Interscholastic Activities
Athletic Code
Meridian School District recognizes the benefit of athletic activities and clubs for students. The opportunity to participate in the interscholastic athletic program is a privilege granted to all students of the district. Our commitment to excellence extends beyond the field, court or track. By participating in our athletic programs, students agree to uphold the following standards:
Belonging: Treat teammates, opponents, coaches, officials and fans with respect. Embrace diversity and create a welcoming environment for all.
Communication: Communicate openly with coaches, teammates and staff. Seek clarification when needed and actively listen to others.
Support: Work together as a team. Encourage and uplift fellow athletes. Support staff and volunteers who contribute to our athletic programs.
Wellness: Prioritize well-being. Maintain a healthy lifestyle, get adequate rest and manage stress effectively.
Learning: Balance studies with athletics. Attend classes, complete assignments and strive for academic success. Learn from victories and defeats. Show resilience, adaptability and a growth mindset.
The following rules will be applicable for a sports season:
A. Use and/or Possession of Alcoholic Beverages, Marijuana, Tobacco, Controlled Substances, E-cigarettes or Vapes:
An athlete who is found to be in possession of alcohol, marijuana, tobacco or vape products may be removed from the athletic team for two weeks (first offense). If the student violates the rule twice during the sports season, they will be dropped from the team for the season.
An athlete who is found to be in possession of controlled or illegal chemical substances will be disqualified from the team for the remainder of the sports season following their initial offense.
B. Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Students will follow the WIAA sportsmanship guidelines and exhibit appropriate conduct in practices and/or contests. Students will:
- Respect the rights and beliefs of others and treat others with courtesy and consideration.
- Be fully responsible for their own conduct and the consequences of their actions.
- Respect the property of others.
- Obey the rules of their school and the laws of their community, state, and country.
- Show respect to those who are responsible for enforcing the rules.
Students who violate the sportsmanship guidelines will receive consequences dependent on the nature of the violation, ranging from a verbal warning to removal from the team.
C. Attendance at School
Student athletes are expected to attend school on days of competitions. An athlete will attend school for at least a half-day on an athletic contest day. If an athlete receives an unexcused absence for any portion of the day, the athlete will be ineligible to participate in the activity/contest on that day. If excused, the athlete may participate if they were in attendance for one half day or more.
Students must also be in attendance the day following a game unless a prearranged excused absence has been cleared through the office, or a team returns after midnight from an athletic competition.
D. Academic Requirements
Students must pass all classes to maintain eligibility during the current semester.
E. Violation of Law on School Grounds
When a student is found guilty of an offense committed while on school grounds or at a school activity, the corrective action will depend upon the nature of the violation.
F. Repeated Offenses
If a student repeatedly violates one of the above rules, they may be removed from the team for the remainder of the sports season.
Coach’s Duties
In accordance with district policy and the coach’s job description, the coach has the duty to:
A. Instruct Participants
The coach should employ the latest methods and proper instruction when working with students to develop motor skills. If an injury occurs while using an improper instructional method, the district and its employees may be liable for negligence.
B. Warn Participants
The coach should inform all athletes and their parents of the inherent risks involved in participation in the particular sport, including the very small risk of infection with a blood-borne pathogen. The coach must describe, using a variety of methods, the catastrophic and common non-catastrophic injuries unique to the sport.
C. Supervise Participants
The coach will create a daily plan, showing how the coach plans to conduct general supervision of the sport, and how they will supervise specific drills and other components of the daily practice. Adequacy of supervision should be reviewed in terms of quality and quantity and should include factors such as: the age of the students, the size of the students, the equipment involved, the maturity level of the students, the first aid equipment and training available, the appropriate certification of supervisors where required, and the safety training of the personnel involved.
D. Provide Safe Equipment and Facilities
Equipment should be properly fitted and maintained. Athletes should be instructed on how to conduct a daily inspection. Facilities should be free of hazards and inspected regularly.
E. Maintain Records of Injuries
A report should be completed for each accident. Injury reports should be maintained for a period of five years after the student’s 21st birthday.
F. Assess Fitness of Participants
The coach will assess the physical fitness, the medical condition, and the skill level of athletes prior to participation in sporting activities.
G. Provide Equal Protection and Due Process
While participation in co-curricular activities is a privilege, a student whose participation will be terminated based on an alleged violation of the conduct code must be afforded the opportunity of a fair hearing.
H. Transport Athletes Safely
A coach has a duty to see that athletes are safely transported to and from contests and to and from practices if practices are held at sites other than the immediate school grounds.
I. Group Participants
The coach has the duty to employ a recognized system of grouping for participants in a particular sport that will avoid unequal and unsafe participation. The system of grouping will be based upon skill level, age, maturity, sex, size and experience.
J. Foresee Danger
A coach should be able to reasonably anticipate foreseeable dangers that may occur and take precautions protecting the children in their custody from such dangers.
K. Protect From Loss
A participant is required to present evidence that they are covered by an accident policy. A blanket catastrophic (“no fault”) insurance provides coverage for serious injuries.
The duties listed above are not meant to be comprehensive. In carrying out the duties of the assignment, a staff member is expected to act as a reasonable professional would act under similar circumstances. A staff member who supervises a sports activity is expected to know the intricacies of the activity that they are leading.
Summer Sports Activities/Clinics
Rules governing out-of-school and/or out-of-season student sports participation are as follows:
A. A practice is defined as the teaching phase of a sport to any present, past or future squad member while the student is in grade 7-12. Practices can take place during the school year or during the summer. The school may not sponsor, promote or direct activities which resemble out-of-season practices or contests during the out-of-season coaching period.
A school staff member who sponsors, promotes or directs such activities during the out-of-season coaching period will clearly indicate that they are operating independent of the school district. As such, the school district will be free of liability associated with the activity.
B. Students will be advised that participation in a commercial summer camp or clinic or other similar type of activity will not begin until the conclusion of the final WIAA state tournament of the school year. Participants in a fall school sports program may not attend any summer camp/clinic in that sport after August 1 until the first fall sports turnout. The school should announce by school bulletin that summer sports camp/clinic is neither endorsed nor sponsored by the district.
C. A coach (contracted or volunteer) may not sponsor, promote, coach or direct activities which resemble out-of-season practices or contests in the sport they coach to any of their squad members or future squad members (grades 7-12) until after the school year’s final WIAA state tournament.
D. The use of the school bulletin board, public address system or school newspaper for promotional purposes to announce sports clinics/camps will fall within the same guidelines as applied to other commercial endeavors.
E. School facilities to be used for summer activity and/or sports camps may be rented consistent with the rates, rules and regulations applicable for other commercial uses.
A user will hold the district free and without harm from any loss or damage, liability or expense that may arise during or be caused in any way such use of school facilities. Authorization for use of school facilities will not be considered as endorsement of or approval of the activity group or organization, or the purposes it represents.
Appeal Process for Disciplinary Action
When infractions occur within the athletic program, the following process may be followed: When infractions occur within the athletic program and result in discipline, the grievance and appeal process outlined in procedure 3241P will be followed.
Adoption Date: 04/23/14
Revised Date: 9/11/24