2019-2020

TULAROSA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC POLICY

DECISION TO VIOLATE RULES IS TOUGHEST DECISION

(Reprinted from Illinois Interscholastic)

"It was one of the toughest decisions I have ever had to make! " Many times we hear that comment from a school official following an incident resulting in disciplinary action against a student. This is especially true when it has been necessary to suspend a student from participation in school activities because the student violated one of the rules of our association or his school.

Now is the time to set the record straight. It is a mistake for a member school representative to assume his/her action to suspend a student for violation of the rules was a tough decision.

The truth is, the student is the person who made the "tough decision " If our schools have done their job of informing the students, a student knows the rule — knows the penalty for violation of the rule and knows the penalty for the violation cannot be waived. WHENA STUDENTMAKESA DECISION TO VIOLATE THE RULES THATSTUDENTHASALREADYAGREED WITH HIMSELF/HERSELF THAT HE/SHE IS WILLING TOACCEPT THE PENALTYAS PRESCRIBED. IT IS AT THAT MOMENT THA T THE TOUGH DECISION IS MADE!

Application of rules and penalties for violations is easy — the decision to violate the rules is the tough decision.

TULAROSA MUNICIPAL SCHOOLS ATHLETIC POLICY

2019-2020

The information contained herein has been compiled by the Tularosa Athletic Department and approved by the Tularosa Board of Education for the purpose of describing general and specific criteria related to interscholastic athletics.

Each coach, student athlete, parent and/or guardian should become familiar with this policy to better understand the conditions under which athletics function. (Cheerleaders are administered under the athletic program).

In order to maintain a consistent and unified athletic policy within the Tularosa Municipal Schools, the Athletic Department hereby establishes the following guidelines:

1. Participation in athletics is a privilege and NOT a right.

2. Beginning date for each sport:

   1. Each respective sport season will start on the first day of legal practice as designated by the NMAA.

3. Ending date for each sport season:

   1. When all equipment has been turned in or paid for by each student athlete and clearance form is issued. Student athletes will not be allowed to begin participation in another sport until clearance form has been issued from previous sport.

4. Athletics is open to both boys and girls. Each must comply with the following criteria:

   1. Eligibility: Students must meet NMAA academic eligibility standards. Eighth grade participation at the high school level is permitted, The "eighth grade participation" form must be submitted to the NMAA for approval prior to participation.

   2. attitude and Conduct: Proper attitude and conduct is at all times becoming to an athlete. Each athlete will keep in mind that he/she is a representative of the school, family, and community. Sportsmanship is vital to the overall importance of athletics and will be stressed as a component in all sports. Failure to maintain proper attitude and conduct at all times will be grounds for disciplinary action by respective coaches.

   3. Morality: Public display of affection will be subject to disciplinary action by respective coaches.

   4. Appearance: When traveling on out-of-town trips, student athletes will be required to wear appropriate clothing which will distinguish them as members of a Tularosa athletic team. On game day, all students involved in the athletic program must meet the appearance standards. The following are minimum standards established by the Athletic Department:

      1. Male

         1. No extreme hair color

         2. Hair no longer than collar length*

         3. Covering no more than half of the ear on sides

         4. No tails

         5. No facial hair

         6. Sideburns no longer than half of the ear

      2. Female

         1. Hair must be braided or secured in such a way to maintain visibility of numerals.

         2. No extreme shaves

         3. No extreme hair colors

* -        For cultural reasons only, athletic haircut waiver request forms are available within the Athletic Department.

1. Respect for teachers. coaches. and other teammates: Athletes will show respect for teachers in the classroom and school environment and to their coaches on or off the athletic field or court, and will maintain mutual respect with fellow teammates. Failure to abide by the rule will be grounds for disciplinary action by respective coaches.

 

1. Athletes: Athletes involved in any behavior that could be considered criminal in nature, will be subject to the discipline regulations as stated in the student handbook.

 

1. The use of all tobacco products is prohibited.

 

1. First Offense: Athlete will be suspended from 10% of the remaining contests. The athlete must attend and participate in all practices for that particular sport.

2. Second Offense: Athlete will be suspended for 15 days and a minimum of 2 games. The athlete must attend and participate in all practices for that particular sport.

3. Third Offense: Immediate suspension from the sport involved. He/she will not letter or receive any athletic awards for that sport.

4. Alcoholic beverages of any kind, and the selling. partaking or possession of any controlled substance or mariiuana will not be tolerated. Violation will result in disciplinary action by the Athletic Department. (Same consequences as for a violation of the Mandatory Drug Testing policy (IV.I.b.l.-3.), plus the consequences listed in the T HS Student Handbook for possession or use of alcohol or controlled substances, p. 28.)

5. Mandatory Drug Testing: All participants must sign a consent to be randomly tested for drugs and alcohol. Consequences for any positive test would follow the Tularosa Municipal Schools athletic policy.

   1. A refusal to provide a sample, or the alteration or falsification of a specimen or test result, will be treated as resignation from all extra-curricular activities programs for the remainder of the current school year and for the next school year. In addition, if the student refuses to provide a sample, the student must have a drug/alcohol test prior to participation in any future program of extra-curricular activities. The student's parent/legal guardian will be notified.

   2. Consequences: A student found to have been in violation of the drug and alcohol policy shall be subject to the following consequences:

l . First Offense:

1. A Parent or Legal Guardian and the Superintendent or his/her designee conference will be required when a student commits a first violation.

2. The student will be suspended from participating in any scheduled extra-curricular activities for 15 consecutive school days and a minimum of 2 games beginning from the date and time of verification of a positive test. Students will be required to participate in practices.

3. The student will be required to fulfill the requirements of his/her class schedule including participation in any classes during the suspension period.

4. The student may be subject to a drug use test for each random drug test administered while school is in session for the remainder of the school year.

5. The student will sign a statement acknowledging the consequences of a second offense.

1. Second Offense:

   1. The student will be suspended from participating in all extra-curricular activities programs for 90 consecutive days. Students will not be allowed to practice during this time.

   2. The student will be recommended to attend a drug education program at the expense of the student or his/her parent/guardian.

   3. The student may be subject to a drug use test for each random drug test administered while school is in session for the remainder of the school year.

   4. The student will sign a statement acknowledging the consequences of a third offense.

2. Third Offense:

   1. The student will be suspended from participating in all programs of extracurricular activities for 180 consecutive days, Students will not be allowed to practice during this time.

   2. The student will be recommended to attend a drug education program at the expense of the student or his/her parent/guardian.

   3. The student may be subject to a drug use test for each random drug test administered while school is in session for the remainder of the school year.

1. Social Networking: Keep personal web pages (face book, twitter, etc.) including pictures, comments, video or sound files clean and within the scope ofNMAA, district, school and Athletic Policy. This includes anything depicting drugs/alcohol, and or images that would be considered inappropriate based on policy. Action could be taken if they are not representing THS in an appropriate way.

2. Insurance Form and Physical Examination: A signed form acknowledging risk of injury, release of liability, and proof of insurance must be on file with the Athletic Department before a student can participate in athletics. In addition, students must pass a physical examination each year and this form must be on file with the Athletic Department before he/she can participate in athletics.

3. Quitting a Sport: Anyone quitting a sport of his/her own volition, after the first scheduled contest, will not be allowed to re-enter that sport that season or any other sport that season.

4. Mutual Participation: A student participating in a sport must have mutual understandings with his/her coach or sponsor if he/she intends to be involved in any other activity which will conflict with that sport.

5. Sport Fitness: When a student enrolls in Sport Fitness, he/she will remain in that class for a minimum of one semester, participating in either a sport or off-season program. Schedule changes will be made at semester ONLY for students who have decided not to participate in athletics if there is an opportunity to enroll in an alternative class. Students will be expected to participate in all activities involved in the off-season program as part of the written curriculum for Sport Fitness.

6. School Regulations and Policies: Athletes are expected to abide by all school regulations and policies. School attendance for students IS important! Student athletes who are absent from school for any of his/her classes on the day of a contest will be cause for disciplinary action by their respective coaches. Student athletes must be in attendance for all classes on the next school day following a contest. Failing to be in attendance will be cause for disciplinary action by respective coaches. Athletes and parents should understand that the students' commitment to athletics does not preclude their obligation to attend classes on a regular basis.

7. All Star Deposits: Student athletes who have been selected to participate in and All Star game will be required to place a deposit of $100.00 for the equipment to be issued by Tularosa Municipal Schools. The equipment will be issued to the individual one week prior to the All Star game and the deposit will be held by the respective head coach for one week after the All Star game. It is the obligation of the athlete involved to return this equipment directly to the head coach within this specified time frame to secure the return of the deposit.

8. Discipline: The Athletic Director will be responsible for approving routine discipline procedures for all sports. This specific information for each sport will be addressed by each head coach in a parent meeting prior to the start of their season.

9. Inventory: All equipment and uniforms will be returned to respective coaches at the end of the season. Athletes must receive clearance from the previous sport (Clearance form) before participating in another sport. Each head coach will be responsible for submitting an updated inventory to the Athletic Director at the conclusion of his/her season.

NOTE: The following sheet must be signed and returned to the Athletic Department to be placed in your athletic file for the current year. Please keep the complete policy in your possession so you can have access to it should you need to refresh your mind on a particular issue.

TULAROSA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC POLICY

2019-2020

I have read, understand, and agree to comply or have my son/daughter, or dependent comply with the policies related to interscholastic athletics as set forth by the Tularosa Athletic Department and approved by the Tularosa Board of Education.

I also understand that these athletic policies are in effect 24 hours each the year round. This includes off-season and summer months when school is NOT in session. I understand that by signing my name to this policy, I am officially declaring my commitment to be an athlete and abide by the rules and regulations of the Tularosa Schools.

I also understand that situations not specifically covered in these guidelines will be reviewed by the coaches, principals, and athletic director. After consideration of circumstances relative to the incident, decisions reached by the coaches, principals, and athletic directors will be considered as

 

final.

 

Signature of Athlete

Date

 

Signature of Parent/Guardian                                                            Date