she will be ineligible for next nine-week grading period. C. Incompletes Any student who receives an incomplete during a nine-week grading period must have the work satisfactorily completed within five (5) days after receiving the report or it will be considered a failure. D. Posting of Grades Grades are considered final and ineligibility or eligibility begins seven (7) days after the last day of a quarter. 2

2. Other Co-Curricular Activities Non-Athletic activities that are affiliated with the Greenwood School District are educational in nature and most are closely tied to the academic curriculum. Because of this, the failing of classes should not limit participation in non-athletic activities. However, advisors of clubs and other activity organizations reserve the right to limit participation in activities or events that are considered purely fun or social in nature. CONDUCT ELIGIBILITY GENERAL CONDUCT EXPECTATIONS a. All students involved in activities at Greenwood School District are expected to exhibit conduct that reflects the ideals, principals, and standards of the Greenwood School District. Coaches and advisors have both the ability and responsibility to set high expectations for student conduct while the students are participating in activities associated with the Greenwood School District. Repeated incidents of inappropriate behavior may be considered an activity code violation. b. The Greenwood School District recognizes that the use of mood-altering chemicals as a significant health problem for many adolescents, resulting in negative effects on behavior, learning, and the total development of the individual. So, regardless of quantity, a student shall not use or possess a beverage containing alcohol, tobacco (in any form), or any substance defined by law as a drug or its look-alike. It is not a violation for students to possess and use drugs specifically prescribed for their use if school policy is followed. c. The student shall abstain from engaging in any activity that results in his or her conviction of a felony or misdemeanor under Wisconsin Law or a conviction under a County or municipal citation ordinance. This provision includes but is not limited to those activities that are illegal because of the age of the student. Presence in bars and attendance at parties where drinking of alcoholic beverages or the use of illegal drugs is occurring is prohibited. This is not meant to prohibit presence in establishments that are primarily eating-places or presence at halls for parties, weddings, and activities with parents/guardians, or presence at family functions where there is parental supervision. However, even though the student may be in the presence of his or her parent/guardian and may have their permission to do so, the consumption of alcoholic beverages is strictly prohibited at all times when participating in activities subject to this policy, as is the possession, consumption or other use of controlled substances. If a person covered by the Activities Code is at a location where minors are consuming alcohol and/or other illegal drugs and makes a legitimate attempt to leave the premises (proof of a phone call to parent or other adult, proof of immediately leaving upon realization of dis-allowed behavior, etc.) they shall not be in violation of the Code. d. All observed or suspected violations must be reported to the school activities director within 30 days. The school may request that the information be communicated in writing. All reports will be thoroughly investigated by the school s activities director and/or administration. Students shall cooperate with all investigations involving themselves or others if questioned. If a student does not cooperate, they will face disciplinary action. e. Students who participate in activities shall be subject to the requirements of and penal- 3

ties under this policy if they engage in acts which are regulated by this policy, whether or not those acts occur or take place in school buildings, on school grounds, while in school vehicles or school contracted vehicles, during the course of school sponsored activities, whether while under the direct supervision or control of school teachers or administrators or not, whether at or in route to school related functions and whether or not, in the case of infractions involving the commission of violations of state, county or local laws or ordinances and those involving the possession or use of alcoholic beverages or controlled substances, they occur in association with school activities or not. 2. ATHLETIC PENALTIES FIRST OFFENSE- Suspension from 20% of total contests in season in which violation occurred. (The number of contests is rounded up to the next whole number.) If violation occurs between seasons, the suspension is enforced during the next season they participate in. If there are not enough contests remaining in the season to equal the 20%, the remaining contests will be missed during the next sports season the student participates in. For example, 20% of a 6-contest season is 1.2 or rounded up to a 2-events/game suspension. SECOND OFFENSE- Same as above except suspension will be from 50% of total contests in sports season in which violation occurred. THIRD OFFENSE- Suspension from all athletics for one year from the date the offense occurred. FOURTH OFFENSE- Suspended from all athletics for remainder of high school career. Note: If multiple games, etc. occur in one day, it is counted as one contest for the purpose of assigning penalties according to this code. 3. CO-CURRICULAR PENALTIES FIRST OFFENSE- The student will satisfactorily perform 10 hours of community service. SECOND OFFENSE- The student will satisfactorily perform 20 hours of community service. THIRD OFFENSE- The student will satisfactorily perform 50 hours of community service. FOURTH OFFENSE- The student will be suspended from all activities for the remainder of their high school career. The student is responsible to create a plan and schedule all community service hours. The activities director must approve the plan. The final accounting of the community service hours will be the responsibility of an activities advisor named by the activities director. If the student fails to meet his/her obligation, he/she will be ineligible to be 4

involved in any activity until the community service hours are completed. Students in co-curricular activities that require a performance or competition are required to participate in practice but will remain ineligible for performances or competition until all community service hours have been satisfactorily fulfilled. 4. APPEAL PROCESS In the event a student is disciplined under the Conduct portion of the Activities Code and wishes to appeal the decision of the administration; a written request must be submitted to the Activities Director within twenty-four hours of the decision. Upon receipt of the written request and within the 2 working days following the request, but before the next scheduled competition for WIAA sanctioned events, the Activities Director shall convene a hearing before the Activities Review Council (made up of one administrator, one staff member, one Board of Education Member and two at large community members approved by the high school principal). This committee shall review the case and render the final decision on the matter within twentyfour hours of the hearing. The student and his or her parent/guardian may address the committee and the committee reserves the right to call and question witnesses directly related to the incident. During this appeal process the student will remain ineligible in compliance with WIAA regulations for participation in all school activities. All decisions from the Activities Review Committee shall be final and any disciplinary action shall commence immediately after the decision in rendered and the student is notified. LEGAL REFERENCES: 120.13 Wisconsin Statutes 89-C-0179-C Wisconsin Federal District Court (Stubblefield v. Harried, 1989) OTHER ATHLETIC REQUIREMENTS GOING OUT FOR A SPORT To represent Greenwood High School in any interscholastic athletic competition, a student must meet all the requirements established by the WIAA as well as those of Greenwood High School. Every student who desires to participate in our athletic program must have: a. Filed a WIAA physical examination card (signed by a physician and a parent/guardian) or a WIAA alternate year permission card (signed by a parent/guardian). WIAA cards can be picked up in the high school office. b. Filed a pledge sheet signed by a parent/guardian and the student. c. Filed an Emergency Medical Form signed by the parent/guardian. 5

d. Paid any applicable user fees. e. Parent/guardian attend an athletic meeting near the start of the school year. The Athletic Director will run the meeting. f. Individual coaches may also request that parents attend a meeting near the beginning of a particular sports season. g. The student must meet all five of the requirements above before he/she may practice. QUITTING A SPORT An athlete may only compete in one (1) sport during any season. An athlete who is cut from a team in any given sport may compete in another sport that season. However, an athlete who is dropped from a team for disciplinary reasons or who quits is not eligible to compete in any other sport during the season in question without mutual consent of both head coaches. If an athlete quits a sport while in the process of serving a conduct penalty, the penalty is enforced in full during the next sport season the athlete participates in. ATTENDANCE All students involved in activities as a participant during, or after school hours must be in full attendance in school from 10:00 a.m. on unless other arrangements were prearranged and approved by school principal or another administrator in his absence. Even if absences are excused according to board policy, they still must be prearranged and approved in order for a student to participate. OTHER DISCIPLINE Any students that have been assigned an in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension, or alternative punishment may not participate in any after school activities or practices until the assigned discipline is served. Students suspended (ISS or OSS) may not participate in any after school activities or practices on the day/days of the said suspension. INJURIES AND INSURANCE Greenwood School District provides accident coverage for all students. Outlined below is important information regarding this coverage. It is intended as a brief description for reference only and is not the policy. Only ACCIDENTS that occur in school-sponsored and supervised activities including participants in interscholastic sports are covered. DEFINITION OF ACCIDENT: An unexpected, sudden and definable event which is the direct cause of bodily injury, 6

independent of any illness, prior injury or congenital predisposition. Conditions that result from participating in an activity do not necessarily constitute accidents. For example, illnesses, diseases, degeneration, conditions caused by continued stress to a particular area of the body, and existing conditions aggravated by an accident are not covered. A. This plan of insurance is EXCESS ONLY. It will not duplicate benefits paid or payable by any other insurance or plan including HMO s or PPO s. B. The policy will not cover expenses payable under the insured s HMO (Health Maintenance Organization), or PPO (Preferred Provider Organization). If the insured chooses not to use an authorized medical vendor (under HMO or PPO), the policy will only cover expenses incurred that it would have honored had the insured used the proper medical vendor. C. Medical treatment for a covered accident must begin within 60 days of that accident. Only expenses incurred within 52 weeks are considered. Benefits are determined on the basis of REASONABLE AND CUSTOMARY for the geographic location where services are performed. D. Specific exclusions of the policy include, but are not limited to, sickness, disease or hernia in any form; non-prescription drugs; fighting; or orthotics not prescribed exclusively for rehabilitation (e.g., playing brace, mouth guard). Any person who knowingly files a statement of claim containing any false or misleading information is subject to criminal and civil penalties. Accidents must be reported to the school within 20 days. Proof of loss must be submitted to First Agency, Inc. within 90 days after medical treatment ends. Questions regarding claim procedures may be directed to First Agency, Inc. at 5071 West H Avenue, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49009 or 269/381-6630 or Fax 269/381-3055. TRANSPORTATION Students shall travel to and from school-sponsored activities using transportation provided by the school. A coach or advisor may give approval for a student to ride home from an activity with a parent/guardian. Any other transportation arrangement must come in the form of a written request and must be pre-approved by the building principal. SCHOOL EQUIPMENT One of the values taught through participation in school-sponsored activities is that of responsibility. This applies to the care of school equipment and property. The school district hopes that every student takes pride in the facilities and equipment that are provided by the taxpayers of the Greenwood School District. 7

The school attempts to provide students of Greenwood with the highest quality and safest equipment available and it is expected that each student will take excellent care of all school provided equipment and facilities. The original equipment issued to any student must be returned at the end of an activity. The student will be held financially responsible for any lost, misplaced, or deliberately ruined equipment and will be ineligible from further participation in all activities until all equipment is returned or paid for. INTERPRETATION OF THE ACTIVITIES CODE It is entirely possible that situations/incidents may arise that are not specifically covered under the Activities Code. When such situations/incidents do arise, the final decision as how to interpret or administer the Activities Code will be a joint decision by the Activities Director and the high school principal. REVIEWING THE ACTIVITIES CODE The Greenwood School District Activities Code shall be reviewed during the second semester of the school year every other year. Any changes take effect during the following school year. A committee, made up of the Activities Director, an administrator, a head coach, a board member, and a parent, will review the Activities Code and make suggestions for revisions to the school board. The next revision is scheduled for the spring of 2006. NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY The School District of Greenwood does not discriminate in its employment practices, policy making or procedural operations on the basis on sex, race, religion, natural origins, or handicapping conditions. FINAL NOTE This code was revised during the spring of 2004 and is to take effect with the start of the 2004-05 school year. Academic and Conduct penalties that carry over from the 2003-04 school year or from the summer of 2004 will be served under the policies of this revised code. 8

ATHLETIC CODE AGREEMENT ENT This verifies that we have read the Student Athletic Code and heard it explained to us. Our signature confirms that we understand the code and agree to abide by it. STUDENT NAME (PLEASE PRINT) DATE STUDENT SIGNATURE PARENT/GUARDIAN NAME (PLEASE PRINT) DATE PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE Select sport(s) which you will be participating in during the 2004-2005 school year: FALL: Football Volleyball Cross Country Dance Team WINTER: Wrestling Boys Basketball Girls Basketball Dance Team SPRING: Softball Baseball 9