CODE: 6145.1/6145.2
SECTION: INSTRUCTION
INTRAMURAL COMPETITION; INTERSCHOLASTIC COMPETITION
The Board considers all competitive extracurricular activities--academic, artistic and athletic--an integral part of the total educational program. Competitive activities shall be under the same administration and control as the rest of the school program and closely articulated with it.
Competitive activities can provide pupils with valuable experiences and opportunities. In this district, the emphasis in any competition--intramural or interscholastic--shall be on providing such experiences and opportunities rather than on producing winning teams or providing entertainment. Practice for or performance in any competitive event shall not interfere with the regular educational program.
The Board shall approve all proposed interscholastic competition, either as a schedule or as a discrete event, whichever is appropriate. The Board must approve membership in any leagues, associations and conferences, and any agreements with other schools for a series of games or events. Contests of any kind between and among the schools of the district shall be approved by the Superintendent.
The Board shall appoint coaches, advisors, physicians and other necessary supervisory personnel upon recommendation of the Superintendent. The Superintendent shall also ensure that training programs/regulations are developed for all extracurricular athletic activities and that all physical facilities involved in any competition in which district schools take part shall be adequate, safe and sanitary.
Public recognition shall be given to participants in academic or artistic competitions in the same measure as to athletic competitors. The district's affirmative action resolution and plan for equity in school and classroom practices shall apply to determining eligibility for competition, approval of each competitive activity in which pupils officially represent the district, and district expenditure to provide facilities and coaches.
Parental Consent
No pupil may participate in a school-sponsored physical activity outside the regular physical education curriculum without a signed consent form from a parent/guardian naming the activity and acknowledging that the activity may be hazardous.
Academic Eligibility
Academic standards for eligibility shall be those established by policy 6145 Extracurricular activities.
Attendance Standards
Attendance standards shall be those set in policy 5113 Absences and excuses. In particular, a pupil shall not participate in a performance, exhibition, practice or athletic event unless he/she has been present in school that day or has been absent for an excused reason other than for sickness.
Disciplinary Standards
Disciplinary standards are based on Board policies 5114 Suspension and expulsion and 5131 Conduct/discipline. Pupils on disciplinary probation or serving a detention or suspension may not practice, perform or compete. The Superintendent and the building principal shall decide at the end of a probation or suspension whether the pupil may return to practice and competition.
Special Education Pupils
To participate in interscholastic competition, special education pupils must meet the same requirements listed above in conformity with IEPs.
Physical Eligibility
All pupils in grades seven through 12 participating in intramural or interscholastic athletics must be given a medical examination within 365 days prior to the first practice session, with a health history update if the examination was completed more than 60 days prior to the first practice session of the first sport participated in. The medical examination
shall be given by the district's medical officer or designated team doctor. Examinations shall be made available throughout the school year consistent with the district athletic schedule. If requested by the parents/guardians, the medical examination may be given by another licensed physician, but must be reported to the district medical officer or designated team doctor on a form furnished by the district and, as a minimum, include the content adopted by the Board. In the event a private physician is used, the medical examination shall not be at the expense of the Board of education.
The parents/guardians shall be sent written notification signed by the examining physician testifying to the pupil's physical fitness to participate in athletics. The reason for the physician's disapproval of the pupil's participation shall be included in the notification. The health findings of the medical examination for participation in athletics shall be made part of the general health examination record.
The Superintendent shall present to the Board for adoption procedures for administration of the required medical examination. The procedures for the medical examination to determine the fitness of a pupil to participate in athletics shall include a form for a medical history to be filled out and returned by a parent/guardian and a form to be filled out by the examining physician.
The medical examination to determine the fitness of a pupil to participate in athletics shall include, as a minimum, the following:
A medical history questionnaire, completed by the parent/guardian of the pupil, to determine if the pupil:
1. Has been medically advised not to participate in any sport, and the reason for such advice;
2. Is under a physician's care and the reasons for such care;
3. Has experienced loss of consciousness after an injury;
4. Has experienced a fracture or dislocation;
5. Has undergone any surgery;
6. Takes any medication on a regular basis, the names of such medication and the reasons for such medication;
7. Has allergies including hives, asthma and reaction to bee stings;
8. Has experienced frequent chest pains or palpitations;
9. Has a recent history of fatigue and undue tiredness;
10. Has a history of fainting with exercise;
11. Has a history of family members dying suddenly.
A physical examination which shall include, as a minimum, no less than:
Measurement of weight, height, and blood pressure;
Examination of the skin to determine the presence of infection, scars of previous
surgery or trauma, jaundice, and purpura;
Examination of the eyes to determine visual acuity, use of eyeglasses or contact
lenses, and examination of the sclera for the presence of jaundice;
Examination of the ears to determine the presence of acute or chronic infection,
perforation of the eardrum and gross hearing loss;
Examination of the nose to assess the presence of deformity which may affect
endurance;
Assessment of the neck to determine range of motion and the presence of pain
associated with such motion;
Examination of chest contour;
Auscultation and percussion of the lungs;
Assessment of the heart with attention to the presence of murmurs, noting rhythm and rate;
Assessment of the abdomen with attention to the possible presence of heptamegaly, splenomegaly, or abnormal masses;
Assessment of the back to determine range of motion and abnormal curvature of the spine;
Examination of extremities to determine abnormal mobility or immobility, deformity, instability, muscle weakness or atrophy, surgical scars and varicosities;
Examination of the testes to determine the presence and descent of both testes,
abnormal masses or configurations, or hernia;
Assessment of physiological maturation;
Neurological examination to assess balance and coordination and the presence of abnormal reflexes.
Insurance
The Board will cover each participant in interscholastic football with insurance coverage as recommended by the current insurance carrier. All other interscholastic activities shall be covered at the recommendation of the insurance advisor and Superintendent.
Parents/guardians shall be strongly encouraged to participate in the supplemental pupil accident insurance program offered by the Board.
First Reading: December 12, 2000
Adopted: December 19, 2000