Extracurricular Code of Conduct - Stillwater Central Schools

Extracurriculars are an important component of the Stillwater Central School District’s educational program. The Extra Curricular Code of Conduct applies to student athletes and students involved in clubs and other school sponsored activities (ex. Drama, Prom, etc). The rules governing students are in effect from July 1st through June 30th of each school year, and apply to all students encompassing grades seven through twelve. This policy is in effect 24 hours a day and covers student comportment both in and outside of school.

Student participation in extracurriculars is a privilege, not a right. A student’s participation is contingent upon their full compliance with all provisions of this Extracurricular Code of Conduct. The following goals will serve as the foundation for the specific provisions within this Code of Conduct:

Goals

To develop and maintain the highest level of citizenship based upon honesty and integrity.
To develop proper attitudes toward winning and losing, success and failure.
To encourage and develop respect for student peers whether they are teammates, members of other Stillwater athletic teams, or members of opposing teams.
To assure that the amount of time required for extracurricular participation does not interfere with academic success.
To develop proper attitudes toward individual health habits.
To encourage competition for the tangible rewards but also for the development of positive attitudes that makes extracurricular participation valuable and worthwhile.
To maintain the highest standard of ethics, recognize each participant as an individual who will conduct him/herself in a manner befitting his/her responsibilities, and develop the kind of rapport with the broader school community that will improve the total educational program.

Coaching/Advising

In Stillwater, coaching and advising extracurriculars is defined as a teaching station. This implies that teacher responsibility for supervision, preparation, and training is as essential as it is in the classroom. We expect that the coach or advisor will apply him/herself to extracurricular assignments in the same professional manner displayed in a formal classroom situation.

We believe that a coach and advisor has a unique opportunity to influence young people through his/her interaction with students in our extracurricular program. These are teaching opportunities a coach and advisor can use to help young people become better citizens.

Expectations of Parents

Be positive with your son/daughter. Let them know that they are accomplishing something positive by being part of the extracurricular program.
Do not offer excuses to them if they are not playing. Encourage them to work hard and do their best.
Encourage your child to follow the rules pertaining to curfew, drinking, smoking, promptness and following all school rules.
As a fan, you are entitled to cheer enthusiastically for your children always demonstrating respect for all participants.
Insist that your child respect team rules, school rules, game officials, and sportsmanship. Self-respect begins with self-control.
Remember that the coach/advisor is involved because he/she is sincerely fond of children and is an experienced professional. Coaches and advisors have different ways of dealing with people and situations. Students’ lives are enriched by interaction with different types of leaders.
Remember, as the parent, you represent your community, your school and your son/daughter. Please be a positive role model.

Section 2 Code of Behaviors for Spectators

Spectators are an important part of the games and are encouraged to conform to accepted standards of good sportsmanship and behavior.
Spectators should at all times respect officials, visiting coaches, players and cheerleaders as guests in the community and extend all courtesies to them.
Enthusiastic cheering for one’s own team is encouraged.
Booing, whistling, stamping of the feet, and disrespectful remarks shall be avoided.
There will be no ringing of bells, sounding of horns, or other noisemakers at indoor contests during play. Anyone who does not abide by this rule will be asked to leave the premises.
Pep bands or school bands, under the supervision of school personnel, may play during timeouts, between periods or at half-time. Bands must coordinate their play so as not to interfere with a cheerleading squad on the floor or field.
The throwing of debris, confetti, or other objects from the stands is prohibited. Offending individuals will be asked to leave the premises.
During a free throw in basketball, all courtesies should be extended.
Spectators should encourage each other to observe courteous behavior. Improper behavior should be reported to the school authorities.
Spectators will observe the rules of the local school concerning smoking, food and drink consumption, littering and parking procedures.
Spectators will respect and obey all school officials and supervisors at athletic contests.

Parent/Coach/Advisor Communication

As your son/daughter becomes involved in the extracurricular program at the Stillwater Central School District, they will experience some of the most rewarding moments of their lives. It is important to understand that there also may be times when things do not go the way you or your child wishes. This is the opportunity for your child to talk with their respective coach/advisor and discuss the situation. When your child handles the problem, it becomes part of the learning and maturation process. There may also be situations that require a conversation between the coach/advisor and the parent. These are encouraged. It’s important that both parties have a clear understanding of the other’s position. Please follow these procedures to help promote a resolution.

Please do not attempt to confront a coach/advisor before or after a contest or event. These can be emotional times for both the parent and coach/advisor. Meetings of this nature do not promote resolutions.
If the concern is not resolved between your child and the coach/advisor, call the Athletic Director or principal to arrange a conference. A meeting will be arranged with the coach/advisor, parent and Athletic Director or principal as appropriate. At this meeting, the appropriate next step can be determined.

Extracurricular Code of Ethics

Accept and understand the seriousness of your responsibility and the privilege of representing your school and community.
Learn the rules of your sport/activity thoroughly. This will assist you in achieving a better understanding and appreciation and promote fair play.
Cooperate fully with coaches/advisors and officials, always exercise good sportsmanship, abiding by the rules as they are stated.
Only the captain, coach or advisor may communicate with officials on the clarification of rules. It is his/her responsibility to communicate what was said back to his/her teammates and/or coach/advisor.
Always respect the official’s judgment and interpretation of the rules. Never argue or make non-verbal gestures that indicate disagreement. This type of behavior may invite undesirable behavior on the part of teammates or spectators. Remember, you are an important role model for others.
Congratulate opponents in a sincere manner following either victory or defeat. This is a true measure of character and sportsmanship.
Abide by the Stillwater Code of Conduct, Extracurricular Code of Conduct, and the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Guidelines.
Detention: An athlete may not participate in any extracurricular activity until detention has been completed.
Out-of-School/Alternative Learning Environment: An athlete may not participate in any extracurricular activity until the suspension period has concluded and the student has been formally readmitted to school.
School Absences: An athlete may not participate in any extra-curricular activity unless he/she has been present in school for at least 4 periods of attendance. The only exceptions to this rule are legal excuses such as doctor/dentist appointments, college visitations, court appearances, or other extraordinary circumstances to be reviewed by the school principal. It is incumbent that the parent ensures loss of school time is minimized when making such appointments. The high school principal shall have prior notice of such appointments and has the authority to approve or disapprove the absence. This applies to Saturday games if absent on Friday.
Student Lateness: A student arriving late, after 7:40 a.m. without a legal excuse, may not participate in the extracurricular activity on that day.
Vacation: A student is expected to be at all extracurriculars, practices and games including those held during vacation periods. The entire team or club depends on full participation. In rare cases, a student may find it necessary to miss a practice or a game. The student must request permission from the coach or advisor and not pass on the reasons for being absent through another student. This applies even if the student is not in school that day. If family obligations are known to a student in advance that would cause the student to miss a game or practice, this must be made known to the coach or advisor at the earliest possible time. The coach/advisor will let the player know if the reason is acceptable. Consequences will be established by the coach/advisor if necessary.
Dismissal/Quitting Team: Any student who quits or is dismissed from an extracurricular will not be allowed to participate in that activity or attend that particular activity until that season has concluded. The student will not be eligible to participate in the next sport season, including the next school year. We realize that some team members are unfamiliar with certain sports and may desire to drop out after trying the sport. They may do so without penalty if they drop out prior to the first game or meet. Any exceptions to this rule are subject to review by the Athletic Council (High School Principal, Athletic Director, representatives of the coaching staff).
Sportsmanship: Any student who exhibits unsportsmanlike behavior shall minimally be ineligible to participate in the next regularly scheduled contest or event. Repeat offenders may be removed from the extracurricular event. The Athletic Director or Advisor and Principal will be involved in extenuating circumstances.
Transportation: All students are expected to travel to and from events with their teammates on the school bus. With the coach/advisor’s permission, parents can “sign-out” only their child from away contests.
If a student is not participating with a positive attitude, a formal meeting may/will be held with the coach/advisor, athletic administrator, principal and the player/parent or guardian to correct the situation. The coach/advisor/administrator may suspend the player for a period of time. If the condition continues, the individual may be terminated from the extracurricular activity.

Alcohol/Substance Abuse

The use, possession, sale or distribution of tobacco, tobacco products, e-cigarette, vape pen, alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs or performance enhancing substances, or drug paraphernalia is a violation of the Stillwater Extracurricular Code of Conduct. The foregoing list of prohibited substances is not exhaustive, and other, similar substances and/or devices not listed here are similarly subject to this Code of Conduct. The loitering of a student in the vicinity where alcohol or drugs are used, possessed, sold or distributed illegally is also a violation of the Code of Conduct. The penalties for violating the Extracurricular Code of Conduct for alcohol and substance abuse as defined in the Extracurricular Code.

Honesty

Students are expected to fully cooperate with administrator inquiries into potential violations of the extracurricular code of conduct pertaining to alcohol/substance abuse. If it is determined that a student was not honest or withheld information about his/her own conduct during an inquiry, then they may be subject to a higher level of consequence (e.g., a Level I consequence now becomes a Level II consequence, etc.).

First Violation: Loss of eligibility to participate in 10 percent of scheduled extracurricular event. This includes post-season events such as sectionals, states, etc.

Number of events in a season: 8- 14
10 percent = 1 event

Number of events in a season: 15-24
10 percent = 2 event

Student must still participate with the team/club during loss of eligibility.
Student will enroll and complete a workshop, counseling session related to the offense (e.g., drugs, alcohol, decision making workshop).
The student will lose any leadership position in the extracurricular activity for the remainder of the school year.
Any part of the 10 percent not completed during one season will carry over to the next season in which the students participates.

Second Violation: the student will be suspended for 50% of the extracurricular program. Student may be assigned to participate in a designated drug/alcohol awareness program as agreed upon by the principal and parent/guardian.

Third Violation: there will be a minimum one (1) calendar year suspension from participating in the extracurricular activity starting from the date of the infraction.

Subsequent Violation: the student will be scheduled for a Superintendent’s hearing to assess penalties if found guilty of the charge.

NOTE: Depending upon the seriousness of the violation, the District may, in its sole discretion, assign a greater consequence than the consequence(s) set forth above, irrespective of whether the at-issue violation constitutes an athletes first, second, or third violation.

Infractions are cumulative during a school calendar year. That is to say that an infraction in a student’s sophomore year would constitute a 1st infraction. An additional infraction in that same year following the 1st infraction, would constitute a 2nd infraction and so on. On July 1 of the subsequent year, the student’s infraction “status” would reset.

Off-Campus Misconduct

The Extracurricular Code of Conduct shall apply to all students involved in extracurricular activities in the Stillwater Central School District during those times that these students are on school grounds and/or participating in interscholastic competitions, irrespective of the location of such competitions. The Extracurricular Code of Conduct shall also apply to the off-campus misconduct of students where such misconduct may endanger the health or safety of pupils within the educational system or adversely affect the educative process.

Appeals

Appeals may be made to a Faculty Council made up of three faculty members selected by the Shared Decision Making Team. The Faculty Council shall not contain, as a member, any specific coach or club advisor affected by the decision. Similar to National Honor Society, the membership of the faculty council will be held confidential.

The student (parent) must make such appeal in writing within 24 hours of the initial decision.
The decision of the Faculty Council should be final unless appealed in writing to the Superintendent of Schools within 24 hours of the date of the Faculty Council decision.
The decision of the Superintendent of Schools may be appealed in writing (within 24 hours) to the BOE for review.

Academic Ineligibility

Philosophy

All parties (school personnel, parents, students and fans) of Stillwater Central School District acknowledge that academics have priority over extracurricular activities. Participation in extracurricular activities is an honor and a privilege. The School District recognizes that while extra-class activities provide opportunity for personal improvement, contribution to the school, self-realization of potential, and education of the whole person, participation in these activities cannot take precedence over academic. Every effort must be made to keep grades passing or improving.

Students who are waiting for extracurricular practice should not be in the academic wing unless assigned to a teacher. Students waiting for extracurricular practice should report to academic study hall in the high school cafeteria.

Eligibility Criteria and Participation Guidelines

Parents/guardians each set individual goals and standards for their children, and as such, may prevent the student’s participation at any time.
Academic probation is defined as a warning period in which a student is expected to achieve a passing grade in all courses.
Ineligibility means that students will not participate in ANY extracurricular activity. Extenuating circumstances must be approved by the principal.

Procedure To Monitor Student Academic Progress

At the beginning of the school year, a list of students involved in extracurricular programs will be sent out to all teachers and counselors. Teachers and counselors then have 48 hours to indicate if a student is currently failing any course.
If a student fails to raise his/her course grade(s) to 65 or higher during the probationary 2 week period, he/she will become ineligible. Ineligible students will not be allowed to practice/play. They are encouraged to use the time away from extracurriculars to work on academics. They will be reinstated upon passing.
Full weeks of vacation, such as winter or spring breaks, are not included in the period of probation.
Grades for all students will be monitored on a continual basis to ensure that students remain in good academic standing.
It is the responsibility of the coach/advisor to be sure that no academically ineligible student participates in extracurricular activities, as well as maintain student/school/home contact during this period.

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