GARDINER AREA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC HANDBOOK 2018-19 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page A. Athletic Philosophy 3 B. Nondiscrimination Statement 3 C. Student Eligibility Requirements 3 1. Maine Principals’ Association Eligibility Rules 3 2. Academic Eligibility 3-5 3. Physical Examinations 5 4. Parent Permission Forms/Emergency Medical Forms 5 D. Attendance Requirements 6 1. Pre-Season 6 2. Practice/Game Attendance 6 3. School Attendance 6 E. Conduct Rules 6 1. Conduct Expectations 6 2. Disciplinary Sanctions 7 3. Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco 7-8 4. Criminal Activity 8 5. Hazing 8 6. Sportsmanship 8 7. Personal Appearance 9 8. Coaches’ Rules 9 F. Awards and Honors 9 1. Captain Criteria 9 2. Eligibility for Athletic Awards and Varsity Letters 9 3. Varsity Letter Criteria 9 G. Miscellaneous 10 1. Game Cancellations and Make-Ups 10 2. Health Insurance 10 3. Injuries 10 4. Changing Sports 10 5. Quitting a Team 10 6. Outside Teams 11 7. Uniforms and Equipment 11 8. Locker Rooms 11 9. Transportation 11 H. Parent Information 11 1. Parents’ Night 11 2. Communication with Coaches 12 3. Spectator Conduct 12 4. Fundraising 12 5. Contact List 12 6. Travel Directory 13-20 2 A. ATHLETIC PHILOSOPHY In accordance with Board Policy JT (Extracurricular Activities/Athletics), MSAD #11 believes ​ ​ that a dynamic program of student athletics is vital to the educational development of the student. The extracurricular program should provide a variety of experiences to enhance personal growth in a safe and healthy manner. It should also promote teamwork, good sportsmanship, and good citizenship. Athletic activities must conform to the philosophy of the school, the policies, rules and regulations of the Board of Directors, the Maine Principals' Association, and the mandates of the State of Maine. Participation in extracurricular activities is a vital part of an educational experience. To participate in an activity is a privilege that carries responsibility and commitment. Because of this educational value, students should be encouraged to participate in these activities. As role models for other students and being representatives of our schools in the community, student-athletes must meet additional responsibilities and expectations. This handbook contains our expectations and rules for participation in athletics. B. NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT MSAD #11 does not discriminate against employees or students because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, ancestry or national origin, disability in admission to, access to, treatment in, or employment in its programs and activities. To make an inquiry or file a complaint concerning this statement, contact: Diann Bailey, Adult Education Director/Affirmative Action Officer, 40 West Hill Road, Gardiner, ME 04345 (207) 582-3774 C. STUDENT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS 1. Maine Principals’ Association Eligibility Rules The Maine Principals’ Association issues detailed Eligibility Rules for student participation in high school interscholastic athletics. Students and parents who are interested in reviewing the rules may visit the Interscholastic Division section of the Maine Principals’ Association website at www.mpa.org, or ask a coach or the Athletic Director at Gardiner Area High School. ​ ​ 2. Academic Eligibility Gardiner Area High School has adopted a No Pass--No Play policy for interscholastic athletics. The main purpose for this policy is to facilitate a student's educational and personal growth. This policy is intended to be proactive in monitoring students’ academic performance and maintaining the lines of communication between the school, the coach, and the home. By taking a proactive stance, our hope is to identify those students who are having academic difficulty and provide them with ample time, opportunities, and services to improve their academic performance. 3 Initial Eligibility a. Athletes failing one or more courses in the previous ranking period (semester) will be placed on academic warning status (see c-b). Any athlete who did not take and ​ ​ complete a minimum of 5 credits in the previous semester will be placed on academic warning (see c-b). Any athlete who is not taking a minimum of 5 credits in the current ​ ​ semester will be placed on academic probation (see c-c). ​ ​ Fall: Grades from the second semester of the previous school year. Winter: Grades from the six week progress report from the first semester of the current school year. Spring: Grades from the six week progress report from the second semester of the current school year. In Season Eligibility In order to participate, student athletes must maintain full time status (enrolled in five (5) credits courses and passing all courses) throughout the athletic season. Checkpoint Schedule Fall 2018 Winter 2018-19 Spring 2019 August 13 (Initial) November 19 (Initial) Mar. 18 (Initial) September 20 December 6 Apr. 4 October 3 * December 20 April 25 October 18 January 10 May 9 November 1 January 24 May 23 November 15 February 7 June 6 February 28 b. Once a student begins a sport, the No Pass-No Play rule goes into effect. ​ c. Student-Athletes will be placed in one of the following three categories during the season at each academic checkpoint. a. Eligible: Currently passing all courses. b. Academic Warning: Currently failing one or more courses for the first time. Student is eligible for competition. c. Academic Probation: Currently failing one or more courses for the second consecutive checkpoint. Student is ineligible for competition until the course(s) he/she is currently failing (for two consecutive checkpoints) are brought up to a passing level. Academic Checkpoints a. Grade reports are run in accordance with the following checkpoint schedule to determine if any students are academically deficient (failing courses). b. A student-athlete who is placed on “academic warning” has until the next checkpoint to bring his/her grade(s) up to a passing level. Student-athletes on “academic warning” may still participate in practices and games/contests. 4 c. If a student-athlete does not bring his/her grade(s) up to a passing level by the next academic checkpoint, he/she is placed on “academic probation” (failing the same course for two consecutive checkpoints) on the following Monday. Student-athletes on “academic probation” may practice with the team and attend contests, but may not suit up or participate in contests. The student-athlete may return to full participation on the Monday following the next academic checkpoint when he/she is passing the classes that resulted in the student/athlete being placed on academic probation. d. Student-athletes may not return to full participation until the full two-week checkpoint period has passed. Example of How Policy Works Student-Athlete A begins the school year as an academically eligible student. After the first checkpoint it is determined that Student-Athlete A is not passing Course 1. Student-Athlete A is placed on “academic warning” the following Monday and has until the next academic checkpoint ​ ​ to bring up the grade in Course 1. At the next checkpoint, Student-Athlete A is still not passing Course 1. Student-Athlete A is now placed on “academic probation”, making him/her academically ineligible as of the following Monday. Student-Athlete A may practice and attend ​ ​ contests but may not suit up or participate in contests. At the next checkpoint, Student-Athlete A is passing Course 1 and is eligible to participate fully in athletics on the following Monday. 3. Physical Examinations In keeping with the recommendations of the Maine Principals’ Association and Kennebec Pediatrics, student-athletes are required to have a physical examination prior to their first participation in interscholastic athletics in MSAD #11 and every other year thereafter. Students ​ ​ ​ ​ entering high school who have not previously participated in a school sponsored athletic activity, th or who participated but did not have a physical examination during their 8 ​ grade year, are ​ required to have one prior to participating at the high school level. Exams done by the following types of health care providers are accepted: medical doctor, osteopathic doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant. Student-athletes will not be allowed to participate in athletics until documentation of the required physical examinations is received by the school. For example: ​ ​ ● Physical examination completed prior to participation during grade 8. Next physical exam will be required prior to participation during grades 10 and 12. ● Physical exam completed prior to participation during grade 9. Next physical exam will be required prior to participation during grade 11. 4. Parent Permission Forms/Emergency Medical Forms Parents/guardians are required to sign a permission form and fill out an emergency medical card for their son or daughter to participate in athletics. 5 D. ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS 1. Pre-Season In general, student-athletes will not be allowed to participate in an athletic activity unless he/she has attended pre-season try-outs and practices. In rare circumstances (such as an illness in the family, family emergency, or personal medical issue/injury), exceptions to this policy will be considered. A written request by a parent/guardian must be submitted to the Athletic Director, who will consult with the coach and Principal in making his/her decision. Students who are granted an exception will be required to practice the equivalent amount of time they missed (number of practices) in pre-season prior to participating in a scheduled contest/event. 2. Practice/Game Attendance The Athletic Department believes that regular attendance at practice and games is vital for student-athletes and teams to reach their potential. Family vacations and work conflicts are not ​ considered valid reasons for missing practices and games. Parents are strongly encouraged to plan vacations so as not to conflict with their son's or daughter's participation on a team. It should be understood that absence from practice and games for an extended period of time is detrimental to both the student-athlete and team, and may result in loss of playing time.