Vandalia-Butler City School

District

 

Co-Curricular

Code

 

2005-2006

 

 

          The Vandalia-Butler Co-Curricular Code is applicable to all those students who participate in activities and sports or perform, to those trying out for an organization, to all support personnel, student trainers and cheerleaders.

           

The co-curricular code contained herein has been approved by Board of Education.  The co-curricular code is in effect year-round and it is in effect from the date of the first participation including try-outs, when aboard a school bus or any other Board owned vehicle.  The purpose of this booklet is to inform you and your parents of the rules that are appropriate while you represent the Vandalia-Butler City Schools.  It is your responsibility as a student to read these rules and abide by them.

 

The Vandalia-Butler Board of Education recognizes the value of co-curricular activities in the educational process, and the values that students develop when they have the opportunity to participate in organized activities supplemental to the classroom.  The Board believes co-curricular activities are an integral and important part in the development of a student’s educational program.  However, participation in co-curricular activities is a privilege, and not a right.  Students are expected to accept the responsibility accompanying this privilege of participation by maintaining a high standard of personal conduct in the areas of citizenship, ethics, integrity, and sportsmanship.

 

 

Co-Curricular Rules of Conduct

         

          Your possession of these rules and the fact that you have signed an acknowledgement of and had these rules reviewed with you by a school staff member (coach/advisor) constitutes a first warning; no further warnings will be given you.  It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with these rules and the consequence of violating them.  The rules herein apply to all students who are participating in a co-curricular activity.  Additionally, all athletes will abide by the rules and regulations established by the Ohio High School Athletic Association.

 

Student’s Rights and Responsibilities

 

            Co-curricular participants of the Vandalia-Butler City Schools are direct representatives of their school and are expected to conduct themselves in a way that will gain respect for both themselves and their school.  Participation is a privilege available to those who have the will and the desire to abide by training and participation rules.  A student may temporarily or permanently forfeit his/her right to participate when her/his behavior disrupts the process, deprives others of their basic rights and violates the student rules established herein.

 

            In accordance the Vandalia-Butler Board of Education believes that the use, possession, or sale of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco has no place in its co-curricular programs.

 

            In order to assist in giving direction to our student co-curricular participants in observing the principles and responsibilities outlined above, the following policy will be observed:

 

I.                    No co-curricular participant shall possess, use, sell, transmit, or have the distinct odor of any narcotic drug, controlled substance, hallucinogenic drug, amphetamine, barbiturate, marijuana, alcoholic beverage, intoxicant, mood-altering substance of any kind, anabolic steroid, or tobacco in any form.

 

II.                 No co-curricular participant shall us, possess, or transport paraphernalia that is commonly associated with or construed to be used for any of the above- mentioned chemicals or substances.  Counterfeit controlled substances, as per O.R.C. 2925.37 and outlined in the Vandalia-Butler Board of Education policy, will be considered violations of this policy.

 

III.               This policy will apply for all co-curricular participants in programs administered by the Vandalia-Butler Board of Education.

 

IV.              This policy is in effect three hundred sixty-five (365) days a year.

 

V.                 The penalties in the policy are cumulative, beginning with the participant’s first involvement with the Vandalia-Butler high school or middle school co-curricular program.  Middle school accumulation ends at the conclusion of eighth grade.  High school accumulation begins with the ninth grade and concludes with high school graduation, unless the student participates in a school-sponsored activity that extends beyond the graduation date.

 

VI.              Procedures to be followed in dealing with the possession (including paraphernalia), consumption, use handling, giving, storing, concealing, or making of alcoholic beverages, drugs, or narcotics:

A.    First Offense:  This will result in nonparticipation without alternatives for two games (athletes), and designated activities or performances (all others.)

B.     The student forfeits the privilege to serve in any leadership position for one calendar year.

C.    Mandatory Assessment for First Referral

A student who commits a first offense involving drugs or alcohol under this policy will be required, as a condition of continued participation in co-curricular activities, to undergo an assessment by a certified substance abuse counselor at parental expense.  A copy of the assessment, with any ongoing recommendations for treatment or intervention, will be sent to the Principal per a signed, HIPPA qualified, release.  The student will be required to comply with all recommendations.

D.    Second Offense:  This will result in denial to participate in all co-curricular activities for one calendar year.

E.     The student forfeits privilege to serve in any leadership position for the remainder of the student’s high school or middle school career.

F.     Third Offense:  This will result in denial to participate in all co-curricular activities for the remainder of the student’s high school or middle school career.

 

VII.            Academic Eligibility for Co-Curricular Activities

The Vandalia-Butler Board of Education has established requirements for student eligibility and participation.  Students must have a GPA of 2.0 and/or no more than one “F” in the preceding grading period to be eligible.  Students who do not meet this standard but who wish to continue to participate in co-curricular activities must attend a mandatory “Study Table” until the standard is met.  Incoming ninth graders must have passed 75% of the subjects in which they were enrolled the preceding grading period.  This requirement is in effect for 7th and 8th grades students participating in athletics.

 

VIII.         Athletic Eligibility

Eligibility requirements, as established by the Ohio High School Athletic Association shall be observed.  Copies of the rules will be distributed separately to student athletes and parents and athletes should consult the Athletic Director or Head Coach for clarification of OHSAA rules.

 

IX.              Procedure for implementing the Co-Curricular Code

A.    If the violation occurs at school or during a school-sponsored event or activity, the principal or assistant principal will administer the disciplinary policy.  The student would be subject to the Student Code of Conduct, as well as the Co-curricular Code.

B    If the violation occurs away from school and away from school events the athletic director will conduct the review for athletes/cheerleaders and will explain the code to the athlete, parents or guardian.  For other co-curricular participants the principal/assistant principal will conduct the review and will explain the code to the participant, parents or guardian.

C.  It will be the shared responsibility of the principal and athletic director to inform one another when an athlete has completed the mandatory assessment and any recommendations from a physician or outside agency.

 

X.                 Penalty Guidelines

Students will be disciplined for violations of the Co-curricular Code.  The level of discipline will be left to the sound discretion of the Coach/Advisor after considering the nature of the violation with the exception of drugs, alcohol and tobacco which are specified elsewhere in this policy.  Penalties may carry over from one co-curricular activity or season to another.

A.    Warning:  A documented reprimand.

 

B.      Denial to Participate:  The removal from the activity for a period not to exceed ten (10) days.

 

C.      Removal:  Removal from the activity for a specific period of time in excess of ten (10) days.

 

D.    Permanent Exclusion:  Denial to participate in co-curricular activities for the remainder of the student’s school career.

 

E.      Restitution:  The student will be responsible for paying for economic losses occasioned by a violation of the Co-Curricular Code.

 

XI.              Appeal Procedure

A.    Conference with the head coach/advisor of the activity.  For athletes, the athletic director may also be present.

B.     If not satisfied with the decision of the coach/advisor, then a conference may be requested with the high school principal.  The decision of the principal is final.

C.    Decisions of the athletic director or principal to remove a student from participation for periods of one year or longer may be appealed to the Superintendent by requesting an appeal hearing.  Requests shall be in writing and received by the Superintendent within three (3) days of the date of the decision to remove the student from participation.  The hearing will be scheduled as soon as possible.  The Superintendent will render a written decision within two days of the date of the hearing, and said decision shall be final.

 

XII.            Attendance

Regular attendance is expected.

A.    Excused absences

1.                  Illness verified by physician’s note, parent contact, or coach/advisor awareness.

2.                  Death in the family, verified by adult contact, coach/advisor awareness.

3.                  Parental decision – requires mandatory prior approval of coach/advisor.

B.     Unexcused absences

Any absences not covered by excused absences.

C.    Students must attend at least four classes during the day of a scheduled co-curricular activity to be eligible for participation unless the principal has approved a valid excused absence.

 

X.                 Expectations of Co-curricular Participants

A.    Maintain Eligibility

B.     Sign acknowledgment/receipt of Co-Curricular Code

C.    Display proper behavior both in and out of school

D.    Model a strong commitment to abstain from tobacco, alcohol and other drug use

E.     Respect authority – parents, officials, teachers, coaches, administrators, and others

F.     Demonstrate a dedication to high standards in the classroom

G.    Demonstrate a dedication to hard work and training.

H.    Students will not steal, damage, or misuse any school or private property

I.       Students will not threaten, assault, cause or attempt to cause physical injury to other students or any school personnel or officials

J.       Students will not intimidate or be party to the intimidation of another student for any purpose including sexual interest, nor engage in any form of exhibitionism, nor engage in sexual misconduct.

K.    Students will not violate the Ohio Revised Code.

 

This policy supplements the District’s Code of Student Conduct, and is administered independently of that Code.  A violation of this policy may also violate the Code of Student Conduct.  A student may be disciplined under the Student Code of Conduct in addition to being disciplined under this policy.