CODE OF CONDUCT (REVISED)

PHILOSOPHY:
Participation in any extracurricular/co-curricular activities is an important part of the educational process. A primary goal of these activities is to teach students character and self-discipline skills which will enable them to develop to their highest potential. As role models for their peers and younger students, students who participate in extracurricular and co-curricular activities are held accountable for their actions at a higher standard than other students. This code applies to every student who participates in an extracurricular or co-curricular activity at Southern Middle School (“participating student”).

At Southern Middle School we believe in teaching our young people high moral standards, integrity, discipline, character, sportsmanship, citizenship, the importance of teamwork, and the value of hard work and true dedication. The faculty, staff and administration pledge to dedicate their time, energy, and financial resources to this effort.

This code represents the effort of Southern Middle School to provide clear expectations for all participating students and their parents/guardians. It is the responsibility of each student to know and understand the obligations of this code as well as the established consequences that will be imposed if/when the provisions of this code are violated.

*Remember, participating in extracurricular/co-curricular activities is a privilege and not a right.

1. OBLIGATIONS AS A STUDENT
In addition to the rules of this code of conduct, a participating student must at all times conform to the rules of conduct of the extracurricular/ co-curricular organization in which he/she is participating, as well as all school and school system rules. He/She shall not expect nor receive special privileges with regard to meeting his/her obligations to teachers and any other school personnel.

2.OBLIGATIONS AS AN EXTRACURRICULAR/COCURRICULAR PARTICIPANT

A. Each sport, club, NJROTC and cultural arts activity has certain individual requirements that lead to the development of specific skills requiring different types of training. Every athlete has an obligation to know the rules of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction as well as those rules governing his/her sport. Students participating in clubs, NJROTC or cultural arts are responsible for learning and adhering to the by-laws of their respective organizations.

B. As an extracurricular/co-curricular participant, the student not only represents himself/herself, fellow team members, coaches, and teachers, but also the school and its student body. For these reasons, the participating student is expected to display the highest form of character and sportsmanship. If at any time a student’s actions bring harm or discredit to the organization of which the student is a member or to the school, the student may be subjected to disciplinary action, including suspension and/or removal from the extracurricular/co-curricular organization.

3. OBLIGATIONS TO THE SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY
A participating student is supported actively by the school and the community. Many volunteers work long hours to provide the finest equipment and facilities so that our extracurricular groups can have the best possible opportunity to compete on an even basis with any established program in the state. Participating students are held accountable for the equipment/materials issued to them and shall reimburse the school for any equipment/materials not returned or damaged beyond normal wear and tear. Participating students are expected to exercise respect for and take care of the facilities and equipment provided by the school and booster club.

4. CONSEQUENCES FOR VIOLATING RULES OF CONDUCT
These consequences apply in addition to any consequences imposed by the school, school district or extracurricular/co-curricular organization for violation of their separate rules of conduct.

A. IN-SCHOOL AND OUT OF SCHOOL SUSPENSIONS

1. If a participating student is assigned to in-school suspension, he/she will not be allowed to practice or participate in a game/activity on the day(s) of suspension. In addition he/she will have to miss the next athletic contest. Suspensions will be carried out regardless of the game/activity days or events. If a student is given ISS 2 times during the specific sport season, he/she will be automatically removed from the athletic team.

2. If a participating student is given out of school suspension for any reason, he/she will be subject to the following additional consequences:

a. FIRST OFFENSE: A student participating in athletics will not be allowed to practice or play during the suspension period. If there is not a game during the suspension period, the student will not be permitted to play in the next game after the period of suspension. A student participating in other clubs or activities will not be allowed to practice, participate or perform during the suspension period. If there is not a performance or major activity during the suspension period, the student will not be allowed to perform or participate in the next major activity immediately following the suspension.

b. SECOND OFFENSE: The student will be removed from extracurricular/co-curricular activities for the remainder of that season or semester or for 30 school days**, whichever is greater. Any combination of 2 suspensions during the specific sport season (ISS & OSS) will result in automatic dismissal from the athletic team.

c. REPEATED OFFENSES: If a student continues to be suspended from school or has consistent disciplinary infractions, the principal may remove that student from extracurricular/co-curricular activities for up to the remainder of the school year or 30 school days, whichever is greater.

 B. USE OF ILLEGAL DRUGS/ALCOHOL
The possession, use, distribution or sale of illegal or counterfeit drugs/alcohol by participating students is not acceptable at any time, on or off campus, including off season and school breaks. Every effort will be made by the school and the extracurricular departments to make students aware of the detrimental effects of alcohol and drugs through educational programs and opportunities. Students who willfully violate this policy are subject to the following consequences:

1. FIRST OFFENSE FOR POSSESSION OR USE
Any student in violation of this policy for possession or use will be removed from participation for 60 school days or the remainder of the current season/semester, whichever is longer. The student must also be evaluated by a drug counselor as recommended by the school and must comply with all recommendations and treatment programs and receive a negative drug test result before resuming participation in any extracurricular/co-curricular activity.

2. SECOND OFFENSE FOR POSSESSION OR USE DURING MIDDLE SCHOOL CAREER
A student with a second offense of this policy during the student’s middle school career for possession or use shall be removed from activities for 120 school days or the remainder of the school year, whichever is greater. The student must also be evaluated by a drug counselor as recommended by the school and must comply with all recommendations and treatment programs and receive a negative drug test result before participating in any extracurricular/co-curricular activity and must submit to periodic, unannounced drug testing for a 12 month period. All costs of such drug testing shall be borne by the student.

*For purposes of this policy “school days” includes days that the student is scheduled to participate in school-sponsored activities, including school holidays and summer break.

3. THIRD OFFENSE FOR POSSESSION OR USE DURING HIGH SCHOOL CAREER
A student with a third offense of this policy in the student’s middle school career for possession or use shall be prohibited from participation in all extracurricular/co-curricular activities for the remainder of the student’s middle school career. The student and the student’s parent or guardian will also receive information regarding drug-use counseling and prevention.

4. ANY OFFENSE INVOLVING SALE OR DISTRIBUTION
A student with a first violation of this policy for sale or distribution or conspiracy to sell or distribute drugs/alcohol or counterfeit drugs/alcohol shall be prohibited from participation for 180 school days. A second offense shall result in removal from activities for the remainder of the student’s middle school career.

5. VOLUNTARY ADMISSION BY STUDENT
If a student who is not under investigation for or currently charged with a violation of this section voluntarily admits that he/she has an alcohol or drug related problem and voluntarily enters a rehabilitation program, the principal may choose not to impose the consequences outlined in this section.

C. TOBACCO USAGE:
Participating students are not allowed to use tobacco products of any kind, on or off campus. The following consequences shall be imposed for a violation of this policy:

• FIRST OFFENSE: 2 days suspension from extracurricular/co-curricular activities.

• SECOND OFFENSE: 5 days suspension from extracurricular/co-curricular activities.

• THIRD OFFENSE: Suspension from extracurricular/co-curricular activities for season/semester or 30 school days, whichever is greater.

D. HAZING
The NCHSAA, NHCS, NCDPI and Alamance Burlington School System encourage coaches and other school personnel to vigorously enforce rules against hazing and similar practices. Hazing is defined as deliberately subjecting another person to physical injury as part of an initiation or prerequisite for membership … (House Bill 171). It is against North Carolina Law (G.S. 14.35). Regardless of a student’s willingness to participate, hazing and other humiliating activities expected of a student to belong to a team or group, have many negative consequences. It obstructs the development of good citizens, escalates the risks of participation, negates positive contributions, and destroys respect for self, others and a “wholesome” athletic environment.

Reporting Procedure: Any person who believes he or she has been the victim of hazing or any person with knowledge or belief of conduct, which may constitute hazing, shall report the alleged acts immediately to a Teacher, Coach, Athletic and/or Administrator.   Students who willfully violate this policy are subject to short term suspension from extracurricular/co-curricular activities up to removal from teams or clubs at the discretion of the coach and principal.

E. SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY
If you participate on a social networking site or use social media, you must keep the following guidance in mind: everything you post is public information – any text or photo placed online is completely out of your control the moment it is placed online – even if you limit access to your site. Information (including pictures, videos, comments, and posts) may be accessible even after you remove it.

Similar to comments made in person, the Alamance Burlington School System will not tolerate disrespectful comments and behavior online, such as; derogatory or defamatory language; comments that create a serious danger to the safety of another person or that constitute a credible threat of serious physical or emotional injury to another person; comments or photos that describe or depict unlawful assault, abuse, hazing, harassment, or discrimination; selling, possessing, or using controlled substances; or any other illegal or prohibited conduct. Students who willfully violate this policy are subject to short term suspension from extracurricular/co-curricular activities up to removal from teams or clubs at the discretion of the coach and principal.

What you post may affect your future. Many employers and college admissions officers review social networking sites as part of their overall evaluation of an applicant. Carefully consider how you want people to perceive you before you give them a chance to misinterpret your information (including pictures, videos, comments, and posts).

F. CRIMINAL CHARGES:
Any participating student charged with a criminal offense may be suspended from extracurricular/co-curricular activities while the principal investigates the underlying circumstances and assesses the impact of the matter on the school environment. The principal will review each offense individually and determine what action will be taken.

G. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS/CONSEQUENCES:

1. In order for a participating student to practice or participate in a game/activity, he/she must be in attendance for at least 50% of the school day

2. Athletes must pass 4 core subjects each semester to maintain eligibility. In addition, they must meet the 2.0 grade point average starting Spring 2015. Athletes must be in attendance for 85% percent of the semester. If they fail to meet these criteria they will become automatically ineligible.

3. Any athlete who quits without permission of the coach or  who is officially dismissed from a team before the season is  over (including the playoffs) may not practice or participate  with any other athletic team until that season is completely  over (Including the playoffs). An athlete is considered a member of a team if he/she is listed on the final team roster.

4. All participating students are required to turn in all uniforms and equipment that are issued to them. A participating student may not participate in any other extracurricular/co-curricular activity until he/she has turned in his/her uniform and equipment to the coach/faculty representative.

5. Any athlete participating in a sport or club activity must understand the school’s activity supersedes any other similar outside activity.  While your sport is active, your first obligation is to your scholastic team or club. For example, missing a school sponsored game or practice to attend a travel or recreation team activity is prohibited unless permission has been granted by your scholastic coach.  If this rule is violated, disciplinary actions can be taken up to dismissal from the scholastic team or club. Your first obligation is to your school and any other teams or clubs that will interfere with that particular sport or activity must be secondary. Simply put, school activities must come first if you are going to be a member of a team or club.