| Mt. Clemens Community Schools |
| Bylaws & Policies |
2431 - INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS
The Board of Education recognizes the value to the District and to the community of a program of interscholastic athletics for as many boys and girls as feasible.
The program of interscholastic athletics should provide students the opportunity to exercise and test their athletic abilities in a context greater and more varied than that which can be offered by a school or the School District alone.
The program should foster the growth of school loyalty with the student body as a whole and stimulate community interest in athletics.
Game activities and practice sessions should provide many opportunities to teach the values of competition and good sportsmanship.
Since the primary purpose of the athletic program is to enhance the education of participating students as indicated in this policy, the Board places top priority on maximum student participation and the values of good sportsmanship, team play, and fair competition, rather than on winning, particularly at sub-varsity levels. The Superintendent is to develop guidelines for coaches to follow which will ensure that as many team members as possible get the chance to play, so they have the opportunity to benefit from the learning experience.
The Board has adopted the eligibility standards set by the Michigan High School Athletics Association (MHSAA), except that in addition to the eligibility standards established by the MHSAA, to be eligible for any athletic activity a student athlete must:
| A. | achieve and maintain at least a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better based on a tri-weekly progress report as of August 20, 2008, and thereafter. The High School Principal, may grant a waiver to a student showing progress toward a 2.0 grade point average or because of extenuating circumstances; | |
| B. | not have failed more than one course in the semester prior to the semester in which s/he wishes to participate, effective the second semester of the academic year 2008-2009. |
To be eligible to participate in any Middle School athletic activity, a student must have maintained a 2.0 grade point average.
Use of a performance-enhancing substance by a student is a violation that will affect a student's athletic eligibility and extra-curricular participation, as determined by the Board.
The Superintendent shall develop appropriate administrative guidelines for the operation of the Athletic Program and a Code of Conduct for those who participate. Such guidelines should provide for the following safeguards:
| A. | Prior to enrolling in the sport: |
| 1. | the Board requires that each student enrolling in one of the District's interscholastic athletic programs agree to sign an enrollment application in which they agree to participate in a "reasonable suspicion" drug-testing program, conducted and paid for by the District, during the term of the athletic program in which the student will be participating; the Superintendent shall develop administrative guidelines which provide for a drug-testing procedure that will produce consistently reliable test results, and protect the student's right to privacy. Any student who tests positive for any drug other than a prescribed medication shall be disciplined in accordance with due process and the Discipline Code adopted by the Board. | ||
| Use of a performance-enhancing substance by a student is a violation that will affect a student's athletic eligibility and extra-curricular participation, as determined by the Board. | |||
| A list of performance-enhancing substances developed by the State Department of Community Health shall be included in AG 2431. This list will be distributed to parents and local physicians who might provide such test. | |||
| 2. | Each participant shall submit to a thorough physical examination by a qualified medical professional and parents shall report any past or current health problems along with a physician's statement that any such problems have or are being treated and pose no threat to the student's participation. |
| B. | Any student who is found to have a health condition which may be life-threatening to self or others shall not be allowed to participate until the situation has been analyzed by a medical review panel that has determined the conditions under which the student may participate. | |
| C. | Any student who incurs an injury requiring a physician's care is to have written approval by a physician prior to the student's return to participation. |
A female student shall be permitted to compete for a position in all interscholastic athletic activities. If the District has a girl's team in an interscholastic athletic activity, a female shall be permitted to compete for a position on any other team for that activity.
The Board commits itself to:
| A. | adopt policies (upon recommendation of the administration) which reflect the District's educational objectives and promote, the ideals of good sportsmanship, ethics, and integrity; | |
| B. | establish standards for athletic participation which reinforce as a positive role model and expecting the same from parents, fans participants, coaches, and other school personnel; | |
| C. | attend and enjoy school athletic activities, serving as a positive role model and expecting the same from parents, fans, participants, coaches, and other school personnel; | |
| D. | support and reward participants, coaches, school administrators, and fans who display good sportsmanship; | |
| E. | recognize the value of school athletic activities as a vital part of education; | |
| F. | comply with all Michigan High School Athletic Association rules, and State, and Federal regulations relating to interscholastic athletics. |
In order to minimize health and safety risks to student-athletes and maintain ethical standards, school personnel, coaches, assistant coaches and athletic trainers should never dispense, supply, recommend, or permit the use of any drug, medication or food supplement solely for performance-enhancing purposes.
The Superintendent shall develop guidelines which include the District's "Student Code of Conduct", the MHSAA's set of expectations for each participant as well as the Sportsmanship Code of Conduct that each participant is to follow. The Superintendent is authorized to implement suitable disciplinary procedures against those who violate any of these Codes of Conduct.
M.C.L.A. 380.1289, 380.1318
Good Sportsmanship Campaign, Michigan High School Athletic Association
Revised 2/16/93
Revised 7/25/96
Revised 4/18/07
Revised 4/2/08
Revised 8/20/08