CO-CURRICULAR BEHAVIOR POLICY 

The Williams Bay School sponsors and encourages student participation in co-curricular activities, which includes athletic and non-athletic activities.  The value of these activities is recognized as important to the total educational process.

 

This policy covers all students who make a choice to participate in any co-curricular activity.  Notification of the policy shall be published in student handbooks and other materials given to students at the start of each school year.
PHILOSOPHY

Every high school co-curricular participant should seek to meet standards as established for high school sports, co-curricular activities, and high school students. IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO PARTICIPATE IN CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.

  1. Respect, courtesy and good sportsmanship are basic to good citizenship and should form a basis for all behavior.  Since co-curricular participants represent the school in public, their behavior and appearance frequently determine the opinion outsiders have of the school and the individuals within the school.  Conduct at home, in school, in the community and on trips should always be based on accepted practices.  Violations of this BEHAVIOR POLICY may be brought before the Review Committee for a hearing and a decision.
  2. All co-curricular participants are expected to be in school for a full day the day of a game or an activity.  If a student is unexcused absent for any part of that day, he/she will not be able to participate in any game or activity that day.  Students cannot participate in a game or an activity if they are absent from school on the day of the contest unless excused in advance by the attendance officer and/or principal.  Violations of this rule by a co-curricular participant may be brought in front of the Review Committee for disciplinary action.
  3. Smoking, use of any tobacco product, alcohol consumption or possession, unauthorized use or possession of controlled substances or performance enhancing drugs and substances (for example anabolic-androgenic steroids) are regarded as undesirable habits for any high school student.  Abstinence at all times is REQUIRED for co-curricular participants.  Co-curricular participants in the presence of alcohol and/or drugs at a student party are also subject to disciplinary action.  THIS IS FOR TWELVE MONTHS A YEAR.
  4. Coaches and advisors of a co-curricular activity may make additional rules or regulations for participants, as they deem necessary.
  5. All co-curricular participants are expected to attend all practices, meetings and rehearsals unless sick or excused by his/her coach or advisor before said practice, meeting or rehearsal.  Because practices, meetings and rehearsals are held for the benefit of participants, it is imperative that all participants ARE ON TIME.  Skipping or coming late to practice, meetings and rehearsals are reasons for suspension from any athletic team or co-curricular activity.
  6. Only socially acceptable language can be used and profanity will not be tolerated.
  7. Habitual absences/tardies on or immediately after game/activity days will come before the Review Committee for disciplinary action.
  8. A co-curricular participant who is charged with violations of this BEHAVIOR POLICY, any regulations of the WIAA (Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association) or other governing body for high school activities, or violations of Wisconsin Criminal Code or Wisconsin State Statute (Except the Motor Vehicle Code), may be suspended from practice, meetings and rehearsals or competition/performance until such time as the violation is reviewed by the Review Committee.

WILLIAMS BAY JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL IS NOT CURRENTLY UNDER THE HIGH SCHOOL’S BEHAVIOR POLICY, BUT IT IS RECOMMENDED TO JUNIOR HIGH COACHES AND ADVISORS THAT THE HIGH SCHOOL CODE BE USED AS A GUIDELINE FOR STUDENT CONDUCT.  JUNIOR HIGH STUDENTS THAT PARTICIPATE IN HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES MUST FOLLOW THIS CODE.
STUDENT ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY
  1. Eligibility shall be based upon all subjects for which credit is given.
  2. Incomplete grades will not count toward eligibility until they are made up.  Incompletes must be made up in accordance with high school regulations (two weeks). In cases of extended absence, longer make-up periods may be granted.
  3. Any co-curricular participant who is considered to be working well below their scholastic ability may be declared ineligible.  The Review Committee must determine ineligibility.  The Review Committee will be advised by each of the student’s present teachers. Ineligibility of this type may not exceed six weeks.
  4. Grades used to declare eligibility are:
    1. Beginning of the school year—previous 4th quarter.  Summer school grades (including correspondence courses) will be used, provided the course(s) made up are equivalent to the one(s) that caused the ineligibility.
    2. End of first nine weeks—1st nine week grades
    3. End of 1st semester—2nd nine week grades
    4. End of 3rd nine weeks—3rd nine week grades
    5. End of school year—4th quarter grades
    6. The co-curricular participant’s coach or advisor may petition to have the case reviewed after scholastic ineligibility has been declared.
    7. Any co-curricular participant who receives an F for any quarter in any class will automatically be brought before the Review Committee.  In most cases an F in any class will result in the loss of some participation (i.e. One game for athletes or suspension of duties for a class officer, etc.) Any student receiving more than one F will automatically lose rights of participation, the amount to be determined by the Review Committee depending on the number of F’s received and the student’s academic ability and past record.
    8. WIAA Policy requires that athletes that receive more than one failing grade in the most recent grade-reporting period become academically ineligible.  That student may regain eligibility by meeting the academic standard (no more than one failing grade) following a period of 15 scheduled school days and nights of ineligibility.  For all sports except fall sports the 15-day period of ineligibility will start the day after the Review Committee meets and renders a decision.  For fall sports, the minimum ineligibility period shall be the lesser of (1) 21 consecutive calendar days beginning with the date of earliest allowed competition in a sport or (2) one-third of the maximum number of games/meets allowed in a sport (rounded up if one-third results in a fraction).
  5. The WIAA (Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association) and other governing bodies may have other rules pertaining to student eligibility.  Any other pertinent rules will be posted in respective activity areas.  Read and study them.

Monitoring of Academic eligibility is the responsibility of the Athletic and Co-curricular Directors.  Students who are placed on the weekly monitor by the Review Committee will pick up weekly monitor sheets from the Athletic Director or Co-curricular Advisor on Friday morning.  The completed sheets are to be turned in later that Friday before 3:00 PM.  If a suspension is the result, it would take place the following Monday for a full week through the next Sunday.  If a student receives one unsatisfactory from a teacher on his/her monitor sheet, he/she is ineligible for the week (Monday-Sunday).  Monitor sheets are always turned in on Friday or the last school day of that week.  Monday-Sunday is the time frame of the suspension.
REVIEW COMMITTEE

Composition of the Review Committee
Appointed on a Yearly Basis

  • High School Principal (or District Administrator)
  • Athletic Director
  • Co-curricular Director
  • 2 parents of high school age students  

Appointed on a meeting by meeting basis

  • 2 Athletic Coaches (one representing boys’ sports, one representing girls’ sports)
  • 2 Co-curricular Advisors

 

Review Committee Members will select the Chair of the Review Committee at the beginning of the year.

 

The minimum number of Review Committee members needed to arrive at any voting decisions shall be 2/3 of the membership or six members, one of which must be a parent member.  Votes will be by secret ballot.  Decisions of the Council will be based on a simple majority unless otherwise stated.

 

Coaches and/or advisors of current sport or activity of the student involved are non-voting members.  The coach(s) or advisor(s) of the current activity of the student involved may not represent another sport or activity as a voting member.

 

One coach and one advisor should be a faculty member.
OBJECTIVES OF THE REVIEW COMMITTEE

1.       To maintain the confidentiality of Review Committee activities.

2.       To administer the Co-curricular BEHAVIOR POLICY.

3.       To gather information allowing the best informed decision possible.

4.       To impose disciplinary measures on violations of the high school BEHAVIOR POLICY.

5.       To guide and counsel those students who have violated the Behavior Policy so that they can receive benefits of the co-curricular programs.

6.      The Athletic Director and Co-curricular Director will maintain records of violations and actions taken by the Review Committee.  Records will be kept in the high school office.
HOW VIOLATIONS ARE PROCESSED
  1. Violations of the rules should be presented to the Chairperson of the Review Committee or the High School Principal of the Williams Bay Public School.  Any faculty member or employee of the Williams Bay School, as well as community member, or the student in violation of this policy may report a rules violation by a co-curricular participant.
  2. The Review Committee, with the help and guidance of the High School Principal and appropriate director, must investigate reported incidents. Incriminating information such as photo or video digital images from cell phone cameras or in the form of internet blog or web-sites may be examined and considered as part of the investigation.
  3. The student and his/her parents (whenever possible) shall be informed by the Athletic Director or Co-Curricular Director, that he/she has been reported to be in violation of the BEHAVIOR POLICY, and when the Review Committee will meet.  The student then has the right to exercise the following courses of action:
    1. Come before the Review Committee to present any facts or extenuating circumstances that he/she believes are important to the Review Committee’s decision.
    2. Appear before the Review Committee with his/her parents.
    3. Forego the right to representation.  

A student who chooses to appear before the Review Committee shall do so at the beginning of the meeting, after which time, the student and parents will be excused.

  1. The Review Committee will attempt to meet as soon as possible.  The meeting must be held within three school days of the incident’s report.  This allows the Review Committee time to research the incident(s) and schedule meetings.  The student may request more time. This request must be made in writing to either the Athletic Director, Co-curricular Director or Principal who may then grant an extension of up to three additional school days.
  2. Notification of the Review Committee’s decision will be made as soon as possible.  Any disciplinary action will be in force immediately following the Review Committee discussion.
  3. A co-curricular participant charged with a violation and subsequent disciplinary action may appeal the Review Committee’s decision by request (written) to the Principal that a hearing be scheduled before the Review Committee.  The hearing must be scheduled within three school days of the receipt of this request.  

The hearing shall be closed unless a request for an open hearing is filed with the chairperson by the violator and his/her parents.

 

The appeal decisions of this Review Committee may be further appealed to the School Board through written request to the Board President.  The Board President will then schedule a meeting within ten school days.

 

  1. The co-curricular participant found to be in violation shall have the right to petition to have the case reconsidered after the loss of participation in one sport or co-curricular activity.
POSSIBLE ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE REVIEW COMMITTEE
  1. Suspension from all sport and co-curricular activities for the remainder of the high school career.  A two-thirds vote is needed.  
  2. Suspension from all sport and co-curricular activities for one calendar year, effective from the date of the violation.  A simple majority needed.
  3. Suspensions from sport and co-curricular activities for the remainder of the school year.  A simple majority is needed.
  4. Suspension from sport and co-curricular activities for the remainder of the sport or co-curricular activity season.  A simple majority is needed.  
  5. Suspension from sport and co-curricular activities for a period of less time than those above to be determined by the Review Committee.  A simple majority is needed.
  6. The Review Committee may decide upon other disciplinary action, which may include a letter of redress.  A simple majority is needed. (For instance, in the case of low grades—suspension until such time as grades are improved.)
  7. Participation in community service.
  8. Coaches and advisors may, upon their discretion, tender minor penalties for such violations as tardiness to practice, meetings and rehearsals, or skipped practice, meetings and rehearsal.

Signed Examination/Permit Cards
1.  A student may not participate in interscholastic athletics until the school has an examination/permit card on file in its office attesting to:
  a. Parental permission for emergency treatment; and
  b. Physical fitness as determined by a qualified medical professional as per current WIAA guidelines.
2. Students will not be allowed to participate in any contest until the proper forms are completed and turned in to WBHS.
Suspensions from School

If a student is suspended from school, contests or activities missed during the period of suspension do not count as contests missed due to co-curricular ineligibility.
Transfer Eligibility

Any student who transfers from any school with a status of ineligibility for disciplinary or academic reasons retains such status at WBHS for the same period as decreed by his/her former school.  If a student transfers to WBHS and is ineligible according to the WBHS Co-Curricular Code, then the student will be deemed ineligible until the student meets the requirements of this code.
Appearance

Students representing WBHS voluntarily represent the entire school and community.  For this reason, all students are expected to be well groomed and present a neat appearance when they are involved as a member of a co-curricular group from our school.  It is also expected that each athlete will appear for a competition dressed in the uniform or required dress provided by the school, and in compliance with those standards established by the coach or advisor.  Each advisor or coach may have special rules concerning dress and appearance.  Students are expected to follow such rules as well.
Advisors/Coaches’ Provisions

In addition to the provisions of this code, all co-curricular participants are expected to follow rules and regulations as established by their coach, director or advisor.  These rules will be distributed to every participant by their coach prior to the start of an activity or season.  This will include detailed letter winning requirements for each sport or activity.  Athletic rules and regulations must be filed by coaches with the Athletic Director, who must approve the rules before distribution.  Co-curricular rules and regulations must be filed with the Principal, who must approve the rules before distribution.  All coaches’ and advisors’ rules must be within the framework of this code. 
CONSEQUENCES FOR CODE VIOLATIONS

A.  Code Administration
The administration of the code will be handled by the Athletic Director for all matters concerning athletics, and by the Principal for all other activities.  Consequences for violations of the Co-Curricular Code shall be administered as directed by this handbook.

 

B.   Reports of Violation
Reports of code violations shall be presented to the Principal or Athletic Director, who shall document the nature, place, time and date of the violation.  Reports must be received by the Principal or Athletic Director within ten (10) calendar days of the occurrence, unless extenuating circumstances exist. Violation of the code may also be enforced based on reports confirmed by law enforcement officials or self-admission.  The ten (10) day reporting limit does not apply to situations involving legal action or criminal proceedings that become public record.

 

C.  Response to Allegations

If, in the judgment of the Athletic Director or Principal, a report is valid, the student will be given an opportunity to discuss the charges.  If the student admits that the charges are true,  he/she will receive the consequences according to this code.  If he/she denies the charges, the Athletic Director or Principal will complete an investigation and make a determination as to the validity of the violation within five (5) school days.  No penalties will be enforced until after this investigation is concluded and until after a student has an opportunity to be heard.  A formal letter will be sent to the student and his/her parents if the student is being suspended from activities according to the code.

 

D. First Code Violation Self-Referrals

1.   Students are encouraged to self-refer in all situations.  The intent of this is to encourage and  reward student responsibility.

2.   Students should self-refer as soon as possible after the violation, and report this to the Principal or to the Athletic Director.  Once the school administration becomes aware of a violation through another source, there is no longer an option to self-refer.

3.    If a student self-refers, or if referred by parents for a first code violation, the consequences will be as follows:

a.       For athletics:  a fifty percent (50%) reduction in penalty consequence.

b.      For non-athletics:  a reduction in penalty consequence to be determined by the Principal, based upon the nature of the activity.

 

E.   Violations on School Grounds or During School Activities

Since WBHS seeks to promote a quality community environment for all, a student who violates the alcohol and other drug provisions of the code while at school or while engaged in a school-related activity will have his/her violation dealt with as follows:  If a first violation, it will be treated as a second violation; if a second violation, it will be treated as a third violation.

 

F.   Athletic Consequences for Alcohol or Controlled Substance Code Violations

1.   First Offense

The student will be suspended from 20% of the total contests in his/her sport.  Scrimmages will be counted as a contest if violation occurs before season in that sport begins.  If the offense is a first drug, alcohol or inhalant violation, the student must obtain a chemical assessment at his/her expense from a list of approved agencies.  The student may return to the co-curricular program only after the suspension time has been served and the assessment has been scheduled.  The student must supply the school with appropriate documentation of such an assessment.

2.    Second Offense

The student will be suspended from 50% of the total contests in the sport.  If the offense is a second drug, alcohol or inhalant violation, the student may only return to the co-curricular program after first enrolling in and participating in a treatment program at his/her expense at a licensed AODA facility.  The student is expected to supply WBHS with appropriate information regarding the student’s AODA recommendations and program requirements.  This shall include evidence of program completion.

      3.   Third Offense

            The student will be suspended for one (1) calendar year (365 days) from any school

            sports or co-curricular activities.

      4.   Completion of Suspensions

            If a violation occurs toward the end of a sports season and there are not enough

            contests left in the season to fulfill the required percentages of the suspension, then

            the suspension will be recalculated and applied toward the next sport or activity in

            which the student participates.  A student who is on suspension for part of the

            season must complete the season of his/her sport or activity, or his/her ineligibility

            must be repeated in his/her next sport or activity.  Periods of ineligibility will be

            carried over to the next sports or co-curricular season, if that is what is necessary to

            fulfill the suspension requirements.  In order to receive regular season-ending

            awards (i.e., numerals, letters, certificates, etc.) for the season in which the violation

            occurred, a student must complete the season in good standing.  A student will be

            given the appropriate awards upon successful fulfillment of any co-curricular

            suspension.

      5.   Suspension Guide        
Sport Avg. # of Contests Self Referral 10% 1st Offense 2nd Offense
Fall Sports:        
Football      9 1 2 5
Boys Soccer     14 1 3 7
Girls Tennis       14 1 3 7
Volleyball 15 1 3 7
Cheerleading        
Winter Sports        
Basketball (Boys/Girls) 20 2 4 10
Wrestling 14 1 3 7
Dance Team        
Spring Sports        
Baseball 20 2 4 10
Golf 14 1 3 7
Girls Soccer 14 1 3 7
Softball 20 2 4 10
Boys Tennis 14 1 3 7
Athletic Practice Attendance Policy
Each coach will determine and enforce his/her own athletic practice attendance policies and team rules.  At the beginning of each season for each sport, the Athletic Director will convene a team meeting to address the Co-Curricular Code Behavior Policy.  At that meeting, the coach will outline athletic practice policies and team rules.  Parents will be encouraged to attend those meetings.

        

                                               

Approved:  August 14, 2006