2009-2010 Student and Parent

High School Handbook

Castle View

Chaparral

Douglas County

Highlands Ranch

Legend

Mountain Vista

Ponderosa

Rock Canyon

ThunderRidge

Activities & Athletics

www.dcsdk12.org

Handbook may be accessed via the website>Parent & Student Central>

Athletics & Activities>High School Student Parent Handbook 09-10

Message from the Superintendent:

Activities and athletics play a significant role in providing Douglas County School District i

students a well-rounded educational experience. We work hard to create learning

environments that educate the whole child, and not just the child’s academic core. We

thank you for playing a part in your child’s education and for supporting the learning that ’

takes place in the classroom, on stages, fields, courts and stadiums.

Our Board of Education’s goals (called End Statements) for all students and staff focus

on the well-rounded, responsible citizen. One of these goals surrounds student health z

and wellness. Research shows there is no question that a healthy diet and fitness affect

how children learn, feel and behave. We need your help reinforcing these important

messages to our young people.

This booklet should answer many of your questions about athletics and activities in our

schools. In addition to promoting participation, we have a shared responsibility to

consider behavior at practices and events. We hope that you will take a few moments to

read the “Sporting Behavior” guidelines and talk about them with your child(ren). These

expectations are vital to having positive experiences for all participants and spectators.

In Douglas County School District, we ask that our students, staff and parents stand for

the highest standards of personal behavior including trust, honesty, fairness, integrity

and mutual respect.

As we take steps toward improving wellness for our entire system, we will create

environments where adults and students at each school campus model a healthy

lifestyle. We hope you will join us in a partnership to become the Healthiest School

District in the state and the country.

Thanks for your active participation and partnership with Douglas County School District

in helping guide our younger generation. We look forward to another successful season

of activities and athletics.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jim Christensen

Superintendent of Schools

Board of Education End Statements

Adopted April 7, 2009

1.0

Douglas County School District students acquire the knowledge and S

abilities to be responsible citizens who contribute to our society.

1.1

Students are able to think critically, using reason and logic when facing

decisions about what to believe or do.

1.2

Students embrace universal ethical principles such as honesty, integrity

and justice.

1.3

Students demonstrate the self-motivation and resourcefulness to continue

their learning.

1.4

Students apply what they have learned. They go beyond merely

knowing to using their knowledge and skills productively.

1.5

Students lead with integrity to influence the future.

1.6

Students take ownership and accept responsibility for their wellbeing.

Students have the knowledge, skills, and ability to make educated

choices concerning their social, emotional, and physical health.

1.7

Students demonstrate the essential skills of reading, writing, listening,

speaking, and numeracy.

1.8

Students have an understanding of a core body of knowledge in science, e

information literacy, social studies, world languages, literature and great i

works across all content areas, physical education and health, personal

business and finance, and math.

1.9

Students are exposed to the fine arts.

1.10

Students explore chosen areas beyond the liberal arts foundation that

may expand future opportunities.

INDEX

Sporting Behavior ………………………………………………………………… 1

Interscholastic Activity and Athletic Program ………………………………… 3

Administrative Policy ………………………………………………………………. 3

Training Rules/Eligibility …………………………………………………………… 4

Fees ………………………………………………………………………………… 6

Administrative Procedures ………………………………………………………… 6

NCAA Clearinghouse ……………………………………………………………… 12

General Activity Procedures ………………………………………………… 12

For further information, visit the Douglas County School District website,

www.dcsdk12.orgh

or call the Athletics, Activities and Student Leadership office at 303-387-0095.

Welcome

to the Douglas County School District’s activity and athletic programs.

We hope this information will be beneficial to you and will help to ensure a positive

experience. Please use this information as a guideline to our programs. Complete

information, rules and procedures can be found from your school and the Colorado

High School Activities Association.

The Case for High School Activities

Unlocking the Secret of School Success: Activities

There is a secret in America’s high schools that need not be hidden any longer.

The secret is that activities are not just a way to have fun or be with friends, they are

a valuable educational tool. From interscholastic sports to music, drama and debate,

activities enrich a student’s high school experiences.

Benefits of Activities:

Activities Support the Academic Mission of Schools.

They are not a diversion, but s

rather an extension of a good educational program. Students who participate in

activities programs tend to have higher grade-point averages, better attendance

records, lower dropout rates and fewer discipline problems than those who do not.

Activities are Inherently Educational.

Activities programs provide valuable lessons on

many practical situations -- teamwork, sportsmanship, winning and losing and hard

work. Through participation in activities programs students learn self- discipline, build

self-confidence and develop skills to handle competitive situations. These are qualities

the public expects schools to produce in students so that they become responsible

adults and productive citizens.

Activities Foster Success in Later Life.

Participation in high school activities is often t

a predictor of later success in college, a career and becoming a contributing member of

society.

--From the National Federation of State High Schools Association

SPORTING BEHAVIOR

A student group made up of members from the Douglas County Student Advisory

Group and student representatives of athletic programs at the high schools, met to

discuss and work on sporting behavior with the schools in Douglas County. After b

discussion and feedback, two documents were developed. It is the hope of these

students that their peers, as well as their supporters, work to understand and implement

their ideals.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(CUT HERE AND RETURN)

Our Pledge for Sporting Behavior*

I, _________________, understand the responsibilities and privileges of representing

my school in competitive activities and, therefore, will maintain the high standards of n

sporting behavior.

I pledge to uphold the integrity of my team, my school and my community by:

•

taking responsibility for all of my actions;

•

demonstrating respect for everyone;

•

being a positive role model;

•

accepting the outcome of the event with dignity and class.

__________________________ (Student Signature)

*Developed and written by students representing all high schools in the Douglas County

School District.

Douglas County

School District

Activities and Athletics

Ten Things Students in Douglas County Want Spectators to

Rememberg

Be supportive of my team; don’t put down their team.

Be proud of me—win or lose.

Understand that players, coaches and officials are human—we all

make mistakes.

Provide feedback—but wait until I’m ready.

Don’t take the game more seriously than I do.

Know the rules.

Be interested.

Exemplify the expected behavior.

Practice what you preach.

10.Remember, it’s just a game.

*Developed and written by students representing all high schools in the Douglas County School a

District.

Douglas County School District

Activities and Athletics

Interscholastic Activity and Athletic Program

Activity and athletic procedures and regulations will be governed by the Douglas County

School District Board and Administrative Policies, Code of Conduct, Colorado High

School Activities Association (CHSAA), the high school athletic handbook and the

Continental League. This handbook is meant as an overview. Check with your school o

administrator, District Activity and Athletic Director, or CHSAA for further information.

High School Interscholastic Activity and Athletic Programs

are within the Douglas

County School District’s Department of Learning Services. All high

schools in the

Douglas County School District are members of CHSAA and follow their bylaws and

procedures. Please check their website,

www.chsaa.org

, for information.

For further information about Douglas County School District Activities and Athletics,

please visit the Douglas County School District website,

www.dcsdk12.org

. Click on

Parent & Student Central, scroll down to Services, and click on Athletics and Activities.

ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY

INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS

The purpose of athletic programs in the secondary schools of the District shall be:

1. To provide a wide basis of participation in both team and individual sports in

interscholastic competition.

2. To develop a strong program of competitive sports:

a. By encouraging and developing talented athletes in all sports and

providing sufficient opportunity, especially at the middle school level, for y

students to develop individual ability;

b. By encouraging the development of team spirit among all members of the

team and their coaches;

c. By developing good attitudes, pride, sportsmanship and ethical behavior in

students, participants and spectators;

d. By developing and maintaining a good relationship between athletic teams

and the student body, faculty, administration and community;

e. By teaching fundamentals and techniques of each sport in a progressive

sequence as appropriate for students at higher grade levels;

f. By providing student athletes with an awareness of potential opportunities

as afforded them through competitive athletics.

In keeping with the above goals, the Board shall seek to fund girls' sports on an equal

opportunity basis with boys' sports and shall permit and encourage coeducational teams

when the particular sport is determined suitable as a coeducational activity. The Board

of Education shall encourage students, faculty and the community to recognize the

value of athletics in relation to the total school program.

Code of Conduct for Student Athletes

The student-athlete (the term student-athlete as used hereinafter includes athletes and

student managers) shall obey training and conduct rules appropriate to his/her

obligation to teammates, coaches, teachers, and school, as well as to all

representatives of hosting and visiting schools.

These regulations include, but are not limited to the following:

1. The student athlete must:

a. Not be involved in the use, possession, distribution, give, purchase,

exchange or sale of alcohol;

b. Not smoke or use any form of tobacco;

c. Not be involved in the use, possession, distribution, gift, purchase,

exchange or sale of drugs, as that term is defined in District Policy JICH;

d. Be willing to submit to rules of conduct and appearance prescribed by the u

coach when representing the school;

e. Inform the head coach that he/she intends to drop or quit any sport;

f. Meet all eligibility rules of CHSAA and of the District;

2. A student athlete who violates any or all of the above rules is subject to

suspension or expulsion from participation in athletic activities.

Portions adopted: October 15, 1973 Revised: October 15, 2002

STUDENT TRAINING RULES

Students are expected to conduct themselves, at all times, in a manner that is

compatible with the school’s function as an educational facility, and in accordance with

District policies and regulations. Refer to the Student Code of Conduct and Discipline f

for the behavioral expectations of all students in Douglas County and consequences

when they are not met.

In addition, the Douglas County School District has established specific expectations by

which the young men and women who participate in the interscholastic programs are

required to abide. Students and a parent are required to sign a copy of the Training a

Rules & Expectations form and return it to their school indicating their understanding of

these expectations and consequences. The following form will be included in the

athletic registration packet:

High-School Athletics and Activities

Training Rules & Expectations

As a representative of DCSD’s activity and athletic programs, I understand and accept that:

•

It is my privilege and honor to wear my school colors

•

I am a leader in and out of uniform

•

My actions are a reflection of myself, my family, my school, and community

•

I’m accountable for my performance in the classroom and my conduct in the community.

In exchange for the opportunity to participate in DCSD interscholastic activities or athletics (abbreviated here as

“Activities”), and in accordance with Policy JJI, I agree to the following:

Scope of Rules

From the day a student first participates in a DCSD high-school Activity until that student graduates from high school,

these rules remain in effect, throughout the school year, including weekends, vacations, and holidays, and regardless

if the student is on or off DCSD property.

The consequences outlined here are in addition to, not instead of, those the student may receive under the DCSD’s

Code of Conduct, the Colorado High School Activities Association By-laws, coaches’ team rules, or other sources.

They represent minimum sanctions; the Principal or designee may increase or modify these consequences in

particular cases or in general as he or she deems appropriate.

Although some prohibited behaviors listed below refer to DCSD’s Code of Conduct, because these training rules are

in effect at times and in places when the Code of Conduct may not be, and because students who participate in

Activities are held to higher behavioral expectations than other students, the Principal or designee may determine

that a student’s conduct constitutes grounds for imposing an Activity penalty under these rules even when that

conduct does not result in suspension or expulsion under the Code of Conduct.

Prohibited Behaviors

•

Violating DCSD’s policies regarding drugs & alcohol (JICH) and tobacco use (JICG)

•

Violating DCSD’s weapons policy (JICI)

•

Violating DCSD’s gang-related behaviors and dress policy (JICF)

•

Violating any criminal law

•

Continued willful disobedience or open and persistent defiance of proper authority

•

Willful destruction or defacing of school property

•

Behavior detrimental to the student’s, other students’, or school personnel’s welfare, health, or safety

•

Any other conduct that would constitute grounds for suspension under DCSD policy JKD/JKE.

Consequences

The following minimum consequences will result whenever the Principal or designee concludes that a student has

engaged in any of the prohibited behaviors listed above.

•

First offense: For Activities with 11 or fewer regular-season contests, the student will be suspended for the next

contest; for those with more than 11 regular-season contests, the student will be suspended for the next 2

contests. These suspensions will be imposed whether or not the next contest or contests are regular-season

contests or are special events, tournaments, or qualifiers.

•

Second offense: The student will be suspended from all Activities throughout DCSD for 1 full year from the date

of the infraction.

•

If, however, a student initiates contact with school authorities to voluntarily report his or her involvement in

conduct prohibited by these rules, then the student will be eligible for the following lesser second offense

penalty: The student will be suspended from the remainder of the season of the Activity he or she was

participating in at the time of the conduct and, upon proof that the student has successfully completed an

intervention class chosen by the school athletic director, the student will only be suspended from the first

50% of the regularly scheduled contests of the next Activity that the student participates in for an entire i

season.

•

Third offense: The student will be suspended from all Activities throughout DCSD for 1 full year from the date of

the infraction, except that if a second offense suspension is still in effect, then the date of the third offense

suspension will not begin on the date of the infraction, but rather will begin on the day after the second offense

suspension ends.

Nothing in these rules prohibits the Principal, designee, or individual coaches from establishing and enforcing

additional rules applicable to Activities, such as lesser or different penalties for failing to exercise good sportsmanship

at practices or competitions or for failing to demonstrate good citizenship at school or school-sponsored events.

I have read and agree to follow these rules:

Student’s Name (print) Signature Date

Parent or Guardian’s Name (print) Signature Date

Revised 06/08/06

ATHLETIC AND ACTIVITY FEES

In order to support the district activities and athletic program, Douglas County School

District has a participation fee. It is not intended that financial hardship should eliminate

an athlete from participation. If the fee creates a financial hardship, please contact

school officials.

2009-2010 Fees for High School

A. Athletics - $100 will be charged per athlete for each sport in which the athlete

participates. There is a maximum of $375 per family per year.

B. Marching Band - $100 per semester

C. Activity Card - $20 per year

D. Extra/Co-curricular Activities - $30 per club (school based decision)

E. Extra/Co-curricular Dues – Actual cost

1. The $100 athletic fee for all participating athletes for each sport must be collected

PRIOR

to an athlete’s participation in any sport.

2. Athletes who have a financial hardship may apply for a waiver of this fee by a

submitting a written request to officials at their school. At each district high school,

the athletic director will present alternatives to the fee schedule after reviewing the

individual circumstances.

Finances should not prevent a student from v

participating in the athletic program.

3. REFUND POLICY

•

A full refund will be made to a student who does not make the team.

•

If an athlete moves from the school’s attendance area or from the District, the l

fee will be refunded on a prorated basis.

Athletes who quit the sport, become academically ineligible or are suspended from

participation for disciplinary reasons are not eligible for a refund.

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

1. General Eligibility Rules: A student shall be eligible to represent his/her school in

an interscholastic activity sanctioned by CHSAA if such student meets the

following specific requirements:

a. The student is a bona fide undergraduate member of his/her high school.

b. In the judgment of the principal of the student’s school, he/she is

representative of the school’s ideal in maters of citizenship, conduct and

sportsmanship.

c. EXPULSIONS—A students who would be ineligible in any school because

of expulsion, denial of admission or negotiated withdrawal may not

become eligible for competition at any level by transferring. The period of

ineligibility is determined by the school at which the ineligibility occurred.

A transfer at the beginning of the school year does not decrease or b

eliminate the period of ineligibility caused by the expulsion. A student may

not transfer schools to avoid expulsion time periods.

d. During the period of participation, the student must be enrolled in courses

which offer, in aggregate, a minimum of 2 1/2 Carnegie units of credit per

semester and must not be failing more than the equivalent of one-half

(1/2) Carnegie unit of credit.

(For purposes of this paragraph, academic eligibility shall be determined g

by the student’s grade in progress from the beginning of the grading

period of each class, as determined by the policy of the student’s school,

to the close of the certification day for the interscholastic activity in

question. In all cases, the periods of eligibility and ineligibility must be

equal, and at no time may the two groups be eligible on the same day.)

e. He/she must have been eligible in accordance with paragraph “d” above at

the close of the past prior semester of attendance.

f. During the semester preceding the semester in which the student wished p

to participate in any interscholastic activity, the student must not have

failed more than the equivalent of one-half (1/2) Carnegie unit of credit. o

(Note: For purposes of eligibility, a semester is considered to begin on the

first pupil contact day, as defined by the Department of Education,

following the completion of the preceding semester.)

g. Regaining Eligibility—Students who have not met the general eligibility

requirements at the close of a semester may regain academic eligibility on

the sixth Thursday following Labor Day for the first semester; and on the

Friday immediately prior to March 10 for the second semester. (Exception

for schools that do not conduct weekly eligibility checks and/or for winter d

sport athletes who do not participate in the fall.)

h. A student who has been ineligible, but now regains eligibility for the

upcoming semester, shall not compete in any interscholastic contest

and/or scrimmage until the day following the close of the current semester.

The number of credits failed or passed during a semester shall be

determined from the student’s transcript and shall include all classes taken

during the semester. Fractional credits awarded or not awarded by the r

school shall be added at the end of each semester to determine eligibility

for the succeeding semester. If, after credits are totaled and failing credit

total more than 1/2 credit, (.500), students will not be eligible according to

Paragraphs (d) or (e) of Article 16- General Eligibility. For the purpose of

athletic eligibility, an “I” (Incomplete) is considered an “F” (Failing).

2. A student who drops out of school after having been enrolled and in attendance

15 days will not be eligible for the following semester of his/her attendance. If the

student attends 15 days or more during the semester, he/she must complete the

required number of credits for the whole of that semester to be considered for

eligibility during the next semester.

3. No make-up work shall be permitted after the close of the semester and/or the t

designated periodic eligibility check for the purpose of becoming eligible. A

“condition” (incomplete, unfulfilled outcome, etc.) shall, for the purpose of

determining eligibility, count as a failure.

4. Summer school courses completed after the close of the second semester may

be used to replace any Carnegie units failed. Equivalent courses taken must be

accepted by the school toward graduation. The equivalent credits must be

completed by the Thursday prior to Labor Day. Credits made up through

summer school must be in the same curricular area, be accepted to meet

graduation requirements of classes previously failed and be recorded on the

student’s transcript. A class in an area required for graduation may be taken to n

replace Carnegie units failed in an elective class.

MANIFEST HARDSHIP FOR INCOMPLETE--A student failing to complete work

during the normal semester because of a manifest hardship (injury, illness or

other circumstances beyond his/her control) may be permitted, at the discretion

of his/her high school principal, to make up the work within a reasonable time

following the student’s recovery. A “reasonable time” in most cases would be a

like number of days that the student was absent school. Notification must be filed

with CHSAA.

Dropping out of school for work or financial reasons does not constitute manifest o

hardship.

Note: Before enrolling in summer school classes, contact the Registrar’s

Office to verify that the courses you are taking will be accepted by your

school and are applicable to activity and athletic eligibility.e

5. Age and Attendance Requirements for Athletics

a. A student is eligible to enter interscholastic competition if his/her 19th

birthday falls on or after August 1.

b. In a four-year high school, a student is eligible for eight consecutive sch

semesters of participation. Cases involving unusual circumstances should

be submitted to your building athletic director. A waiver of the eight

consecutive semester rule cannot be approved if the reason for additional

eligibility beyond eight semesters is due to an expulsion.

c. Transfers and Colorado School Choice--The CHSAA supports school a

choice in academic pursuit and encourages its student participants to

enhance their academic achievement. In concert with this attitude, the a

associations’ philosophy addresses the establishment of a fair playing field

for all student athletes.

If you are considering transferring high

schools, please contact the high school athletic director in your

home school for further clarification and rule updates.

1. A student entering high school for the first time shall be eligible for all

interscholastic athletic competition.

2. A student who transfers due to a bona fide family move will always

have full transfer eligibility.

3. A student who transfers during the summer without a bona fide family

move will have varsity eligibility for the last 50 percent of those

calendar months prior to the transfer.

4. A mid-year transfer without a bona fide family move will result in r

restricted eligibility for the remainder of that school year. Further, after

a mid year transfer and for one calendar year, the student will have

restricted eligibility for the first 50 percent of any season played at the

new school for those sports played within 12 months of the transfer.

A student declared ineligible based on a transfer, may be granted

Restricted Eligibility following the approval of a Restricted Residence

Waiver by the CHSAA Commissioner. The waiver must be signed by

the principals of the sending and receiving schools.

5. Undue Influence-Recruited Students--A student who transfers schools

because of the recruiting efforts of school athletic staff members and/or g

school representatives of athletic interests (as defined in Article 18 of

CHSAA by-laws) shall be declared ineligible for a period of time to be

determined by the commissioner. Such period may exceed one year.

6. Hardship – If questions arise or you are in doubt, consult your building

athletic administrator.

7. A student in a “broken home” may transfer schools one time without ke

requesting a waiver of the CHSAA Transfer Rule. See CHSAA

definition of “broken home” (www.chsaa.org)

8. All foreign students need to check in with the athletic director before s

trying out for a sport. This includes foreign exchange students.

6. Specialized Sports Camps

a. Sports camps are defined as an instructional class limited to one sport

involving physical participation by the individual student.

b. No coach or school representative may directly, or by implication, direct a i

student to attend said camp/camps as a condition to practicing,

participating or otherwise influencing a student’s opportunity to participate

in any school sport/activity.

c. Camps sponsored by Douglas County schools will be located on the

school campuses (unless noted otherwise) and all registration, fees and

scheduling will be coordinated through the District.

d. Camps sponsored by other organizations or institutions are not associated

with the Douglas County School District unless noted.

7. Activities and Athletics Not Offered at Home High School

When sports/activities are not offered at a particular school, but are contested at

another, a student may choose to participate at a school other than their home

school. The following considerations will be taken when placing a student in a

program:

a. Numbers in the program and number of levels offered;

b. Geographic location, where is the closest venue for the athlete;

c. The decision of the District’s Director of Activities and Athletics.

8. Use of School District Athletic Equipment

School district-owned athletic equipment is not to be issued to individuals or

groups outside the date of the formal practice of each respective sport during the

school year unless school-owned athletic equipment is related to the function of

the Douglas County schools sponsored summer camps Exceptions are made

for athletes traveling to commercial football camps.

9. Practice Season

The season designated in each sport per CHSAA bylaws is the sports season

during which formal practice sessions may be held. Practice is defined as that i

period of time during which FORMAL PRACTICE is authorized by CHSAA

bylaws and the school administration during which an assigned coach is

instructing one or more of his/her team members.

•

Boys Golf 8/10/09 Other Fall Sports 08/17/09

•

Winter Sports 11/12/09

•

Spring Sports 02/22/10

10. Outside Competition

Sports Season Defined: A sports season begins with the first formal practice

session, as established in the CHSAA bylaws, and ends with the final state

championships in that sport.

EXCEPTION:

The sport season ends for a member of a high school athletic

team on the day following the completion of his or her school’s competition at the

level at which the student competes.

a. During the sports season, members of any high school sport may not practice

with any individual or non-school group without prior approval of the high

school principal. Players certified to participate as members of any high

school sports team may compete on any other team in any non-school activity n

or event in the sport during that sports season, with the express written

permission granted if:

1) The student’s class attendance is not compromised, and;

2) The student is in good academic standing under the school’s

activities policy applicable to all students. This includes team rules and

other school policies that are applied and adhered, to by all students.

b. The principal may deny permission only when the student fails to meet the

requirements above.

Any student who does so participate in violation of CHSAA Bylaws 2100.2

and/or 2110, shall be ineligible to participate in interscholastic athletic

activities for a period of time to be determined by the CHSAA Commissioner.

No coach or school representative may directly or by implication direct a

student to participate in competition outside of the competitive season as a

condition to participating or otherwise influencing a students’ opportunity to h

participate in any school sport.

11. Conduct of School Participants

The responsibility for conduct of coaches, players and spectators at any athletic

contest shall lie with the officials of the schools whose teams are participating in the

contest. Any school whose coaches, players or spectators are guilty of gross

misconduct may be suspended for a period of time to be determined by the CHSAA

Executive Committee.

12. Hazing

Hazing refers to any activity expected of someone joining a group (or to maintain full

status in a group) that humiliates, degrades or risks emotional and/or physical harm,

regardless of a person’s willingness to participate. Often associated with a rite of t

passage, such activities can include actions of a sexual nature or simulation of sex cl

acts; activities that subject a student to extreme and unreasonable embarrassment, st

humiliation or shame; activities that create a hostile, abusive environment and any

other activities that would violate federal, state or local law or district policy.

Hazing will not be tolerated and appropriate disciplinary consequences will be

imposed

on any student who is a participant in such activities. If asked to participate a

in such a non-sponsored activity, the student is expected not to participate and

report the circumstances to school personnel. It is the student’s responsibility to p

confirm that an activity has been pre-approved by the sponsor and the principal or

designee prior to participating. If unclear about the activity, check with the

coach/sponsor. District personnel sponsor all approved teambuilding activities.

Parents are requested to report any information on hazing to a

teacher/coach/sponsor and/or school administrator.

13. Student/Parent Guardian Health Advisement

a. CHSAA rules and regulations state that no student shall participate in

interscholastic activities until he/she has on file with the appropriate office:

1) consent to participate, and;

2) statement signed by his/her parent or legal guardian that a

practicing physician certifying that he student is physically fit to

participate in high school interscholastic activities.

Warning

: Although participation in supervised and interscholastic athletics and

activates may be one of the least hazardous in which any student will engage in or out

of school, BY ITS NATURE, PARTICIPATION IN INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS

INCLUDES A RISK OF INJURY WHICH MAY RANGE IN SEVERITY FROM MINOR

TO LONG-TERM CATASTROPHIC. Although serious injuries are not common in

supervised school athletic programs, it is impossible to eliminate the risk. Participants

can have the responsibility to help reduce the chance of injury. PLAYERS

UNDERSTAND AND, BY THEIR PARTICIPATION, AGREE THAT THEY MUST AND

WILL OBEY ALL SAFETY AND TRAINING RULES, FOLLOW DIRECTIVES OF THE

COACHES, PROMPTLY REPORT ALL PHYSICAL PROBLEMS TO THEIR

COACHES, FOLLOW A PROPER CONDITIONING PROGRAM AND INSPECT THEIR

OWN EQUIPMENT DAILY.

14. Athletic Injuries

If at any time during participation, a doctor removes an athlete from participation

because of an illness or injury, the athlete must have a written release from a

doctor before participating again. The written release must be given to the coach or

athletic trainer.

Note: The release may be satisfied if, upon removal, the doctor specifies the

duration of the student’s restriction from participation and/or competition.

Permission to return to participation will be made by the doctor, DCSD Athletic

Trainer, coach and/or administration.

15. Athletic Insurance

a. The school district is relieved of any and all liability for accidents or injuries

connected in any way with the competitive athletic program.

b. It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to provide insurance protection

for the athlete while he/she is participating in competitive athletics.

c. The school district makes available a student accident insurance plan through an a

authorized agent which offers coverage for injury resulting from participation in

competitive athletics. Information will be made available prior to each sport m

season and at fall registration.

16. Athletic Suspensions

Suspension from school will automatically result in suspension from all athletic

participation for at least the duration of the school suspension. This includes

practices.

Athletic Appeals can be made, in the following order:

i. Coaches

ii. School’s Athletic Administrator

iii. Principal

iv. District Director of Activities/Athletics

v. Assistant Superintendent for Learning Services

vi. Office of the Superintendent of Douglas County School District

vii. The Board of Education of the Douglas County School District

ATHLETES AND THE NCAA

High school students who are planning to pursue college athletic scholarships need to

universities cannot award scholarships unless a student athlete is registered. The o

process can be started at the NCAA Clearinghouse website:

www.ncaaclearinghouse.net

Check with your school’s athletic office for further clarification.

GENERAL ACTIVITY PROCEDURES

Activity programs in the high schools contribute to the development of leadership, talent

and creativity of the individual participant in an equitable and fair manner to produce an

experience in secondary education that is valuable and fair. The general eligibility rules

of the CHSAA shall apply to students participating in the following:

a. Vocal Music

b. Marching Band

c. All-State Orchestra

d. All-State Choirs

e. All-State Band

f. Speech/Debate

g. Student Council

Each high school may establish their own guidelines to govern their activities beyond

the CHSAA Bylaws. Check with your school’s activities administrator for any

clarification.

Lettering

Students may earn academic, activity and athletic letters. Each high school and their a

programs have developed specific guidelines. Check with your school to understand

the process and procedure to earn a letter.