MUSKEGO-NORWAY CO-CURRICULAR CODE

The Co-Curricular Activity Program of Muskego-Norway Schools is a vital part of the educational system.  The primary purpose of this program is to assist students in growing and maturing into responsible members of our school and community.

Respect, courtesy, honesty, and good sportsmanship are basic to good citizenship and should form the basis for all behavior.  Since students involved in co-curricular activities represent their school, their behavior frequently determines the opinion others have of their school and the individuals within that school community.

This co-curricular code outlines the standards for students participating in our activities program.  These include standards of behavior in the areas of school attendance, academic achievement, and proper conduct.

While the use of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs is wide-spread in our culture, its use may be habit forming as well as harmful to an individual and society.  The Muskego-Norway School system has the responsibility not only to teach the dangers of use of these substances but also to discourage that use.  This code endorses that responsibility.

As students experience the privilege of participating in a co-curricular activity, they must also accept the responsibility of maintaining a set of standards that will bring credit to themselves, their family, their school, and their activity.  The following are established polices that support the standards and expectations of our co-curricular program.  Students must also comply with all rules and provisions of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) and any other governing organization(s) which have recognized authority connected with the referenced co-curricular activity. 

This code has been endorsed and adopted by the Muskego-Norway School Board.  Every student who wishes to become involved in the district's Co-Curricular Activity Program agrees to abide by the conditions outlined herein.  This code is in effect at all times, 12 months a year, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, on or off campus, from the first day a student becomes involved in the Muskego-Norway Co-Curricular Activity Program until such time that the student graduates from high school and has completed all school-sponsored activities.  As the student moves from one educational level to another (i.e., elementary to middle, middle to high school) the student moves with a clean slate.  Additional guidelines and consequences may be created by an advisor or coach that are specific to a given activity. 

I. ATTENDANCE POLICIES 

A.   ATTENDANCE 

No student may participate if he/she is absent from school on that entire day, unless first given permission by the coach/advisor of the activity and the principal or activities coordinator.

A student must be in school for at least one-half of the school day to be eligible to participate in any co-curricular activity.  One-half day means being in attendance for three one-half credit classes, excluding study halls, beginning no later than period five.

B.   SUSPENSIONS 

Any student suspended from school shall not be permitted to take part in practices, games, or activities during the time of his/her suspension.

If a student commits a violation of school rules during the season of that student's sport/activity, which results in a school suspension, the student must be withheld from a minimum of one contest.  If a contest falls during his/her suspension, it will satisfy this one game requirement.

If the contest does not fall during the suspension, then after returning from the suspension, the student must be withheld from a minimum of one contest.

Cancelled contest may not be used to fulfill a suspension.

C. ATHLETIC ATTENDANCE PROCEDURES           

Athletes are expected to attend all practices.  Illness and unexpected family emergencies will excuse them from practice either by advance notice or notification to their coach upon return.  

A missed practice or game because of a school situation over which the student has no control will not affect his/her position on the team.  Whenever an administratively approved class/course activity conflicts with scheduled athletics, the class/course activity will have precedence.

An athlete who misses practice or a game by his own choice will jeopardize his/her position on the team as well as his/her team membership.

It is recommended that the student contact the coach and explain the absence.  The coach will explain the consequences that will follow for that absence.

II. ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS 

A.   GRADE POINT AVERAGE

1.  LOCAL REQUIREMENTS

Participation in the Co-Curricular Activities Program shall be available to those students who have attained qualifying standards (as indicated below) during the preceding nine week grading period.  A student who is enrolled in any state-approved exceptional education program and who does not receives usual grades for such courses, may be eligible if he/she is making satisfactory progress in his/her total school program as indicated by his/her Individual Education Plan (IEP).

High School

Participation in the Co-Curricular Activities Program shall be available to those students that meet school and DPI requirements defining a full-time student, have received no more than one failing grade (including incompletes), and have attained a 1.5 grade point average in the most recent grade-reporting period (quarter).  Grades earned during summer school can be used to recalculate fourth quarter eligibility.  Incompletes must be made up two weeks after the last day of the grade reporting period.

Middle School

Participation in the co-curricular program shall be available to those students that have attained a 2.0 grade point average and have no more than one F in the latest grade reporting period.

Any student with more than one F in the latest grade reporting period will be removed from his/her current activity for a period of 15 scheduled school days and nights.  On the 16th day, the student may obtain a reinstatement form that verifies his/her academic eligibility. 

B.   ENFORCEMENT DATE

The enforcement of the academic eligibility requirement will take place the day report cards are either distributed to students in homeroom or distributed to the mail.  If distributed to the mail, enforcement may take place before students receive their report cards.  Quarter grades will be used to determine eligibility.

C.   APPEALS

The ruling of academic ineligibility based on GPA may be appealed to the activities coordinator using the following guidelines:  (There is no appeal of the WIAA eligibility rule with regard to more than one "F").

1.   The appeals form (available in the activities coordinator's office) must be completed and signed by the student and signed by the parent/guardian.  The form must be returned to the activities coordinator.

2.   The activities coordinator shall make a decision no sooner than five days after receiving the letter of appeal.  When the fifth day falls on a non-school day, (Saturday or Sunday) the next school day (Monday) will be used.

3.   The activities coordinator's decision may; re-instate the student to full eligibility; require a mediation program; or remove the student for the remainder of the nine week period.

4.   Only one appeal may be granted during an academic year.

III.     STANDARDS OF PROPER CONDUCT 

Students who participate in the Muskego-Norway Co-Curricular Activities Program are expected to conduct themselves, both in and out of school, with courtesy, sportsmanship, respect for the property and rights of others, and in a manner that will bring dignity to and not discredit themselves, their parents, school(s), or their team/activity.  In addition, they are to refrain from the possession or use of tobacco, alcohol, drug paraphernalia, controlled or illegal substances, or the improper use of legal substances and online harassment.  This code is in effect at all times, 12 months a year, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, on or off campus, from the first day a student becomes involved in the Muskego-Norway Co-Curricular Activity Program until such time that the student graduates from high school and has completed all school-sponsored activities. 

IV.   CO-CURRICULAR CATEGORIES

The co-curricular activities of Muskego-Norway Schools are divided into two categories:

A. CATEGORY I:

Activities sponsored by Muskego-Norway Schools in which there is a schedule of inter-scholastic contests or school-sponsored performances or competitions.

B.  CATEGORY II:

Activities that extend throughout the year where there are few if any contests, performances, or competitions.

CATEGORY I

Cheerleading

Debate

Downhill Ski Racing

DECA

FBLA

Forensics

Interscholastic Athletics

Odyssey of the Mind

Pep Band

Play

Pom Pons

CATEGORY II

All other clubs

       * Any club, not listed here, but offered by the district, will fall into one of these two categories.  MNSD reserves the right to correct activity category listings due to human error.  

V.  VIOLATIONS 

Violations of this code refer to a confirmed or admitted act which include:

A. The possession or use of tobacco or tobacco products, alcohol, drug paraphernalia, performance enhancing substitutes, controlled or illegal substances; or the improper use of  legal substances;

B. Conduct, in or out of school, that brings discredit to the student, his/her parent(s), school, or activity/team.

Two types of Misconduct:

 1.   Misbehavior

Examples include, but are not limited to: reports from teachers of behavior concerns that may lead to in-school or out of school suspensions.

2.   Severe Misconduct

Examples may include, but are not limited to: conduct which endangers the health or safety of others, behavior in or out of school that could constitute the commission of a crime or result in a citation,i.e. disorderly conduct, theft.

Additional guidelines and consequences may be created by an advisor or coach that are specific to a given activity. 

VI. REFERRALS      

A.  SELF OR PARENT INITIATED 

1. Any student or parent covered by this code may refer him/herself or child to an AODA agency of the parents choosing.  That student will not be subject to the penalties listed in this code for actions prior to the date of that referral with the stipulation that this self-referral is made before the initiation of any investigation concerning the possible violation of this co-curricular code.  This initiation may not be used to circumvent the intent of this code or to avoid the application of this code.

2. The referral or any information obtained through the AODA will not become part of any student's official record and is confidential. Costs associated with this referral are the responsibility of the student. 

B.  INITIATED BY OTHERS  

1. Violations of the co-curricular code may  be presented to the  activities coordinator/principal by a parent, coach, advisor, teacher, administrator, student, law enforcement officer, or other responsible member of the community observing or having first-hand information about an infraction of the code.

2. This signed report should include the violation and essential supporting details.

3. This written report will be taken under advisement by the activities coordinator/principal for possible disciplinary action.

VII. PENALTIES 

Violations and consequences for possession/use of tobacco, alcohol,  etc. and conduct are independent of  each other, i.e., the sequence of  consequences from one area may not transfer to the other.

A.    POSSESSION/USE OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, CONTROLLED OR ILLEGAL SUBSTANCE, THE IMPROPER USE OF LEGAL SUBSTANCES OR PERFORMANCE ENHANCING DRUGS/SUBSITUTES

1.  First Violation 

a. Category I

The student will be ineligible to participate in thirty-three (33) percent of the scheduled contests, performances, or  competitions, in the present activity or the next activity in which the student chooses to participate.  The WIAA contest/competition limits will be used to calculate the period of ineligibility for interscholastic sports.  When calculation of percentages results in a fraction over .5, the number will be rounded up.

If necessary, this suspension will carry over into the next activity in which the student is involved.  During this period of suspension, the student will be required to attend all practices and meetings as scheduled by the advisor/coach, which includes completing the season in good standing.  Failure to comply with this portion of the code will result in the dismissal of the student from the activity, at which time the suspension will carry over into the next activity in which the student chooses to participate.

b. Category II

The student will be suspended from participation for four (4) weeks (20 school days and nights).  The student may regain eligibility on the 21st day.

c. Category I and II activity involvement

The student involved in both category activities will be subject to the penalties of both activity groups.

2.  Second Violation

a. Category I

A student will be ineligible to participate in sixty-six percent (66) of the scheduled contests, performances, or competitions including all provisions listed under first violation.

b. Category II

The student will be suspended from participation for nine (9) weeks (45 school days and nights).   

 c. The student must decide whether to refer themselves to an AODA agency.  If the student chooses to be referred to an AODA agency the screening recommendation must be followed.  All costs associated with this program are the responsibility of the student.

d. Should the student choose not to participate in the screening recommendations of the AODA agency penalties equivalent to a third violation (as stated in this code) will apply.

3. Third and Subsequent Violations

a. Categories I and II

The student will be ineligible to participate in all co-curricular activities for one calendar year beginning on the date of violation notice.

B.   CONDUCT 

1.  All Violations - Misbehavior

a. Category I

The student will be ineligible to participate in ten (10 percent of scheduled contests, performances, or competitions.

b. Category II

The student will be suspended from participation for two (2) weeks (10 school days and nights).  The student may be eligible on the 11th school day.

2.  Severe Misconduct-First Violation                        

a. Category I

The student will be ineligible to participate in thirty-three (33) percent of the scheduled contests, performances, or competitions.

b. Category II

The student will be suspended from participation for four (4) weeks (20 school days and nights).  The student may be eligible on the 21st  school day.

3.  Severe Misconduct-Second Violation 

a. Category I

The student will be ineligible to participate in sixty-six (66) percent of the scheduled contests, performances, or competitions.

b. Category II

The student will be suspended from participation for nine (9) weeks (45 school days and nights.)  The student may be eligible on the 46th school day.

4.  Severe Misconduct - Third and Subsequent Violations          

a. Categories I and II

The student will be ineligible to participate in all activities for one calendar year beginning on the date of violation notice.

VIII.    SUSPENSION PROCEDURES

To suspend a student, the activities coordinator/principal must first:  

A.   Give the student oral notice of the alleged violation.

B.   Give the student an explanation of the information, which the school authorities have received that may support a finding that he/she has violated the co-curricular code.

C. Provide the student an opportunity to present his/her version of the incident. 

D. The activities coordinator/principal must make a determination as to whether the student has violated the co-curricular code.  If it is determined that the student has violated the co-curricular code, the activities coordinator/principal shall promptly provide the student with written notice of the suspension and the reason for said suspension and shall send a copy of the notice to the student and his/her parent(s)/guardian(s).  The student and his/her parent(s)/guardian(s) shall also be given written notice of their right to appeal.

IX.    APPEAL PROCEDURE

The co-curricular code recognizes the rights of the individual.  The student and his/her parent(s)/guardian(s) have recourse in the event that it is felt the alleged offense did not occur or the proper procedures were not followed.  The appeal will not deal with the amount or length of penalties applied.  The procedure outlined in this document is the process a student and his/her parent(s)/guardian(s) are to follow when appealing decisions relating to the co-curricular suspension.

A.  A student and/or his/her parent(s)/guardian(s) may formally appeal the suspension decision in writing to the principal within five (5) school days from the time of the suspension notice.

B.  The date of the appeal hearing shall be set by the principal to take place no sooner than two (2) school days or no longer than five (5) school days from the date of the appeal request.  At the written request of the student or his/her parent(s)/guardian(s) the minimum time may be waived.

C.   The appeal hearing shall be conducted by an appeal board consisting of the principal (chairperson) and two non-coaching/activity faculty representatives.

D.   Proceedings of the hearing, including the decision, shall be placed in writing, and a copy of those proceedings must be mailed to the student and his/her parent(s)/guardian(s) within five (5) school days from the determination of the findings.

X.        REINSTATEMENT PROCEDURE 

Any student suspended from the co-curricular program for a violation of the co-curricular code must report to the activities coordinator/principal for a reinstatement conference, which must be conducted before the student resumes participation.  Failure to follow this requirement may result in a declaration of ineligibility, which in turn may have a negative impact on the team/activity, i.e., forfeit.  The conditions for reinstatement will be that the student has met and served all penalties as outlined relative to the violation, i.e., withheld from the specified number of contests, and where appropriate, provided verification to the activities coordinator/principal, from, the AODA agency that successful progress is being made in the prescribed program.

XI.       STUDENT INVOLVEMENT IN MULTIPLE SPORTS  

A student athlete who is dropped from one squad for disciplinary reasons shall be ineligible in another sport for that same season.  However, any student who is cut or quits may participate in another sport during the same season with mutual consent of the coaches.