MALONE CENTRAL
INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS
POLICIES
AND
PROCEDURES
2007-2008
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Topic Page
PURPOSE 3
ACADEMIC REGULATION 3-4
ATTENDANCE AT PRACTICES AND GAMES 4
ATTENDANCE IN SCHOOL 4
AWARDS 4-6
AWAY CONTESTS 6
DETENTION AND SUSPENSIONS 6
EARLY RELEASE FOR AWAY CONTESTS 6
ELIGIBILITY 6
INJURIES 6-7
INSURANCE 7
JEWELRY 7
LATE BUS 7
LOCKER ROOM 7
PHYSICAL EDUCATION 8
PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS 8
SCHOLAR ATHLETE TEAM AWARD 8
SECTION X AWARDS 8
SELECTION CLASSIFICATION 8-9
SPORTSMANSHIP 9
TOBACCO PRODUCT, ALCOHOL AND DRUG REGULATION 9-11
TRANSPORTATION 11
UNIFORMS/EQUIPMENT 11-12
MISCELLANEOUS RULES 12
PARENTAL PERMISSION FORM 13
PURPOSE
The purpose of this handbook is to acquaint students and
parents with the athletic policies and procedures that are in effect in the
ACADEMIC REGULATION
The purpose of the Academic Regulation is to encourage
students to do well academically. It is
a privilege for students to participate in extracurricular activities. It is important for students to realize that
schoolwork must come first.
For the purpose of this policy, an incomplete will be
treated as a failure until a passing grade is received for that particular
course.
Students' grades will be checked at five and ten week
intervals (interim reports and quarterly report cards). Students who are failing more than one course
will not be eligible to participate in extracurricular activities for a ten
school day probation period.
Extracurricular activities include but are not limited to dances, the
prom, school plays, clubs, athletic contests, etc.
Students who are failing more than one course will be
eligible to attend school events which are open to the public. All students will be allowed to participate
in school activities during Thanksgiving, Christmas, winter (February) and
spring (April) breaks, regardless of the students’ academic status.
At the end of the ten school day probation period, students
who are failing more than one subject should obtain a verification form from
Miss Kilcullen. If the verification form
is signed by the teacher(s) of the classes that the student was failing and the
student is then failing no more than one subject, the student will return to
good standing status. The completed form
should be turned in to Miss Kilcullen.
It is the student’s responsibility to have his or her verification form
signed and returned. Once the student
has verified passing grades with the Athletic Director he/she will be eligible
to return to full participation in extracurricular activities. (See below for
specific information in regard to athletics.)
Specific Academic Regulation Information for
Students Participating on Athletic Teams
Students who are failing more than one subject will serve a
ten school day probation period which will begin on the date that reports are
distributed. During this ten school day
probation period, all athletes who are failing more than one subject will be
assigned to 9th period study hall.
Attendance in 9th period study hall is required. Failure to report
to study hall will result in disciplinary action. The student will continue to practice with
the team and attend contests as scheduled unless there is a conflict with the
departure time for an away contest interfering with 9th period study
hall. In case of such conflict, the
student will be required to attend 9th period study hall rather than
attending the away contest. At the end of the ten school day probationary
period, students who are failing no
more than one subject will be eligible to return to practice and/or
competition. Students who are still
failing two or more subjects at the end of the 10 school day probationary
period are not eligible to return to/try-out for a team. A student who is placed
on academic probation more than one time in a single sport season will be
dismissed from the team.
ATTENDANCE AT
PRACTICES AND GAMES
Students are expected to attend all practices and games as
scheduled by the coach and/or athletic director, including those practices held
on weekends and when school is in recess.
Students who are unable to attend practices and games must discuss the
situation with the coach prior to the absence.
Students who are injured but remain on the team are expected to attend
all practices/games.
ATTENDANCE IN SCHOOL
Students are expected to attend a full day of school and are
to participate in all classes.
Student-athletes who are absent from school, tardy to
school, sign-out of school and return or leave school early will be ineligible
to compete or practice on the day of the absence unless special permission has
been granted in advance by the Director of Athletics. A
doctor's note stating that the student had an appointment and is medically able
to participate in athletics will be permitted as an acceptable reason for not
reporting to school as expected. The
note should also indicate the time of the appointment. Students who feel that they have extenuating
circumstances should contact the Director of Athletics prior to the absence. Extenuating circumstances may include but,
are not limited to, college visits, educational trips and funerals. Any student who is in school and plans to
miss practice must see the coach (personally) prior to the missed
practice. If the coach is not available,
the student should contact the Director of Athletics. Students who are scheduled for AIS must
attend all such classes as scheduled.
The coach should be notified in advance of such an obligation.
AWARDS
All students are encouraged to attend the end of the season
awards program. The first time a student
earns a jv or varsity letter, he/she will receive a letter and an
insignia. The next time the student
earns the same letter, he/she will receive another insignia (if the letter has
been earned in a different sport) or a bar.
A student who is dismissed, suspended or voluntarily removes
himself/herself from a team is not eligible for end of the season awards, even
if he/she has earned a letter under option
I. A student who is serving his/her
10 day academic suspension when the season concludes will be eligible to
receive his/her letter if he/she has earned such a letter under option I. A student who is unable to complete a season
due to medical issues may be eligible to receive a letter/participation
certificate if he/she attends all practices and games for the remainder of the
season.
The following is a description of the letter policy for
varsity, jv and modified letters.
JV and Varsity
A student who participates on a jv or varsity athletic team
may earn a letter one of two ways:
Option I- A student must meet playing time criteria as
outlined on the attached sheet.
Option II- A student must meet the criteria in all of the following areas
A. Practice- Students
must attend all practice sessions. Unexcused absences may jeopardize the
student's letter and could lead to dismissal from the team.
B. Games- Students
must attend all games. Unexcused
absences may jeopardize the student's letter and could lead to dismissal from
the team.
C. Academic Performance- Students must remain academically
eligible to participate in the athletic program. Academic ineligibility (failing two or more
subjects) during a season may jeopardize the student's letter.
D. Attitude/Effort-
Students must display a positive attitude and put forth sufficient effort in
practice as determined by the coach.
Failure to display an acceptable attitude or effort may jeopardize the
student's letter.
The Coach and/or the Athletic Director will determine if an
absence is to be considered
"excused".
Special Notes
Option I
Students who earn a letter under this provision will also be
given an insignia the first year that they earn a letter in that particular
sport and a bar every year there after.
Option II
For sports that do not have a jv team (hockey, track, cross
country, swimming and golf) a student must meet the above criteria for two
years in order to receive a varsity letter.
The following is a list of criteria for a student to earn a
letter based on playing time for each sport:
Soccer: Participate in 60% of the games
Swimming: Must
average at least 1.5 points per event that student participates in or place in sectionals
Boys Cross Country:
Participate in 60% of the meets
Girls Cross Country:
Participate in 60% of the meets
Cheerleading: Must participate in at least 75% of games
Football: 1/2 of the quarters plus one additional quarter
Basketball: Participate in 60% of the games
Wrestling: Participate in 60% of the meets
Indoor Track: Must average at least 2 1/2 points per meet:
Entered in
one event: 2 1/2
Entered in
two events 3 3/4
Entered in
three events 4 1/2
Hockey: 1/2 of the periods plus one additional quarter
Softball/Baseball: Participate in 60% of the games
Volleyball: Participate in 60% of the games
Golf: Participate in 60% of the matches
Outdoor Track: Must average at least 2 1/2 points per meet
Entered in
one event: 2 1/24
Entered in
two events: 3 3/4
Entered in
three events 4 1/2
A coach may award a student a jv or varsity letter with the
consent of the Athletic Director based on a special circumstance.
Modified
Students will be awarded a modified letter after two years
of successful participation on a modified team.
A coach may use his/her discretion in awarding a letter to an 8th or 9th
grade student who has participated for one year only.
AWAY CONTESTS
When attending athletic events at other schools, students
are expected to remain under the supervision of the coach. At no time will any
student leave the visiting school's premises without permission from the
coach. All visiting locker rooms will be
left neat, clean and undamaged.
DETENTION AND
SUSPENSIONS
Students who have been assigned detention or have been
suspended (in school or out of school) are not eligible to practice or compete
in interscholastic athletics (or any other extra-curricular activity) until all
detentions and/or suspensions have been served or the situation has been
resolved.
EARLY RELEASE FOR
AWAY CONTESTS
At certain times during the season it may be necessary for
students to be released early from school to go to an away game. It is the responsibility of the student to
see the teachers of the classes to be missed prior to leaving the
building. Students are responsible for
all work and seat time that is missed.
Students are not to be released earlier than the designated time. Upon being released from class, students are
to report directly to the locker room and then to the bus.
ELIGIBILITY
All students who wish to participate in interscholastic
athletics must meet all New York State Public High School Athletic Association
(NYSPHSAA) and Section X requirements.
INJURIES
Students are to report all injuries to the individual coach
immediately, even if medical attention is not required. Coaches are to complete the school accident
report and send a copy of it to the Athletic Director that day or the next day
at the latest. The school nurse will
then contact the student and/or parent to provide the necessary paperwork for
insurance purposes.
If a student has been seen by a doctor for an injury or a
condition that will affect physical activity, it is necessary for the doctor to
provide the school with a medical release prior to the student returning to
participation. This policy is in effect
even if the student does not provide the coach with the original note
restricting participation. Depending on
the nature of the injury and the length of time that the student is unable to
participate, NYSPHSAA minimum practice requirements may need to be met after
the student returns to participation.
INSURANCE
The District has a secondary insurance policy on all
students. If a student is injured and
seeks medical attention, parents should first submit all bills to their primary
insurance company. Any unpaid balances
after primary coverage should be submitted to the District's insurance company.
Specific information on this procedure
will be provided to the parent after an accident report has been filed (see
"INJURIES" for information on accident reports).
JEWELRY
In accordance with NYSPHSAA regulations, jewelry will not be
permitted to be worn in games and/or practices. This includes ear rings,
necklaces, watches, pierced eyebrows and navels and all other types of jewelry
and pierced body parts. All jewelry must
be removed. Taping the jewelry is not
permissible. Students who are required to wear medical alert identification
should contact the Director of Athletics for specific procedures that must be
followed.
LATE BUS
Transportation is available to students after practice. The late bus has several pick-up points in
the
LOCKER ROOM
The locker room is to be kept neat, clean and
undamaged. Students are expected to pick
up after themselves. Horseplay will not
be tolerated in the locker room.
Whenever possible, team lockers will be assigned to students starting
with the varsity, then the jv and finally the modified students. Students are responsible for locking all
belongings in their lockers. DO NOT
leave valuables in the locker room. The
District is not responsible for lost or stolen property. At the end of the season, athletes are
expected to remove their belongings from the team locker room. Students who act inappropriately in the
locker room may lose the privilege of using the team locker room.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
All students are expected to participate in physical education
and swimming class as regularly scheduled.
Students who are medically excused from class will not be eligible to
compete or practice on that day. If a doctor has excused that student from
participating in physical education class, the student will not be eligible to
participate in games or practices until the doctor has cleared the student to
return to participation. Students who do
not participate in physical education class because they are unprepared will
follow the normal school discipline code.
PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS
On a yearly basis, all athletes must have a physical exam
prior to participation. Physical examinations
are available through the school physician.
It is the responsibility of the student to see the school nurse to make
arrangements to be scheduled for a physical examination. If a student chooses to have a physical by
his/her family physician, proper paper work must be filled out and the District
physician must then approval the physical prior to participating in practice.
SCHOLAR ATHLETE TEAM
AWARD (Varsity teams only)
The NYSPHSAA sponsors a Scholar Athlete Team Award
program. This program requires a minimum
number of team members to have a minimum average of 90% for the marking period
of which they are participating in athletics.
Those students whose averages are used to calculate the team average of
90% or higher will receive a NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete pin. In addition to those students whose averages
were used to qualify the team, all other team members whose averages are 90% or
higher will also receive a pin.
SECTION X AWARDS
(Varsity teams only)
Academic All-Northern
Sophomores, juniors and seniors who
have maintained an overall high school average of 88 or higher, demonstrate a
high level of sportsmanship, adhere to team rules and work to achieve their
full athletic potential are eligible for the Section X All -Academic
award. This award is presented at the
end of each season to all students that qualify.
All-Northern (MVP, 1st team, Second team and Honorable
Mention)
Depending on the particular sport
that a student participates in, there are two different ways of earning
All-Northern status. In most individual
sports, the student must place first or second in sectionals to receive an
All-Northern award (wrestling, track, swimming for example). In team sports, the coaches in the league
vote on All-Northern selections. A
coach is not allowed to vote for his/her own players. For example, a
SELECTION
CLASSIFICATION
The Selection Classification program is a process set up by
the NYS Education Department which allows the mature and exceptionally skilled
student to advance to an upper level of competition. A student in grade 7 or 8 may qualify to
try-out for a jv or varsity team if he/she meets all of the following criteria:
permission from parent, medical approval from the school physician, and pass
all required components of an established physical fitness test. If a student meets all of the above criteria,
he/she simply earns the right to try-out for the team. This does not mean that the student will
automatically be a member of that team.
For specific information on this topic, please contact the Director of
Athletics.
SPORTSMANSHIP
Students are expected to display sportsmanlike behavior at
all times. This includes practice sessions as well as game situations. Specifically
this means that students should show respect for officials, coaches, fans,
teammates, other athletes and oneself. The NYSPHSAA handbook states that
"Any member of a squad ruled out of a contest for unsportsmanlike conduct
or a flagrant foul shall not participate in that sport in the next previously
scheduled contest..." Disciplinary
action may also be taken by the District in instances of unsportsmanlike
behavior, even if such behavior is not acted upon by an official in a
contest.
If a student is found to have acted in a flagrant
unsportsmanlike manner, the student, coach, parent, athletic director and a
neutral member of the coaching staff will meet to discuss the appropriate
disciplinary action.
TOBACCO PRODUCT,
ALCOHOL AND ILLEGAL DRUG
REGULATION
Rules: There will be
no possession and/or consumption of tobacco products, alcohol, illegal drugs or
attendance at any location or event where tobacco products, alcohol or illegal drugs
are being used.
Exceptions
to the rule above will only be made in the following circumstances: attendance at an event or in a location when
the student is physically in his/her parent’s company, or attendance at an
event or in a location when the coach/advisor has been advised in advance of
such attendance (example: student is in
a wedding and his/her parents are unable to attend). Only the attendance and not the use of
tobacco products, alcohol or illegal drugs is permitted.
Any
violation of the rule (There will be no possession and/or consumption of
tobacco products, alcohol, or illegal drugs.) will be considered a single
offense.
Offenses:
First Offense: The student will not participate in 25% of
originally scheduled games (excluding scrimmages). The suspension will begin immediately
following the offense. Student must
practice with the team, and attend all games during the suspension.
Student will ride the bus and sit with the team, not dress
and follow all other rules that apply.
If student participates in prior approved counseling program the
consequences will be reduced to 12.5% of the games (excluding scrimmages)
immediately following the offense. It is
the student’s responsibility to make arrangements through the guidance office
for approved counseling. Student will be
released to play when he/she has met the above criteria but will continue to
see the substance abuse program counselor at counselor’s recommendation or at
student’s request. If full consequences
cannot be served due to seasons end, remaining consequences will be completed
in the next participating season.
(i.e. If only 50% of consequences
are served due to seasons end, the remaining 50% will be served the next
participation season.) Student will
practice with the team.
Second
Offense: The student will not
participate in 50% of originally scheduled games (excluding scrimmages). The suspension will begin immediately
following the offense. Student must practice with the team and attend all games
during the suspension.
Student will ride the bus and sit with the team, not dress
and follow all other rules that apply.
If student participates in prior approved counseling program, the
consequences will be reduced to 25% of the games (excluding scrimmages)
immediately following the offense. It is
the student’s responsibility to make arrangements through the guidance office
for approved counseling. Student will be
released to play when he/she has met the criteria but will continue to see the
substance abuse program counselor at counselor’s recommendation or at student’s
request. If full consequences cannot be
served due to seasons end, remaining consequences will be completed in the next
participating season. (i.e. If only 50%
of consequences are served due to seasons end, the remaining
50% will be served the next participation season.) Student will practice with the team.
Third
Offense: The student will be dismissed
from the team and no longer be able to participate in athletics for the
remainder of their high school career.
If a student attends an approved counseling program set up through the
Middle School or
recommended by the substance abuse program counselor, the
student may return after
sitting out the current season and the next full
season. It is the student’s responsibility
to
make arrangements through the guidance office for approved
counseling. The counselor
will determine parental participation in the counseling
program.
Subsequent
offenses will follow the same as the third offense.
The Tobacco
Products, Alcohol, Illegal Drugs regulation applies to all
Violations
can be reported by responsible individuals such as law enforcement, social worker,
faculty, staff, administrator and/or clergy.
Due
Process: All students have the right to
appeal the decision.
Appeals
Committee: Five Members
(Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent, Member from FASIC, Member from MMSIC,
Board Member, and Member from the neutral community appointed by DWSIC)
Both sides will present the issues to the appeals
committee. The decision is binding.
The committee has the power to uphold, alter or overrule the original decision. The appeal must be requested within 72 hours and will be heard within 72 hours of notification. A final decision will be reached by a majority vote of the committee.
In each school year a committee consisting of the high
school or middle school principal/assistant principal, student council advisor,
and athletic director, will review all violations dealing with students in
extra-curricular and co-curricular activities other than athletics. This committee will determine the
consequences for students who are found to be in violation of the tobacco
products/alcohol/illegal drug regulation.
The appeal process as described above will be in place for
extra-curricular and co-curricular activities.
The option for counseling will also be available for students in
extra-curricular and co-curricular activities.
If the student chooses counseling, the consequences will be reduced by
50%.
TRANSPORTATION
Students are expected to behave on the bus as they would in
a classroom. All students should remain in their seat until the bus has arrived
at the destination. There will be no
undue noise on the bus. Students will
not be permitted to change their clothes on the bus. Depending on the sport in which a student
participates, the student will need to change in the locker room before leaving
or in the locker room at the school where he/she is participating. The student should check with his/her coach
and/or bus driver to find out if food and beverages may be consumed on the bus.
Under no circumstances will glass
containers be permitted on the bus.
Students are responsible for picking up all garbage on the bus upon
returning home. Students are expected to
ride the bus to and from all away contests.
If a parent is interested in transporting his/her own child home from an
away contest, a written note must be provided to the coach. During the season, there may be times when
coaches require all students to ride the bus home. Whenever possible, the coach should let the
students know in advance. All other
special transportation requests must be submitted in writing to the Director of
Athletics at least 24 hours in advance.
UNIFORMS/EQUIPMENT
All issued uniforms/equipment that are the property of the
District shall be returned at the end of the season. Students will be responsible for the cost of
replacing lost or stolen uniforms/equipment.
Students are expected to wear their uniform as provided to all contests.
Uniforms shall not be worn for physical
education class, practice or any other time other time except for regularly
scheduled contests. The coach may
approve the wearing of uniforms for special occasions (Homecoming Pep Rally for
example). Students are expected to have
their uniforms laundered after each contest.
MISCELLANEOUS RULES
Once the coach finalizes the roster and cuts have been made
(where applicable), an athlete will be expected to continue on the team for the
rest of the season. If an athlete quits
without permission of the coach, the athlete will be ineligible for any sport
during that season. Only in unusual
circumstances will this procedure be altered and this decision will be made by
the coach involved and the Athletic Director.
Students are expected to dress appropriately for all
practice sessions. Protective equipment
must be worn as required by each sport.
Practice clothing should be appropriate and follow regular school
guidelines for appropriate dress. It is
not appropriate for students to wear boxers as shorts or sports bras as
t-shirts.
Profanity will not be tolerated at any time. The coach will take the appropriate action at
his/her discretion. Repeated use of
profanity will be reviewed by the sportsmanship committee.
As representatives of the school, athletes are expected to conduct themselves in a mature and sportsmanlike manner at all times. Students who behave inappropriately in school or out of school will face disciplinary action.
The coach of each team may decide if it is appropriate to elect/select captains for the team. Captains do not have the authority to discipline team members. The coach of the team will be responsible for handling all disciplinary issues.
Individual team rules may be enforced by coaches after
approval by the Athletic Director.
PARENTAL PERMISSION TO PARTICIPATE
AND
STUDENT ATHLETE ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF CONTRACT
This form must be returned to
the
participate:
Athletic Activity:
_______________________________________________________
(sport)
I,
______________________________________________________being the parent or
guardian of
(parent/guardian)
__________________________________________________________________
(student-athlete)
recognize that
interscholastic sports involve risk of injury, which on occasion could be serious
to the participant and in rare cases, could result in death. The school does have accident insurance;
however, all expenses incurred must first be submitted to the parents' insurance
company for payment. Any balance will
then be submitted to the school insurance program. In case of an accident, coaches and other
school personnel are hereby authorized to provide first aid and arrange for
such other emergency treatment they consider necessary.
I have read a copy of the
Malone Central School District Interscholastic Athletic Policies and
Procedures. I have discussed the
importance of following the rules with my child, and agree my child will abide
by them. I grant permission for my child
to participate in the Malone Central School District Interscholastic Athletic
Program.
Athletic Year: August 2007 through June 2008
Signature of Parent/Guardian
_____________________________________________
Date:
___________________________________________
I have read the Malone
Central School District Interscholastic Athletic Policies and Procedures. I understand them and agree to abide by them.
Signature of Student Athlete
_______________________________________________
Date:
___________________________________________
Student’s Date of Birth __________________________
Year that student entered 9th
grade (CIRCLE ONE):
September 2004 2005 2006 2007
OR 8th
grader 7th grader
Other (please specify)
______
Anticipated year of
Graduation from High School
_______________