538R1 - Co-Curricular Activities and Competitions

STUDENT PERSONNEL

 

Series 500

 

Policy Title: Co-Curricular Activities and Competitions Code No: 538R1

 

The rules and regulations of the district and state associations shall be in effect for all events in which students participate, representing the district, during or after school hours, either on school premises or off school premises for events considered school sponsored or school approved activities. This policy includes athletic activities, speech, drama, music, academic competitions, FFA competitions, FCCLA activities, cheerleading, dance, homecoming royalty and other royalty, speaker at graduation and other school related events, competitive conference activities, or performing or participating in any activity as a representative of the district.

 

The IHSAA and IGHSAU scholarship rules will apply to athletes and non-athletes. For all activities a 30 consecutive calendar day period immediately following the grading period will apply. Athletics are separate from all non-athletic activities competition (example: Student A fails 4th quarter and is out for band and baseball, they would need to sit out 30 days for baseball during the summer and 30 days for band at the start of the next school year). The 30 calendar days begin at 3:40 the afternoon upon the activities director being informed of final grades. This shall be done no later than the 3rd school day following the end of the grading period. NOTE: Summer non-athletic activities are not subject to the 30-day rule.

 

Penalties for violations after school hours or at designated places for events will be the same as during regularly scheduled school hours or on school premises except where a special discipline policy has been specified. This includes particular rules and regulations established by the Department of Education, director of the activity, special temporary restrictions imposed on the students prior to this scheduled event, and any other mandates determined by the administration.

 

The executive boards of the Iowa High School Athletic activities Association (IHSAA) and the Iowa Girls High School Athletic activities Union (IGHSAU) may sanction member and associate member schools that permit or allow participation in any event by a person in violation of the eligibility rules or by a student who has been suspended from school and/or school activities in accordance with local rules.

 

General Co-curricular Activities Policies:

 

  1. Students who participate in the above co-curricular activity programs are subject to the rules and policies governing activity eligibility participation, and the training and conduct rules set down by the coach or sponsor, twenty-four hours per day, year round. Students may be declared ineligible from activity participation by the activities director, principal/designee or the superintendent/designee for violation of any of these rules and policies.

 

  1. The principal/designee shall be responsible for informing coaches/sponsors of which students are not eligible for participation.

 

  1. A student with an unexcused absence during any part of the school day will not be eligible for activity participation on the day of the absence, unless approved by the principal/designee.

 

  1. Beyond the freshman year, a coach may cut a student from an athletic activities activity before the first contest by notifying the activities director/principal and the parents/guardians of the reason why the participant is being cut.

 

  1. A student will not be penalized for non-participation (practice or contests) during regularly scheduled vacation periods, if that student is excused from these by his/her parent or guardian. Communication between the parent/guardian, athletic activities director, and coach is required prior to a participant’s absence that will occur during a scheduled vacation period.

 

  1. A student may not be dropped from practice or competition during the season or during tournament play unless he/she has violated the district’s or coach’s good conduct rules or the Department of Education eligibility rules. In the event that a student is to be removed for this cause, the activities director/principal will be notified and will be a part of the decision and the appropriate action. The parent/guardian shall be notified of the action taken.

 

  1. If a student drops one activity for good cause during the season, he/she will not be penalized for participation in any succeeding activity for which he/she is eligible.

 

  1. Activities directors, coaches, and sponsors have the prerogative to establish reasonable training and conduct rules, when not in conflict with district policy and regulations, for a particular co-curricular activity or competition, all of which must be followed by the participants, including but not limited to, the special rules below. Those rules shall be sent to the students' parents/guardians before the activity commences.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      Department of Education

Eligibility Rules -- Modified and Adopted by Carroll Community School and Applicable to Carroll Middle and High School Athletes

 

Eligibility May Be Compromised If -

 

  1. You do not have a physician's certificate of fitness issued this school year.

 

  1. You have attended high school for more than eight (8) semesters (twenty days of attendance or playing in one contest constitutes a semester). Middle school students who have completed more than 4 semesters in 7th or 8th grade may not be eligible to participate in middle school activities.

 

  1. You were not enrolled in school last semester or if you entered school this semester later than the second week of school and were not enrolled in school immediately prior to enrolling at Carroll High School. (Not applicable to middle school.)

 

  1. You have changed schools this semester. (Except upon like change of residence of your parents/guardians.) (Not applicable to middle school.)

 

  1. You have been declared ineligible under a prior school District’s Good Conduct Rule, and then, without having completed the full period of ineligibility at that school, transfer to Carroll High School. You may not be eligible for interscholastic competition at Carroll High School until the full period of ineligibility has been completed. Once that time period of ineligibility has been completed, you are then immediately eligible for interscholastic competition at Carroll High School as far as any Good Conduct Rule is concerned.

 

  1. You have competed on an outside school team as a team member or as an individual while out for a sport during that particular sport season without the previous written consent of your current coach, Activities director, and parent/guardian with the exception of dance.

 

  1. You have ever trained with a college squad or have participated in a college event.

 

  1. Your habits and conduct both in and out of school are such as to make you unworthy to represent the ideals, principles and standards of your school.

 

Scholarship Rules – Athletics

 

Scholarship Rules apply to all member and associate member schools who belong to the IHSAA and the IGHSAU. Schools may not allow ineligible or suspended students to participate. The IHSAA and the IGHSAU have the power to impose sanctions upon schools who do not enforce Scholarship rules.

 

 

 

In addition Scholarship Rules apply to all students who are members of a recognized Carroll Community School District Activity as defined in 538R1.

 

1.    All students must be enrolled and in good standing in a school that is a member or associate member in good standing of the organization sponsoring the event. Each student shall be passing all coursework for which credit is given and shall be making adequate progress toward graduation requirements at the end of the first semester, and second semester.

 

  1. All students must be under 20 years of age.

 

  1. All students shall be enrolled students of the school in good standing. The student shall receive credit in at least four subjects, each of one period or hour, or the equivalent thereof. They shall receive credit in all courses for which a letter grade is given. Grades will be checked at the end of each grading period as defined in #1 above. If a student has a failing grade, the ineligibility begins the first school day of the new grading period. For summer activities ineligibility begins with the release of the end of the year report card. The 30 calendar days begin at 3:40 pm the afternoon of the 3rd weekday following the end of the grading period.

 

      1. Coursework taken under the provisions of Iowa Code chapter 261C, postsecondary enrollment options, for which a school district or accredited nonpublic school grants academic credit toward high school graduation shall be used in determining eligibility. No student shall be denied eligibility if the student’s school program deviates from the traditional two-semester school year.

 

      1. Dual credit courses from community colleges will count toward the four-credit class requirement, and failure of such courses will result in violation of eligibility standards.

 

  1. A student who has had four or more successful no “Fs grading periods (quarters) after the grading period in which the student did not pass all coursework is eligible.

 

  1. For block scheduling classes the grading period may be the end of nine weeks if that is when the grade is recorded on the transcript. Each block scheduled course is the equivalent of two traditional courses. Thus, at a minimum, students must receive credit in at least two block courses during any grading period.

 

 

  1. If a student does not meet the Eligibility Standard, then s/he will not be allowed to represent the school for 30 consecutive calendar days in all co-curricular activities and competitions as defined in paragraph #1 of this policy. S/He is ineligible to dress for and compete in the next athletic activities contests and competitions in which the athlete is a contestant for 30 consecutive calendar days. The 30-Day Rule applies to all levels of high school athletics, and not just varsity competition. The 30 consecutive school days of ineligibility begin on the earliest date when the IGHSAU or the IHSAA allows games to begin for each sport. If the sport is in mid-season, then the period of ineligibility begins at 3:40 pm the afternoon. The 30 calendar days begin at 3:40 the afternoon upon the activities director being informed of final grades.  This shall be done no later than the 3rd  school day following the end of the grading period.  A student passing all classes for which credit is given after four consecutive quarters is eligible to participate.

 

  1. For any failing grade, the student is ineligible for 30 consecutive calendar days. The 30 calendar days begin at 3:40 pm the afternoon upon the activities director being informed of final grades. This shall be done no later than the 3rd school day following the end of the grading period. If at the time the student has a failure, and he/she is out for a sport and the season ends before the 30 days are served, the days carryover to the next sport he/she participates in.

 

  1. Subject to the provision below regarding contestants in interscholastic baseball or softball, if at the end of any grading period a contestant is given a failing grade in any course for which credit is awarded, the contestant is ineligible to dress for and compete in the next occurring interscholastic athletic activities contests and competitions in which the participant is a contestant for 30 consecutive calendar days. The 30 calendar days begin at 3:40 pm the afternoon upon the activities director being informed of final grades. This shall be done no later than the 3rd school day following the end of the grading period.

 

  1. At the end of a grading period that is the final grading period in a school year, a contestant in interscholastic baseball or softball who receives a failing grade in any course for which credit is awarded is ineligible to dress for and compete in interscholastic baseball or softball for the 30 consecutive calendar days following the release of the report card. The 30 calendar days begin at 3:40 pm the afternoon upon the activities director being informed of final grades.  This shall be done no later than the 3rd  school day following the end of the grading period. If the season expires prior to 30 consecutive calendar days elapsing, the period of ineligibility will carry over to the beginning of the next school year.

 

  1. A student with a disability who has an individualized education program shall not be denied eligibility on the basis of scholarship if the student is making adequate progress, as determined by school officials, towards the goals and objectives on the student’s individualized educational program.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. All member schools shall provide appropriate interventions and necessary academic supports for students who fail or who are at risk to fail, and shall report to the department regarding those interventions on the comprehensive school improvement plan (CSIP).

 

  1. An incomplete (I) will be considered a failure. At the time the (I) becomes a passing grade, eligibility will be reinstated.

 

  1. A student is academically eligible upon entering the ninth grade.

 

  1. No student shall be eligible to participate in any given interscholastic athletic activities sport if the student has engaged in that sport professionally.

 

  1. The local superintendent/designee of schools, with the approval of the local board of education, may give permission to a dropout student to participate in athletics upon return to school if the student is otherwise eligible under these rules.

 

 

After Hours

Off-Premises Special Rules

 

Introduction

The following rules cover students in grades 7-12. These after hours, off-premises special rules will be printed in the Student Handbook given to each student in grades 7-12 when school opens in the fall. A Student Handbook will also be issued to each new student who registers after the school year begins.

 

Position Statement

The board, the administration, and other employees of the district, have no control or responsibility for any student when the student is in the custody and control of his/her parents, guardian, or other non-school related agency except as explained below.

 

Exceptions and Penalties

The board and administration have determined the following specific policies as exceptions to the immediately preceding paragraph:

 

Individual Activities Training and Conduct Rules

 

1. The sponsors and coaches must establish reasonable training and conduct rules for the activities for which they have been given responsibility. These rules must be approved by the principal/designee or Activities director. They must be distributed to each participant before the activity commences. A student who registers late will receive the rules when he/she starts. Violation of any of these training and conduct rules may be just cause for eliminating a student from the activity or restricting participation.

 

 

Participation in Criminal or Unlawful Activity

 

  1. Students who represent the district in extra-curricular activities are expected to characterize high standards of conduct. Students who are charged with the commission of felonious acts or misdemeanors other than traffic charges may be suspended from activity participation if an investigation by school officials determines that a preponderance of evidence supports the charge. They may be penalized in the manner described in the following section on alcohol and controlled substances. Upon each offense of a criminal or otherwise unlawful activity, the student shall be referred to the Building Assistance Team.

 

          Alcohol, Tobacco and Controlled Substances

 

  1. Involvement with alcohol, tobacco and/or other illegal substances classified as controlled drugs is deemed a most serious offense. The board and administration will impose severe penalties when it has been determined a participant has been involved in the use, sale, distribution, or possession of the same. Severe penalties will also be imposed on those who inhabit an environment or are in attendance where an illegal act(s) related to alcohol and/or controlled substances occur(s), including, but not limited to: 1) alcohol being possessed, distributed, or consumed by people not of legal age to do so; and 2) possession, sale, distribution, or consumption of illegal substances. Since rules for participation in activities carry over outside of school hours and school-sponsored events, parents and concerned agencies must cooperate with the school in eliminating alcohol, tobacco and controlled substance use and abuse.

 

When it has been determined that a student has broken the rules regarding number 2) or 3) above, the student shall be penalized as follows:

 

Repeat offenses shall be calculated by counting backward from the date of the current violation. Two calendar years shall be used in determining the number of offenses that apply.

 

Upon each offense of alcohol and/or illegal controlled substance the student shall be referred to New Opportunities Substance Abuse Treatment and Prevention Center. This program must be completed in order to be considered for further participation in co-curricular activities. Referral to New Opportunities shall be filed on the standard referral form supplied by New Opportunities.

 

On a first offense AND when a student self-reports, he/she can enroll in an online alcohol and drug intervention course at the student or his/her parent(s)/guardian(s) expense in order to regain eligibility.

 

FIRST OFFENSE: Four-week (28 calendar days) and a minimum of 4 public performances suspension from scheduled co-curricular competition or performance. This four week suspension will be shortened to two weeks (14 calendar days) and a minimum of 2 public performances if the student reports the incident to a coach, sponsor, Activities director, or principal/designee prior to any one of the above's awareness of the incident.

 

Students will not be allowed to begin participating in an activity already in progress in order to serve their Activity Eligibility/Good Conduct.

 

The superintendent of schools or his/her designee reserves the right to institute a more substantial penalty depending on the severity of the underlying violation.

 

In addition, a student found guilty of felonious acts or misdemeanors other than traffic charges may be declared ineligible for participation in activities for an additional period of time determined by the superintendent of schools or his/her designee.

 

 

 

SECOND OFFENSE: Ten weeks (70 calendar days) and a minimum of 10 public performances suspension from all co-curricular competition or performance. A student suspended for a second time under this policy will be eligible to participate in co-curricular activities and competition after five weeks (35 days) and a minimum of 5 public performances if he/she reports the incident to a coach, sponsor, Activities director, or principal/designee prior to any one of the above’s awareness of it.

 

Students will not be allowed to begin participating in an activity already in progress in order to serve their Activity Eligibility/Good Conduct.

 

The superintendent of schools or his/her designee reserves the right to institute a more substantial penalty depending on the severity of the underlying violation.

 

In addition, a student found guilty of felonious acts or misdemeanors other than traffic charges may be declared ineligible for participation in activities for an additional period of time determined by the superintendent of schools or his/her designee.

 

THIRD OFFENSE: A minimum of 18 weeks (126 calendar days) and a minimum of 18 public performances suspension from participation in all co-curricular competition and performance. Re-admittance to participate shall be at the discretion of the board following a hearing conducted by the board with the student and parent(s)/guardians at the family’s request.

 

Students will not be allowed to begin participating in an activity already in progress in order to serve their Activity Eligibility/Good Conduct.

 

The superintendent of schools or his/her designee reserves the right to institute a more substantial penalty depending on the severity of the underlying violation.

 

In addition, a student found guilty of felonious acts or misdemeanors other than traffic charges may be declared ineligible for participation in activities for an additional period of time determined by the superintendent of schools or his/her designee.

 

The suspensions described above will commence at the time the student makes a school coach, sponsor, Activities director, or principal/designee aware of the infraction or at the time an investigation by the athletic activities director or the principal/designee determines by the finding of fact that the student is guilty of violating this policy.  This policy is in effect 12 months of the year.

 

A student will be charged with violation of the above rules against use, sale or purchasing, or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance including inhabiting an environment or being in attendance where an illegal act(s) related to alcohol and/or controlled substances occur(s), including, but not limited to: 1) alcohol being possessed and/or consumed by people not of legal age to do so; and 2) possession and/or consumption of controlled substances when either of the following is true:

 

    1. Any student who, after a hearing at which the student shall be confronted with the allegation, the basis of the allegation, and given an opportunity to tell the student’s side, is found to have violated the school’s Co-curricular Activities and Competition policy will be deemed ineligible. The accused student shall be afforded due process of confrontation, hearing, and appeal as provided by Board Policy No. 525.

 

    1. When an investigation by a school official finds a preponderance of evidence to satisfy the investigator that the student was involved in the use, sale, distribution, purchase, or possession of alcohol, tobacco and/or controlled substances.

 

The charges of violation of the alcohol, tobacco or controlled substance rule shall be reported by the principal/designee to the superintendent.

 

 

 

Scheduling of Events

 

The Board and administration realizes that the amount of participation in co-curricular activities does limit the amount of time a student may spend on academic preparation and progress.

Therefore, the following are considered as appropriate limitations:

 

  1. Scheduled contests will conform at all times to the state association rulings and adhere to recommendations made by these agencies.

 

  1. The Activities director will be responsible for the scheduling of all high school activities and the athletic activities director will be responsible for scheduling athletic activities events at the middle school. All schedules must be approved by the middle or high school principal/designee.

 

 

Date of Adoption/Revision

October 11, 1982

August 12, 1985

September 19, 1986

August 13, 1989

August 21, 1990

July 22, 1991

February 20, 1995

July 1997

August 2000

June 2001

July 2003

June 2004

July 2006

August 2006

October 2006

July 2007

June 2008

July 2010

September 2012

July 2013

October 2013

August 2015

July 2019

August 2019