Cocurricular Code

Eligibility for Participation

1. Any participant in the cocurricular program must have an Associated Student Body Card.

2. A participant must be in regular school attendance the previous semester. And have met W.I.A.A. eligibility requirements pursuant to rule (18.0). Additionally, participants must maintain a passing grade in all subjects. In the event an individual is no longer passing all classes he/she will be required to attend before school study table sessions. He/she will be allowed to continue taking part in competitions, performances, and club activities as long as he/she is attending study table sessions and adhering to all study table session rules. Individuals missing study table sessions are subject to competition/performance/activity suspensions

3. Additional Athletic/Cheerleading Requirements:

3.1 Insurance Coverage must be obtained through the school or if a family furnishes proof of sufficient medical coverage, a waiver indicating adequate coverage will suffice.

3.2 Results of a current physical exam must be on file in the main office.

Specific Rules and Regulations

1. No athlete may quit one sport and turn out for another after the season has begun without the consent of both affected coaches. A cocurricular activity season shall be that portion of a school and/or calendar year during which regularly scheduled practices, turnouts, rehearsals, meetings, games events, contests, or performances for the specific activity are conducted under the direct supervision of an approved Ferndale School District Employee.

2. Participants must travel to and from contests/activities away from Ferndale in transportation provided by the school. The only exceptions permitted are: (a) injury to a participant which would require alternate transportation; (b) prior arrangement (request must be in writing) between the participant’s parent/guardian and the coach/advisor for the participant to ride with the parent/guardian; and (c) any alternate travel arrangements must be cleared through the administration.

3. Completion of the activity season is required for the participant to be eligible for a letter or other team or individual awards (exception: injury which limits participation). No awards shall be given to any participant suspended for the remainder of the season for cocurricular code violations. Additional standards will be developed by each head coach/advisor and a copy filed with the Athletic/Activities Director prior to the season.

4. A participant who has been injured and has had medical treatment cannot participate until a signed release from the doctor is presented to the advisor/coach. The release form (to be provided by the school) will be kept on file by the Athletic Trainer.

5. Any violation of Board Policy 3200 by a participant that is deemed by the head coach, activity advisor, or school administration to be detrimental to the cocurricular program, school or school district, will result in counseling and/or corrective action. The sanction will be determined by the school administrator in consultation with the head coach/activity advisor and will depend on the type and severity of the violation.

6. Participants shall conduct themselves in a manner that renders them fit to serve as representatives of Ferndale High School (misconduct includes, but is not limited to, criminal activity, cheating, etc.). Failure to do so shall result in corrective action. The sanction will be determined by the school administrator in consultation with the head coach/activity advisor and will depend on the type and severity of the misconduct.

7. School-owned equipment used by a participant in any cocurricular activity is his/her responsibility. The loss of misuse of this equipment will be the financial obligation of the participant. Participants will not be allowed to participate in any activity until this obligation is fulfilled and all fines are cleared.

8. A participant is expected to attend all scheduled practices, turnouts, rehearsals, meetings, games, events, contents, and performance, whether or not school is in session. If it is found necessary to miss such, prior arrangements must be made with the advisor/coach. No practices will be held on Sundays. Any exception to the Sunday practice provision must be approved by the building principal and superintendent.

9. A participant shall not use, consume, possess, transmit, sell or be under the influence of alcoholic beverages, drugs (including anabolic steroids), narcotics, or tobacco (including smokeless tobacco). Neither shall a participant use or be in possession of drug paraphernalia. Receipt of a ‘Minor in Possession/SWI’ citation from a law enforcement agency will automatically constitute a violation of the cocurricular code. Sanctions for violations are listed in this code under Corrective Action.

10. The sport season begins and ends according to WIAA regulations.

11. A participant must be in school for all class periods in order to participate in a practice or a cocurricular activity that day. If a participant misses any portion of the school day, his/her absence must be cleared in advance by a school administrator. Unexcused absence is subject to sanction determined by the school administrator.

Corrective Actions

1. General

1.1 Each violation of the code will be judged on its individual merits and the corrective action will be determined by the nature and circumstances of the violation and any extenuating or exceptional circumstances.

1.2 Violations of this code will result in counseling, Eagle Service, or other discipline as outlined in Board Policy 3200 and/or specific sanctions as outlined below.

2. Specific Sanctions

2.1 Violation of Drug/Alcohol Rule

2.1.1 First Violation – Suspension from cocurricular activity for fifteen (15) school days. If the suspension period does not include a major activity, the participant will be denied the right to participate in the next major performance, game, contest, competition or event. In addition, a drug/alcohol evaluation by an approved community agency or individual must be completed within five(5) school days from the date of the incident (at the student’s expense).

2.1.2 Second Violation Suspension from cocurricular activities for one(1) calendar year and completion of a new evaluation by an approved community agency or individual within ten (10) days from the date of the incident and compliance with the evaluation recommendations prior to returning to the sport/activity. Written verification of the completion of the drug/alcohol evaluation and compliance with evaluator’s recommendations must be provided to the principal/designee. The participant must be in compliance with all treatment recommendations before he/she will be reinstated.

2.1.3 Additional Violations – Any additional violations of the cocurricular code during the participant’s high school career will be treated as second violations.

2.2 Violation of Tobacco Rule

2.2.1 First Violation – Five (5) day suspension from the activity (and next major performance, game, contest, competition or event).

2.2.2 Second Violation – Ten (10) day suspension from the activity and the next two (2) performances, games, contests, competitions, or events.

2.2.3 Additional Violations – Any additional violations during the participant’s high school career will be treated as second violations.

Participants will attend practices during suspensions.

3. Implementation Procedures

3.1 Whenever the corrective action includes suspension, the advisor/coach will adhere to the following procedures.

3.1.1 Report the incident immediately to the building athletic director and assistant principal.

3.1.2 The assistant principal/athletic director will then notify the parent/guardian.

4. Grievances/Hearings/Appeals

4.1 Procedures for grievances/hearings/appeals will be followed according to School Board Policy 3200, I – Corrective Action – General, F. A copy of the procedures will be given to the student and parent/guardian upon request.

4.2 A participant who is appealing discipline under this code will be allowed to practice, rehearse, and attend meetings, but not compete perform or represent Ferndale High School in the cocurricular program until due process is completed.