Winton Woods City School District
Bylaws & Policies
 

2431 - INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS

The Board of Education recognizes the value to the students of the District and to the community of a program of interscholastic athletics for students as an integral part of the total school experience.

The program should foster the growth of school loyalty within the student body as a whole and stimulate community interest in athletics.

The game activities and practice sessions should provide many opportunities to teach the values of competition and good sportsmanship.

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. It should also offer an opportunity for career and educational development.

For purposes of this policy, the program of interscholastic athletics shall include all activities. relating to competitive sport contests, games, events, or sport exhibitions involving individual students or teams of students of this District with those of another District.

The Board shall determine the standards of eligibility to be met by all students participating in the interscholastic program. Such standards shall require that each student be in good physical condition, be free of injury, and have fully recovered from illness before participating in any interscholastic athletic event. In addition to the eligibility requirements established by the Ohio High School Athletic Association, the Ohio General Assembly passed, in 1997, the Ohio Revised Code 3313.535, which, among other issues, requires Boards of Education of Ohio public schools to adopt policies establishing a minimum grade point average which students must attain and a pass/fail policy or a pre-requisite to participating in interscholastic, extra-curricular activities. To be eligible for any interscholastic extra-curricular activity, a student:
 A.must be enrolled in the Winton Woods City Schools as a full time student (grades 7-12);
 B.must have received a passing grade in all courses but one, for the grading period prior to the grading period in which s/he wishes to participate;
 C.must maintain at least a 1.0 grade point average during the eligible quarter.

A student entering the seventh grade for the first time will be eligible for all sports that Fall quarter. Thereafter, they will follow the above listed criteria for eligibility.

If an eligible student who becomes ineligible under Standard "B" improves his/her grade point average during the current grading period to meet the grade point eligibility standard, s/he may be reinstated.

Students who are ineligible to participate in the extra-curricular program will have the opportunity for a five (5) week probation period during which time s/he may continue participation in all facets of the extra-curricular program as long as:

 A.the academic deficiency does not place the student below OHSAA (Ohio High School Athletic Association) guidelines;
 B.a process is initiated by the student and his/her parents which includes all of the following:
  1.a petition to the principal requesting a hearing
  2.a hearing with the principal, counselor, coach, teacher (as appropriate) student and his/her parent
  3.a contract outlining all expectations for the five (5) week probation period
  4.this process needs to be initiated prior to the next scheduled game/event or no longer than a week following notification of ineligible status
 C.the principal will determine placement on probationary status based on information presented at the hearing;
 D.this probationary status can be sought and approved only one (1) time during a student's high school career;
 E.probation may not be sought during the first quarter of the freshman year, since the District standard for the middle school is the same as the OHSAA guidelines;
 F.teams and groups already in place (i.e., drill team, cheerleading, sports' teams) will determine the process to be used to replace a critical member lost to eligibility if deemed necessary. Auditions, tryouts, etc. will not be altered once completed on normal timelines.

The probationary eligibility shall require no unexcused absences, no more than two (2) tardies, acceptable student conduct and other provisions as determined by the principal.

These same eligibility standards shall apply to other co-curricular and extra-curricular activities sponsored by the District (see Policy 2430).

Students identified as disabled under R.C. 3323 and the IDEA are subject to the eligibility standards established by this policy unless specifically exempted by the express terms of their individualized education program (IEP). An IEP can specify the criteria by which a grade will be determined for [a] course[s], given the individualized student’s disability.

Since the primary purpose of the athletic program is to enhance the duration 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 a chance to play so they have the opportunity to benefit from the learning experience.

No student shall be excused from a class or supervised study for an extended period of time to participate in interscholastic athletics.

The Board further directs that only those students may participate in the program of interscholastic athletics who have:

 A.maintained a satisfactory academic record;
 B.attended school regularly;
 C.demonstrated good citizenship and responsibility;
 D.returned all school and athletic equipment;
 E.abided by guidelines established by the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA).

In order to minimize health and safety risks to student-athletes and maintain ethical standards, school personnel, coaches, athletic trainers, and lay coaches shall not dispense, supply, recommend, or permit the use of any drug, medication, or food supplement solely for performance-enhancing purposes. The Superintendent shall cause to be posted in all locker rooms in buildings that include students in any grade higher than the sixth grade, the following:

 

"Warning: Improper use of anabolic steroids may cause serious or fatal health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, growth deformities, infertility, personality changes, severe acne, and baldness. Possession, sale, or use of anabolic steroids without a valid prescription is a crime punishable by a fine and imprisonment."

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, each participant shall submit to a thorough physical examination by a physician and/or 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. The District shall assume no liability for any student with a health condition who has been authorized to play by the parents and their physician but not by the District.
 C.Any student who incurs an injury requiring a physician's care is to have the written approval of a physician prior to the student's return to participation.

The Superintendent is also to develop guidelines for ensuring that sportsmanship, ethics, and integrity characterize the manner in which the athletic program is conducted and the actions of students who participate. Such guidelines should include:

 A.criteria for judging these important qualities;
 B.procedures by which these values will be communicated to students, parents, and supporters;
 C.means for monitoring the behavior of each of these groups to ensure their behavior reflects high standards.

Students will be further informed that participation in interscholastic sports is a privilege and not a right, and that they may be prohibited from all or part of their participation in such activities by authorized school personnel without further notice, hearing and/or appeal rights (See Policy 5610.05 – Prohibition From Extra-Curricular Activities).

R.C. 2305.23, 2305.231, 3313.53, 3313.535, 3313.752, 3315.062
Ohio High School Athletic Association

March 25, 1996
Revised 1/26/98
Revised 6/22/98
Revised 4/23/01
Revised 8/25/08