ATHLETICS:
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Ishpeming Public SchoolsAthletic Code |
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Administrative Procedure 6145.2/.3 Revised July 13, 1992 Updated January 9, 1995 Updated December 9, 1996 Updated July 7, 1998 I. PurposeRepresenting Ishpeming Public Schools in co-curricular activities is regarded as an honor and a privilege. All students who take part in interscholastic competition must understand that adherence to all parts of the school’s athletic code is an essential condition for participation. Specific incidents of misbehavior or academic problems not covered in the school’s athletic code are subject to the review and disciplinary action of the coach or administration. The purpose of the Athletic Code is not to restrict freedom, it is to encourage students to practice and develop an appreciation for the values associated with responsible behavior, healthful living and good citizenship.
The athlete and one of his/her parents, or legal guardian, must attend the pre-season meeting at which the athletic code will be explained. The athletic code meetings will be held in August for fall sports and in November for winter and spring sports. The parent or legal guardian and athlete must attend the pre-season meeting before the athlete is eligible to participate in a contest. Failure to attend the meeting will result in ineligibility until the parent or legal guardian and athlete meet with the middle school principal for grades 7 and 8 and the high school principal or his/her designee for grades 9 through 12. The parent and athlete will need to attend only one meeting at the middle school level and only one meeting at the high school level. The parent/guardian and athlete must sign the athletic code each year.
II. CoverageAll participants in athletic activities grades 7 through 12 shall be required to abide by this code. Each students must have a signed copy of the School’s Athletic Code for the current school year on file in the office before being allowed to participate in any practice, performance or competition. Students shall be under the rules of the Athletic Code beginning with the first day of scheduled practice for fall sports (whether or not he or she is out for a fall sport) and continuing for one year and each subsequent year of participation.
III. Conduct of an AthleteStudents should understand that by practicing for and participating in interscholastic activities, they are frequently in the public eye. Students should strive for the type of behavior and quality of character that will make them a credit to their team, their school, their community and their family.
Athletes are at all times representatives of the athletic program of the school district and must not engage in conduct which is disreputable or unbecoming an athlete of the school district. Conduct which would constitute a violation of any law or ordinance and which involves an act of dishonesty or criminal intent will be subject to the penalties and disciplinary measures of the athletic code.
A. In an athletic contest: An athlete will conduct himself/herself in accordance with the rules and regulations set forth by the National High School Athletic Association, the Michigan High School Athletic Association, and the State Board of Education. Game officials are obligated to enforce the rules set forth by these associations. Officials’ decisions shall be respected. The game captain will act as your spokesperson.
B. In the classroom: An athlete plans time so that sufficient energy is retained to insure the best possible academic performance.
C. In school - practice and attendance: 1. The athlete is neat and well groomed at all times; the athlete shows respect to all administrators, teachers, coaches, adults and fellow students.
2. If an athlete is absent from school, the regular school absence (excused or unexcused) will be grounds for an excused or unexcused practice.
3. Our coaches feel each team member must attend each practice session during the season. Violation will be considered and penalized by the coach of the sport. If a team member needs to be absent from practice, they must see the coach in person to receive his/her approval for missing practice.
4. If a player is not in school during the day, he will not be allowed to be at practice or participate in a game that night unless excused by the high school principal.
5. Athletes who are frequently tardy or absent partial days the day after competing may be denied the right to practice and participate in games/meets. The athlete and coach will be warned by the assistant athletic director or principal before the penalty is enforced.
6. Athletes who have more than 10 absences in a semester may be denied practice and game participation by the assistant athletic director. The athlete may appeal to the high school principal.
7. A student will not be allowed to participate in athletics while he/she is under temporary separation or suspension from school.
8. The athlete is expected to follow the fixed curfew hours as prescribed by the coach.
D. Traveling: 1. On trips, athletes directly represent the school and community. It is traditional and expected that all athletes wear appropriate apparel on the day of the game. The same attire is to be worn when traveling, the only exception being when the game uniform is worn on a trip. (Examples of inappropriate clothing are those that advertise alcohol, tobacco products, drugs or express obscenities.)
2. All athletes travel to, during and/or from athletic events in vehicles arranged for by the school. At the discretion of the coach, an athlete may travel to, during and/or from an activity with the parents or other authorized adult if the coach is contacted personally, in advance, by the parent(s) and has received a note from the parent(s).
IV. Dropping out of a SportA. An athlete who quits or is dropped from an athletic squad after the first interscholastic contest cannot participate in another sport until the sport dropped completes its season, unless agreed upon by both coaches/advisor and the principal or the principal’s designee. (This decision will be final and is not subject to appeal).
B. An athlete who quits or is dropped from a squad automatically forfeits all athletic awards--letter awards, conference, U.P., State honors and banquets for that sport.
V. Seasons of CompetitionThe maximum number of sports an athlete may participate in, in a school year, is four. In the event an athlete wishes to participate in two sports concurrently, he/she must have advanced written approval of both coaches and the principal or the principal’s designee. (This decision will be final and is not subject to appeal).
If participating in two sports concurrently, the student must designate one sport as the primary sport and one sport as the secondary sport. A student participating in one sport or in a primary sport (if participating in two sports) will not be displaced from a varsity starting lineup or from the lineup for varsity team points by a student competing in the same sport as his/her secondary sport. As an example, a student who is participating in football as the primary sport and in cross country as a secondary sport, will not be permitted to displace a student who is only participating in cross country (or who has designated cross country as a primary sport) from the varsity lineup for team points. (Updated: July 7, 1998)
VI. Disciplinary ProcedureA. According to rulings by the State Board of Education, local school districts have the right to set up regulations for their athletic program for all students, regardless of age.
B. An athlete shall refrain any habits and/or conduct that would reflect unfavorably on himself/herself or the school. These include, but are not limited to, the following: drinking of alcoholic beverages, minor in possession, use or possession of tobacco (including chewing), drinking or possession of all non-alcoholic (N/A) beers, use or possession of a controlled substance, conviction of a criminal charge, insubordination to his/her teacher, vandalism, the use or possession of any type of steroid, inhalant, or any conduct which casts a negative reflection on the athlete, team or school.
C. In the event that an athlete is accused of violating the rule prohibiting the use or possession of alcohol, tobacco, drugs or anabolic steroids, (or other major offense), and in the judgment of the school principal, the accusation is substantiated, the athlete will be suspended from the squad in accordance with the disciplinary consequences of this athletic code.
D. An athlete or their parents may request that the person making the accusation be present to present their supporting evidence to the school principal, athletic director, and coach in the presence of the athlete (and the athlete’s parents if requested). If, in the judgment of the school principal, the accusation is substantiated, the athlete will be suspended from the squad in accordance with the disciplinary consequences of this athletic code.
E. It is the purpose of the Principal, Athletic Director and the coaching staff to treat every alleged offense and offender as an individual and unique case, not to act in haste, and to safeguard the rights and interests of every individual as well as the overall interest of the squad, school and community.
F. The disposition of each offense will be treated in a private manner within the confines of the athletic department, team and family. Every effort will be made to keep publicity minimal.
VII. Disciplinary ConsequencesDuring the calendar year:1st Offense - 20% of the games for that sport season 2nd Offense - 50% of the games for that sport season 3rd Offense - The athlete will not be permitted to compete in any interscholastic athletic program for one full calendar year, from the date of the 3rd offense. After or before an academic school year:If an offense should occur after the end of an academic school year or before the start of the fall sport season, the penalty will be applied to the next sport the athlete participates in. (There is no carryover of penalty from the middle school to the high school.)
1. First Offense or Second Offense a. After an investigation of the alleged violation, the athlete who is found guilty will be suspended by the principal according to the above percentage schedule.
b. If the violation comes at the end of the sport season in which the athlete is participating, when there are less than 20% (50%) of the contests remaining, the athlete will be suspended for the remainder of that sport season and the remaining portion of the 20% (50%) of the next sport season in which the athlete participates in and completes. If the athlete does not complete the sport in which the carryover of the penalty is assessed, the penalty will then be carried over to the next sport in which the athlete participates.
c. Because the number of athletic contests varies from sport to sport, the 20% (50%) penalty may mathematically include a portion of an athletic contest. In the event that this happens and the portion is 0.5 or less, the penalty will be rounded down to the smaller number of athletic contests, and if the portion is greater than 0.5, the penalty will be rounded up to the next highest number.
d. If an athlete is participating in a sport at the time of the athletic violation, the athlete must continue to practice in that sport unless the athlete’s suspension carries through the remainder of that sport season.
e. An athlete who is suspended from participating in athletic contests because of an athletic violation, will not suit up for a scheduled contest(s), will not travel with the team, and will not sit on the bench with the team. The suspended athlete must pay admission to any school contest(s).
f. During this period, if deemed necessary, the student will receive advising by coaches and/or counseling by a qualified person.
g. If an athlete is participating in two sports concurrently during a sport season and a penalty is assessed, the penalty will be fully assessed across both sports.
h. An athlete who has been penalized for a major violation for the first or second time may have his/her penalty reduced by completing a licensed treatment or education program as approved by the principal. This option may be used only once and applies to the 20% or 50% penalties only. The student and parent(s)/guardian(s) will be required to meet with the principal prior to entering a licensed treatment or education program and at the program’s completion.
1. An athlete who is being penalized for a major violation for the first time (20%) shall have his/her penalty reduced to 10% by completing a licensed treatment or education program, as approved by the principal. (Updated January 9, 1995)
2. An athlete who is being penalized for a major violation for the second time (50%) shall have his/her penalty reduced to 25% by completing a licensed treatment or education program, as approved by the principal. (Updated January 9, 1995)
Note: Option one (1) or two (2) above, can only be used once, as stated in the Athletic Code. (Updated January 9, 1995)
2. Third Offense The athlete will not be able to participate in any interscholastic athletic program for one year from the date of the third offense.
VIII. School EquipmentEach athlete is responsible for reasonable care of all equipment issued to him/her. All equipment belonging to the school must be cleaned and returned, at the end of each sports season.
IX. Athletic EligibilityA. High School
PREVIOUS SEMESTER RECORD - No student shall compete in any athletic contest during any semester who does not have to his/her credit (on the books of the school represented), at least twenty-five (25) credit hours of work (passed five (5) classes) for the last semester during which he or she shall have been enrolled in grades nine to twelve, inclusive. A student entering the 9th grade for the first time, except those who had eligibility advanced under Regulation III, Section 2 (B) of the MHSAA Code may compete without reference to his/her record in the 8th grade.
In determining the number of hours of credit received during a semester under this rule, the usual credit allowed by the school shall be given. However, reviews and extra-curricular work and work from which credit previously has been received shall not be counted. Deficiencies, including incompletes, conditions, and failures from a previous semester may be made up during a subsequent semester, summer session, night school, or by correspondence. Eligibility may be reinstated during the next semester when the school accepts the credits.
CURRENT SEMESTER RECORD - Academic eligibility checks of at least every three (3) weeks are required. If a student is not passing at least twenty-five (25) credit hours (passing 5 classes/credits) when checked, that student is ineligible for competition until the next check but not less than for the next Monday through Sunday. If the next eligibility check reveals the student is still not passing at least twenty-five (25) credit hours, that student is ineligible for competition for not less than the next Monday through Sunday, and so on until the student is passing twenty-five (25) credit hours from the start of the semester through the most recent eligibility check.
B. Junior High/Middle School
PREVIOUS SEMESTER RECORD - No student shall compete in any junior high/middle school athletic contest during the current semester who does not have to his/her credit (on the books of the school represented) a C- or better grade in all classes during the previous semester.
CURRENT SEMESTER RECORD - Academic eligibility checks of at least every week are required. If a student is not maintaining a current grade of C- or better in each subject when checked, that student is ineligible for competition until the low grade(s) are raised to, or above, the C- level. In the event that a new marking period begins during a season, the overall grade earned during the ending period and the student's current average grade in the new period will be weighted equally and averaged to determine his/her current eligibility throughout the first three weeks of the new marking period. After the three weeks, only the student's work during the new maiking period will be used to determine eligibility.
DETENTION AND BEHAVIOR INFRACTIONS -
X. Physical Examinations for AthletesAn athlete must have a physician’s statement for the current school year on file at the Ishpeming High School (C.L. Phelps Middle School) Principal’s Office before beginning practice or representing the school in athletics. The physician’s statement must certify that the athlete has passed an adequate physical examination and that, in the opinion of the examining physician, the student is fully able to compete in athletic contests.
XI. Due ProcessIf an athlete feels that he or she has been unjustly dismissed from an athletic team for an athletic code violation, the athlete has five (5) school days to file, in writing to the athletic director, a request for a hearing before the Athletic Council. A hearing date will be set within five (5) school days after receipt of the request, at which time the athlete and parent or guardian will be given an opportunity to present their case. If the grievant is dissatisfied with the decision of the Athletic Council, he or she has five (5) days in which to request a hearing before the Board of Education through the Superintendent of Schools.
In the case of unusual circumstances surrounding ineligibility for academic reasons, the parent or guardian may appeal to the Athletic Committee for a recommendation to the Board of Education. (Updated December 9, 1996)
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION
The Ishpeming School District does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of religion, race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, height, weight, family status or marital status in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquires regarding the nondiscrimination policies:
Superintendent, 319 E. Division St., Ishpeming, MI 49849 (906) 485-5501 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
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