Staff leadership is the crucial key in developing a strong, positive program.  Staff must teach lessons that are compatible with the mission of the District.  They must demand honorable competition, respect for others, teamwork, and self-discipline.

Responsibilities include:

• Modeling positive moral values to students.

• Promoting participation and enjoyment of the activity.

• Teaching the skills of the activity.

• Motivating students with praise and positive actions.

• Demonstrating respect for others.

• Maintaining open communication with students, parents/guardians, and administrators.

Directors/Coaches/Advisors have earned a unique position of esteem in the community that allows them to influence many of the students with whom they work.  This position carries with it a special responsibility.  If students respect the director and emulate them, it is important the director responds by accepting responsibility and exhibits conduct that is above reproach and will have a positive influence on the students.

• The conduct of the director and students shall be such that it reflects positively on the school.

• Directors will inform students in detail of rules, regulations, and procedures before departure at away events.

• Directors will prescribe reasonable and suitable standards of dress and personal grooming.

• The director's actions have a direct effect on the conduct of the students and the audience.  The directors is expected to set a positive example and abide by all District policies and regulations.

The District believes that a strong activities program will complement its academic programs.  A well-balanced activities program provides opportunities for physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth.  Representing one's school in a curricular or co-curricular activity is a privilege and honor.  Participation in school activities is open to all students.  Participants in activities learn to accept success and failures, gain poise and confidence, achieve tolerance and understanding of others, and gain the self-satisfaction of accomplishing goals.

The District, through its programs and activities, whall strive to provide each participating student with opportunities to:

• Explore capabilties, needs, and interests;

• Develop creative, artistic, intellectual, social, physical, and skills to their fullest potential;

• Become a positive representative of school and community;

• Compete successfully, and 

• Achieve excellence.

It is hoped that through these opportunities the student will develop:

• A feeling of self-worth and an attitude of self-discipline.

• A sense of responsibility to organization, team/ensemble, school, and community.

• A standard of values that reflects integrity and commitment.

GBEB | Code of Conduct

GBEAA | Employee Conflict of Interest

JJH-R  | Travel

GCRD  | Private Tutoring

KF-R | Staff Use of District Facilities/Equipment

This is not a complete listing of District Policies for staff.

Supervision

• Students must always be supervised while under your guidance. This includes all school activities in and away from school property. Refer to Policy/Regulation JJH and JJH-R.

•  No student, of any age, should be left to wait for a ride following any activity without staff supervision.   If needed, the staff member should assist the student in contacting the parent/guardian while waiting.

• Refer to Supervision of Students Policy/Regulation JLIA /JLIA-R.

•  Refer to Student Transportation in Private Vehicles Policy EEAG.

Distributing Non-School Information/Materials to Students

It is the policy of the District to create and maintain a limited non-public forum for the distribution of informational materials from outside organizations to students. Informational materials may be distributed to students only in compliance with this policy.

The following informational materials may be distributed to students on school property in accordance with distribution practices at any particular school:

1. Informational materials from the District.

2. Approved informational materials for students or parents generated by parent teacher associations (PTA) or by school-sponsored booster groups as in Policy KJA.

Any such organization that desires to distribute or post informational materials must submit the material to the building principal or designee prior to the desired distribution.

1. Approved materials from a District Partner Program/Service. District Partner Programs/Services are defined as educational programs or services offered in partnership with a non-profit organization. The educational program or service must be substantially designed, delivered, or supervised by District personal acting in an official capacity as assigned by the Superintendent. The educational program or service must be recommended by the Superintendent and approved by the School Board annually.

2. Informational materials from any agency of the city, county, state or federal government that does not contain commercial advertising.

Any such agency or partner program/service that desires to distribute or post informational material must submit the material to the Superintendent or designee at least two weeks prior to the desired distribution date to allow adequate time for review of those materials. No other informational materials shall be distributed to students.

No distribution of informational materials to students shall be permitted before, during or after school, at school events, or on school property, except during times when an organization is using District facilities pursuant to Policy/Regulation KF/KF-R – Staff/Community Use of School Facilities or Policy/Regulation JJAB/JJAB-R –Limited Open Forum in Middle and High Schools.

Varsity Letters and Awards 

1.        Specific requirements for each activity shall be determined by the advisor/coach/director after consultation with the Assistant Principal in Charge of Activities. Such requirements shall be reviewed with the student at the beginning of the season.

2.        It has been agreed at the high schools these awards will consist of:

a.        The highest award will be the official SFHS Monogram in proper school colors for participation as a member of a varsity team. The monogram letter will only be awarded one time to each student during their athletic career.

b.        Sub-varsity awards will be as follows:

JV – 10 – 9

For all sub-varsity awards a certificate will be awarded. No letter.

c.        Team Managers will receive the same awards as above.

d.        A senior student who has participated in an activity faithfully for four years and has not previously been awarded the official SFHS Monogram may be awarded a Monogram upon the recommendation of the advisor/coaches/director involved.

e.        No awards will be made to any student who is not scholastically eligible at the conclusion of the season.

3.        Award lists will be cooperatively prepared by the advisor/coach/director in each activity. Lists should be duplicated, and copies furnished to:

a.        Assistant Principal in Charge of Activities (attached to Season Summary).

b.        Coordinator of Fine Arts, (attached to Season Summary).

c.        School paper.

d.        School yearbook.

4.        For uniformity students are listed alphabetically by grade, for each type of award above. Be sure managers and advisors/coaches/directors are listed.

5.        Awards should be presented by the advisor/coach/director at an awards program, if desired, soon after the season is completed. Head coaches/advisors/directors should arrange for these through the Assistant Principal in Charge of Activities.

6.        If students are to make any remarks at these award programs, they should be brief, to the point, in good taste, and appropriate.

7.        Special awards may be given in each activity according to the discretion of the advisor/coach/director.

Student High School Activity Rules

Policy FFAA-R | Summary of Year-Round Activities Rules

Most of our students who participate in our fine arts offering have additional consequences for discipline violations, some of which apply "year-round."  If a family asks you about these policies, you should direct them to your building principals.  As a director, you need to know that these consequences may impacts a student's ability to participate in a performance or competition.  It is the activities director's responsibility to produce and inform.  It is the director's responsibility to track and ensure that the violation is being served.

South Dakota High School Activities Association

Guard Your Fine Arts Eligibility Information for students.

High school head activity advisors, directors, and coaches are required to complete their yearly training in the fall and attend any in-person or online rules meetings.  Failure to complete these required activities may result in a monetary fine.

It is the responsibility of the head director to ensure that all SDHSAA registration and commitment forms are completed on time.  Failure to do so may results in a monetary fine.

Student Handbook 

Advisors/coaches/directors will provide written procedures for students and parents relating to all aspects of High School activities. This written handbook will be provided to the students/parents within the first week of the activity. Copies of the handbook must be submitted to the Assistant Principal in Charge of Activities prior to the beginning of the activity.

It is our responsibility to inform parents/guardians about our individual programs.  We are to present as much information as necessary to those who have a direct concern with what is happening with your program.  It seems reasonable to think that the better a director communicates with parents the more smoothly the year will go.  Parents can be the greatest ambassadors for our school.  With this in mind, each head director should begin the season with very clear communications to parents/guardians about the procedures, rules, and expectations for participants.

The following items should be included in your presentation.  Additional items that you feel are necessary for your program should also be included. Head directors should also include, in writing, any special requirements or specific rules beyond those listed below. 

1. Communication expected from director to parents/guardians and students:  Your Directing Philosophy (Communicating your philosophy to as many people as you can gives you the most important tool for handling praise and criticism you are going to get).

2. Communication expected from parents/guardians to director:

   • Notification of any practice/event conflicts in advance.

   • Decisions and judgments are not personal. They are based solely on what is best for the program.

   • Examples about discussion with the director that’s acceptable:

     • Ways to help your student improve

     • Concerns about your son/daughter’s attitude

     • Academic and eligibility concerns

3. Team information

   • Locations/times of all practices and events.

   • Attendance policy.

   • Appropriate dress for practice and events.

   • Lettering requirements.

   • Lost equipment, supplies, instruments, or costumes/uniforms.

   • Where to find this information throughout the year.

4. Violations / Academics / Eligibility

   • Sioux Falls School District has Year-Round Activity Rules.

   • Discipline as directed by School Policy and other activity rules that may result in the denial of your son/daughter’s participation and suspension from activities.

   • SDHSAA also has eligibility requirements.

5. Safety

   • Inform parents and participants if there are risks of injuries in your activity, such as heat and exertion.

   • Practices are conducted in a safe manner, with guidance from school and District administration.

   • Insurance coverage is the responsibility of the parent/guardian.

6. Travel:  All travel to and from events is done on a school-sponsored vehicle. Exceptions to this are to be arranged with the director.  Seek guidance from the activities principal.

7. Parent/Director conference or meeting

   • Call or email director to set up an appointment

   • Importance of addressing concerns personally and rationally. Use the 24 hour rule--respond within 24 hours, but if agitated, "sleep on it."

   • If necessary, Activities Director will meet with parent/guardian only after parent/director conference.

8. Sportsmanship and Musicianship

   • Promote sportsmanship and character development-skills needed to be an ensemble.  

   • Your ensemble is a direct reflection of your high school, the Sioux Falls Public Schools, the program...and YOURSELF/directors/staff.

Advisors/coaches/directors are responsible for supplying the school, building social media facilitator, and media with pertinent information and results.

PUBLIC  APPEARANCES

Advisors/coaches/directors are often asked to make public appearances at clubs or to appear on radio and television.  Care should be taken to safeguard the interest of the school and students. Such community appearances can do a lot to promote public relations. When speaking we should present our students and our program in a favorable light.  Contact the Fine Arts Coordinator prior to public media appearances or interviews with media.

When appearances occur during the school day, arrangements must be arranged in advanced with the Building Principal/Designee.