Student-Athlete Handbook
Grant County Schools
2017-18
Student-Athlete Handbook
Table of Contents
Code of Conduct
/3
Eligibility Requirements
/4
Varsity Lettering Requirements
/7
In-Season Team Rules and Consequences
/9
Parent/Coach Relationship Guide
/12
Please note: This Athletic Handbook is a general guide governing athletics at the school. Each coach will have team information (expectations, requirements, consequences, etc.) for each individual sport. ATHLETIC CODE OF CONDUCT
A STUDENT-ATHLETE SHALL:
1. Understand that being an athlete is a privilege and not a right.
2. Represent the school in a manner above reproach.
3. Be courteous to visiting teams and officials.
4. Maintain excellent conduct within the classroom and show respect for fellow students, faculty, staff, and administration.
5. Set a high standard of personal appearance and cleanliness.
6. Maintain a high level of physical fitness by observing team and training rules.
7. Respect the property of our opponents as we travel to their school.
8. Be modest in victory and gracious in defeat.
9. Refrain from using chemicals, alcohol and tobacco products.
10. Play hard, fair, and strive to win to the best of your ability.
11. Be in attendance in school in order to practice or participate in a game, meet, etc. Excused absences: A school trip, doctor appointment, or funeral are examples of exceptions to the attendance rule. However, these must be cleared with the coach before missing school or as soon as possible. By attendance, it is understood that the athlete be present in school for eight (8) full periods.
12. Return all equipment/uniforms to the school upon completion of his/her participation. Any lost or damaged equipment/uniforms will be replaced by the athlete responsible at replacement cost.
13. Return on all trips with school provided transportation unless a parent or legal guardian makes face-to-face contact with the coach, signs the son/daughter out with the bus driver, and insures that they will be traveling with them.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
1. Academic – Title 126 and Series 26 as listed below are taken from the legislative rule of the West Virginia Board of Education.
TITLE 126
LEGISLATIVE RULE
WEST VIRGINIA BOARD OF EDUCATION
SERIES 26
PARTICIPATION IN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES (2436.10)
§126-26-1. General
1.1. Scope. – This legislative rule establishes academic eligibility of students to participate in extracurricular activities both during and after normal school hours in West Virginia public schools.
1.2. Authority. – W. Va. Constitution, Article XII, §2 and W. Va. Code §18-2-5.
1.3. Filing Date. -- May 16, 2008.
1.4. Effective Date. -- June 16, 2008.
1.5. Repeal of Former Rule. -- This legislative rule amendsW. Va. 126CSR26, West Virginia Board of Education Policy 2436.10, Participation in Extracurricular Activities, filed August 10, 1984 and effective September 10, 1984.
§126-26-2. Applicability
2.1. This policy applies only to interscholastic athletics, student government, and class officers in grades 6-12. Excluded from this policy are co-curricular activities which are closely related to identifiable academic programs/areas of study and which serve to complement academic curricular activities such as vocational, linguistic, mathematic, scientific, forensic, theatrical, musical, journalistic and other similar academic co-curricular activities.
§126-26-3. Eligibility
3.1. In order to participate in the extracurricular activities to which this policy applies, a student must meet all state and local attendance requirements and:
3.1.1. Maintain a 2.0 average.
a. A 2.0 average is defined as a grade-point average (GPA) of 2.0 or better on a scale where an "A" mark earns 4 points, a "B" is awarded 3 points, a "C" is worth 2 points, a "D" is given a value of 1 point, and an "F" is worth 0 points.
b. For purposes of achieving the clearest and most uniform application of the policy for those schools which use a numerical grading system, all numerical grades shall be converted to the corresponding letter grade. Each letter grade shall be assigned the appropriate value as set forth above, and the average thereof computed to determine whether the student is eligible. No enhanced value should be given for a "plus" or "minus" designation, such as "B+" or "C-"; all grades with the same letter designation have the same numerical value in the 4.0 scale.
c. In computing a student's "grade-point average" (GPA) for purposes of this policy, all subjects undertaken by the student and for which a final grade is recorded are to be considered. Athletic practice may not be counted as a subject. The total number of classes taken is divided into the total number of "grade points" earned to determine the GPA. Classes for which a pass/fail is awarded will be included in computing the GPA only if the student failed the class.
d. A student's eligibility will be determined for each semester by his or her GPA the previous semester (or, in schools which does not use the traditional semester approach, during the previous eighteen week period).
e. If a student does not maintain a 2.0 average for the semester, he or she will be ineligible for participation for the following semester. Students not meeting eligibility requirements shall be reviewed at the mid-point of the second semester (the nine week point) to determine whether the student has achieved a 2.0 average.
f. If a student does not earn a 2.0 average by the end of the second semester, he or she may attend summer school to raise the GPA so that he or she is eligible for participation at the beginning of the next school year. For purposes of computing the GPA after summer school, all of the student's grades from the second semester plus his or her grade from the summer school will be used to determine the GPA.
g. A student who has not achieved a 2.0 GPA for the previous semester may have his or her eligibility reinstated at midsemester if the student has attained at least a 2.0 GPA. In schools and/or counties where the traditional semester approach is not used, the nine week point shall be utilized in place of the midsemester.
h. In the case of students with exceptionalities as set forth in West Virginia Board of Education Policy 2419, Regulations for the Education of Students with Exceptionalities (W. Va. 126CSR16), if grades are given, all grades received from placements in regular classrooms and special education classrooms should be included when computing the GPA. Exceptional students placed in ungraded programs will be eligible for participation in extracurricular activities if their records indicate that they are making satisfactory progress in meeting the objectives of their individualized education program (IEP).
i. Students who have had a break in public school attendance for any reason may be required to establish eligibility after re-enrollment in the public school. If the county school system accepts the transfer of credits/grades earned in the non-public setting, then those credits/grades shall be used in determining academic eligibility. If the county school system does not accept the transfer of credits/grades earned in the non-public setting, then eligibility must be established after re-enrollment in the public school setting. Eligibility shall be gained at midsemester (nine week point) if the student has attained at least a 2.0 GPA. In schools and/or counties where the traditional semester approach is not used, the nine week point shall be utilized in place of the midsemester.
j.Students who are entering public schools or other Secondary Schools Activities Commission (SSAC) member schools for the first time will be eligible for participation as follows:
(A) Students who have not earned grades that the receiving school will accept for credit upon transfer will be eligible upon enrollment and must have a 2.0 GPA at the end of the semester in which they enroll to remain eligible.
(B) Students who have earned grades that the receiving school will accept for credit upon transfer must have earned a 2.0 GPA in the previous semester to be eligible upon enrollment. If not eligible upon enrollment, the student shall become eligible at the midsemester (nine week point) if the student has attained at least a 2.0 GPA.
2. Age - A student who becomes 19 and a student in grade 9 who becomes 16 before August 1st shall be ineligible for interscholastic competition.
3. Semester Rule - A student shall not participate for more than 4 seasons while enrolled in grades 9-12 or a total of 8 terms.
4. Residence - Student shall be eligible in the zone in which his/her parents or legal guardian reside.
5. Non-School Participation - During the school year and while a member of a school team, a student shall neither participate in any non-school team or shall student compete as an individual unattached in non-school formally organized competition in the same sport. Exceptions are golf, track, cross country, tennis, cheerleading and wrestling. These exceptions must be however, with the permission of the high school coach.
6. Awards - Only a member school or a school sponsoring a sanctioned event may give the following awards to a student or team: medal trophy, cup, certificate, ribbon, plaque, unattached letter, unattached chevron or any similar award. A student may accept the following awards:
· From a member school for participation.
· In a sanctioned event.
· In a non-sanctioned event at any time in cross country, cheerleading, golf, tennis, track or wrestling.
· In a non-sanctioned event but not during the school sports season in football, basketball, volleyball and baseball.
A student may not receive:
Wearing apparel, i.e. jackets, sweaters, jerseys, shoes, etc.
a. Equipment, radios, televisions, etc.
b. Money
c. Athletic goods, i.e. golf or tennis balls, clubs, batons, bats, tennis rackets, etc.
Physical examination forms must be signed by a physician, student and parent/guardian before a student may participate in tryouts, practice, games, matches, meets, etc. The physical must not be given earlier than June 1st of the year in which the individual is scheduled to participate. The physical must be given by a medical doctor. Any student-athlete who has been inactive for an extended period, due to illness or injury, will be required to obtain medical clearance from the attending physician prior to further participation.
Grant County Schools does not permit any student to participate in athletics unless he/she is covered by a family policy or by school insurance. However, in either case, the parent or guardian is responsible to pay any difference there might be between the claim and the amount the insurance company pays. School insurance is now available to cover varsity and junior varsity football at an additional premium. A copy of the school form showing proof of insurance must be on file in the principal’s office along with the physical examination form before an athlete is permitted to tryout, practice or participate.
Individual members of a squad must have practiced 14 days before participating in an interscholastic activity. Golf is the only exception to the rule. The first contest may be played on any day after the opening of practice.
PHS LETTERING REQUIREMENTS AND AWARDS
Requirements for earning a varsity letter have been established. A letter can only be earned through varsity competition. Athletes are to be informed of those requirements prior to the season. Each head coach must provide the Athletic Director with documentation for each athlete earning a letter at the end of the season. This will add more meaning and significance to earning a letter and prevent many problems that arise after the awards presentation.
Special athletic awards may be given to those teams and individuals who win their conference championship, regional championship, and/or state championship. The coach and the athletic director will determine the type of award.
Athletic Awards
1. Authority to Make Awards
A. The coach shall recommend the members of his/her squad who have met the requirements for a letter; these recommendations are to be approved by the athletic director. Documentation must be sent with the list.
B. If any problem arises due to extenuating circumstances, a committee composed of the principal, athletic director, and coach involved shall make the final decision.
2. Lettering Requirements
A. Types of Letters
1. Boys and Girls Varsity Letters
B. Awarding of a Letter
1. The first time an athlete meets the requirements for a letter, he/she shall receive a chenille letter and a pin. Each additional year a bar is awarded for that sport.
2. Managers can earn a letter.
C. General Criteria in Meeting the Requirements for a Letter
1. Attendance-Athletes shall attend all practices and games unless there is an excused absence approved by the coach before the absence. The athlete must finish the season as a team member in good standing in order to be awarded with a letter and be able to be recognized in the annual sports banquet.
2. Sportsmanship-Athlete should realize that they are representing their school and community and shall conduct themselves in such a manner that they are an asset to the school and community. Failure to display appropriate sportsmanship can result in forfeiture of their letter.
3. Training Rules-Adherence to all school training rules is required.
D. Specific Criteria in Meeting the Requirements for a Varsity Letter.
A player at PHS, who letters in any one or more sports will receive one letter at the end of the year which he or she lettered.
FOOTBALL: Participate in 20 quarters or 50% of the total regular season quarters. Any playoffs will count as part of the player’s total quarters.
BASKETBALL –Girl’s & Boy’s: Participate 44 quarters or 50% of the total regular season quarters, but playoff quarters will not count on total quarters.
BASEBALL/SOFTBALL
1. Play in half or more of the innings played in regular season games.
2. As a pitcher – start in 4 or more games during regular season
3. Or compile enough innings by the following:
Pinch hitting = 7 innings
Pinch running = 7 innings
Relief Pitching + save 3 games
D.H. for half or more games in regular season
4. Playing in 50% of the innings of Sectional, Regional, or State games or at the discretion of coach.
5. Injury – left to discretion of coach. Dr.’s note must be on record.
VOLLEYBALL: Play in 50% of the games in a season.