Revised 5/15/2014
CLIFTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
Athletic Code of Conduct
Purpose
Clifton Independent School District provides extra-curricular athletic programs for the benefit of our students. We believe participation in athletics can provide student athlete an opportunity to develop character traits that will serve them throughout their adult life. Students are encouraged to participate in the extra-curricular activities available at Clifton High School.
We hold high expectations for students who choose to participate in our athletic programs. All students are expected to follow the Student Code of Conduct. However, we hold student athletes to a higher standard of behavior and conduct. The following athletic code provides a framework for expectations and the consequences for not meeting those expectations. All known facts and circumstances will be taken into consideration when determining what action will be taken regarding the discipline of a student athlete. A student may be removed from the athletic program for a violation of athletic rules or if the Athletic Director deems removal in the best interest of the student or the athletic program.
Statement of Intent
Student athletes and their parents will be required to sign a statement indicating they have received and understand the Athletic Code of Conduct. This acknowledgement must be signed and returned to the coach before a student athlete can participate in any games or scrimmages.
A signed acknowledgement is required for each school year a student participates in athletics. Acknowledgements remain in effect for the entire school year
Student athletes and their parents must be aware that the main degree of prevention lies with the participant. All coaches are bound by the standards in the Athletic Code of Conduct:
1. All coaches are required to consistently administer the Athletic Code of Conduct.
2. All coaches must inform student athletes of their responsibility for returning a signed acknowledgement form.
3. Notify parents by telephone when a student athlete is involved in a violation of the Athletic Code of Conduct and send written notice detailing the violation for both parent and student athlete signatures.
I. ACADEMICS
Student athletes are expected to meet a high standard of performance in the classroom, as well as on the field, court, or track. Participants must meet the minimum grade standards of the University Interscholastic League (UIL) and the Texas Education Agency (TEA).
1. At the beginning of each school year athletic eligibility is determined by state graduation credits earned during the previous school year(s). Each student must earn a minimum of 5 state graduation credits in the previous calendar year.
2. Each student athlete must be passing “all subjects” with at least a 70 average at the end of each six weeks grading period.
If a student athlete is ineligible for two consecutive six week grading periods he/she will no longer be allowed to participate in athletics until full eligibility is regained (a report card is issued with all passing grades, not a 3 weeks progress report). The student athlete may remain in the athletic period, but is not permitted to be a member of an athletic team. If a student athlete is ineligible for three consecutive six week grading periods he/she may be removed from athletics for the remainder of the school year.
II. ATTENDANCE
Student athletes are expected to be in attendance and on time to all school and athletic functions. Late arrivals and missed practices are missed opportunities. When a student-athlete will miss practice, they are expected to notify the coach prior to the start of practice. Remember; “reasons are given before, excuses are given after.”
Types of absences within the athletic department:
1. Excused – a student athlete’s absence will be deemed excused when they have contacted a coach before the beginning of workout/practice. This can be done with a simple message left on the appropriate coach’s voicemail. Sickness, death in the family, etc. are valid reasons for an excused absence. Prior notice of a family shopping trip is not considered an excused absence.
2. School related absences are automatically considered excused absences.
Please call before 8:00 a.m. – M.S- 254-675-1893, H.S.- 254-675-1895
* Missed strength and conditioning workouts shall be made up prior to participation in a contest.
3. Unexcused – an absence will be considered unexcused when a student athlete misses a practice, game or athletic period without having communicated with his/her coach and without valid cause.
Consequences for unexcused absences – Make up of all missed workouts, plus additional conditioning. If in-season, unexcused absence will also result in a loss of playing time/starting privileges for the next scheduled contest. The head coach of each sport shall determine the specific conditioning program for unexcused absences for their sport. Multiple unexcused absences may result in removal from the athletic program.
* Extenuating circumstances for an absence will always be taken into consideration
III. TOBACCO
Smoking of cigarettes and the use of other tobacco products is unhealthy and unlawful for teenagers and incompatible with desirable training programs for athletic activities.
Offenses shall be handled in the following manner:
1. First Offense of the School Year
Disciplinary action administered by coach: 5 miles.
2. Second Offense of the School Year
Disciplinary action administered by coach: 10 miles.
3. Third Offense of the School Year
Disciplinary action administered by coach: 15 miles.
A violation may be based on, but is not necessarily limited to, the following criteria:
1. A law enforcement officer has observed and reported the behavior.
2. A school official has observed the behavior and reported it to the principal or designee.
3. A law enforcement officer has given the student a citation for such behavior.
IV. ALCOHOL AND DRUGS
Participation in athletic activities is a privilege, not a right. A student who participates in athletic activities shall be considered a representative of Clifton Independent School District. Therefore, students who illegally consume, use, possess, or disseminate alcohol or other illegal drugs in any form, at any time or place, shall be suspended from participation in all athletic activities, in addition to any disciplinary consequences required by law.
Offenses shall be handled in the following manner:
1. First offense: The student shall be suspended from participating in athletic activities for ten percent of UIL allowable number of contests in his or her current or next sport/activity season.
2. Second offense: The student shall be suspended from participating in athletic activities for 50 percent of UIL allowable number of contests in his or her current or next sport/activity season.
3. Third offense: The student shall be excluded from participating in athletic activities for the remainder of his or her school career.
NOTE: To calculate the number of games for a suspension, a percentage of the number of the games allowed in that sport by the UIL will be applied. For example, if a student is suspended for 10% of basketball season, the suspension would be for 2.5 games, as the UIL allows 25 games for basketball if no tournaments are played.
A violation may be based on, but is not necessarily limited to, the following criteria:
1. A law enforcement officer has observed and reported the behavior.
2. A school official has observed the behavior and reported it to the principal or designee.
3. The student reports the behavior to a District official within 72 hours of the offense. (If the student reports the behavior within the allowable time, the suspension shall be reduced by 50 percent of the first offense only. If the student does not report the behavior within 72 hours of the offense, the full suspension shall be enforced.)
4. A law enforcement officer has given the student a citation for such behavior.
5. Photo or video evidence is provided to the appropriate District personnel by a named witness or is viewed electronically on social media Web sites by appropriate District personnel.-
Note: Anonymous tips shall not be investigated by District personnel.
A student may qualify for a 50 percent reduction of suspension upon a first offense provided the student completes three hours of drug/alcohol counseling provided by a licensed counselor. Parental participation in the counseling shall be required in order to qualify for the suspension reduction. Any expenses incurred for the counseling shall be the responsibility of the student or parents.
Use or possession of alcohol or drugs on school property or at school-sponsored events or trips shall result in a one-calendar year suspension from all extracurricular activities.
As per school policy, all students participating in any extracurricular activity must consent to random drug testing during the school year.
Any student who participates in athletics, who is arrested and charged with a felony, shall be, upon proper notice, suspended from participating in extracurricular activities and/or fulfilling the duties of the office until the matter is resolved. Upon any determination that the student is falsely accused or charged, the suspension shall be removed. Any student found to be guilty of a felony shall be suspended from participating in extracurricular activities and/or removed from the office for the remainder of his or her school career.
V. AEP PLACEMENT
Students are expected to behave in a manner that well represents the school at all times. In compliance with UIL rules, any student-athlete who receives an AEP placement is prohibited from practicing or participating with their team until their placement is complete. Any behavior that results in AEP placement will also result in the following additional conditioning:
1. 1st offense while enrolled in athletics
15 miles of running witnessed by coach
2. 2nd offense while enrolled in athletics
30 miles of running witnessed by coach
3. 3rd offense while enrolled in athletics
45 miles of running witnessed by coach
All running must be completed before athlete is allowed to compete in a school event.
VI. REMOVAL FROM A SPORT
Unless extenuating circumstances exist, the following steps will be taken prior to the removal of an athlete from a sport.
1. Conference with the student and appropriate disciplinary action taken.
2. Conference with parent and appropriate disciplinary action taken with student.
3. Removal from sport.
If it is determined to be in the best interest of the athletic program, a student may be removed from a sport or the athletic program by the Athletic Director.
VII. QUITTING A SPORT
Commitment is one of the greatest lessons athletics teaches. Quitting is not a habit we want to enable in the athletics. Any student athlete who starts, then quits a sport, after the first contest of any kind, with the exception of extenuating circumstances beyond the athlete’s control, will not be allowed to participate in any sport for a period of one calendar year, without permission from the athletic director. If a student wants to quit a sport after the first contest begins, he/she will have a 24 hour waiting period in which to reconsider his/her decision. The student athlete may request reinstatement to the team. The final decision on reinstatement will be made by the coach.
VIII. DRESS
A uniform, by definition, should represent conformity to the team. Individualism in appearance when competing for Clifton ISD will be discouraged. Athletes shall wear the uniform as it is issued to them by the coach of their sport. Additional apparel, other than that issued by the school, must be approved by the coach. All efforts should be made for each team member to look “uniform” in their appearance. The Cub uniform represents unity of a team, not the individual.
IX. APPEARANCE
A person’s appearance reflects pride in a job well done. Your appearance should reflect a positive school/self-image, whether in class or on the field. Student-athletes shall follow the school dress code to the letter while on campus. Your appearance should exemplify the class and pride for which our programs are known. Individualism while representing Clifton athletics will be discouraged.
The following are PROHIBITED:
· Earrings (males) or other visible piercing
· Facial hair
· Streaks or lines cut in the hair (i.e. letters, numbers, etc.)
· Excessively long hair (males): male athletes should not allow their hair to grow past the middle of a regular collar in back, the middle of the ear on the sides, and the bottom of the eyebrows in
the front. If a male athlete’s hair becomes too long, they will be asked to have it cut before being permitted to compete.
· Any jewelry while practicing or competing.
· Any hair or dress that calls undue attention to a student athlete or that undermines the positive image of the Clifton Athletic Program.
· Tattoos – any tattoo that is of an offensive nature must be covered while participating in any athletic event.
X. RESPECT
Respect: At Clifton ISD we strive to create an atmosphere of respect among and between student-athletes and school personnel. Student-athletes should refer to school personnel as “Sir”, “Ma’am”, or “Coach” when speaking with them. Student-athletes should also give their undivided attention and make it a point to establish eye contact when speaking or listening to these individuals. It should be noted that the amount of respect a person receives is in direct relationship to the amount of respect one gives.
XI. STRENGTH and CONDITIONING
Any athlete who wishes to participate in a ‘team’ sport must be enrolled in the athletic period unless extenuating circumstances are present. This period will be primarily used to the building of strength, agility, and conditioning. Student-athletes will also be asked to complete additional strength and conditioning workouts prior to the start of the school day on designated days according to their sport’s seasons. Workouts are not optional for participation on these team sports: Volleyball, Football, Basketball, Softball, and Baseball.
Any athlete (any student who participates in a UIL sport with Clifton ISD) who is not a participant of the above sports and wants to be in the athletic period will be allowed to do so, but will be expected to complete the workouts as presented during the athletic period.
XII. INSURANCE
As with almost every school in the state of Texas, Clifton ISD’s student insurance coverage is a SECONDARY policy.