*All enclosed forms MUST be filled out and returned to the coach each season before any student-athlete is eligible for competition.
ATHLETIC CREED
I, ______, wish to participate in the athletic program provided by the Onteora Central School District. I realize participation is not a right, but rather an honor and a privilege.
I have read and will uphold the athletic code of conduct. As a team member, I represent this organization and realize my conduct reflects not only on myself, but my school, coach, teammates, and family. I realize that being a student-athlete is a full-time responsibility and does not end when I leave the practice session and/or contest.
I will be responsible in representing the school and community.
I will be responsible for my issued uniform/equipment and will return it at the end of the season in clean condition or forfeit participating in the next sport season.
I realize that once I earn a position on a team, I may only switch to another sport team during that season if special permission is granted by the Athletic Director and coaches of each team as specified in the athletic code. If I quit a team, I realize that I forfeit all privileges for awards and may jeopardize my chances for future participation.
I realize that any violation of the INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC CODE OF CONDUCT FOR ONTEORA STUDENT-ATHLETES will result in disciplinary action in accordance with said code.
______
Student-Athlete Signature Date
Onteora Central School District
Interscholastic Athletic Consent Form
By signing this form I give consent for my child to participate in the interscholastic sport specified below. I have read, fully understand, and acknowledge the rules and regulations governing student-athletes as specified in the INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC CODE OF CONDUCT FOR ONTEORA STUDENT-ATHLETES.
By signing this form, I acknowledge that I am aware of the risks and injuries common to physical activity and athletic participation. I understand that any violation of the INTERSCHOLATIC ATHLETIC CODE OF CONDUCT FOR ONTEORA STUDENT-ATHLETES will result in disciplinary action in accordance with said code.
I will do my best to help my student-athlete uphold these regulations and will support the coach, athletic director, and school when enforcement of these rules is necessary.
Sport______Coach______
Parent/Guardian’s name (Print) ______
Parent/Guardian’s Signature ______
Student-Athlete’s Name (Print) ______
Student-Athlete’s Signature ______
Home Address ______
Telephone # ______
Emergency Contact ______Telephone #______
Medical Conditions (if any) ______
______
June 27, 2011 Revision
INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC CODE OF CONDUCT
FOR ONTEORA STUDENT-ATHLETES
Any student joining an athletic team accepts the added responsibility of that membership. Being a part of an athletic team(s) is a privilege. Student-athletes must abide by the rules, regulations, responsibilities and guidelines that accompany this privilege. Student-athletes must adhere to the rules set forth by the Onteora Central School District, Mid-Hudson Athletic League, Section IX, and the New York State Public High School Athletic Association.
PERSONAL AND TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES
1. All athletes have a responsibility to achieve and remain in top physical condition during their sport season.
2. The building and maintenance of team morale is the responsibility of all athletes.
3. Athletes must comply with all team rules and regulations. If an athlete fails to comply with the standards, and indicates an insufficient desire to participate, he/she may be denied the privilege of participating.
Equipment:
1. Every athlete is responsible for the security of his or her own equipment.
2. Care in the use of school-owned athletic equipment is expected.
3. An athlete is financially responsible for issued equipment. Athletic equipment is to be used only for the activity for which it was issued.
4. Student-athletes will not be allowed to try out or practice for the next sport season until all equipment is accounted for. Graduating seniors will have awards and diplomas withheld.
Policy for Changing Teams:
Once the sport season has started, any athlete wishing to change from one team to another, may only do so with the consent of the Athletic Director and coaches of both teams involved. Changing teams can be detrimental to team morale and unfair to the athletes of both teams. If all agree that no ill effects will be suffered, it may be permitted.
If a student-athlete quits a team, they will forfeit all privileges for awards and may jeopardize chances for future participation.
ATTENDANCE REGULATIONS
1. All student-athletes must be in attendance for the full school day in order to compete in a contest and/or practice on that day. Legal excuses for part day absences, such as doctor’s appointments meet this attendance requirement. Part day absences shall be defined by no more than three consecutive periods. Attendance in school related activities counts toward fulfilling attendance requirements.
2. Student-athletes must be prepared and punctual to all contests and practices. If an absence is going to occur for any reason the coach must be given prior notice.
3. Athletes who stay after school for academic assistance will not be penalized if the coach is given prior notice. However if you are having difficulty balancing academics and athletics, you must speak with your coach and the Athletic Director.
4. All team members will ride the authorized vehicle to and from all contests and practices. When written notification from parents is given to the athletic director the day prior to the contest, an athlete may leave with another athlete’s parents. Both parents and coach will be notified of approval. Athletes will be provided one late bus pass for each season they participate. Late bus passes may only be used by members of a team in season. Abuse of a late bus pass will result in loss of eligibility for the next season.
5. Team members, who are medically excused from physical education, or unprepared for class, may not practice or compete that day.
BEHAVIOR
1. Athletes are expected to demonstrate respect for authority and the rights of others. Student-Athletes are expected to follow all school rules and regulations during their association with an athletic team.
2. Student-Athletes are expected to respect the rights of opponents, officials, teammates and all persons in positions of authority. Athletes are expected to control their tempers and demonstrate good sportsmanship. Obscene language, gestures, and inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated while participating in any sports activity.
3. Good sportsmanship and citizenship are expected of all athletes. Good school citizenship involves regular attendance and appropriate conduct while in school. Physical altercations are considered poor school citizenship and reflect poor conduct. If referred to the administration for such conduct, an athlete will be subject to disciplinary action ranging from suspension to dismissal from interscholastic athletics.
4. There will be no tolerance for infractions such as the use of alcohol, tobacco (in any form), or illicit drugs (marijuana, cocaine, steroids, performance-enhancing drugs, amphetamines, hallucinogens, and all other controlled substances). SUSPENSION AND/OR DISMISSAL FROM ATHLETIC PARTICIPATION WILL BE THE CONSEQUENCE FOR THESE INFRACTIONS.
5 . There will be no tolerance for conduct such as hazing, theft, fraud, gambling, destruction of property, vandalism, fighting; illegal or unauthorized possession; use or sale of firearms or other dangerous weapons; or other illegal actions or behaviors. SUSPENSION AND/OR DISMISSAL FROM ATHLETIC PARTICIPATION WILL BE THE CONSEQUENCE FOR THESE INFRACTIONS.
6. All regular school day related disciplinary action (i.e. suspensions, detentions) will be honored and also carry over as restrictions for athletic participation. Athletes, who are being held after school for detention purposes, affect team morale and preparation for competition. Loss of playing time may result at the coach’s discretion.
CONSEQUENCES FOR VIOLATIONS
Consequences for violating the code of conduct will be based on the nature of the misconduct, level of severity, and the frequency of misconduct. Continued abuse of the athletic code may result in dismissal and/or denial of future participation in athletics while enrolled in the Onteora Central School District. Guidelines pertaining to consequences for violations are as follows:
1. Disciplinary action and/or suspension at the discretion of the coach may not exceed two weeks without consultation with the Athletic Director and the implementation of due process procedures.
2. Hazing, a form of harassment whether it is physical or verbal, should not be condoned by a victim, coach, staff, family, school personnel, fellow students and especially team members. Students found to have planned, directed, encouraged, aided or participated in an act of harassment against any student in the Onteora School District, including team members will be subject to suspension and/or dismissal from their athletic team. Team members are fully expected to notify a coach if any such behavior is observed. (Please note district and state definitions of hazing and harassment).
3. Dismissal and/or suspension from the team will result for serious infractions such as smoking, use of alcohol, drug use, “hazing” or forms of hazing, harassment, bullying, vandalism, theft, fraud, gambling, destruction of property, use or sale of firearms or other dangerous weapons.
4. Violations that reflect poor community citizenship may result in suspension or dismissal from the team. If dismissed from the team prior to the completion of 50% of the regular season competitions, the athlete will be ineligible to participate in athletics for the remainder of that season, including any postseason activities. If dismissed from the team after the completion of 50% of the regular season competitions, the athlete will be ineligible to participate in athletics for the remainder of that season and the following sport season, including any post season activities for either season. The sports seasons are defined as fall, winter, and spring.
5. Any student-athlete demonstrating obscene gestures while in transit to and from an athletic event and/or during home or away contests will be subject to dismissal from the team and/or denial for future high school competition.
6. Any student-athlete striking and/or attempting to put the safety and welfare of personnel working the game and/or contests in jeopardy (i.e. officials, scorekeepers, chaperones, etc.) will be subject to dismissal from the team and become ineligible for a period no greater than one year from the date of the infraction. Suspension will be determined by administration.
7. NYSPHSAA sportsmanship regulations address disqualification and/or suspension of athletes that are in violation of the sportsmanship rule. Any student-athlete in violation of the sportsmanship rule will be suspended from the next scheduled contest. Athletes may practice during that time, but are not eligible to be in uniform and/or compete in said contest, nor be on site of said contest. A subsequent infraction will result in suspension from the next two contests and will carry over to the next season if the incident occurs in the final game.
8. As stated in the MS/HS handbook, any student may be, at the discretion of the Administration, suspended from the organization for misconduct (on or off school premises), which creates a substantial and material disruption of school activities or endangers the health, safety or welfare of students or staff. An opportunity for a meeting with the coach or Administrator in which the student is given an opportunity to hear the charge and respond will normally occur prior to the suspension. Violations that reflect poor community citizenship will result in suspension or dismissal from the team. If dismissed from the organization the student will be ineligible to participate in extra curricular activities for the rest of the school year. Action occurring in the spring season will affect the following fall and winter seasons. Action occurring in the winter season will affect the spring and fall seasons.
NOTE: Disqualifications from one sport season carry over to the next sport season of participation.
NOTE: Violations of this code may also result in further consequences under the District’s Code of Conduct, depending upon the nature of the infraction.
DUE PROCESS PROCEDURE
1. The office of the Athletic Director will manage notification of any code violation and disciplinary action to the parent/guardian of the student-athlete involved. A copy of this notification will also be sent to the student-athlete’s coach and principal. A follow-up telephone call will be made by the coach to ensure parental notification.
2. If the student-athlete/parents/guardians continue to disagree with the disciplinary solution, a first appeal may be made by contacting the office of the Athletic Director and arranging a hearing with the Athletic Director, Principal, and Coach.
3. If the student-athlete/parents/guardians continue to disagree with the disciplinary solution, a second appeal may be made by requesting a hearing with the Superintendent. This hearing may also include the Athletic Director, Principal, and Coach.
4. If the student-athlete/parents/guardians continue to disagree with the disciplinary solution, a final appeal may be made by requesting a hearing with the Board of Education.
POLICY FOR ATHLETE PHYSICALS
All student-athletes participating in interscholastic competition must have a sports physical conducted by the school physician before participating in his or her first organized team practice and/or tryout. One physical qualifies a student-athlete for the entire calendar year unless he or she is injured. However, before the participation of each separate season (fall, winter, spring), the student-athlete must complete the Interval Health History Form and turn it into the nurse’s office before the start of that season. Without this form, a student-athlete WILL NOT be eligible to participate in any tryouts, practices, or competitions. If a student elects to have a physical by his or her own physician, fee payment is the responsibility of the parent or guardian and must follow these steps:
1. Obtain a physical form and sports approval card from the health office.
2. Make an appointment with his/her private physician and have said physician complete the physical form and sign the approval card noting conditions, if any, which may disqualify a candidate for participation.
3. Return completed forms to the Athletic Director or health office for review for final approval by the school physician.
4. If a student-athlete misses five (5) consecutive days of participation due to injury or illness, he/she must be re-evaluated and approved by the school physician to resume participation. The school nurse will obtain clearance through the school physician or arrange for another physical.