THE ATHLETIC HANDBOOK DEKALB COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2015-2016 Department of Athletics Staff: Horace C. Dunson Jr. Executive Director of Athletics Janet Scott Executive Administrative Assistant Dr. Phillip McCrary Asst. Director of Athletics Chris Chilton Athletic Specialist Lorenzo ”Keith” Sewell Athletic Specialist Finance Mark Brock Athletic Specialist Statistician/Web Design/ Media Lisa Patterson Adapted Sports NONDISCRIMINATION CLAUSE It is the policy of the DeKalb County Board of Education not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or disability in its educational programs, activities, or employment practices. “DeKalb Athletics: Focusing on Educationally Sound Practices ” TABLE OF CONTENTS A Message from the Director of Athletics 6 Philosophy of Educational Athletics Goals and Objectives 7 Code of Ethics for Coaches 7 Sportsmanship 8 General Operating Procedures for the DeKalb County School System (DCSS) Department of Athletics 9 Athletic Participation Guidelines 10 Team Rules 10 GHSA Dead Week 10 Officials 10 Rules of Eligibility General Information 10 GHSA Eligibility 9 – 12 12 GHSA Eligibility 7-8 12 Eligibility for Immigrant Students 14 Participation of Athletes In Non-School Athletic Competition 14 In Vocational-Technical School/Joint Enrollment 15 In Magnet Schools 15 For Disabled Students 15 Scheduling Schedule for Practice Dates and for Athletic Events 16 Sunday Practice and/or Team Meetings 16 Tournaments, Invitational Meets, and/or Relay Meets 16 Middle School Playoffs: Football 17 Cancellation/Postponement of Event/Inclement Weather 17 Guidelines for the Selection of Head Coaches and Supplemented Coaches 17 Guidelines for the Selection of Lay and/or Community Coaches Lay and/or Community Coaches 18 Guidelines and Procedures for the Assignment and Placement of Coaches Transfers 19 Reassignments 19 Itinerant Coaches 19 Team Travel: Guidelines and Procedures Travel Expenses 19 Overnight Stays 19 Meals 19 Buses 19 Professional Leave for Team Travel for Coaches 20 Cheerleaders GHSA Regulations 20 Method of Selection for Football and Basketball Cheerleaders 20 Selection of a Competitive Cheerleading Squad 21 Emergency Management for Athletic Programs Procedures for Athletic Practices and Contests 21 Extreme Heat and Precautions 22 “DeKalb Athletics: Focusing on Educationally Sound Practices ” Heat-Related Illnesses 22 Care 22 Guidelines for Preventing Dehydration 23 Guidelines for Re-hydration 23 Medical Guidelines for the Prevention of Serious Infectious Disease 24 Physicians and Trainers 25 Supervision of Athletic Events Suggested Procedures for Athletic Supervision 25 Transportation Regular Season Events 25 Security Athletic Events 26 Off-Duty Police Officers 27 School Resource Officers 27 Financial and Accounting Procedures for the Athletic Program Budget 27 Audits 27 Revenue 27 Admission to Games (Costs) 28 Price Scale for Admission Tickets 28 Concessions 28 Fundraising for the Athletic Program Proceeds from Programs 29 Sale of Programs and Spirit Items 29 Insignias/ Logos/Endorsements on Athletic Uniforms and Equipment 29 Athletic Awards Criteria for Letter Awards 29 Specific Minimum Criteria to Receive a Letter 29 Retiring Numbers 30 Naming Facilities 30 Equipment Management Inventory 30 Purchasing 31 Regional Stadiums: Management and Usage Guidelines Operation of the Regional Stadiums 31 Stadium Selection for Football Playoffs 31 Press Box Procedures 32 Side Line Procedures 32 Broadcasting and Video Playing Policy 32 Radio Usage Policy 32 Television and Cable Policy 32 Taping of Football Games Policy 32 Responsibilities of the Stadium Manager 33 Responsibilities of the Assistant Stadium Manager 33 Stadium Employees’ Pay Scale 33 Gymnasium Employees’ Pay Scale 33 Rental of Regional Stadiums by Community Organizations 34 Charges in Addition to Rental Fees 34 Athletic Events Conducted Outside Regional Stadiums 35 APPENDICES 36 “DeKalb Athletics: Focusing on Educationally Sound Practices ” INTRODUCTION A MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS Promoting educationally sound practices as part of interscholastic athletics is the cornerstone of the DeKalb County School District (DCSD) Department of Athletics. Participation in interscholastic athletics is a privilege to be granted to those students who meet the minimum standards of eligibility. At the secondary level, participation is different from any other level of competition. Although we encourage participation at the sub varsity level, the high school athletic program exists solely to meet the needs of secondary school students. Our athletic programs operate on a system-wide basis under policies adopted by the DeKalb County School System Board of Education and in conjunction with the operational policies of the Georgia High School Association (GHSA). The DeKalb County School System Athletic Handbook is a compilation of the Georgia Department of Education (GDOE) guidelines, the Georgia High School Association regulations, the DeKalb County School System Board policies, and in accordance with other local government guidelines which govern athletics in the State of Georgia. It serves as a reference for administrators, coaches, and other school personnel on issues pertaining to athletics. This handbook will be amended as policies and regulations are changed. The DeKalb County School System provides the best possible athletic programs for students in the secondary schools. Athletic participation is an educational experience for students which help them to develop good sportsmanship and leadership skills. Student participants are expected to model citizenship and to represent their schools in such a manner that parents, teachers, and the community will be proud of their achievements. The Department of Athletics is here to assist and support each and every student athlete to achieve his/her highest potential. Respectfully Submitted, Horace C. Dunson, Jr. DEKALB COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM “DeKalb Athletics: Focusing on Educationally Sound Practices ” PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATIONAL ATHLETICS The purposes of the DeKalb athletic program are consistent with the accepted purposes of secondary school education. All school athletic programs should be administered in accordance with the following goals: 1. To educate girls and boys through competition; 2. To provide educational experiences outside the classroom setting; 3. To develop a climate for enhancement of knowledge, physical skills, and emotional patterns and 4. To contribute to the development of better citizens. While the goals shown above state the broad aim of educational athletics, the following objectives focus on the particular emphasis of team play and sports: 1. To provide opportunities for mental and physical growth by developing: a. Coordination, endurance, and muscular strength and flexibility; b. The ability to think through problems to feasible solutions; and c. Skill in performing under circumstances that require higher ordered thinking skills. 2. To provide for the development of desirable social growth and adjustment by: a. building the student’s self-reliance and emotional maturity; b. affording students opportunities for development of leadership and group cooperation; c. designing athletic activities that allow students the opportunity to attain enjoyment from participation; and d. emphasizing good sportsmanship as an immediate and long-range goal. CODE OF ETHICS FOR COACHES 1. To abide by the rules of the State Board of Education, the DeKalb Board of Education, and the Georgia High School Association 2. To maintain a high standard of personal conduct 3. To insist upon proper conduct of students 4. To uphold, honor, and dignify the profession 5. To refrain from discussing the deficiencies of one's colleagues in such a way as to embarrass them 6. To practice professionalism as determined by the Professional Standards Commission . 7. To maintain a high standard of sportsmanship in relationship to coaches, players, officials, and fans 8. To bring to the profession all knowledge, skill, and devotion that one may possess 9. To extend professional courtesy to other members of the profession at all times 10. To avoid the discussion of matters of student discipline with anyone except the proper authorities 11. To give each student an equal opportunity 12. To avoid intentionally humiliating one's opponent in competition 13. To accept proper criticism in a gracious manner and, if in error, to remedy the fault that called for the criticism 14. To find out the exact meaning of written and verbal contracts and to live up to them in letter and in spirit 15. To be absent from work only when absolutely necessary 16. To refer all physical or organic defects requiring diagnosis or treatment to a competent medical doctor 17. To give credit to the proper sources in the matter of borrowed ideas 18. To give credit where credit is due in recognizing meritorious service on the part of either teachers or students 19. To vacate one's position only after all records are complete and can be readily understood by one's successor and only after appropriate notice to one's employer Sportsmanship One of the primary objectives of educational athletics is good sportsmanship. The National Federation of State High School Associations has adopted the following guidelines for sportsmanship. High school students should set a good example concerning sportsmanship and quickly condemn unsportsmanlike conduct by other students or adults. To this end they should: 1. Remember that a student spectator represents