Valley Central

Athletic Eligibility Code of Conduct

Dear Parent:

    Your son or daughter has indicated a desire to participate in interscholastic athletics. To be eligible we ask you to read the rules and regulations of the athletic department and sign the following documents:

VC Athletes’ Pledge

Permission Slip

Medical Clearance Form.

Once all of these documents have been signed and returned to the coach, your son or daughter may begin participation in our athletic program.

   TheValleyCentralSchool Districtwill endeavor to provide the following:

1.     The school will provide athletes with safe facilities and equipment for practice and competition.

2.     The safety of a student-athlete will always be primary above all other considerations.

3.     Coaches, teachers, and student-athletes will treat each other with the respect due to them as responsible members of our community who are fulfilling their obligations as coaches, teachers, and students while doing their best to represent the entire school community in athletic competition.

4.     All coaches and teachers will be positive leaders and role models to all student-athletes.

RULES AND PRACTICES OF THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM

1.  Parental permission for a student athlete to participate in the athletic program and current seasonal Health History Form with appropriate signatures must be on file in the Athletic Office before practice begins.

2.  Participation in all sports, contact or non-contact, involves a certain amount of risk from injury. Parents and student-athletes must be aware that injury is a possibility. Consequently, every student-athlete must have a physical examination given freely by the district physician. If you choose to have a physical by a private physician you must assume the financial burden of this physical exam and have the doctor complete an athletic physical form available at all the district health suites and the Director of Athletics office. This form must be returned to the nurse’s office and approved prior to the first practice.

3. Parents and student-athletes must be aware that the school’s insurance coverage is a limited insurance plan and that it is secondary to your health Insurance. All injuries must be reported to the coach. Incident Reportsmust be submitted to the school nurse within thirty (30) days of the injury to be covered by the plan. 

4. Student-athletes are required to use District transportation, when provided to and from all practices and competitions. If you would like to pick your child up at an away contest you may do so by personally signing out your son or daughter with the coach. Please provide a note to the athletic office 24 hours in advance whenever possible. Parents may sign out and transport only their own children. In the event that you need to transport your son or daughter to an away event you must contact the Athletic Office 24 hours in advance.

5. In addition to these policies of the general athletic program, student-athletes and parents may be asked to give written consent to specific written training rules required by a coach for a particular sport. Student-athletes will also be required to follow oral directions given by the coach in connection with participation in that sport.

6. Code of Conduct of a Valley Central Student Athlete

It is an honor and a privilege to represent your school. It is not a right. As an athlete on a Valley Central team, you represent yourself and your family as well as your school and your community. Your conduct before, during, and after games will reflect on you and everyone else associated with your school and the school district. The most important of these responsibilities is to broaden and develop strength of character. You owe it to yourself to get the greatest possible good from your secondary school experience.

We want our athletic teams to succeed. Many of our athletes have been successful college athletes and still other hold league, section and state records. We are proud of the fact that Valley Central teams are recognized for competing hard and fairly. Student athletes who have preceded you have set high standards, and your challenge is to meet the standards they have set.

Being on an athletic team requires sacrifices. You must make choices between all of the activities that are appealing to you and your commitment to your teammates and coaches. Attending practices and games is an essential part of that commitment. Maintaining your academic standing is crucial to being a student athlete. Keeping yourself in shape and choosing not to consume tobacco products, drugs and alcohol are a part of that commitment.Should you at any time be present where illegal use of drugs, underage drinking or dangerous activities are occurring, you should leave immediately.Being in the presence of such activities is unacceptable and demonstrates that you are not meeting your commitment to your team.

As a Valley Central athlete, you are expected to abide by all school rules and regulations. By participating in athletics to the maximum of your ability, you are contributing to the reputation of the school. Therefore you are expected to conduct yourself properly, as

ladies and gentlemen, at all times. You will respect opposing athletes, coaches, and all officials. You will display good sportsmanship at all times.

Most importantly, you are expected to treat people with respect. Hazing, harassment or any form of behavior which is intended to degrade, demean, humiliate, place at risk or cause physical or emotional harm will not be tolerated.

It is the goal of this athletic program to add something special to your lives. We are expecting that in return you will add something special to the athletic program because you have made the choice to be a part of it.

ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY     

7. The Valley Central School Academic Eligibility system is based on the philosophy that a student must display acceptable achievement and effort to participate in extra curricular activities and interscholastic athletics. The complete policy is outlined in the student handbook. The high school assistant principal in charge of academic eligibility is responsible for determining academic eligibility.

Fall Extra-curricular Activities

Fourth Marking period of the previous school year, Summer School, and First marking period progress reports will be used for the fall season.  

Winter Extra-curricular Activities

First marking period grades will be used to evaluate the students participating in

the winter until the progress reports for the second marking period are released in

December.

Spring Extra-curricular Activities

The third progress report will be used to evaluate the student participating in the Spring

until the third marking period grades are released in April.

Questions pertaining to any of the policies of The Athletic Program may be referred toMr. Michael Bellarosa at457-2400 ext 17885 BEFOREsigning this permission slip. Once you and your child sign the permission slip, it will be understood all rules and practices are agreed with and all discipline will be enforced.

ELIGIBILITY RULES FOR ATHLETICS

1. All student athletes are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with school rules and regulations.

2. Student athletes should observe good health habits paying special attention to getting proper rest and nutrition.

3. Student athletes may not use drugs or illegal substances, including alcohol in any form. ( Automatic Level II Violation.)

4. Student athletes will refrain from smoking or the use of any form of tobacco products.

5. Student athletes achieve success through hard work and dedication. The use of performance enhancing supplements or drugs in any form unless prescribed by a physician is prohibited. ( Automatic Level II Violation )

6. Student athletes are responsible for all athletic equipment or uniforms issued to them. If a student wishes to quit a team once the practice season has become, he/she must turn in all issued items and have a face to face conversation with the coach BEFORE they will be permitted to try out for another sport regardless of the season.

7. Student athletes must conduct themselves in a proper and sportsmanlike manner at all times. To do otherwise will be considered“Conduct Unbecoming a Student Athlete.”

8. Student athletes are expected to be in school on time everyday. Any athlete who is not in attendance for full four class periods or 50% of a school day without extenuating written legal excuse from their parents will not be allowed to participate in that day’s practice or contest.

9. All student athletes must meet the requirements for academic eligibility.

10. All student athletes are expected to avoid situations where illegal use of drugs, underage drinking or dangerous activities are occurring. Should a student athlete find himself/herself in such a situation, s/he should leave immediately.

VC Administrative Guidelines for Eligibility

*All Eligibility issues will be considered on a case by case basis. Appeals will be to the District Director of Athletics and the High School Principal.*

Level I Violation

Infraction -

·        Conduct unbecoming an athlete

·        Receiving out of school suspension for violation of school rules and regulations

·        Insubordination to aValleyCentralSchoolEmployee

Penalty -

·        Loss of eligibility from competition for one contest. During this time that the athlete is ineligible for competition he or she must be in attendance and participate in all practices.

Level II Violation

Infraction -

·        Repeat of a second level I violation

·        Illegal Activity involving an arrest by law enforcement agencies on or off campus

·        Use or possession of alcohol, drugs and tobacco

·        Hazing

·        Willful damage to school property at Valley Central or another school. ( arries

              monetary penalty )        

Penalty -

·        Loss of eligibility for competition for up to twenty percent of the season. During this time, the athlete must be in attendance and participate in all practices.

·        In order to have eligibility restored, the student will be required to attend a meeting with parents, coach, and Director of Athletics.

Level III Violation

Infraction -

·        Repeat of a level II Violation

     Penalty -

·        Loss of eligibility for interscholastic athletics for up to 60 school days ( one sport season )

·        A second violation of use of alcohol or drugs requires development of a

recommended care plan by the Student Assistance Counselor which must be

                adhered to and assessed prior to becoming eligible for future participation.

  Level IV Violation

Infraction-

·        Repeat of a level III Violation 

 Penalty -

·        Loss of eligibility for interscholastic athletics for the remainder of the school year. 

ATHLETIC PARTICIPATION PERMISSION SLIP

VALLEY CENTRAL ATHLETE’S PLEDGE

As a Valley Central Athlete I understand that:

1.   Participating in any athletic sport requires a commitment to the highest standards of mental and physical fitness.

2.   Insuring the highest level of performance in any sport requires a year-round commitment to these standards of mental and physical fitness.

3.   Engaging in the use of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs is inconsistent with maintaining these high standards of mental

and physical fitness and prohibited. Such misconduct will result in discipline action including loss of eligibility.

 Understanding the foregoing statements and having read and understood the

 Rules and Practices of the Athletic Program and the Training Rules, I will

 abide by all of the Rules and Practices of the Athletic Program for the

____________________ (year) athletic season.

           I will refrain from the purchase, possession consumption or sale of

           Alcohol, tobacco or other drugs (except for legitimate medical

           Reasons) from the first day of practice through the last day of the

           Season.

           I understand that failure to abide by this pledge will result in

           forfeiting my privilege of participating in any athletic program

           for the period specified in the Attached Athletic CodeLevels of

           Violation.

I further understand that participation in any extracurricular       sport, contact or non-contact, involves a certain amount of risk and may potentially result in injury. Therefore, I hereby agree to release theValleyCentralSchool District, its agents and employees, from and against any and all liability, loss, damages, claims or actions, to the extent permissible by law, arising out of my/my child’s participation in any extracurricular sport.

 _________________________                          _______________________

    STUDENT’S SIGNATURE                                      DATE

 _________________________has my permission to participate in

  (Student’s name)

_________________________. I have read and agree to the

  (Name of sport)

rules and practices of the Athletic Program and will support the

Athletic department in assuring that my son or daughter adheres to these rules and practices.

_________________________                __________________________

(PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE)                         DATE