The Athletic Department is committed to creating successful student-athletes. When a student athlete is failing a class, a teacher, guidance counselor, or coach can initiate a “yellow-card,” which will be issued by the grade-level assistant principal. The card exists to help monitor the effort a student-athlete is giving toward meeting their academic requirements. The assistant principal will notify the athletic director and the appropriate coach that a yellow card has been started.
	Student-athletes who have been issued a yellow card must: - Seek regularly scheduled help in the academic subjects listed, either during learning labs or Academic Assistance Period. - Demonstrate an acceptable level of effort and positive attitude in meeting their academic requirements, as determined by the teachers of the courses they are failing. - Make consistent improvement in the designated courses. - Have their yellow card signed by the appropriate teacher(s) weekly. Teachers will indicate the effort level made by the student-athlete that week to correct their failing grade and comment if applicable. - Share these cards with the necessary signatures with the grade-level assistant principal and their coach.
	Student-athletes who fail to comply with the requirements listed above may not be allowed to participate in athletic contests. Determination of compliance with this provision shall be made cooperatively with the coach, teacher, building administrators and athletic director. The athletic director shall make a specific recommendation for student-athlete participation based on communication with the teacher, coach, guidance counselor and assistant principal.
	Yellow-cards will be removed by the grade-level assistant principal through communication with the athletic director, coach, teacher, guidance counselor, parents and student-athlete.

Guidelines for Participation in Interscholastic Athletics (Code of Conduct)

Participation in athletics provides many opportunities for enrichment in a student’s educational program. These guidelines are intended to set forth standards, rules, expectations and procedures associated with such participation. Student athletes shall be subject to the Student Code of Conduct, Student Rights and Responsibilities and all related matters as set forth in The Spartan Handbook for current school year, hereafter referenced as “Handbook.”

Academic Standards

Athletics are intended to have a positive effect on performance in the classroom and attitude toward all school experiences. It is the responsibility of parents/guardians to determine whether a son/daughter will continue to participate in athletics if grades and classroom attitude are not acceptable. Parents should consult with their child’s guidance counselor, assistant principals or coach if they have questions regarding academic standing and athletic competition. Student athletes are also subject to the conditions of the “Academic Guidelines for Participation in Interscholastic Athletics."

Student athletes who fail two or more subjects will be required to seek regularly scheduled help in those subjects. Arrangements for such assistance may include but not be limited to:

	Contacting/conferencing with individual teachers.
	Study sessions during Activity Period prior to regularly scheduled practices.
	Privately paid tutoring sessions will be accepted.
	Academic Support Center attendance during study halls or free blocks during the regular school day.

Team Standards

	All student athletes must receive a sports physical before participating in any practice or contest. Sports physicals may be provided by the school physician. Physicals provided by the athlete’s personal physician must be accepted and approved by the school physician. A sports physical will be valid for one school year, subject to review if there is a significant injury or illness as determined by the district representatives. A sports physical update by the district nurse must occur prior to participation in the student athlete’s next sports season.
	All student athletes must attend all practices and contests unless excused by the coach.
	All student athletes must demonstrate respect for fellow teammates, coaches, game officials and opponents. This includes the avoidance of physical or verbal abuse, including so-called trash- talking toward team-mates and/or opponents.
	Student athletes must demonstrate control over emotions and language.
	Student athletes must follow any specific rules provided by the team coach.
	All student athletes must ride the district team bus to and from all athletic contests requiring travel. An athlete may receive permission from his or her coach/athletic director to ride to/from a contest with his or her parents/guardian, and only with written permission as specified in our district policy, which can be provided from the athletic director.
	To be eligible to participate in any contest or practice, student athletes must be in attendance at school for the entire school day, including homeroom, physical education and all classes. Exceptions for educational, medical, religious and bereavement absences will be accepted. Students who fail to comply with this policy may be subject to disciplinary action by the schools administration, which may include suspension from practices and/or games.
	Hazing: coaches will not permit student athletes to stage any type of initiation ceremony or hazing of athletes at any level. BH-BL will not tolerate any athlete giving another athlete haircuts, shaving, locker/shower pranks, etc.

Violation of the above team standards will result in disciplinary action. Discipline may include suspension from athletic contests, suspension from practice sessions and permanent suspension from team activity for the balance of the sports season. The coach will recommend the penalty to the athletic director, who shall make the determination.

Athletic Training Rules

	Student training rules shall include the Student Code of Conduct regulations set forth in the Handbook. In addition, the team coach will provide specific training rules for each team sport not otherwise covered by these guidelines. Student athletes are expected to follow healthy eating habits, habits of cleanliness, absence of alcohol, tobacco and non-prescription drug use. Diet supplements, weight loss pills, performance enhancing drugs such as steroids and other related items are strictly prohibited.
	Substance Abuse - From the start of the fall athletic season to the end of the school year any student athlete is strictly prohibited from: 1. The use or possession of alcohol, tobacco (including snuff, chewing and smokeless tobacco), non-prescription or illegal drugs as defined by the New York State Penal Law. 2. Hosting and/or attending alcohol or drug parties, selling or purchasing illegal drugs or alcohol and any other illegal conduct as defined by the Penal Law. We hope that during the summer months, parents will continue to uphold the above standards.
	Due Process and Penalties: 1. All due process requirements are specified in the Due Process Procedures of these guidelines (below). 2. Upon determination that a student athlete has violated the substance abuse guidelines, the following penalties may be applied: First Offense - Beginning from the date when the offense is verified, the student athlete will be placed on probation for three (3) consecutive district athletic seasons. - If the offense occurs during his/her current season, the student athlete will be suspended for a minimum of  20 percent of the teams’ contests that season as determined by the coach and athletic director. - A conference involving the team coach, athletic director, building administrator and student athlete will be held. The parent/guardian will be informed by phone of the consequences and his/her role on the team during the suspension period. During the suspension period, the student athlete will be referred to the appropriate school personnel for counseling and assistance. Second Offense of Similar Nature - The student athlete will be suspended for the remainder of the current sport season, following the due process procedures referenced in Due Process Procedures herein. - The student athlete may be suspended for a minimum of 30 percent of the teams contest during his/her next succeeding sports season as determined by the coach and athletic director. - The student athlete will be required to obtain mandatory in-school counseling. The counseling must begin prior to the student athlete’s return to competition. Failure to attend counseling will result in the student athlete becoming ineligible for competition until such counseling has been completed to the satisfaction of the athletic director and the high school principal. Third Offense - The student athlete will be suspended from participation in interscholastic athletics for three (3) consecutive athletic seasons following the completion of the due process procedures set forth in Due Process Procedures herein.
	Self-Referral A student athlete who voluntarily admits to violation of these guidelines, or who requests assistance prior to any verified violation, will be referred for assistance. The student athlete may be suspended from competition as determined by the coach and athletic director. A one-year probationary period will go into effect from the date of admission and any future violation of these guidelines will be considered a second offense as set forth in these guidelines.

Due Process Procedures

Parents and student athletes must recognize that participation in interscholastic athletics is a privilege and not a right. Therefore, certain standards of due process that apply to regular school codes of conduct may not apply in the interscholastic setting. The district is committed to providing fair and equitable treatment with respect to the enforcement of these guidelines and to provide an opportunity for parents and student athletes to discuss factual issues related to any and all rules, standards and procedures set forth in these guidelines. Due process procedures will include the following:

	All allegations will be investigated by the team coach and athletic director in order to verify, to the extent possible, the fact basis of such allegations.
	Parents and student athletes will be notified of any allegations that are verified and that result in discipline being imposed according to these guidelines. Parents and student athletes may request a meeting with the coach and athletic director to review these matters prior to the imposition of any discipline.
	In the event the student athlete and/or parents wishes to contest the allegations, fact determinations or proposed discipline, a request for an expedited hearing may be made to the high school principal. The high school principal will schedule such a hearing as soon as is possible and shall act in the capacity of the hearing officer. This hearing is intended to be informal, but to allow both the affected student athlete and district to provide information to the high school principal for a determination. The superintendent’s decision will be final and binding upon all parties.

Quitting/Team Dismissal

Any student athlete who voluntarily leaves a team during the competition season will not be permitted to join another team during that season, except with permission of the athletic director. Any student athlete who is dismissed from a team for violating these guidelines will not be permitted to join another team during the same sports season. Any student athlete who voluntarily quits or is dismissed under this provision will receive the loss of 20 percent of their next sports season.

Citizenship

Any student athlete suspended from school will become (at the discretion of the district administration) ineligible to participate on any team during the season in which the infraction occurred. Repeated offenses will result in ineligibility for additional sports seasons, and as such, may be determined by the athletic director and high school principal. Student athletes convicted of criminal activity may be suspended from athletic team eligibility for up to six (6) consecutive athletic seasons.

Injuries and Insurance

Parents will be advised of the fact that there are inherent risks associated with participation in interscholastic athletics. Even with proper instruction and all available safety precautions, it is possible for injuries to occur. Students shall report any injury to his/her coach immediately. Parents’ insurance will apply first for any accident or injury. The district will maintain an insurance policy to supplement the parents’ insurance and to assist those who do not have any health and accident insurance coverage. Questions regarding this coverage should be referred to the coach or athletic director.

Outside Team Rule

The New York state Public High School Athletic Association permits outside (non-school sponsored) competition. Student athletes must recognize that commitment to the school team is the first priority and outside participation should not be detrimental to the student athlete or to the school team. Any outside participation should only occur following notification to and approval from the coach of the school team. In circumstances where the outside activity conflicts with the school team schedule, the school team schedule shall be followed. Failure to comply with this provision will result in discipline to the student athlete, including suspension from practices, contests or continued participation with the sport program as determined by the coach and athletic director.

Issuing of School Equipment and Clothing

It is the responsibility of a student athlete to return all issued equipment and clothing to the team coach. Failure to comply with this guideline will result in the student athlete not being allowed to participate in another sport until equipment is either returned or paid for. The athletic director and/or high school principal will notify parents and students of the missing equipment and the amount of payment due the district for replacement.

Selective Classification

Students in grades 7 or 8 who are exceptional athletes are provided an opportunity to try out for a freshman, junior varsity and/or varsity team. Students must meet the requirements of the New York State Selective/Classification Program. These requirements may be obtained from the athletic director.

Transportation for Special Competition

During the course of the school year, individual teams may have the opportunity to compete with schools outside of Section II. Board of Education approval is required for all such competition. If approved, the team will provide its own transportation to the contest and will not use school district vehicles. Parents will be required to sign a transportation authorization in order for student participation and transportation by private non-school vehicles. Authorization forms will be provided by the team coach or obtained from the athletic director.

Administration of Guidelines

It is the intention of the district, athletic director and coaches to provide a positive experience for all student athletes in the district's interscholastic athletic program. These guidelines have been developed to enhance that experience and to clearly define district, athletic director and coach expectations for such participation. The athletic director, coach and high school principal shall have the general administrative authority to implement these guidelines and to address those situations that may not be specifically set forth here. The district, athletic director and high school principal further reserve the right to amend these guidelines, and to provide notice of such amendments to all parents and student athletes participating in the district's interscholastic athletic program.