PARTICIPATION CONTRACT

FOR ATHLETICS, CHEERLEADING, AND POM PON

The Lewis-Palmer Board of Education, through district philosophy and goal statements, recognizes the need for students to develop physically and socially. In pursuit of that development, the Board supports a wide variety of extracurricular activities, including athletic participation with other school districts.

Athletics events provide a means for students to develop and demonstrate their unique talents. Such contexts should contribute to school identity, student and staff morale, and inter-district relationships. They also provide and ongoing means of community involvement with the schools.

It is understood that participation in athletics is voluntary, and constitutes a privilege and not a right. Due to the representative status of athletics, certain expectations or standards may exceed those applied to academic students. The following rules of conduct have been determined to apply to all students participating in athletic activities. As used throughout this contract, the term "athletic" shall apply to all activities that are governed by the Colorado High School Activities Association specifically including interscholastic sports, cheerleading, and pom pon.

In order to insure that the rules governing athletic participation are communicated to all participants and their parents/guardian, all athletes and at least one parent/guardian are required to attend a meeting prior to the beginning of the athletic activity in which the student desires to participate for an orientations explanation of the Athletic Participation Contract. Signatures for participation will be requested from both the student and parent/guardian at that time.

RULES OF CONDUCT

1.The violation of any school policy or procedure governing student conduct shall also be violation of rules governing athletic participation.

2.Rules for student conduct which may be approved for different buildings and posted by the building principal in those buildings shall also be applicable to participants in this activity when on that building's grounds or in the facilities.

3.Coaches and sponsors of athletic activities, in conjunction with the athletic director, assistant principals, and principal will establish expectations for (educational standards) training and conditioning, good sportsmanship, maintenance and care of uniforms and equipment and safety rules for each sport and activity as appropriate. These rules or requirements will be adequately communicated to the participants.

4.The possession or use of alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs or controlled substances as defined by Colorado Law, or possession or use of tobacco in any form shall constitute a violation of these rules.

Any student accused of violating these rules shall have the right to be informed that he/she is suspected of violating the rules and be given an opportunity to explain or deny such allegation. The decisions as to the appropriate penalty for a violation shall be within the discretion of the principal or his designee.

1st Violation: Suspension from current athletic participation for a period as determined by the high school principal and athletic director. This suspension period would be determined by the number of competitive events scheduled in that sport (and by the circumstances around the violation, and its report; i.e. self-reporting could mean special consideration.) The athlete and his/her parents/guardians will meet with the athletic director to discuss reinstatement to the team.

2nd Violation: Exclusion from the current athletic activity, and/or from future athletic activities until the student has sufficiently demonstrated that the violation will not reoccur. For those students who have violated the drug or alcohol provisions of the contract, an appropriate drug or alcohol education course is required. The course would be taken at the student's expense and a letter which indicates completion of such a course would allow the student to participate in the next sporting season.

3rd Violation: Elimination from participation in high school athletics for the remainder of the student's high school career. (A review panel may reinstate the student after one year provided sufficient evidence exists to warrant an additional opportunity to participate.)

Violations will be accumulative over a four year period (eight semesters) for those students who participate as freshmen, and the accumulation period for all other students will begin at the time they begin participation (including summer and "off-season) and will cease upon graduation provided they continue participation.

The undersigned agree that they have read, understand, and accept this Participation contract. They understand that participation in this activity is voluntary on the part of the student. The undersigned also agree that they have read and understand that a misunderstanding or misinterpretation or unintentional violation of these rules can lead to a penalty being imposed. Participants understand that prior to engaging in a conduct which might constitute a violation, they may request an interpretation or clarification from the activity supervisor or coach.

Participant_________________________________________Date________

Parent/Guardian_____________________________________Date_______

Lewis-Palmer School District # 38

El Paso County, Colorado

No place in this document is its limited applicability to non-school related activities made clear. In addition, the reader isn't even referred to the "Zero Tolerance Policy, JICH."

Special Consideration for self reporting, too bad these kids weren't drinking during a football game, they self reported.