Midway ISD
Extracurricular Discipline Management Plan
The Midway Independent School District recognizes that participation in extracurricular activities is a privilege, not a right. Students participating in extracurricular events represent the school district and the community at all times. The students are role models; therefore, they are held to a high standard of conduct. All students scheduled to be on a team or in an organization or any student currently a member of a school recognized extracurricular program (U.I.L., clubs, student organizations) shall be governed by the following discipline management plan. It is important to note that because the plan specifically includes conduct that occurs away from school and away from school functions, activities, or events, the plan literally applies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year for all MISD students participating or scheduled to participate in these activities.
Conduct at School Sponsored Functions, Activities, Events
Students participating in a Midway ISD extracurricular activity/event will be required to follow all expectations outlined in the MISD Student Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct applies to all students and their conduct at any school function, activity, or event that Midway ISD is participating in regardless of the location. The authority to remove or deny a student’s participation in an activity rests with the coach or sponsor.
To promote the highest ideals in citizenship, leadership, sportsmanship, loyalty, and a positive competitive attitude, students are expected to comply with the following guidelines:
1) The student, must comply with the rules of the district as stated in the Student Code of Conduct, Student
Handbook, and School Board Policies.
2) The use or possession of alcohol and drugs is prohibited. Mandatory drug testing for students participating
in extracurricular activities will be implemented in the 2005-2006 school year. An informational meeting
regarding this program will be scheduled for parents and students.
3) The use or possession of tobacco in any form (smoking, dipping, and chewing) is prohibited.
4) Insubordination and disrespect to coaches/sponsors may result in suspension from the student’s
respective team/organization.
5) Students are responsible for use of all equipment and its return to the school in the best
possible condition (i.e., athletics, band, and journalism).
6) Students on school trips must travel to and from events with the team. Exceptions may be
requested in writing or by a direct verbal request from the parents asking permission for their
child to travel with them.
7) Students must meet and maintain eligibility criteria as mandated by the U.I.L. and/or club or organization
bylaws.
Student Code of Conduct Discipline Guidelines:
1 demerit = Conference and Parent Notification 5 demerits = Minimum of 6 weeks in AEP
2 demerits = Three days of In-School Suspension 6 demerits = Minimum of 18 weeks in AEP
3 demerits = Five days of In-School Suspension 7 demerits = Recommendation for Expulsion
4 demerits = Three days suspension from school
While assigned to the Alternative Education Program (AEP) or In-School Suspension (ISS), students
will not attend or participate in school sponsored or school related activities. Accumulation of demerits will result in the assignment of a Strike as defined in Part II(Team/Organization Consequences).
Non-School Conduct
Committing the following major offenses will result in disciplinary action initiated by the coach/sponsor/school official, and the assessment of one (1) strike:
1) Illegal possession, consumption, distribution, or sale of alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, or controlled substances.
2) Violent acts.
3) Behavior that results in criminal charges by law enforcement agencies. (Behavior that is verified as a violation of law.)
4) Positive result from mandatory drug test.
Mandatory Self-Reporting:
Students who engage in illegal or inappropriate activities that may result in criminal charges by a law enforcement agency are required to report such incident verbally and in writing to school personnel (coach, sponsor, or assistant principal) within five calendar days of the incident. Student participants who fail to self-report and receive a first strike because school officials have verified a violation of law will be subject to a doubled suspension (20% instead of 10%).
A student can be found to have violated this policy and receive a first or second strike after a complete administrative investigation with credible witnesses, reports from school district personnel, or information from law enforcement agencies. A student in attendance (attending an event/party which includes prohibited activities) may be found in violation of this policy if he/she knowingly remains at a location/event where prohibited activities are occurring. A student alleged to be in violation of this policy will have an opportunity to respond in an informal, oral conference with the campus principal or assistant principal.
Team/organization/club consequences as outlined in section II(below) will apply in addition to Code of Conduct consequences.
Drug Testing
A positive drug test will result in the assessment of one (1) strike. Conduct which results in the treatment of a drug test as positive (refusal to submit to test, leaving the campus after learning of selection for testing, tampering, etc.) will also result in the assessment of one (1) strike.
Any subsequent positive test (or conduct treated as a positive test) will result in the assessment of a second strike, and the student will be subject to the consequences for a second strike as set forth in this plan, including removal from all extracurricular programs for a period of one (1) calendar year. [ Note. A positive test (or conduct treated as such) will count as a second strike where a strike is already in existence, even if the existing strike had no relation to the District’s drug testing program.] A strike under the drug testing program shall be treated like a major offense under the Student Code of Conduct, and, therefore, cannot be removed by community service.
Team/Organization/Club Consequences
A student who receives three demerits (cumulative or at one time) shall receive a Strike. Any additional demerits (1, 2, or 3) during the school year shall result in a second strike.
FIRST STRIKE:
1) Mandatory conference, which may be a phone conference, with students, parent(s), and appropriate school official/coach.
2) Run 15 miles under the supervision of the coach. (Athletics only) Delete #2
2) The student will be placed on suspension for 10% of the scheduled events (minimum of one complete
game/event/activity) to begin immediately or at the beginning of the sport/activity season, contests or activities scheduled for one calendar year from the date of the imposition of the first strike. An ineligible student (for academic or disciplinary reasons) will serve the suspension when eligibility is regained. When a student is involved in more than one sport or extracurricular activity, athletics will take precedent if agreed upon by the coaches and/or sponsors involved.
SECOND STRIKE:
1) A student will be removed from all extracurricular programs for one calendar year from the date of the imposition of the second strike. Students suspended from extracurricular activities under this policy shall not miss any required academic class related to the extracurricular activity.
2) A student removed from participation in all extracurricular activities under this policy shall be provided the following written information:
the reason(s) for the removal.
the conditions of the removal.
information on availability of counseling, if appropriate.
3) Exception to Two-Strike Consequences When At Least One of the Strikes is for Self-Reported Conduct
Where a student has two strikes, but one or both of the strikes is for conduct which was timely self-reported, regardless if either strike was required to be self reported by the student, the consequences of the second strike will be modified as set forth below.
To be timely under this exception, the self-report must have been made within three (5) school days after the conduct occurred, and:
1) must not be made after the student has been notified of selection for a random drug test,
2) must be made before such conduct has been learned of by the coach or sponsor, or a school official and
3) must not have involved the commission of a crime or major offense as on school property, or at a school-sponsored event.
If the exception set out above applies, the consequences of the second strike shall be as follows:
1) removal from all extracurricular programs for a period of 30 school days (no practices) and at least a 20% suspension from the next scheduled events (minimum of two complete games/events/activities) to begin immediately or at the beginning of the sport/activity season, contests or activities scheduled for one calendar year from the date of the imposition of the second strike. An ineligible student (for academic or disciplinary reasons) will serve the suspension when eligibility is regained. When a student is involved in more than one sport or extracurricular activity, athletics will take precedent if agreed upon by the coaches and/or sponsors involved,
2) if the second strike was a result of a positive drug test, mandatory drug testing during the next six (6) random testing periods,
3) remains on probation for one year from the date of the second strike,
4) 20 hours of approved community service, and
5) writing an acceptable 5,000 word essay on the harmful effects of the students behaviors. If the second strike was for a positive drug test, the essay will focus on the harmful effects of drugs on the body. The essay will be reviewed, and if it does not show acceptable effort, the student will be required to turn in another essay. This will continue until an essay exhibiting acceptable effort is received.
The student will not be eligible for re-admittance into extracurricular programs until all of the foregoing has been completed. A student will only be given the advantage of this exception one time during the student’s academic career at the District. Community service and essay will be approved by the Athletic Director. Student remains
Any subsequent strike during the probation period of one year, whether or not based on self-reported conduct, will result in the imposition of the consequences for a second strike as set forth in this plan above, including removal from all extracurricular programs for a period of one (1) calendar year.