Hays CISD Extracurricular Code of Conduct

****Parents and students need to read the Hays CISD Extracurricular Code of Conduct, and acknowledge their understanding of it in Section 3.****

“Participation in school-sponsored activities is an excellent way for a student to develop talents, receive individual recognition, and build strong friendships with other students; participation in such activities, however, is a privilege, not a right. Eligibility for initial and continuing participation in many of these activities is governed by state law and the rules of the University Interscholastic League (UIL) – a state wide association overseeing interdistrict competition. If a student is involved in an academic, athletic, or music activity governed by UIL, the student and parent are expected to know and follow all rules of the UIL organization…Sponsors of student clubs and performing groups such as the band, choir, drill and athletic teams may establish standards of behavior – including consequences for misbehavior – that are stricter than those for the general student population.”

– Hays CISD Parent Student Handbook

Preface

Participation in extracurricular activities and extracurricular organizations, including interscholastic athletics, is a privilege, not a right. Since extracurricular activities are optional, those who choose to participate are representatives of their respective activities, their school and Hays CISD and so will be held to higher standards of behavior and performance while in and out of school, both during the activity season and out of season. In addition to obeying the behavior standards in the Hays CISD Student Code of Conduct, all students who participate in Hays CISD extracurricular activities are expected to comply with the following guidelines and regulations. It is the responsibility of coaches and sponsors to ensure that students meet the standards set forth in this document, in and out of season, in and out of uniform, on and off campus.

District policies and procedures can change at any time. In the event of a conflict between Hays CISD policy and this document, the district policy will prevail. Some violations of the Extracurricular Code of Conduct may also constitute violations of the regular Student Code of Conduct. Where the campus administration determines that such a violation has occurred, the student will be subject to the appropriate consequences under both documents.

Definitions

Extracurricular Activities - Board Policy FM (LEGAL)

An extracurricular activity is an activity sponsored by the UIL, the Board, or an organization sanctioned by Board resolution. The activity is not necessarily directly related to instruction of the essential knowledge and skills, but may have an indirect relation to some areas of the curriculum.

Extracurricular activities include but are not limited to public performances (except as described below), contests, demonstrations, displays, and club activities. In addition, students involved in a district activity will be subject to these rules if any one of the following criteria applies:

1. The activity is competitive;

2. The activity is held in conjunction with another activity that is considered extracurricular;

3. The activity is held off-campus, except in a case in which adequate facilities do not exist on campus;

4. The general public is invited; or

5. An admission is charged.

EXCEPTION — PUBLIC PERFORMANCES

A student who is ineligible to participate in an extracurricular activity, but who is enrolled in a state-approved course that requires demonstration of the mastery of the essential knowledge and skills in a public performance, may participate in the performance only if:

1. The general public is invited; and

2. The requirement that the student participate in public is stated in the essential knowledge and skills of the course.

For the purposes of this document, any events that meet the above exception will be designated as co-curricular and this code of conduct will not apply.

Teacher

For the purposes of the Hays CISD Extracurricular Code of Conduct only, the term teacher refers to coaches, activity or organization sponsors, directors, and other district staff who are responsible for overseeing an extracurricular activity or organization.

Suspension

For the purpose of Hays CISD Extracurricular Code of Conduct only, suspension is defined as removal from competition, or a formal or informal performance, unless the event meets the exception criteria listed above in FM (LEGAL). A student placed on suspension will be expected to continue practicing with the group organization unless otherwise stipulated by the teacher or principal.

Section 1: General Expectations for Standards of Student Conduct

In order to promote safety and a positive educational experience for all students, the district expects students who participate in extracurricular activities to adhere to seven basic standards of conduct: (1) exercise self-control, self-respect, and self-discipline; (2) demonstrate a positive attitude; (3) respect the rights and feelings of others; (4) respect school property and school officials; (5) support the learning process; (6) adhere to rules, and (7) promote a safe environment.

The Extracurricular Code of Conduct cannot address each and every possible act of student misbehavior. To that end, the district retains discretion to address student misconduct that is inconsistent with these seven standards even if the conduct in question is not specifically included in the Extracurricular Code of Conduct.

Academic Eligibility: Students must remain academically eligible for extracurricular activities by maintaining passing grades and acceptable attendance in all classes at every reporting period. Academically ineligible students may practice or rehearse with other students, but may not participate in a competition or other public performance.

A student ineligible to participate in an extracurricular activity/organization, but who is enrolled in a state-approved course that requires demonstration of the mastery of the essential knowledge and skills in a performance, may participate in the performance only if the general public is invited to the performance and the requirement for student participation in public is stated in the essential knowledge and skills of the course. Also, under state law, and in accordance with Board Policy FM (LEGAL), school districts are allowed to identify advanced courses for exemption from the no pass/no play rule. This exemption is further defined in Hays CISD Administrative Procedure E17.

Unless one of the above exceptions applies, if a student receives one or more failing grades in the first six weeks of the first semester or at the conclusion of a 9 week period, he/she is ineligible to participate in the activity for at least three school weeks. At the end of that three week suspension, if the failing grade has been brought up to passing the student is again eligible to fully participate in the activity. If not, the suspension shall continue.

Attendance: Students engaged in extracurricular activities are expected to attend and participate in all practices, performances, competitions, and other events identified by the teacher. Teachers will provide schedules and times for required practices, performances, competitions, etc. Students are expected to make up work missed while absent. Students’ absences from extracurricular activities shall be excused only for those reasons set forth in the student handbook and in the Board Policy. Excessive unexcused absences may result in suspension or dismissal from the activity/organization.

Grooming: Students who participate in extracurricular activities shall comply with the District’s policy on student dress and grooming as well as the teacher’s specific dress/grooming requirements for the extracurricular activity.

Tryouts: Tryout procedures, requirements, and timelines for various extracurricular activities are determined by the individual teacher in partnership with Hays CISD guidelines. Such tryout information will be made available, in writing, to students in advance of any tryouts. Upon completion of the tryout process for the activity, the sponsor will notify all participants of their membership status. The results of tryouts are final and cannot be appealed.

Section 2: Violations and Consequences

Students who participate in Hays CISD extracurricular activities shall not engage in inappropriate or unlawful behavior, including but not limited to: consumption of alcohol or illegal drugs, fighting, harassment, bullying, sexual misconduct, criminal activity (excluding minor traffic offenses), failure to follow activity rules, unsafe or disruptive behavior, misuse of district property or the property of others, or threats to others. Such misbehavior, whether off-campus, on-campus, or technology-related, may result in removal from the activity.

Students may be disciplined, suspended, or removed from the activity for the above prohibited behavior or any other behavior which the teacher deems improper, including but not limited to unsportsmanlike conduct, classroom disciplinary referrals, failure to cooperate with teachers or others in the activity, insubordination, poor attendance, and/or promotion of alcohol or drug use on a website, or lewd or profane language, including language online or by other technology device such as cell phones.

Technology-related communication or conduct (i.e. texting, Facebook, Twitter, other social media, etc.) of students involved in Hays CISD extracurricular activities may be subject to the disciplinary consequences listed within this document where it is contrary to the extracurricular code of conduct expectations.

Once a violation has occurred, a student’s privilege to participate in an activity may be immediately revoked, suspended or otherwise adversely affected, with or without further review, if the teacher or principal determines that the student’s participation:

• Will have an adverse effect other participants in the program;

• Will negatively impact the eligibility of the organization, school or school district; or

• The student’s conduct warrants the revocation or suspension of the student’s participation.

The consequences and actions listed in this document represent minimum consequences that may be administered. Each individual organization or team reserves the right to administer additional sanctions appropriate to the specific activity with approval from the campus principal and appropriate executive director.

Drugs and Alcohol

If a student who participates in extracurricular activities is found to use, sell, distribute, transmit, be under the influence of any amount of a controlled substance, dangerous drugs, or alcohol and/or any narcotic drug, hallucinogenic, amphetamine, barbiturate, marijuana, toxicant inhalant, or other intoxicant (as defined by law), excluding his or her own prescribed medications (taken as directed), whether on or off district property, the consequences listed below will apply. All drug and alcohol violations will be treated as listed below unless the teacher and the campus principal agree that the circumstances require imposition of a more stringent consequence. If such violation with less than six weeks remaining in the season, the period of suspension may be extended beyond six weeks or the end of the season, and possibly into the next season, by the teacher with the approval of the principal.

First Offense: Conference with the student and parent, suspension from all competition or performance for minimum of six weeks, a behavior contract is developed for the student to sign. The student may also have activity-related assignments to complete and may be removed from the program.

Second Offense: Conference with the student and parent, suspension from all competition or performances for minimum of eighteen weeks, a behavior contract is developed for the student to sign.  The student may also have activity-related assignments to complete and may be removed from the program.

Third Offense: Removal from the program for the remainder of the school year or the remainder of the student’s career at Hays CISD.

Removal from Classroom by Teacher and/or In-School Suspension

At a minimum, the student will have a conference with the teacher if the student receives ISS or is removed from a classroom by district personnel. Excessive assignment to ISS or ongoing disruptive behavior in the classroom will be evaluated by the teacher and may lead to further consequences including dismissal from the program.

Out-of-School Suspension and/or Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP)

First Offense: Length of the suspension / alternative school assignment if it applies. Conference with the student and parent and a behavior contract shall apply. The student may be removed from the program.

Second Offense: Length of the suspension / alternative school assignment if it applies. Conference with the student and parent and a behavior contract shall apply. The student may be removed from the program.

Third Offense: Removal from the program for the remainder of the school year or the remainder of the student’s career at Hays CISD.

Expulsion

If the student returns to campus, a conference with the teacher, head band director, athletic coordinator (as appropriate) and principal is required before a student can continue in extracurricular activities. Depending on the circumstances, an expulsion may mean that the student is removed from the extracurricular activity for the remainder of the school year or the remainder of the student’s career at Hays CISD.