The Marceline R-V School District is a member of the Lewis and Clark Conference and Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA). As members of these groups, we adhere to policies set down for the display of good sportsmanship by athletes, students, fans, parents and patrons. Member schools are to enforce sportsmanship rules for our own school, players and spectators. Violation of rules can result in the following consequences: written reprimand, probation, suspension, ejection or permanent removal from events. Consequences are in force for players, coaches, students, parents and fans.

All school discipline policies and rules apply to the Marceline R-V School District students at school activities whether they are held on school property or away from school.

For Players, Coaches and Fans:

The Marceline R-V School District grounds (inside and outside) are, by the Marceline R-V School District Board Policy, a tobacco-free environment. There is to be no smoking or other form of tobacco use inside the building or outside on any school or athletic grounds.

Introduction

The Activities Code of Conduct for the Marceline R-V activities program is meant to encourage students who represent the school in one or more of its activities to abide by local, state and federal laws and restrictions pertaining to the use of tobacco, alcoholic beverages and controlled substances. It is intended to encourage parents, faculty members, administrators and board members to demonstrate commitment to established policies which state that we will teach students about substance use and abuse. This Code of Conduct also addresses our policies regarding sportsmanship, citizenship, eligibility standards and transportation. It is intended to address student violations in a uniform manner between and among activities. It is very important that the students realize it is a privilege to represent our school and they are expected to do their best. The Code of Conduct is intended to be separate and in addition to the discipline policies as outlined in Board Policy 2610.

Rationale

Students who participate in athletics and co-curricular activities are thought of as school leaders. They represent the school in the eyes of the community. They serve as role models for other students. As such, these students should be held to a high standard of behavior. Such students need to maintain their physical and mental well-being not only while at school and school-sponsored activities, but at other times as well. In an effort to achieve these goals, Marceline R-V has developed a prevention program which includes an Activities Code of Conduct. To participate in school-sponsored athletics and designated school-sponsored activities, an Activities Code of Conduct agreement form must be signed by students, and their parents are requested to indicate support of the Code by signing the appropriate papers along with their student.

Student Eligibility Standards

Marceline Middle School/High School is a member of the Missouri State High School Activities Association and will abide by the rules and decisions of this association. Determining eligibility is the basic responsibility of the secondary principal.

In order to represent Marceline Middle School/High School in any extracurricular activity a student must meet all eligibility requirements of the MSHSAA as well as the following school requirements:

Marceline Ministerial Alliance Agreement

Co-Curricular Activities

Co-Curricular activities are extensions of specific credit courses offered as part of the academic curriculum. Music activities (except Jazz Band), drama class productions and art exhibits are some examples. Participating students must meet all the school eligibility requirements listed above with the exception of the 2.0 GPA provision.

Regulations for Team Managers

Travel to and from Contests

Students-athletes must ride the provided transportation to and from the event. A student will not be allowed to drive themselves to an event. Only in a unique circumstance approved by the Principal or Activities Director will they be allowed to ride to an event with parents. A student will be allowed to ride home with parents after they have made personal contact and signed their child out. If a student is to ride home with another parent, the proper paperwork must be completed and approved by the Principal or Activities Director prior to the event. An example of that form is on page 8 of this Code of Conduct.

Scheduling Resolutions Standards

Students should make the best choices when participating in activities to avoid conflicts between activities. This involves good communication, decision-making skills, prioritizing and long-range goals and aspirations. However, when a conflict arises between two school-sponsored activities, administrative priority will examine this order or precedence:

Section A. Purpose

In order that the standards and ideals of Marceline R-V will be upheld and uniformly enforced, the Board of Education has established the following rules of conduct, both in and out of school, which all students and parents of students involved should clearly understand.

Section B. Definitions (For clarity and understanding, some definitions follow.)

Section C. Findings

Students in activities or athletics who violate the district’s rules and regulations on tobacco, drug or alcohol use or possession at school or during school activities, in addition to the consequences set out herein, are subject to established consequences in the Marceline School District discipline policy.

The following penalties shall be imposed upon participants in extra-curricular activities determined to be guilty – by law enforcement officials, appropriate school personnel, or by participant admission of guilt – of using, possessing, or promoting alcohol, tobacco or controlled substances. Conviction in a court is not required to impose a penalty if strong evidence exists that an infraction has occurred. If a participating student, after an informal hearing before the principal and activities director, is found to have committed a violation as described in this code, either in or out of school, the participating student shall thereupon be declared ineligible to participate in school activities. The student shall remain out of such activities for the pertinent time limits prescribed below.

Item 1: 1st Offense Tobacco (including E-Cig) – Thestudent will be suspended from participation in 10-20% of the total scheduled events (excluding practices) in which they would otherwise be eligible to participate, according to eligibility requirements determined by the Marceline R-V School District and the MSHSAA. They are still required to attend practice. Participation in practice is up to the Coach/Sponsor until suspension is complete.

2nd Offense Tobacco – The student will be suspended from participation for the full season in which they would otherwise be eligible to participate.

3rd Offense Tobacco – The student will be withheld from participating in all extra-curricular activities for 365 days from the time of the second offense.

The tobacco portion will be enforced the same, whether the student is determined to be guilty before or during the season.

1st Offense Alcohol/Controlled Substance – Thestudent will be suspended from participation in 10-50% of the total scheduled events (excluding practices) in which they would otherwise be eligible to participate, according to eligibility requirements determined by the Marceline R-V School District and the MSHSAA. They are still required to attend practice. Participation in practice is up to the Coach/Sponsor until the suspension is complete.

2nd Offense Alcohol/Controlled Substance – The student will be withheld from participating in all extra-curricular activities for 365 days from the time of the second offense.

The Alcohol/Controlled Substance policy outlines what will happen to a student who violates the policy outside of their activity/season. If a student is determined guilty during their activity/season, they will be disciplined immediately. *The building principal and activities director will determine if the student’s next activity/season will be affected by the suspension, depending on how much of the current season is left.

Students not participating in an extra-curricular activity:

Documentation will be kept by the building principal and the activities director will meet with the principal three days prior to the start of practice for each sport. *This will include summer activities and camps.

Item 2: Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no participating student shall be allowed to again participate in school activities until he or she has completed any and all of the above-described directions and requirements in the decision reached by a majority of the hearing officials.

Item 3: Any student found to be ineligible under this code will also be placed on probation for a two year period, which includes the period of ineligibility. If a student has no additional offenses during the probationary period, any offense under this code after the probationary period shall be considered a first offense.

When a student is serving a suspension and it is a game/performance night, they are allowed to attend, but will only be on the sideline/bench, with no display of a uniform.

Section D. Athletic Equipment

All athletes are responsible for the preservation of the school’s athletic equipment. Equipment issued to athletes must be returned to the coach at the end of the season. Athletes will be held financially responsible for any lost or misplaced equipment. Deliberate mutilation of school property or equipment will be charged to the athlete. Equipment includes any uniforms or clothing, which is issued by the coach for the purpose of participation in a particular sport. Athletes not returning school issued equipment or not paying for lost or damaged equipment will not be allowed to participate in any further interscholastic competition at Marceline R-V. Senior athletes will not receive graduation diplomas until equipment obligations are met.

Section E. Defacing or Destroying Property

Any athlete who defaces or destroys property of the Marceline R-V School District, property of staff members of the Marceline R-V School District or property of other school districts or their staff members will be subject to the following actions:

1st Offense: The parents/guardians will be notified by the principal or head coach. Depending on the nature and extent of the defacement or damages, the appropriate law enforcement agency shall be contacted and the athlete will be subject to discipline, suspension or dismissal by the coach and financial restitution for all damaged property at replacement cost.

2nd Offense: The parents/guardians will be notified by the head coach. Depending on the nature and extent of the defacement or damages, the appropriate law enforcement agency shall be contacted. The athlete will be subject to termination from the team and suspended from all athletic competition for a competitive eight (8) week period and financial restitution for all damaged property at replacement cost.

Section F. Student Suspension

Students will be suspended from participating in extra-curricular activities for the following reasons.

Saturday Detention Note: Saturday Detention has replaced ISS. Saturday Detention is one of our main discipline tools which allows us to keep students in school and up on their work. If a student is assigned Saturday Detention, he or she will not be allowed to participate in any extra-curricular activity or practice for that Saturday. If the student does not serve their Saturday Detention and it is not excused, he or she will not be allowed to participate in any extra-curricular activity until 8:00 the Saturday Detention is served. The student who is involved in an activity while serving Saturday Detention will be allowed to attend an activity or practice, but not participate.

Section G. Unsportsmanlike Acts

Such acts which are malicious in nature during a contest resulting in ejection shall cause the athlete to be ineligible to represent the school for at least the next contest. An athlete who commits such an act, but is not ejected may also be subject to at least a one game restriction from representing the school. Each case of this type is to be reviewed by the head coach, activities director and principal before a final decision is reached.

Section H. Students Covered

This code shall apply to grades 7 through 12 of the Marceline R-V School District.

Section I. Other Applicable Rules

This Code of Conduct is supplemented by the Student Complaints and Grievances Procedures as adopted and amended by The Board of Education of the Marceline R-V School District.

Section J. Procedures and Appeals

The coach/sponsor, in consultation with the activities director and school administrator, may suspend a student from activities after having given him/her the right to be heard. The suspension decision may be appealed to the principal. The principal’s decision will be final. The student and/or his/her parent/guardian may appeal actions taken pursuant to this policy.

The school principal or activities director will send a written decision to the parent/guardian within two days of the decision.

Parent/Coach Communication

Both parenting and coaching are extremely difficult vocations. By establishing an understanding of each position, we are better able to accept the actions of the other and provide greater benefits to students. As parents, when your student becomes involved in our program, you have a right to understand what expectations are placed on your student. This begins with clear communication form your student’s coach.

Communication You Should Expect From A Coach

As students become involved in the programs at Marceline R-V Schools, they will experience some of the most rewarding moments in their lives. It is important to understand that there also may be times when things do not go the way you or your student wishes. At these times discussion with the coach is encouraged. This should be done after the student has first discussed his/her concerns with the coach.

Communication Coaches Expect From Parents

Appropriate Concerns to Discuss with Coaches

It is very difficult to accept your student not playing as much as you may hope. Coaches are professional. They make judgment decisions based on what they believe to be the best for all students involved. As you have seen from the list above, certain things can be and should be discussed with your student’s coach. Other things, such as those listed next, must be left to the discretion of the coach.

Issues Not Appropriate to Discuss with Coaches

There are situations that may require a conference between the coach and the parent. These are to be encouraged. It is important that both parties involved have a clear understanding of the other’s position. When these conferences are necessary, the following procedures should be followed to help promote a resolution to the issue of concern.

The Next Step

What a parent is to do if the meeting with the coach did not provide a satisfactory resolution:

NOTE: Failure to follow the appropriate steps of communication could result in a meeting with the administration and possible suspension from attending Marceline activities.

Chain of Command

The chain of command should be followed when addressing issues/concerns:

Responsibilities

Student - Bring concerns to the sponsor/coach first.

Parent - Encourage student to speak with sponsor/coach. Follow chain of command.

Sponsor/Coach - Communicate with student regarding expectations, philosophy, and ways to improve. Listen.

Activities Director - Listen to concerns, express appropriate chain of command, and communicate with all parties.

Principal - Listen to concerns, express appropriate chain of command, communicate with all parties, and take appropriate action.

Superintendent - Listen to concerns, express appropriate chain of command, communicate with all parties, and take appropriate action.

School Board - Listen to concerns and ensure that appropriate chain of command has been followed. Review decision.

Since research indicates a student involved in co-curricular activities has a greater chance of success during adulthood, these programs have been established. Many of the character traits required to be successful participants are exactly those that will promote a successful life after high school. We hope the information provided within this handbook makes both your student and your experience with Marceline Activities a positive one.

This sheet must be signed by the parties indicated and returned to the activity director to be kept in the main office. This form must be signed and on file before a student will be allowed to participate.

Prior to participating in any practice or tryout sessions for any interscholastic sport, each athlete must:

As a school’s student/athlete voluntarily participating in interscholastic activities/athletics, I acknowledge that:

REMOVE THIS PAGE AND RETURN TO THE ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR