Code of Conduct
A team coach may establish and publish, with the approval and consent of the principal and/or director of athletics, reasonable rules that complement those rules/policies that have been instituted by the District, individual schools, and the athletics department. Copies of the handbooks and policies referred to in this section are available in the main offices of each secondary building.
School Behavior and Citizenship
Student-athletes are expected to conform to the general code of behavior for the building they attend. Violations of that code which result in a suspension (in-school or out-of-school) will affect a student-athlete's participation. When a student has been suspended out-of-school, the student may not visit any District campus for the duration of the suspension, nor may the student participate in any extracurricular activities, including athletic practices or competitions.Students may resume participation on the day that they resume regular, school attendance.
When a student is suspended in-school, participation in extracurricular activities is also restricted. The student may not participate in any extracurricular activities, including athletic practices or competitions. Students may resume participation on the day following the completion of the in-school suspension.
Additionally, a coach may set a more restrictive rule if missing practice due to any suspension which influences the student-athletes' preparation for competition.
As PIAA-member schools, we are committed to the goal that sportsmanship be recognized as an important part of interscholastic athletics. Sportsmanship is generally defined as the overt display of respect for the rules of the sport, as well as for all players, coaches, officials and spectators at any event. SCASD athletes, when part of any team activity, are expected to behave in a way which demonstrates fair play,ethical behavior and integrity. Any actions or comments which are intended to taunt, bait, anger, embarrass,ridicule or demean others in the athletic arena will not be tolerated.
Athletes exhibiting such behavior will be addressed by the coach and may be consequenced by (1) a reduction in participation, (2) suspension or (3), dismissal from the team.
Hazing is defined as any activity that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental health, physical health or safety of a student for the intention of team initiation or membership; for our purposes, this refers to any sports team recognized by the Board of School Directors. Any hazing activity, whether by an individual or a group, shall be presumed to be a forced activity, even if a student participates willingly.
The SCASD does not condone any form of initiation (i.e., hazing) as part of any school-sponsored interscholastic sports-team activity.The District has adopted a policy prohibiting the involvement of students, volunteers and employees in any hazing activity; no student-athlete,coach, volunteer or District employee shall plan, encourage, assist or engage in any hazing activity.
Athletes perform best when they follow intelligent training rules. These rules include prohibitions in the use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco. The SCASD has board-approved policies regarding the use of these substances by all students on SCASD property and at SCASD-sponsored activities at all sites with the objective of providing drug,alcohol and tobacco free environments.
Furthermore, the athletics department prohibits the use of these substances by any athlete for the length of his/her team's sport season at any time, either on or off a school campus. Violations by District athletes of these policies or rules will be addressed according to District policies and athletic department procedures.
Coaches may develop specific training rules to govern the athletes involved in a particular sport. These team training rules are to complement school board policy and athletic procedures.
Drugs and Alcohol (SCASD Policy #227)
The objective of the school district's drug and alcohol policy is to eliminate the improper use of drugs,behavior-altering substances and performance-enhancing substances in our schools, on school property, on school conveyances and at school-sponsored events. In keeping with the district objective, the athletic department believes interscholastic athletics can play a vital role in promoting and maintaining a drug-free environment. Student athletes violating the policy will first be dealt with according to the general policy in which all drug and alcohol violations are Level IV, Code Of Conduct violations. In addition, for all incidents in which the student is excluded from extra curricular activity by the discipline section of the policy, the following athletic procedures will be in effect:
First Offense - Upon returning from the suspension, the student-athlete will be required to complete as many days practice as the duration of the suspension before being allowed to compete in a contest or challenge for a position.
Second Offense - The student-athlete will be dismissed from the team.
The use of steroids continues to be a problem that plagues athletics. Student athletes must be made aware of the dangers of steroids and the consequences of their use. Student athletes and their parents may obtain specific information about steroid use from any member of our Athletic Training staff.
Second Offense - Suspension from school athletics for the remainder of the current season and the following season.
Third Offense - Permanent suspension from school athletics.
The objective of this policy is to provide a tobacco-free environment. The policy bans the use of all forms of tobacco products on school property or at school activities. In keeping with this policy the athletic department prohibits the use of tobacco products by coaches,athletes and support personnel while taking part in a school-sponsored activity, whether or not on school district property. Violations of this policy will be dealt with,first in accordance with the guidelines of the policy, and secondly, in accordance with the following athletic department procedure:
First Offense - Violators will be suspended from participating in the next regularly scheduled competition. This will be accompanied by a letter of reprimand from the Director of Athletics.
Second Offense - Violators will be suspended from the team for a period of five, school days. Upon return from the suspension, the student-athlete will be required to complete five days of practice prior to resuming competition.
Third Offense - Results in expulsion from the team for the remainder of the season.
Uniform and Equipment
The District provides all uniform and equipment necessities except shoes to student-athletes. All items remain the property of SCASD. Athletes are held accountable for the uniform and equipment issued to them, and are responsible for using them in compliance with instructions as provided by the coaches and athletic training staff.
Items are to be returned directly to the coach in a timely manner at the end of the season. No student-athlete is permitted to try out or participate in another sport until all uniform and equipment obligations have been fulfilled from any previous season(s).
Unreturned items are subject to collection through the SCASD Business Office and local, magisterial procedure. (SCASD)