St. Johns County School District
Student Athlete Code of Conduct
Preamble to the Arizona Sports Accord – Pursuing Victory With HonorAt its best, athletic competition can hold intrinsic value for our society. It is a symbol of a great ideal: victory with honor. The love of sports is deeply embedded in our national consciousness. The values of millions of participants and spectators are directly and dramatically influenced by the values conveyed by organized sports. Thus, sports are a major social force that shapes the quality and character of the American culture. In the belief that the impact of sports can and should enhance the character and uplift the ethics of the nation, we seek to establish a framework of principles and a common language of values that can be adopted and practiced widely. The essential elements of character-building and ethics in sports are embodied in the
concept of sportsmanship and the six core principles: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and good citizenship.
Athletics is an important part of the total school program in the St. Johns County Schools and works in conjunction with the other educational experiences to provide students the environment and opportunity to develop the values of character and ethical decision-making.~ This opportunity to participate in interscholastic athletics is an extracurricular activity and privilege that carries with it responsibilities to the school, the sport, other students, the family, and the community, as well as the student-athlete.~
The Student-Athlete Code of Conduct governs all student-athletes in the SJCSD who participate in interscholastic athletics.~ These standards of conduct shall supplement, and not supplant or replace, the Code of Conduct or any additional or more stringent rules and standards of conduct that the Head Coach of each athletic team lawfully imposes as a condition of participation in such activity.~ Discipline imposed as a result of a violation of the Student Athlete Code of Conduct shall not preclude additional discipline or consequences under the SJCSD Student Code of Conduct or the rules and bylaws of the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA). It is recognized that some of the expectations for athletes exceed the expectations for the general student body. Student athletes must remain aware that being a
part of interscholastic athletics is considered an honor and a privilege and not a right. Therefore, it requires observance of all aspects of the codes of conduct at school, school-related activities, off campus, or outside-the-school day activities and events. It is also the intent of the Student - Athlete Code of Conduct to provide a clearly defined course for student/athletes to follow and instill a belief that a onetime infraction need not result in a permanent pattern in life.
All student-athletes and their parents/guardians must agree to abide by the rules contained herein by signing the Acknowledgment. The signed Acknowledgment will be returned to the Head Coach before the student is allowed to participate.~ The Athletic Director will retain the signed Acknowledgment.
STANDARDS OF CONDUCT
Each student-athlete is expected to display good sportsmanship, win or lose.~ This means that student-athletes must demonstrate good citizenship in both school and the community at large.~
A. Disrespectful comments and conduct to include the use of foul language, violent or disruptive conduct or insubordination by a student-athlete directed toward any other person, including but not limited to game officials, coaches, advisors, teammates, athletes or members of opposing teams or schools, fans or spectators, or any other persons will subject the student-athlete to recourse under the SJCSD codes of conduct and/or the rules and
SJCSD Student Athlete Code of Conduct
by-laws of the Florida High School Athletic Association. (FHSAA) Such sanctions may include suspension or expulsion from any or all-extracurricular activities.~ Sanctions apply to all practices and meetings and at all times before, during and after games or school-sponsored events, as well as to bus trips to and from games or school sponsored events.~ Ejection from any contest or event will result in a suspension from subsequent contests under the rules and bylaws of FHSAA and the SJCSD Student Athlete Code of Conduct.
B. The use, sale, distribution, and possession of alcohol, other drugs or illegal substances including performance enhancing substances or the possession of drug paraphernalia will not be tolerated of student-athletes participating in SJCSD interscholastic or intramural athletic programs whether on or off school grounds under provisions of Section 2.3 of the Student Code of Conduct.
C. No student-athlete shall knowingly attend any party or other social gathering where underage drinking and illegal drug use occurs.~ This rule is intended to apply to gatherings of primarily students where underage drinking is occurring, usually without the knowledge or acquiescence of the students’ parents, and shall not apply to any student-athlete attending an event which is hosted by his or her own family, such as a wedding or a family reunion.~ It shall not be a defense to this rule that a gathering of students at which alcohol and drugs are consumed was sanctioned by any parent, or held with parental consent. It is the attendance at such gatherings that is prohibited by this rule.~ Actual consumption of alcohol or use of drugs is not a prerequisite to establish a
violation of this rule.~ Any student-athlete who is found to have voluntarily remained in the vicinity of a gathering prohibited by this section shall be guilty of a violation of this rule whether or not he or she consumes or uses any prohibited substance.
No student-athlete will be deemed to have violated this rule if he or she can show to the satisfaction of the school Principal, Athletic Director and Head Coach that, immediately upon becoming aware that underage drinking and/or drug use is present at a party or social gathering, he/she completely removed himself/herself from the place where the party or social gathering was held, including parking areas.
D. Student-athletes using unauthorized tobacco products, selling, distributing or possessing illegal drugs, , controlled substances (including unauthorized prescription drugs), drug paraphernalia, or performance enhancing substances on or off school property during the time that the student is participating in interscholastic athletics or at any time during that school year will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the School District and Student – Athlete Codes of Student Conduct, as well as state law and FHSAA rules and by-laws.~ Such discipline may include suspension or expulsion from any or all-extracurricular activities, depending on the circumstances of each case.
PENALTIES FOR ENGAGING IN PROHIBITED CONDUCT
The following are the penalties for student-athletes who participate in interscholastic athletics and who are found to have violated the Student-Athlete Code of Conduct.~ These penalties shall not be construed as a promise or guarantee of any particular form of discipline, as the SJCSD retains the right to impose discipline under this policy, which it deems appropriate under the individual circumstances of each case.~ These penalties shall be served in addition to any penalties assessed under the SJCSD Student Code of Conduct.
All game(s) suspensions will be served during the athlete’s current-year season of participation. In the event that a penalty is assessed at the end of the current season, suspensions will be carried over and pro-rated (if necessary) into the next sport season the student-athlete participates in and completes.~~ Student-
SJCSD Student Athlete Code of Conduct
athletes will begin to serve game(s) suspensions immediately upon the imposition of any penalties assessed by the Principal or Athletic Director.~ In the event a student-athlete files an appeal of a penalty imposed as a result of a code violation, the game(s) suspension will be immediately served upon imposition of the penalty, and/or during the appeals process.~
CLASSIFICATION OF VIOLATIONS
~1)~Minor Violations - A coach shall be responsible for assessing penalties for violation of team and attendance rules.~ Such penalties may range from a verbal warning to expulsion from the team for repeat offenses.~ Coaches shall generally practice progressive discipline, depending on the facts and circumstances.~ A coach’s decision to remove a student-athlete from a team will be approved by the Athletic Director prior to the imposition of the penalty.~ The coach shall notify the parents of the imposition of any penalty including the nature of the offense and the reason(s) for the disciplinary action.2)~ Level 1 Violation: Any student-athlete found to have engaged in conduct prohibited under Standard of Conduct A may be suspended from competition for one contest for a first offense. Otherwise, Level 1 offenses include, but
are not limited to: possession and/or use of alcohol or tobacco, attendance at a party where alcohol is being served as specified in Standard of Conduct(C), poor citizenship or violations of the SJCSD Code of Student Conduct.
3)~ Level 2 Violation: Any student-athlete found to have committed a second Level 1 violation while on probation for a prior level 1 violation, or any student-athlete found to have engaged in a first offense of any conduct prohibited under Standard of Conduct B, including but not limited to: hosting a party where alcohol is served, hazing, or sexual harassment
4)~ Level 3 Violations: Any student-athlete who is found to have a Level 1 violation while serving a Level 2 probationary period, a second Level 2 violation during his/her high school enrollment, or the use and/or possession of drugs/drug paraphernalia.
5) Level 4 Violations: This level will be utilized for extremely serious first offenses, such as felony arrests/convictions as well as for repeat offenses during periods of probation.
Probation is a stipulated period of time assessed to an athlete as a consequence for violating the code of conduct. This period of time may be extended (extended probation) until the athlete has successfully fulfilled all requirements of the sequence assessed for the violation(s). The Educational Component is a rehabilitative activity intended to reinforce the athlete’s personal adherence to the policies and rules that govern the interscholastic program and is designed to educate the athlete about the violation committed and its impact on reaching personal and team goals.PENALTIES
Level 1 - suspended 10% of games, 1 year probation, and successful completion of educational component may be required.
Level 2 – suspended 20% of games, 1 year probation, and successful completion of educational component may be required.
Level 3 – loss of participation for 1 calendar year, concurrent 1 year probation, and successful completion of educational component may be required
Level 4 – loss of remaining athletic eligibility in SJCSD.
PENALTY CHART
# Of Regular Season Scheduled Contests |
Contest~ Penalty LEVEL 1 |
Contest Penalty LEVEL 2 |
8 |
1 |
2 |
9 |
1 |
2 |
10 |
1 |
2 |
11 |
2 |
3 |
12 |
2 |
3 |
13 |
2 |
3 |
14 |
2 |
3 |
15 |
2 |
3 |
16 |
2 |
4 |
17 |
2 |
4 |
18 |
2 |
4 |
19 |
2 |
4 |
20 |
2 |
4 |
21 |
3 |
5 |
22/23 |
3 |
5 |
24/25 |
3 |
5 |
STUDENT-ATHLETE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I have read and understand that I am accountable for my conduct under the conditions set for the SJCSD Student-Athlete Code of Conduct.
________________________________________________________ ________________________Student-Athlete Signature
Date
PARENT ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I have read and understand that my child is accountable for her or his conduct under the conditions set forth in the SJCSD Student-Athlete Code of Conduct.
________________________________________________________ ________________________Parent Signature
Date
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