OUR PRIDE IS SCHOOL WIDE

The primary purpose of the athletic/activity program of Highland School District is to promote the physical, mental, social, emotional, and moral well being of the students through participation and competition. It is hoped that athletics/activities in our school will be a positive force in preparing youth for an enriching and vital role in adult life.

The athletic/activity program is an important and integral part of the total school program and is open to participation by all students regardless of individual differences. Through voluntary participation, the student gives time, energy and loyalty to the program. Because participation is considered a privilege, the student accepts the trainingrules, regulations and responsibilities, unique to the individual activityprogram in which he/she participates. In order to contribute to the welfare of the group, the student must willingly assume these obligations, as the role demands that the individual make sacrifices not required of others.

In addition to this code, students are governed by:

Washington Administrative Code

Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA)

Highland School District Policy

Student rules of Highland High School and Highland Junior High

Special rules of each sport/activity imposed by the coach/advisor

I. General Regulations

A. WIAA rules and guidelines must be adhered to in all cases of eligibility, transfer, physical examinations, insurance coverage, starting dates, use of school equipment, etc. Each coach/advisor has the responsibility to know and inform participants and parents to enforce these rules and guidelines.

B. The athletic/activities code will be in effect twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

C. All violations of this code are cumulative for grades 7-12.

i. In the event a participant has no violations for two (2) calendar years, the participant will be considered as a first offender.

D. The athletic/activities code is in effect from the first day of fall practice through the last day of the school year.

E. The athletic/activities code will be a part of the student handbook. The signature page denotes that the codehas been read and signed by participants. The signed signature page will be kept on file in the school office. The code will be in effect from the first time it is signed until a student graduates from high school.

F. If a student is involved in an activity and athletics concurrently, athletics will take precedence over the activity.

G. The imposition of a suspension will also remove the student from eligibility of special awards for the remainder of the suspension in all activities sponsored by Highland School District.

H. The Highland Athletic/Activities code does not supersede nor replace any rules or policies of Highland High School, Highland Junior High School or Highland School District. The guidelines of this code will be in addition to any suspensions that may be invoked by the Highland School District.

II. ACTIVITIES REGULATIONS

Violation of any of the following activity code regulation will result in disciplinary action as outlined in Section III of this code.

A. Attendance – A student must be in school in order to be successful. If a student is truant or absent for a portion of, or all the school day, he/she will not be allowed to participate in the activity that day. (A student is considered absent from class if he/she misses more that 15 minutes of a class.) Pre-arranged absences will allow the student to participate. Pre-arranged absences must be approved by the school administration.

B. Injury – A student who has been injured and received medical treatment may not participate in practice or a contest until a medical professional provides a signed release. Attendance at practices and events is mandatory unless excused by the coach/advisor of the activity.

C. Travel – Students must travel to and from the contests in transportation arranged by the school. In some cases, private transportation may be necessary. This will be arranged and approved by the Principal, Athletic Director, or Superintendent. The only exception will be requests from the parent or guardian to ride with the parent after an event or activity. This parental request must be made in person, upon the conclusion of the event or activity, to the appropriate coach/advisor.The parent may request that a participant ride with a responsible adult, other than themselves, by meeting with the Principal or Athletic Director and filing out a Contest Travel Release form prior to the event.

D. Sportsmanship – Students involved in athletics/activities representing Highland School District exemplify the highest standards of good sportsmanship. Sportsmanship is defined as those qualities of courteousness, fairness and respectfulness to all associated with the sport contest or activity.

Any display of un sportsmanlike conduct (including the use of profanity) will result in counseling by the coach/advisor and possible disciplinary action. (In compliance with WIAA rules, sportsmanship violations that result in ejection from a game will mean automatic suspension from play in the next scheduled game at that level.

E. Law Infraction – Any (Federal, State, or local) law infraction by a student-athlete, that is determined by the head coach/advisor, athletic director or principal to be detrimental to the athletic/activity program, will result in a conference with the head coach/advisor and school administrator. Suspension may result as an outcome of this conference.

F. Care of Property – Theft, loss, or malicious destruction of any school or individuals’ equipment or property will not be tolerated. Students will pay all replacement costs. An individual will not be allowed to turn out for another sport or activity until he/she has fulfilled the financial responsibility.

G. Citizenship Standards– All participants should be an example of good citizenship in the school building, classroom and athletic/activity program. Conduct that mutually and substantially interferes with the educational process is prohibited.

Any participant referred to the administration for disruptive behavior that requires administrative action will be made aware of the possible consequences for his or her behavior and may receive disciplinary action.

H. Chat Rooms – Students should not participate in chat room bantering with opponents and/or friends as a representative of the Highland School District student body. The backlash has potential for very serious problems for the individual, the team/activity, and the school. Any student promoting unacceptable behaviors, whether directly or indirectly, is subject to disciplinary action outlined in Section III of this code.

I. Team/Activity Rules – Each sport/activity will have rules and regulations unique to that sport. The coach will provide team members with a written copy of these rules. Violation of these rules may result in disciplinary action or suspension.

III. DISCIPLINARY ACTION (SECTION II)

A. The head coach/advisor will handle violations of team/squad rules or minor infractions of the athletic/activities code. A committee of the head coach/advisor, athletic director, and/or principal will decide violations involving a suspension (Section II).

B. Before any suspension shall take effect, the student shall be verbally advised by the head coach/advisor of the alleged violation. The student will have an opportunity to explain or justify the action to the committee. If, after such a conference, the committee is satisfied that a suspension is justified, the committee will notify the participant and his/parents/guardians.

C. General guidelines for discipline relating to the activities code are as follows:

i. First Offense – The individual will be suspended from participation for up to three (3) events. The length of the suspension will be determined by the committee based on the severity of the infraction, length of season (number of activities within a season), and the nature of the rule violated. Students are expected to practice with the team/squad while serving the suspension.

ii. Second Offense – The individual will be suspended from participation for not less than three (3) or more than five (5) events.

iii. Third Offense – The individual will be suspended from the team/squad for the remainder of event season and placed on athletic/activity probation for one (1) calendar year.

iv. Probation – Individuals who violate a rule while on probation from a previous sport season will be treated as having violated at the level of the second offense and receive a minimum suspension of five (5) events.

v. Out-Of-Season (Not participating in a sport/activity) – The head coach or athletic director shall counsel an out-of-season student who violates any contained within the athletic/activity code. Depending on the severity of the violation, the individual may be placed on probation or a suspension may be imposed for the next event season in which he/she participates. Coaches have the responsibility to report out-of-season violations to the Athletic Director with a report of the consequences implemented.

IV. DRUG AND/OR ALCOHOL VIOLATIONS

A. In the event the school obtains knowledge of alleged violations involving alcohol, legend drugs, or illegal drugs, an investigation of the information will occur. Sources of information may include, but not be limited to law enforcement officials, parents, students, staff or community members. In the event that reasonable suspicion is found that violations did occur, interviews will be conducted with students to determine validity. Parents will be notified upon completion of the initial investigation and prior to disciplinary action being imposed.

B. Students who use, possess, sell or distribute drugs or alcohol will be subject to the following disciplinary actions:

i. First Offense – Suspension from the activity for the remainder of the season or a period equal to half the season which ever is longest for drugs and fifty percent of the season for alcohol. This suspension can be reduced to twenty-five percent of the season if the guidelines set by Highland School District Policy/Procedure 2121 (Substance Abuse Program) are followed.

ii. Second Offense – Suspension from participation in athletic/activities for one calendar year.

iii. Third Offense – Suspension from participation for the remainder of the individual’s school career.

C.Attendance at functions where alcohol/drugs are being illegally used will result in disciplinary action. Students shall not attend or support functions where alcohol and /or drugs are being used with their knowledge, or placing themselves in circumstances where they should reasonably know that such conditions exist. When they become aware, they will leave the function immediately.

i. First Offense – Suspension from 10% of the regular season contest, or portion of contests. (An individual who attends a party where alcohol/drugs are being illegally used after facing disciplinary action for use, possession, selling or distributing drugs or alcohol, will face disciplinary action as defined in Section IV, Part B, Subsection i.)

ii. Second and Subsequent Offenses – Same penalties as those outlined for used of alcohol/drugs outlined above (Section IV, Part B).

D. WIAA Drug Policy

i. First Violation – Student is ineligible for participation for the remainder of the season. The student may appeal for reinstatement in accordance with rule 18.23 of the WIAA handbook.

ii. Second Violation – Suspension from participation for one calendar year from the date of the second violation.

iii. Third Violation – Student is permanently ineligible for participation.

E. In all cases, students/parents will be required to initiate and pay for a drug/alcohol assessment and adhere to the guidelines of that assessment. The Care Team will be responsible for reviewing the student plan and ensure that all established guidelines are being followed.

F. In all cases, suspensions will carry over from one season to the next.

V. TOBACCO

Students who use, possess, distribute or sell tobacco products will be subject to disciplinary action as outlined below.

A. First Violation – Twenty (20) percent of the current sports season or carrying over to the next season of participation until 20% is met. Non-athletic participants will lose participation in the next two events.

i. If the student complies with a parent/student-initiated assessment, the penalty may be reduced 10% of the sports season or an activity suspension of one event.

B. Second Violation – Fifty (50) percent of the current sports season or carrying over to the next season of participation until 50% is met. Non-athletic participants will lose participation in the next ten events.

i. If the student complies with a parent/student-initiated assessment, the penalty may be reduced to 25% of the sports season or 5 events activity suspension

C. Third Violation – One hundred (100) percent of the current sports season or carrying over to the next season of participation until 100% is met.

VI. HAZING/HARASSMENT/BULLYING

All students will deal with all persons in a manner that conveys respect for individuals regardless of race, color, marital status, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual preference, age, or disability. Acts of harassment, intimidation, hazing, bullying, hostility, or defamation, whether verbal, written, physical, or by gesture will not be tolerated. Any demeaning form of on-campus or off-campus hazing or harassment which is related to school issues/activities and is used to initiate or humiliate another student constitutes grounds for disciplinary action including suspension or expulsion from athletics/activities, school and school activities.

VII. APPEAL PROCEDURE

If the participant is not satisfied with the disciplinary action, he/she must follow the appeal procedure as outlined herein:

A. The Student or parent/guardian should request an appeal to the school vice-principal/athletic director and appeal board. Such request must be submitted in writing within five school days of the suspension notice.

B. The appeal board will convene as soon as possible after a hearing request is presented, but within three (3) school days.

i. The appeal board shall be composed of a head coach/advisor of another sport/activity, a faculty member, and the athletic director. The purpose of the hearing committee shall be to review the facts and consider the basis of the appeal and determine the appropriateness of the disciplinary action.

ii. The student, parents, or acting guardian must be in attendance. In the event parent or guardian is not present, the appeal procedure ends and the original disciplinary decision will be upheld. The district shall act in good faith to schedule the hearing at such a time that the parent/guardian can attend.

iii. In case of an appeal hearing, the information leading to the suspension by the school must be provided. Names of students will be withheld from the process, but provided to the principal and superintendent in the event further appeals are used.

iv. If the student/parent is unsatisfied with the decision of the appeal board they may appeal to the principal and then to the Superintendent of Highland School District and finally to the Highland School District Board of Directors. During such an appeal, the suspension will continue in force. WAC 180-40-240, 180-40-225.

VIII. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

A. To be eligible for participation in interscholastic athletics/activities, a student must meet the following requirements outlined by WIAA

Middle School High School

1. Age: Under 15 by June 1 under 20 by 9/1, 12/1, 3/3

2. Regular member of school

3. Comply with WIAA Transfer rule

4. Comply with WIAA previous semester, regular attendance, and season limitation rule

5. Physical examination passed within the past twenty-four (24) months and filed in the school office. All athletes are encouraged to have a complete and thorough physical and health history evaluation. Parents are encouraged to have yearly physicals if their child has had a serious injury or health condition during the previous year or has had a history of medical illnesses or injuries. (Athletics)

6. One sport per season (Middle School)

7. Comply with WIAA eligibility rules concerning exchange students, home based education and Running Start.

8. Comply with the WIAA amateur standings rule

B. Highland Junior High School:

1. Participant must purchase an ASB.

2. Must have signed parent permission form and athletic/activity contract.

3. Must have school insurance or provide insurance through an alternate source.

4. Must have a signed Emergency Medical Release on file in the office.

C. Highland High School

1. Participants must pay all fees (ASB, locker room use, activity and sport specific fees).

2. Must have a signed parent permission form and athletic/activity contract.

3. Must have school insurance or provide insurance through an alternate source.

4. Must have a signed Emergency Medical Release form for each sport/activity on file in the office.

D. Academic

1. All participating students must be passing all classes and have a G.P.A. of at least 2.0 (C average) and no “F’s” during the season. Students having individual educational plans are graded on the criteria of the plan. Grades will be checked each week during the season. All participating students’ grades will be checked every two weeks. On alternate weeks, those individuals who have earned D’s and/or F’s during the season will be checked. The staff will be provided a list of students by the athletic director. Staff will provide grades for each student on the list and the athletic director will compile all grades. In the event a student is ineligible, the ineligibility will begin on the succeeding Monday and continue to the next Monday.

2. The first time a participating student becomes ineligible, he or she will have the opportunity to raise the grade and become eligible to participate fully during that week. This opportunity is available to each student only once in a sport/activity season.

3. The athletic director will then notify the coach/advisor that the student may resume participation. The coach/advisor will not allow the student to participate in games or events until notified by the athletic director. The student may continue to practice but cannot travel with the team.

4. Students are afforded the opportunity and should attend tutoring sessions provided by school staff and advisors.