Mount Calm Panther Extracurricular Code of Conduct

Mount Calm Panther Extracurricular Code of Conduct

We will strive together through athletic competition to achieve the highest degree of integrity, sportsmanship, fair play and mutual respect in preparation for good citizenship and leadership in society. Excellence comes from high expectations.

It is important that all athletes and parents understand that belonging to an athletic team or program is not only a privilege, it is an obligation and commitment that students and coaches make to one another over an extended period of time. This commitment requires all parties involved to understand that we all rely on each other to create a TEAM that will best represent each of us, our school, our community and our families. That commitment also requires sacrifices from an easier way of life. It involves consistently choosing “we” over “me”.

Discipline is a must in any successful athletic program. Unless discipline is maintained, respect of both coaches and players is lost. Our athletes are representatives of our school, and any behavior which could cause others to lose respect for our school or our program will not be tolerated. These policies apply to all athletes at school or away from school, while participating in a sport or in off-season, during the school year or in the summer. Because of this, we have set certain guidelines for our athletes.

Discipline

Discipline will be dealt with at the discretion of the coaches. Discipline will be designed to correct the misconduct and to encourage all students to adhere to their responsibilities as citizens of the school community. Disciplinary action will draw on the professional judgment of the reaches and administrators and on a range of discipline management techniques. Disciplinary action will be correlated to the seriousness of the offense, the student’s age and grade level, the frequency of the misbehavior, the student’s attitude, the effect of the misconduct of the school environment, and statutory requirements. Because of these factors, discipline for a particular offense may bring into consideration varying techniques and responses.

Students placed in I.S.S., suspension, or Alternative School, or expelled may not participate in, or attend extracurricular activities or any school activity during the term of the consequence. Violation of this rule will result in further disciplinary action and/or may result in criminal trespass charges being filed.

Refusal to accept any judgment and fulfill them with a good attitude will lead to immediate dismissal from athletics for a time to be determined by the Athletic Department, but not to exceed one year front the time of dismissal. Once dismissed however, the student must adhere to certain criteria set forth by the athletic department in order to be placed back into the athletic program. Failure to abide by these criteria could result in permanent dismissal from athletics with no opportunity to return.

An athlete may be disciplined or dismissed from a team for, but not limited to, the following actions:

• Poor attitude
• Disrespect for teammates, coaches, officials or any school personal will not be tolerated. This includes actions, language, or attitudes.
• Leaving school without notifying the coach in charge
• Insubordination- disobedience of coaches and teachers, whether they coach or teach you directly or not.
• Failure to participate in a prescribed workout
• Disrespect to coaches, teammates, or any adult
• Any conduct unbecoming of a Panther (Behavior which would cause others to lose respect for our school or our program)

Because we feel that the following offenses are more serious than others, we have given specific consequences for their behavior:

1. Any behavior resulting in placement in Alternative School (DAEP):
2. up to 50 miles and/or additional conditioning(at coaches discretion) and 6 weeks suspension.
3. Use of any tobacco product:
4. up to 50 miles and/or additional conditioning(at coaches discretion) and 3 weeks suspension.
5. Possession or use of illegal drugs and/or alcohol:
6. up to 50 miles and/or additional conditioning(at coaches discretion) and 6 weeks suspension.
7. If the drug or alcohol use is determined through Mount Calm ISD Drug Testing Program, then the athlete must adhere to the consequences provided in the drug testing policy as well as those required by the Athletic Department.
8. Stealing within the Athletic Department:
9. Athlete must adhere to the consequences provided in the Mount Calm Code of Conduct
10. up to 50 miles and/or additional conditioning(at coaches discretion.)

Workout Policy

To build and maintain a winning team, we feel that it is necessary that each athlete attend every practice, team meeting, and game. We also feel that an athlete should attempt to notify his/her coach as soon as he/she knows they are or may be unable to attend practice or a game so that the coach may make adjustments as needed. Word should not be sent by another student to the coach.

Excused absences are described below:

1. Illness- With note from Dr.
2. Doctor appointment- excused by the doctor
3. Death in the immediate family
4. Any exemption decided at the discretion of the coach in charge

*Parent notes are not accepted for missed workouts. Verbal communication is required from the athlete/parent/guardian if an athlete is not able to participate in a workout.

*A doctor’s note will be required for any further missed workouts. This note must include the date the athlete can begin working out and any restrictions that need to be followed.

Illness/Injury

1. Being ill or having an emergency is not skipping. If you are ill and are at school you are expected to attend practice (fully dressed out).
2. Being late, absent, and skipping shows a definite lack of concern for your teammates and other people.
3. Missed practice time must be made up(as you are missing the conditioning as well as team skill learning)
4. Report any injuries to your immediate coach as soon as possible. We will assess you, treat the injury or refer you to a medical professional.
5. If you are under a doctor’s care BRING SPECIFIC instructions as to what activities you may or may not do and for how long.

*If the coach in charge feels that the athlete’s absence is detrimental to the team, she may be dismissed from the team temporarily or permanently.

*Any absences from practices or games will result in extra work in the sport in which she in participating. This is necessary to maintain conditioning and not necessarily viewed as punishment.

*Absences from practice may affect the athlete’s participation time in a contest as the coach deems appropriate.

Problem Resolution

Athletes need to bring any and all problems to the in-season coach’s attention first. Most problems and misunderstandings can be handled in this manner.

*Parents may then contact the coach at school if further discussion is needed.

*If a problem still exists, further steps will be taken to alleviate the conflict.

*We ask that you do not confront any problem immediately following any contest (24 hr rule). We will be glad to schedule a conference the following day or as soon as possible depending on the coach’s availability. We want our athletes to learn problem resolution and maturity. We feel it is important for them to come to the coaches with any problems or concerns they may have. If you have any questions about this please speak to your athlete first.

Quitting Policy

The Athletic Department highly discourages quitting. We believe that commitment to a team and its requirements are not to be taken lightly. Therefore the following policy will govern quitting:

*All athletes are given until the first contest to decide if they want to make a full commitment to that sport. After that time, if an athlete quits, she will not be allowed to participate in the following sport. The athlete may still remain in athletics if agreed upon by the athlete and coaching staff.

*Participation in U.I.L. Sporting Events is a privilege not a vested right. The authority to remove or deny student’s participation in a sport or event rests with the coach staff.

Acknowledgement

I have read the athletic code and understand that the purpose of these rules and regulations are to ensure fairness and discipline in our athletic program. I also understand that my daughter must abide by these rules while participating in athletics at Mount Calm ISD. I also understand that each coach may have additional rules and requirements above and beyond those listed in the code of conduct and may be established for the sport he/she is coaching.

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Parent/Guardian Date

I have read the athletic code and understand that the purpose of these rules and regulations are to ensure fairness and discipline in our athletic program. I understand that I must abide by these rules if I wish to participate in athletics. I also understand that each coach may have additional rules and requirements above and beyond what is listed in this code that may be established for the sport he/she is coaching.

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Athlete Date