athletics

Athletic Code Co-Curricular Code of Conduct/Training Rules

This activities code is designed to establish a reasonable, high standard for participants in co-curricular activities which empowers our participants to make appropriate decisions, rather than to be punitive and deny access to such activities. Co-curricular activities are a privilege and completely voluntary. Along with this privilege comes the expectations of a higher standard of behavior and conduct. Participants in these activities are considered to be in positions of leadership, representing themselves, their families, the team, school, district and community.

As a condition of participation in co-curricular activities, participants will agree, in writing to abide by all of the rules set forth below for the entire school year during which they wish to participate. Parents, guardians and/or legal custodians shall indicate in writing that they have received a copy of the rules, understand, accept and will make every effort to assist all participants in upholding the rules set below.

All members of the community, including students, parents, staff and community members should be alert and aware of the behavior of participants, and should follow up on concerns brought to their attention by reporting to district personnel. District personnel should, in turn, report alleged violations to the building administration for investigation.

Definitions:
1. Self-disclosure of Violations: is defined as a participant self-admitting their own violation of the rules set below.

2. Investigative Discovery of Violations: is defined as the investigative process by which district personnel conclude a participant has violated the rules set below.

3. Assessment: is defined as a successful student assistance assessment, family conference and successful follow through with the recommendations.

4. School Year: is defined as the first day of tryouts in the Fall, through the last day of June (if an activity conducts official school practices, meetings and/or other activities during the Summer months these rules shall be considered in force for those participants). These rules are in force for all participants during the defined school year.

5. Accumulation of Violations: violations are accumulated during the entire time a participant is involved in junior high activities. Once the participant becomes involved in a high school activity a new high school accumulation begins.

6. Career: The entire time a student is eligible for activities at a particular level. Junior high and high school careers are separate.

7. Days: for the purposes of the penalties, "Days" shall be defined as school days. For all other purposes, "Days" shall be defined as calendar days, 24 hours per day.

8. Co-Curricular Code Committee: shall consist of the head coach or advisor of the activity involved, a coach or advisor from another activity, the athletic coordinator, and the principal/designee.

9. Participant: any student who has a current physical on file, who is planning to participate in a co-curricular activity or is currently participating in a co-curricular activity.

10. Co-Curricular Activity: any athletic team, activity, student government group, drama or musical group, etc., which is school sponsored and outside the curricular program.

11. Conduct Committee: shall consist of a teacher, coach and assistant principal/designee.

12. Tobacco Class: district mandated class with attendance mandatory and any costs or fees the responsibility of the participant. To become eligible, participant may be allowed to return if registration is complete and fees are paid.
Weekly eligibility is determined by proof of attendance and/or other conditions as set forth by the co-curricular code committee.

I. Training Rules

A. Substance Abuse/Misuse: Participants will not possess, use, or be under the influence of alcohol, drugs, steroids, controlled substances of any kind (other than those obtained and properly used pursuant to a valid prescription), or those purported to be the same, including, but not limited to, imitation controlled substances and/or related drug paraphernalia (as defined in RCW 69.41, and RCW 69.50) 24 hours a day during the defined school year. This includes on school grounds, at school-sponsored activities either on or off school grounds, en route to and from school, as well as while the participant is or should be in attendance during the school day, and any off campus, non-school activities, gatherings, behaviors, etc.

B. Substance Trafficking: participants will not traffic (buy, sell, trade, distribute) or attempt to traffic any alcohol, drugs, steroids, controlled substances of any kind, or those purported to be the same, including, but not limited to, imitation controlled substances and/or related drug paraphernalia (as defined in RCW 69.41, and RCW 69.50) 24 hours per day during the defined school year. This includes on school grounds, at school-sponsored activities either on or off school grounds, en route to and from school, as well as while the participant is or should be in attendance during the school day, and any off campus, non-school activities, gatherings, behaviors, etc.

C. Attendance at Gatherings where Activities (as defined in "A" and "B" above) are being Conducted: Participants will not knowingly attend or knowingly remain at gatherings where any of the activities listed in "A" or "B" above are being conducted. Nor will participants engage in behavior which promotes or condones "A" or "B" above, such as serving as a designated driver in order to allow others to participate in illegal activities, or promotion of gatherings where "A" or "B" above will be conducted.

D. Tobacco: Participants will not use or possess any type of tobacco product, either in or out of school, 24 hours per day during the defined school year.

E. Conduct: Participants will not engage in any criminal activities as defined by federal, state or local laws. Nor shall they engage in poor citizenship and/or unsatisfactory school conduct, including, but without limitation to, conduct prohibited in Paragraph I of the Sumner School District Discipline Policy and Regulations Handbook or the school's student handbook. Participants suspended from school shall be suspended from co-curricular participation for at least the length of the school suspension (including full day "In-School Suspension").

F. Student Attendance at School
1. Any participant who is truant from school will be disciplined under the Sumner School District Discipline Policy and Regulations Handbook as applicable to the student body as a whole.

2. Attendance at all turnouts is mandatory. A student who has other obligations conflicting with a turnout must notify one of his/her coaches or advisors ahead of time for permission to be released. Absences due to sickness or family tragedy will be excused without advance notification if circumstances make it difficult or impossible to provide advance notification.

3. Participants who are absent from school (in part or full day) are not eligible to compete or practice on the day of the absence unless the absence is a prearranged medical or dental appointment or if permission is granted by the principal's office.

II. Penalties for Violations:

In addition to any penalties which might be imposed pursuant to other Sumner School District policies and procedures related to student conduct and discipline, penalties for violations of the above, for participants of co- curricular activities during the school year shall include the following:

* Minimum of one contest

III. Due Process

Participants who are disciplined under these training rules have a right to request a hearing within three (3) school days of the imposition of the penalty. The request shall be written and submitted to the assistant principal. The co-curricular code committee shall hear the appeal. Until the hearing takes place, the participant shall be permitted to continue to participate in turnouts and contests. Following the hearing, the participant has the right to request a final appeal within three (3) days of the co-curricular code committee's decision. The request shall be in writing and submitted to the principal. A final appeals committee made up of the principal, district athletic director and two designated community members shall hear the appeal. The final appeals committee's decision shall be final.

Contact Tim Thomsen for more information about Sumner SD Athletics