Dalton Public School

Student Code of Conduct for 

Interscholastic/Extracurricular Activities

RATIONALE/OBJECTIVE:

Participation in interscholastic/extracurricular activities in Dalton Public Schools District schools is a privilege. Students participating in these activities are considered to be school leaders. They are role models who represent their school and more importantly, depict its character. With leadership comes additional responsibility and student participants must adhere to high standards of conduct. When students violate these high standards, the District may withdraw the privilege to participate in interscholastic/extracurricular activities. The purpose of this code of conduct is to establish a minimum expectation of behavior.

RULE:

A. PROCEDURES:

1.   Time in Effect:

Except as specifically provided, the following behavioral expectations and prohibitions apply 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, in and out of the specific extracurricular season, and on or off school grounds.

2.   Parents/guardians and/or students must report any arrest of a student or behavior in which law enforcement is involved, to their high school administration or coach within two weeks (14 calendar days) of the arrest or behavior. The two week time frame includes weekends, school holidays and summer vacation. Failure to report an arrest or the behavior will result in the student’s consequences for the behavior in question being doubled and possible additional consequences for failure to report the behavior.

3. Provisions:

a.  Sponsors/Coaches should investigate policy violations and report to the school administration. The Principal or designee should make all determinations of penalties, in consultation with the coaches, sponsors and the School Athletic Director, as appropriate.

b.  Unless otherwise specified, periods of suspension from activities do not include preseason workouts and other preseason activities. Such student’s ability to participate in preseason activities will be determined by the Principal or designee in consultation with the coach. During the student’s period of

suspension the student may have contact with the team during team activities as determined by the coaching staff and administration but may not dress out for nor attend competitions.

c.  Students cannot attempt to evade the intent of the Rule by joining a new sport specifically to allow their suspension days to run their course. If a student athlete participates in a sport that he/she had not been previously involved with, he/she must complete the season of the new sport in good standing in order for the suspension days to count.

a.  Transferring from one District school to another does not relieve the student from the consequences for a violation of this Rule. Should a student choose to transfer outside of the District, the designated school administrator or the school athletic director will contact the new school to inform them of the violation and the resulting penalty. The District may also honor the activity consequences from other private or public school systems.

4. Notification:

a.  Elementary/Middle Schools:

In addition to providing students with copies of the Dalton Public Schools Student Code of Conduct, elementary and middle schools will make participants in extracurricular activities aware of this Code of Conduct for Interscholastic/Extracurricular Activities.

b. High Schools:

In addition to providing students with copies of the Dalton Public Schools Student Code of Conduct, the high school will provide written notification of this Code of Conduct for Interscholastic/Extracurricular Activities to all participants in extracurricular activities.

B. ALCOLHOL/ILLEGAL DRUGS/INHALANTS:

The District believes very strongly that using/possessing over the counter drugs or products to get high; using/possessing alcohol; using/possessing illegal drugs; or using/possessing prescription drugs in an unauthorized manner at any time is an offense. Such use or possession by extracurricular participants is banned. All misdemeanor driving under the influence (DUI) offenses will be dealt with according to this section. All felony DUI offenses will be dealt with under Section C, below. Offenses are cumulative at the high school level.

•  1st Offense:

o  Suspension from extracurricular activities, excluding practice, a minimum twenty-five (25) calendar days; plus

o  Suspension from a minimum of 20% of the regular season contests/performances; plus

o  Enrollment in and completion of an alcohol/other drug education program.

o  The first offense suspension will begin on the GHSA start date for the next season with which the recognized athlete is affiliated.

o  If the student has not completed his suspension at the end of the season, the remaining days will be completed at the beginning of the next affiliated GHSA activity.

• 2nd Offense:

Suspension from extracurricular activities for a minimum of one calendar year. The student will not be permitted to participate in preseason activities or practice.

• 3rd Offense:

Permanent suspension from extracurricular activities, including preseason activities and practices.

 C. FELONY:

1.   Guidelines:

a. A student who is arrested for, or charged with a felony or charged with an act that would constitute a felony if committed by an adult shall be automatically suspended from interscholastic/extracurricular activities for a period of time to be determined by the Principal or designee in consultation with the coach/advisor;

b.  Students participation in preseason activities will be determined by the Principal or designee in consultation with the coach/advisor;

c. DUI:

All Felony DUI offenses will be dealt with according to this section.

2. Duration:

a.       The student shall remain suspended from extracurricular activities for a period of time to be determined by the Principal or designee in consultation with the coach/advisor until:

(1)  The charges are completely dismissed;

(2) The charges are reduced to a misdemeanor in which case the student may be subject to penalties outlined in Section D, below, or Section B, for alcohol offenses;

(3)  The student is found not guilty; or

(4)  The student serves his consequences as outlined below.

b.       Once the student successfully completes the consequences assigned by the judge or agreed to by the student, including probation or diversion, the student may be permitted to participate in extracurricular activities. Evidence that the

probation period has expired, fines have been paid and/or community service has been completed is required.

c.       If the student produces proof that the charges are completely dismissed or the student is found not guilty, these consequences may be lifted.  If a student has been arrested or charged with an offense, but the matter has been expunged, sealed, removed from a student’s record, treated as a “first offender” action, or the behavior has not been prosecuted (nolle prosequi), the student should present or obtain documentation as required by the school to determine the circumstances of the matter. These circumstances may not be sufficient to lift the student’s consequences.

D. MISDEMEANORS:

1.  A student who is arrested for, charged with, or found guilty of a misdemeanor shall receive consequences as outlined below. However, minor offenses that result in fines alone may be dealt with as a violation of Section E(7) below.

• 1st and Subsequent Offenses:

Minimum suspension from extracurricular activities for one (1) school day up to a maximum of permanent suspension from extracurricular activities.

2. Drug/Alcohol/DUI:

Any student who is accused of a misdemeanor alcohol/drug offense or a misdemeanor DUI will receive consequences as outlined in Section B above.

3.  If the student produces proof that the charges are completely dismissed or the student is found not guilty, these consequences may be lifted. If a student has been arrested or charged with an offense, but the matter has been expunged, sealed, removed from a student’s record, treated as a “first offender” action, or the behavior has not been prosecuted (nolle prosequi), that student should present or obtain documentation as required by the school to determine the circumstances of the matter. These circumstances may not be sufficient to lift the student’s consequences.

E. OTHER OFFENSES:

A student who commits the following offenses may be suspended or permanently dismissed from the team or activity. The head coach in conjunction with the school administration will determine consequences for the following:

1. Hazing:

School clubs and student organizations shall not use hazing or degradation of individual dignity;

2. Missing practice, rehearsal or activities (unless excused by the coach, teacher, or sponsor);

3.   Truancy and/or skipping classes;

4.   Acting in an unsportsmanlike manner when representing the school;

5.   Violating curfew as established by the coach;

6.   Any act at school or away from school, which results in any discipline by school administration; or

7.   Any act at school or away from school which, in the opinion of the Principal reflects in a negative manner on the school, athletic program, or activity.

D. TOBACCO [IN-SEASON USE]:

·       1st Offense:

Suspension from all extracurricular activities for two (2) days.

·       2nd Offense:

Suspension from all extracurricular activities for five (5) school days and must sit out 10% of games/matches/performances/competitions.

·       3rd Offense:

Suspension from all extracurricular activities for ten (10) school days and must sit out 20% of games/matches/performances/competitions.

·       4th Offense:

Suspension from all extracurricular activities for ninety (90) calendar days.