2009-2010

Leola/Frederick Co-Op

Student Activity Handbook

Purpose of Handbook

The intent of this handbook is to give general guidance to parents and students who participate in co-op activities. This handbook is not intended to be all encompassing but a guide to enhance the activities.

The philosophy of our sports programs and playing time

The purpose of our sports programs is to teach our students how to be competitive in life as well as athletics. To accomplish this, one of our core beliefs is that students must earn their playing time. Each year, as a player ages, expectations of playing time changes. During the junior high years, efforts are made to ensure that all playing time is equal, provided that effort and attendance at practice is good. During the junior varsity years, some students have already been working harder than others to develop their skills and so have also naturally began to earn more playing time, though it is also still a goal to provide ample playing time to all who are working hard and earning it. At the varsity level athletic ability, work ethic, and team need dictate playing time. Efforts are still made to play non-starting athletes whenever possible, though sometimes in close games, the opportunity does not present itself.

Playing time is always a controversial subject. Some believe that playing time should just automatically be given to anybody out for the activity and that it should always be equal. We believe this is not fair to the athlete who has spent years of sacrifice and the self denials that others are not willing to make. Those athletes should not have to share their playing time equally with somebody who has not put hardly any time into developing themselves outside of practice. Playing time will not be automatically given. Our athletes earn their playing time. Many an athlete or parent wonder how the coach will ever find out if an athlete can play if they never play them. We don’t agree with this conclusion. Playing time will be earned in practice and in practice only. Simply showing up for practice is not enough; athletes will be expected to work hard.

If athletes or parents have questions about playing time, chain of command needs to be followed. You need to first talk to the coach. Do not initially approach board members, administrators, or athletic/activity directors for if you do so, you will be redirected to the coach. Do not talk to a coach immediately following the game, go home and sleep on it and then call the coach to make an appointment to talk them. Before speaking to the coach, we encourage parents to talk to their child at home and have a very straight forward conversation with them. Please understand that athletes are not always going to be upfront with everyone if they have been goofing around in practice, or not working hard. Also, it should be understood that parents and fans only see the games and are sometimes making judgments off of that observation. The first question that should always be asked is, “What does my child need to do to become better?” Together the coach, parents, and athletes can then move toward making this sports program the best experience possible.

I. Co-Op Colors and Nickname

II. Co-op Activities

A. Football

B. Volleyball

C. Boys and Girls Basketball

D. Golf

E. Cheerleading

III. Non Co-op Activities

A. Cross Country

B. Wrestling

C. Track

D. Play

E. Homecoming Dances

F. Prom

IV. Training Rules

V. Reporting and Hearing Process

VI. Seniors’ Night

VII. Awards

VIII. Busing Policy (Practice and Games)

IX. Physical Examination

X. Dress Code

XI. Dual Participation

XII. Academic Checks/Extra Curricular Eligibility

XIII. Student/Athlete Attendance

XIV. Questions or Concerns

I. Co-Op Colors and Nickname

A. Colors: Navy Blue, Columbia Blue, and White

B. Nickname: Titans

C. School Song: On Wisconsin

II. Co-op Activities

A. Football: Grades 7-12

1. Practice will be generally two hours Monday through Friday at the home site unless other wise stated.

2. Coach will give each student a season, daily workout, and game schedule.

3. All students will attend practice unless excused in advance by the coach.

4. All students will ride the bus to and from practice unless arrangements have been

made between coach and parents preferably in advance, but always in writing.

5. All students will ride the bus to and from all games unless arrangements have been

made between coach and parents preferably in advance, but always in writing. Students will be released only to parents. (Exception: other adult with advance approval from school administration.) Importance of riding bus is for team unity.

6. There will be equal games at Leola and Frederick. If less games one year, there will be extra games the following year.

7. Seventh and eighth grade students may be moved up to high school level at the coach’s discretion.

8. Lettering Policy-listed below are the criteria to letter for football:

a. A student must play in 12 quarters of varsity games. Playing in any part of a

quarter means a minimum of one play in that quarter in any aspect of the game.

The student must have completed the entire season. (Injury or illness may be an

exception.)

b. A varsity letter may be withheld if all football equipment given to the student by

the Leola or Frederick Area School District is not returned or paid for.

c. A varsity letter may also be given at the discretion of the head football coach.

B. Volleyball: Grades 7-12

1. Practice will be generally two hours Monday through Friday at the home site unless other wise stated.

2. Coach will give each student a season, daily workout, and game schedule.

3. All students will attend practice unless excused in advance by the coach.

4. All students will ride the bus to and from practice unless arrangements have been made between coach and parents preferably in advance, but always in writing.

5. All students will ride the bus to and from all games unless arrangements have been made between coach and parents preferably in advance, but always in writing. Students will be released only to parents. (Exception: other adult with advance approval from school administration.) Importance of riding bus is for team unity.

6. There will be equal games at Leola and Frederick. If less games one year, there will be extra games the following year.

7. Seventh and eighth grade students may be moved up to high school level at the coach’s discretion.

8. Lettering Policy-listed below are the criteria to letter for volleyball:

a. A student must play in 7 varsity matches. The student must have completed the

entire season. (Injury or illness may be an exception.)

b. A varsity letter may be withheld if all volleyball equipment loaned to the student

by the Leola or Frederick Area School District is not returned or paid for.

c. A varsity letter may also be given at the discretion of the head volleyball coach.

C. Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball: Grades 7-12

1. Practice will be generally two hours Monday through Friday at the home site unless other wise stated.

2. Coach will give each student a season, daily workout, and game schedule.

3. All students will attend practice unless excused in advance by the coach.

4. All students will ride the bus to and from practice unless arrangements have been made between coach and parents preferably in advance, but always in writing.

6. There will be equal games at Leola and Frederick. If less games one year, there will be extra games the following year.

7. Seventh and eighth grade students may be moved up to high school level at the coach’s discretion.

8. Lettering Policy-listed below are the criteria to letter for basketball:

a. A student must play in 20 quarters of varsity games. To play in any part of a

quarter constitutes one quarter. The student must have completed the entire season.

(Injury or illness may be an exception.)

b. A varsity letter may be withheld if all basketball equipment loaned to the student

by the Leola or Frederick Area School District is not returned or paid for.

c. A varsity letter may also be given at the discretion of the head basketball coach.

D. Golf: Grades 7-12

1. Practice will be generally two hours Monday through Friday at the home site unless other wise stated. Both schools will practice together when practicing on grass greens.

2. Coach will give each student a season, daily workout, and meet schedule.

3. All students will attend practice unless excused in advance by the coach.

4. All students will ride the bus to and from practice unless arrangements have been made between coach and parents preferably in advance, but always in writing.

5. All students will ride the bus to and from all meets unless arrangements have been made between coach and parents preferably in advance, but always in writing. Students will be released only to parents. (Exception: other adult with advance approval from school administration.) Importance of riding bus is for team unity.

6. Seventh and eighth grade students may be moved up to high school level at the coach’s discretion.

7. Lettering Policy-listed below are the criteria to letter for golf:

a. A student places in the top 10 in a varsity meet or in the region. The student must

have completed the entire season. (Injury or illness may be an exception.)

b. A varsity letter may be withheld if all golf equipment loaned to the student by the

Leola or Frederick Area School District is not returned or paid for.

c. A varsity letter may also be given at the discretion of the head golf coach.

E. Cheerleading: Grades 8-12

1. Tryouts will be held in April or May. If composition of team is combined between

the two school districts, then practice site will alternate.

2. There will be up to 5 varsity cheerleaders (if number warrants). There will be no

alternates.

3. Judges will be:

a. One high school staff person from each school.

b. One board member from each school or board member’s spouse.

c. Cheerleading advisor.

4. The top 5 point winners will be appointed varsity cheerleaders.

5. Cheer teams will cheer at the following:

a. All varsity football contests-both home and away.

b. During the game, timeouts, and halftime.

6. All athletic training rules must be followed.

7. The cheer team will travel to and from practice and competitions together in a school

vehicle with the advisor unless arrangements have been made between advisor and

parents preferably in advance, but always in writing. Students will be released only to

parents. (Exception: other adult with advance approval from school administration.)

Importance of riding in school vehicle is for team unity.

8. Cheerleaders represent the school and are expected to have exemplary behavior. Any

behavior displayed by a cheerleader that is considered unacceptable by a coach,

teacher, or administrator will result in disciplinary action such as:

a. First Violation

The student will attend one contest date, sitting beside the cheerleading advisor and

supporting the other cheer team members.

b. Second Violation

The student will attend two consecutive contest dates, sitting beside the cheerleading

advisor and supporting the other cheer team members.

c. Third Violation

The athlete will be removed from the cheer team for the remainder of the season.

9. Lettering Policy ~ In order for a student to earn a varsity letter in cheerleading, he/she

must complete the following requirements:

a. Must cheer at the varsity level for the entire season. (Injury or illness may be an

exception.)

b. Must make a commitment to your team. Must attend all practices, games, events,

and fundraisers. In addition, must attend any activities the coach deems necessary.

Only absences excused by school will be acceptable, i.e., illness, death in the family,

other emergencies similar in nature, or as a result of an academic requirement.

Talk to your coach prior to these events in order to make sure they are excused. We

understand that prior appointments’ may have been made, please inform us one

school week before the appointment. (Attempt to schedule around practice and

game times.)

c. A varsity letter may be withheld if all cheerleading equipment loaned to the student

by the Leola or Frederick Area School District is not returned or paid for.

d. A varsity letter may also be given at the discretion of the cheerleading advisor.

III. Non Co-op Activities

A. Cross Country: Grades 7-12

1. Beginning fall 2009, each school will have own cross country team.

2. Practice will be generally two hours Monday through Friday.

3. Coach will give each student a season, daily workout, and meet schedule.

4. All students will attend practice unless excused in advance by the coach.

6. Lettering Policy-listed below are the criteria to letter for cross country:

a. A student must place and earn an award in a varsity meet. The student must have

completed the entire season. (Injury or illness may be an exception.)

b. A varsity letter may be withheld if all cross country equipment loaned to the

student by the Leola or Frederick Area School District is not returned or paid for.

c. A varsity letter may also be given at the discretion of the head cross country

coach.

B. Wrestling: Grades 7-12

1. Beginning winter 2009, Leola school will have own wrestling team and Frederick school will not offer wrestling.

2. Practice will be generally two hours Monday through Friday.

3. Coach will give each student a season, daily workout, and meet schedule.

4. All students will attend practice unless excused in advance by the coach.

6. Seventh and eighth grade students may be moved up to high school level at the coach’s discretion.

7. Lettering Policy-listed below are the criteria to letter for wrestling:

a. A student must have earned 12 team points. The student must have completed the

entire season. (Injury or illness may be an exception.)

b. A varsity letter may be withheld if all wrestling equipment loaned to the student by

the Leola School District is not returned or paid for.

c. A varsity letter may also be given at the discretion of the head wrestling coach

C. Track: Grades 7-12

1. Beginning spring 2009, each school will have own track team.

2. Practice will be generally two hours Monday through Friday.

3. Coach will give each student a season, daily workout, and meet schedule.

4. All students will attend practice unless excused in advance by the coach.

5. All students will ride the bus to and from all meets unless arrangements have been

made between coach and parents preferably in advance, but always in writing.

Students will be released only to parents. (Exception: other adult with advance

approval from school administration.) Importance of riding bus is for team unity.

6. Seventh and eighth grade students may be moved up to high school level at the

coach’s discretion.

7. Lettering Policy-listed below are the criteria to letter for track:

a. A student must earn 10 team points in an individual event or as part of a relay team

throughout the season, and place at the conference or region meet by beating at least one other individual or team. The student must have completed the entire season. (Injury or illness may be an exception.)

b. A varsity letter may be withheld if all track equipment loaned to the student by the

Leola or Frederick Area School District is not returned or paid for.

c. A varsity letter may also be given at the discretion of the head track coach.

D. Play: (Frederick Grades 7-12)

Beginning spring 2008, each school will hold their own play every spring. All attempts will be made to have the play completed prior to April 1^st of each year. The dates for try-outs, practices, and the performance will be announced annually after the start of school.

E. Homecoming Dances: Grades 7-12

Each school will hold their own homecoming dance on different weeks. These dates will be announced each year. Each school will have an open invitation to attend each other’s homecoming dance by signing up in advance.

F. Prom: (Frederick Grades 11-12 and their dates)

Each school will hold their own prom with the dates being announced after the start of

school. Each school will have open invitations to each other’s prom by signing up in

advance.

IV. Training Rules

From the beginning of the school activity calendar to the end of the school activity calendar year, regardless of the quantity, a student shall not: (a) possess or consume a beverage containing alcohol, (b) possess or use tobacco, (c) or use, or consume, or have in possession, or buy, sell, or give away marijuana, or any controlled substance. 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.

For purposes of training regulations, possession of tobacco or alcohol products means personal possession, i.e. in one’s hands, mouth, etc. or stored in one’s clothing.

V. Reporting and Hearing Process

Recommended Penalties:

A. First Violation

A player will miss: one cross country meet, one football game, two volleyball games, two basketball games, one wrestling match, one track meet, one golf meet, or two cheerleading events.

B. Second Violation

After confirmation of the second violation, the student shall lose eligibility triple the suspension as stated in item A. No exception is permitted for a student who becomes a participant in a treatment program; however, to regain eligibility at the end of the second violation suspension, 5 hours of professional counseling needs to take place. This counseling is to be arranged and paid for by the parents with approval through student’s enrolled district. The counseling is mandatory and must be completed in its entirety to regain eligibility at the end of the second violation suspension.

C. Third Violation

Student will be ineligible for all sports and extra-curricular activities. A student will be referred to a chemical dependency counselor, at the parents’ expense.

D. Penalties shall be cumulative throughout the student’s participation beginning with the 7^th grade through the end of the 12^th grade. The slate will not be wiped clean at the end of the 8th grade year.

1. The 7^th and 8^th grade will follow the same penalty schedule. Upon becoming a freshman, if the student has any violations, they will have an automatic first offense in high school and will follow the above penalty schedule from that point on through the 12^th grade.

2. The 9^th through 12^th grade will start with their first offense if they have not had any violations in the 7^th and 8^th grade. If they had any violations in the 7^th and 8^th grade, regardless of how many, their first offense in the 9^th through 12^th grade will fall under the second violation and continue from there. The 9^th grade year begins after the SDHSAA athletic calendar which includes golf and track state meets.

E. In the summer months any violations turned in by the local or state law enforcement will be considered a violation of this policy and will fall into the penalty schedule above.

F. All students participating in an activity must meet the grade requirement set by the SDHSAA.

1. All students participating in co-op sponsored activities will have passing grades in all

subjects.

2. Any student with a failing grade will be ineligible to participate.

3. Any student with an incomplete will have one week to make up the work and receive

a passing grade. Student will become ineligible until all work is made up and a

passing grade is turned in to the principal’s office.

G. Planned absence from practice: All students will notify coach at least one day before.

H. All students will conduct themselves in a sportsman like manner.

1^st violation: The coach will discipline students not conducting themselves in a

sportsman like manner.

2^nd violation: Student will go before the principal and superintendent.

3^rd violation: Off team.

FINAL OBSERVATION

No one, including the South Dakota High School Activities Association, expects rules alone to deter students from using chemicals. The clear philosophy and statement of purpose explains the rule and gives direction, encouraging school staff to take an active role in responding to existing chemical use problems, preventing future problems from occurring, and promoting the chemical health of students involved in SDHSAA activities.

VI. Seniors’ Night

Seniors’ night for all sports related activities will be as follows:

A. All athletes, statisticians, and cheerleaders will have their names and their parents

names in the programs at all home events. On seniors’ night, only seniors will be recognized and their parents will be asked to come down on the court or field with their son or daughter after their names have been announced.

B. All parents will be admitted free to the game on seniors’ night.

C. Athletic/Activity directors along with head coaches will decide the date of seniors’ night. All attempts will be made to have this night occur during the first half of the season.

D. Athletic/Activity directors and head coaches will be responsible to organize the night.

VII. Awards

Each school will handle their own awards day unless other arrangements are made.

Coaches/Advisors should attend each school district’s event. If that is not possible, then awards should be given to the correct site prior to the event so that an appointed designee can make the presentation at the event.

VIII. Busing Policy (Practice and Games)

A. Students are reminded that the buses are for transportation to and from a destination. A bus trip is not intended to be a social event. Beverages/food will be allowed on the bus only at the discretion of the activity director(s), coaches, and/or bus drivers.

B. Students riding the school buses will be under the authority of the bus driver and/or the

activity director/coach. The safety of each school bus passenger is dependent upon

proper student discipline. On practice and game trips, the bus drivers/coaches will be

responsible for the proper disciplining of their bus. Bus drivers and coaches are to refer

“problem” students to the administration for disciplinary action. Any student who

misbehaves may be denied the privilege of riding the bus and removed from the activity

until student is reinstated. The decision to discontinue bus service to such student will be

made by the superintendent. Such services may be denied a student for any time period

not to exceed the remainder of the current school year. Buses sponsored by the schools,

to transport students to practice and games unless other arrangements are made, shall

include Grades 7-12.

IX. Physical Examination

A. During the month of May, Leola School District and Frederick Area School District will

each schedule a time for physical examinations for the next year. Any student not taking

their physical on that day will be expected to make their own arrangements.

B. All students in Grades 7-12 will have a physical examination before they will be allowed

to take part in an activity.

C. The parents will pay the cost of the examination in advance.

X. Dress Code

Student dress and grooming will be subject to reasonable standards of decency, safety and healthfulness. Administration or coaches may send a student home to change or refuse admittance on the bus to an away activity if their attire is considered unacceptable.

Unacceptable dress would include:

A. Clothing with slogans promoting alcohol, tobacco, drugs and other unacceptable language.

B. Torn or ripped blue jeans will not be allowed.

C. Lack of proper winter clothing.

XI. Dual Participation

If a student is participating in two activities and a scheduling conflict occurs, then the

student shall decide which activity he/she will participate in and will give appropriate notice

to the coaching staff of said decision.

XII. Academic Checks/Extra Curricular Eligibility

A. An academic check will be performed twice a month.

B. The schedule for academic check dates is available from teachers.

C. Faculty will either complete Academic Probation Notices or turn in an AP list to the

administration of students who are failing or have past due assignments.

D. Students reported failing one or more classes, will be placed on the ACADEMIC

PROBATION LIST. They will still remain eligible to participate in extra-curricular

activities while on academic probation.

If the student is still failing or deficient in the same class by the next academic check, the

student moves to the ACADEMIC SUSPENSION LIST. This student’s extra-curricular

eligibility will be SUSPENDED and he/she will not be able to participate or compete in any

extra-curricular activities for a period of one week (Monday - Saturday). Notification of

Academic Suspension will be sent home to the parents. A student on Academic Probation

who is passing the designated class by the next academic check date will be removed from

the probation list.

XIII. Student/Athlete Attendance

A student/athlete who is on suspension or injured is still a part of the team and therefore

will be required to attend practices, travel with the team, and sit on/or behind the bench

during the games. A severe injury/illness may be an exception at the coach’s discretion.

XIV. Questions or Concerns

If a parent or student has any concerns about any activity, they should follow the chain of

command. The chain of command is as follows:

A. Talk to the coach at an appropriate time by making an appointment.

B. If you are not satisfied, contact and talk to the athletic/activity director.

C. If you are still unable to resolve the concern, set up a meeting with the CEO, coach, and

athletic/activity director.

D. If satisfaction has not been reached, request the CEO to put your concerns on the school

board agenda for the next month.

THIS IS THE FORM THAT THE SOUTH DAKOTA HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION RECOMMENDS TO THOSE MEMBER SCHOOLS THAT FEEL IT IS IMPORTANT TO GET CONSENT FROM PARENTS AND/OR LEGAL GUARDIANS FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT WHEN AWAY FROM HOME ON ROAD TRIPS FOR VARIOUS ACTIVITIES.

CONSENT FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT

I am the _______________________________________(Mother-Father-Legal Guardian)

of________________________________, who participates in extra-curricular activities for ________________________ High School. I hereby consent to any medical services that may be required while said child is under the supervision of an employee of ________________________ School District while on a school-sponsored activity and hereby appoint said employee to act on behalf in securing necessary medical services from any duly licensed physician or osteopath.

Dated this ______ day of ___________________________, 20______

Parent's Signature

CONSENT OF CHILD

I, ________________________________________, have read the above Consent Form signed by my ______________________________(Mother-Father-Legal Guardian) and join with ______________________(him/her) in the consent.

Dated this ______ day of ______________________________, 20______

_____________________________________________

Student's Signature

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING

The information in this packet has been approved by the Boards of Education of the Leola School District and Frederick Area School District. It is intended to provide insight into the organization, goals and policies of the Activities Department as well as provide for guidelines for the conduct of our students.

After you have read the preceding pages, read the following statement, put your signature in the appropriate place and return it to the Athletic/Activity Director. If you have any questions regarding any part of this handout, please feel free to contact the Athletic/Activity Director at the school office 439-3143 (Leola) or 329-2145 (Frederick).

WHEREAS we, the undersigned, attest to reading of the attached STUDENT ACTIVITY HANDBOOK and are aware of the various policies heretofore outlined.

______________________________________ ________________

Signature of Parent Date

______________________________________ ________________

Signature of Student Date

I have read the insurance handout and have chosen one of the following:

_____Taken the additional insurance _____Have own policy

______________________________________

Signature of Parent

Have filled out consent for medical treatment and have sent back with child. ________

Tips to help your child and/or athlete become better

1. Support your child, but allow them to make their own mistakes.

2. Enjoy your child’s performance, but don’t try to relive your high school days through them.

It’s their turn now; you already had yours.

3. Don’t talk negatively about a coach. Your child needs to see them as a professional in order

to have a productive relationship with them.

4. Don’t allow your child to talk negatively about a coach. All teams go through rough times.

If you allow it at home, athletes will tend to want to place blame somewhere else other than

themselves.

5. Encourage your child to get out and run, bike, lift weights, etc. Student athletes everywhere

go to practice, this is where your child can separate themselves from others.

6. Help your child develop a winning attitude. Complaining about everything that is going

wrong creates more problems. Let’s find a way to be successful.

7. Schedule appointments such as haircuts during other times than practice. Everyday is

important and needed.

8. During conflicts, if you can support the coach, your child will be more likely to make the

changes that will make them better. We all have the same goal in mind. Let’s work

together.

9. Help your child understand how to be a team player. It may mean not playing the star role

or the position they want. They should be asking, “How can I best help the team.”

10. Remember that in this co-op, there are no Leola kids, there are no Frederick kids, there are

only Titans. Kids will always be the first to make new friends and accept change. Adults are where the problems lie. Again, we had our day; now let’s let them have theirs.