Introduction

Students and staff in the Fife High School Athletics/Activities Program are constantly representing Fife High School at public performances.  This exposure places them in a position that requires they assume a greater amount of responsibility for their conduct.  Conduct in and out of school will directly reflect on fellow students, coaches/advisors, and Fife High School.

For this reason, an Athletic/Activity Code of Conduct has been established.  The Fife High School administration, the athletic director, and the coach/advisor will administer this code. They will be responsible for all decisions relating to disciplinary action resulting from violations of the code.  It is the student's and parent’s responsibility to know and abide by the contents of this code.

Duration

This code begins with the student’s initial athletic clearance of their high school career and extends through graduation.  This code does not apply to the summer months unless the student participates in a school-sponsored activity during that time.

Objectives

1.       To develop good citizenship and respect for rules and authority

1.1     by experiencing the principles of justice, fair play, and good sportsmanship.

1.2     by providing the opportunity for the student to adjust his/her attitude to the concept of team or group goals.

2.       To promote and contribute to the goals of the total education program.

2.1     through the realization that a healthy body combined with structured practice increase the probability of effective learning.

2.2     by providing a strong program that attracts student body interest and models a positive learning atmosphere.

3.       To promote community interest and involvement in school activities

3.1     by providing enjoyable experiences for participants and spectators.

3.2     by establishing rules and setting high standards for activity participation that reflect the Rules and Regulations that follow.

Student Participants

The rules and regulations of the Activity Code will be regarded as a contract between the student, the school, and his/her coach or advisor.  It will apply to the following groups of students:

• Athletes – Any student that participates in a school sponsored athletic sport.
• Cheerleaders - Cheerleaders will be dealt with in the same manner as other athletes.  Cheerleaders are a unique group representing the school throughout an entire year including a summer camp training period.  Each discipline situation will be dealt with in a manner consistent with the intent of the Fife High School Athletic/Activity Code.  Generally speaking, the Fife High School Athletic/Activity Code will become effective once cheerleaders have been chosen for the upcoming school year.
• Associated Student Body and Class Officers - ASB and class officers are a unique group representing the school throughout an entire year.  Therefore, any misconduct mentioned in this code by an officer will result in removal from office.  The ASB and class elective positions are covered by the code from their date of candidacy through the end of that year, during summer camp week, and during the subsequent year starting with the first day of fall athletic practice and ending with the conclusion of their season or term of office. 

Music Department Performing Groups - The co-curricular performances of musical groups are an integral part of the music curriculum.  They are a required activity and are considered in determining a final course grade. Music students involved in violations of the activity code will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from the performing group.  Additionally, students involved in violations of school rules will be subject to the normal school disciplinary procedures.

Rules and Regulations

• Sportsmanship: Students must conduct themselves properly and use appropriate language at all times when representing Fife High at school and in the community.      
• Appearance:  Students, while representing the high school, are required to be neat, clean and well groomed. The entire uniform, as required by state, league, and school rules shall be worn at all times during sports contests. Bandanas are not to be included, at any time, as part of the student’s uniform.
• Athletic Awards:
• The Varsity Letter Awards

The student will receive a chenille "F" letter for the first varsity letter earned.  They are entitled to only one during their career.  Each letter earned will be rewarded with a certificate that states this achievement.  Head coaches will establish and announce lettering criteria for their sport.  These may vary from sport to sport.

Career Athlete (Male/Female)

This award will be voted on and determined by the coaches of Fife High School.  It will be based on ability, participation, post-season awards, leadership, citizenship, coachability, and role model over the three-year period.

Scholar Athlete (Male/Female)

This award will be voted on and determined by the coaches of Fife High School.  It will be based on their courses of study, grade point, athletic participation, and excellence over the three-year period.

Coaches Award (Male/Female)

This award will be voted on and determined by the coaches of Fife High School.  It will be based on an athlete’s role modeling, citizenship, and total commitment to our overall program over the three-year period.

• School Attendance:  There is no partial-day attendance rule. A student absent from school any part of the day on which his/her co-curricular activity is scheduled will not be allowed to participate in that scheduled activity.  Exceptions will be made for verified doctor or dental appointments or other cases prearranged through a building administrator. Further, students who are truant are automatically withheld from the next scheduled contest.
• Equipment:  School-owned equipment checked out to a student is his/her responsibility.  Loss or misuse of this equipment will be the student's financial obligation. School-owned equipment may be worn only for practices, on game day, or to scheduled performances or activities. Athletes may be held out of contests during the next sport season unless all gear that was checked out to them from the previous sport or activity has been returned or paid for.
• Fees:  All participants in either activities or athletics must purchase an ASB Card.  Cost is $30.00 payable to the FHS Bookkeeper.
• Grades:  FHS follows the W.I.A.A. guidelines for academic eligibility.  In order to gain initial athletic eligibility, the student shall have attended and passed a minimum of three full time subjects the previous semester.  A student who fails to make the grade requirements will be ineligible the first three weeks of the next sports season in which that student is a participant. Students must complete the entire season for the suspension to be considered served. At the end of three weeks, grades are again checked. In the case that grading standards are still not met, the student will complete grade checks on a weekly basis until eligibility standards have been fulfilled. These checks are conducted on the last working day of the school week. If the student fails to attain eligibility by the 9th week (quarter grades), eligibility is lost for the remainder of the semester. In-season athletes will also be subject to eligibility checks on the 9th week (quarter grades) of the current sports season.
• Insurance:  All student athletes are required to provide proof of insurance coverage before being cleared to participate in extra-curricular athletics.
• Meetings, Practice Sessions and Games:  Students are expected to attend all scheduled meetings, practice sessions, performances and games whether school is in session or not. If a student needs to miss practice or meetings prior arrangements must be made with the coach or advisor.
• Risks of Participation:  Many activities involve possible risks to the participating individuals.  Some of these (i.e. tackle football) are dangerous activities involving MANY RISKS OF INJURY.  We expect the students and parents to be aware of these risks and the serious nature of the injuries that may possibly occur.  The participant should recognize the importance of following coaches' instructions regarding techniques, training and other team rules, etc. and to agree to obey such instructions.
• Additional Rules:  In addition to the rules stated herein, coaches or advisors may require adherence to additional rules needed to regulate their activities.

Discipline

Participants who violate this code will face disciplinary action ranging from game/activity suspension to dismissal.  Students disciplined or dismissed from an activity will not be eligible for consideration in the voting for special awards related to the sports season in question.  Disciplinary action is cumulative over the course of the student’s career.

• Athletic/Activity Dismissal - Students may be dismissed from an activity or athletic team in cases where students are involved in criminal activity, repeated violations of the activity code, or in flagrant violations of the code during school sponsored activities.  If the activity is co-curricular in nature the students will be removed from the classroom and placed in a study situation for the balance of the semester.  They will be provided with alternative class material and assignments that will allow them the opportunity to maintain their grade level in the class.
• Appeal Process - Any student who is alleged to have violated the Activity Code is entitled to due process procedures as established by the Fife School District Board of Directors.  The principal should be contacted in writing to initiate this procedure.
• Self-Reporting - It is the intention of this policy to provide guidance and assistance to students in need. Honesty and cooperation are the main objectives of the discipline policy.  Furthermore, students who seek immediate attention for an alcohol or drug-related problem, prior to being caught by school authorities, will not be denied the opportunity to continue participation in extra curricular activities at Fife High School.  An assessment will be included as part of this process and the student will be required to follow the recommendations of that assessment.

Violations

• Anabolic Steroids – W.I.A.A. regulations state that students who use, possess, attempt to sell, or are under the influence of anabolic steroids or other illegal performance enhancing substances will be subject to the sanctions.
• 1st Offense: suspension for remainder of the current sports season.
• 2nd Offense: suspension from participation for 365 continuous days (1 year).
• 3rd Offense:  expulsion from athletics for the remainder of the student’s career.

Alcohol/Drugs - Students who use, possess, or are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs at on or off campus events will be subject to Fife High School Athletic/Activity Code disciplinary actions, and possibly Fife High School Student Handbook sanctions. 

• 1st Offense:  suspension from at least 20% of the current season or the next season in which the student plans to participate.  The student will complete a drug/alcohol assessment and will need to follow through with the recommendations of that assessment.
• 2nd Offense: suspension from participation for 365 continuous days (1 year) with the opportunity to appeal the suspension to the school principal.
• 3rd Offense: expulsion from athletics for the remainder of the student’s career.
• Tobacco - Students who use or possess tobacco products at on or off campus events will be subject to Fife High School Athletic/Activity Code disciplinary actions, and possibly Fife High School Student Handbook sanctions.
• 1st Offense: suspension from the next scheduled game or contest.
• 2nd Offense: suspension from at least 20% of the current season or the next season in which the student plans to participate.
• 3rd Offense: suspension from the remainder of the current season or the following season.
• 4th Offense:  suspension from participation for 365 continuous days (1 year).
• 5th Offesne:  expulsion from athletics for the remainder of the student’s career.

Athletes who remain at a function in the presence of

alcohol, drugs, tobacco or other activities in violation of this code will be

suspended for at least the next scheduled contest. 

Multiple violations of this kind may result in a greater disciplinary action