SPEARFISH SCHOOL DISTRICT EXTRA-CURRICULAR STUDENT POLICIES

STUDENT CONDUCT

The Spearfish School District recognizes that all members of the student body are representatives of the school and encourages all students to participate in activities due to the benefits derived from such participation.  Participation in student activities exposes students to greater public exposure and scrutiny and students are expected and encouraged to bring credit rather than discredit to the school whose programs makes such participation possible.  It shall therefore be the policy of the School District:

1.  That student participation in student activities is a privilege rather than a right.
2.  That  students who exercise the privilege of participation in student activities shall consequently be expected to exemplify high standards of behavior.
3.  Students who participate in extra-curricular activities at Spearfish High School are expected to be students first.  Therefore, there is an expectation that students who wish to participate in activities need to be in school to do so.  The building administration realizes that at times situations arise that dictate students missing class.  Therefore, the following guidelines will be used:
                A.  Students who miss class on the day of an activity due to an appointment must provide notification to the school in order to participate in the activity. Such notification must be received by the school prior to the appointment.
                B.  For students who are ill or are gone for personal reasons on the day of an activity, they must be in attendance for at least one full block prior to departing on a road event or in attendance for at least the last two blocks for a home event in order to participate or practice.
                C.  Students going on school-sponsored trips will be granted an excused absence.
4.  Each sponsor or coach may have additional training rules of his/her own.  These must have the approval of the building principal or activities director.  Plus, participant must be fully informed of all additional regulations.

INTERSCHOLASTIC ACTIVITY POLICY

It shall be the policy of the Board and administration that the rules of training and conduct shall be established for all activities.  These rules must be written by the coaches/sponsors and agreed to by the principal and activities director.  They should include:

           1.  No person under violation of any policy may participate.

It shall also be the policy of the Board and administration that all coaches and supervisors make no exceptions to the enforcement of the rules set up.  All reasonable means of supervision should be employed and all reports of rules violation rigorously, fairly and impartially investigated.

ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY STANDARDS

To be eligible to participate in extra-curricular activities at Spearfish High School a student must be passing all classes (D- or better).  Grades will be evaluated at each grade reporting period, midterm, quarter and semester.  A student who does not have the required grades at the reporting period (semester, quarter, midterm) will be ineligible for the next four week grading period.  The 2nd semester grade will determine eligibility for the beginning of the next school year.

These standards cover all extra-curricular activities.  Band and choir concerts, not associated with the SDHSAA, constitute a classroom activity, thus students will be allowed to participate in those events. 

PHYSICALS AND MEDICAL HISTORY

                1. Students are not eligible to participate in practice or games if the student does not have on file in
                    the Activity Office, a signed physical examination that falls under the rules of the SDHSAA.
                    Annual physicals are required.
                2. A copy of the Parent Consent form must be submitted annually.
                3. A copy of the students Medical History must be submitted annually.
                4. A physical exam after April 1 will be accepted for the next school year.

ALCOHOL / TOBACCO / DRUG  POLICY

At the beginning of each sport season, a required informational meeting for participants, parents/guardians, coaches, advisors and the activities director will be held to go over activities information and the eligibility rules of the Spearfish School District.

THE USE AND / OR POSSESSION OF MOOD-ALTERING CHEMICALS SUCH AS ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, DRUGS OR DRUG PARAPHERNALIA BY PARTICIPANTS OF EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES GRADES 9-12 IS PROHIBITED.  THIS PROHIBITION SHALL BE IN FORCE ALL YEAR INCLUDING THE SUMMER MONTHS. WEEKENDS, AND HOLIDAYS.  OUT-OF-SCHOOL SUSPENSION SUPERCEDES ALL TRAINING RULES.

CONSEQUENCES OF VIOLATIONS FOR TOBACCO AND ALCOHOL:

           1. 1st Violation

The individual will be suspended for two weeks (14 calendar days and minimum of two events) of scheduled extra-curricular activities in the activity in session or the next activity of participation.  The suspension will occur when competition begins, not when practice begins.  The attendance at practice will be at the discretion of the coach or advisor.

Parent / guardians and the student will be notified and a record will be kept of pertinent facts, actions and contracts.  A conference between the participant, his/her parent/guardian, coach or advisor and the activities director will be required before any future participation by the individual.

For the first offense, the student will enroll, show a record of participation and complete an alcohol/drug diversion program by an approved, certified chemical dependency counselor or licensed health professional trained in chemical dependency.  All cost of the diversion program are the responsibility of the student and family.

          2.  2nd Violation

The individual will be suspended for four weeks (28 calendar days and minimum of four events) of scheduled extra-curricular activities in the activity in session or the next activity of participation.  The suspension will occur when competition begins, not when practice begins.  The attendance at practice will be at the discretion of the coach or advisor.

A conference among the student, his/her coach or advisor, and the activities director will be required prior to future participation once the 2nd violation has occurred.

The student will enroll, show a record of participation, and complete an alcohol/drug diversion program by an approved, certified chemical dependency counselor or licensed health professional trained in chemical dependency.  All costs of the diversion program are the responsibility of the student and family.

           3. 3rd Violation

The individual will not be allowed to participate in any school extra-curricular activities, including athletics or fine arts, for the remainder of his/her high school career.

As in accordance to SDCL, the following consequences will occur with any violation of possession, use or distribution of a controlled substance or marijuana:

1. 1st Violation
Any participant adjudicated, convicted or subject of a suspended imposition of sentence for possession, use or distribution of controlled substances or marijuana will be ineligible to participate in any extra-curricular activity for one year.  The one-year suspension may be reduced to sixty school days if the person participates in an assessment with a certified chemical dependency counselor or completes an accredited intensive prevention or treatment program.  If the assessment indicates the need for a higher level of care, the student is required to complete the prescribed program before becoming eligible to participate in extracurricular activities.

2. 2nd Violation

Upon a subsequent adjudication, conviction, diversion, or suspended imposition of sentence for possession, use, or distribution of controlled drugs or substances or marijuana as defined in chapter 22-42, or for ingesting, inhaling, or otherwise taking into the body any substances as prohibited by SDCL 22-42-15, by a court of competent jurisdiction, that person is ineligible to participate in any extracurricular activity at any secondary school accredited by the Department of Education.

Per Board Policy Code: 5430/6315 A student may not behave in a manner that will bring discredit to the students’ team, activity or school.  Consequences for behaving in a manner discrediting a students’ team, activity or school will be at the discretion of the activities director and/or the principal.

APPEALS

When a participant is accused of violating a training rule, the allegation will be directed to the coach and the activities director.  The allegation may also be reported to any building administrator who will forward it to the activities director.  The individual making the allegation must sign an accusation form, complete with details of when, where, and witnesses. The accuser will be informed that the accuser’s name and written statement will be kept in confidence to the greatest extent possible, but may be released to the participant in case of an appeal..  The activities director and the coach or advisor will discuss the allegation with the participant in question to determine the nature of the violation.  After a proper investigation, a decision to suspend or not to suspend will be decided by the activities director and/or the principal..

Upon suspension for a First or Second violation, the participant may appeal the decision to the Superintendent by submitting an appeal in writing within 10 calendar days after the issuance of the suspension.  The written request for a Superintendent appeal shall be directed to the Superintendent.  Failure by the participant to request a Superintendent appeal within the 10 calendar days will be a waiver of any appeal right, and the suspension will be final.  The Superintendent will conduct an investigation and issue a written decision as soon as possible and this decision will be final.  The suspension will not begin until the Superintendent issues a decision affirming the suspension.

Upon suspension for a Third Violation, the participant may first appeal the decision to the Superintendent.  If the participant is not satisfied with the Superintendent’s decision, a written appeal may be made to the Board of Education within 10 calendar days from the date the Superintendent issues a decision.  Failure by the participant to request a Board hearing within the 10 calendar days will be a waiver of any appeal right and the Superintendent’s decision will be final.  If the Superintendent affirms the suspension and the participant appeals to the Board of Education, the participant will be temporarily suspended during the period of appeal to the Board.

HAZING OR INITIATION IS NOT ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR

It is of utmost importance on all teams, but especially teams with underclassmen, that there be absolutely no hazing or so-called initiation rites.  This is demeaning to all involved and is a most blatant form of harassment.  Students who violate this guideline will be subject to disciplinary action.

ACTIVITY TRAVEL RULES

1.  Coaches/sponsors are required to accompany students to and from all school activities unless prior arrangements have been made and the activities director has been notified.

2.  Students are required to travel by the mode of transportation provided by the school district to and from school activities unless prior arrangements and necessary forms have been completed and signed.  Students will be released only to their parent/guardian at the activity site.

3.  Students/coaches/sponsors will dress appropriately for the activity they are attending.  Usually coaches/sponsors will have a dress code for their activity.

4.  The bus driver’s request should be recognized by all coaches/sponsors and in turn by all students.

GUIDELINES FOR TRAVEL DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER

Practice:  Practice will not be permitted on days that school has been canceled or has been released early because of weather related conditions.

Regular Scheduled Event: When school has been canceled or released early because of weather, no travel will be allowed.

Culminating Event:  When the State Activities Association Office has not called off or postponed the      scheduled event, every effort will be made to get district personnel to the event.  At all times, we will consider the safety of the people traveling first.  In no way, will we travel on any road that has been closed by the Highway Department.

Traveling Home:  When leaving an event to come home, the decision will be left to the professional driver that has been contracted to drive the vehicle.

SUSPENSION

A student who is suspended from a team or from school for violation of team or school rules may not participate on another team during the same season or until suspension has been completed.  Suspended students may not participate in a scheduled event or practice during the suspension.  Students serving training rules violations may practice if they are not serving an in-school or out-of-school suspension.  Activity suspension may extend to the student’s graduation.  A meeting or contact involving the parents/guardians, the student, and the director of activities will be convened or made to determine the conditions of suspension.

Some offenses carry an automatic activity probation and suspension on the first or second offense.  Some of these violations include:

1.    Possession, use, being under the influence, transfer or dispensing of any alcoholic beverage while on school premises or on a school-sponsored activity.
2.    Use of tobacco products while on school premises or on a school-sponsored activity.
3.    Vandalism to school property or vandalism to any property while on a school-sponsored activity.
4.    Stealing while under the supervision of the school.
5.    Possession, use, being under the influence, transfer, or dispensing of any substance prohibited by the Controlled Substance Act of 1971, or misuse of any drug, including transfer or dispensing, while on school premises or on a school-sponsored activity.
6.    Weapons on school grounds: Board Policy 5105.                                

STUDENT COMMUNICABLE DISEASES (BOARD POLICY 5305)

The School Board recognizes the need and right of all children to receive free and appropriate education.  The Board further recognizes its responsibility to provide a healthy environment for students and school employees.

School Attendance

The determination of whether an infected or potentially infected students is excluded from the classroom or school activities and how the student’s needs will be met shall be made on a case by case basis, under the direction of the building principal / building administrator or designee with consultation from the assigned school nurse.

In situations that require additional knowledge or where the student may be out of school for five (5) or more consecutive school days, the principal and school nurse will meet as necessary with medical care providers, the State Health Department, Center for Disease Control, and/or other experts to consider the need to exclude a student from school due to the characteristics of the contagious disease, the medical condition of the student, and expected interaction with others in the school setting.  For information on specific diseases reference may be made to http://doh.sd.gov/DiseaseFacts/default.aspx

If the School District has reasonable cause to believe that a student is an infected individual, additional medical information may be needed before the student may return to school.  If an infected student is not permitted to attend classes for ten (10) consecutive school days, the District will provide the student with an appropriate educational program.

Confidentiality

Information will not be revealed to the public about a student who may have a communicable disease.  Appropriate information will be provided to school employees and/or the public if the potential for communicability is a factor.

Infection Control

Employees are required to follow infection control practices where all body fluids are treated as if they are contaminated.  Equipment and supplies needed to apply universal precautions will be provided.

If a situation occurs at school in which a student might have been exposed to an infectious agent, such as an instance of blood-to-blood contact, the school principal or designee shall inform the parents/guardians to seek medical advice.

INSURANCE FOR INTERSCHOLASTIC ACTIVITIES

1.  Participants are required to show proof of insurance before  participating or competing in SHS activities. 
2.  SHS does have access to insurance for students at their request and expense.

3. Catastrophic Insurance is provided through our involvement with SDHSAA.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT PRACTICES/ACTIVITIES

There are no scheduled school activities after 6:15pm on Wednesday night that involve students. 

LATE NIGHT ACTIVITIES

The general guidelines to follow for students activities is that they should end before 10:00pm on week nights and before midnight on Friday and Saturday.  Any exceptions to this should have prior administrative approval.  This does not include trips home from away games.

HOLIDAY PRACTICES

There will be no required practices over school holidays.  There may be practices for those who can attend, however.  All practices will be approved in advance by the activities director.  There will be no Sunday practices without  prior approval of the activities director.

CONFLICTS BETWEEN ACTIVITIES

Conflict between activity programs and the attendance of a student at one or the other should be handled by the sponsors involved, and the student, well in advance of the conflict with no penalty to the student.  If the sponsors and the students cannot satisfactorily solve the problem, the activity office and building administration will be involved.