bonham independent school district

EXTRACURRICULAR

CODE OF

STUDENT CONDUCT

for

athletics

approved by the bonham isd board of trustees

August, 2001

Bonham Independent School District
Extracurricular Code of Student Conduct

I. Extracurricular Activities

The term “extracurricular activities” means any non-curricular event recognized and approved by the Board of Trustees and the school district and sponsored by the district or a campus. University Interscholastic League (UIL) and non-UIL activities are extracurricular. Extracurricular activities also include, but are not limited to, public performances, contests, and club events. All extracurricular activity participants, including elected and appointed student leaders, are subject to the provisions of this Extracurricular Code of Conduct.

II. Jurisdiction

· Student participation in extracurricular activities is encouraged. Bonham ISD makes extracurricular activities available as an extension of the regular school program with this important difference. Participation in the regular curriculum is a right afforded to each student while participation in the extracurricular program is a privilege that carries additional expectations for acceptable conduct. Students engaging in extracurricular activities represent not only themselves but also other students and the school district when performing, competing, or participating in extracurricular activities and while wearing uniforms or other clothing that identifies the student to the community or public in any setting as Bonham ISD students. For this reason, their behavior must be exemplary and reflect the finest attributes of the total Bonham ISD student body at all times and places.

Important goals of the extracurricular program are to give students direction in developing self-discipline, responsibility, pride, loyalty, leadership, teamwork, respect for authority, and healthy living habits.

Because participation in extracurricular activities is a privilege and not a right, Bonham ISD is authorized to set higher standards for participants of extracurricular activities than it would for those students who choose not to participate in these activities. Therefore, this Extracurricular Code of Conduct extends beyond the Bonham ISD Student Code of Conduct not only in types of behavior prohibited, but also in corresponding consequences and jurisdiction for imposing discipline. This Extracurricular Code of Conduct will be enforced with all students grades 7 – 12 participating in extracurricular activities:

• regardless of whether school is in session;
• regardless of whether the offense occurs on or off school property or at a school-related event;
• regardless of whether the student is directly involved with the extracurricular activity at the time the prohibited conduct occurs;

• regardless of whether the extracurricular activity is in-season; and
• regardless of where or when the conduct occurs.

It is possible that a student who violates the Bonham ISD Student Code of Conduct will incur consequences from both the appropriate school administrator and from his or her coach or sponsor for the same particular violation. It is also possible that a student participating in extracurricular activities could violate the Extracurricular Code of Conduct and be subject to discipline by a coach or sponsor without having violated the Bonham ISD Student Code of Conduct.

III. Conduct Expectations

The following conduct is expected of all participants. Failure to meet these expectations can result in disciplinary action by the coach or sponsor.

• Student commitment to a team or organization is expected for the entire season or activity. Students are encouraged to participate in more than one extracurricular activity; however, students may not quit one sport or organization in order to participate in another while the sport or club that he or she quit is still active.

• Students who participate in extracurricular activities that involve competition among schools and school districts will conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner at all times. This includes behavior toward visiting teams or hosting teams as well as the opponent’s fans. Bonham ISD participants will be noted for clean, tough, competitive play. Praise your opponents and play beyond your ability.

• Students should arrive to practices (including workouts), meetings, and events on time and prepared.

• Students who cannot be present for a practice (including workouts), meeting, or event should call the coach, sponsor, team captain, or club president as soon as they are aware that they will be absent. Missed practices, meetings, or workouts will be made-up; however, disciplinary action may still be taken if a participant is absent more than two times in a semester.

• Injured or ill students who are unable to participate but are able to attend a practice (including workouts), meeting or event are required to dress appropriately and sit or stand with the rest of the group.

• Students are required to show respect at all times to coaches and sponsors.

• Students should refrain from wearing hairstyles or hair colors that draw attention to themselves. Male students participating in sports are required to be clean-shaven.

• Students should follow the rules promulgated in the Bonham ISD Student Code of Conduct.

Failure to do so may result in additional disciplinary measures related to the student’s participation in extracurricular activities as determined by the coach or sponsor.

IV. Prohibited Conduct

Bonham ISD students who participate in extracurricular activities are prohibited at all times from:

• possessing or using drug paraphernalia;

• possessing, selling, or delivering to another person look-alike drugs or items represented to be drugs or contraband of any kind;

• possessing, selling, giving, delivering to another person, using, or being under the influence of marijuana, alcohol, a controlled substance, or any dangerous drug;

• engaging in conduct that contains the elements of an offense relating to glue, aerosol paint, or volatile, mood-altering chemicals;

• engaging in serious misbehavior, as that term is defined in the Bonham ISD Student Code of Conduct;

• attending any event at which underage drinking or smoking is occurring (Students will be

allowed a slight concession for an amount of time long enough to determine that a violation is occurring

and to leave the premises.);

• riding in a vehicle containing alcohol unless a parent, guardian, or other responsible adult is present and aware of the presence of the alcohol;

• stealing;

• conduct that causes injury or harm to persons or property;

• any conduct resulting in arrest and/or citations from law enforcement officers;

• inappropriate touching, sexual gestures, or exposing parts of the body that are ordinarily covered up in public;

• inappropriate behavior in public places.

V. Procedures

The coach and/or sponsor will determine whether an Extracurricular Code of Conduct violation has occurred.

Upon determination of an Extracurricular Code of Conduct violation, the following individuals will be notified:

• the student and the student’s parent(s) or guardian(s); and/or

• the appropriate school counselor to provide counseling, support, and guidance in dealing with issues associated with alcohol, drugs, mood-altering chemicals, and other prohibited activities.

Nothing in this Extracurricular Code of Conduct limits the authority of a coach or sponsor to impose reasonable sanctions, including extra workouts, for students who breach team or organization conduct expectations but do not engage in prohibited conduct.

VI. Disciplinary Action

Coaches and sponsors will review all the facts and circumstances surrounding a particular violation and impose appropriate disciplinary action. Coaches and sponsors will strive for consistency in assigning punishment for Extracurricular Code of Conduct violations but will also exercise sound professional discretion. Violation of any of the above-mentioned rules by a student participating in extracurricular activities will be subject to the following disciplinary action:

· 1^st Offense – will be at the coach’s or sponsor’s discretion

• Suspension from all extracurricular activities for the following time periods:

2^nd Offense – two weeks

3^rd Offense – one calendar year from the date of occurrence

• Removal from leadership positions in the case of a student leader who commits an offense.

VII. Insurance for Athletes

Bonham ISD is not responsible for injuries of its students who are participating in sports. However, Bonham ISD will carry insurance covering participation in practice or competition for athletes. The coverage for each injury will vary according to the accident. More detailed information can be obtained by contacting the appropriate coach or sponsor.

VIII. Acknowledgement

A condition to participating in any extracurricular activity or holding any office (elected or appointed) is to sign an acknowledgement that the student has read and understands the Extracurricular Code of Conduct. The student’s parent or guardian must also sign an acknowledgement. The acknowledgement states that the signing party understands the consequences for engaging in prohibited conduct.

----------------------------------------Please Sign and Return---------------------------------------

Date ____________________________

I have read the Bonham ISD Extracurricular Code of Conduct and agree to adhere to these rules as a condition for my voluntary participation in Bonham ISD extracurricular activities. I understand that failure to do so will result in disciplinary measures related to my extracurricular participation.

Student Name ____________________________________________________

Student Signature _________________________________________________

I have read the Bonham ISD Extracurricular Code of Conduct and understand requirements for my child’s voluntary participation in Bonham ISD extracurricular activities. I understand the consequences that my child will face if he or she fails to adhere to these rules and agree to such terms.

Parent Name ____________________________________________________

Parent Signature _________________________________________________