Sylvania City School District
Bylaws & Policies
 

5500.01 - CODE OF CONDUCT FOR EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES/ATHLETICS

Participants are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that will not bring discredit to themselves or their school. They should not be involved in the use of alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, or tobacco. Failure to abide by the  Code of Conduct, or other behavior derogatory to the individual or the program during the calendar year, will lead to denial of participation.

No student shall possess, conceal, use, convey to another, be in the presence of illegal drug/alcohol activity, or offer for sale, or attempt to purchase any alcoholic beverage, illegal drugs, non-prescribed drugs, prescribed drugs illegally used, look alike drugs, or any mind altering substance. A student will abide by the rules, regulations, and policies of the Sylvania Schools and the laws of the community at large. Included in the prohibition are any substances represented as controlled substances, drug paraphernalia, and tobacco. A violation of this policy by any student who participates in and extracurricular activity shall be deemed in violation of the  Code of Conduct, and the student shall be subject to the penalties described herein. Penalties for violation of this  Code of Conduct shall apply to both athletic and extracurricular participation concurrently.

This  Code of Conduct must be signed before the student participates in any extracurricular tryout, practice, game or event. The student will be subject to the  Code of Conduct for the entire calendar year.

The  Code of Conduct shall be deemed to have been violated under the following circumstances: (1) when a student is observed in violation of the  Code of Conduct by school personnel or (2) when a student has been charged by any law enforcement officer with an activity prohibited by this code, or (3) by an admission of violation by the student or his/her parents, or (4) when a student brings discredit to himself/herself or the school (including but not limited to being at an underage party where drugs/alcohol are present, vandalism, fighting, theft…).

SELF-REFERRAL/PARENTAL REFERRAL

Any student and parents may employ a "self-referral" procedure, allowing the student an avenue to seek guidance, assessment/counseling and/or treatment in regard to the use of alcohol, drugs and tobacco. Voluntary or parental referrals do not carry punitive consequences. A self-referral/parental referral, however is not to be used by students and parents as a method to avoid consequences once an alcohol and/or drug policy violation has occurred. All self-referrals by a student/athlete must begin by informing a staff member, coach/advisor, or Athletic Director/Administrator. The Sylvania Schools believe it is extremely important to keep the lines of communication open between parents, students, coaches, teachers, and administrators. Parents and students shall be encouraged to discuss problems in a confidential manner with school personnel without punitive consequences, regardless of a student’s level of participation in extracurricular and/or athletic activities.

Sylvania School will maintain a current list of community treatment and evaluation providers, which will be available to parents and students employing this self-referral procedures, as well as to any student found in violation of this  Code of Conduct. The cost as assessment and/or treatment is the sole responsibility of the student, parents or guardians.

PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT: ATHLETICS

A. First violation: The student shall not participate in any athletic activity for one (1) calendar year. Students who elect to receive professional assessment and assistance will be denied participation in twenty percent (20%) of the games in the current season as defined by the published schedule of games. Fractions of games shall be rounded to the nearest whole number. It the violation occurs at the end of the season, such that the full twenty percent (20%) penalty cannot be served, the remaining penalty shall be carried into the next season in which the student is a participant. The student will be denied the privilege to drive to school for twenty percent (20%) of the remaining semester.

 B.Second Violation: The student shall not participate in any athletic activity for only (1) calendar year. Students who elect to receive professional assessment and assistance will be denied participation in the remainder of the season in which they are presently competing, and, in addition, the sports season immediately following (A second violation occurs any time in a participant’s career after a first violation. Junior High (grades 7-8) and High School (grades 9-12) are considered separate careers.) The student will be denied the privilege to drive to school for the remainder of the school year.
 C.Third Violation: A third violation of the Code of Conduct will result in termination of athletic eligibility for the remainder of the student’s career. A student who has received professional assessment and assistance may petition the Code of Conduct Committee at the conclusion of one(1) calendar year from the date of the code violation for permission to participate in athletics the following year. (The Code of Conduct Committee will consist of the Assistant Principal and four (4) building staff members.) The student will be denied the privilege to drive to school for the rest of the student’s career in Sylvania Schools.
 D.Fourth Violation: A fourth violation will result in termination of athletic eligibility at Sylvania Schools for the remainder of the student’s career.

Participation in Practice

Pursuant to the stated philosophy of prevention and rehabilitation, Sylvania Schools recognizes the benefit of continuing involvement in the benefit of continuing involvement in structured, positive activities for its students. Therefore, a student who is denied participation from athletics under this Code of Conduct for a first violation must practice with the team and attend games (out of uniform). Coaches are encouraged to allow full participation in practice. A student who is denied participation for a second violation under this Code of Conduct shall not be permitted to participate in practice, attend any post-season banquets, or receive any awards.

PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT: CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS

 A.First violation: The student shall not participate in any extracurricular activity in which s/he is involved for one (1) calendar year. The penalty will be modified for any student who elects to receive professional assessment and assistance. Following the due process hearing, the student will be denied participation in all performances or activities as defined by each club or organization for up to twenty (20) consecutive school days (including weekends). The student will also be denied the privilege to drive to school for twenty (20) consecutive school days following the due processing hearing.
 B.Second Violation: The student shall not participate in any extracurricular activity or performance for one (1) calendar year. Any student who elects to receive professional assessment and assistance will be denied participation in the remainder of the performances or activities in which they are involved for the remainder of the quarter as well as the following quarter. (A second violation occurs any time in a participant’s career after a first violation. Junior High (grades 7-8) and High School (grades 9-12) are considered separate careers.) The student will also be denied the privilege to drive to school for the remainder of the school year.
 C.Third Violation: A third violation of the Code of Conduct will result in termination of all eligibility performances and activities for the remainder of the student’s career. Any student who has received professional assessment and assistance may petition the Code of Conduct Committee at the conclusion of one (1) calendar year from the date of the code violation for permission to participate in performances and activities the following year. (The Code of Conduct Committee will consist of the Assistant Principal and four (4) building staff members.) The student will be denied the privilege to drive to school for the rest of their career in Sylvania Schools.
 D.Fourth Violation: A fourth violation of the Code of Conduct will result in termination of all eligibility for performances and activities for the remainder of the student’s career in Sylvania Schools. At this point, no petition for reinstatement may be made.

Due Process

When an Athletic Director, Principal, or Assistant Principal has been notified of a student violation of this Code of Conduct, the following shall occur:

 A.The Athletic Director and/or Assistant Principal shall hold a meeting with the student to determine if a violation of the Code of Conduct has occurred. The Athletic Director/Assistant Principal shall make every reasonable attempt to contact the parents or guardians of the student before holding this meeting and parents may attend.
 B.When a determination of a violation of the Code of Conduct has been made by the Athletic Director/Assistant Principal, the parent/guardians of the student shall be notified in writing. Parents/Guardians shall be considered notified if they are present at the first meeting with the Athletic Director/Assistant Principal. This does not waive the obligation of written notification by regular mail.
 C.Any student, parent, or guardian may appeal a violation decision by notifying the Athletic Director/Assistant Principal of their intent to appeal. Such notification must be made in writing to the Athletic Director/Assistant Principal, within five (5) days of the date of determination of violation of the code. The Athletic Director/Assistant Principal will convene the Code of Conduct Committee, and will establish a date for the Appeal Hearing.
 D.After hearing the appeal, the Code of Conduct Committee will forward its recommendation to the Building Principal, who shall have the authority to either accept or overrule the recommendation of the Committee. It shall be the responsibility of the Building Principal to notify the student and his/her parents of the decision of the Code of Conduct Committee and the determination of the Building Principal.
 E.Any further appeals shall fall under the guidelines as established by the Board of Education.

Adopted 1/24/05