ATHLETICS & COMPETITIVE CLUB CODE OF CONDUCT

We welcome your participation in our program and extend to you our assistance and best wishes for a successful experience. Participating in any of our athletics and/or competitive clubs is a privilege and with this privilege comes tremendous responsibility. Your behavior will reflect the perception from people of what our activity, community, and school is all about. You are in a leadership role so It is important you use good judgment at all times. Whether you are a freshman or a senior, you must be a positive role model since you have the greatest impact on our programs, school, and community. As a part of the total educational program at Mundelein High School, we aim for every student to have an equal opportunity to participate in our athletics programs and competitive activities. All students who have met their educational requirements are given the opportunity to participate in the various athletics and activities offered.

Mundelein High School is a member of the North Suburban Conference (NSC) and the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) and adheres to their policies and guidelines.

5.01 ATHLETICS & COMPETITIVE CLUB CODE

Participation in athletics and activities is a privilege and not a right. Students who decide to participate shall be expected to exemplify the highest standards of academic excellence, sportsmanship, behavior, and fair play. Students who are unable to abide by the expectations established by Mundelein High School will be subject to disciplinary action. These expectations will be enforced year-round from the time the student enrolls until the time they graduate and/or complete their final season of competition (whichever is later).

Applicability

Upon registration, this Code of Conduct is in effect 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days per year.  Any student who participates in athletics or competitive clubs at MHS is subject to this Code, whether the student is in season or out of season.

Students and parents/guardians have the right to appeal a disciplinary action under this Code to the Appeal Council. The appeal must be made in writing to the Athletics Director or the Student Life and Activities Coordinator (SLAC) within three (3) school days of receiving disciplinary action. The Council is composed of the Athletics Director/(SLAC) and/or Principal, Administrator or designee, and one athletics office coach or extracurricular sponsor.

ATHLETICS & COMPETITIVE CLUB CODE AND TRAINING RULES

Eligibility

All students who compete in any IHSA athletic event, compete or perform in any school-sponsored event or competitive extracurricular activity shall satisfy all scholastic requirements of the Illinois High School Association, including passing five (5) academic courses weekly that equals 2.5 credits.  If a student does not pass five (5) academic classes in a semester that equals 2.5 credits, then they will be ineligible for the next semester. If a student fails a class or classes in the spring semester, they may make up the class in summer school and, if successful, be eligible for a fall activity. A student shall be eligible through age nineteen (19) unless the student shall become twenty (20) during a sport season, in which case eligibility shall terminate on the first day of the sport season.

For co-curricular courses (academic, grade-bearing courses that have an activity/participation component that is not an IHSA sport/activity), students who are not academically eligible for performance/competition may earn the privilege to perform/compete if they are actively engaged in school documented efforts to improve their learning performance. Students must provide sponsors with a documented learning plan which outlines the steps they are taking to improve their grades. This process can be engaged in at the sponsor’s discretion. Should a student consistently fall below academic standards, the code should be enforced, potentially preventing the student from participating in performance/competition.

Students wishing to participate must have the following documentation on file in the athletics/activity office:

• a physical exam (only required for athletics)
• an insurance waiver signed by the student and their parent/guardian(s) on file (only required for athletics)
• emergency medical information
• a signed copy of the Code of Conduct

ATHLETICS & COMPETITIVE CLUB CODE OF ETHICS

Fair play at all times.

Show respect for opponents, officials and spectators.

High degree of character on and off the field/competition.

Completion of schoolwork as evidence of commitment to school and team.

Complete observance of all training rules and school policies.

Be modest and considerate in victory; be gracious in defeat.

It is an honor and a privilege to represent Mundelein High School.

Team success comes before individual recognition.

ATHLETICS & COMPETITIVE CLUB CODE OF CONDUCT

RULE 1 - ATTENDANCE AT PRACTICE/REHEARSALS OR COMPETITIVE GAMES & PERFORMANCES

Practice is mandatory unless personally excused by the coach/sponsor. Students absent from school or who leave school because of illness during the day will not be eligible to participate in sports practices/competitions or rehearsals/performances that day. Students who are ill and arrive late to school before half of the school day is over will have their eligibility decided by the Athletics Director or the Student Life and Activities Coordinator who will keep in mind the welfare of the student.

Sanction

Students who are absent from school for reasons other than illness will have their eligibility left to the discretion of the  Athletics Director or the Student Life and Activities Coordinator with communication/feedback from the coach/sponsor.

RULE 2 – CONDUCT UNBECOMING AN ATHLETE/PARTICIPANT

Students will not display behavior (at or away from the participation location) which, in the opinion of the coaching staff or sponsor, violates school rules, Board policies, or the law, or is considered insubordinate or inappropriate to standards of conduct, behavior, attitude or sportsmanship. This includes but is not limited to: hate speech, boasting about or attending functions where illegal activity is happening, lying to school officials, cheating, plagiarism, gang-related activities, fighting, vandalism, theft, gross misconduct during the school day or at extracurricular activities, excessive absenteeism/tardiness, any criminal activity or conduct that endangers others, hazing, bullying, violation of statutory laws, misuse of social media or inappropriately using electronic devices. MHS also imposes conduct unbecoming sanctions when a student attends a party at which illegal activity is occurring (ex: alcohol being consumed by minors even if the student does not partake).

Sanction

The range of punishment goes from verbal warning to dismissal from the team/activity. Community service may be required as part of the intervention in order to regain eligibility. There may also be a program/intervention from the Wellness Center at MHS available. Community service and the program/intervention must be completed within 60 days.

RULE 3 – TOBACCO/ALCOHOL/DRUGS IN ANY FORM

Students will refrain from the use or possession of electronic cigarettes and/or vaping devices, tobacco, alcohol, and the illegal use or possession of drugs, including steroids. In addition, there shall be no abuse of over-the-counter medications or medications prescribed by a physician.

Sanctions

The above chart includes guidelines for sanctions for violations of Rule 3.  MHS reserves the right to impose additional sanctions and/or to impose a higher level for any offense if the severity of the conduct warrants an increased sanction.

SANCTION PROCEDURES

Issuance of discipline will be handled by the coach/sponsor and /or at the discretion of Athletic Director/Assistant Principal, taking into consideration the seriousness of the offense, any harm or injury to person or property, the remorse of the athlete/participant and any other relevant factors, including the student’s established pattern of behavior. Depending on the offense, the Athletic Director/Assistant Principal can leave the penalty up to the coach/advisor or depending on the severity of conduct, rule to suspend for a certain number of games or percentage of the season.

A student who is suspended from school may not participate in activities or athletics during the suspension.  In addition, repeated violation of school policies or rules, gross disobedience, or misconduct resulting in a student that is suspended may affect a student's future ability to participate in activities or athletics.

SELF-ADMITTANCE

The student or parent/guardian may self-admit a substance abuse problem to the athletic/activities department and face no penalty. This is a one-time offer only and may not be used to avert a penalty based on conduct that already has become known to MHS or law enforcement authorities, e.g., the police have already made an arrest. Community service and a Wellness Center component/work with a Social Worker will also be required as part of this one time self-admittance step.

Revised Aug 2023

Mundelein High School Parent/Guardian Code of Conduct

The essential elements of character building and ethics in athletics and extracurriculars are embodied in the concept of sportsmanship and six core principles: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and good citizenship. The highest potential of athletics and extracurriculars is achieved when competition reflects these "six pillars of character".

By attending athletics events and competitive clubs and activities, parents, guardians, and guests agree to comply with the MHS parent/guardian code of conduct including the following:

1. I will respect the officials and their authority during games / competitions regardless of race, creed, color, sex or ability.

2. I will respect the coaches / sponsors and their authority during games/competitions. Should I have concerns, I will take time to speak to coaches / sponsors at an agreed upon time and place.

3. I will remember that students participate to have fun and that the game is for youth, not adults.

4. I will teach my child that doing one's best is more important than winning, so that my child will never feel defeated by the outcome of a game or performance.

5. I will refrain from coaching my child or other players during games, practices, and competitions.

6. I will not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct with any official, coach, player, or parent such as booing and taunting; refusing to shake hands; or using profane language or gestures.

Any violation, for parent or guardian or any of their guests, of this code of conduct may result in dismissal, suspension, or permanent expulsion from future athletics contests or extracurricular competitions. By attending events and extracurricular performances, parents, guardians and guests understand and agree to the Parent/Guardian Code of Conduct at Mundelein High School sporting events.

_