Wayland-Cohocton CSD

Scope: These rules of eligibility have been established for the benefit of our extra-curricular participants. If our school is to excel in extra-curricular activities and competitions, we must first discipline our conduct and behavior as individuals; then as a team; and then as a school. This policy is in effect in and out of a sport/activity season. If you are not currently participating in an extra-curricular activity and violate this policy, the penalty will be imposed on the date that determination is made and may effect future participation.

Determination of Consequences

The Athletic Director/Dean of Students will make a decision on the penalty. The district reserves the right to determine any appropriate penalty based on the severity, nature and circumstances of a violation including other violations by that particular student. Based upon the individual circumstances, the Athletic Director and Dean of Students will give consideration to those students cooperating in the investigation.

Notification of Penalty

The student and the parent will be notified by either the Athletic Director or Dean of Students within a reasonable amount of time of the determination of the suspension or dismissal, and also inform them of their appeal procedure if desired.

If an interpretation or a ruling is required, the line of responsibility is the Athletic Director/Dean of Students, then the Principal, and finally the Superintendent of Schools. The Athletic Director will handle all issues concerning athletes and the Dean of Students will handle issues concerning all other extra-curricular activities. All suspensions and dismissals will begin the day they are issued and run for the designated amount of time. It is important to read this policy. Your child may be suspended from all extra-curricular activities for up to forty (40) school weeks. Violations and all subsequent penalties will carry over from school year to school year.

Extra-curricular activities are defined as the participation in all non-credit bearing activities during the school day or after the school day including practices and competitions.

GENERAL RULES

1. Attendance: Students are required to attend all classes during the school day in order to participate in extra-curricular activities after school. The exception is made for a bona fide appointment such as dentist, doctor, court, or college visitation accompanied by an appropriate excuse, which must be provided to the attendance clerk immediately upon arrival at school.

a) Absences: If a student is illegally absent, truant, suspended in or out of school, or excused from any part of the school day due to illness, (s)he may not participate in any extra-curricular activity that day.

b) Tardy: A student, who is late to school, is considered tardy. (S)He will sign in at the attendance office. If tardiness has been an ongoing issue (defined as three or more unexcused tardies during a sports/activities season), the student will not be allowed to participate in that day’s activity. A student must be in school by 9:30 a.m. in order to practice or participate in that day’s event, unless they have a legal excuse as determined by the attendance officer.

c) Absence Following Extra-Curricular Events: Each student must make every effort to be in school the school day following an extra-curricular activity. If a pattern of absences develops following an extra-curricular activity, the coach/advisor will take appropriate disciplinary action. If absences after an extra-curricular activity have been a problem, participation in the next scheduled activity may be suspended.

Activity Rules: In addition to the extra-curricular rules set forth in this policy, the individual coach/advisor may establish rules for the activity above and beyond what is outlined in this policy. These rules must be provided in writing to both the parents and students at the beginning of the season/activity. Some areas regulated by the coach/advisor rules may be, but are not limited to, curfews, late arrivals, or insubordination to the coach/advisor. Exceptions to the rules established by the coach/advisor may be made by the coach/advisor after conferring with the Athletic Director/Dean of Students. Violations to these rules may range from a warning, to suspension, to dismissal from the extra-curricular activity.

3. Violation Reports: Extra curricular activity student code violation reports will be accepted from coaches, administrators, teachers, school personnel and police officers as well as other “reliable sources” as determined by administration.

Drugs, Alcohol & Tobacco: Any student in possession of**, using, or distributing (selling) any controlled substance (drugs, alcoholic beverages, tobacco, steroids) will be subject to discipline under this policy. The District reserves the right to determine an appropriate penalty. (See determination of consequences section) The following will be generally applicable.

A. A first policy violation will result in student being ineligible to participate for ten (10) school weeks. However, students will still be eligible to practice at the discretion of the individual coach/advisor.

B. A second violation of the policy, the student will be ineligible to practice/participate for twenty (20) school weeks.

C. A third violation of the policy, the student will be suspended from all extra curricular activities for a period of forty (40) school weeks, with no chance of lessening the period of the suspension. Any subsequent violations will also result in a 40-week suspension.

At the discretion of the District the period of suspension may be lessened only in a first or second offense situation and then only if the student verifies that (s)he has pursued an evaluation and follows the recommended treatment with a New York State certified substance abuse counselor or agency. In the discretion of the District this may lessen the period of suspension by no more than half of the weeks of suspension. The student and/or parents should speak with the Athletic Director/Dean of Students to obtain an appropriate referral for counseling

** Possession includes knowingly being in close proximity to and/or actual control of a controlled substance as defined above.

Attending Parties: Students are prohibited from being present at any party where minors are illegally consuming drugs and/or alcohol. Remaining “present” means the student becomes aware or reasonably should have been aware, that alcohol or drugs were being consumed and that (s)he failed to leave the party. If a violation is verified, the student will be subject to a seven (7)-calendar day suspension from the activity for the first incident. Subsequent violations and the resulting penalties will be subject to the District’s discretion based upon the circumstances.

Self-Referrals: If a student self-refers for assistance in dealing with his/her alcohol or other drug use, (including tobacco) he/she will be referred to a Substance Abuse Coordinator or school counselor and given one-time amnesty from discipline if the following conditions are met: (1) He/she voluntarily acknowledges the problem before the investigative process begins, (2) Enrolls in a “program” described above, and (3) Continues with the program until discharged. A No-Use Contract will be signed but will not constitute an offense. If the student does not follow his/her recommended treatment program, he/she will be subject to the foregoing regulations regarding extra curricular activities. This section does not apply to a student being investigated under Sections 4 or 5.

Behavior and Conduct of Participants: Good community citizenship is required of all participants of extra-curricular activities. Good community citizenship involves following a high standard of behavior and conduct while in or out of the school setting. Students are expected to follow all laws, school and government regulations. Any student who is arrested or receives an appearance ticket from a law enforcement officer must report that incident immediately to his/her coach/advisor or the Athletic Director/Dean of Students. Failure to do so will constitute a violation of this policy. Any student who is arrested or receives an appearance ticket by police may be suspended from all extra-curricular activities until the Athletic Director/Dean of Students can investigate the infraction and a decision made on further participation. In addition, extra-curricular participants who have been found to violate the law and/or violate the school’s disciplinary code will be subject to consequences under this policy as determined by the Athletic Director/Dean of Students.

Returning School Property: Any student in possession of any school athletic equipment/costumes/or activity property or uniform will not be permitted to participate in another extra-curricular activity until all property has been returned or restitution is made.

Academic Eligibility: See attached policies: Wayland-Cohocton Central School Academic Eligibility Policy-High School and Wayland-Cohocton Central School Extra-Curricular Academic Eligibility Administrative Policy-Middle School.

Physical Education Requirements for Athletes - Athletics is an outgrowth of the Physical Education program. Those students demonstrating outstanding skill, attitude, and effort are those encouraged to participate in athletics. Because of the importance of Physical Education all athletes will be required to participate in Physical Education throughout the year.

If an athlete receives a written referral for conduct in a physical education class, lack of participation, or truancy (illegal absence), (s)he must attend practice or the game, but is ineligible to participate in the day’s practice session or game. Parents will receive a copy of the written warning. The Physical Education teacher will notify the Athletic Director who will in turn notify the coach. A student dropped for conduct or truancy from Physical Education will be ineligible to participate in athletics. N.Y.S.P.H.S.A.A. regulations state that a student must be enrolled in Physical Education to participate in athletics.

APPEAL PROCEDURES

If the student and his/her parents wish to appeal the disciplinary action by the Athletic Director/Dean of Students, the Principal must be notified in writing within one week (7 calendar days) after issuing the disciplinary decision. The Principal will schedule a meeting within one week (7 calendar days) of the appeals request and issue a written decision within 7 calendar days of the meeting. If appealing the decision of the Principal, written notice must be given within seven (7 calendar days) days of the decision to the Superintendent of Schools. The Superintendent will issue a written decision within 7 calendar days of receiving the notice of appeal. The final step of the process of appeal is with The Board of Education. The Office of the Superintendent must receive an appeal to the Board of Education within seven (7 calendar days) of receipt of the Superintendent’s decision. The Board of Education will hear appeals within the next two scheduled meetings.

Revised 08-03-98

              11-12-02
              08-23-04
              06-13-05

Updated 07/11/06