Definitions

School year - The first day of a fall activity, practice, or the first official day of the school calendar. The school year ends the last official day of the school calendar or with the final event, activity, or game of the spring semester.

Activity - Any extra-curricular, intra-curricular, or co-curricular program under the direction of the school and the Missouri State High School Activity Association. Students are considered to be in an activity the first day they attend practice or begin an event.

Off–Season - Off-season for a participant is the period of time between the last event or game and the first practice for the next event. The off-season period will vary annually for each activity and for each student depending on the combination of activities in which he/she participates. Off-season may occur during the school year or during the summer.

School sponsored event - Any activity under the supervision of the Carthage R-9 School District on school 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– Suspensions begin immediately if during the season. If a suspension is to begin at the start of the season, the suspension begins the first day the state assigns as the “First Possible Contest” date. When students are suspended from competitions and or performances, they may still practice. However, students will not travel with the team, be on the field, or area of competition during games or performances.

I. Alcohol/Drugs - The following guidelines will be enforced for participants in athletics and/or activities who use, possess, or are under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.

Any student who uses, is under the influence of, or in possession of alcohol or illegal    drugs in a manner other than directed or prescribed, will be suspended from participation in all in-season athletics and/or activities for a calendar eight week period beginning immediately. The first violation during an off-season will result in an eight-week suspension commencing the first date a game or activity can be played (MSHSAA Handbook) or during the next competitive activity. Upon completion and documentation of a substance abuse counseling program and follow-up drug test with a negative result, the suspension may be reduced to four weeks.

1. A second offense of alcohol or drugs by a student will result in a 365-day suspension from all athletics and/or activities.
2. A third offense of alcohol or drugs by a student will result in a permanent suspension from participation in all athletics and/or activities covered under this policy for the remainder of the high school career.

Parties in 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 18 weeks.

Use or possession of tobacco, electronic cigarettes, vapes, or similar products at practice, contests, or on school grounds.

1. Any use or possession of tobacco (electronic cigarettes, vapes, etc.) at practice, contest, or on school grounds by a student will result in an immediate suspension from one week of contests or activities.
2. The second violation of tobacco (electronic cigarettes, vapes, etc.) will result in a two-week suspension from contests or activities.
3. The third violation will result in a four week suspension from contests or activities.
4. Additional consequences may be issued by the school administration, if warranted.

Verification needed to impose this policy would include any one of the following:

1. Student admission of guilt.
2. Parent of student in question verifies guilt.
3. Eyewitness by member of R-9 staff.
4. Police report with specific names involving student in question.
5. Newspaper report indicating specified student in question.

II. Law Enforcement - A student who commits an act for which charges may be or have been filed by law enforcement authorities under any municipal ordinance, misdemeanor or felony statute shall not be eligible until all proceedings with the legal system have been concluded and any penalty (i.e. jail time, fine, court costs, etc.) or special condition of probation (i.e. restitution, community service, counseling, etc.) restitution, community service, counseling, etc.) has been satisfied. If law enforcement authorities determine that charges will not be filed, eligibility will be contingent upon local school policies.

• After a student has completed all court appearances and penalties, and has satisfied all special conditions of probation and remains under general probation only, local school authorities shall determine eligibility.
• Moving traffic offenses shall not affect eligibility, unless they involve drugs, alcohol, or injuries to others. (Editor’s Note:If a traffic offense is accompanied by an act covered in letter A above, such as property damage, bench warrant, etc., eligibility will be delayed per letter A).

III. Misconduct at School - Each offense will result in regular school discipline and will be referred to the appropriate coach or sponsor.

The Activity Council - The Activity Council will inform the coaches and sponsors of the incident and the application of the policy. The Activity 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 (coaches) or sponsor (sponsors) of the student. Coaches/sponsors may administer consequences beyond this policy.

GUIDELINES FOR PARTICIPANT’S CONDUCT IN ALL ACTIVITIES AND CONTESTS- District Policy 2920

1. Participants are not to display in any way their anger, disgust, or disagreement with an official’s decision by their actions.
2. 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.
3. 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.

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

Board Approved Date: September 16, 2019

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