Atheltics/Activities

Co-Curricular Code

I.Background Information

A Code is a system of guiding principles and rules that communicates norms and values and helps individuals distinguish between what is right and what is wrong. This code outlines District 214's expectations for students who choose to be involved in our cocurricular program.

Township High School District 214 offers an extensive and diverse cocurricular program to provide additional learning opportunities to students who wish to develop special interests, skills, and talents to a higher level. Involvement in these activities is voluntary and a privilege; students choosing to participate take on extended responsibilities as representatives of their school and community. These extended responsibilities justify holding students who choose to participate in the cocurricular program to a higher standard of conduct as a condition of participation.

Students who choose to participate in the cocurricular program are responsible for behaving in accordance with the code.

II.Purpose

Participants involved in the cocurricular program are expected to comply with the regulations of the school, observe good order, and conduct themselves in a manner that will bring credit and honor to themselves, their school, and the school district. This code defines the rules for all students involved in cocurricular activities, defines the consequences for those students who violate these rules, and establishes procedures that will ensure fair and consistent enforcement of the code.

III.Procedures

The following rules apply to the school-related conduct of all students involved in cocurricular activities, on and off campus, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year. School-related conduct is any conduct that has a direct and immediate effect on the discipline or general welfare of the school or affects the reputation of the school, whether on or off campus.

Violations of the Cocurricular Code that are not documented within 180 days of their occurence are not subject to the provisions of the code.

A.General Rules

Students may be suspended from participation in cocurricular activities for misconduct including but not limited to the following:

1.Repeated truancy, habitual tardiness, or other problems related to school attendance.

2.Disruptive behavior which interferes with the teaching process, the learning of others, or cocurricular activities.

3.Inflicting or attempting to inflict harm upon the person or property of any student or district employee.

4.Stealing and other illegal acts.

5.Insubordination; flagrant or persistent disrespect; or deliberate attempts to antagonize, harass, haze, and/or intimidate others.

6.a.Possession, delivery, use or being under the influence of alcohol;

b.possession, delivery, use or being under the influence of any controlled substance (except in accordance with a valid doctor's prescription);

c.possession or delivery of "look-alikes," or

d.possession and /or use of tobacco products.

7.The unlawful carrying of weapons or look-alikes.

8.Vandalism or malicious mischief.

9.Mob action and/or demonstrations which substantially disrupt the cocurricular or instructional program.

10.Membership is a gang or participation in gang or gang-like activity.

11.Abuse of transportation privileges.

B. Coaches/Directors/Sponsor Rules

In addition to the general rule above Coaches/Directors/Sponsors, in collaboration with the Assistant Principal for Student Activities, may establish rules specific to their activity. Furthermore, these rules must be distributed and explained to all students and parents by the Coaches/Directors/Sponsors at the beginning of a students participation in the activity. They will also be filed with the Assistant Principal for Student Activities. Coaches/Directors/Sponsors will enforce their activity-specific rules and will inform students, parents, and the Assistant Principal for Student Activities of any major or repeated violations. Consequences arising from violation of activity-specific rules may be appealed to the Assistant Principal for Student Activities.

C.Cumulative Violations

Violations of the Cocurricular Code accumulate throughout a student's high school career beginning with participation in cocurricular activities and ending with graduation. When reviewing prior violations, the Assistant Principal for Student Activities may take into account the length of time between violations, as well as the seriousness of such violations.

D.Consequences

Violations of the Cocurricular Code will result in the following consequences. The administration, however, may impose different or more severe consequences for serious code violations.

For example, a student hosting a gathering that includes underage drinking and / or the use of any controlled substance could automatically be elevated to the second level code violation.

1.First Violation

Students will be suspended from all participation in cocurricular activities for a maximum of two weeks or 25 percent of contests/performances. The date(s) and duration of the syspension will be determined by the Assistant Principal for Student Activities. It the violation is related to the possession or use of alcohol or drugs and if the violation occurs on campus or at a school-related activity, the student will be referred to Student Services personnel for implementation of the district substance abuse policy.

The Assistant Principal for Student Activities, in collaboration with the involved Athletic Director, Coordinator, Coach and/ or Sponsor, will determine whether or not a student may practice/rehearse during the suspension period. Under no circumstances will a student be permitted to dress in uniform, compete, or perform while usupended.

2.Second Violation

Students will be suspended from participation in cocurricular activities for a maximum of one calendar year. If the violation is a second drug or alcohol violation, the student must also follow the District 214 Procedure for Discipline and Remediation Upon Violation of Drug Policy. The procedure requires the student's participation in a chemical dependence assessment administered by an agency selected from those recommended by the school's Student Services staff. Verification that the assessment has been completed must be submitted to the Assistant Principal for Student Activities before the suspension is adjusted or terminated.

3.Third Violation

Students will be suspended from any further participation in cocurricular activities for the remainder of the student's high school career. After one year of suspension, a student may petition to the administration for reinstatement in the cocurricular program.

E.Enforcement and Review

The Cocurricular Code is administered by each schools Assistant Principal for Student Activities in collaboration with Athletic Directors, The Fine Arts Coordinator, and the Coach(es)/ Director(s)/ Sponsor(s) of each cocurricular activity. Only the Assistant Principal for Student Activites, an Associate Principal, or the Principal are authorized to suspend students from the cocurricular program for violation of the Cocurricular code.

The Assistant Principal for Student Activities, Dean of Studants, and the involved Coach(es)/ Director(s)/ Sponsor(s) will, in an expedient manner investigate manner, investigate the alleged violation. The student will be notified of the alleged violation and afforded an opportunity to tell his or her side of the story. If the investigation confirms that a violation of the Cocurricular Code has occurred, parents and student will be informed and the appropriate consequences will be issued immediately. The student or hsi/her parent(s)/ guardian(s) may appeal any disciplinary action within five school days after the day consequences are issued.

The Assistant Principal for Student Activities will initiate and manage the appeal process. (Note; Appeals will focus on issues or due process and not the consequences for violation as prescribed by the code.)

F. Due Process

If an appeal is requested, an Associate Principal will review the decision of the Assistant Principal for Student Activities. A student may appeal the ruling of the Associate Principal to the Principal of the school. During the appeal process, the decision of the Assistant Principal for Student Activities shall be enforced.

IV. Additional Information

A. Overnight Activities

The High School District 214 overnight activities policy is in effect for all overnight activities. Coaches/Directors/Sponsors must review this policy with each student and his/her parents(s) or guardian'(s) prior to departure. A students participation in subsequent overnight activities may be affected by a violation of the Cocurricular Code.

B. IHSA Activities Regulations

A student who participates in the activities program is also subject to all Illinois High School Association BY-Laws, Policies, and Rules.

C. School Rules and District Policies

The conditions set forth in this code are separate from and in addition to those set forth in other school rules and school district policies. A student who violates this code is separately accountable for any violation of school rules or school district policies. This code in no way limits the authority of the administration or Board of Education to provide other or additional consequences in accordance with school rules and district policies.

D. Distribution of the Code

The Cocurricular Code is distributed to all students who choose to participate in cocurricular activities. It is also published in the district's Parent-Student Handbook, the Student Activities Handbook, and/ or each school's Student Handbook. Students are encouraged to discuss any questions regarding the code with their coaches/directors/sponsors or the Assistant Principal for Student Activities.

E. Voluntary Admission

If a student seeks out a Coach or Sponsor to admit a substance abuse problem, the student will be referred to an appropriate representative of the Student Services Program. While such students receive a code violation, under such circumstances, suspension from an activity may be waived by the concensus of the Coach/Director/Sponsor and the Assistant Princpal for Studant Activities.

F. Suspension from School

A student suspended from school shall be ineligible to attend or particpate in any cocurricular activities during the period of suspension.

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