File:  JJJ-R-1 - Extracurricular Activity Participation Policy Regulations

I.  Penalties for Infractions of Rules of Conduct

The maximum penalty for "guilt by association" shall not exceed the first offense penalty nor will it be cumulative.

FIRST OFFENSE:

CATEGORY ONE

Students participating in athletics will forfeit 25 percent of the actual scheduled events (counting tournaments as 2 activities, rounding to the nearest whole number, with a minimum of 1) in that particular activity or the next activity in which the student chooses to participate, in the event the student was not participating in a sport at the time of infraction.  This policy will take effect on the first official day of practice for any sport and continue during the student's entire high school career, excluding summer vacation.  If the infraction occurs at the end of a season and 25 percent of the events no longer remain, there will be a carryover into the next activity.  (Example:  should the student participate in football and lose the privilege of competing in three contests and only one game remains, then that student will still have to sit out two contests of the next sport activity in which he/she is participating.  If participating in more than one activity at the time of infraction he/she will lose 25 percent participation in each activity.  The student may attend practice during the time of suspension if he/she wishes to continue in the activity.

CATEGORY TWO

Students who are members of clubs or organizations that do not fall under category one (athletics) will forfeit one of their scheduled extra curricular activities.  If the club or organization has more than one scheduled activity, the student will forfeit the privilege of participating in the first activity occurring following the infraction.  This policy will take effect on the first official meeting day for any club or organization and continue during the student's entire high school career, excluding summer vacation.  The student will be allowed to attend meetings during the time of suspension.

CATEGORY THREE

Students participating in yearlong activities will miss 25 percent of the scheduled performances or 3 months participation from the date of infraction, whichever is the lesser.

During the time of suspension in all categories, the student and parent and/or guardian will schedule a meeting with one of the counselors and an administrator to discuss the suspension and in-house counseling program.

ALL CATEGORIES

Once a student elects to participate in an activity that falls under categories one, two, or three, the above stated policy will be in effect throughout the student's career.  In order that a participant be given credit for served suspension time in a subsequent activity, the student must remain in the activity until the designated season ending date.

Infractions will be cumulative within the La Junta Junior/Senior High School, but shall not be transferable from the student's junior high career to their high school career, except in completing a penalty.

SECOND OFFENSE:

The student forfeits the right of participation in all categories for 50% of scheduled events from the date of infraction.

*THIRD OFFENSE

Loss of participation in all extracurricular activities for 170 school days.  Should this occur, it is strongly recommended by the school that the student involved receive professional help, at the expense of the student or parents, immediately.

*Penalties for violations beyond the 3rd offense shall be at the discretion of the building principal and/or superintendent and may include permanent prohibition from participating in district programs.

II.  PROCEDURES TO ENSURE PARENT KNOWLEDGE

1.  It will be our intention that every parent read the policy and sign off on a verification form.  This will be handled initially by having policies available at the first parent meeting in August and also at student registration.  Once school starts we will go through student advisors or first period classes to ensure all students have a signed verification form on file.

On an on-going basis, new students' parents will be given a copy of the policy upon registering and asked to sign the verification form.  Each year, incoming freshmen will be required to take the policy home and bring back the verification form.

2.  A statement will be printed on emergency consent forms which states in effect:

"I have read the district's Drug and Alcohol policy and am aware of the penalties which relate to school-related activities."

III.  MISCELLANEOUS

1.  Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to prohibit a coach or sponsor from establishing and enforcing with principal approval additional rules applicable to the particular activity, e.g. curfew hours and other matters relating to the functioning of the team or group.  These rules are to be provided to participants in writing with a copy on file with the principal.  Violations of these rules may be handled directly by the coach or sponsor involved after conferring with the building athletic director and/or the appropriate building administrator.

2.  Students permanently suspended from a sport will not letter in that sport or participate in another sport during the season.  Any violations of the participation code may result in the revoking of any awards for which the participant might otherwise be eligible.

3.  An athlete who quits a sport during its season may try out for another sport that season, provided both head coaches of the sports involved give their consent.  If there is disagreement among coaches, the student or coach may request a building administrator to review the case.

4.  A student cannot participate in practice, scrimmages or contests during the time of any out of school suspension from school.

5.  These regulations are in effect during the academic year plus any extra curricular activity during the summer months.

IV.  DISCIPLINE AND APPEAL PROCEDURES

1.  The principal or designee shall be responsible for the application of penalties and sanctions for violations of the Rules of conduct set forth in this policy.

STEP 1

The Activities Director will notify the student and parent or guardian of a policy violation by the most immediate accessible means of communication. The notice may be oral or in writing at the discretion of the principal or designee and shall as a minimum inform the student and parent/guardian of the nature of the alleged violation, the nature of the penalty which may be imposed, and the availability of the principal or designee to meet with the student and parent/guardian to discuss the matter.  If desired by the parent or guardian, the informal meeting will be set up at a mutual convenience.

At the informal hearing the student shall be given an opportunity to deny the alleged violation or to provide his/her version of the incident.  The principal or designee may his/her discretion depending upon the circumstances allow the student to present witnesses or hold a more extensive hearing in order to make a proper decision on the contemplated action.  Written notice of the penalties shall be made promptly by the building administrator to the participant, his/her parent/guardian and the coach or sponsor.

If no request is received by the school within fifteen school days of the notification to the student, the appeal process is forfeited.

STEP 2

The parent or guardian may appeal the decision to the superintendent of schools in writing within thirty days of the hearing.  The student shall not be considered a participant during the appeal process.

STEP 3

The superintendent's decision may be appealed in writing within twenty days after the notification of the superintendent's decision by the student or parent or guardian to the school board.

Witnesses may be called by any of the aforementioned parties.

Adopted August 10, 1987

Revised April 30, 1992

Revised June 18, 2001

Revised February 13, 2012