Student & Parent/Guardian Agreement
The Board of Education recognizes the educational values inherent in student participation in co-curricular and extracurricular activities of the school and encourages such participation. It is expected that involvement in such activities will help students in building social relationships, developing academic and athletic interests, and gaining an understanding of the elements and responsibilities of good citizenship.
Recognizing that student activities are a part of the school program, the Board requires that all student activity programs shall be in balance with other curricular offerings in the school and be managed in a professional manner. Students participating in co-curricular and extracurricular activities are required to comply with any academic and/or behavioral standards set by the district or school. Students & Parents/Guardians will be required to sign a statement annually agreeing to comply with the code of conduct for co-curricular and extracurricular activities. General eligibility requirements in co-curricular and extracurricular activities include that a student is in good academic and behavioral standing. Participation will be at the discretion of the building principal and athletic director/advisor. If a student has an unexcused absence for the day, they may not participate in extracurricular/co-curricular activities on the day of the absence.
The Board of Education has the authority to establish reasonable standards as prerequisites for eligibility for co-curricular and extracurricular activities. These standards apply to entry qualifications as well as to continued participation in such activities. Advisors/Coaches must disseminate a copy of the expected standards of conduct to all students and parents at the start of each school year and co-curricular/extracurricular activity, and participating students should be individually informed of the application and scope of such standards.
Students will not be discriminated against in extracurricular/co-curricular activities on the basis of legally protected statuses, as outlined in policy 0100, Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity.
Eligibility and continued participation in co-curricular and extracurricular activities are a privilege extended to students, as opposed to a right, and the behavioral standards set forth in the district Code of Conduct (Policy 5300) apply to all students participating in any co-curricular and/or extracurricular activity. All student participants will be informed that they have an obligation to act in a responsible manner because of the leadership roles they play in the school environment and as a result are expected to adhere to a ban on the consumption/use of alcoholic beverages, drugs (other than those appropriately prescribed), and/or tobacco products on or off campus. (See Discipline Outcomes below)
The superintendent designee shall create training for all advisors in corresponding groups to convey the expectations within the code of conduct.
“Training rules” are generally accepted as a condition of participation in student athletics, and may include attendance at practices, individual training programs, etc. Similar rules of rehearsal attendance and practice may apply to other extracurricular or co-curricular activities such as musicals, drama presentations, etc.
Student Extracurricular/Co-Curricular Code of Conduct
All students participating in extracurricular and co-curricular activities in the Voorheesville Central School District are required to abide by the District Code of Conduct. Any violation of the District Code of Conduct that results in a student’s external suspension from school (including, but not limited to, the use or possession of alcohol, tobacco products, and illegal drugs, vandalism, theft, assault, hazing, and participation in drinking/drug parties) shall also be subject to terms of the Student-Extracurricular/Co-Curricular Code of Conduct.
Students shall follow the requirements of this code and avoid any action(s) or participation in an activity outside of school that would be a violation of the Extracurricular/Co-Curricular Code of Conduct appendix. Alleged violation(s) will be subject to review by the building administration, Athletic Director, and/or coaching staff and may result in possible subsequent action. Examples of some behaviors that would be considered violations of the Extracurricular/Co-Curricular Code of Conduct Code are delineated in the attached appendix and are provided as a part of the form that is signed by the student and parent. The list is not meant to be all-inclusive.
Self-Referral: A student who self-reports a violation of this Code before being presented with a first violation and who requests assistance regarding a violation of the Code prior to the violation being brought to the attention of District personnel will be provided with appropriate assistance and support. Students must submit documentation that they have participated in an evaluation by a healthcare professional. The Principal and Athletic Director shall maintain a written record of the self-referral in the student management system. Any future violation will be handled as a second offense or a third as appropriate.
Consequences
First Violation
- Parents/guardians of the student will be informed.
- Suspension from attendance at all extracurricular/co-curricular activities for 10 consecutive calendar days. Students must leave campus at the end of the regular day unless directed otherwise by an administrator.
- The student will be recommended to a counseling resource.
- For a first offense, the term of suspension may be reduced from ten (10) to five (5) days if documentation that the student has participated in an evaluation by a healthcare professional is provided.
Second Violation
- Parents/guardians of the student will be informed.
- Suspension from attendance at all extracurricular/co-curricular activities for (twenty) consecutive calendar school days.
- The student must leave campus at the end of the regular school day unless directed otherwise by an administrator.
- The student will be recommended to a counseling resource.
- A reinstatement conference with an administrator and parents/guardians must be held before the student returns to the extra-curricular activity.
Third Violation
- The student will be suspended from all extracurricular/co-curricular activities for the remainder of their high school career; however, a student may apply for reinstatement to activities after one calendar year of suspension. Application for reinstatement must be in writing to the School Principal under the following terms:
- Documentation of completion of counseling in a drug/alcohol rehabilitation program must be provided.
- Students must agree to participate in drug/alcohol screening at their own expense.
- For students whose infraction does not deal with drug use, documentation of behavior management/counseling in conjunction with a behavioral plan is needed for possible reinstatement.
Extracurricular/Co-curricular Code of Conduct Infractions (appendix)
Voorheesville Central School District Students’ extra/co-curricular Code of Conduct may result in both external or internal suspension from school and/or suspension from participation in extracurricular/co-curricular. Examples of suspendable activities include but are not limited to:
- Possession and/or Use of Drugs or Alcohol
- Possession and/or Use of Tobacco Products (this also includes electronic cigarettes or vapor products)
- Distribution or otherwise making available for other students any alcohol, drugs, drug paraphernalia, synthetic narcotics, or non-prescribed medications
- Hazing/Harassment
- Poor Sportsmanship – examples include consistent violation of NYSPHSAA/Section 2 sportsmanship rules
- Theft of property
- Vandalism or Property Destruction
- Possession of a weapon on school property
- The use of any performance-enhancing substances based upon the NCAA Banned Substance list.
A. Stimulants.
B. Anabolic agents.
C. Alcohol and beta blockers (banned for rifle only).
D. Diuretics and masking agents.
E. Narcotics.
F. Cannabinoids.
G. Peptide hormones, growth factors, related substances, and mimetics.
H. Hormone and metabolic modulators.
I. Beta-2 agonists.
NOTE: If a student is found to have broken the law on school property or during a school-sponsored event, the appropriate law enforcement agency will be contacted.
Appeals Process
The same appeal process will be used for this Co-Curricular and Extracurricular Activities Code of Conduct as is used for the Students Guidelines.
First Read: May 8, 2023
Revised: July 6, 2023
Cross-ref:
0100, Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity
5300, Code of Conduct
5281, Academic Eligibility
0115, Student and Harassment and bullying
Ref:
Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L., 594 U.S. __ (2021)
Bush v. Dassel-Cokato Board of Ed., 745 F. Supp. 562 (D. Minn. 1990)
Matter of O’Conner v. Bd. of Ed., 65 Misc.2d 40 (1970)
Matter of Wilson, 28 EDR 254 (1988)
Matter of Keily, 24 EDR 138 (1984)
Matter of Miller, 23 EDR 23 (1983)
Matter of Moore, 22 EDR 180 (1982)
Matter of Clark, 21 EDR 542 (1982)
Matter of Vetter, 20 EDR 547 (1981)