II. Activities/Athletics

Activities and Athletics

Co-curricular activities are an integral part of the high school experience. They can add to the student’s enrichment of life as well as contribute to skills and knowledge. All students are encouraged to participate in co-curricular activities. Co-curricular participation leads to personal development, learning valuable life lessons and experiencing true school spirit.

Activities are open to all students who agree to abide by Minnesota State High School League and Prior Lake High School rules regarding tobacco, drugs and alcohol, harassment and hazing, and who meet minimum academic eligibility requirements. In addition to MSHSL penalties, other consequences may apply for code of conduct violations. Specialized clubs (e.g., National Honor Society) have specific prerequisites and rules. The activity advisor will provide students with these requirements.

Activities

The following activities are available to students at PLHS. All of the activities below also compete within the South Suburban Conference unless noted by an asterisk (*).

• Alpine skiing

• Baseball

• Basketball

• Cheerleading

• Cross Country Running

• Nordic Skiing

• Dance Team

• Golf

• Gymnastics

• Hockey

• Instrumental Music

• Knowledge Bowl

• Lacrosse

• LIVE*

• Mock Trial

• National Honor Society

• Robotics

• SADD*

• Soccer

• Softball

• Speech

• Student Council

• Swimming

• Ski/Snowboard Club*

• Synchronized Swimming

• Tennis

• Theater (Fall*, Winter, Spring*)

• Track

• Vocal Music

• Volleyball

• Yearbook*

PLHS also has several student lead clubs and organizations that help students start clubs based on their own interests. If you are interested in this, please see Mr. Marshall in the main office

Regulations for participants

The policies and regulations included below are only a part of the guidelines program participants must follow. These policies and regulations shall apply to all Prior Lake High School co-curricular activities. It includes all activities sponsored by the Minnesota State High School League/South Suburban Conference. A complete explanation of program regulations is available in the Athletics/Activities Office.

1) ACADEMIC REGULATIONS

To maintain eligibility, students shall be making satisfactory progress towards graduation. Grades are checked every two weeks. If students are not passing a class, they will not be eligible to participate.

2) STUDENT TRANSFER RULE

Some transfer students may not be eligible for varsity athletics immediately. Please refer to the MSHSL transfer rule at www.MSHSL.org or contact Mr. Marshall, Activities Director, to find out how the transfer rule applies to you.

3) TRAINING RULES: ALCOHOL - TOBACCO - DRUGS - SEXUAL HARASSMENT - HAZING

Prior Lake High School training rules exceed the minimum Minnesota State High School League guidelines in some instances.

A. ALCOHOL

A student shall not use, possess or procure a beverage containing alcohol at any time during the year (including summer), regardless of the quantity. Students who violate this rule shall be suspended from participation in all school-sponsored activities for the time specified below. In addition, police are required to report to schools when they ticket minors with use, possession, or procurement of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs. It is the policy of this school to invoke Minnesota State High School League suspensions from participation in co-curricular activities for students who are ticketed with possession or procurement of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs as well as for use of any of these. The activities director and/or assistant principal will contact students who are so ticketed when the school receives reports from police.

B. TOBACCO

A student shall not use, possess, or procure tobacco or a nicotine delivery device anytime during the year (including summer). Students who violate this rule shall be suspended from participation in school activities for the time specified herewith:

Penalties: Same as alcohol.

C. DRUGS

A student shall not use or consume, have possession, buy, sell or give away marijuana or any substance defined by law as a drug, unless specifically prescribed by his or her doctor of the student’s own use, anytime during the year (including the summer). Students who violate this rule shall be suspended from participation in all school-sponsored activities for the time specified herewith:

Penalties: Same as Alcohol and Tobacco.

**Before being readmitted to activities following suspension for violating the drug or marijuana rule, the student shall also show written evidence that he or she has sought or received assessment and counseling from an acceptable agency or a professionally competent person such as a medical doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist, drug counselor or school counselor.

D. SEXUAL HARASSMENT/VIOLENCE/HAZING

During the school year, a student shall not violate the racial/religious/sexual harassment and racial/religions/sexual violence bylaws of the Minnesota State High School League.

Penalties: Same as Alcohol, Tobacco and Drugs.

First Violation

Penalty: After confirmation of the first violation, the student shall lose eligibility for the next six (6) weeks of a season in which the student is a participant. No exception is permitted for a student who becomes a participant in a treatment program. If the violation occurs between seasons, the suspension begins the Monday of the week of the upcoming season.

Second Violation

Penalty: After confirmation of the second and any subsequent violations, the student will lose eligibility for a minimum of one calendar year. After that time, the student may petition for reinstatement of their eligibility. The activities director will explain that process to the student upon request.

Please see the activities handbook for further clarification of policies and procedures.

Code of Conduct

If it is determined that a student-athlete/activities participant demonstrated negative behavior in the classroom, an activity in or out of school, or in the community, consequences may be imposed. When such behavior does occur the activities director and assistant principal will discuss the matter with the athlete/activities participant. Depending on the visibility and severity of the incident, consequences may include any combination of the following: suspension from games, practices, loss of letter points, loss of captain's position, dismissal from a team, in-school or out of school suspension. A penalty may count in the sequence of MSHSL violations.

Examples of inappropriate behavior that will likely result in a penalty: (This list is not all-inclusive)

* Theft

* Hosting a party where alcohol or other drugs are being used

* Disrespect to a teacher or other staff member

* Vandalism

* Cheating

* Attending any event knowing illegal activity will take place and that the purpose for attending for most students is to participate in that illegal activity. (Example: End of the school year party)

* Inappropriate pictures, language, sexual references, chemical references, or the like on social media

Intramurals

The high school will offer a variety of intramural activities including; volleyball, basketball, ultimate Frisbee, and flag football. Intramurals will be open to all students at Prior Lake High School.

For Co-Curricular Participants

Attendance & Activities & Sports

Participants must be in school all day unless one of the following situations arise:

•Medical Appointment: If a participant must be absent during the day for a medical appointment, they must provide a note from the provider on office letterhead. This must be turned into the attendance office.

•School Related Function: If absent due to a school related function, such as a class field trip

•Pre-Approved Absence: Absences, other than medical appointments and school related functions, MUST be pre-approved by the Activity Director