MILES CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS ACTIVITIES PROGRAM

PARENTAL INFORMATION BROCHURE

2017 - 2018

Participation in the Miles City Public Schools Activities Program is a privilege – not a right. We expect all students to represent our school and city in the best possible manner. All students shall act in accordance with the rules set forth by the MilesCitySchool District and each coach / advisor.

NOTE: Any rules established by the Board of Trustees, such as the policy dealing with the use of drugs and alcohol, shall supersede all department or individual supervisors’ regulations.

ATTENDANCE POLICY: Any student who is absent, truant or AWOL from a class or study hall any one of, or all of the class periods the day of their activity, if not school excused, may forfeit upon review of the administration, his/her eligibility to compete in or perform in the next scheduled school activity event. An event is considered one entire day’s participation. AWOLs must be made up prior to participation in any activity.

PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS: According to the rules as set forth by the MHSA, it is mandatory all students participating in interscholastic athletics have physical examinations. We have been fortunate to have the local doctors give exams in May. Students must pay $25.00 for these exams. A student will not be allowed to practice or participate in an athletic program until the physical is completed.

ELIGIBILITY: All athletes must maintain local and MHSA rules regarding academic eligibility. To be eligible, a student must be passing in at least twenty-five periods of prepared class work or its equivalent. CCDHS checks eligibility on a weekly basis. If the student is not passing 25 hours per week (5 classes) he/she will be allowed to participate that week, but will be ineligible the following week and until such time as it takes to meet the requirements. If a student fails to meet the 25 hours of passing work at the end of the semester, he or she becomes ineligible the following semester.

DETENTION OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS: The primary goals of each student should be to fulfill his/her academic obligations FIRST, if there is a conflict with the extracurricular program. Students with unserved detention time will not be allowed to participate until the obligation is fulfilled.

INJURIES: All students must see that injuries are taken care of immediately. All students are encouraged to consult the doctor of his/her choice. Students must report all injuries to the coaches and an injury report form must be filled out at once by the coaches, the participant, and the business office. Injuries/accidents on trips or at home events should be reported immediately to the student’s parents and also to school administration.

DISCIPLINARY POLICY: Since representing our school is a privilege, we expect all students to live within the rules of conduct as established by the Board of Trustees, Superintendent, Principals, Activity Director and Supervisors. Any member of the activity program who becomes involved in the (1) theft, (2) disregard for school rules or regulations, (3) hazing/bullying, or (4) improper conduct while on activity trips or in the community shall be dealt with in accordance to the severity of his/her infraction. If a student’s conduct is such that it warrants immediate discipline while on the road, the parents shall be notified and the student may be sent home on the first available transportation at the student’s/parent’s expense. The actions of a student while on a school-sponsored or related trip shall be considered the same as though he/she was in the classroom.

DRESS CODE: We expect all students to represent our school and city in the best possible manner. All students shall dress in accordance with the rules set forth by each individual coach. It must be kept in mind that each participant is acting as an ambassador of CCDHS and MilesCity. No student will be allowed to participate in activities who changes his/her appearance in such a way that the change calls attention to him/her and distracts from the group. Also, no student will be allowed to participate who dresses or changes his/her appearance in such a way that causes embarrassment to the coach/sponsor of the group, to the school, to the parent and /or to the community. (It may be impossible to set one code that would fit all needs.) The coach will set codes of dress that will apply to home performances as well as out of town trips.

TRAVEL: We expect all students to ride on the bus to and from the activity with the activity group. A medical appointment or extreme emergency will be the only reason a student would travel to an activity site on their own with a parent. In like manner, we expect all activity students to ride home on the bus. If there is an emergency, the student should pick up a form from their coach or the Activities Director giving permission to ride in another manner. The coach has final authority on granting the request. THE REQUEST BY THE STUDENT SHALL BE MADE BEFORE LEAVING ON THE TRIP, AND THE FORM MUST BE SIGNED BY THE PARENT AND THE ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR. We do not expect the coaches to make split second decisions on transportation problems unless there is an emergency situation.

CURFEW HOURS: The curfew on week nights will be 9:00 PM. Weekend hours will be 11:00 pm unless there is a contest the next night. In that case, the students will be expected to be home one hour after the game. If an athlete must be out later than regular hours, he/she must receive permission from the coach before doing so. (This protects both the coach and the student.)

STUDENT ACTIVITY CHANGES: Students will not be allowed to change programs without the consent of the supervisors. This type of situation can create a multitude of problems for both the supervisors and the student. THIS ONLY APPLIES ON A ONE-YEAR BASIS. For the year that the student starts an activity, they must receive approval to change programs. This rule discourages recruiting within the activity program. This also prevents students from merely changing activities because of discipline being invoked by the supervisors. He or she may change programs the ensuing year without consent of the coaching staff.

CONDUCT ON BUS: Students will be reminded that they must adhere to all rules governing their conduct while riding on activity buses. Actions such as wrestling, running and throwing materials will not be tolerated. Any actions that are abusive to others (such as foul language) or activity that is in bad taste will be stopped immediately. The Board of Trustees and taxpayers have gone to considerable time and expense to provide adequate transportation and we expect the students to be appreciative. We have a very explicit written procedure for supervisors and students to follow regarding bus use. It is the duty of each supervisor to adhere to this policy. IF NOT, THE SUPERVISOR IS VIOLATING SCHOOL BOARD POLICY!

CARE OF VALUABLES: Students are reminded that they are responsible for their own valuables. It is imperative students do not leave valuables in their clothing while attending practice or game situations.

ACTIVITY TICKETS: Students participating in athletic and activity groups that are receiving financial benefits from the Student Activity Program shall be required to purchase activity tickets and pay an activity fee.

  1. Activity tickets and activity fees are required for: the nine major sports (basketball, football, track, wrestling, golf, tennis, cross country, volleyball, softball); pep band, cheerleading, dance team, drama, competitive speech, chorus, and other activities as approved by the Student Council that regularly use school transportation.
  2. No student shall be denied the opportunity to participate because of financial hardship.

STUDENT PRIORITIES: If a student is involved in two or more activities at once, preference shall be given to the activity competing in elimination programs. HOWEVER, IF THE STUDENT IS AWARE THAT THERE WILL BE AN UNAVOIDABLE CONFLICT IN THE TWO ACTIVITIES, BOTH SUPERVISORS MUST AGREE TO HIS/HER PARTICIPATION OR THE STUDENT MUST MAKE A CHOICE. THERE WILL BE SOME INSTANCES WHERE THE STUDENT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO DO ALL THINGS. This situation would surface when chosen for a highly select group such as Pep Band or Choraleers. Selection to an interscholastic athletic squad would be highly competitive and may not afford an opportunity to participate in other activities if there is a conflict in dates. The student shall make his/her choice known to the supervisors at the beginning of any program in order that the supervisor may choose another candidate if there is a conflict. Once the student has made a commitment to a program, they will be expected to complete the season in their chosen activity. Most conflicts occur in the spring, so music has preference during the festivals, and spring sports have preference when competing in the divisional or state meets.

SUMMER CAMP: All athletes should check with their coaches to make sure that they are not violating MHSA rules regarding attendance at summer camps.

AWARDS: The standards for earning awards shall be set by the administration, student council, and supervisors. The following factors may figure into the granting of awards: (1) The length of time spent in participation and the faithfulness in attendance; (2) The amount of actual event participation; (3) The number of years engaged in the activity; (4) Attitude towards self-improvement and general practice regulations; (5) Observance of training rules; and (6) Special factors such as injuries, illness, etc.

Since activity participation is a privilege, students involved in the activity program should expect some responsibilities that are not imposed upon the general student body. WE WILL STRIVE FOR THOSE GOALS THAT WILL ENHANCE THE POSSIBILITIES OF OUR STUDENTS BEING ABOVE AVERAGE IN ATHLETIC ABILITY, ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, AND SOCIAL CONDUCT.

TRAINING RULES: (POLICY ON DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE)

Philosophy of the Board of Trustees relating to the use of mood-altering chemicals; i.e. alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and marijuana:

The Board of Trustees recognizes the use of mood-altering chemicals as a significant health problem for many adolescents, resulting in negative effects on behavior, learning and the total development of each individual. The misuse and abuse of mood-altering chemicals for some adolescents affects extra-curricular participation and development of related skills. Others are affected by the misuse, and the abuse by family, team members or other significant persons in their lives.

The close contact in activities of advisors and coaches provides them with a unique opportunity to observe, confront and assist young people. The Trustees, therefore, support education awareness training in adolescent chemical use problems including the symptomatology of chemical dependency and special issues affecting administrators, coaches, participants and their families.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:

  1. To elevate standards of sportsmanship and to encourage the growth of responsible citizenship among the students.
  2. To emphasize the school’s concerns for the health of students in areas of safety while participating in activities and the long-term physical and emotional effects of chemical use on their health.
  3. To promote equity and a sense of order and discipline among students.
  4. To confirm and support existing state laws which restrict the use of such mood-altering chemicals.
  5. To establish standards of conduct for those students who are leaders and standard-bearers among their peers.
  6. To assist students who desire to resist peer pressure, which directs them towards the use of mood altering chemicals.
  7. To assist students who should be referred for assistance or evaluation regarding their use of mood altering chemicals.

School Policy on Drug and Alcohol Use During the School Day and at School Functions:

The use of drugs or any form of beverages containing alcohol by a student, single or in a group, in any Miles City School facility is expressly forbidden. This policy covers the regular school day and all school functions on school premises, such as games, dances, practices, etc., at any time of the day or night. Also covered are any trips taken by Miles City School students when they are under school sponsorship, whether or not the student is on a school bus or in private or public transportation. Use shall be defined as either possession of such beverages or physical evidence of having consumed such a beverage or drug.

  1. The penalty for violation of this policy will include notification of the student’s parent/guardian and police authority so that proper legal action may be taken when deemed necessary. This is to be accompanied by suspension from school forthree days.
  2. A second violation by the same student shall result in suspension for five days with notification of parents and police.
  3. A third violation by the same student shall result in a recommendation of expulsion to the superintendent and the Board of Trustees.

(SeeMilesCitySchool District Policy)

MILES CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS PARTICIPATION RULES

Regardless of the quantity, a student shall not use of have in possession a beverage containing alcohol, use tobacco, or use or consume, have in possession, buy, sell or give away marijuana or any substance defined by law as a drug or controlled substance. It is not a violation for a student to be in possession of a legally defined drug specifically prescribed for the student’s own use by his/her doctor.

All students involved in the above activities are expected to follow the drug and alcohol rules twenty-four (24) hours a day, every day, during the entire season of practices and contests. The following procedure will be used to discipline students if a violation occurs during the hours when the student is not directly involved in a school function. Violations at school functions are covered by the Board Policies regarding controlled substances at functions.

In addition, any student who is involved in an activities program shall refrain from entering any establishment whose primary business is the sale and service of alcoholic beverages, or where there is alcohol. Any student involved in activities who is knowingly present at a function or at a location where controlled substances are present is in violation of the training rules. The training rules also apply to house parties, cars, keggers, etc. where alcohol, non-alcohol appearing substitutes, or non-tobacco appearing substances are available. If the activity students is not initially aware of the presence of drugs/alcohol, they must leave immediately (5 minutes or less), when they discover its presence.

PENALTIES AND CLARIFICATIONS FOR VIOLATIONS OF ACTIVITY RULES:

The District philosophy states that the coach/sponsor of an activity is the initial person responsible for imposing activity rules violations set forth by the Miles City School District. All violations are to be reported to the Activities Director immediately by the coach/sponsor of the activity.

The coach/sponsor has the authority to apply additional rules and penalties for violations up to and including removal from the team for the duration of the season in addition to the school district rules. Any additional rules will be in writing to the athlete, parent, and CCDHS administration at the beginning of the activity season. The activity rules are in effect during the activity season only. We would expect activity students and their parents to place a primary emphasis on abiding by activity rules and role modeling throughout the entire year and their high school careers.

For the 2017 – 2018 school year, the sports of Football, Cross Country, Boys and Girls Basketball, Boys and Girls Golf, Volleyball, Wrestling, Boys and Girls Tennis, Softball, Cheerleading, Dance Team, and Boys and Girls Track will have a zero tolerance policy in effect for drug, alcohol, and tobacco violations. As agreed upon by all of the head coaches of these activities, any student in violation of our drug, alcohol, and tobacco policy will be removed from the sport they are in for the remainder of the season.

Drug/Alcohol Use, Possession or Associated with Misconduct for activities not listed in the bold print paragraph above:

1st Offense – The activities person will be eliminated from all competition, offices and organizations for a period of 3 weeks (21 calendar days) from the time the infraction is confirmed. The person in violation may be allowed to practice during this period of time. Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter vacation days will not count in fulfilling the 21 calendar day obligation.

2nd Offense – The activity person will be eliminated from all activities, competition, offices and organizations for a period of 90 school days or one semester, whichever is longer.

3rd Offense - The activities participant forfeits all further participation in his/her high school activities career.

Tobacco Use:

1st Offense – The activities student will be eliminated from 2 weeks of competition, offices and organizations. The activity student may practice during the period of time.

2nd Offense – The activity student will be eliminated from 4 weeks of activity competition, offices and organizations, but may practice during these four weeks.