PREREQUISITES

Prior to participation in an activity and/or sport: The following forms must be properly filled out, signed, and turned into the Head Coach or Athletic Director before a student - athlete is allowed to participate in an activity - sport. Activities other than sports will comply with # 2, 3 and 4 of the following (exception pay to play). OSSA Physical Examination Form, which must be completed by your physician at your own expense. A physical examination is valid for two calendar years from the date of the physical if obtained in the 7th, 9th and 11th grade. Returning or new athletes to Elgin School District who have sustained an injury or have a chronic heart or physical ailment where treatment is routine the physical examination is valid for only one year. WRESTLERS ONLY – Wrestling Weight Monitoring Program/Physicians Release Form/BIA Data Form. A Student-Parent Activities Code of Conduct, Insurance Verification and Parental Permission for Emergency Medical Care Form must be signed before students are allowed to participate. Your signature of this form will indicate that you have read and understand our rules, regulations, and training requirements. The office, prior to participation in a sports season will receive payment of Pay to play and Student Body Fees. The High School pay to play fee is $30.00 per sport and Student Body Fees are $10.00. The Middle School pay to play is $20.00 and the Student Body Fees are $2.00. Prior to participating in competitions or travel student must meet the academic standings and attendance requirements. Prior to participating in first competition an athlete must have attended 5 practices.

OSAA ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY

OSAA academic eligibility rules require that the semester prior to participating in any extracurricular activity each student is required to have passed the equivalent of five academic classes (five credits), and to be making satisfactory progress toward meeting graduation requirements. In addition, according to Elgin School District academic eligibility rules, those not enrolled in seven classes shall not be allowed to continue participation. During wrestling and basketball season when the semester falls during the season, Elgin School District academic eligibility rules will be in effect. If an athlete does not participate in an winter sport but participates in a spring sport the OSAA eligibility rules will apply from the preceding semester.

Elgin School District Academic Eligibility

All extracurricular participants will be academically checked at mid-quarter, quarter, and semester. All participants must be passing all classes to be eligible. Students determined to be ineligible at a grade check time will be ineligible for the entire week following the grade check. Students shall become eligible for participation again when they are considered to be making satisfactory progress. To be considered for satisfactory progress a student must be showing effort and making improvement towards earning a passing grade. Failure to do so will result in another week of ineligibility. Any student experiencing two mandatory ineligibility weeks may be required to meet with the Coach, Principal, Athletic Director and parent to determine if he/she will be dropped permanently from the sport-activity. A student dropped from one sport or activity in one season begins the next season as eligible if they meet the OSAA minimum standards of passing five (5) of their seven (7) classes.

Student-athletes who are determined to be ineligible shall report to study hall from 3:30-4:30 on Tuesdays while they are ineligible. Other than the assigned study hall time the student-athletes are expected to attend practices. Ineligible athletes cannot travel or be with the team during a contest while they are ineligible.

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE PRIOR TO A CONTEST, ACTIVITY OR PRACTICE

Students - Athletes must attend at least a half day of school to be eligible for practice and a full day of school in order to be eligible for competition that same day. No Student-Athlete is to participate in competition or practice on the same day of receiving an unexcused absence.

Excused Absence and or Tardy to be determined by building principal include:

• Prearranged absence – 24 hours prior to absence with a note or telephone call from parent.

• Family emergency (doctor appointment, death in family) with note and or telephone call from parent or doctor.

CONDUCT DURING THE SPORT/ACTIVITY SEASON

To participate on a regular basis at practice and competitions:

1. The skipping of classes, dismissal or removal from classes or other infractions listed in the Student Code of Conduct of the Student Handbook and/or School Board Policy Handbook may disqualify a student – athlete from participation in extracurricular activities. The Athletic Director, Principal and Coach – Advisor shall determine the appropriate disciplinary action that may include one week suspension from activities. The determination can be appealed as described in the appeal procedure.

2. A student - athlete shall refrain from flagrant and or abusive conduct directed toward a school staff member, coach, official, student (in or out of school), any opponent, or any member of the community. Disrespectful conduct of any student – athlete will not be tolerated. The Athletic Director, Principal and Coach – Advisor shall determine the appropriate disciplinary action that may include one week suspension from activities. The determination can be appealed as described in the appeal procedure.

3. An athlete may not quit a sport and join another, after four (4) weeks from the first required practice of the sport they are leaving. Any request for an exception to this rule must be make to a committee made up the coaches involved, the A.D. and the building principal.

4. Training regulations shall be as follows:
   

   1. Definition for this section: Suspension weeks are those that have scheduled competitions in which the team participates. (Pre-season practice does not count; district, regional and state competitions count if the team qualifies). Suspension weeks will carry forward to the next sports – activities season for the student – athlete until completed. Students entering 9th grade begin a new career after completing the middle school program. Violations are accumulative for the high school career. Violations are accumulative for the middle school career and do not follow the student – athlete to the high school.

   2. The following violations must be observed by school staff, authorities or parent/guardian to be implemented:

   3. No use or carrying of tobacco (smoking or chewing).

• First violation:

  • Fourth violation:

    • Your privilege to participate in extracurricular activities at Elgin High School has ceased.

  • Third and subsequent violations:

    • Suspension from participation in activities – sports for one calendar year. Example: Suspension begins December 1, 2009; the athlete would be eligible starting December 2, 2010.

  • Second Violation

    • Suspension for the activity - sports season. (Minimum of eight weeks). No participation in any extracurricular activities.

  • Suspension for twenty-one (21) calendar days of competition - activities. Students are required to practice during this suspension but will not participate in competitions or travel with the team.

  • Completion of 6 hours with a mentor assigned by the administrators. The mentor will provide the student – athlete with information about the harmful aspects of the use of tobacco and provide an opportunity for the student - athlete to serve the community. The mentor will verify (in writing) that the student – athlete has completed 6 hours of prevention education including community service. This must be completed before the athlete may compete in any contest.

1. 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 used is prohibited.
   

   1. Drug Testing Policy

   2. First violation:

      • Completion of diversion plan (see drug testing policy 6.0).

      • Suspension twenty-one (days) of competition - activities. Students are required to practice during this suspension but will not participate in competitions or travel with the team.

      • Second Violation

        • Suspension for sixty-three (63) calendar days from the activity - sports season (see 7.0 of Drug Testing Policy).

      • Third and subsequent violations:

        • Suspension from participation in activities – sports for one calendar year. Example: Suspension begins December 1, 2009; the athlete would be eligible starting December 2, 2010.

      • Fourth violation:

        • Your privilege to participate in extra curricular activities at Elgin High School has ceased.

2. A student – athlete who is dropped from a sport or activity for disciplinary reasons will not be allowed to become a member of any other activity – sport during that season.

3. A student – athlete shall be responsible for payment of the ejection fee(s) if ejected from an athletic contest.

4. A student – athlete convicted of a misdemeanor or more serious offense shall be suspended for the remainder of the sports season.

5. Any student – athlete who is injured or becomes seriously ill enough to require a doctor’s attention will be required to have a doctor’s permission to resume activity.

6. During the duration of the season abide by all rules established by the Head Coach for the activity – sport in which you are participating. Activity - team rules will be presented to students – athletes at parent meeting at the start of the season.

7. It is your responsibility to cooperate with teachers and obtain assignments in advance – Prearranged Activity Absence.

8. All school rules apply to all student activities

9. An athlete may not quit a sport and join another, after four (4) weeks from the first required practice of the sport they are leaving. Any request for an exception to this rule must be made to a committee made up of coaches involved, the A.D. and the building principal.

APPEAL PROCEDURE

Student participants and their parents may appeal in writing any violation and/or elimination action taken by a Coach-Advisor by requesting a hearing before an Activity Council which shall include in its membership the School Principal, Athletic Director, and Head Coach-Advisor.

Elimination action shall go forward during the interim of deliberation of this panel. Deliberation by the council shall occur within ten days of receipt of a written appeal. The panel’s final finding of fact and decision shall be forwarded to the student participant in writing. Personal testimony may be taken before this panel and the student participant, parents or witnesses may be called to give testimony. Any action of this panel may be appealed to the Superintendent and District School Board of Directors.

SCHOOL EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES

It is important that students – athletes help to retain or improve the current status of the school athletic facilities and equipment/uniforms.

1. Issued equipment:
   

   1. School equipment checked out to the student – athlete is his/her responsibility. He/she is expected to keep it clean and in good condition

   2. Loss of issued equipment or damage to issued equipment will be the student’s – athlete’s financial obligation.

   3. Issued equipment is to be worn only while participating with the team in practice or during a scheduled contest.

   4. A participant, who drops from an activity – sport without turning in his/her issued equipment, will forfeit his/her right to participate in any other sport season and will have credits and grades withheld until there is proper restitution.

   5. No student – athlete will be allowed to participate in a sport until all previously issued equipment has been returned or there is proper restitution.

SELECTION OF STUDENTS - ATHLETICS FOR COMPETITIONS

Elgin School District #23 welcomes all students – athletes to participate in school activities – sports. The number of participants in activities – athletics is regulated in some athletic events. The number of athletes that are allowed to participate in a varsity, district or state competition are as follows:

• Football – 33

• Volleyball – 12

• Basketball – 12

• Baseball – 18

• Softball – 18

Track and Cross Country have open enrollment. The state track meet regulates the number to three participants per event.

Transportation – Large bus capacity 56 – limits number of participants on out of town events.

Using the numbers allowed to participate in district or state competition the varsity team would consist of the numbers previously listed. The coaches at Elgin School District choose the team members for a varsity team according to the following attributes, which are listed in order of importance:

1. Skill or aptitude for sport

2. Work ethics

3. Accountability

4. A balance of players for each position

An athlete that has participated as a Freshman, Sophomore and/or Junior is not guaranteed a position as a Senior.