Student Handbook
2007-2008
EXTRACURRICULAR CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT
I. Extracurricular Activities
The term "extracurricular activities" means any non-curricular event and membership or participation in groups, clubs, and organizations recognized by the Board of Trustees and the school district and sponsored by the district or a campus. All Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association (OSSAA) and non-OSSAA activities and student organizations, such as Student Council and National Honor Society 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 officers of all campus organizations, are subject to the provisions of this Extracurricular Code of Conduct.
II. Jurisdiction
Student participation in extracurricular activities is encouraged. Texhoma 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 Texhoma ISD students. For this reason, their behavior must be exemplary and reflect the finest attributes of the total Texhoma 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, Texhoma 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 Texhoma 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 5-12 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
- regardless of where or when the conduct occurs
It is possible that a student who violates the Texhoma 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 Texhoma ISD Student Code of Conduct.
III. Conduct Expectations
The following 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 without both coaches or sponsors approval. A student who quits a sport will be required to go through off-season training prior to being readmitted to that sport the following year. All Texhoma ISD activities are subject to the codes of conduct as well as additional coach/sponsor requirements. A student who quits an activity to avoid disciplinary consequences, or is removed for disciplinary reasons, may lose participation privileges in all extracurricular activities for the remainder of the school year. Factors to be considered in such decisions will be previous code violations, official reports, personal attitude, demerits, conduct reports by sponsors/coaches of other activities, attendance records, previous discipline incidents, and any record of previous probationary contracts. Students who quit, or are removed from sports or band, may be required to enroll in a physical education class if they have not completed all physical education credit requirements.
- 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. Texhoma 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, additional disciplinary action may 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, sponsors, and staff.
- Sponsors/coaches will bar participation of students with extreme hairstyles, designs, or colors. Jewelry, body-piercing studs or rings, beards, and goatees are also prohibited for reasons of student safety and standards of group appearance at practices, competitions, performances, or trips.
- Students should follow the rules promulgated in the Texhoma ISD Student Code of Conduct. Failure to do so may result in additional disciplinary measures related to the student's participation in extracurricular activities ad determined by the coach or sponsor.
IV. Prohibited Conduct
Texhoma ISD students who participate in extracurricular activities are prohibited at all times from:
- possessing, smoking, selling, or using tobacco products
- possessing or using drug paraphernalia
- 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 term is defined in the Texhoma ISD Student Code of Conduct
- riding in a vehicle containing alcohol unless a parent, guardian, is present and aware of the presence of the alcohol
- stealing
- conduct that causes injury or harm to persons or property
- inappropriate touching including "making out" in public places, sexual gestures, or exposing parts of the body that ordinarily covered up in public
- inappropriate behavior in public places
Attendance at an event at which underage drinking, smoking, or drug use takes place is discouraged. While attendance alone at such an event will not be treated as a violation of the code of conduct's prohibited actions, coaches/sponsors may elect to impose other consequences. Students will be allowed a slight concession of time to leave after they become aware of prohibited activities taking place. However, if a student is cited for possession, selling or being under the influence of prohibited items by law enforcement officials at such and event, the student will be subject to the full consequences of the code under other provisions of this code. Notification by a law enforcement official that a citation was issued will be sufficient cause for a coach/sponsor to impose discipline under this code.
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 appropriate administrator or authorities
- the student and the student's parent(s) or guardian
- the counselor
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 meeting out 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:
Removal from all extracurricular activities/workouts/practices for the following time periods:
- 1st Offense; parent notification/one week suspension/extra conditioning/practice.
- 2nd Offense; parent notification/two week suspension/extra conditioning/practice.
- 3rd Offense; parent notification/immediate suspension of privileges/pending a dismissal conference with student, parents, and staff.
Removal from office or position. Extended placement in the ISS classroom wherein the student receives extra days for non-compliance with rules will result in loss of participation privileges for extracurricular activities. The principal and/or athletic director will not ordinarily interfere in a coach or sponsor's judgment regarding appropriate discipline but has the authority to increase or decrease the punishment based on his or her assessment of the situation. The principal will be consulted in advance if any student schedule change is being considered. The student must have written approval from the principal and the instructors that are involved prior to the class change.
VII. Insurance for Athletes
Texhoma ISD is not responsible for injuries of its students who are participating in sports. However, Texhoma ISD will make available insurance to be purchased for the individual athlete. The coverage for each injury will vary according to the accident. More detailed information can be obtained by calling the Texhoma ISD. The principal will answer any questions you have concerning our athletic program of insurance and injuries.
VIII. Acknowledgment
A condition to participating in any extracurricular activity or holding any office (elected or appointed) is to sign an acknowledgment that the student has read and understands the Extracurricular Code of Conduct. The student's parent or guardian must also sign an acknowledgment. The acknowledgment states that the signing party understands the consequences for engaging in prohibited conduct.