ATHLETIC HANDBOOK
STUDENT HANDBOOK - SECTION 9 – Athletics and Extra-Curricular Activities
Mt. Pulaski High School offers several opportunities for both male and female students. Athletic participation is a privilege, which can serve several positive functions. Mt. Pulaski follows the guidelines of the Illinois Elementary School Association (IESA). The following is a list of the opportunities offered to students:
Baseball - Boys Basketball - Girls Basketball - Cheerleading - Scholastic Bowl - Softball - Track - Trap - Volleyball
ATHLETIC – ELIGIBILITY
Mt. Pulaski High School follows the requirements set forth by the Illinois Elementary School Association (I.E.S.A.). Mt. Pulaski extracurricular rules and regulations may supersede the IESA code. (Each athlete will receive the district extra-curricular code prior to participation.). Any student-athlete that is academically ineligible for any four (4) weeks within a given athletic or extra-curricular activity will be considered dropped from the team.
ACTIVITIES – SCHOOL SPONSORED
Any student who attends a Mt. Pulaski CUD #23 activity must remain in the building during the event. No one will be readmitted after leaving unless prior approval is given by the person in charge. Regulations are the same for all school sponsored activities just as they are for the regular school day. This also applies to school sponsored activities away from the home school. Students attending an alternative school are not allowed to attend any District #23 activities.
ATTENDANCE – EXTRA-CURRICULAR PARTICIPATION
Any student who is more than 15 minutes late to school without valid cause deemed valid by the principal from a parent/guardian, or leaves school, will not participate in practice or any extra-curricular event that night. Students who leave school because of sickness, who are tardy or absent (for any reason other than for medical appointments, college visits or funerals), will not be allowed to attend or participate in extracurricular activities or practice on the same day.
ATHLETIC AND EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITY GUIDELINES
According to the Illinois High School Association (I.H.S.A.) guidelines, a student participating in athletics, music, or art must be passing in all subject areas in order to participate in any I.H.S.A. sponsored activity. The following list of guidelines is an attempt to ensure the I.H.S.A. rules are followed.
For IESA participants, student eligibility is determined from grades accumulated during the 9-week grading period and is cumulative.
Eligibility is based on weekly TeacherEase grade up-dates and is determined at noon the last day of student attendance each school week.
If a student is deemed ineligible prior to a week in which no scheduled school attendance days exist, the week will not factor into the student's total number of academically ineligible weeks.
Students receiving one or more grades of “F” will be ineligible for the following Monday through Sunday. (Monday-Sunday).
Students receiving a grade of “F” will be listed on the weekly eligibility sheet.
It is the responsibility of the coach/sponsor to inform the student and parents of the ineligible status of the athlete.
It is the student’s responsibility to arrange a conference with the teacher to determine the steps necessary to become eligible.
When a new semester session begins, so does the period of eligibility.
A grade of “F” obtained for the nine weeks carries a minimum of 1 week of ineligibility for the week immediately following the day report cards are issued. (Monday-Sunday).
Any “F” as a semester grade will result in ineligibility for the next semester.
Any student athlete or team member who is failing a course will still be required to attend practices and games. The student's ability to participate in practice will be determined at the coach's discretion. A coach may also require the student to work on school work during practice. Participation in games is still prohibited until the student becomes academically eligible. The student will not be allowed to dress in the team uniform, but will be required to remain with the team for the duration of contests while academically ineligible.
MT. PULASKI CUD #23 - ATHLETIC CODE
Completed May 9, 1986 - Revised on May 17, 1997 - Revised April 2007 – Revised December 2015
PURPOSE
It is the purpose of the Mt. Pulaski CUD #23 teaching/coaching staff to maintain standards that reflect a spirit of competition and cooperation which support ethical relations and high principles of sportsmanship through the conduct of players, coaches, and observers.
PHILOSOPHY
Interscholastic athletics is an integral part of the total educational program. It is an extra- curricular activity and a field of endeavor which has as its aim the good development of physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially fit citizens through the medium of interschool athletics. All coaches emphasize and require that all rules and regulations of this code be followed during the entire school year including summer. This policy is in effect for 12 months.
STUDENT INVOLVEMENT
Athletic involvement at Mt. Pulaski CUD #23 schools is considered a student privilege - not a right. In furtherance of supporting involvement in athletics, all students shall be provided the opportunity to participate in district tryouts. Such opportunity shall be provided with the expressed intent of reinforcing the spirit of competition and cooperation. Requirements for athletic participation shall include but not be limited to the following:
Students must be physically able to participate.
Students must meet scholastic requirements.
Students must comply with all rules and regulations of the athletic code and assume responsibility for one’s own conduct and conditioning throughout the year (both in and out of athletic training seasons.)
Student must provide proof of insurance and a physical examination.
ATHLETIC CONDUCT
All athletes including cheerleaders and participants in activities must adhere, at all times, to the following minimal athletic training rules and code of conduct:
No student-athlete shall possess, smoke, or chew tobacco products.
No student-athlete shall possess or consume alcoholic/intoxicating substances. (Religious and ethnic responsibilities are exceptions to 1)
No student-athlete shall possess or use illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia, or drug look-a-likes, improperly possess or use prescription drugs.
No student-athlete shall be guilty of or involved in a criminal or quasi-criminal offense.
The student-athlete shall not knowingly be in attendance where any illegal substance is being used, where a legal substance is being used for illegal activity, where there is underage drinking of alcoholic beverages or where a criminal act is taking place.
No student shall engage in any other incidents of gross misconduct, i.e. vandalism, public displays of profanity, displays of racism, or any other actions deemed by administration as being dishonorable to our school or community.
DISCIPLINARY ACTION
Junior High violations do not carry over into high school. Any student athlete who violates rules herein will be subject to the following minimum disciplinary actions:
First Violation: 5 game suspension at the highest level of participation including all subsequent games in between, or a 3 game suspension if student-athlete admits to violation upon initial questioning with the building principal or coach. The 3 game suspension is also at the highest level of participation including all subsequent games in between.
Second Violation: One-year suspension from all sports or a student option of a 10 game suspension with enrollment and active participation in an approved counseling program at the parent’s expense. The 10 game suspension is at the highest level of participation including all subsequent games in between.
Third Violation: The student-athlete will be banned from participation for their entire junior high or high school athletic careers. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of Education reserves the right to revoke any and all privileges of student-athlete’s participation if the Board of Education in its discretion determines that the violation warrants such action.
All student-athletes will be required to receive passing grades in all classes. Academic eligibility will be reviewed on a weekly basis to reinforce a “No Pass-No Play” policy.
✓A student athlete receiving a WF (withdraw failing) shall be academically ineligible for the remainder of that semester.
✓Eligibility check for the beginning of each semester will be done on the first Friday following ten (10) student attendance days.
✓Students receiving one or more grades of “F” will be ineligible for the following Monday through Sunday.
Dress, good grooming and general conduct will follow the student handbook guidelines and be reinforced with the discretion of the coaching staff. Conduct will include those rules and regulations as outlined by the Mt. Pulaski CUD #23 Student Handbook.
Participants must attend ALL practice sessions, unless excused by the coach.
The student-athlete is defined as an athletic participant on the first day of practice of the first athletic activity they participate in during their elementary and high school career. Participant status is continuous throughout the calendar year thereafter and will end only when:
A. Student removes self as an athlete in writing.
B. Student is excluded for violations of the athletic code.
Violation of the Athletic Code at any time a student is considered a student athlete, even while the athlete’s sport is not in season, may result in disciplinary action. Verification will be by staff or law enforcement.
Any student-athlete who has been excluded for disciplinary reasons from a previous sport shall be required, with parent/guardian, to meet with the coach and building principal prior to resuming participation. All game suspensions are at the highest level of participating including subsequent games in between. All game suspensions not fulfilled within a sport season will be carried over into the next sport season, which the student athlete participates.
It is the intent and purpose of the Athletic Code that all student-athletes desiring competition in the name of Mt. Pulaski CUD #23 schools shall be observant of the training rules on a yearly basis. Any disregard of this code may be reason for exclusion.
Reports of violations and any follow-up investigation shall be the building principal’s responsibility with cooperation from the respective coach.
Parents and athletes are urged to retain the training rules listed above. Please complete and detach the applicable forms and return to the head coach. It will be necessary for parents to complete and return forms on an annual basis regardless of how many sports the athlete participates in during the school year.
A mandatory meeting between parents, coaches, athletes (stressing parents’ attendance) will be held before a specific sport’s season begins to explain the athletic code and answer/clarify the questions by meeting participants. The signing of the code is encouraged to be done at the meeting. Parent’s participation permit form must be returned and signed prior to the student’s participation in the first practice session.
STUDENT ATHLETE CONCUSSIONS AND HEAD INJURIES
Any student athlete who exhibits signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion (such as loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness, confusion, or balance problems) shall be immediately removed from the contest or practice and shall not return to play or practice until cleared by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches or a certified athletic trainer working in conjunction with a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches.
Student-Athlete Parent Expectations
How I Can Help My Child’s Athletic Experience
1. Allow your child to perform and progress at a level consistent with their ability. Athletes mature at different ages and some are more gifted than others.
2. Teach your child to enjoy the thrill of competition and that improving skills and attitude are important.
3. Don’t relive your athletic life through your child! This creates added pressure that your child does not need. This is your child’s experience, let them enjoy it.
4. Don’t compete with the coach. Keep in mind that they are balancing the development of your child with the growth and progress of an entire athletic team. Often coaches have many considerations that are not obvious to parents.
6. Remember, young athletes tend to exaggerate when being praised and/or criticized. Temper your reaction until you investigate.
7. An athlete's self-confidence and self-image will be improved by support at home. Comparison to others is discouraged. Encourage the athlete to do their best regardless of family or friends who may have been outstanding players.
8. Insist on positive behavior in school and a high level of performance in the classroom. Numerous studies indicate extracurricular involvement helps enhance academic performance.
The job of an athlete parent is tough and takes a lot of effort to do it well. However, it is worth the effort when you hear your child say, “My parents really helped. I am lucky in this respect.”
I Am Ready For The Game
1. Cheer for our team and players. Opponents and referees deserve respect. Realize that players and officials will make mistakes. Your support is needed when things aren’t going well.
2. Concentrate on what is best for the team. Preoccupation with statistics can be very distracting.
3. Attempting to communicate with coaches or players during a game only creates tension and is completely unacceptable. Be a respectful spectator.
4. Conduct that draws unwanted attention to oneself usually leads to embarrassment for your child. Please keep their well-being in mind at all times. Don’t jeopardize losing the opportunity to watch your child participate.
How Do I Communicate The Right Way
Coaches have the authority over who becomes a participant of the team and when the participant plays or is removed from the team. The coaching staff determines coaching strategy. Acceptance of a position on the team includes acceptance of this policy. It is a privilege, not a right, to be a member of an athletic team.
Appropriate concerns to discuss with coaches:
1. Situations involving your child.
2. Ways to help your child improve.
3. Your child's attitude, work ethic, and eligibility.
4. Concerns about your child's behavior
Issues that are not appropriate to discuss with coaches or AD:
1. Playing time of any student-athlete
2. Team strategy, practice organization, or play calling.
3. Other student-athletes
Procedures to follow if there is a concern to discuss with a coach:
1. Your child should speak to the coach about an issue, before you intervene. This will help our student-athletes grow into young adults.
2. Contact the coach to set up an appointment. Give the coach a brief summary of what you want to discuss. This enables the coach to prepare to give you the best possible answers to your question(s). If the coach can not be reached, contact the athletic director. The athletic director will assist you in arranging a meeting. Coaches will not talk to you unless you have arranged an appointment.
3. If a meeting with the coach did not provide a satisfactory resolution, call to schedule an appointment with the athletic director to discuss the situation.
The 24-Hour Rule will be utilized for any in-season communication with the coaching staff. Contact with the coaching staff will not be allowed until 24 hours after an athletic event. The only exception to this rule is reporting an injury, illness or emergency situation.