The EWMS Student Handbook outlines the expectations for participation in co-curricular activities, including athletics. A link to the entire handbook is posted below. Text applicable to student athletes is posted for quick access.
Edgewood Student Handbook rev 16:17.docx
CODE OF CONDUCT
2430.02 – STUDENT CO-CURRICULAR CODE OF CONDUCT PRINCIPLES, PHILOSOPHY, AND EXPECTATIONS
The Board of Education believes that school co- curricular activities are an important part of the school program, and adherence to appropriate standards of behavior by students representing the District through participation in elective co- curricular student activities is important for the success of the program.
To be eligible to represent the District through participation in District sponsored elective co- curricular activities, students and their parents/guardians must read and sign a statement indicating their understanding of and intent to comply with the provisions of the Student Co-Curricular Code of Conduct (hereinafter “Code of Conduct”).
The statements set forth below broadly define the expectations of the Board for those students who participate in elective co-curricular student activities. Accordingly, the expectations and consequences established by the Wooster schools’ coaches and advisors and approved by the Board are based upon the following beliefs:
• Participation in athletics and activities programs is a privilege (supported by the Ohio Revised Code). In the Wooster schools this privilege is extended to students who are willing to make a commitment to attempt to develop their talents and skills to their ultimate level; therefore, the privilege of participation in co-curricular activities and athletics is extended to those who meet the expectation of non-use of alcohol, tobacco, and controlled drugs.
• Use of or possession of controlled drugs, alcohol, or tobacco (including illegal use of prescription drugs) by any high school or middle school student creates an environment that compromises his/her individual health, safety, and welfare, as well as the health, safety, and welfare of all student participants in that program; inhibits attainment of individual potential; is illegal; and jeopardizes the student’s health and safety; therefore, use of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs (including illegal use of prescription drugs) by students participating in the co-curricular program will not be tolerated.
• Participation in the co-curricular program affords students many growth and learning opportunities centered on the commitment to reach one’s own potential while contributing to team and/or organizational success. These are valuable learning opportunities that we want to make available to students; therefore, it is our desire to keep students interested and involved in programs and denial of privilege to participate will be a progressive consequence.
• Student participants will be held to a higher standard of accountability and conduct than the student who chooses not to represent a Wooster school because the participant is in a highly visible setting as a leader and performer; therefore, use of or possession of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs (including illegal use of prescription drugs) will not be tolerated by students who participate in the co-curricular program.
• For a middle school or high school student to perform at his/her optimum level the student must make a year-round commitment to prepare mentally, physically, and academically; therefore, the expectations of the Code of Conduct are in effect twelve (12) months of the year for the duration of a student’s middle school and high school career.
• The parent(s)/guardian(s) of a student participant have a right to be informed; therefore, the parent(s)/guardian(s) of students will be informed of the results of investigations in which it is determined that the student violated the policy.
• A violation of these expectations is a betrayal of the trust placed in a co-curricular participant by teammates or fellow organizational members, coaches, advisors, and the school community; therefore, violations discovered independently from the self-referral process will carry heavier penalties in regard to competition, contests, and performances.
• Participation is better than exclusion; therefore, the student, with the coach’s consent, may remain a participating member of the group/organization as long as s/he follows the assistance recommendations and so long as the student has not been suspended, expelled, or removed from school for violations of the Code of Conduct.
A. Duration of Code of Conduct
The Code of Conduct shall be in effect twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week, 365 days a year. Individual sports seasons governed by the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) are deemed to have commenced on the first day of practice in which the OHSAA permits coaching. The season is not deemed to have concluded until the final activity is completed. Typical culminating activities may include, but are not limited to the following: banquets, award recognition programs, or other functions that mark the end of the season.
B. Behavior Code
1) Students who participate or seek to participate in an elective co-curricular activity shall not at any time or in any location:
a) possess, use, consume, sale, solicit for sale or purchase, attempt to distribute, distribute, or be under the influence of any substance listed in Schedule I, Schedule II, Schedule III, Schedule IV, and Schedule V, of Section 3719.41 of the Ohio Revised Code.
Notwithstanding the above prohibition, nothing in this code of conduct shall prevent or prohibit a student from using or consuming any substance set forth above in accordance with the directions of a licensed health professional authorized to prescribe and/or administer the above described substances;
b) possess, use, consume, sale, solicit for sale or purchase, attempt to distribute, or distribute, or be under the influence of any beer, wine, mixed beverages or intoxicating liquor as said beverages are defined under Section 4301.01 of the Ohio Revised Code;
c) possess, use, consume, sale, solicit for sale or purchase, attempt to distribute, or distribute any tobacco product as said term is defined under Section 2927.02 of the Ohio Revised Code;
d) For the purposes of this section, the term “possess” shall be defined as physically on or in a student/participant’s body or physically within his/her personal property. To “possess” or “possession” shall not be inferred solely from mere access to the thing or substance through occupation of the premises or vehicle in which or upon which the thing or substance is found.
e) No student shall aid or abet another student to violate any provision of section B(1)(a), B(1)(b), or B(1)(c).
“Aid or abet” means support, assist, encourage, cooperate with, advise, or incite. Any student who aids or abets another student to violate the above sections shall be punished as if s/he also violated the same section.
2) Irrespective of whether the student is a minor or an adult, all students who participate or seek to participate in an elective co-curricular activity shall not:
a) violate any Federal, State, or municipal law or ordinance that proscribes criminal conduct, and if convicted, would be punishable by a term of incarceration in a juvenile correctional facility, jail, or prison, or;
b) violate any Federal, State, or municipal law or ordinance concerning the operation of a motor vehicle, and if convicted, would be punishable by a term of incarceration in a juvenile correctional facility, jail, or prison.
3) In addition to the policies established by this Code of Conduct, advisors and coaches of co-curricular activities are permitted to develop written rules and regulations concerning the conduct of students participating in each specific co-curricular activity. These specific rules and regulations shall only become effective after being approved by either the athletic director and/or building principal. These activity specific rules and regulations shall be incorporated into this Code of Conduct as if fully rewritten herein. Moreover, violations of these activity specific rules and regulations that result in denial of participation or removal from the activity shall be treated as a violation of the Wooster Code of Conduct and students will be provided all of the due process protections provided by this code and subject to the same penalties set forth herein.
4) Students suspended from school, assigned to in-school suspensions, or expelled from school for violation of the rules and regulations of the school shall not be permitted to participate in any elective co- curricular activity while suspended or expelled.
5) Egregious acts or violations of the Behavior Code may result in immediate and permanent denial of participation as determined by the Superintendent.
6) Violations of the Behavior Code will accumulate over the years of participation at the middle school and high school beginning with their first participation in elective co-curricular activities at any level. For the purposes of this policy any consequences for violation of the Behavior Code during the time period following the last day of school following completion of grade 8 shall be imposed and assessed at the high school level.