Earn Back Clause 

For school behavioral violations (major office referrals), the student-athlete may regain eligibility by completing school service and a behavior plan constructed by the athletic director, the student’s team of teachers, and/or relevant staff members in conjunction with the student. A student must miss a minimum of (1) athletic competition. The student will be responsible to create a school/community service plan and provide written documentation upon completion. “Community Service” is an unpaid service that a person performs for the benefit of his or her local community or school, or another person(s), other than a relative. The athletic director must approve the plans in advance, as well as, the final accounting of the service hours upon completion. 

Redemption Clause 

The level of discipline would be reduced by one level for one month  the student is referral free. For example, a student with three (3) major behavior referrals would have his/her total consequences reduced to two (2) referrals if he/she were violation free for one month following the date of the last reported major referral. An additional referral for this student, after the month of remaining referral free, would result in the consequences that correspond with the level three instead of level four.  The redemption clause does not apply to student-athletes who have had four or more major referrals.  

A student-athlete with an out-of-school suspension will be ineligible to compete or practice during the period of the suspension. The student with an in-school suspension will be eligible to practice but not to compete during the period of the suspension. 

AttendANCE 

Excessive unexcused absences and tardiness from school and unexcused absences and tardiness from practices or games will result in disciplinary action by the Athletic Director or Principal. This may result in suspension from participation for a period of one week to the entire season.

EQUIPMENT 

The care and maintenance of equipment will be the co-responsibility of participants and Chippewa Falls High School. Participants are responsible for immediately turning in equipment to the coach/advisor at the conclusion of the activity. Individuals will not be allowed to take part in another activity or accept awards, and a diploma may be withheld until all responsibilities are taken care of. 

TRANSPORTATION 

Students must travel to and from out-of-town contests/events with the team/group. If a parent/guardian is present at the out-of-town contest/event, the student may ride home with the parent/guardian provided that the coach/advisor in charge has in his/her possession the proper release form signed by the parent/guardian and also have face-to-face contact with the coach/advisor. The activities director must approve any travel to an out-of-town contest by means other than with the team/group. 1st Violation of any of the above processes will result in consequences levied by coaching/advising staff. Violation could involve event suspension. 2nd Violation of this process will involve event suspension—head coach and activities director will determine length of suspension.

Riding the bus for school activities is a privilege, and students are expected to show respect for the driver, other students, and the private property of others both on the bus and at the trip’s destination. The coach/advisor and bus driver are in complete charge at all times, and students are to respect their authority. 

It is expected that the students will conduct themselves in an appropriate manner on school sponsored trips. It is important that all students understand that they represent the school to the general public. On trips, any student who exhibits abusive behavior or immature conduct as detected by the coach/advisor may be suspended from contest(s)/event(s). This includes behavior on the bus, at the trip’s destination, and at any eating establishment. The coach’s/advisor’s discretion will apply. 

Coaches/advisors may have additional expectations for travel and trip conduct/appearance.

ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY 

Students of Chippewa Falls Middle School must receive an academic grade higher than a “0” (no evidence) and must receive a lifelong learner characteristic grade higher than an “I” (in need of improvement), in all classes, in order to be eligible to participate in co-curricular activities. The academic eligibility will be determined by the trimester grade preceding the sports season.  

1. A student is required to maintain a full time status.

2. A student who fails to meet the established academic criteria (II,A) will be ineligible for a period of fourteen (14) days.  The period of ineligibility for the first trimester will be on the first day of practice.  At the conclusion of the fourteen (14) calendar day period of ineligibility, the student will present his/her teachers a verification notice which he/she will obtain from the A.D.  This will determine if the student is presently passing all classes on his/her schedule.  If the student is presently passing all classes at this time, the student is academically eligible for the remainder of that sport season/activity or until the grading evaluation period occurs.

3. Should a student continue to be ineligible after the fourteen (14) calendar day period of ineligibility, we will give the student 5 more school days to meet eligibility requirements.  If after the extra 5 school days the student is still academically ineligible, they will stay ineligible until the next sports season.

4. Students who are under academic ineligibility can continue to practice with the team, but will not participate in any contests which occur during the prescribed period of academic ineligibility.

5. An incomplete at the end of a grading period similarly results in temporary ineligibility.  A student  regains eligibility immediately if incompletes are made up within 14 days after a grade reporting period.

6. Students having excessive missing assignments may qualify as academically ineligible and will be required to come up with a plan with the teacher and athletic director to reduce the number of missing assignments.  

7. A student who is enrolled in any state-approved Exceptional Educational Needs (EEN) program and who receives no usual grades for such courses may be eligible if he/she is making satisfactory progress in his/her total school program as indicated by his/her Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

 A student who is under an academic or activities suspension will be allowed to travel with the team or group, but not participate unless the trip results in the student missing an academic class in which they are getting an “0.” For example, a student with an “0” in their 10th period class will not be able to travel with their team if they will be absent 10th period.

APPEAL PROCESS

Letter of Ineligibility

When it has been determined that a student has violated the Competitive Activities Code, the Activities Director shall formalize the ineligibility decision in writing and send a letter by registered mail to the parent(s)/guardian(s) within ten (10) working days.  This letter shall outline the specific details relating to (a) the violation or infraction, (b) date of violation of infraction, (c) period of ineligibility, (d) any other pertinent information, and (e) timeline appeal process.

The school shall provide an opportunity for the student to be heard prior to any consequence being enforced.  If a student appeals a suspension according to the school’s appeal procedure, the student is ineligible during the appeal process.

Step 1 (Competitive Activity Appeal at Activities Department Level)

• After a ruling of ineligibility resulting in suspension from competitive activities has been formalized in writing, a student and/or parent(s)/guardian(s) may formally appeal the decision in writing to the Activities Director.  The parent(s)/guardian(s) must send a letter to the attention of the Activities Director.  The notarized letter must be received within ten (10) working days from the date of the original letter of ineligibility.

• After an appeal letter has been received, the school will contact (by mail or phone) the parent(s)/guardian(s) with a date for a hearing that will take place no later than 15 working days from the date the appeal letter was received.  If the parent(s)/guardian(s) are unwilling to meet within those 15 working days said consequences will stand.

• The Activities Level Appeal committee, present at the hearing, shall include the Activities Director (non-voting member), a building level administrator (non-voting member) a guidance counselor, a teacher, and three coaches outside the student’s area(s).  The capabilities of the building level committee are either: (a) the violation occurred and said consequence is enforced, or (b) the violation did not occur.

• The student will be provided an opportunity to testify and present evidence on his/her behalf at the hearing.  Parent(s)/guardian(s) of the student are also welcome to testify.  The administration will be provided an opportunity to explain why a code violation was given.  The committee will be given an opportunity to direct questions to the student/parent/guardian and the administration.  The committee of voting members will decide whether a code violation occurred in private and will report their decision to the Activities Director.  Results of the hearing will be put into writing and a copy of these proceedings will be mailed to the student and/or his/her parent(s)/guardian(s).

Step 2 (Competitive Activities Appeal at Building Level - Principal or his/her designee)

• If the student and/or his/her parent(s)/guardian(s) believes that pertinent information related to said code violation was not considered at the Activities Department level, a second appeal may be requested before the Building Principal or his/her designee.  The Activities Director must receive, in writing, a request for such a second hearing before the Building Principal or his/her designee within ten (10) working days from the date of the first appeal results letter.

• The Activities Director shall notify the Building Principal or his/her designee that a competitive activities appeal at the Building Level has been received.  The Building Principal or his/her designee shall determine if a second appeal is warranted.  If the Building Principal or his/her designee believes that a second appeal is warranted he/she will arrange a date to meet with the Activities Director, the student and the parent(s)/guardian(s).  If a second appeal is granted it will happen within 15 working days of the second appeal request letter.

• Before the Building Principal or his/her designee, the Activities Director will describe the violation and the consequences issued as well as the first appeal result.  The student and/or his/her parent(s)/guardian(s) will be provided with an opportunity to testify before the Building Principal or his/her designee and present evidence on his/her behalf at this meeting.

• After the Building Principal or his/her designee has heard all information and evidence, a decision will be made concerning the student’s eligibility.  The Building Principal or his/her designee may dismiss the competitive activities code violation, uphold the consequence or amend the student's period of ineligibility.  After deliberation, the Building Principal or his/her designee shall contact the student and/or parent(s)/guardian(s) and the Activities Director and deliver a decision.  The latest a decision will be rendered is within five working days of the second appeal hearing at the building Principal or his/her designee level.

• A written copy of the Building Principal’s or his/her designee decision will be mailed to the student and/or his/her parent(s)/guardian(s).

Step 3 (Competitive Activities Appeal at District Level -Superintendent)

• If the student and/or his parent(s)/guardian(s) believes that pertinent information related to said code violation was not considered at the Activities Department level and/or Building Level a third appeal may be requested before the Superintendent.  The Activities Director must receive, in writing, a request for such a third hearing before the Superintendent within ten (10) working days from the date of the second appeal results letter.

• The Activities Director shall notify the Superintendent that a competitive activities appeal at the District Level has been received.  The Superintendent shall determine if a third appeal is warranted.  If the Superintendent believes that a third appeal is warranted he/she will arrange a date to meet with the Activities Director, the Building Principal or his/her designee, the student and the parent(s)/guardian(s).  If a third appeal is granted it will happen within 15 working days of the third appeal request letter.

• Before the Superintendent, the Building Principal or his/her designee and the Activities Director will describe the violation and the consequences issued as well as appeal results up to this point.  The student and/or his/her parent(s)/guardian(s) will be provided with an opportunity to testify before the Superintendent and present evidence on his/her behalf at this meeting.

• After the Superintendent has heard all information and evidence, a decision will be made concerning the student’s eligibility.  The Superintendent may dismiss the competitive activities code violation, uphold the consequence or amend the student's period of ineligibility.  After deliberation, the Superintendent shall contact the student and or parent(s)/guardian(s) and the Activities Director and deliver a decision.  The latest a decision will be rendered is within five working days of the third appeal hearing at the District Level.

• A written copy of the Superintendent’s decision will be mailed to the student and/or his/her parent(s)/guardian(s).

• The Superintendent’s decision shall be the final step in the school district’s appeal process.

PARENT/ATHLETE/COACH EXPECTATIONS 

Parenting and coaching are extremely difficult vocations.  By establishing an understanding of each other’s expectations, we are better able to accept the actions of both parties and provide greater benefits to the student-athlete.  When a child becomes involved in a co-curricular activity, parents and coaches have a right to understand what expectations are going to be placed on the athlete and on each other.  This begins with clear communication from the athlete, parent, coach and athletic department.

Communications/expectations parents/athletes should expect from the coaches:

1. The expectations the coaches have for their children and all team members.

2. Location and times of all practices

3. Team requirements, fees, special equipment, game dress, off-season opportunities

4. The policy dealing with excused and unexcused absences  (What will the consequence be for missing a game/practice because of vacation?)

5. The Chippewa Falls High School and WIAA eligibility requirements. 

6. Team rules beyond the Chippewa Falls High School activities code.

7. The lettering requirements

8. The coaches act as a role model for good sportsmanship, use of appropriate language, promoting a health environment and safe teaching techniques.

9. Well-planned practices.

Communications/expectations coaches should expect from the athlete and parents:

1. Notifications of any schedule conflicts that may occur, well in advance of the season. (Vacations, etc.)

2. Special concerns regarding coaching expectations. (Practice requirements)

3. Support for the Activities Code and all team rules.

4. If the athlete has a concern, the parents should encourage their son/daughter to speak with the coach or coaching staff.

5. Support for all team members and the coaching staff.

6. Positive support at games for their son/daughter, their teammates and the coaching staff.

7. Exhibit good sportsmanship and appropriate language by the athlete and parents at games and/or practices.

8. A great work ethic at practices and in games.

Concerns Athlete/Parent May Address with Coaching Staff:

Appropriate Concerns Athlete/Parent May Address with Coaching Staff:

1. The treatment of the athlete mentally and physically.

2. Ways to help the athlete improve his/her performance and skill level.

3. Concerns about the athlete’s behavior in school/practices/games.

Areas that are not Appropriate For Parents To Discuss With Coaching Staff:

1. An individual’s playing time.

2. Team strategy.

3. Play selections.

4. The make-up of the team and the decision as to who plays on a particular team.

5. Other members of the team, other parents, and other coaches.

The Proper Method To Address a Concern:

Step One:

1. The athlete speaks with the coach. (It is suggested that the coaching staff be involved/present when this conference takes place.)

Step Two:

1. The parent asks for a conference with the coach and the athlete.  (If the coach cannot be reached, the parent should contact the athletic director and he will arrange for the coach to contact the parent.)

Step Three:

1. If the conference between the parent/athlete and coach does not resolve the concern, there will be a meeting set up by the athletic director.  The AD will moderate the conference.

2. The conference will deal with the specific issues that the parent/athlete has.  Both parties will be allowed to speak in an uninterrupted manner.  This will be in a non-threatening environment.