Sports Parent-Student Handbook

• Interscholastic Sports – It is the philosophy of the District 54 interscholastic program to provide a variety of opportunities to teach values in a competitive atmosphere while enhancing total fitness and character through organized activities. District 54 believes interscholastic activities are an integral part of the educational process and allow for the development of skills in both group and individual experiences. District 54 believes that students participating in interscholastic sports will embrace the expectations of PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) during their school hours and in their community at large.

• Intramural Sports – It is the philosophy of the District 54 intramural program to provide a variety of activities beyond the school day, which are cocurricular in nature and allow for the opportunity of participation by all students.

Board Policy 1:50 states that “no student or employee shall, on the basis of gender, be denied equal access to programs, activities, services or benefits of the District, subject to applicable state and federal laws and regulations.”

All students participating in intramural and interscholastic sports must have a current sports physical on file at school.

The athletic director is the official representative of the schools in interscholastic athletic activities. The athletic director shall act as the liaison agent between the superintendent, assistant superintendents, principals and coaching staff in matters of policy, philosophy and scheduling.

It is impossible to conduct an efficient athletic program without the complete cooperation of those in charge of activities. The delegation of authority works best when it is clearly understood by all concerned. The acceptance of a coaching assignment implies the acceptance of the responsibilities, which accompany this phase of educational work. Each staff member who is assigned to coach in a building is directly responsible to the principal of that building for the successful accomplishment of the coaching duties. In order to assure consistency and understanding of expectations and responsibilities, all coaches will attend and participate in an interscholastic sports preparation meeting with their building administration.

The general welfare of all participants will be the primary concern of each coach. As many students as possible will be given the opportunity to participate in the athletic program. It is the coach’s responsibility to inform each team member of the school policy, training, regulations and general rules of good conduct for each sports activity.

Athletic activities in the schools will be conducted in such a manner as to provide a wholesome experience for both players and spectators. The coach has a great influence on the conduct of the players and the attitude of the spectators. The coach will, therefore, embrace the expectations of PBIS.

The home and visiting coaches will check the visiting team’s locker room before and after all athletic contests. Care will be taken to see that nothing is disturbed in the locker room or gym.

School District 54’s policy is that we “leave them better than we find them!”

The building principal is responsible for maintaining standards and for disciplinary action regarding athletic program irregularities. The procedure for disciplinary action is as follows.

1. The athletic director will be informed of an irregularity through a building administrator or a coach.

2. The athletic director will review the irregularity with the principals involved.

3. The principals will take the appropriate disciplinary action at their school.

4. Irregularities that could result in disciplinary action include

   • Unsportsmanlike conduct,

   • Starting practice before the season starting dates or continuing after the season ends,

   • Scrimmages or practices against high school teams,

   • Playing games against high school teams,

   • Playing more games or tournaments than allowed by district rules,

   • Any other action that would give a school an unfair competitive advantage,

   • Using school uniforms after the season and

   • Participation in competitions after the season ends.

5. The Interscholastic Sports Manual Committee will review these standards annually.

6. All coaches will hold a parent meeting early in the season

7. Coaches are required to hold a current AED/CPR certification.

8. Only paid coaches will be allowed on the bench during competitions.

9. Each season ends with the district conference event.

Students participating in interscholastic athletic programs, including intramural sports, shall have an annual physical examination prior to tryouts and participating in any scheduled practice or contest.

The following conditions will apply.

1. No student may participate in an organized practice, contest or a tryout without a valid physical exam on file in your school. This requirement mirrors the high school policy and guidelines approved by the Illinois High School Association.

2. Physical examinations are effective for one year from the date of the exam.

3. The physical examination must be made by a licensed physician, advanced practical nurse (APN) or physician assistant (PA) of the parent’s choice and recorded on forms approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health (District 54 Policy 7:100).

4. The completed physical examination form will be on file with the school nurse or other designated person. Forms for the physical examination data will be supplied by the school district.

5. The expense of the physical examination shall be the responsibility of the parent or guardian of the student.

6. Students whose parents/guardians object to health examinations on religious grounds shall not be required to submit to health examinations if the parents/guardians present to the school principal a written, signed and notarized statement, detailing the grounds for such objection.

7. Students with a note from a doctor or parent requesting nonparticipation in PE due to an injury or illness shall be exempt from after-school activities.

8. If a student violates the above policy, that team will forfeit any contests in which the individual was dressed to participate, and the coach will be subject to further reprimands.

Parents are encouraged to schedule appointments for physical examinations during the summer months. This will make a student eligible for sports during the entire academic year and will put them on the same schedule as the District 211 high schools.

It is required that all participants in the interscholastic and intramural sports programs must show proof of accident insurance coverage comparable to the insurance plan offered by the school district. Athletic participation coverage is included in our protected self-insurance program.

The policy offered by the school district provides an accident plan with coverage of $25,000. If parents do not purchase the policy offered by the district, a signed statement is required from the parent/guardian that comparable coverage is in place.

Coaches must verify this coverage prior to accepting the student for participation. This statement is due back to the coaches before tryouts for the sport or practices begin.

Permission slips are required for all participants. These must be kept on file by the coaches for the entire season.

The following standards and procedures have been developed to ensure uniformity for participating in after-school interscholastic sports programs.

To be academically eligible for the following week, a student may not be failing any class or have a D in more than one class. Students not meeting academic requirements will attend a study session during practice time supervised by the coach and will be ineligible for practice and competition that week. At the start of the second week of ineligibility, the student may be removed from the team at the discretion of the principal and coach.

1. Each school’s main office is to compile a list of students in interscholastic sports. This list will include sports teams as soon as they are selected.

2. The eligibility list will be submitted to faculty members on Thursday.

3. Faculty members will return the eligibility list to the main office, indicating those students failing or having a D. The list will be returned to the main office no later than 1:30 p.m. on Friday.

4. The main office at each building will compile the list of students with an F, or two or more D’s.

5. Coaches will receive the list on Monday morning by 10 a.m.

6. Ineligible students will complete an Academic Eligibility Action Plan and conference with their coach.

7. Each school office will fax or email a list of ineligible student athletes to the district athletic director and to director of physical education.

8. At any time during the season, at the start of the second week an athlete is not eligible, the athlete may be removed from the team at the discretion of the principal and coach.

The behavioral standards will follow the expectations of PBIS, each school’s individual discipline policy and district behavior policies. Major infractions may result in temporary or permanent removal from the team.

A player cannot start a season if the player’s sixteenth birthday falls during the season. A student may only compete in the grade in which the athlete is enrolled. Since the purpose of the athletic program is to encourage participation, students will not be restricted from a sports team based on promotion or retention.

Students are eligible to compete only for the school they attend. An athlete must be in attendance at school on the day of a competition in order to be eligible to participate in the contest. Athletes must be in school for at least half the attendance time to be considered present at school (i.e. 7:30-10:45 a.m. or 10:45 a.m.-2:15 p.m.).

Coaches are required to keep a record of athletes’ attendance at practices and competitions. Coaches will be asked to submit this record of attendance at the end of the season.

Any athlete partaking in an interscholastic sport must be dressed in a P.E. uniform and participate in P.E. class the day of practice or competition in order to participate in interscholastic sports.

Coaches must have a list of athletes’ home phone numbers and emergency phone numbers during practices and interscholastic competitions.

Travel to and from all athletic events will be made by district-approved transportation (such as a school bus) with the exception of tournaments. A coach must travel with the team. The bus will be recognized as part of the school district, and no conduct will be allowed that reflects poorly upon the individual, the team or the school. Schools will schedule their own buses for all interscholastic activities.

Coaches will make every effort to ensure students are picked up by a parent/guardian in a timely manner. A student’s parent/guardian must sign out with the coach before leaving the game. Students are only allowed to leave with their parents/guardians, unless they have a signed note from the parent/guardian specifically naming another adult (21 years or older) that can take the child home.

Student athletes will be responsible for uniforms issued to them. Care will be taken by all coaches to see that all school uniforms are properly maintained. Cheerleading uniforms will be laundered by a professional dry cleaner or laundry at the end of the season. Uniform replacements are to be made out of each school’s budget allotment. School-issued uniforms may only be worn for competition and may not be worn during the school day or used after the season. The district allows a student to modify his or her athletic or team uniform for the purpose of modesty in clothing or attire that is accordance with the requirements of his or her religion or his or her cultural values or modesty preferences.  A student is not required to receive the prior approval of the school board for such modification.

The athletic director will schedule all conference games and meets. There will be no practice or competition against high school teams.

Each team is allowed a maximum of 10 dates of competition, including conference and non-conference competition. Non-conference competition can include up to two games/matches. Each day of competition will count as a date on the schedule, regardless of how many games or matches the team plays on that day. Each scheduled day of a multi-day tournament will count as a date on the schedule, even if a team does not advance.

Each team will participate in the appropriate District 54 tournament or championship. Teams are not allowed to compete in state tournaments. Teams are not allowed to compete once the season is over. Any fees for out-of-district tournaments or contests will be paid by the school involved.

Coaches must schedule the use of the facilities with both the building principal and the district office.

Awards will be given for conference and tournament championships. Awards will be presented at the district tournament/championship.

Medals will be awarded to all team members of the first place team from conference competition. Awards for tournaments/championships will vary from sport to sport, as decided by the coaches.

In case of ties for conference championships, the traveling trophies will be shared equally by the winning teams. The winner of the last scheduled conference game between the tied teams will display the trophy first.

School District 54 Spectator Sportsmanship Statement

One of the highlights of a student athlete’s time on the court, field or track is looking into the spectator section and seeing their classmates, family and friends cheering for them.

In School District 54 we work to develop a positive environment for our students and staff. We promote respect and strive to create a culture where all students feel safe and know they belong. We drafted this Spectator Sportsmanship Statement with those same beliefs. Thank you for your support.

1. Respect the students playing the game, including your child, their teammates and opponents.
   
   

2. Respect the officials. The officials are here to enforce the rules of the sport and allow your children to compete in our sports. Even if you don’t agree with their calls, please show them respect.
   
   

3. Respect the coaches. They give countless hours of their time to offer this opportunity for students. Even if you don’t agree with the plays they call or the line-up they chose, respect them for the commitment they made to these kids.
   
   

4. Respect other fans.
   
   

5. Anyone using profane language, being physically aggressive, or threatening or intimidating another person will be removed from the game or event.
   
   

6. Focus on positively supporting the teams. Avoid negative fan behavior such as booing, inappropriate language and negative fan gestures.

Cheer loudly. Wear your school colors. Stand up, clap and celebrate amazing plays and players. And remember, our children are watching us. As adults, we are the role models for their future behavior.

Thank you and enjoy the season!

Spectators will not be charged for attending District 54 events. Students will be encouraged to attend home athletic contests. Coaches and building administrators will do everything possible to educate the students, so they understand the rule, penalties and strategies of the game, as well as what is expected of them behaviorally, so they can be more appreciative spectators.

Sportsmanship will be stressed and practiced by all involved with the sports programs, following the expectations of PBIS. Both coaches are responsible for supervising their student athletes at home and away contests for the duration. One coach must stay with the athletes until all of the athletes have left the school. In the event of a conflict or emergency, coaches will make alternative arrangements with building administrators.

• Physical Examination Form

• Agreement To Participate and Concussion Form 

• Schaumburg Authorization to Return to Play Learn and Physical Education Activity 

• Board Policy 7:130 – Student Rights and Responsibilities

• Board Policy 7:180 – Prevention of and Response to Bullying

• Board Policy 7:190 – Student Behavior

• Board Policy 7:200 – Student Suspension from School

• Board Policy 7:305 – Student Athlete Concussion and Head Injuries