The Gloversville Enlarged School District provides interscholastic athletic, intramural, and extracurricular activities for the benefit of our students. These regulations will apply to all students participating in any club or organization that meets during or outside of the regular school day as well as intramural or interscholastic activities in grades 7-12.  All such activities shall be deemed "extracurricular activities" as used in this policy.  In return for the privilege of participation in extracurricular activities, students will accept the responsibilities outlined in this code.

The purpose of this policy is to encourage positive, personal growth and to support academic achievement of all students who are involved with extracurricular activities.  Participants will contribute to their school and community.  This policy stresses the importance of students, teachers, coaches, advisors and parents working together.

Students and parent/guardians participating in extracurricular activities will be required to sign all forms pertaining to student participation in extracurricular activities.

<back

Academic Extracurricular Eligibility
Any student failing one or receiving an incomplete in two or more courses at the end of a five or ten week marking period will be placed on academic probation beginning on the third school day following the issuance of interim reports or reports cards.  The probationary period will continue until the next five week interim report or report card period.

Any student failing one or more courses at the end of the 40th week will be placed on academic probation commencing the first day of classes the following school year.  A student will be removed from academic probationary status if he/she enrolls in a registered summer school program and is awarded credit for the course or courses he/she successfully completes.

A student placed on academic probation must show evidence each week that he/she is current in the following academic requirements:  all tests/quizzes, homework, lab assignments, projects, class work being completed.  The requirement is that a student must demonstrate improvement, even thought the student may still be failing.  Students are required to seek assistance in order to remediate the course(s) failed. The student and the teacher(s) will develop a written plan (attached) and a schedule for academic assistance during the time of academic probation.  The plan will be signed by the parent, student and teacher.  The coach and/or advisor will monitor this matter on a weekly basis.

In order to participate, a student must obtain an Eligibility Reinstatement Form (attached) from his/her guidance counselor on the first school day of each week prior to student participation in the activity. Based upon a review of the student's performance and remedial plan, the teacher may sign the  required  form.  The  form is then  submitted to the  student's  counselor and  then the  principal or assistant  principal for his/her review and final authorization, if appropriate.  

The form will include the following components:  work is current, attendance, Pass or Fail, below C level work, a comment section and remedial plan.

A student on academic probation whose Eligibility Reinstatement form in incomplete may participate is he/she does the following:  attends academic study hall or teacher assistance program(s) before or after school and brings a signed pass to the coach or advisor.

In the event that the student has not been reinstated by each Wednesday, he/she will be ineligible to participate in extracurricular activities until the following Monday.  A student who fails to complete all of the above requirements is ineligible to participate in an athletic or extracurricular activities.  The eligibility reinstatement form needs to be presented to the coach and/or advisor prior to the student's participation.  The student will remain ineligible to participate until the coach/advisor receives the completed Eligibility Reinstatement Form signed by the principal or assistant principal.

If a student receives an "I" in a subject due to extenuating circumstances which prevented his/her completing the course work, the principal or assistant principal may waive the student's academic probation.
The form needs to be presented to the coach and/or advisor prior to the student's participation.  The student will remain ineligible to participate until the coach/advisor receives the completed form.

<back

Attendance
Any student who participates in an extracurricular activity is expected to remain a member of the activity until its completion.

Students are expected to attend all practice sessions, rehearsals, presentations, concerts, competitions, games, matches or meets unless excused by the coach or advisor.  Failure to do so may result in corrective and/or disciplinary action, including possible exclusion from one or more activities.  Students will be informed of the potential consequence(s) should they not attend an activity in a proactive manner.

It is the responsibility of the student to notify the coach or advisor in advance of his/her anticipated absence from any activity.  If a student is detained for academic or disciplinary reasons, he/she must bring a note signed by the person by whom he/she was detained stating the time he/she was released.  On non-school days, it is the obligation of the student to notify (directly, if possible) the coach/advisor if he/she will be absent from practice, rehearsal, performance, contest or activity.

A student must be present and no more that two hours tardy (legally) to be eligible for participation in any  extracurricular activity  on that day.  The  only exception to this rule is when such absence is with prior consent of the school  principal, assistant principal or athletic director for reasons
of family emergencies, educational trips, special appointments or similar activities which are beyond the control of the student.

In the case of an absence due to an illness on the day prior to an activity, the student will be required to explain the situation to the coach/advisor.  The coach/advisor will then determine if the student will be allowed to participate in the activity.
Students wanting to transfer to another club or team during the school year need the approval of the advisors/coaches involved and the administration/athletic director.  Transferring should not be considered after the first regularly scheduled contest.  If a student quits an extracurricular activity, he/she must have the approval of the advisor/coach involved and the administration/athletic director prior to joining or re-joining another activity.

<back

Early Dismissal
Early dismissal for extracurricular activities may be unavoidable (e.g., required travel and game times).  It is the student's responsibility to make up all school work missed due to early dismissal.

<back

Travel
As a general rule all student participants are to travel to and return from activities away from the home school on the bus or transportation provided for that purpose by the School District.
Students who do not travel to the activity site with the team, club or organization will not be allowed to participate. 

Requests by parents for exceptions to this rule must be made in writing and approved by the principal, assistant principal or athletic director prior to the day of the practice, game or activity.  Exceptions may be granted at the discretion of either the principal, assistant principal or athletic director.

A student will be released directly to a parent or legal guardian to travel home from an activity upon receipt of a written request signed by a parent or legal guardian given directly to the coach/advisor at the activity site.

A student may be released to travel home from an activity with a designated adult who is not the student's parent or guardian, only upon the advanced, written request of the student's parent or legal guardian requesting and authorizing such release.  The adult to whom the student is to be released must also sign the request, acknowledging and accepting responsibility for the student to be released in his/her care.  Approval for this request may only be given by the athletic director, assistant principal or principal, prior to the day of the activity.

<back

Respect for Property
Students are required to be responsible for all equipment issued to them.  They should not expect managers, coaches or others to assume that obligation.  Such equipment is not to be used in classes or in any other way unless specific permission is granted in advance by the coach, athletic director and/or activity advisor.

Students are not to willfully damage or remove property belonging to the Gloversville Enlarged School District or any other school.  A student will not be permitted to retain any article of property taken without authorization.  

The student shall return it personally and make an appropriate apology.

Students must return all equipment or materials issued for an activity within ten (10) school days after the end of the activity.  Any student who fails to return such equipment or materials will not be eligible for another activity until the student pays for such equipment or materials.  Students shall also pay for all equipment or materials returned in damaged condition.

<back

District Code of Conduct and Training Rules/Activity Rules
As representatives of the Gloversville Enlarged School District, all students participating in extracurricular activities are expected to present a clean, neat appearance and dress appropriately.  Students are expected to conduct themselves as ladies and gentlemen at all times and to observe all rules prescribed by the activity advisor or coach.  Any violation of those items included within this area shall result in corrective/disciplinary action as determined by the activity advisor or coach.

In addition to the Code of Conduct set forth below, students shall also be subject to all the provisions set forth in the School District's Discipline Handbook which includes the Code of Students Rights and Responsibilities, the Rules and Regulations for the Maintenance of Public Order, the Bus Conduct Policy, the school's student handbook and are expected to obey the law of the State of New York.

The following standards of conduct and corresponding corrective actions shall apply to each student in extracurricular activities:

Level I
1. Be respectful to all individuals involved in the activity.

2. Demonstrate appropriate behavior at all times as a representative of the team, school and community.

3. Demonstrate good sportsmanship, in all circumstances.

4. Care for all uniforms, equipment and materials issued by the School District.  Uniforms and equipment shall only be used for scheduled practices, games or when authorized by the coach or activity advisor.

5. Refrain from using profane or vulgar language.

6. Refrain from any fighting or physical abuse of another student.

Level I Consequences
Appropriate corrective or disciplinary action shall be administered at the discretion of the advisor or coach.  While the District recognizes that the coach/advisor must be afforded a degree of latitude or flexibility in assessing a situation in order to determine an appropriate remedy, it is desired that uniform or similar consequences fitting the violation be developed for all in the same activity/sport.

Level II
1. Refrain from using or possessing tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, non-prescription controlled substances or drug paraphernalia.

2. Refrain from insubordinate conduct which for purposes of this policy means a failure to comply with the lawful directives of a coach or activity advisor, school administrator or other school employee in charge of the student.

3. Respect property of others and not remove personal effects or athletic equipment from opponent's school nor damage any equipment or facilities home or away.

Level II Consequences
A violation of this portion of the policy during any season or extracurricular activity, or any violation of this policy specific to those violations identified within Level II, shall result in a suspension from the activity for a minimum of 10% of total scheduled games and/or presentations.  The suspension will be in effect for at least one game or presentation.  The penalty shall be imposed immediately following said violation and the student will not be allowed to participate during his/her suspension.  If necessary, this will be carried over into the student's next extracurricular activity.

Level III
1. Refrain from any fighting or physical abuse of a coach, chaperone, advisor, spectator or any other individual involved in the activity.

Level III Consequences
A violation of this portion of the policy during any season or extracurricular activity or any violation of this policy specific to those violations identified within Level III, shall result in a suspension from the activity for a minimum of 50% of total scheduled games and presentations.  The penalty shall be imposed immediately following said violation.  If necessary, this will be carried over into the student's next extracurricular activity.
Students whose extracurricular activities involve interscholastic sports shall also be subject to the provisions of the Section II Sportsmanship Policy.

<back

Violations of District Code of Conduct and Training Rules/Activity Rules
Students who violate the Code of Conduct shall be reported to the advisor, athletic director and administration.  Students who violate this policy may be subjected to disciplinary action, suspended or dismissed from the extracurricular activity for as long as a full year.  

The administration, activity advisor/coach and/or athletic director shall make such investigation of any reported violations of this policy and take such disciplinary action as deemed appropriate.  The student and his/her parents will be given an opportunity to discuss the situation informally with the District official (principal, assistant principal, athletic director) in charge in accordance with New York State Education Law.
A student suspended from an extracurricular activity may not join or participate in any other extracurricular activity during the period of such suspension.

In addition, any student arrested and charged with a crime (misdemeanor and/or felony) may be suspended from participation in any extracurricular activity, even though the conduct resulting in the charges was not school related.  The Superintendent will conduct a preliminary investigation and the student and parent/guardian will be afforded the opportunity to provide a response to the charge.  The Superintendent will render a decision in writing.

Violations of the Section II Sportsmanship Policy will result in a minimum of one game suspension and/or disciplinary action, if found to be appropriate.

It is the Board of Education's desire that student discipline be progressive.  It is also the Board's desire  that  an  employee  or  agent  take  into  account  all  other  relevant  factors  in  determining  an appropriate penalty.  Coaches/ advisors shall clearly define and delineate all expectations and corresponding consequences on the initial day of the activity.

The above penalties are to be considered minimal.  There may be cases in which violations will be reviewed by administration and penalties more severe than those outlined may be assessed.

The administration reserves the right to bypass the progressive violation consequences system in situations which may merit other determinations.

8 New York Code of Rules and Regulations
(NYCRR) Sections 172.1 and 172.2
Education Law Sections
2503-a, and 2554-a
Equal Access Act, 20 United States Code (U.S.C.)
Sections 4071-4074
NOTE: Please refer to the Administrative Regulations and Procedures Manual.