Definitions
School year: The first day of a fall activity, practice or the first day school begins for a student. The school year ends the last official day of the school calendar or with the release of the student by the supervisor in charge of the activity.
Activity: Any extracurricular or co-curricular program under the direction of the school and the Missouri State High School Activities Association. Students are considered to be in an activity the first day they attend practice or begin an event.
School Sponsored Event: Any activity under the supervision of the Carthage R-IX School District either on District property or at another location is deemed to be school sponsored.
Suspension:
From School - Students suspended from school may not participate in or practice in any activities during the suspension.
From Competitions and/or Performances - When students are suspended from competitions and/or performances they may still practice. However, students must not travel, be on the field, or in area of competition during games or performances.
I. Alcohol/Drugs
The following guidelines will be enforced for participants in activities who use, possess or are under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs:
- Alcohol or drugs during the school year:
- Any student who uses, is under the influence of, or is in possession of alcohol or illegal drugs (or their imitators) on school property during school hours or at school sponsored events will be suspended from all activities for a period of 365 days.
- Any student who uses alcohol or drugs off school property during the school year will be suspended from all activities for a two (2) week period beginning immediately or, if not presently in an activity, the next activity or season.
- A second violation of the alcohol or drug policy during the school year will result in removal from the present activity for the remainder of the activity and a two (2) week suspension in the next activity.
- The third offense of alcohol or drugs by a student during the school year will result in a 365-day suspension from all activities.
- Alcohol or drugs during the summer months:
- Any student who uses, is under the influence of, or is in possession of alcohol or illegal drugs during the summer months must meet with his/her sponsors or coaches.
- The second violation of the summer policy will result in a two-week suspension at the beginning of the next activity in which the student is participating.
- The third violation of the summer policy will result in removal of the student from the next activity in which the student is participating.
- Parties at which alcohol and/or illegal drugs are provided:
Any participant or participants in a school activity hosting a party where alcohol and/or illegal drugs are provided or encouraged will be suspended from all activities for a period of ninety (90) school days.
- Use of tobacco at practice or contest:
- Any use of tobacco at practice or a contest by a student will result in a suspension for one week beginning with the first contest or activity.
- The second violation of tobacco use will result in a two-week suspension for the student from all activities.
- The third violation will result in the student being suspended from the present activity for the remainder of the activity and a two-week suspension from the next activity.
- Verification needed to impose this policy would include any one of the following:
- Student admission of guilt.
- Parent of student in question verifies guilt.
- Eyewitness by member of District staff.
- Police report of specific names involving student and alcohol/drugs.
- Newspaper report indicating specified students.
- Parents will be notified as soon as possible.
II. Felonies (This is a year round policy)
- Any student involved in a felony or other serious offense will be suspended for a minimum of two (2) weeks. The severity of the consequences may be increased with the seriousness of the felony.
- The second violation of the felony policy will result in a 365-day suspension.
III. Misconduct at School
Each offense will result in regular school punishment with referral to coach or sponsor for counseling.
IV. Attendance
Activity participants will under the same guidelines as other students with the following exception: Students must be in attendance at least the last half of the school day to participate in activities after school unless they receive approval from the principal.
V. Due Process
Students or parents who have concerns about anything to do with activities must follow these procedures. First contact the coach or sponsor of the activity in question. If not satisfied, then contact the activities director (if it includes athletics) or the appropriate principal, and follow District due process.
The Activity Council
The Activity Council will meet to inform the coaches and sponsors of the incident and the application of the policy. The Council will discuss appropriate methods of implementing the policy. The Activity Council will include the principal or assistant principal, the activities director, and the coach(es) or sponsor(s) of the student. Coaches/sponsors, through proper approval from the Activity Council, may request consequences beyond this policy.
Behavioral Expectations FOR PARTICIPANTS at All Activity Contests
Personal Conduct
- Participants are not to display in any way their anger, disgust or disagreement with an official's decision by their actions.
- Participants must be able to control their tempers at all times. Coaches/sponsors shall remove anyone from the contest when, in their judgment, a player is losing his/her control.
- Fighting and swearing will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Do not argue with opponents - DO YOUR JOB! If an incident occurs, DO NOT RETALIATE. Let the contest officials, coaches/sponsors and school officials handle it. Any participant who involves himself/herself in a fight may be subject to suspension from the team.
Disruption During Athletic Contests
In the event a disruption of any kind breaks out on the field, court or playing area, the following procedures shall be followed by all athletes:
- All players seated on the bench and not actively participating in a contest shall remain in the bench area. Under no circumstances shall players leave this area unless instructed to do so by a coach, school official, policeman or game official.
- All players on the field, court or playing area shall immediately and as rapidly as possible go to the bench area and remain there until instructed to leave by a coach, school official, policeman or game official.
- There shall be no exceptions to this procedure.
The purpose of these guidelines is not to imply that we have serious problems with our participants. Generally speaking, in our school system the participants have conducted themselves in a manner in which both the school and the community can be proud. By establishing the guidelines, all involved will know what is expected of them and many problems can be avoided.
