Athletics Handbook

Korea Kent Foreign School believes that participation in a wide variety of co-curricular and student-selected activities is a vital part of our educational philosophy. This type of participation is a privilege that requires responsibilities to the school, activity, student body, community, and to the students themselves. These activities contribute immensely to the development of life-long learning skills, enabling all high school students to maximize their educational experience at KKFS. While we encourage all students to participate in our extensive range of activities, it is essential that the planning of such participation include a realistic balance of personal and school-related commitments and time management. There is something for everyone, and we encourage all students to find at least one co-curricular activity in which to participate.

KKFS participates in KAIAC (Korean American Interscholastic Activities Conference), which is our local league, where we compete with other international schools since 2004. The purpose of all activities and athletics at KKFS is to support and balance the education of our students. These activities should promote and supplement the regular curricular program of KKFS, as well as reflect our Merlin Character Traits.

KKFS has been a member of KAIAC since 2004. Competing in KAIAC is in line with our school commitment to building “well-rounded individuals”.

Korea Kent Foreign School sponsors teams for students from 9^th to 12^th grade. The seasons in which we participate are Fall ( cross-country, volleyball), Winter (basketball) and Spring (soccer).

Students wishing to participate in KAIAC teams must understand the importance of their commitment. KKFS 3wishes to play competitively within a philosophy supporting team spirit. To be competitive, student athletes must practice 3 times a week, between 3 and 6 pm There is an average of two games per week and game days are Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, in a ten-week season. Away games involve travel and some time out of the classes. Our athletes must balance their extra commitments with their academic courses, manage the time well and make up class work missed due to athletics. However, the school supports their commitment and will not penalize them for time missed.

Student athletes are expected to act as exemplary citizens on and off the court. Athletes need to understand that they have a high responsibility, as they need to represent KKFS in the best possible way. Any behavior deemed by the coach and/or Athletic Director, as not within the spirit of sports at KKFS, will be subject to consequences.

Overall, Korea Kent Foreign School has good reason to be proud of its sporting history. We currently have some outstanding, inspiring coaches, who will build up the programs for the future. Consistency of the coaches and athletes is the key.

Athletes are role models for the student body. They represent the best KKFS has to offer on and off the field. The following rules are school rules with specific consequences for student athletes:

1. Smoking - Smoking during a sports’ season will result in permanent expulsion from the team.

2. Alcohol/Drug use – Students found under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be permanently expelled from the team. Further punishment will be at the discretion of the school administration.

3. School Attendance – Students must be in school and attend all classes on the day of the event in order to attend and participate that day (unless they have prior approval from the high school principal). In order to attend and participate a Saturday event, they must attend all classes on Friday.

All athletic team members who arrive home from an away athletic event are expected to be in school on time the following day. An athlete who is prohibited from playing due to breaking any of the above criteria may not attend an away match as a spectator.

Students who violate school rules will be permanently removed from the team and will forfeit any possible awards for the season. Similarly, a coach may find an athlete is not working out as a member of their team. After all possible avenues of discussion are exhausted and the athletic director has been informed of the problem, the athlete may be cut from the team.

KAIAC Constitution Eligibility Criteria

KAIAC also outlines some criteria governing team selection. Students may only participate if he/she:

1. Is adjudged fit by the principal and coach.

2. Is regularly enrolled.

3. On the first day of August has not reached his/her 19^th birthday. The student will then remain eligible for the reminder of the year.

4. Has not graduated from an American style four-year school.

5. Has passed a regular physical examination within 12 months prior to the start of the season.

6. Has not lost amateur standing

7. A student shall be considered ineligible if his/her average falls below 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.

8. Has parental/guardian authorization.

Academics

Any student on KKFS academic probation is not eligible to try out or participate in a sport or activity. Students are on academic probation if their GPA in core subjects falls below 2.0.

Every Monday during each athletic season, a grade check will be performed. Any athlete who does not pass the grade check will be ineligible to participate, play or travel that week (7 days), even if they come out of the failing status during that week.

Grievance Procedure for Athletes

During a season, an athlete may have a grievance with their coach. They are encouraged to first discuss this situation with the coach. However, if they do not seek satisfaction, athletes are then entitled to seek advice from the Athletic Director. Again, the Athletic Director will attempt to assess the situation, and involve the coach in a solution. If the athlete is still unhappy, they are encouraged to seek further arbitration from the high school Principal.

Social Media Policy and Guidelines

1. PURPOSE

1.1 Playing, competing, and representing Korea Kent Foreign School (KKFS) is a privilege. Student leaders and student-athletes at KKFS are held in the highest regard and are seen as role models in the community. Student leaders and athletes have the responsibility to portray their team, their school and themselves in a positive manner at all times.

Texting, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and other social media sites have increased in popularity globally, and are used by the majority of student leaders/student-athletes at KKFS.

Student leaders and student-athletes should be aware that third parties - - including the media, faculty, future employers and school officials - - could easily access social media profiles and view all personal information. This includes all pictures, videos, comments, posts, and posters. Inappropriate material found by third parties affects the perception of the student leaders and student-athletes, KKFS athletics, and the school. This can also be detrimental to a student leader and student-athlete’s future employment options, whether in sports or in other industries.

2. DEFINITIONS

2.1 Social Media: Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and any other social media platform

2.2 Electronic Communication" Texting , email, instant messaging, etc.

3. POLICY

3.1 Students will not engage in inappropriate, harassing, demeaning, threatening or offensive behaviors while participating in online communities.

4. PROCEDURES

4.1 Examples may include, but are not limited to, depictions or presentations of the following:

4.2 Content online that is unsportsmanlike, derogatory, demeaning or threatening toward any other individual or entity as well as any acts of violence (examples: derogatory comments regarding another school; taunting comments aimed at a student, coach or team at another institution and derogatory comments against race, sexual orientation and/or gender). No posts should depict or encourage unacceptable, violent or illegal activities (examples: hazing, sexual harassment/assault, discrimination, fighting, vandalism, academic dishonesty, underage drinking, illegal drug use).

4.3 Photos, videos, comments or posters showing the personal use of alcohol, drugs and tobacco e.g., no holding cups, cans, shot glasses etc.

4.4 Photos, videos, and comments that are of a sexual nature. This includes links to websites of a pornographic nature and other inappropriate material.

4.5 Pictures, videos, comments or posters that condone drug-related activity. This includes but is not limited to images that portray the personal use of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

4.6 Content online that would constitute a violation of team, school, and league rules (examples: commenting negatively publicly about a coach, teacher, classmate, athletic opponent, official, staff member, and school employees.)

4.7 Information that is sensitive or personal in nature or is proprietary to the KKFS athletic program or the school, which is not public information (examples: student-athlete injuries and eligibility status)

4.8 The Administration, Athletic Director, and Head Coach have the ability to impose probation, suspension, or removal of a student from the team on the first inappropriate action.