Purpose
This handbook was designed to help promote and maintain proper communications
between coaches, sponsors, players, parents, and
administration. Individual coaches and
sponsors must have the flexibility to set guidelines, rules, and regulations for
their own
activity. However, some rules must apply to all activities in order
to promote fairness and consistency. Rules and policies of USD #107 Board of Education and the KSHSAA must be adhered
to by all coaches and sponsors. Consequences for violations of
rules and policies of the Board of Education and the KSHSAA may be exceeded
with prior approval of the administration, however,
they can never be less. The rules and guidelines that are found in
this handbook are to be understood and enforced by each coach and sponsor.
Chain of Command
Good communication and chain of command understood and followed by all is a
must in
order for an activities department to function efficiently and
effectively. Assistant coaches, Rule 10 coaches, assistant sponsors,
parents must initiate contact with their head coaches and head sponsors first
in dealing with any problems, concerns, or needs. The head coaches
and head sponsors are to use the following chain of command:
Activities Director
Building Principal
Superintendent
USD #107 Code of Ethics
Coaches:
Always set a good example for participants and fans to follow, exemplifying the
highest moral and ethical behavior.
Instruct participants in proper sportsmanship responsibilities and demand that
they make
sportsmanship the Number One Priority.
Respect the judgment of contest officials, abide by the rules of the event, and
display no
behavior that could incite fans.
Treat opposing sponsors, participants, and fans with respect. Shake
hands with
officials and opposing coaches in public.
Develop and enforce penalties for participants who do not abide by
sportsmanship standards.
Students:
Treat opponents with respect; shake hands
prior to and after contests.
Respect judgment of contest officials, abide by rules of the contest, and
display no behavior that could incite fans.
Cooperate with officials, sponsors, and fellow participants to conduct a fair
contest.
Accept seriously the responsibility and privilege of representing your school
and
community; display positive public action at all times.
Live up to the high standards of sportsmanship established by the sponsors and
administration.
Fans:
Complement student-participants in their attempt to improve and learn.
Realize that a ticket is a privilege to observe the contest, not a license to
verbally assault others or be generally obnoxious.
Respect both participants and fans of opposing teams.
Know and understand the rules of the contest.
Respect both participants and fans of opposing teams.
Respect the decisions of an official, and admire their willingness to publicly
officiate student-participants, in the best interest of interscholastic sport.
Cheer good performances, regardless of uniform color.
Recognize and compliment the efforts of sponsors, officials, league
and school
administrators for their interest in expanding education.
Remember not to bring attention to yourself; the attention belongs to our
students.
Team Rules
Each coach and sponsor is responsible to hand out to the students and parents,
before the
season begins, a set of team rules that are thorough
and concise. These rules must be approved in advance by the
Activities Director and Building Principal. Both the Activities
Director and Building Principal are to be provided a copy of the team rules at
least one week prior to the start of the first practice for the sport or
activity.
Team rules should have a definite purpose and be clear and
understandable. The steps of
discipline that will take place if rules are broken should be
addressed. It is advisable to make rules governing punishment
flexible so that all situations can be addressed.
If a team qualifies for any State Tournament or Meet; the
school district will pay for lodging and travel expenses. No meal money will be given. It will be the student’s responsibility for
all meals.
Student Physical Examinations
Every student that wishes to participate in athletics, including Cheerleading,
must have a
fully completed KSHSAA physical form on file in the Building Principal’s office
BEFORE THE STUDENT CAN PARTICIPATE IN A PRACTICE. Make certain the
student’s signature is on the form and the parents/legal guardians have signed
the form. Student managers are not required to have a physical on
file, however, if
they are going to be active participants in the practice sessions, i.e.,
running, playing, etc. they should have a physical completed.
Students will be issued school practice gear and uniforms for participation in the athletic events. The students will be required to be responsible and take care of the gear throughout the season of play. At the end of the season of play, each student will be required to return the uniform and practice gear as it was given to them at the beginning of the season. If the uniform and/or practice gear is not returned to the school, the student is responsible for replacing the uniform and/or practice gear at replacement cost. The student will not be issued a uniform or practice gear for the next season of play until the gear is returned or the replacement cost is paid.
Cheerleaders
All cheerleading uniforms,
sweat suits, pom pons, and any other items purchased by USD #107 will be
returned to the school at the end of the cheering season. Cheerleaders will keep any personal items
purchased by them: shoes, socks, under
garments.
The uniforms. sweat
suits, and other items purchased by USD #107 will be reused as much as possible
the following year and beyond to cut costs to the district and parents.
Parent/Legal
Guardian Meeting
Coaches and sponsors must have a parent/guardian meeting before their sport
begins to explain their rules/guidelines, expectations, and lettering
policies. Coaches
should make certain parents have an opportunity to have their questions and
concerns answered. Parents should be informed one week in advance,
of the meeting so their calendars can be arranged for them to make plans to
attend.
Informational packets should be handed out at this meeting. Parents
need to be informed that the student can possibly be injured (some very
seriously) by participating in the sponsored activities. Each parent
is to receive an acknowledgement sheet provided by the Activities Director that
the parent and student must sign indicating they have read and
understand the rules and guidelines and agree that their son/daughter
will abide by those rules and guidelines and acknowledge the possibility of
injury.
Those parents unable to attend the meeting will be sent the informational
packet and the athlete will not be able to play in the first competition until
the acknowledgment sheets have been returned with the signature of both the
parent/legal guardian and student. Students may practice prior to
the acknowledgment sheet being signed and returned, however, they may not
participate in contests until completed. All information contained
in the packets is to be reviewed with the Activities Director and/or Building Principal
prior to its distribution.
Participation in Multiple Activities During a Season
Students will be allowed to participate in only one (1) activity during a season. The student must choose to participate in one activity of the following
seasons:
Season 1) Football Volleyball Cross Country
Season 2) Basketball
Season 3) Track Golf
Scholastic Requirements for
Participation and Eligibility
We at Rock Hills High School hold participation in extracurricular activities
as a privilege not a right. We also hold the participants in
extracurricular activities on a higher level than non-participants because of
the leadership qualities shown by the participants.
Students participating in extracurricular activities at Rock Hills High School
should be expected to perform well academically in the
classroom. Academics must come first.
Starting at the beginning of the school year teachers submit every 2 weeks the
students’ academic progress. The following are the academic
guidelines established for participation in extracurricular activities based on
academic performance:
1. A student must maintain a passing grade
in all their academic subjects.
(Passing grade means no F’s.)
2. Students’ grades will be reviewed at the 2-week Progress Report
intervals.
If a student receives a failing grade (F) he/she
shall be able to practice but will not be
able to
participate in the next extracurricular games or performances. Students
and
parents will be notified on Mondays of Progress Report intervals if student
becomes scholastically ineligible.
3. Students will have that week of non-participation to improve
their failing academic
grade(s) to a passing grade. Review of the student’s academic progress the
Monday of non-participation will determine participation status the next week.
Conduct
The use of tobacco, alcohol, or drugs by a participant on an athletic or
cheerleading squad
or any other activity group is NOT ACCEPTABLE. The student should
exercise good judgment in out-of-school activities. Using alcohol,
being drunk, under the influence, using tobacco (smoking or chewing), using
drugs in public or being in possession or under the influence of any illegal
substance is considered by the administration, coaches, and sponsors of Rock
Hills High as a very negative reflection upon our High School. (Exception: medication is prescribed by licensed
physician and is acceptable only if administration, coaches, and sponsors have
been notified of situation.)
The Rock Hills High School Drug and Alcohol policy signed by students and
parents will be enforced.
A student cannot afford to be a poor citizen in school. Behavior and
conduct play a very
important role in a school environment. You are looked upon as a
leader. Accept that leadership with a positive attitude.
Sportsmanship
Those who are in attendance at USD #107 activities will adhere to sportsmanship
Rule 52
of the KSHSAA. Sportsmanship is a way of thinking and behaving.
USD #107 students, parents, school personnel, and patrons will have the
opportunity to sign a sportsmanship pledge. This pledge simply
states that all in attendance at USD #107 activities will try hard to practice
good sportsmanship. Students and parents of
participating students must sign the pledge before the students may play in
their first contest or take part in their first activity.
Attendance
Students must be in regular attendance the full
day of a scheduled activity during the school week. Failure to do so will result in missing the
next applicable activity.
Students must be in regular
attendance the morning following activities during the school week. Failure to do so will result in missing the
next applicable activity.
In School Suspension –
Out of School Suspension
Students in ISS or OSS the day of the activity will not participate in the
activity.
Transportation
Students are to be encouraged by their coaches/sponsors to not only travel to a
contest,
but also to return home together. Each coach/sponsor will have a
sign out sheet in their possession following games/contests. If
parents wish to have students ride home with them the parents must sign the
sign out sheet. Parents not attending the games/contests and wish
to have their students ride home with grandparents or relatives MUST COME TO
SCHOOL THE DAY OF THE GAME/CONTEST AND SIGN THE SIGN OUT SHEET AHEAD OF
TIME. Students missing the bus ride to the game/contest will not
compete in that game/contest unless arrangements have been made ahead of time
with the Building Principal.
Rewards for Lettering
Each coach will have his/her own criteria for lettering in each sport.
ALL LETTERING IS AT THE DISCRETION OF
THE COACH OR SPONSOR. FACTORS INCLUDE CITIZENSHIP, ATTITUDE, DISCIPLINE, PARTICIATION
QUALIFICATIONS, REPRESENTATION, AND RESPONSIBILITY.