ATHLETIC RULES OF PARTICIPATION

West De Pere Middle School is not a member of WIAA, but in general, West De Pere will use the WIAA guidelines to help us make athletic decisions. The West De Pere community has developed the following rules:

Attendance

A student can only participate in practice and/or competition providing the student has been in attendance at school for the entire school day.
The attendance requirement may be waived if the absence from school is excused. Examples of an excused absence include doctor/dentist appointments, funerals, court appearances, etc., or other absences excused by the parent.
Students who miss class periods, and who are excused by parents for illness will be monitored for patterns of this type of absence. This type of excused absence, if used often will result in a requirement for a doctor’s excuse. This decision will be made by the Associate Principal and/or the Student Activities Director.
Appeals of this policy should be directed to the Student Activities Director.
If an athlete has been suspended, he/she will not be allowed to participate in the team’s activities (including practices) during the entire suspension. If it occurs on a Friday, the athlete will not be allowed to dress or participate in a Saturday event.
An athlete is expected to dedicate the time specified for practice by the coach of that activity. Regular attendance at practice is required. If an athlete must miss practice for family trips or vacations, arrangements must be made with the coach in advance.
It is expected that the middle school athlete will put his/her own school team and practices ahead of non-school teams and practices.
Athletes are expected to discuss scheduling conflicts with their school coach as soon as conflicts are known.

Use of Controlled Substances

Team members must, throughout the entire calendar year, abstain from the use of tobacco, alcohol, and/or illegal drugs. A student athlete shall not have in his/her possession, buy, sell, or give away any substance defined by law as a drug or a substance which is represented as drug or intoxicant or paraphernalia associated with such. It is not a violation for a student to be in possession of a legally defined drug specifically prescribed for the student’s own use by his/her doctor.
If a controlled substance violation occurs the athlete will be suspended based upon applicable in season or out of season (includes summer) penalties.
During a period of suspension, the student athlete must attend all practices, team function, etc., in order to maintain his/her status as a team member.

Criminal Acts

Any student athlete who commits or is charged by the district attorney with committing a criminal act shall be suspended from practices and competitions and referred to the Athletic Coordinator for a hearing with the administration.
If, after a student athlete is charged with a criminal act and subsequent investigation or court action determines the participant innocent, all action by the Athletic Department shall be negated, and the athlete reinstated to the team in good standing.

Sportsmanship

Each participant shall exhibit positive behavior to officials, competitors, coaches, fellow team members and him/herself. Coaches shall define the consequences for sportsmanship violation.
Student athletes will be responsible for being clean and well groomed.

In-School Conduct

Student athletes are expected to be role models to the other students in school.
Students may lose eligibility, due to poor student conduct, as per the administration.

Conduct Unbecoming an Athlete

For conduct unbecoming an athlete (excluding use or possession of drugs, alcohol, or tobacco), the Athletic Coordinator (after consultation with the administration) shall establish penalties, if any, depending on the nature of the violation and the number of offenses that the athlete has committed.
Examples of conduct unbecoming an athlete may include, but are not limited to, the following: 1) violation of law; 2) vandalism; 3) disrespect to school authorities; 4) repeated violation of school rules; 5) immoral conduct; 6) possession or use of dangerous weapons; 7) assault or attempted assault; 8) discrimination or harassment; 9) inappropriate dress or grooming, and 10) gang colors and gang signs.
An athlete must refrain from any conduct at any time that would reflect unfavorably on him/herself or the school. Conduct which would reflect unfavorably on an athlete or on the school includes, but is not limited to, the following matters: sale, possession, or use of illegal drugs or substances representing a drug or intoxicant or paraphernalia associated with such; use, possession, or purchase of alcoholic beverages or tobacco product; or any other immoral or unacceptable conduct contrary to the ideals, principles, and standards of West De Pere Schools.

Equipment

Each athlete is responsible for the school equipment issued to him/her. All lost equipment must be paid for by the athlete to whom it was issued, before further participation in athletics will be permitted. Any athlete having equipment not issued to that athlete faces action that may prevent him/her further competition.

Travel

All team members and participants will travel to and from meets and events via transportation arranged by the Athletic Department. Students missing the arranged transportation may be subject to disciplinary action by the coach.
An athlete who travels to a game with a school team must return with his/her team.
In exceptional situations, parents may drive their own child if the “Travel Release” form is filed and permission is granted by the coach, Athletic Director, or principal.

Athletic Awards

Individual awards such as letters, trophies, most valuable and most improved are not encouraged at the middle school level.

Athletic Eligibility

Each athletic participant and parent shall read, review, and file a signed Letter of Participation on an annual basis.
All athletes and parents/guardians are expected to attend the particular sport orientation meeting held by the coaches at the beginning of each season.
Additional standards particular to the activity and the setting or hours will be determined by each coach, approved by the Athletic Coordinator, published and distributed to each participant on the first day he/she reports for practice.
The student participant, upon receipt of these general and specific standards, will read all items and ask for clarification by the coach of any handbook items not understood. Receipt of these standards and continued practice for an activity means that the participant understands and will comply to the standards set forth.

Academic Achievement

Student athletes are expected to maintain a “C” average in their classes. (with no “F’s”)
Grades will be monitored every term and at the start of the season.
If the student is below a “C” average, he/she will be put on a three-week probation. During the probation the student will still be allowed to practice as well as participate in games.
During the three-week probation the student may work to improve his/her grade to a “C” average and be back on the team in good standing.
If after the three-week probation the grade is not a “C” average and with no F’s, the student will not be allowed to practice or play in games.
When the eligibility list is published again, if the student’s grades are at a “C” average and no F’s, he/she may rejoin the team.
Only one probationary period per sport season is allowed
A panel of teachers, coaches, the principal, and athletic coordinator may give special consideration to a student in an unusual circumstance, if the parents have requested it in writing.
End of Term Dates: October 13, December 2, January 19, March 3, April 27, and June 8.

Injuries - Any athlete who is injured during an athletic practice or contact must report the injury to the coach immediately. Any athlete excused from physical education class may not participate in athletics (practice or play). Exceptions may be made by the Athletic Coordinator, or in his/her absence, the Principal. Injuries may be assessed by a licensed trainer by calling the high school.

Questions and Conflicts

Occasionally, the student/athlete or his/her parents may have a question relating to the student’s involvement in the athletic program. Prompt, open communication is important when this occurs, and the situation can usually be resolved before it becomes a major issue. The sequence for this communication is as follows;

The student/athlete and the coach should discuss the issue.
If not resolved, the coach, parents, and the student/athlete should establish a time to meet to discuss the issue.
If not resolved, the parents, coach, and the athletic coordinator should meet to discuss the issue.
If still not resolved, parents, coach, athletic coordinator, and the principal should meet to discuss the issue.
When conflict arises, the student/athlete and/or parents should set up a time with the coach to discuss the problem. Please do not approach the coach with a conflict just before or after a game.

Team Roster

When multiple teams are formed, coaches should strive to make such teams equally competitive.
Coaches shall redistribute players if the multiple teams become unequally competitive.

ATHLETIC PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS

Participation in interscholastic athletics is a privilege. West De Pere students have year-round training and conduct rules. Failure to abide by the established rules may result in withdrawal of the privilege to participate. All penalties will be imposed under the jurisdiction of the Athletic Director. An alleged violator’s case will be brought before the Athletic Coordinator. If the charges are proven to the satisfaction of the Athletic Coordinator, disciplinary action will follow.

For violation of any West De Pere Middle School standards of conduct; sale, possession, or use of illegal drugs or substances representing a drug or intoxicant or paraphernalia associated with such; use, possession, or purchase of alcoholic beverages or tobacco products; or any other immoral or unacceptable conduct contrary to the ideals, principles, and standards of West De Pere Schools, the penalty shall be as follows:

In Season Violations

A first violation will result in suspension from the team for 20 percent of the scheduled games, matches or meets of the present sport the athlete is participating in or the next season the athlete participates in if he/she is not currently participating in a sport. However, if the violation occurs with less than 20 percent of the current season remaining, the suspension will carry over into the athlete’s next sport season. In order to fulfill a carry-over penalty, an athlete must complete the season as a member of the team.
A second violation will result in suspension from the team for the remainder of the season the athlete is participating in.
A third violation (within a calendar year of the first violation) will result in suspension from all athletics or one calendar year from the date of infraction.

Out-of-Season Violations (Including Summer Vacation)

The first violation will result in suspension from participation in 10 percent of scheduled games, matches, or meets of the next sport to which they report.
The second violation will result in suspension for 20 percent of the season.

Application of Suspensions

All rule violations will accumulate within a calendar year of the first violation.
Violations must be reported to the Athletic Coordinator /Administrator in a timely manner.
The actual events of suspension will be rounded up to the next whole number.
If an athlete does not finish the season in good standing, the suspension, in its entirety, will be served during the next sport season that the athlete participates.
Suspensions due to violations that occurred during the last two weeks of the regular season will be carried over to the next sport the athlete participates in. The athlete must complete said sport season to fulfill the suspension.

ATHLETIC APPEAL PROCEDURE

The parents/guardians or athletes have the right to appeal decisions made according to the Athletic Handbook. Such appeals must be handled as follows:

Appeal must be made in writing to the Athletic Coordinator within five school days of the first day of ineligibility. The Athletic Coordinator’s response to this appeal must be completed within three school days of being received.
If not satisfied with the decision made by the Athletic Coordinator, a written appeal must be made within five days to the Principal. The Principal’s response to this appeal must be completed within three school days of being received. The decision of the principal is considered final.

MIDDLE SCHOOL HEADLINES