Royal High/Middle School Interscholastic Athletic and Activities Code

THIS ATHLETIC CODE IS IN EFFECT YEAR-ROUND, 365 DAYS.

The code applies to all student participants in Washington Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) Athletics/Activities, Associated Student Body Officers, Sports, Cheer, Drill/Dance Team, Drama, Extra Curricular Band activities, and all clubs and organizations of the school.

Athlete Expectations

•  Show respect for opponents at all times.
• Accept the decisions of game officials.
• Avoid offensive gestures or language.
• Display modesty in victory and graciousness in defeat. Show respect for public property and equipment.

It is very important that individuals learn to make good and/or positive choices and that they learn to focus on what they have control over. Individuals should not put themselves in an area of another’s control by making bad choices. The overarching goal is that all Athletes that come through Royal athletics become quality citizens who contribute in a positive manner to society. There is no better place to learn these good citizenship skills and responsibilities than through participation in athletics/activities. Again, Individuals need to focus on the things they can control.

Philosophy

The Royal School District affords students the opportunities to be involved in programs which cannot be included in the regular school day or as part of the regular education program. Continued participation in extracurricular activities is contingent upon the student compliance with the rules of this Athletic Code and the Student Handbook.

Extracurricular activities provide the opportunity to learn sportsmanship, cooperation, recognition, respect for authority, and the spirit of hard work and sacrifice by participation in a wide variety of activities.

Extracurricular activities encourage appropriate appearance and desirable expressions, actions and conduct which will positively influence public opinion of participants and the school.

Although extracurricular activities are voluntary, those participating do represent their student body, family, and community.  Therefore, the standards must be kept high; this includes academic requirements, citizenship, sportsmanship and conduct.  The dignity of the total school program requires that students conduct themselves in a manner above question. 

Participation in extracurricular activities is a privilege not a right of the student.

These policies should be reviewed by the student athlete and discussed with their parents/guardians.  The athletic code deals with conduct of the student year-round on each of the 365 days in a calendar year. 

Student athletes and their parents are informed that students will be held accountable to rules and regulation in the Royal High/Middle School Student Handbook as well as the Royal High/Middle School Athletic Code.  Violations occurring on school property or at a school sponsored activity will result in discipline being imposed from both policies. Damages of school property will be investigated and processed on an individual basis.

Requirements for Participation/Eligibility

In order for a student to participate in any athletic activity, the student must have on file in the office a record of the following:

1. Written documents evidencing the student has met all WIAA requirements
2. Parent/guardian permission form
3. Physical examination with physician’s signature
4. Emergency information card/travel card
5. Insurance coverage information, policy and number, or Paid school Insurance
6. Record of purchase of an ASB card
7. Signature of student and parent/guardian signifying they have read, understood, and accepted the athletic code handbook regulations
8. Signature of parent/guardian warning statement
9. Record that the student has met academic requirements
10. Students must have a physical, parent permission, and insurance to practice, all other requirements they have 1 week to get cleared

Please see Athletic Director or the WIAA Handbook for questions

Attendance

Student/Athletes shall be in attendance at school or a school related activity for the entire day to be eligible to participate in an interscholastic event on that day. Any unexcused absences will result in a student athlete being ineligible to compete. Excused absences will not count against student attendance on the given day.

Students/Athletes are expected to be on time to school in the morning and after lunch.

Exceptions to the above include pre-arranged absences, and reasonable time for medical or dental appointments. Pre-arranged absences, must be submitted through the High School attendance secretary. Excessive parent excused absences will be reviewed by school administration. An athlete who has been absent for an excusable reason must obtain an absence clearance slip from the office and give it to the Office to be entered in Skyward. All other exceptions must be cleared through a building administrator and by the coach.

If a student athlete has accrued a lunch detention, for school discipline reasons, they will not be allowed to participate in competition until the given lunch detention has been served.

NOTE: Student/Athletes seeking eligibility must be cleared during the regular school hours, 8:00AM-3:30PM

An unexcused absence from an athletic contest or activity contest may be cause for dismissal from the team. 

Importance of Academics and Conduct

Proper conduct and academic excellence are important for all students.  Participants have a special mandate to maintain good conduct and classroom performance.  You represent Royal High/Middle School and your community in everything you do and you represent extracurricular activities to those who observe you in the classroom and community. 

Student athletes must adhere to all the WIAA academic requirements. Students/Athletes that are failing more than one class are academically ineligible per WIAA Rules. Grades will be checked bi-weekly (every other Monday) throughout the school year. If a student is failing more than one class on the official grade check, the student is immediately ineligible until the student raises one of the failing grades to passing. Students can not have more than two failing classes at a time in order to be eligible (per WIAA Rules). Students must turn in a grade check form to the athletic office prior to being cleared in Final Forms. An ineligible student may be declared eligible at any time by getting cleared through building administration. It is the students responsibility to communicate with designated staff on eligibility status.

Team GPAs will be submitted to the WIAA for State Academic awards. Students who have a 3.5 or higher will be recognized as scholar athletes at some point during the school year, either via Athletic Banquets or school assemblies.

Changing Sports During a Season

For an athlete to change sports during the season, they must obtain approval from both coaches as well as the Athletic Director. Changing sports during a season must occur within the first 3 weeks of a season as determined by WIAA season start dates.

Care of School Equipment and Facilities

School equipment checked out by the student is his/her responsibility.  It is expected to be kept clean and in good condition.  Loss of issued equipment or damage to issued equipment will be the student’s financial obligation.  There is absolutely no provision for a student to keep equipment that belongs to the school.

No participant will be allowed to participate (in a game) in another sport until all previously issued equipment has been returned or proper restitution made.

Issued equipment is to be used ONLY while participating within the activity, practice or during a scheduled contest. Misuse of facilities and/or equipment will not be tolerated.  Failure to comply with this regulation could result in denial of their use or dismissal from the activity.

Travel Regulations

Athletes will travel to and from a contest with the team on the designated bus/van.  Exceptions to this rule may be granted with Athletic Director/coach’s approval, with written notification from parent/guardian to Athletic Director/coach prior to travel.  After a contest, a student may be released to travel with parents/guardians with a signed travel release form in Final Forms.

Student Conduct on a School Bus/Van

Refer to the transportation guidelines.

Misconduct Violations

Students are prohibited from the use or possession of illegal drugs, narcotics and the use or possession of alcoholic beverages or tobacco products.  Students who do not immediately remove themselves from the situation where drugs, alcohol or tobacco are present as soon as possible are subject to discipline.   The use of physical abuse against other players, officials and coaches; conduct or expression that could be considered lewd, indecent or obscene; any criminal activity; any conduct which is a negative reflection on the school, team or activity; destruction, damage or theft of school property or the property of others are subject to discipline.

Discipline

When it is determined by the coach, advisor or school administrator that a violation has occurred, the student will be brought before the Athletic/Activity Board.  The Board will consist of:

            2 – out of season coaches/advisors

            1 – administrator

            1 – teacher

            1 – school board member    

If the board determines an above mentioned violation may have occurred, the student could be suspended from participation for up to one year from the time of the infraction.  Normally the Board eliminates up to one quarter of the season for the first offense and the second offense is up to one year.  However, the Board will determine punishment for the infraction and are not held to the above normal suspensions.  Suspension is not limited to violations in any one sports season, but refers to violations accumulated throughout the school career, including summers.  The Board will take into consideration a student self reporting any violation.  If the suspension is not able to be completed during the present season, it will carry over to the next season that the student is involved in.

The administration of the rules is subject to the rights of due process and the student will be afforded the same rights, which are guaranteed by law, as those given the general student population in regard to notification and hearing.  If a student or parent is aggrieved of the process or disposition of any discipline or suspension in athletics, they have the right to be heard and should contact the Athletic Director for further procedure.

Athletic Grievance Procedure

When a parent or student has a concern, problem or question about their sport or activity; the following procedure should be followed:

1 – talk to the coach, do not try to talk to the coach before, during, or after a game (24 hour rule) If you have a concern, call the school and make an appointment to see the coach or talk on the phone.  If for some reason this is difficult to initiate, the athletic director can be contacted to set up a meeting or act as an intermediary

2 – talk to the athletic director

3 – talk to the principal

4 – talk to the superintendent

 

Royal Knight Pride

Player Expectations

HAVE A GREAT WORK ETHIC, WORK TOWARDS A COMMON GOAL

• BE DISCIPLINED, Know what has to be done, Know when is has to be done, Do it as well as it can be done all the time
• BE COACHABLE, Listen and ask questions, Work at getting better everyday, Accept your role
• PREPARE TO WIN, Focus (It starts at practice), Know your opponent, Be a competitor-compete every play

BE AT PRACTICE EVERYDAY, ON TIME, READY TO WORK HARD

• Have proper practice gear
• Unexcused absences will not be tolerated

BE A GREAT STUDENT AND CITIZEN

• Be in class and on time everyday
• Follow all student conduct codes and individual teacher’s rules
• In middle school you must pass classes and in high school you must pass five classes to be eligible

CREATE POSITIVE ANSWERS TO THREE QUESTIONS

• Can we trust you?
• Are you committed?
• Does the team come first?

FOLLOW THREE SIMPLE RULES

• Do what is right.
• Do your best.
• Treat others right.

BE A POSITIVE INFLUENCE, MAINTAIN A GREAT IMAGE OF ROYAL ATHLETICS ON AND OFF THE FIELD

YOU ARE DIFFERENT THAN THE REST OF THE STUDENTS, IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO BE AN ATHLETE

 

Positive Parenting

1. Be positive with your child; let him/her know they are accomplishing something by simply being part of the team.  Do not put him/her down.
   
   
2. Do not offer excuses for your child if he/she is not playing.  There is usually a reason for it.  Encourage him/her to work hard and do his/her best.

3. Do not put down his/her coaches, etc.  Remember the coach represents the “Boss”, the “Authority”, the “Parent”, the “Teacher”, the “Law”, etc.  If you are constantly bad mouthing your child’s coaches, how can you expect the child to play for his/her coach?  You are teaching your child to be a complainer, not a doer.

4. Encourage your son/daughter to follow the team rules.  Whether he/she is a first stringer or a seventh stringer, players must follow rules pertaining to curfew, drinking, smoking, promptness, and school. 

5.  Sports can be very demanding and coaches must concern themselves with a player’s off the field activities in order to get the maximum physical and mental performance out of their players.

6.  Insist on good grades.  Check the number of hours your child spends on homework.  It is the duty of the parents to see that their son/daughter is working in the classroom.  (No matter how good a player he/she is, if he/she does not have good grades they will not get into a four-year college.  Times have changed and students must go through the NCAA clearing house in order to participate.

7.  Do not develop envy toward other players because you do not like their parents, etc.  Do not try to live your live vicariously through your child.  Sports are kid’s games, let them play.

8.  Do not show any animosity or jealousy to any of your son’s/daughter’s teammates because they get better stats or get a write up in the paper.  This type of envy rubs off on your child and it can devastate a team.  No one should care who scores, etc. as long as everyone does their job to the fullest.