~ NORTH K ANSAS C IT Y SC H OO L S

, r z . I .9 I 3 NOR'l' H K A N S A S ClTV

HORNETS STALEY H I GH SCHOOL

NORTH KANSAS CITY SCHOOLS

est. 1913

High School Athletics and Activities Handbook

• Character • Pride • Accountability •

~ NORTH KA N SAS C I TY SC H OOLS e 1 t . I 9 I 3

Contact Information:

Dr. Paul Fregeau, Ed.D. Assistant Superintendent Student Services / District Activities 2000 NE 46th Street Kansas City, MO 64116 816-413-5000

Jennifer Roades Executive Administrative Assistant Student Services / District Activities [email protected] 816-413-5085

North Kansas City High School Dr. Chad Evans Mr. Mark Mundell Activities Director Activities Director 620 East 23rd Avenue 2800 NE Shoal Creek Pkwy North Kansas City, MO 64116 Kansas City, MO 64156 816-413-5939 816-413-4119 [email protected] [email protected]

Oak Park High School Mr. Casey Vokolek Mr. Jeff Rich Activities Director Activities Director 825 NE 79th Terrace 5815 NE 48th Street Kansas City, MO 64118 Kansas City, MO 64119 [email protected] [email protected] 816-413-5350 816-413-5549

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction ...... 4

Goal Statement ...... 4

Philosophy ...... 4

Responsibilities ...... 4

Protecting Your Eligibility ...... 4-6 School Citizenship Non-School Competition Academics Awards Transfers Auditions Participation Limits Sports Camps/Clinics Entrance and Age Requirement

Basic Guidelines for Participation ...... 6-7 Attendance Care of Equipment Participation Fees

Creditable School Citizenship ...... 7-8 Citizenship Violation Penalty Reinstatement Procedures and Appeals

Sportsmanship ...... 8

Hazing Policy ...... 8-9

National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) ...... 9

Chemical Abuse Policy ...... 9-10 Purpose Objective Consequences of Alcohol Abuse Consequences of Tobacco Abuse

Conditioning and Injuries ...... 10-11 Physicals Insurance

Transportation Policy ...... 11

NCAA Academic Standards ...... 12

College and University Letter of Intent Signings ...... 12-13

Athletic/Activity Acknowledgment Form ...... 14

INTRODUCTION including cooperation, honesty, dependability, respect and emotional control. Welcome to the North Kansas City School District’s interscholastic athletic and activities program. We • Maintain eligibility requirements that are are excited you have chosen to participate in the established by the State High School programs offered by your high school and hope Activities Association (MSHSAA) and North they are not only educational, but rewarding and Kansas City Schools. challenging as well. • Learn the spirit of hard work and sacrifice. We do not encourage you to specialize in one program or activity, but to take advantage of as • Learn to attain physical and mental fitness many athletic and activity programs as your time, through good health habits. energy and talent permit. You are commended for your initiative to grow emotionally, mentally, socially • Desire to excel to the limit of your potential. and physically through activities and athletics. • Show respect for both authority and property. GOAL STATEMENT • Accept the leadership role that is instilled Interscholastic athletics and activities are integral through the activities and athletic programs. parts of the total secondary educational program. These experiences assist students to obtain the As a representative of your high school, keep in skills, knowledge, and emotional control necessary mind that you are in the public eye and your for character development. personal behavior and conduct must be above reproach. You have an obligation to create a PHILOSOPHY favorable image and gain the respect of your teammates, student body and community. North Kansas City Schools believes that inter- scholastic athletics and activities are important PROTECTING YOUR ELIGIBILITY supplements to the secondary curricular program and are vital to a student’s total high school The Missouri State High School Activities educational experience. These experiences Association, of which North Kansas City Schools is contribute to the development of learning skills and a member, is a voluntary, non-profit, educational emotional patterns that enable students to make association of junior and senior high schools maximum use of their high school education. established for the purpose of working Participation in athletics and activities assists cooperatively in adopting standards for supervising students to develop emotionally, mentally, socially and regulating interscholastic activities and and physically. contests.

Student participation in our interscholastic One of the primary functions of MSHSAA is to programs is a privilege and carries with it establish eligibility standards that must be met by responsibilities to the school, program, student all students to attain the privilege of representing body and community. his or her school in interscholastic activities.

RESPONSIBILITIES Eligibility is a privilege granted by the high school to a student and allows the student to participate in As a student participant, you are in high school to interscholastic activities. Eligibility is not a obtain the best secondary education you can student’s right by law. Precedent-setting legal achieve and your decision to take advantage of the cases have determined that eligibility is a privilege other half of education plays a significant part in to be granted only if the student meets all your total educational development. However, with standards adopted by the school, which enables this decision come certain responsibilities: the school to grant the student such a privilege.

• Strive to achieve good citizenship and social Listed below is information to acquaint you with the traits major rules and regulations you must follow in order 4 to protect your eligibility. Please contact your high follow-up with the student is needed, the coach or school activities director for further clarification. sponsor will refer the student for further academic assistance. Creditable School Citizen Transferring School Districts You must be a creditable school citizen. Creditable school citizens are students whose conduct, both in If you transfer school districts and your parents do and out of school, will not reflect discredit upon not move to the new school district, you will be themselves or their school. ineligible for 365 days unless an exception to the transfer or promotion rule is met (see your activities Academic Requirements director for specific MSHSAA information).

You must be making satisfactory progress toward If you move with your parents to a new school graduation as determined by North Kansas City district, you will be immediately eligible provided Schools and must have earned, the preceding you were eligible in all other respects at the former semester of attendance, a minimum of 3.0 units of school. credit or have earned credit in 80% of the maximum allowable classes in which you can be enrolled in Participation Limits the semester, whichever is greater. You are eligible a maximum of four consecutive For your current semester, you must be enrolled in seasons in any sport or activity. Participation in any and regularly attending courses that offer 3.0 units portion a game or contest during a season counts of credit or 80% of the maximum allowable credits, as a season of participation. whichever is greater. Credits earned or completed after the close of the semester will not fulfill the Eligibility to participate in high school athletics and requirement. Summer high school courses for activities begins when you first enter the ninth FALL academic eligibility may count towards grade and lasts for the first eight semesters that eligibility. Specific concerns regarding eligibility you are enrolled in high school. Your eighth guidelines should be directed to your activities semester must immediately follow your seventh director. semester.

Students promoted for the first time into ninth grade Entrance and Age Requirement are considered academically eligible for the first semester after promotion. You must enter school within the first 11 days of the semester to be eligible for participation. If you Do not drop courses without first consulting with reach the age of 19 prior to July 1, you are your school activities director or counselor to ineligible for interscholastic competition the determine whether doing so will affect your following school year. eligibility. Non-School Competition Academic Standards Procedure You may not participate in any organized non- Each head coach or sponsor (assistant if school athletic team competition and your school applicable) will follow the academic performance of team in the same sport during the same season. his or her charges every three weeks using the North Kansas City School District PowerSchool You may participate on a school and a non-school Program. If a coach or sponsor identifies a student team in different sports during the same season; that is not performing satisfactorily academically, however, you may not practice or compete in non- the coach or sponsor will meet with the student to school organized athletic competition on the same discuss issues that may explain why their day that you practice or compete with your school performance is deficient. If it is determined that team without approval of the school administration.

5

Amendment to By-Law 235 – During the Auditions

school sport season of and , You may participate in an “audition” or “try-out” for a student may, after fulfilling all requirements, a college team only after you have completed your practices and competitions of the school last season of eligibility in the sport for which you swimming and diving team, practice or wish to try-out. compete as a member of a non-school team or as an individual participant in an organized You cannot represent your school (appearing in non-school swimming and diving practice or school uniform, school-named clothing, at school competition under the conditions listed below: facilities, or with mascot/school colors) to endorse or promote a product or service, commercial 1) Priority shall be given to all school team practices venture, political venture, etc. without prior, written and competitions. Should a non-school practice or consent by a school administrator. competition be in direct conflict with the school-scheduled practice or competition, the school practice or competition You may participate in two All-Star contests after shall take priority. Prior approval by the school your eligibility in the sport concerned has been exhausted. Specific concerns regarding All-Star administrator may grant an exception to a student to contests should be directed to your activities participate in the non-school swimming and diving director. program if in direct conflict with the other program. Sports Camps/Clinics 2) No school time shall be missed to compete, practice or travel to the site of such non-school swimming and You may attend a summer sports camp or clinic if diving competition unless the absence is approved in your schools coaching staff instructs or coaches for advance by the school administrator. a period no longer than two weeks in duration.

3) A school shall not replace its swimming or diving You may attend a non-school sponsored summer program with any non-school or swimming or diving sports camp or clinic for as long as you wish where program. you do not receive instruction or coaching from a member of your schools coaching staff.

Before joining any non-school team or enter any You may attend a specialized camp or clinic non-school competition involving athletics, check outside the sport season during the school year with your activities director to ensure these where you do not receive instruction or coaching standards are being met. from a member of your schools coaching staff. Before attending any specialized athletic camp, Awards Standards clinic or group sport instruction, you should consult your activities director. You may not receive cash, merchandise or gift certificates in return for participating in any athletic You are allowed to provide lessons or instruction in or academic contests. You may accept awards that your sport without jeopardizing amateur standing. are symbolic in nature, such as medals, trophies, ribbons, plaques, etc. for participating in a school BASIC GUIDELINES FOR PARTICIPATION athletic or academic contest. These awards may be received only from your school, from a school You are free to choose the activities in which you hosting an event or from MSHSAA. wish to participate. It is the North Kansas City School District’s policy that when students face a You may accept awards for participating in non- conflict between two school-sponsored activities, school sponsored athletic and academic the sponsors of the activities shall meet to competition only if the awards are symbolic in determine a resolution with the best interest of the nature, such as medals, trophies, ribbons, plaques, student in mind. Certain school activities (to be etc. determined by the building administration) will have priority. Students are not to be penalized by the activity not attended. 6

waiting until the end of the season. If you have gone out for a sport, but quit of your own accord, you will not be eligible to begin • Any protective equipment that does not fit practicing or pre-season conditioning for another properly or that has any defective parts should sport before the end of the competition in the sport be reported to a coach immediately. Do not that was dropped unless the head coach (of the wear such equipment until the necessary sport that was dropped) signs a release form and adjustments have been made. This is for your the head coach of the new sport involved accepts protection. the athlete. Every athlete should understand this policy. • It is against MSHSAA regulations to sell or rent any equipment to any individual. Therefore, Attendance any equipment you may see out of the school environment does not belong to the It is important that you be in attendance at school. individual(s). Please report any such violation Attendance is required to be able to participate in to a coach or the activities administrator. By any activity scheduled for that day. Exceptions are doing so, you are not only helping the athletic granted with administrative approval only. If it is department, but also the individual who must necessary to be absent from practice, you are pay for the stolen item. expected to obtain permission from the head coach prior to the scheduled practice. Participation Fees

In the event that you are truant or suspended, you A student participation fee of $50.00 will be are not eligible for participation until you have charged to all students participating in athletics, fulfilled all of the disciplinary requirements , pom pon, winter guard, speech and established by the administration. In the event that debate, scholar bowl and science olympiad during you are assigned an afternoon detention as the the school year. The maximum charge is $50.00 result of a classroom problem, you are not allowed per student each year regardless of the number of to use the excuse, “I have practice, so I can’t stay.” activities they choose for participation. A maximum The classroom obligation always comes first. fee of $120.00 will be charged to an individual family regardless of the number of students Care of Equipment participating in the high school’s interscholastic activities programs. Please consult your building In order to give students a sense of responsibility activities director for any questions or concerns and an appreciation of equipment, you will be held regarding this participation fee. accountable for the abuse or loss of equipment. Students checking out equipment must pay for all CREDITABLE SCHOOL CITIZENSHIP items that are lost or stolen. The following guidelines will reduce the chances of lost or stolen You are ineligible for interscholastic athletics and equipment: activities if you violate the policies of the North Kansas City Schools Board of Education as • Do not exchange or loan any of the equipment outlined in Section JG or if you do not exhibit good checked out to you to another teammate. If citizenship at all times. exchange is warranted, clear it on your checkout card by having the coach make the If you violate school policies, the procedures and adjustments. penalties of those policies may take precedence over or be in addition to those described in the • Except when you are in visual contact, keep following section. The coach or sponsor, activities your locker closed and locked at all times. This director and school administrator will determine the includes when you are in the shower. School length of non-participation for those students found and personal equipment and belongings should not to be in compliance with school district policies. be locked up at all times. To clearly outline and define the disciplinary action, the following guidelines are provided for students: • Any loss of equipment should be reported immediately to the head coach rather than 7

Citizenship teaching, coaching and examples of the coaching staff. Ensure you exhibit what you learn. Students whose character or conduct is such as to reflect discredit upon themselves or their school is A very important lesson we learn through inter- not considered a “creditable citizen”. This includes scholastic activities and athletics is that by hard violations of public law or school policy. work and dedication we can improve. In America, we recognize we can take the ability given us and Violation Penalty through hard work and dedication become anything we want to become. No one can tell you what you Students that admit to be or have been charged must be. If you are willing to recognize the ability with a municipal ordinance violation, misdemeanor you possess and work hard, you can achieve or felony, or in which administrators have first-hand success in activities and athletics. knowledge, will be suspended from participation and will remain ineligible until their judgment is Attitude is one of the principle requisites in satisfied according to public law or school policy becoming a champion in any sport and best defined (MSHSAA By-Law). This includes violations that by how you act, feel and think in showing your take place during the season or non-season and disposition. The desires to excel and to win are includes evenings, weekends and summer. School positive points of attitude that contribute to a officials may deny participation in all extracurricular winning philosophy. activities if a student is convicted or found “not innocent” of a municipal ordinance, misdemeanor Winning philosophies are important, but likewise or felony. realize the importance of how the game is played, as well as viewed. Simple acts or gestures of Reinstatement respect such as displaying good conduct, cooperating with officials, shaking hands with Reinstatement to the athletic or activity team may opponents before and after contests, showing self- be granted after a review by the school control at all times, accepting decisions and abiding administration and the coach or sponsor. by them, accepting both victory and defeat with pride and compassion and never being boastful or Procedures and Appeals bitter will aid you and your team to exemplify the standards of sportsman-ship expected of athletes The coach or sponsor, in conjunction with the and participants in North Kansas City Schools. activities director and school administrator, may suspend a student from activities after having given Interscholastic activities and athletics are much like them the right to be heard. The suspension everyday life. America thrives on the competition decision may be appealed to the principal. The that has made this country as great as it is today. It principal’s decision will be final. The student and is the backbone of our great nation. Whether your their parent or guardian may appeal actions taken career plans include labor, management, sales, pursuant to this policy. etc., you must realize there will be competition. There are and will be disappointments in all of life’s The school administration will send a written activities. It’s how you react to disappointments decision to the parent or guardian within two days that will measure what values you have learned of the appeal hearing. through activity participation and athletic play on the athletic courts, fields, and mats during your high SPORTSMANSHIP school days.

As a participant representing North Kansas City HAZING POLICY Schools, you are required to exhibit good sportsman-ship at all times. The moment you put North Kansas City Schools prohibits any form of on your school’s uniform, you become a hazing, including but not limited to initiation rituals representative of your student body, your school and harassment. Hazing is unacceptable conduct and your community. You will receive the and will result in disciplinary action. This ingredients for good sportsman-ship through the disciplinary action may include, but is not limited to, a student’s suspension or expulsion from school or 8

the termination of an employee’s employment with Purpose the school district. The purpose of the North Kansas City School No student, coach, teacher, sponsor, volunteer or District’s chemical abuse policy is to: school district employee shall plan, direct, encourage, assist, engage or participate in any • Recognize and elevate the physical and hazing activity. Coaches, administrators, teachers, emotional potential of students in a positive sponsors, volunteers and school district employees manner and encourage the growth of these shall not permit, condone, or tolerate any form of students in an atmosphere of responsible hazing. Students subjected to hazing are citizenship. instructed to promptly report such incidents to a school official. • Emphasize the school’s concern for maintaining and improving the health and safety of students NAIA CHAMPIONS OF CHARACTER while participating in activities.

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics • Promote every student’s awareness of the long- (NAIA) has partnered with North Kansas City term physical and emotional affects of chemical Schools for a series of Champions of Character use on their health. presentations. • Promote equity and a sense of order and The Association, through the Champions of discipline among students. Character program, works with all coaches, student-athletes and parents of student-athletes to • Confirm and support existing state laws, which change the culture of sport and create an restrict the use of chemicals. environment that intentionally teaches the five core values: • Establish and promote high standards of conduct for those students who are leaders and • Integrity standard-bearers among their peers. • Respect • Responsibility • Assist students who desire to resist peer • Servant Leadership pressure, which directs them toward the use of • Sportsmanship chemicals.

CHEMICAL ABUSE POLICY • Provide prevention guidelines for chemical abuse in the athletic and activity programs for North Kansas City Schools recognizes the use of students and sponsors of North Kansas City mood-altering chemicals as a significant health Schools. problem for many adolescents, resulting in negative effects on behavior, learning and the total develop- • Demonstrate creditable citizenship at all times. ment of each individual. The use of mood-altering Non-creditable citizenship could result in chemicals such as alcohol, drugs, marijuana, etc., disciplinary action or removal from participation. or misuse of prescription or over the counter medications by adolescents affects extra-curricular Objective participation and the development of related skills. To establish a prevention program by adopting North Kansas City Schools also recognizes that, at penalty guidelines for violations of chemical use by a time when students need to learn how to deal students who participate in school activities. with adult problems, drugs can give them a false means of sidestepping those problems. It is also To ensure that the fairest treatment is received for recognized that taking these chemicals further saps the action, the following must occur: the student of spontaneity and adolescent vitality. • Certainty – Enforcement of consequences will The close contact advisors and coaches have with follow the violation. students provides them with a unique opportunity to observe, confront and assist these students. • Severity – Fair penalty for the act. 9

• Celerity – Promptness of the process. First Violation

Consequences of Chemical Abuse The student shall lose eligibility for a minimum of 10%* of the highest level of competition in During the school year or during the season of which the student is a participant. This includes practice, play or rehearsal, regardless of the JV, sophomore and freshmen competition. quantity, a student shall not have in possession, During the time of loss of eligibility, the student use, consume, buy, sell or give away a beverage must meet all other team obligations. In containing alcohol or any substance defined by law addition, the student must undergo counseling as an illegal drug. as specified by the school administration before they can participate in games. The maximum It is not a violation for a student to be in possession penalty for a first violation is loss of eligibility for of a legally defined drug specifically prescribed for 365 days. the student’s own use by his or her own doctor; however, it is a violation to use any drug or other Second Violation substance for a purpose other than its prescribed use. The following are only minimum guidelines The student shall lose eligibility for a minimum and are applicable to all non-curricular related of 30%* of the highest level of competition in activities such as interscholastic athletics, which the student is a participant. This includes cheerleading, pom pon, speech and debate, music, JV, sophomore and freshmen competition. winter guard and academic performance groups, During the time of loss of eligibility, the student etc. must meet all other team obligations. In addition, the student must undergo counseling First Violation as specified by the school administration before they can participate in games. The maximum The student shall lose eligibility for a minimum penalty for a second violation is loss of eligibility of 30%* of the highest level of competition in for 365 days. which the student is a participant. This includes JV, sophomore and freshmen competition. Third Violation During the time of loss of eligibility, the student must meet all other team obligations. In The student shall lose eligibility for 365 days, addition, the student must undergo counseling beginning with the date of the violation. as specified by the school administration before they can participate in games. The maximum In order to serve a penalty during a sport season penalty for a first violation is loss of eligibility for other than during the season in which the infraction 365 days. occurred, the student must have participated in that sport the previous year. Second Violation *The penalty assessed against the total average The student shall lose eligibility for 365 days, matches or contests played during tournaments beginning with the date of the violation. shall be counted the same as individual matches/contests. For example, if the team Consequences of Tobacco Abuse plays an average of 20 matches or contests (tournaments included) and the penalty is 10%, During the school year or during the season of then .10 X 20 would be 2.0 matches or contests. practice, play or rehearsal, a student shall not have The actual penalty may be greater in an individual in possession, use, consume, buy, sell or give sport where tournament advancement requires away any type of tobacco products. The following preceding wins. are only minimum guidelines and are applicable to all non-curricular related activities such as CONDITIONING AND INJURIES interscholastic athletics, cheerleading, pom pon, speech and debate, music, winter guard and Proper sports conditioning will improve the power, academic performance groups, etc. speed and endurance of the athlete on the field or in the gymnasium. It will also help strengthen 10

muscles and joints, increase flexibility and they have basic athletic insurance coverage.” maximize agility through the channeling of aerobic North Kansas City Schools provides a as well as anaerobic power. In addition to the supplemental accident insurance policy for all benefit of increased performance, statistics indicate students. This policy is not intended to cover all that sports conditioning will assist in preventing costs associated with accidental injuries; however, injury. it does meet the MSHSAA minimum insurance requirement under Year-round conditioning can increase athletic By-Law 309. Please contact your school nurse for performance considerably. Training, unfortunately, more information regarding this supplemental is easily reversible and that is why year-round policy. conditioning is so important. Opportunities are provided for athletes in North Kansas City Schools TRANSPORTATION POLICY to be involved in year-round conditioning. It is strongly recommended that all athletes not involved Away Contests in a sport participate in the conditioning program during the off-season. All school trips must be made with school-approved transportation (e.g., school buses, chartered buses, All athletes want to perform to the best of their etc.) All students participating in away school- abilities, yet a sprained ankle, a bad knee or a sponsored contests are expected to ride the pulled muscle can prevent one from doing the best school-approved transportation. You may secure they can. Though there is no guarantee these permission to return from a contest with some injuries will not occur, their frequency and exceptions: seriousness can be reduced through simple measures such as the year-round conditioning • with your own parent, providing that your parent mentioned above, training techniques and an requests such permission from the coach or awareness of the injury patterns in your chosen sponsor in advance. sport. Make certain to consult with the athletic trainers immediately if an injury does occur. • with your coach or sponsor in the case of unusual circumstances (e.g., injury or need to Physicals attend another school event).

Athletic By-Law 309 (a) in the MSHSAA Handbook You are not allowed to drive yourself to away states: “The school shall require of each student contests when leaving from school. When leaving participating in athletics or an activity performance from home, you may drive yourself to away in- group a physician’s certificate stating that he or she district contests only. is physically able to participate in athletic contests or performance groups.” The medical certificate is Off Campus Practice and Home Contest Sites valid for the purpose of this rule if issued February 1st or after of the previous school year. This When practice sites and home contest sites are off certificate must be on file before you will be allowed campus, a one-way shuttle bus may be provided. If to practice with any North Kansas City Schools you are allowed to drive to school, you may drive athletic teams. yourself to off-campus practice and home contest sites if a signed parent permission slip is on file with The MSHSAA Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation your coach or sponsor. If you transport another Form and information regarding concussions is student, parent permission slips from all parents available at this link: must be on file in the activities director’s office.

http://www.nkcschools.org/sports-physicals Sponsors and coaches may transport students in their Insurance own vehicle with administrative approval.

Athletic By-Law 309(b) in the above handbook states: “A student shall not be permitted to practice or compete for a school until it has verification that 11

NCAA ACADEMIC STANDARDS Division I: Division II: Division I Eligibility 16 Core Courses 14 Core Courses (if • All students entering college must have enrolling prior to completed 16 core courses in high school. August 1, 2013) • Students must earn a minimum required GPA in core courses and a combined SAT 16 Core Courses (if or ACT sum score that matches this GPA on enrolling on or after a sliding scale, which can be found in the August 1, 2013) NCAA Eligibility Center Quick Reference Guide (.pdf/270K). Requires Adobe Reader (latest version recommended). 4 years of English 3 years of English

Division II Eligibility 3 years of math 2 years of math • All students entering college prior to August (algebra 1 or higher (algebra 1 or higher 1, 2013, must have completed 14 core level) level) courses in high school. • All students entering college on or after 2 years of natural or 2 years of natural or August 1, 2013, must have completed 16 physical science physical science core courses in high school. (including one year of (including one year of • Standards require a minimum GPA of 2.0 lab science if offered) lab science if offered) and a combined minimum SAT score of 820 or sum ACT score of 68. 1 extra year of English, 2 extra years of English, math, or science math or science; NCAA Core Courses Definition 3 extra years if enrolling on or after August 1, • An academic course in one or a combination 2013 of these areas: English, mathematics, natural/physical science, social science, foreign language, comparative religion or 2 years of social 2 years of social philosophy. science science • A four-year college preparatory course and a course at or above the high school's 4 years of additional 3 years of additional regular academic level, for example, an core courses (from any core courses (from any AP® class or outside college course. category above, or in a category above, or in a foreign language, foreign language, Remedial courses, or those taught at a slower pace nondoctrinal religion or nondoctrinal religion or or that cover less content are not admissible. Not philosophy) philosophy); all classes that meet high school graduation 4 extra years if enrolling requirements meet NCAA course work on or after August 1, requirements. 2013 Help your students check your high school's list of approved core courses on the NCAA Eligibility Center High School Portal. COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY LETTER OF Meeting NCAA admission requirements does not INTENT SIGNINGS guarantee admission into college — it simply determines whether students may participate in North Kansas City Schools recognizes that many athletics during their freshman year. Students must student athletes will continue their athletic quest at follow each member college's admission policies the collegiate level. These institutions request that and apply directly to that college. each athlete sign a letter of intent to attend their college or university. In order to ensure that each 12

letter of intent signing is recognized properly and NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS consistently, the following criteria will be used at the school district’s four high schools:

• Each high school will recognize letter of intent signings for student athletes who participate at their high school in the same sport they are signing to participate in at the collegiate level. ♦ Integrity ♦ Respect • Each year there will be three dates scheduled ♦ Responsibility for college signings. These dates will ♦ Servant Leadership correspond to the first Wednesday in ♦ Sportsmanship November, February and May.

Interscholastic athletics and activities are an important supplement to the secondary curricular program, and as such become a vital part of a student’s total educational experience. These experiences contribute to the development of learning skills and emotional patterns that enable the student to make maximum use of their education.

“The Missouri State High School Activities Student athletics and activities are an integral part Association promotes the value of participation, of the total secondary educational program and sportsmanship, team play and personal excellence to provide experiences not otherwise made available develop citizens who make positive contributions to enable students to acquire additional knowledge, their community and support the democratic skills and emotional patterns necessary as principles of our state and nation.” attributes of good citizenship. North Kansas City Schools strives to establish successful learning experiences for all and create responsible citizens capable of lifelong accomplishments.

13

~

NORTH KANSAS C I TY SC H OO L S ,,,. 1913

HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS AND ACTIVITIES HANDBOOK 2013 – 2014

Athletic/Activity Acknowledgment

Student Name School

I acknowledge that the High School Athletics and Activities Handbook for the 2013 – 2014 school year is readily available upon request through the school office and on the school district’s website at www.nkcschools.org.

I have read this handbook and am informed about the following: • Goals and Philosophies of the North Kansas City Schools Athletic and Activities Program • Responsibilities of Athletes and Activity Participants • Protecting Student Eligibility • Creditable School Citizenship • Sportsmanship and Hazing Policy • Chemical Abuse Policy • Guidelines for Participation • Physician Exams, Insurance and Participation Fees • Transportation Policy

I understand the consequences for breaking school policy and I will not do so while a North Kansas City Schools student participant. I agree to abide by the provision of the High School Athletics and Activities Handbook and understand that if I have any questions about the contents of the handbook, I should contact my activities director or principal.

Student Signature Date

Further, as the parent(s) of the above named student participant, I (we) have also read the High School Athletics and Activities Handbook and discussed what is expected of my child by North Kansas City Schools and the consequences of these actions.

Parent Signature Date