Epping High School
Student -Athlete
Handbook
2014-2015
The Epping High School community educates and empowers students within a safe environment to become respectful, involved, and knowledgeable 21st century learners and citizens.
21 Academy Street
Epping, NH 03042
(603) 679-5472
www.sau14.org
Revised July 2014
Epping Middle and High Schools Mission Statement
The Epping Middle and High School’s communities educate and empower students within a safe environment to become respectful, involved, and knowledgeable 21st century learners and citizens.
Epping Middle and High School’s Guiding Principles
1. Respect and encourage the right to teach and the right to learn at all times.
2. Be actively engaged in learning; ask questions, collaborate, and seek solutions.
3. Be on time to fulfill your daily commitments.
4. Be appropriate; demonstrate behavior that is considerate of the community, the school, and yourself.
5. Be truthful; communicate honestly.
6. Be respectful and accountable for your choices.
Epping Athletic Philosophy
The primary goal of the Epping Athletic Program is to develop individuals that understand and appreciate the importance of athletics in one’s academic experience and life experience. This will require the provision of as many venues as possible to accommodate elementary, middle school, junior varsity and varsity athletes with interscholastic and instructional sports programs. The school community shall promote an athletic climate in which every athletic win is framed by modesty while a loss is framed with grace and dignity. Coaches will work vigorously with all athletes regardless of individual talents to instill a desire for personal excellence – including academics, sportsmanship, integrity and character. Our athletes will also exhibit friendship, and respect for their teammates and opponents. The end result will be students who exhibit sound values from their participation in the Epping Athletic Program and who develop into respectful, involved, and knowledgeable citizens in their school and community.
Athletic Program Objectives
Epping’s athletic program objective is to provide a quality interscholastic athletic experience which helps foster healthy lifestyle fundamentals such as:
The values of athletics in supporting academic success in the classroom.
To strive always for playing excellence that will produce competitive teams within the bounds of good
sportsmanship and fair play.
To provide opportunities where students may cope with problems and handle situations similar to those encountered under conditions prevailing in the contemporary world. Athletics should provide adequate and natural opportunities for:
1) Physical, mental, emotional growth and development.
2) Acquisition and development of fundamental skills in activities of student's choice.
3) Team play with the development of personal traits such as respect, responsibility,
communication, cooperation, compromise, and other desirable social traits.
4) Directed leadership that stresses self-discipline, self-motivation, excellence, and the ideals of
good sportsmanship.
5) Students to succeed and excel in a sport he/she selects.
6) Value and pride development in school and community.
7) Educational setting which will help improve athletic performance by providing information on
nutrition, lifestyle choices, and sleep.
Table of Contents
ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT INFORMATION
School Colors...... - 4 -
Sportsmanship Code...... - 4 -
Chain of Command...... - 4 -
ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY
Academics...... - 5 -
Mandatory/ Player-Parent Information Night...... - 5 -
Physical Exam Requirements...... - 5 -
Health Insurance...... -5 -
Registration (FamilyID)...... - 5-
Baseline Concussion Test…………………………………………………………………………-5-
STUDENT BEHAVIOR AND CONSEQUENCE GUIDELINES
Low Level Misconduct...... - 6 -
Medium Level Misconduct...... - 6-7 -
High Level Misconduct...... - 7 -
Severe Level Misconduct...... - 7-8-
School Bus Misbehavior………………………………………………………………………...... -8-
STUDENT ATTENDANCE & CONSEQUENCE GUIDELINES
Absence from School...... -9-
Absence from Athletic/Extracurricular Event……………………………………………………..-10-
STUDENT TARDY & CONSEQUENCE GUIDELINES
Tardy to School…………………………………………………………………………………….-11-
CONCUSSIONS AND HEAD INJURIES
Definitions………………………………………………………………………………………….-12-Responsibilities…………………………………………………………………………………….-12-
Parent/Guardian Notification Responsibilities……………………………………………………..-13-
Protocols…………………………………………………………………………………………….-13-
Awareness & Education…………………………………………………………………………….-14-
Return to Play Form…………………………………………………………………………………-15-
DISTRICT INFORMATION
Bullying and Harassment…………………………………………………………………………...-16-
Use of Illegal Substances……………………………………………………………………………-16-
Tobacco……………………………………………………………………………………………..-16-
Transportation……………………………………………………………………………………….-17-
Care of Equipment/Uniforms………………………………………………………………………..-17
Player & Fan Behavior……………………………………………………………………………...-17-
Communication & Coaches……………………………………………………………………….-17-18-
NHIAA Eligibility…………………………………………………………………………………..-19-
Benefits of Participation in Sports…………………………………………………………………..-19-
HEALTH OFFICE
Physical Examination Form…………………………………………………………………………-20-
Epping Blue Devil Colors
Uniform colors are blue and white. The only exception is the cooperative football team which is blue, white, and black.
Sportsmanship Code
The following is the Sportsmanship code of conduct to which all Epping students,players and spectators, must adhere. Students should also impress upon their parents/guardians and friends – the importance of the code. Failure to adhere to this code by athletes may invoke consequences from the Epping Student Behavior and Consequences Guidelines.
'I promise to...'
· Consider all athletic opponents as guests and treat them with courtesy and friendliness;
· Accept all decisions of officials as final; (no technical fouls or yellow cards)
· Never 'hiss' or 'boo' any player or official;
· Never utter abusive or irritating remarks; (includes opposition, fans, game personnel)
· Never attempt to rattle an opposing player; such as, a player attempting a free throw;
· Seek to win by fair and lawful means according to the rules; (includes hard fouls, known rule infractions).
· Win with modesty – lose with dignity;
· Not use horns or noisemakers;
· Urge each parent, student, friend and player to do his/her best to abide by the Code of Good Sportsmanship.
Athletic Department Chain of Command
We will follow the Chain of Command listed below. All issues will be initially referred to the coach. If the issue cannot be resolved, the Athletic Director will assist the coach to resolve the issue. We will work up the chain until the issue is resolved. The chain will not be broken on any issues and is as follows:
Epping School Board
Superintendent of Schools£
Principal£
Athletic Director£
Coach£
Athlete£
Athletic Eligibility
In order to participate in interscholastic sports, the students must meet these eligibility requirements for each sports season:
1) Academic Eligibility
Academics are the number one priority of all student athletes at Epping High School. It is the expectation that all student athletes focus on school first. Student athletes must meet the Epping School District Student
Epping system / · 5 courses with overall grade of C- or better· < 5 courses must pass all with overall grade of C- or better
· Incompletes are not passing grades* / · Two 5-day reassessment periods to correct for academic deficiencies
· During reassessment period(s) no practice or participation in contests or events. May not sit with team during contests.
· Summer activities do not count toward eligibility
2) Attend a Mandatory Parent/Player Information Night
A. Athletic Director will hold player/parent information nights that will include handbook policy information, player sportsmanship and behavior expectations, and fan behavior expectations at all contest.
B. Parent and Player questions regarding season, and policies.
C. Student is ineligible to participate in games until parent/player attend athletic information night.
D. Parent/Player Information Nights to be posted on website, more than one summer and fall date will
be available for parents/players to attend.
3) Updated Physical Examination on Record with Health Office.
A. Up to date immunization record
B. A copy of a current physical examination – signed, dated, and office stamped by a physician/nurse practitioner – with the provider stating the athlete is ‘physically fit to participate in school sponsored sport/activity.’ Physical examinations dates for students: Entering 6th & 9th grades must be within one year of school start date or sport start date. Students continuing to participate must be re-examined within two years of the previous physical exam on file even when the medical provider states physical form valid for one year.
4) Health Insurance. (school accident insurance form is available at SAU or in Health Office).
5) Complete Registration Online. (familyID.com)
A. Parents of a student-athlete must have registration form completely filled out online and all sections of read, understand and agree must be checked off for student to be eligible.Parents may make appointments with Athletic Director to complete the online registration process at the school.
6) Complete a baseline concussion test prior to participating in school sponsored athletic team (every two yrs).
7) Student in good standing in accordance with Epping School District’s Student Academic Eligibility Guidelines, Student Behavior & Consequences Guidelines, and Attendance/Consequences Guidelines.
POLICY JICDA – STUDENT BEHAVIOR & CONSEQUENCE GUIDELINES
Misconduct Level / ESD Policy / Consequences for Misconduct in School / Consequences for Misconduct at Athletic/Extracurricular ActivitiesLow Level Misconduct
· Late for class, practice, game, or event
· Inappropriate dress (JICA)
· Inappropriate language
· Inappropriate behavior
· Inappropriate use of devices (JICJ)*
· Inappropriate use of technology (JICL )
· Inappropriate use of motor vehicle (JLIE)
· Skip detention
· Plagiarism
*Music, communication / Reference general policies listed below & specific policies under misconduct
· JAJICA
· JICC
· JICD
· JICD-R
· JICDD
· JIH
· JIHD
· JJA
· JJI
· JKA
· JKAA
· JLDB / Misconduct receives one or more of the following options as appropriate:
· Warning
· Apology
· Change/remove clothing
· Surrender device Loss of device/technology privileges
· Loss of motor vehicle privileges
· Loss of school privileges Removal from class or school activity
· Detention
· Saturday detention
· Parent contact.
Scheduled school consequences take precedent over athletic/extracurricular activities.
No additional school consequences apply for low level misconduct at athletic/extracurricular activity. / Misconduct receives one or more of the following options as appropriate:
· Warning
· Apology
· Change/remove clothing
· Surrender device
· Loss of device/technology privileges
· Loss of motor vehicle privileges
· Loss of athletic or extracurricular activity participation
· Removal from practice, game, or extracurricular activity
· Detention
· Saturday detention
· Parent contact.
No additional athletic or extracurricular activity consequences apply for low level misconduct in school.
Medium Level Misconduct
· Repeat of low level misconduct
· Egregious language
· Egregious behavior
· Egregious use of communication, music, or technology devices (JICJ JICL)
· Egregious use of motor vehicle (JLIE)
· Cut class
· Insubordination
· Repeat plagiarism / · Loss of school privileges applies in all cases.
· Loss of device privileges applies in all cases involving communication, music, or technology devices.
· Loss of vehicle privileges applies in all cases involving motor vehicle.
· Misconduct receives all of the following options.
· Apology as appropriate
· In-school suspension (ISS)
· Parent contact and/or meeting / · Loss of athletic or extracurricular activity participation applies in all cases.
· Loss of device privileges applies in all cases involving communication, music, or technology devices.
· Loss of vehicle privileges applies in all cases involving motor vehicle.
· Misconduct receives all of the following options.
· Apology as appropriate
· In-school suspension (ISS)
· Parent contact and/or meeting
The following consequences also apply for students issued an ISS for misconduct in school and/or at athletic/extracurricular activities.
Ineligibility begins the day of misconduct and ends the day all ineligible games/events have been completed.
· 1st ISS incident - 1 game ineligibility for each ISS day
· 2nd ISS incident – 2 game ineligibility for each ISS day
· 3rd ISS incident – athletic eligibility revoked for the remainder of the school year
· No practice, game, or event on day of ISS
· May practice once ISS is completed
· Missed games/events on day of misconduct and ISS days count toward ineligibility total
· The next scheduled game(s)/event(s) following the ISS will be used to complete the total game/event ineligibility count. Student must attend game/event with team/group, but is not permitted to participate.
High Level Misconduct
· Repeat of medium level misconduct
· Leave school without permission
· Habitual failure to follow school rules
Severe Level Misconduct
· Discriminating/harassing (JBA JBAA)
· Assault (JICD-RR)
· Fighting (JICD-RR)
· Threatening (JICD-RR)
· Theft (JICD-RR)
· Vandalism (JICD-RR)
· Arson and/or false fire alarms (JICD-RR)
· Gang activity (JICF)
· Hazing (JICFA)
· Tobacco products (JICG)
· Alcohol, drug, and other illegal substances (JICH)
· Weapon (JICI)
· Bullying (JICK) / · Loss of school privileges applies in all cases.
· Loss of device privileges applies in all cases involving communication, music, or technology devices.
· Loss of vehicle privileges applies in all cases involving motor vehicle.
· Misconduct receives all of the following options.
· Apology as appropriate
· Out-of-school suspension (OSS)
· Parent contact and meeting
· Parent meeting prior to return
Following options may also apply:
· Counseling prior to return
· Course prior to return
· Plan prior to return
· Special assignment
· Restitution
· Probation
· Expulsion. / · Loss of school privileges applies in all cases.
· Loss of device privileges applies in all cases involving communication, music, or technology devices.
· Loss of vehicle privileges applies in all cases involving motor vehicle.
· Misconduct receives all of the following options.
· Apology as appropriate
· Out-of-school suspension (OSS)
· Parent contact and meeting
· Parent meeting prior to return
Following options may also apply:
· Counseling prior to return
· Course prior to return
· Plan prior to return
· Special assignment
· Restitution
· Probation
· Expulsion.
The following consequences also apply for students issued an OSS for misconduct in school and/or at athletic/extracurricular activities. Ineligibility begins the day of misconduct and ends the day all ineligible games/events have been completed.
≤ 5 days out-of-school suspension (OSS)
· 1st OSS incident - 2 game ineligibility for each OSS day
· 2nd OSS incident – athletic eligibility revoked for the remainder of the school year
· No practice, game, or event on day of OSS
· No practice until total game/event ineligibility has been completed
· Missed games/events on day of misconduct and OSS days count toward ineligibility total
· The next scheduled game(s)/event(s) following the OSS will be used to complete the total game/event ineligibility count. Student cannot attend game/event with team/group.
>5 days out-of-school suspension (OSS)
· 1st OSS incident - athletic eligibility revoked for a full school year (177 school days) from the date of the incident (if OSS due to substance abuse incident student may apply for a reinstatement of eligibility after 60 school days if he/she has successfully completed a readmission contract which includes attendance of a substance abuse program)
· 2nd OSS incident for substance abuse – athletic eligibility revoked for a full school year (177 school days) from the date of the incident
School Bus (JICC) / · 1st offense – letter of warning
· 2nd offense –detention
· 3rd offense – privileges revoked
· Severity of offense may waive 1st and/or 2nd offense / · 1st offense – letter of warning
· 2nd offense –detention
· 3rd offense – privileges revoked
· Severity of offense may waive 1st and/or 2nd offense
1. Definition: Inappropriate misconduct is behavior that does not meet conduct outlined in school rules and regulations and district policy.