Application and Conflict of Disciplinary Rules
In the instance of violation of school policies, rules, or regulations or this Athletic Code by a student athlete, nothing herein or elsewhere shall prohibit the School District from imposing disciplines available under this Athletic Code and classroom- academic penalties for the same offense. School officials, at their sole and exclusive discretion, may alter penalties contained herein or elsewhere to fit the misconduct such penalties are intended to punish. Requirements for Participation

An athlete must have the following fully executed documents on file at the school’s athletic office before the athlete’s first participation in any activity:

1. A current physical examination report completed by a physician licensed in Illinois to practice medicine in all its branches which finds the athlete is physically able to participate; and

2. A permission slip to participate in the specific sport in which the athlete intends to participate signed by the athlete’s parent or and

3. Proof the athlete is covered by medical insurance; and

4. A receipt showing the athlete and his/her parents received a copy of the Athletic Code, understand the terms of the Athletic Code and agree to abide by its terms and conditions.

Insurance
Before any student athlete shall be permitted to practice for, or compete in any athletic event, and before any athletic equipment is issued to the athlete, the athlete must

1. Be currently enrolled in, and have paid the current premium for the School District’s health insurance plan; or

2. Provide coverage for athletic injuries by a private insurance carrier and have on file with the School District a signed insurance waiver. (Football participates are required to purchase school insurance.)

Absence from School on day of Activity
An athlete who is absent from school after lunch (P.M.) shall be ineligible for any activity on that day unless the absence has been approved ii writing by the Principal or designee.

An athlete who is absent from school on a Friday before a Saturday event may be with held from Saturday activities at the sole discretion of the Principal or Athletic Director.

Sportsmanship
Coaches shall require of their athletes good sportsmanship. Coaches shall establish rules of deportment for their athletes and their teams, which encourage good sportsmanship and require appropriate behavior.

Use of Profanity
Coaches shall require their athletes to refrain from the use of profanity.

Eligibility
Middle school eligibility shall be governed by the rules of the IESA and all applicable School Board policies, rules and regulations. In some cases, Charleston Middle School eligibility rules may be more stringent than IESA rules, in which case Charleston Middle School policies, rules and regulations shall apply. To retain athletic eligibility, an athlete must be passing all of his or her academic classes at all times.

Report of Injury
The student athlete shall promptly report all injuries and illnesses or medical conditions, regardless of seventy, and whether or not caused by athletic competition to the athletic trainer and coach of the sport in which the athlete is competing.

Student Injury
No athlete shall be permitted to participate in a practice or athletic event if the nature or extent of an injury to the athlete dictates that the athlete should be with held. When doubt exists as to the ability of the athlete to practice or compete, competent medical advice shall be solicited.

Medical Release to Return to Competition
When there is any question of an athletes medical fitness to practice or compete, coaches or school officials may require the athlete to provide a release to participate, signed by a physician licensed to practice medicine in Illinois, before allowing the athlete to engage in further athletic activity. In each instance when an athlete has been directed by a conch or other school official to seek medical examination or treatment, the athlete shall pro vide a release to participate, signed by a physician licensed to practice medicine in Illinois, before the athlete is allowed to engage in further athletic activity.

Dress and Grooming
Rules regulating the dress or grooming of athletes may be developed by the coach of each respective sport Team uniforms and equipment shall be required. Other prohibitions shall be limit ed to regulating forms of dress or grooming which present health or safety concerns for the athlete or other athletic participants.

Use of Equipment
Athletes shall be responsible for the care and maintenance of all athletic equipment issued to them.

Return of Equipment
Each athlete issued athletic equipment shall return the equipment in good condition to the Athletic Department within one (1) week of completion of the athletic season for which the equipment was issued, or within one (1) week of the end of the athlete’s participation in the sport for the season, whichever comes first If an athlete fails to return equipment as required, or returns it in damaged condition, the athlete may be charged for replacement or repair, or otherwise disciplined as appropriate.

Lockers
Lockers are school property and are loaned to students for their temporary use. Lockers are subject to search by school officials at any time.

Travel
All athletes shall travel to athletic events and return home from athletic events with the team on which the athlete competes by use of school-approved means of transportation. A written waiver of this rule may be issued by a coach or administrator upon advance written request of an athlete’s parent or guardian and provided the parent or guardian appears and accepts custody of the athlete. In no case shall a waiver be issued unless the alternate means of transportation anticipated by the waiver will be provided by the parent Oral requests shall not be honored and oral permissions shall not be valid.

Training Rules
The coach of each sport may establish training rules which shall apply to each student athlete participating in the sport, provided however, such rules shall not be inconsistent with the rules provided herein. Training rules, the purpose of which shall be to enhance the educational experience, provide for the safety, or protect the physical well-being of the student athlete, shall be subject to the approval of the school Principal. Before the adoption of any training rules(s), the pro posed rule(s) shall be submitted to the Athletic Director who shall submit the rule(s) to the school Principal for approval.

Drugs, Alcohol, and/or Tobacco
Except with respect to prescription drugs used by the per son for whom such drugs were prescribed in the manner intend ed by the prescribing medical doctor, the possession, use, distribution, purchase or sale of any alcoholic beverage, dreg, dreg paraphernalia, performance altering substance, controlled sub stance, look-alike, tobacco or tobacco product or any other sub stance which, when taken into the human body is intended to alter mood or mental state, including any item or substance which is represented by a student to be, or is believed by a student to be any of the foregoing, regardless of the tree nature or appearance of the substance, is prohibited in school buildings, on school buses and on all other school property or at school related events at any time. This prohibition shall include all school-sponsored or school related activities, whether held before after school, evenings or weekends. For purposes of this policy, students who are under the influence of prohibited sub stances shall be treated in the same manner as though they had prohibited substances in their possession. This shall additionally include the above prohibition by a student athlete at anytime or location throughout the calendar year.

Any student athlete found to be in violation of this policy shall be subject to discipline in accordance with the School District’s athletic discipline policies, rules and regulations as provided herein.

Athletic Deportment and Conduct
Behavioral misconduct by student athletes shall not be tolerated. Behavioral misconduct shall include but shall not be limited to:

1. Insubordination; or

2. Any behavior which is negligently or intentionally injurious to a person or property or which places a person or property at risk of injury or damage; or

3. Any behavior which disrupts the appropriate conduct of a school program or activity; or 

4. Hazing or harassment of any kind; or

5. Use of profanity; or

6. Exhibition of bad sportsman ship; or

7. Violation of the Athletic Code, training rules, or any other school policies, rules or regulations.

Imposition of Discipline
Coaches and school officials shall impose disciplines for the offenses committed. The discipline imposed for any particular offense shall be at the sole and exclusive discretion of the coaching staff and other school officials.

Disciplinary Suspension of Athletes
The coach may suspend an athlete from athletic participation for violation of the Athletic Code, training rules, or other appropriate policies, rules and regulations of the School District Suspension is defined as removal of the athlete from participation in one or more athletic practices, games, meets or other activities but less than dismissal for the balance of a season. The following procedures shall to disciplinary suspensions:

1. Upon request, the athlete may appeal his or her disciplinary suspension to the Athletic Director, who shall have authority to determine the appropriate ness of the suspension.

2. Disciplinary suspensions may be imposed pending dismissal proceedings.

Disciplinary Dismissal of an Athlete from a Team
The coach, upon consultation with and upon approval of Athletic Director, may dismiss a student athlete from athletic participation for violation of the Athletic Code, training rules, or other appropriate policies, rules and regulations of the School District Dismissal from a team is defined as removal of the athlete from participation for the balance of a season. The following procedures shall apply to disciplinary dismissals:

1. Prior to dismissal, the athlete shall be provided an explanation of the charges against him or her. The athlete shall be given an opportunity to present his or her version of the incident to the school official involved.

2. Upon written request, the athlete may appeal his or her disciplinary dismissal to the Athletic Director, who shall have the authority to determine the appropriateness of the discipline. Disciplinary suspension(s) may be imposed pending dismissal determination(s) and disciplinary dismissal(s) may be imposed pending ineligibility proceedings.

Disciplinary Ineligibility for Further Competition
The Athletic Director, upon consultation with head coaches involved, may declare an athlete ineligible for further competition in any activity or activities for violation of the Athletic Code, training rules, or other appropriate policies, rules and regulations of the School District. Ineligibility for further competition in any activity or activities is defined as removal of the athlete from participation in any sport(s) or activity(s) for the balance of his or her high school eligibility. The following procedures shall apply to eligibility determinations:

1. Prior to an ineligibility finding, the athlete shall be provided an explanation of the charges against him or her. The athlete shall be given an opportunity to present his or her version of the incident to the Athletic Director.

2. Upon written request, the athlete may appeal his or her ineligibility determination to the Principal, who shall have the authority to determine the appropriateness of the discipline. Disciplinary suspension(s) may be imposed pending dismissal determination(s) and disciplinary dismissal(s) may be imposed pending ineligibility proceedings.

Disposition of Penalty Pending Appeal
Whether or not an athlete shall be reinstated pending appeal of a penalty by the athlete shall be at the sole and exclusive discretion of the Principal.

Student Accident Insurance
The school assumes no responsibility for any accidents or for the filing of claims. Claims must be filed by the insured immediately after an accident Claim forms may be picked up in the Athletic Office. All medical bills will be charged to the parents.

All students participating on an athletic team must purchase one (1) of the two (2) student medical insurance plans available unless the parents of the student sign a waiver to the effect that their family policy is adequate and that they do not wish to purchase school insurance. All student athletes must have either the insurance or the waiver (except as otherwise provided herein), If an athlete does not, he/she will be unable to practice, play in games, or maintain team participation.

THOSE STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN FOOTBALL MUST PURCHASE ONE OF THE TWO INSURANCE PLANS.