ATHLETICACTIVITIES PROGRAM

As a complement to its academic courses,Columbia School District offers extra curricular programs which includeathletics, academic teams, and a variety of clubs involved in non-gradedactivities. The purpose of these programs are to provide instruction in areas of student interest, to develop self-discipline, to develop pride and dignity, to develop sportsmanship and teamwork, to develop successful competitors, to help prepare students for the competitive world after school, to develop leadership skills and to allow students to responsibly represent Columbia School.

Representing Columbia School is both a responsibility and a privilege. Therefore, it requires that those involved meet a higher standard than other students.

GENERALGUIDELINES

1:Local Rules and Regulations

1a:Columbia School District will offer the following interscholastic athletic programs for their high school and junior high students:

1a1: High School - Volleyball, B-8 Football, Basketball (girls and boys), Baseball, Softball, Track and Cheerleading.

1a2: Junior High - Volleyball, Football, Basketball (girls and boys), baseball and softball.

1a3: The school district may offer other activities if a suitable coach is available, suitable site for practice is available, and enough student athletes are available who wish to turn out for that sport.

1b: All students who participate in athletics must meet Washington Interscholastic Athletic Association requirements.

1c: All students who participate in athletics must meet the following Columbia School District requirements and have documentation on file in the office, prior to participating in a given sport season:

1c1: Physical examination. A physical examination must be completed by a physician at your expense. Physical examination forms are available in the office and are valid for two years from the date of the physical. Columbia School highly recommends that students receive a thorough exam if they want to use the two year option.

1c3: Evidence of paid enrollment in the school sponsored athletic insurance program or a parent signed insurance waiver for that sport/school year must be on file with the school office. The school insurance form and a waiver are available in the office.

1c4: ASB Card. Students must have paid ASB dues prior to participation in their first interscholastic game.

1d: Once a student has participated in a sport, they are considered an athlete until they graduate. Consequently, athletes who are out of season are expected to behave in a way which does not break the law, training regulations, or embarrass their school or team.

1e: When students enter the 9th grade, they will have a clean slate on discipline steps.

1f: Athletes may participate in any organized school athletic team while a member of a similar team upon approval of both coaches and school board approval.

1g: Any athlete who is injured or becomes seriously ill enough to require a doctor's note not to participate, will be required to have a written doctor's permission to resume the activity.

1h: Any athlete who quits a team for medical reasons must provide a doctors note or they will be considered to have quit the team.

2:Academic Standings

2a: Senior High student eligibility will be determined after each semester with additional grade checks every two weeks. Student athletes will be considered eligible to participate in extra-curricular activities if they are passing all their classes OR have no more than one “F” and have at least a 2.0 g.p.a.

Students, who fail to meet these standards, but meet WIAA minimum standards, will be suspended from competition until the next grade check (2 weeks). 

GradeChecks will be done on Wednesday afternoons. Eligibility or ineligibility will take affect first thing Thursday morning and remain in effect until the next grade check.

*note: Only the athletic director can officially declare a student athlete eligible or ineligible.

WIAA minimum grade standard requires a student to pass 6 of 7 classes for the previous semester. If astudent does not meet this standard they will be ineligible for competition for 5 weeks. A week must have at least 4 school days to count as a week. (If a Junior or Senior is not taking a full 7 period class schedule the student must be passing all classes)

2b:Junior High students are required to achieve the same standard as our senior high students.  JH students will be checked every Wednesday during the season. If a student fails to meet these standards they will be given one week of probation. During this week students are expected to use some practice time studying, but will be allowed to participate in the games. If a student fails to meet these standards two consecutive weeks, they will be ineligible to participate during the following week (Monday–Saturday).

2c: Special Education Students - Eligibility will be determined by the Special Education teacher and the administration with appeal rights for the student to his MDTcommittee. Special education studentswill be held accountable in regard to failing grades.

3:School Attendance Prior to a Contest or Practice

3a: In order to participate in practice or games, the participant must be in school attendance the full day of said practice or game. Any exceptions must be cleared through the Athletic Director or Principal prior to the absence. Excusable exceptions could be such as medical, dental, or any other circumstance the Athletic Director or Principal deems appropriate.

CONDUCTDURING THE SPORT SEASON

1:Coaches Guidelines for participants

1a: A student shall refrain from flagrant or abusive conduct directed toward a faculty member, coach, official, student, any opponent, or any member of the community while participating in the activity or sport. Disrespectful conduct of any team member will not be tolerated.

1b: Any actions during practice or games that violate student handbook policy will be referred to the principal for official disciplinary action.  Additional consequences from the coach may also be applied.

1c: Each respective coach will establish his/her own team rules, which can include curfew, dress code, hair length code, and any other rules he/she deems necessary to conduct an orderly and successful program.

1d: All athletes shall attend all practices, meetings, contests, etc., unless excused by the coach or the athlete is absent during the school day from classor multiple classes.

1e: The following table will be used to apply athletic consequences to those student athletes that violate our student handbook and receive disciplinary action through the principal.

2: Useor carrying of tobacco (smoking or chewing).

2a: The use or possession of any type of tobacco product is prohibited.  If caught at school or during a school activity the student will be referred to the principal’s office and consequences will be based on the table in 1e. 

2b: If the students is turned into the athletic director for the use of tobacco outside of school or a school activity the following steps will be taken.

1st Violation: The athlete will serve a three days sport suspension. Their suspension must include at least one contest. The athlete will not practice during this suspension time.

2nd Violation: The athlete will serve a six day sport suspension, and they will miss 1/4th of the games for that season. (The penalty will carry over into the next season if needed) This step will be repeated if more steps are needed.

3:Major rule violations

3a: No carrying of, distribution of, possession of, or being under the influence of narcotics, dangerous drugs,controlled substances, or alcoholic beverages. Appearance or attendance at parties or gatherings where alcoholic beverages or drugs are being illegally used is prohibited.

3b: Legend Drugs. This code will follow WIAA and State of Washington rules dealing with Legend Drugs (legend drugs are defined as drugs that are legal only through prescription).

3c: Major Crimes: These are incidences which would be reported to the law. (Examples: theft, assault, possession of a dangerous weapon)

3d: Any of the above that take place at school or a school activity will require the student to be referred to the principal’s office and consequences will be based on table 1e.

3e: reports to the Athletic Director of violations of the above rules outside of school or aschool activity.

1st Violation The athlete will serve a 10 day sport suspension, and they will miss 1/2 of the games for that season. (The penalty will carry over into the next season if needed)

2nd Violation The athlete will be suspended from athletics for one calendar year. Note: Merit award: Upon completion of the suspension, the student will be put on probation for one year. If during this time the student has no more major rule violations, he/shewill be allowed to reduce their major rule violation standing by one. Note:When a student is ineligible to participate they will not be allowed to travel with the team or be on the sidelines with the team.

3f: Off Season Violations: If a violation occurs during an off season, an athlete will be given the choice between serving their violation step consequences, or taking an opportunity to do community service. A student could complete 20 hours of community service for a first violation. Hours must be completed in a timely manner as assigned by the Athletic Director and/or principal.  There is no community service option for a second violation.

4:Quitting Rule

4a: Students will be allowed to quit a sport during the first ten days of practice without repercussion. If a student must quit after the 10 day grace period due to extenuating circumstances, he/she must meet with the coach and athletic director or principal to discuss such circumstances.

4b: If a student athlete quits or is kicked off a team they will be required to miss ¼ of the games of the next sport they choose to participate in.

5:Appeal Procedure

5a: All students and athletes have access to appeal under WAC 180-40. If an athlete has been disciplined or suspended from a sport squad for any reason, he/she shall have the opportunity to appeal the decision. The student will be notified, in writing, of the appeal process by the Principal or Athletic Director.

Procedure

1st step: The athlete should first approach the head coach of the in-season sport and tell him/her of his/her intentions to appeal (this must be done within three (3) school days ofthe suspension notification). The coach will notify the Principal.

2nd step: If the athleteor coach is not satisfied with the decision of the Principal, he/she should then appeal the decision (within three (3) school days) to the Superintendent, who shall review the case and make a decision. The decision of the Superintendent shall be final.

6:Equipment

6a: Issued Equipment - School equipment checked out by the student is his/her responsibility. He/she is expected to keep it clean and in good condition. Loss of issued equipment or damage to issued equipment will be the student's financial obligation.

6b: Wearing issued equipment - Issued equipment is to be worn only while participating with the team in practice or during a scheduled contest.The WIAA prohibits the use of school issued equipment while participating in any event outside the yearly program or activities not sponsored by the WIAA.

6c: A participant who drops from asport squad without turning in his/her issued practice or game equipment will forfeit his/her right to participate in any other sport season and will have credits and grades withheld until proper restitution has been made.

NOTE: No athlete will be allowed to participate in a sport until all previously issued equipment has been returned or proper restitution made.

7a: The school district provides students with excellent physical facilities for athletics at great expense in the form of taxes to parents and community members. Therefore, it is important the students exercise care and personal regard for these facilities.

7b: Misuse of dressing room facilities, lockers, towels, benches, gymnasium, or field facilities will not be permitted.

NOTE: Failure to comply with this regulation may result in denial of their use.

8:Travel

8a: Permission for a student to ride with another student will NOT be given at any time.

8b: Transportation to and from extra-curricular or athletic events will be provided by the Columbia School District.

8c: Each student will remain with their peer group and under the supervision of the staff member in charge when attending the event.

8d: All students must travel to and from the event with the peer group and in transportation provided for this purpose.

Exceptions to this rule:

1) Parent or Guardian must be present at event and personally sign for their childs release.

2) Parent or Guardian must have a note in the office stating to whom they are to be released before the bus departs for the event.

NOTE: Permission for a student to ride with another student will NOT be given at any time.

8e: Students will give chaperones, bus drivers, and teachers on school buses the same status as teachers in the classroom.

8f: Students going to day games must receive a note of permission from their parents and go to the game either with a parent or on the rooter bus.